in the tradition of Sayagyi U Ba Khin
Course Schedule
Centre Location: Website | Map
** All courses are bilingual: English plus one other language, Dutch, German or French.
Vipassana Meditation Centre Dhamma Pajjota (Torch of Dhamma) is situated in a rural area near the Belgian town of Dilsen-Stokkem, close to the borders of the Netherlands and Germany. The 11-acre site is surrounded by forest and farmland, and has spacious walking areas with numerous trees. At present comfortable accommodation is offered for up to 90 students.
- Access the application form by clicking Apply for the desired course. Old students will be given the option to serve.
- Please carefully read the Introduction to the Technique and Code of Discipline which you will be asked to follow during your course.
- Fully and completely fill out all the sections of application form and submit it. An application is required to register for all courses.
- Await notification. All correspondence will be through e-mail if you give an e-mail address in your application. Due to the large volume of applications, it may take up to two weeks before receiving notification.
- If your application is accepted then we require you to confirm you will be attending in order to secure your place in the course.
Vipassana Meditation Centre - Dhamma Pajjota
Driepaal 3
B-3650 Dilsen-Stokkem
Tel. [32] (0) 89 51 82 30
Fax [32] (0) 89 51 82 39
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://pajjota.dhamma.org
IMPORTANT MESSAGE REGARDING COVID-19
From July 7th onward we can accept participants from outside Belgium again. It will be the responsibility of each participant to follow the travel advice from the country they come from, as well as the guidelines from the Belgian government.
From every participant we will need proof that you have been vaccinated against coronavirus, have had a recent negative test result or have recovered from the disease.
To minimize risks for other students:
Please don't come to the centre if in the previous 14 days you have had symptoms of Covid-19 or have been in contact with people infected by Covid-19.
Please follow hygiene and safety procedures in the centre meticulously. You will be informed of these prior to the course.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Registration will open 2 months before the course starts at 8 pm winter time or 9 pm summer time. Note, the 'apply' link will not be visible until then. You will need to refresh this page to see the link as this page does not auto refresh.
For a 10-day course you can apply until midnight to attend (sit) the course. If the course is not full you can also apply later. Places for attending the 10-day course are allocated by electronic random selection. Anyone whose application has not been selected will be notified within 4 days. For serving the course (only possible as an old student) it is possible to apply as long as the course is open for servers.
Due to the high number of applicants and the limited number of places, the course is limited to those students who have NOT sat a 10-day, Satipatthana or long course in the last 12 months.
| Dhamma Pajjota | The Netherlands | Belgium | Teenagers’ and Children’s Courses |
See Comments for any special instructions for events in this section.
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apply* | 27 Oct - 07 Nov |
10-Day
English / Dutch |
In Progress | Dilsen-Stokkem |
Servers are needed |
| Apply* | 08 Nov - 10 Nov | Work Period | Open | Dilsen-Stokkem |
For old students |
| Apply* | 10 Nov - 21 Nov |
10 days
English / French |
New Women - Closed Old Women - Short Wait List New Men - Closed Old Men - Long Wait List Female Server - Filling Up Male Server - Open | Dilsen-Stokkem | |
| Apply* | 22 Nov - 24 Nov | Work Period | Open | Dilsen-Stokkem |
For old students |
| Apply* | 24 Nov - 05 Dec |
10 days
English / German |
New Women - Closed Old Women - Long Wait List New Men - Closed Old Men - Long Wait List Servers - Open | Dilsen-Stokkem | |
| Apply* | 06 Dec - 07 Dec |
Work Period
English / Dutch |
Open | Dilsen-Stokkem |
For old students |
| Apply* | 07 Dec - 18 Dec |
10 days
English / Dutch |
New Women - Closed Old Women - Wait List New Men - Closed Old Men - Wait List Servers - Open | Dilsen-Stokkem | |
