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 / Tamil
Dhamma Setu, meaning 'Bridge of Dhamma', is situated amid paddy fields and open farmland on the outskirts of the major South Indian metropolis of Chennai (formerly Madras), about 10 kms from the Chennai Airport. The 18 sq acres of land, previously used for rice cultivation, was purchased from 1991 onwards. The long and painstaking process of making the plot suitable for construction bore fruit in May 2000 with Goenkaji’s visit in September of the same year, when Dhamma Setu was formally established.
- 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 Setu
533 Pazhan Thandalam Road, Thiruneermalai Via, Thirumudivakkam
Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600 044
India
For Enquiries and Registration: [91] 7550034777 (Timings: 10 am to 12 noon and 3 pm to 5 pm)
E-Mail: setu.dhamma@gmail. com
See Comments for any special instructions for events in this section.
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 Apr | Children / Teens | Completed | Chennai | Children Course Age: 10 to 19 Years Old & Awareness course for General Publick & Parents | |
| 14 May - 22 May | Course if full and closed. | Completed | Chennai | Only for girls, Age From 15 to 19 Years Old only. | |
| 25 May | Children / Teens | Completed | Chennai | Children Course Age: 10 to 19 Years Old & Awareness course for General Publick & Parents | |
| 29 Jun | Children / Teens | Completed | Chennai | Children Course Age: 10 to 19 Years Old & Awareness course for General Publick & Parents | |
| Apply | 27 Jul | Children / Teens | Open | Chennai | |
| Apply | 13 Aug - 21 Aug | 7-day Vipassana course for teens | Girls - Closed Boys - Open Female Server - Closed Male Server - Open | Chennai | Only for Boys, Age from 15 to 19 Years old only. |
| Apply | 28 Sep | Children / Teens | Open | Chennai | Children's Course. |
| 30 Nov | Children / Teens | Applications accepted starting 01 Sep | Chennai | Children Course | |
| 28 Dec | Children / Teens | Applications accepted starting 29 Sep | Chennai | Children Course |
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Mar | Children / Teens | Applications accepted starting 15 Dec | Chennai | Children Course, Age from 10 - 19 Years only / Awareness Crs | |
| 24 May | Children / Teens | Applications accepted starting 23 Feb | Chennai | Children Course Age from 10 - 19 Years only / Awareness Crs | |
| 24 May - 01 Jun | 7-day Vipassana course for teens | Applications accepted starting 23 Feb | Chennai | Teenager Girls Course, Age from 15 - 19 Years only can apply. | |
| 12 Jul | Children / Teens | Applications accepted starting 13 Apr | Chennai | Children Corse, Age from 10 - 19 Years only / Awareness Crs. | |
| 30 Aug - 07 Sep | 7-day Vipassana course for teens | Applications accepted starting 01 Jun | Chennai | Teenager Boys Course, Age from 15 - 19 Years only can apply. | |
| 27 Sep | Children / Teens | Applications accepted starting 29 Jun | Chennai | Children Course, Age from 10 - 19 Years only / Awareness Crs. | |
| 06 Dec | Children / Teens | Applications accepted starting 07 Sep | Chennai | Children Course, Age from 10 - 19 years only can apply / Awareness Crs. |
See Comments for any special instructions for events in this section.
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06 Apr | 1-Day | Completed | Chennai |
For old students Old Students Only |
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| 24 Apr - 27 Apr | Male & Female both are full and closed. | Completed | Chennai |
For old students Old Students Only |
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| 11 May | 1-Day | Completed | Chennai |
For old students Old Students Only |
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| 22 May - 25 May | 3-Day | Completed | Chennai |
For old students Old Students Only, Course full and closed. |
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| 08 Jun | 1-Day | Completed | Chennai |
For old students Old Students Only |
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| Apply | 13 Jul | Guru Poornima. | New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open | Chennai |
For old students Only for Old Students |
| Apply | 10 Aug | 1-Day | New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open | Chennai |
For old students Only for Old Students |
| Apply | 28 Aug - 31 Aug | 3-Day | New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open | Chennai |
For old students Only for Old Students |
| Apply | 14 Sep | 1-Day | New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open | Chennai |
For old students Only for Old Students |
| 16 Nov | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 18 Aug | Chennai |
For old students Only for Old Students |
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| 14 Dec | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 15 Sep | Chennai |
For old students Only for Old Students |
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 Jan | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 13 Oct | Chennai |
For old students Old Students Course |
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| 29 Mar | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 29 Dec | Chennai |
For old students Old Students Course. |
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| 12 Apr | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 12 Jan | Chennai |
For old students Old Students Course. |
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| 26 Apr | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 26 Jan | Chennai |
For old students Old Students Course. |
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| 28 Apr - 01 May | 3-Day | Applications accepted starting 28 Jan | Chennai |
For old students Old Students Course |
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| 10 May | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 09 Feb | Chennai |
For old students Old Students Course |
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| 14 Jun | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 16 Mar | Chennai |
For old students Old Students Course. |
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| 28 Jun | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 30 Mar | Chennai |
For old students Old Students Course |
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| 26 Jul | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 27 Apr | Chennai |
For old students Old Students Course. |
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| 30 Jul - 02 Aug | 3-Day | Applications accepted starting 01 May | Chennai |
For old students Old Students Course. |
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| 02 Aug | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 04 May | Chennai |
For old students Old Students Course. |
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| 16 Aug | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 18 May | Chennai |
For old students Old Students Course. |
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| 10 Sep - 13 Sep | 3-Day | Applications accepted starting 12 Jun | Chennai |
For old students Old Students Course. |
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| 13 Sep | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 15 Jun | Chennai |
For old students Old Students Course. |
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| 11 Oct | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 13 Jul | Chennai |
For old students Old Students Course. |
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| 04 Nov - 07 Nov | 3-Day | Applications accepted starting 06 Aug | Chennai |
For old students Old Students Course. |
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| 22 Nov | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 24 Aug | Chennai |
For old students Old Students Course. |
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| 10 Dec - 13 Dec | 3-Day | Applications accepted starting 11 Sep | Chennai |
For old students Old Students Course. |
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| 27 Dec | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 28 Sep | Chennai |
For old students Old Students Course. |
See Comments for any special instructions for events in this section.
