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] 94440 21622, [91] 94442 80952
E-Mail: [email protected]
See Comments for any special instructions for events in this section.
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 Apr | Children / Teens | Completed | Chennai | 1 Day Children Course for Age 10Yrs to 18Yrs old. | |
| 18 May - 19 May | Children / Teens | Completed | Chennai | 2 Day Children Course for Age 10Yrs to 18Yrs old. | |
| 16 Jun | Children / Teens | Completed | Chennai | 1 Day Children Course for Age 10Yrs to 18Yrs old. | |
| Apply | 28 Jul | Children / Teens | Open | Chennai | 1 Day Children Course for Age 10Yrs to 18Yrs old. |
| Apply | 18 Aug | Children / Teens | Open | Chennai | 1 Day Children Course for Age 10Yrs to 18Yrs old. |
| Apply | 15 Sep | Children / Teens | Open | Chennai | 1 Day Children Course for Age 10Yrs to 18Yrs old. |
| 13 Oct | Children / Teens | Applications accepted starting 15 Jul | Chennai | 1 Day Children Course for Age 10Yrs to 18Yrs old. | |
| 24 Nov | Children / Teens | Applications accepted starting 26 Aug | Chennai | 1 Day Children Course for Age 10Yrs to 18Yrs old. | |
| 29 Dec | Children / Teens | Applications accepted starting 30 Sep | Chennai | 1 Day Children Course for Age 10Yrs to 18Yrs old. |
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Mar | Children / Teens | Applications accepted starting 16 Dec | Chennai | ||
| 19 Apr | Children / Teens | Applications accepted starting 20 Jan | Chennai | ||
| 16 May - 17 May | Children / Teens | Applications accepted starting 16 Feb | Chennai | ||
| 14 Jun | Children / Teens | Applications accepted starting 16 Mar | Chennai | ||
| 26 Jul | Children / Teens | Applications accepted starting 27 Apr | Chennai | ||
| 16 Aug | Children / Teens | Applications accepted starting 18 May | Chennai | ||
| 13 Sep | Children / Teens | Applications accepted starting 15 Jun | Chennai | ||
| 11 Oct | Children / Teens | Applications accepted starting 13 Jul | Chennai | ||
| 29 Nov | Children / Teens | Applications accepted starting 31 Aug | Chennai | ||
| 27 Dec | Children / Teens | Applications accepted starting 28 Sep | Chennai |
See Comments for any special instructions for events in this section.
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07 Apr | 1-Day | Completed | Chennai |
For old students |
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| 25 Apr - 28 Apr | 3-Day | Completed | Chennai |
For old students |
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| 05 May | 1-Day | Completed | Chennai |
For old students |
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| 15 May - 17 May | 2-Day | Completed | Chennai |
For old students |
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| 18 May | 1-Day | Completed | Chennai |
For old students For Old Students, Note: For Old Students Buddha Poornima - Special One Day Course. |
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| 28 May - 30 May | 2-Day | Completed | Chennai |
For old students |
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| 02 Jun | 1-Day | Completed | Chennai |
For old students |
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| Apply | 07 Jul | 1-Day | Open | Chennai |
For old students |
| Apply | 17 Jul | 1-Day | New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open | Chennai |
For old students For Old Students, Note: For Old Students, Guru Poornima - Special One Day Course. |
| Apply | 01 Aug - 04 Aug | 3-Day | Open | Chennai |
For old students |
| Apply | 04 Aug | 1-Day | Open | Chennai |
For old students |
| Apply | 01 Sep | 1-Day | Open | Chennai |
For old students |
| 06 Oct | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 08 Jul | Chennai |
For old students |
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| 03 Nov | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 05 Aug | Chennai |
For old students |
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| 28 Nov - 01 Dec | 3-Day | Applications accepted starting 30 Aug | Chennai |
For old students |
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| 01 Dec | 1-Day | Applications accepted starting 02 Sep | Chennai |
For old students |
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 Mar - 22 Mar | 3-Day | Applications accepted starting 20 Dec | Chennai |
For old students |
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| 23 Apr - 26 Apr | 3-Day | Applications accepted starting 24 Jan | Chennai |
For old students |
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| 28 May - 31 May | 3-Day | Applications accepted starting 28 Feb | Chennai |
For old students |
See Comments for any special instructions for events in this section.
