in the tradition of Sayagyi U Ba Khin
Course Schedule
Centre Location: Website | Map
** Unless noted otherwise, course instructions are given in the following language(s): English
Dhamma Patākā, meaning ‘flag of Dhamma’, is the first Vipassana Centre to be established in Africa. Located in 7.5 hectares of land that is abundant with trees and water, the Centre rests amid a mountain range that has its impressive peak Audenberg as the rear view of the property. The site was originally a holiday resort known as ‘Rustig’ (meaning ‘peaceful’ in Afrikaans). Offering regular new and old students courses since being operational from February 2005, Dhamma Patākā is 130 km from Cape Town, Western Cape Province.
- 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 Pataka
PO Box 1771, Worcester, 6849, Western Cape
Registration & Information:
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +27 83 224 7507
Please apply for courses here - schedule.vridhamma.org
See Comments for any special instructions for events in this section.
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03 Sep - 14 Sep | 10-Day | Completed | Worcester | ||
| Apply* | 17 Sep - 28 Sep | 10-Day | Open | Worcester | |
| Apply* | 28 Sep | 1 Day Cape Town Meadowridge Girl Guides Hall 7 School Side Rd Meadowridge | Women - Open New Men - Course Full Old Men - Open Servers - Course Full | Worcester |
For old students Old Students Registration 8:30 am Starting at 9:00 am Bring a small vegetarian lunch for yourself |
| Apply* | 01 Oct - 12 Oct | 10-Day | Open | Worcester | |
| Apply* | 15 Oct - 26 Oct | 10-Day | Open | Worcester | |
| Apply* | 29 Oct - 09 Nov | 10-Day | Open | Worcester | |
| Apply* | 12 Nov - 23 Nov | 10-Day | Open | Worcester | |
| Apply* | 26 Nov - 07 Dec | 10-Day | Open | Worcester | |
| Apply* | 10 Dec - 21 Dec | 10-Day | Open | Worcester | |
| Apply* | 24 December, 2025 - 04 January, 2026 | 10-Day | Open | Worcester |
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apply* | 21 Jan - 01 Feb |
10 Day Non Center Course in Pretoria |
Women - Wait List Men - Open Servers - Women - Course Full Servers - Men - Open | Worcester | Castle bush camp,Section20 of section 13,Boekenhoutskloof,Tweedefontein,Cullinan ,Pretoria |
| 21 Jan - 01 Feb | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 23 Oct | Worcester | ||
| 04 Feb - 15 Feb | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 06 Nov | Worcester | ||
| 18 Feb - 01 Mar | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 20 Nov | Worcester | ||
| 04 Mar - 15 Mar | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 04 Dec | Worcester | ||
| 18 Mar - 29 Mar | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 18 Dec | Worcester | ||
| 01 Apr - 12 Apr | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 01 Jan | Worcester | ||
| 15 Apr - 26 Apr | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 15 Jan | Worcester | ||
| 29 Apr - 10 May | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 29 Jan | Worcester | ||
| 14 May - 23 May | Satipatthana Sutta | Applications accepted starting 13 Feb | Worcester |
Old Student Course Qualification Requirements |
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| 27 May - 07 Jun | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 26 Feb | Worcester | ||
| 10 Jun - 21 Jun | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 12 Mar | Worcester | ||
| 24 Jun - 05 Jul | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 26 Mar | Worcester | ||
| 08 Jul - 19 Jul | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 09 Apr | Worcester | ||
| 27 Jul - 16 Aug | 20-Day | Applications accepted starting 28 Apr | Worcester |
Old Student Course Qualification Requirements To apply Click here |
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| 19 Aug - 30 Aug | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 21 May | Worcester | ||
| 02 Sep - 13 Sep | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 04 Jun | Worcester | ||
| 16 Sep - 27 Sep | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 18 Jun | Worcester | ||
| 30 Sep - 11 Oct | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 02 Jul | Worcester | ||
| 14 Oct - 25 Oct | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 16 Jul | Worcester | ||
| 28 Oct - 08 Nov | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 30 Jul | Worcester | ||
| 11 Nov - 29 Nov | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 13 Aug | Worcester | ||
| 02 Dec - 13 Dec | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 03 Sep | Worcester | ||
| 16 Dec - 27 Dec | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 17 Sep | Worcester | ||
| 30 December, 2026 - 10 January, 2027 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 01 Oct | Worcester |
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 Jan - 17 Jan | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 15 Oct | Worcester | ||
| 20 Jan - 31 Jan | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 22 Oct | Worcester |
The online application form encrypts your information before it is sent from your computer to our application server. However, it may not be totally secure even though encryption is used. If you are concerned about the possibility of security risks of your confidential information while it is on the Internet, do not use this form and instead download an application. Print and complete it. Then please send the form to the course organizers. By faxing or posting your application form it may delay the registration process by one to two weeks.
To access the Old Student Regional Site please click http://pataka.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.
Old Student Course Qualification Requirements
Old Student Short Courses (1-3 days) are for any student who has completed the 10-day course with S.N. Goenka and his assistant teachers. All old students are welcome to apply to attend these courses, including those where it has been some time since their last course.
Old Student Course Qualification Requirements
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.
Old Student Course Qualification Requirements
20-day Courses are open only to serious Old Students committed to this technique who have completed a minimum of five 10-day courses , one Satipatthana Sutta course, given Dhamma Service at least one 10-day course, and have been practicing regularly for at least two years.
Applications must be submitted well in advance as processing may take some time. Students who speak neither English nor one of the other announced course languages may apply for the course, however acceptance into the course will depend on the availability of required course materials, suitable translators and permission of the teacher conducting the course.
