Vipassana

Wheel of Dhamma

Bodhi Leaf

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Dhamma Sobhā, Kosgama, Kŏḷamba, Sri Lanka
Centre Location: Website | Map
** Unless noted otherwise, course instructions are given in the following language(s): English / Sinhala

Dhamma Sobhā, meaning 'Radiance of Dhamma', is the second Vipassana Centre in Sri Lanka. Being established in Kosgama village, about 47 kms from Colombo on the Colombo-Ratnapura Road, the Centre is to be built on six acres of land in picturesque surroundings, encircled by a range of mountains. The Centre is easily accessible by road and rail. On a clear day, one can see the sacred Adam’s Peak commonly referred to as Sri Pada, with the imprint of the footprint of the Buddha at its summit.

How to Apply to Attend or Serve a Course

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.

Additional information

Vipassana Meditation Centre - Dhamma Sobha
Balika Vidyala Road
Pahala Kosgama, Sri Lanka

Email: [email protected]
Phone: [94] (36) 225-3955

Teenagers' and Children's Courses

Courses for young people.
See Comments for any special instructions for events in this section.

2021 Teenagers' and Children's Courses

Attend / Serve	Dates	Course Type	Status	Location	Comments
	18 Nov	Children / Teens	Completed	Kosgama	From 8.30 am to 2.30 pm for children aged between 08-12 and 13-18 years. Please check with the Centre if the programme is being held as planned.
	18 Dec	Children / Teens	CANCELLED	Kosgama	This programme has been cancelled due to the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic situation in the country.

2022 Teenagers' and Children's Courses

Dates	Course Type	Status	Location	Comments
17 Jan	Children / Teens	Completed	Kosgama	From 8.30 am to 2.30 pm for children aged between 08-12 and 13-18 years. Please check with the Centre if the programme is being held as planned.
16 Apr	Children / Teens	Open	Kosgama	From 8.30 am to 2.30 pm for children aged between 08-12 and 13-18 years. Please check with the Centre if the programme is being held as planned.
15 May	Children / Teens	Open	Kosgama	From 8.30 am to 2.30 pm for children aged between 08-12 and 13-18 years. Please check with the Centre if the programme is being held as planned.
14 Jun	Children / Teens	Open	Kosgama	From 8.30 am to 2.30 pm for children aged between 08-12 and 13-18 years. Please check with the Centre if the programme is being held as planned.
13 Jul	Children / Teens	Open	Kosgama	From 8.30 am to 2.30 pm for children aged between 08-12 and 13-18 years. Please check with the Centre if the programme is being held as planned.
11 Aug	Children / Teens	Open	Kosgama	From 8.30 am to 2.30 pm for children aged between 08-12 and 13-18 years. Please check with the Centre if the programme is being held as planned.
10 Sep	Children / Teens	Open	Kosgama	From 8.30 am to 2.30 pm for children aged between 08-12 and 13-18 years. Please check with the Centre if the programme is being held as planned.
07 Nov	Children / Teens	Open	Kosgama	From 8.30 am to 2.30 pm for children aged between 08-12 and 13-18 years. Please check with the Centre if the programme is being held as planned.
07 Dec	Children / Teens	Open	Kosgama	From 8.30 am to 2.30 pm for children aged between 08-12 and 13-18 years. Please check with the Centre if the programme is being held as planned.

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.

2021 Short Courses

Dates	Course Type	Status	Location	Comments
28 Oct - 31 Oct	3-Day	Completed	Kosgama	For old students English / Sinhala Applicants travelling from abroad must complete 28 days quarantine period as stipulated by the Sri Lankan Health Authorities. Local applicants should provide a letter from an authorized person certifying that neither they nor any family members have been affected by Covid-19 or in quarantine, within 14 days of the course start date. Course and dates are tentative; subject to change/cancellation due to Covid-19 situation in Sri Lanka.
18 Nov	1-Day	Completed	Kosgama	For old students English / Sinhala
25 Nov - 28 Nov	3-Day	CANCELLED	Kosgama	For old students This programme has been cancelled due to the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic situation in the country.
18 Dec	1-Day	Completed	Kosgama	For old students English / Sinhala