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 Mar - 06 Apr | Satipatthana Sutta | Completed | Chennai |
Old Student Course Qualification Requirements Old Students Only |
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| 09 Apr - 20 Apr | 10-Day | Completed | Chennai | ||
| 30 Apr - 11 May | 10-Day | Completed | Chennai | ||
| 28 May - 08 Jun | 10-Day | Completed | Chennai | Male & Female Old & New Applicants are full and closed. | |
| 11 Jun - 22 Jun | 10-Day | Completed | Chennai | Both Male & Female, Old & New course is full and closed. | |
| 02 Jul - 13 Jul | 10-Day | In Progress | Chennai | . Both Male & Female course is full and closed. | |
| Apply | 19 Jul - 27 Jul | Satipatthana Sutta | New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open | Chennai |
Old Student Course Qualification Requirements Only for Old Students |
| Apply | 30 Jul - 10 Aug | 10-Day | Women - Open Men - Course Full Servers - Open | Chennai | Male Old & New applicants are full and closed. |
| Apply | 23 Aug - 24 Aug | Other | New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open | Chennai | CCT Workshop |
| Apply | 03 Sep - 14 Sep | 10-Day | Open | Chennai | |
| Apply | 17 Sep - 28 Sep | 10-Day | Open | Chennai | |
| Apply | 01 Oct - 12 Oct | 10-Day | Open | Chennai | |
| Apply | 12 Oct | Other | New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open | Chennai | Dhamma Servers Workshop is Rescheduled on 12th October-2025. |
| 12 Oct | Other | Applications accepted starting 14 Jul | Chennai | Dhamma Servers workshop | |
| Apply | 16 Oct - 06 Nov | 20-Day | New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open | Chennai |
Old Student Course Qualification Requirements This course is only for old students, |
| 25 Oct - 02 Nov | Satipatthana Sutta | Applications accepted starting 27 Jul | Chennai |
Old Student Course Qualification Requirements Only for Old Students |
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| 06 Nov - 17 Nov | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 07 Aug | Chennai | ||
| 19 Nov - 30 Nov | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 21 Aug | Chennai | ||
| 03 Dec - 14 Dec | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 04 Sep | Chennai | ||
| 17 Dec - 28 Dec | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 18 Sep | Chennai |
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 Jan - 12 Jan | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 03 Oct | Chennai | ||
| 16 Jan - 16 Feb | 30-Day | Applications accepted starting 16 Jul | Chennai |
Old Student Course Qualification Requirements Old Students Course |
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| 16 Jan - 03 Mar | 45-Day | Applications accepted starting 16 Jul | Chennai |
Old Student Course Qualification Requirements Old Students Course |
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| 04 Mar - 15 Mar | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 04 Dec | Chennai | ||
| 18 Mar - 29 Mar | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 18 Dec | Chennai | ||
| 01 Apr - 12 Apr | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 01 Jan | Chennai | ||
| 15 Apr - 26 Apr | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 15 Jan | Chennai | ||
| 02 May - 10 May | Satipatthana Sutta | Applications accepted starting 01 Feb | Chennai |
Old Student Course Qualification Requirements Old Students Course |
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| 13 May - 24 May | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 12 Feb | Chennai | ||
| 03 Jun - 14 Jun | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 05 Mar | Chennai | ||
| 17 Jun - 28 Jun | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 19 Mar | Chennai | ||
| 01 Jul - 12 Jul | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 02 Apr | Chennai | ||
| 15 Jul - 26 Jul | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 16 Apr | Chennai | ||
| 05 Aug - 16 Aug | Special 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 07 May | Chennai |
Old Student Course Qualification Requirements Old Students Course. |
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| 08 Aug - 16 Aug | Satipatthana Sutta | Applications accepted starting 10 May | Chennai |
Old Student Course Qualification Requirements Old Students Course. |
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| 16 Sep - 27 Sep | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 18 Jun | Chennai | ||
| 30 Sep - 11 Oct | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 02 Jul | Chennai | ||
| 12 Oct - 01 Nov | 20-Day | Applications accepted starting 15 Apr | Chennai |
Old Student Course Qualification Requirements Only for Old Students |
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| 24 Oct - 01 Nov | Satipatthana Sutta | Applications accepted starting 28 Jul | Chennai |
Old Student Course Qualification Requirements Old Students Course. |
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| 11 Nov - 22 Nov | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 13 Aug | Chennai | ||
| 25 Nov - 06 Dec | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 27 Aug | Chennai | ||
| 16 Dec - 27 Dec | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 17 Sep | Chennai |
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://setu.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 Anapana 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 open for all teenagers aged 13-18 years old who wish to learn to meditate. Their parents/guardians do not have to be meditators.
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
Special 10-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.
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.
30-day Courses are open only to serious Old Students committed to this technique who have completed a minimum of six 10-day courses (one since their first 20-day course), one 20-day course, one Satipatthana Sutta course, and have been practicing regularly for at least two years.
45-day Courses are open only to persons involved in Dhamma Service and Assistant Teachers who have completed a minimum of seven 10-day courses (one since their first 30-day course), two 30-day courses, one Satipatthana Sutta course, and have been practicing regularly for at least three 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.