| 18 Dec - 19 Dec | TRUST MEETING | Open | Dilsen-Stokkem | Saturday: committee meetings Sunday morning: trust meeting Old students are welcome. Contact [email protected] | |
| Apply* | 19 Dec - 25 Dec | Sit & Serve | Open | Dilsen-Stokkem |
For old students |
| Apply* | 26 December, 2021 - 06 January, 2022 |
10 days
English / German |
Women - Closed Men - Closed Female Server - Short Wait List Male Server - Open | Dilsen-Stokkem | Registration will open at 8pm. |
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06 Jan - 11 Jan | Sit & Serve | Applications accepted starting 06 Nov | Dilsen-Stokkem |
For old students |
|
| 12 Jan - 23 Jan |
10 days
English / Dutch |
Applications accepted starting 12 Nov | Dilsen-Stokkem | ||
| 24 Jan - 26 Jan | Work Period | Applications accepted starting 24 Nov | Dilsen-Stokkem |
For old students |
|
| 26 Jan - 06 Feb |
10 days
English / French |
Applications accepted starting 26 Nov | Dilsen-Stokkem | ||
| 07 Feb - 08 Feb | Work Period | Applications accepted starting 08 Dec | Dilsen-Stokkem |
For old students |
|
| 08 Feb - 19 Feb |
10 days
English / German |
Applications accepted starting 08 Dec | Dilsen-Stokkem | Registration will open at 8pm. | |
| 19 Feb - 20 Feb | TRUST MEETING | Open | Dilsen-Stokkem | Saturday: committee meetings Sunday morning: trust meeting Old students are welcome. Contact [email protected] | |
| 21 Feb - 23 Feb | Work Period | Applications accepted starting 22 Dec | Dilsen-Stokkem |
For old students |
|
| 23 Feb - 06 Mar |
10 days
English / Dutch |
Applications accepted starting 23 Dec | Dilsen-Stokkem | Registration will open at 8pm. | |
| 07 Mar - 09 Mar | Work Period | Applications accepted starting 05 Jan | Dilsen-Stokkem |
For old students |
|
| 09 Mar - 20 Mar |
10 days
English / French |
Applications accepted starting 09 Jan | Dilsen-Stokkem | Registration will open at 8pm. | |
| 21 Mar - 23 Mar | Work Period | Applications accepted starting 19 Jan | Dilsen-Stokkem |
For old students |
|
| 23 Mar - 03 Apr |
10 days
English / Dutch |
Applications accepted starting 23 Jan | Dilsen-Stokkem | Registration will open at 8pm. | |
| 04 Apr - 06 Apr | Work Period | Applications accepted starting 02 Feb | Dilsen-Stokkem |
For old students |
|
| 06 Apr - 09 Apr |
3 Day
English / French |
Applications accepted starting 04 Feb | Dilsen-Stokkem |
For old students Registration will open at 9pm. |
|
| 10 Apr - 12 Apr | Work Period | Applications accepted starting 08 Feb | Dilsen-Stokkem |
For old students |
|
| 12 Apr - 23 Apr |
10 days
English / German |
Applications accepted starting 12 Feb | Dilsen-Stokkem | Registration will open at 9pm. | |
| 23 Apr - 24 Apr | TRUST MEETING | Open | Dilsen-Stokkem | Saturday: committee meetings Sunday morning: trust meeting Old students are welcome. Contact [email protected] | |
| 25 Apr - 28 Apr | Sit & Serve | Applications accepted starting 23 Feb | Dilsen-Stokkem |
For old students |
|
| 02 May - 10 May | Sit & Serve | Applications accepted starting 02 Mar | Dilsen-Stokkem |
For old students |
|
| 11 May - 20 May |
Sati
English / Dutch |
Applications accepted starting 11 Mar | Dilsen-Stokkem |
For old students |
|
| 21 May - 25 May | Work Period | Applications accepted starting 21 Mar | Dilsen-Stokkem |
For old students |
|
| 25 May - 05 Jun |
10 days
English / French |
Applications accepted starting 25 Mar | Dilsen-Stokkem | ||
| 06 Jun - 07 Jun | Work Period | Applications accepted starting 06 Apr | Dilsen-Stokkem |
For old students |
|
| 07 Jun - 18 Jun |
10 days
English / German |
Applications accepted starting 07 Apr | Dilsen-Stokkem | ||
| 18 Jun - 19 Jun | TRUST MEETING | Open | Dilsen-Stokkem | Saturday: committee meetings Sunday morning: trust meeting Old students are welcome. Contact [email protected] | |
| 20 Jun - 25 Jun | Sit & Serve | Applications accepted starting 20 Apr | Dilsen-Stokkem |
For old students |
|
| 26 Jun | Open Day | Applications accepted starting 23 Jun | Dilsen-Stokkem | ||
| 27 Jun - 29 Jun | Work Period | Applications accepted starting 27 Apr | Dilsen-Stokkem |
For old students |
|
| 29 Jun - 02 Jul |
3 Day
English / German |
Applications accepted starting 29 Apr | Dilsen-Stokkem |
For old students |
|