2022 Short Courses

Attend / Serve	Dates	Course Type	Status	Location	Comments
	06 Jan - 09 Jan	3-Day	Completed	Kosgama	For old students English / Sinhala Applicants are expected to produce a Vaccination Certificate indicating that they have taken 02 doses of vaccine against Covid-19 and a letter from an authorized person certifying that neither they nor any family members have been affected by Covid-19 during the past 14 days and are not in quarantine presently. (In case of inability to take vaccines due to adverse risk considerations on medical advice, a negative PCR test result taken 2-3 days prior to the course can be submitted instead of a Vaccination Certificate). Course and dates are tentative; subject to change/cancellation due to Covid-19 situation in Sri Lanka.
	17 Jan	1-Day	Completed	Kosgama	For old students English / Sinhala
	16 Feb	1-Day	Open	Kosgama	For old students English / Sinhala
	16 Feb	1-Day	Open	Kosgama	For old students From 8.30 am to 2.30 pm for children aged between 08-12 and 13-18 years. Please check with the Centre if the programme is being held as planned.
Apply	21 Feb - 24 Feb	3-Day	Open	Kosgama	For old students English / Sinhala Applicants are expected to produce a Vaccination Certificate indicating that they have taken 02 doses of vaccine against Covid-19 and a letter from an authorized person certifying that neither they nor any family members have been affected by Covid-19 during the past 14 days and are not in quarantine presently. (In case of inability to take vaccines due to adverse risk considerations on medical advice, a negative PCR test result taken 2-3 days prior to the course can be submitted instead of a Vaccination Certificate). Course and dates are tentative; subject to change/cancellation due to Covid-19 situation in Sri Lanka.
	17 Mar	1-Day	Open	Kosgama	For old students From 8.30 am to 2.30 pm for children aged between 08-12 and 13-18 years. Please check with the Centre if the programme is being held as planned.
	17 Mar	1-Day	Open	Kosgama	For old students English / Sinhala
Apply	16 Apr	1-Day	Open	Kosgama	For old students
	15 May	1-Day	Open	Kosgama	For old students English / Sinhala
	09 Jun - 12 Jun	3-Day	Applications accepted starting 09 Feb	Kosgama	For old students English / Sinhala Applicants are expected to produce a Vaccination Certificate indicating that they have taken 02 doses of vaccine against Covid-19 and a letter from an authorized person certifying that neither they nor any family members have been affected by Covid-19 during the past 14 days and are not in quarantine presently. (In case of inability to take vaccines due to adverse risk considerations on medical advice, a negative PCR test result taken 2-3 days prior to the course can be submitted instead of a Vaccination Certificate). Course and dates are tentative; subject to change/cancellation due to Covid-19 situation in Sri Lanka.
	14 Jun	1-Day	Open	Kosgama	For old students English / Sinhala
	13 Jul	1-Day	Open	Kosgama	For old students English / Sinhala
	11 Aug	1-Day	Open	Kosgama	For old students English / Sinhala
	10 Sep	1-Day	Open	Kosgama	For old students English / Sinhala
	29 Sep	1-Day	Open	Kosgama	For old students S N Goenka - Commemoration Meditation and Alms-giving
	09 Oct	1-Day	Open	Kosgama	For old students English / Sinhala
	07 Nov	1-Day	Open	Kosgama	For old students English / Sinhala
	10 Nov - 13 Nov	3-Day	Applications accepted starting 10 Jul	Kosgama	For old students English / Sinhala Applicants are expected to produce a Vaccination Certificate indicating that they have taken 02 doses of vaccine against Covid-19 and a letter from an authorized person certifying that neither they nor any family members have been affected by Covid-19 during the past 14 days and are not in quarantine presently. (In case of inability to take vaccines due to adverse risk considerations on medical advice, a negative PCR test result taken 2-3 days prior to the course can be submitted instead of a Vaccination Certificate). Course and dates are tentative; subject to change/cancellation due to Covid-19 situation in Sri Lanka.
	07 Dec	1-Day	Open	Kosgama	For old students English / Sinhala

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.

