Wheel of Dhamma

Bodhi Leaf

 
Setu
Dhamma Setu, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
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.
How to Apply to Attend or Serve a Course
  1. Access the application form by clicking Apply for the desired course. Old students will be given the option to serve.
  2. Please carefully read the Introduction to the Technique and Code of Discipline which you will be asked to follow during your course.
  3. Fully and completely fill out all the sections of application form and submit it. An application is required to register for all courses.
  4. 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.
  5. If your application is accepted then we require you to confirm you will be attending in order to secure your place in the course.
Additional information

Vipassana Meditation Centre - Dhamma Setu
533 Pazhan Thandalam Road, Thiruneermalai Via, Thirumudivakkam
Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600 044
India


For Enquiries and Registration: [91] 94440 21622, [91] 94442 80952
E-Mail: [email protected]

 
Teenagers' and Children's Courses
Courses for young people.
See Comments for any special instructions for events in this section.
2018 Teenagers' and Children's Courses
Attend / Serve Dates Course Type Status Location Comments
08 Jul Children / Teens Completed Chennai
19 Aug Children / Teens Completed Chennai
09 Sep Children / Teens Completed Chennai
07 Oct Children / Teens Open Chennai
02 Dec Children / Teens Open Chennai
30 Dec Children / Teens Open Chennai
 
Short Courses
1-Day, 2-Day, and 3-Day courses are short courses for old students.
See Comments for any special instructions for events in this section.
2018 Short Courses
Attend / Serve Dates Course Type Status Location Comments
17 Jul - 20 Jul 3-Day Completed Chennai For old students
27 Jul 1-Day Completed Chennai For old students
For old students Guru Poornima - Special 1-Day Course - Stands Canceled
23 Aug - 26 Aug 3-Day Completed Chennai For old students
For old students
Apply 11 Oct - 14 Oct 3-Day New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open Chennai For old students
For old students
Apply 08 Nov - 11 Nov 3-Day New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open Chennai For old students
For old students
2019 Short Courses
Attend / Serve Dates Course Type Status Location Comments
06 Jan 1-Day Applications accepted starting 08 Oct Chennai For old students
03 Feb 1-Day Applications accepted starting 05 Nov Chennai For old students
03 Mar 1-Day Applications accepted starting 03 Dec Chennai For old students
07 Apr 1-Day Applications accepted starting 07 Jan Chennai For old students
25 Apr - 28 Apr 3-Day Applications accepted starting 25 Jan Chennai For old students
05 May 1-Day Applications accepted starting 04 Feb Chennai For old students
15 May - 17 May 2-Day Applications accepted starting 14 Feb Chennai For old students
18 May 1-Day Applications accepted starting 17 Feb Chennai For old students
For Old Students,
Note: For Old Students Buddha Poornima - Special One Day Course.
28 May - 30 May 2-Day Applications accepted starting 27 Feb Chennai For old students
02 Jun 1-Day Applications accepted starting 04 Mar Chennai For old students
07 Jul 1-Day Applications accepted starting 08 Apr Chennai For old students
17 Jul 1-Day Applications accepted starting 18 Apr Chennai For old students
For Old Students,
Note: For Old Students, Guru Poornima - Special One Day Course.
01 Aug - 04 Aug 3-Day Applications accepted starting 03 May Chennai For old students
04 Aug 1-Day Applications accepted starting 06 May Chennai For old students
01 Sep 1-Day Applications accepted starting 03 Jun Chennai For old students
06 Oct 1-Day Applications accepted starting 08 Jul Chennai For old students
03 Nov 1-Day Applications accepted starting 05 Aug Chennai For old students
28 Nov - 01 Dec 3-Day Applications accepted starting 30 Aug Chennai For old students
01 Dec 1-Day Applications accepted starting 02 Sep Chennai For old students
 
Ten Day & Other Adult Courses
All ten day courses begin on the evening of the first day and end on the early morning of the last day.
See Comments for any special instructions for events in this section.
2018 Ten Day & Other Adult Courses
Attend / Serve Dates Course Type Status Location Comments
16 Jun - 24 Jun Satipatthana Sutta Completed Chennai For old students
For old students
27 Jun - 08 Jul 10-Day Completed Chennai
11 Jul - 22 Jul 10-Day Completed Chennai
25 Jul - 05 Aug 10-Day Completed Chennai Course is FULL
08 Aug - 19 Aug 10-Day Completed Chennai
29 Aug - 09 Sep 10-Day Completed Chennai
12 Sep - 23 Sep 10-Day Completed Chennai
Apply 26 Sep - 07 Oct 10-Day Women - Closed Men - Closed Female Server - Open Male Server - Closed Chennai Place is open for only female servers.
Apply 17 Oct - 28 Oct 10-Day Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open Chennai Course full for the New male students.
Apply 10 Nov - 18 Nov Satipatthana Sutta New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open Chennai For old students
For old students
Apply 21 Nov - 02 Dec 10-Day Women - Open Men - Open Servers - Open Chennai
Apply 05 Dec - 16 Dec 10-Day Women - Open Men - Open Servers - Open Chennai
Apply 19 Dec - 30 Dec 10-Day Women - Open Men - Open Servers - Open Chennai
2019 Ten Day & Other Adult Courses
Attend / Serve Dates Course Type Status Location Comments
02 Jan - 13 Jan 10-Day Applications accepted starting 04 Oct Chennai
23 Jan - 03 Feb 10-Day Applications accepted starting 25 Oct Chennai
06 Feb - 17 Feb 10-Day Applications accepted starting 08 Nov Chennai
20 Feb - 28 Feb Satipatthana Sutta Applications accepted starting 22 Nov Chennai For old students
20 Feb - 13 Mar 20-Day Applications accepted starting 22 Nov Chennai For old students
20 Feb - 23 Mar 30-Day Applications accepted starting 22 Nov Chennai For old students
27 Mar - 07 Apr 10-Day Applications accepted starting 27 Dec Chennai
10 Apr - 21 Apr 10-Day Applications accepted starting 10 Jan Chennai
01 May - 12 May 10-Day Applications accepted starting 31 Jan Chennai
05 Jun - 16 Jun 10-Day Applications accepted starting 07 Mar Chennai
22 Jun - 30 Jun Satipatthana Sutta Applications accepted starting 24 Mar Chennai For old students
03 Jul - 14 Jul 10-Day Applications accepted starting 04 Apr Chennai
17 Jul - 28 Jul 10-Day Applications accepted starting 18 Apr Chennai
07 Aug - 18 Aug 10-Day Applications accepted starting 09 May Chennai
21 Aug - 01 Sep 10-Day Applications accepted starting 23 May Chennai
04 Sep - 15 Sep 10-Day Applications accepted starting 06 Jun Chennai
18 Sep - 29 Sep 10-Day Applications accepted starting 20 Jun Chennai
02 Oct - 13 Oct 10-Day Applications accepted starting 04 Jul Chennai
30 Oct - 10 Nov 10-Day Applications accepted starting 01 Aug Chennai
13 Nov - 24 Nov 10-Day Applications accepted starting 15 Aug Chennai
04 Dec - 15 Dec 10-Day Applications accepted starting 05 Sep Chennai
18 Dec - 29 Dec 10-Day Applications accepted starting 19 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://www.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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.