| 03 Jul - 06 Jul | Work Period | Applications accepted starting 03 May | Dilsen-Stokkem |
For old students |
|
| 06 Jul - 17 Jul |
10 days
English / Dutch |
Applications accepted starting 06 May | Dilsen-Stokkem | ||
| 18 Jul - 20 Jul | Work Period | Applications accepted starting 18 May | Dilsen-Stokkem |
For old students |
|
| 20 Jul - 31 Jul |
10 days
English / French |
Applications accepted starting 20 May | Dilsen-Stokkem | ||
| 01 Aug - 02 Aug | Work Period | Applications accepted starting 01 Jun | Dilsen-Stokkem |
For old students |
|
| 02 Aug - 13 Aug |
10 days
English / German |
Applications accepted starting 02 Jun | Dilsen-Stokkem | ||
| 13 Aug - 14 Aug | TRUST MEETING | Open | Dilsen-Stokkem | Saturday: committee meetings Sunday morning: trust meeting Old students are welcome. Contact [email protected] | |
| 15 Aug - 17 Aug | Work Period | Applications accepted starting 15 Jun | Dilsen-Stokkem |
For old students |
|
| 17 Aug - 28 Aug |
10 days
English / Dutch |
Applications accepted starting 17 Jun | Dilsen-Stokkem | ||
| 28 Aug - 08 Sep | Sit & Serve | Applications accepted starting 28 Jun | Dilsen-Stokkem |
For old students |
|
| 14 Sep - 25 Sep |
10 days
English / French |
Applications accepted starting 14 Jul | Dilsen-Stokkem | ||
| 26 Sep - 27 Sep | Work Period | Applications accepted starting 27 Jul | Dilsen-Stokkem |
For old students |
|
| 27 Sep - 08 Oct |
10 days
English / German |
Applications accepted starting 27 Jul | Dilsen-Stokkem | ||
| 08 Oct - 09 Oct | TRUST MEETING | Open | Dilsen-Stokkem | Saturday: committee meetings Sunday morning: trust meeting Old students are welcome. Contact [email protected] | |
| 10 Oct - 12 Oct | Work Period | Applications accepted starting 10 Aug | Dilsen-Stokkem |
For old students |
|
| 12 Oct - 23 Oct |
10 days
English / Dutch |
Applications accepted starting 12 Aug | Dilsen-Stokkem | ||
| 24 Oct - 26 Oct | Work Period | Applications accepted starting 24 Aug | Dilsen-Stokkem |
For old students |
|
| 26 Oct - 06 Nov |
10 days
English / French |
Applications accepted starting 26 Aug | Dilsen-Stokkem | ||
| 07 Nov - 09 Nov | Work Period | Applications accepted starting 07 Sep | Dilsen-Stokkem |
For old students |
|
| 09 Nov - 20 Nov |
10 days
English / German |
Applications accepted starting 09 Sep | Dilsen-Stokkem | ||
| 21 Nov - 22 Nov | Work Period | Applications accepted starting 21 Sep | Dilsen-Stokkem |
For old students |
|
| 22 Nov - 03 Dec |
10 days
English / Dutch |
Applications accepted starting 22 Sep | Dilsen-Stokkem | ||
| 03 Dec - 04 Dec | TRUST MEETING | Open | Dilsen-Stokkem | Saturday: committee meetings Sunday morning: trust meeting Old students are welcome. Contact [email protected] | |
| 05 Dec - 07 Dec | Work Period | Applications accepted starting 05 Oct | Dilsen-Stokkem |
For old students |
|
| 07 Dec - 16 Dec |
Sati
English / German |
Applications accepted starting 07 Oct | Dilsen-Stokkem |
For old students |
|
| 17 Dec - 19 Dec | Work Period | Applications accepted starting 17 Oct | Dilsen-Stokkem |
For old students |
|
| 19 Dec - 22 Dec |
3 Day
English / Dutch |
Applications accepted starting 19 Oct | Dilsen-Stokkem |
For old students |
|
| 22 Dec - 25 Dec | Sit & Serve | Applications accepted starting 22 Oct | Dilsen-Stokkem |
For old students |
|
| 26 December, 2022 - 06 January, 2023 |
10 days
English / French |
Applications accepted starting 26 Oct | Dilsen-Stokkem |
General information for the 10-day courses in the Glind-Netherlands
- Registration will open 2 months before the course starts at 20.00 hrs (winter time) 21.00 hrs (summer time). Note, the 'apply' link will not be visible until then. The actual opening time may be some time later, due to the automated nature of the system. You will need to refresh this page to see the link as this page does not auto refresh.
- For a 10-day course you can apply until midnight to attend (sit) the course. If the course is not full you can also apply later. Places for attending the 10-day course are allocated by electronic random selection. Anyone whose application has not been selected will be notified within 4 days. For serving the course (only possible as an old student) it is possible to apply as long as the course is open for servers.