2021 Ten Day & Other Adult Courses

Dates	Course Type	Status	Location	Comments
04 Nov - 15 Nov	10-Day	CANCELLED	Kosgama	This course has been cancelled due to the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic situation in the country.
03 Dec - 14 Dec	10-Day	CANCELLED	Kosgama	This programme has been cancelled due to the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic situation in the country.
22 Dec - 30 Dec	Satipatthana Sutta	CANCELLED	Kosgama	For old students This course has been cancelled due to the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic situation in the country.

2022 Ten Day & Other Adult Courses

Attend / Serve	Dates	Course Type	Status	Location	Comments
	22 Jan - 28 Jan	Work Period	In Progress	Kosgama	For old students For old students to render free service at the Centre. Please call / email the Centre to register.
Apply	02 Feb - 13 Feb	10-Day Bhikkhu Course	Course Full	Kosgama	For Bhikkhu / Monks only. English / Sinhala Applicants are expected to produce a Vaccination Certificate indicating that they have taken 02 doses of vaccine against Covid-19 and a letter from an authorized person certifying that neither they nor any family members have been affected by Covid-19 during the past 14 days and are not in quarantine presently. (In case of inability to take vaccines due to adverse risk considerations on medical advice, a negative PCR test result taken 2-3 days prior to the course can be submitted instead of a Vaccination Certificate). Course and dates are tentative; subject to change/cancellation due to Covid-19 situation in Sri Lanka.
Apply	02 Mar - 13 Mar	10-Day	Women - Wait List Men - Course Full Female Server - Wait List Male Server - Course Full	Kosgama	English / Sinhala Applicants are expected to produce a Vaccination Certificate indicating that they have taken 02 doses of vaccine against Covid-19 and a letter from an authorized person certifying that neither they nor any family members have been affected by Covid-19 during the past 14 days and are not in quarantine presently. (In case of inability to take vaccines due to adverse risk considerations on medical advice, a negative PCR test result taken 2-3 days prior to the course can be submitted instead of a Vaccination Certificate). Course and dates are tentative; subject to change/cancellation due to Covid-19 situation in Sri Lanka.
Apply	23 Mar - 03 Apr	10-Day	Open	Kosgama	English / Sinhala Applicants are expected to produce a Vaccination Certificate indicating that they have taken 02 doses of vaccine against Covid-19 and a letter from an authorized person certifying that neither they nor any family members have been affected by Covid-19 during the past 14 days and are not in quarantine presently. (In case of inability to take vaccines due to adverse risk considerations on medical advice, a negative PCR test result taken 2-3 days prior to the course can be submitted instead of a Vaccination Certificate). Course and dates are tentative; subject to change/cancellation due to Covid-19 situation in Sri Lanka.
Apply	27 Apr - 08 May	10-Day	Open	Kosgama	English / Sinhala Applicants are expected to produce a Vaccination Certificate indicating that they have taken 02 doses of vaccine against Covid-19 and a letter from an authorized person certifying that neither they nor any family members have been affected by Covid-19 during the past 14 days and are not in quarantine presently. (In case of inability to take vaccines due to adverse risk considerations on medical advice, a negative PCR test result taken 2-3 days prior to the course can be submitted instead of a Vaccination Certificate). Course and dates are tentative; subject to change/cancellation due to Covid-19 situation in Sri Lanka.
	21 May - 01 Jun	10-Day	Applications accepted starting 21 Feb	Kosgama	English / Sinhala Applicants are expected to produce a Vaccination Certificate indicating that they have taken 02 doses of vaccine against Covid-19 and a letter from an authorized person certifying that neither they nor any family members have been affected by Covid-19 during the past 14 days and are not in quarantine presently. (In case of inability to take vaccines due to adverse risk considerations on medical advice, a negative PCR test result taken 2-3 days prior to the course can be submitted instead of a Vaccination Certificate). Course and dates are tentative; subject to change/cancellation due to Covid-19 situation in Sri Lanka.
	18 Jun - 26 Jun	Work Period	Open	Kosgama	For old students For old students to render free service at the Centre. Please call / email the Centre to register.
