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.
2020 Teenagers' and Children's Courses
Attend / Serve Dates Course Type Status Location Comments
16 May - 17 May Children / Teens CANCELLED Chennai
14 Jun Children / Teens CANCELLED Chennai
26 Jul Children / Teens CANCELLED Chennai Course Cancelled
16 Aug Children / Teens Open Chennai
13 Sep Children / Teens Open Chennai
11 Oct Children / Teens Open Chennai
29 Nov Children / Teens Applications accepted starting 31 Aug Chennai
27 Dec Children / Teens Applications accepted starting 28 Sep 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.
2020 Short Courses
Attend / Serve Dates Course Type Status Location Comments
28 May - 31 May 3-Day CANCELLED Chennai For old students
07 Jun 1-Day CANCELLED Chennai For old students
05 Jul 1-Day CANCELLED Chennai For old students
Course Cancelled
02 Aug 1-Day CANCELLED Chennai For old students
Course Cancelled
06 Sep 1-Day Open Chennai For old students
04 Oct 1-Day Open Chennai For old students
01 Nov 1-Day Open Chennai For old students
06 Dec 1-Day Applications accepted starting 07 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.
2020 Ten Day & Other Adult Courses
Attend / Serve Dates Course Type Status Location Comments
11 May - 14 May Work Period CANCELLED Chennai For old students
23 May - 24 May Other CANCELLED Chennai
03 Jun - 14 Jun 10-Day CANCELLED Chennai
20 Jun - 28 Jun Satipatthana Sutta CANCELLED Chennai For old students
01 Jul - 12 Jul 10-Day CANCELLED Chennai Course Cancelled
12 Jul Other Completed Chennai
30 Jul Old Student Program Completed Chennai For old students
05 Aug - 16 Aug 10-Day CANCELLED Chennai Course Stands Cancelled, due to COVID.
19 Aug - 30 Aug 10-Day CANCELLED Chennai Course Stands Cancelled, due to COVID
Apply 02 Sep - 13 Sep 10-Day Open Chennai
Apply 16 Sep - 27 Sep 10-Day Open Chennai
Apply 27 Sep Other Open Chennai
Apply 30 Sep - 11 Oct 10-Day Open Chennai
Apply 14 Oct - 25 Oct Special 10-Day Open Chennai For old students
Apply 28 Oct - 08 Nov 10-Day Open Chennai
18 Nov - 29 Nov 10-Day Applications accepted starting 20 Aug Chennai
02 Dec - 13 Dec 10-Day Applications accepted starting 03 Sep 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://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.

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.

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.

Old Student Programs are similar to Service Periods where there is time to work on a variety of Centre maintenance, construction, household and gardening projects, but have a more full and structured program, an opportunity to meet with assistant teachers, and possibly committee and trust meetings. All Old Students are welcome to participate. The daily program will include three group sittings with morning and afternoon work periods and in the evening there will be tapes played of special discourses and talks that S.N. Goenka has given to Old Students.

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.

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.