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 Mar - 07 Apr | 10-Day | Completed | Chennai | Both Male & Female, Old & New course are full. | |
| 10 Apr - 21 Apr | 10-Day | Completed | Chennai | Course Full for Male- Old & New, Female- Old & New. | |
| 01 May - 12 May | 10-Day | Completed | Chennai | Male and Female both new and old is full. | |
| 05 Jun - 16 Jun | 10-Day | Completed | Chennai | Both Male and Female Old & New is Full. | |
| 22 Jun - 30 Jun | Satipatthana Sutta | In Progress | Chennai |
For old students |
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| Apply | 03 Jul - 14 Jul | 10-Day | Women - Course Full Men - Course Full Servers - Open | Chennai | Course Full for Male & Female both New & Old |
| Apply | 17 Jul - 28 Jul | 10-Day | Women - Course Full Men - Course Full Servers - Open | Chennai | Male & Female courses are full for both old & new. |
| Apply | 07 Aug - 18 Aug | 10-Day | Open | Chennai | |
| Apply | 21 Aug - 01 Sep | 10-Day | Open | Chennai | |
| Apply | 04 Sep - 15 Sep | 10-Day | Open | Chennai | |
| Apply | 18 Sep - 29 Sep | 10-Day | Open | Chennai | |
| 02 Oct - 13 Oct | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 04 Jul | Chennai | ||
| 14 Oct - 25 Oct | Special 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 16 Jul | Chennai |
For old students For Old Students |
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| 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 |
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02 Jan - 13 Jan | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 04 Oct | Chennai | ||
| 16 Jan - 27 Jan | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 18 Oct | Chennai | ||
| 29 Jan - 06 Feb | Satipatthana Sutta | Applications accepted starting 31 Oct | Chennai |
For old students |
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| 29 Jan - 19 Feb | 20-Day | Applications accepted starting 31 Oct | Chennai |
For old students |
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| 29 Jan - 29 Feb | 30-Day | Applications accepted starting 31 Oct | Chennai |
For old students |
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| 04 Mar - 15 Mar | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 05 Dec | Chennai | ||
| 25 Mar - 05 Apr | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 26 Dec | Chennai | ||
| 08 Apr - 19 Apr | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 09 Jan | Chennai | ||
| 29 Apr - 10 May | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 30 Jan | Chennai | ||
| 11 May - 14 May | Work Period | Applications accepted starting 11 Feb | Chennai |
For old students |
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| 23 May - 24 May | Other | Applications accepted starting 23 Feb | Chennai | ||
| 03 Jun - 14 Jun | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 05 Mar | Chennai | ||
| 20 Jun - 28 Jun | Satipatthana Sutta | Applications accepted starting 22 Mar | Chennai |
For old students |
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| 01 Jul - 12 Jul | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 02 Apr | Chennai | ||
| 12 Jul | Other | Applications accepted starting 13 Apr | Chennai | ||
| 30 Jul | Old Student Program | Applications accepted starting 01 May | Chennai |
For old students |
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| 05 Aug - 16 Aug | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 07 May | Chennai | ||
| 19 Aug - 30 Aug | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 21 May | Chennai | ||
| 02 Sep - 13 Sep | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 04 Jun | Chennai | ||
| 16 Sep - 27 Sep | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 18 Jun | Chennai | ||
| 27 Sep | Other | Applications accepted starting 29 Jun | Chennai | ||
| 30 Sep - 11 Oct | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 02 Jul | Chennai | ||
| 14 Oct - 25 Oct | Special 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 16 Jul | Chennai |
For old students |
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| 28 Oct - 08 Nov | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting 30 Jul | 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.
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.
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.