Information regarding COVID19 for the 10-day courses in the Glind-Netherlands
- Far fewer people can be admitted than usual.
- When you are fully vaccinated we ask you to bring an official proof of this. Furthermore you will need to do a selftest upon arrival at the center.
- In case you are not fully vaccinated you will need to do a selftest upon arrival at the center and the first 5 days of the course.
To minimise risks for other students:
- Please don't come to the centre if in the previous 10 days you have had symptoms of Covid-19 or have been in contact with people infected by Covid-19.
- Please follow hygiene and safety procedures in the centre meticulously. You will be informed of these prior to the course.
Although you may have a confirmed place on the course, please understand this confirmation is provisional, based on changing corona measures. In case the situation aggravates courses may have to be cancelled or the number of participants may be reduced.
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 Nov | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 28 Oct | Turnhout |
For old students English instructions only |
|
| Apply* | 28 Nov | 1 day | Open | Ghent |
For old students English instructions only |
| Apply* | 05 Dec | 1 day | Women - Closed Men - Open Servers - Closed | Brussels |
For old students English instructions only |
| Apply* | 11 Dec | 1-Day | Women - Open Men - Filling Up Servers - Closed | Laakdal |
For old students English instructions only |
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apply* | 07 Nov |
1 day
English / Dutch |
Closed | Rotterdam |
For old students |
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apply* | 20 Nov |
Children`s course / Course for Boys & Girls (8-12 yr)
English / Dutch |
Open | Zutphen |
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 Apr - 01 May |
Children`s course / Course for Girls (8-18 yr)
Dutch / French / German |
Applications accepted starting 28 Feb | Dilsen-Stokkem | ||
| 09 Sep - 11 Sep |
Children`s course / Course for Boys (8-18 yr)
Dutch / French / German |
Applications accepted starting 12 May | Dilsen-Stokkem |
As a privacy measure, the online application form encrypts the information you provide us with before it is sent from your device to our application server.
To access the Old Student Regional Site please click http://pajjota.dhamma.org/os. A user name and password will be required to access these pages.
Questions may be addressed to Email: [email protected]
All courses are run solely on a donation basis. All expenses are met by donations from those who, having completed a course and experienced the benefits of Vipassana, wish to give others the same opportunity. Neither the Teacher nor the assistant teachers receive remuneration; they and those who serve the courses volunteer their time. Thus Vipassana is offered free from commercialisation.
Old students are those who have completed a 10-day Vipassana Meditation course with S.N. Goenka or his Assistant Teachers. Old students have the opportunity to provide Dhamma Service at the courses listed.
Bilingual courses are courses which are taught in two languages. All students will hear daily meditation instructions in both languages. The evening discourses will be heard separately.
Meditation courses are held at both center and non-center locations. Meditation centers are dedicated facilities where courses are held regularly throughout the year. Before meditation centers were established in this tradition, all courses were held at temporary sites, such as campgrounds, religious retreat centers, churches and the like. Today, in regions where centers have not yet been established by local students of Vipassana who live in the area, 10 Day meditation courses are held at non-center course sites.
10-day Courses are an introductory course to Vipassana Meditation where the technique is taught step-by-step each day. The courses begin after a 2 - 4 pm registration period and orientation, followed by 10 full days of meditation, and end the morning of the 11th day by 7:30 am.
Children's Courses are open for all children aged 8-12 years old who wish to learn to meditate. Their parents/guardians do not have to be meditators.
Teenagers' Anapana Courses are available for teens in different age ranges from 13-18 years old. Their parents/guardians do not have to be Vipassana meditators.
Open Days are held between meditation courses. All are welcome to attend and learn about Vipassana Meditation and the Centre.
Satipatthana Sutta Courses have the same timetable and discipline as 10-day courses. The difference is that in the taped evening discourses the Satipatthana Sutta is carefully examined. This is the principal text in which the technique of Vipassana is systematically explained. These courses are open to serious old students who have sat (not including courses served) at least three 10-day courses, have not been practising any other meditation techniques since last 10-day course, have been practising this technique of Vipassana for at least one year, and who are trying to maintain their meditation practice and the five precepts in their daily lives, at the very minimum from the time of applying to the course.
Work Periods have been set aside to work on a variety of Centre maintenance, construction, household and gardening projects. All Old Students are welcome to participate. The daily program will include three group sittings with morning and afternoon work periods. On selected evenings, there will be tapes played of special discourses and talks that S.N. Goenka has given to Old Students.