	02 Jul - 11 Jul	Satipatthana Sutta	Applications accepted starting 02 Mar	Kosgama	For old students English / Sinhala Applicants are expected to produce a Vaccination Certificate indicating that they have taken 02 doses of vaccine against Covid-19 and a letter from an authorized person certifying that neither they nor any family members have been affected by Covid-19 during the past 14 days and are not in quarantine presently. (In case of inability to take vaccines due to adverse risk considerations on medical advice, a negative PCR test result taken 2-3 days prior to the course can be submitted instead of a Vaccination Certificate). Course and dates are tentative; subject to change/cancellation due to Covid-19 situation in Sri Lanka.
	23 Jul - 03 Aug	10-Day	Applications accepted starting 23 Apr	Kosgama	English / Sinhala Applicants are expected to produce a Vaccination Certificate indicating that they have taken 02 doses of vaccine against Covid-19 and a letter from an authorized person certifying that neither they nor any family members have been affected by Covid-19 during the past 14 days and are not in quarantine presently. (In case of inability to take vaccines due to adverse risk considerations on medical advice, a negative PCR test result taken 2-3 days prior to the course can be submitted instead of a Vaccination Certificate). Course and dates are tentative; subject to change/cancellation due to Covid-19 situation in Sri Lanka.
	17 Aug - 28 Aug	10-Day	Applications accepted starting 17 May	Kosgama	English / Sinhala / Tamil. Applicants are expected to produce a Vaccination Certificate indicating that they have taken 02 doses of vaccine against Covid-19 and a letter from an authorized person certifying that neither they nor any family members have been affected by Covid-19 during the past 14 days and are not in quarantine presently. (In case of inability to take vaccines due to adverse risk considerations on medical advice, a negative PCR test result taken 2-3 days prior to the course can be submitted instead of a Vaccination Certificate). Course and dates are tentative; subject to change/cancellation due to Covid-19 situation in Sri Lanka.
	01 Sep - 07 Sep	Work Period	Open	Kosgama	For old students For old students to render free service at the Centre. Please call / email the Centre to register.
	14 Sep - 25 Sep	10-Day	Applications accepted starting 14 Jun	Kosgama	English / Sinhala Applicants are expected to produce a Vaccination Certificate indicating that they have taken 02 doses of vaccine against Covid-19 and a letter from an authorized person certifying that neither they nor any family members have been affected by Covid-19 during the past 14 days and are not in quarantine presently. (In case of inability to take vaccines due to adverse risk considerations on medical advice, a negative PCR test result taken 2-3 days prior to the course can be submitted instead of a Vaccination Certificate). Course and dates are tentative; subject to change/cancellation due to Covid-19 situation in Sri Lanka.
	30 Sep - 02 Oct	Workshop	Open	Kosgama	Trust Board, Staff and Dhamma Seva Workshop
	30 Sep - 02 Oct	AT / CCT workshop.	Open	Kosgama	For old students By invitation only
	13 Oct - 24 Oct	10-Day	Applications accepted starting 13 Jul	Kosgama	English / Sinhala Applicants are expected to produce a Vaccination Certificate indicating that they have taken 02 doses of vaccine against Covid-19 and a letter from an authorized person certifying that neither they nor any family members have been affected by Covid-19 during the past 14 days and are not in quarantine presently. (In case of inability to take vaccines due to adverse risk considerations on medical advice, a negative PCR test result taken 2-3 days prior to the course can be submitted instead of a Vaccination Certificate). Course and dates are tentative; subject to change/cancellation due to Covid-19 situation in Sri Lanka.
	23 Nov - 04 Dec	10-Day	Applications accepted starting 23 Aug	Kosgama	English / Sinhala Applicants are expected to produce a Vaccination Certificate indicating that they have taken 02 doses of vaccine against Covid-19 and a letter from an authorized person certifying that neither they nor any family members have been affected by Covid-19 during the past 14 days and are not in quarantine presently. (In case of inability to take vaccines due to adverse risk considerations on medical advice, a negative PCR test result taken 2-3 days prior to the course can be submitted instead of a Vaccination Certificate). Course and dates are tentative; subject to change/cancellation due to Covid-19 situation in Sri Lanka.
	17 Dec - 26 Dec	Satipatthana Sutta	Applications accepted starting 17 Aug	Kosgama	For old students English / Sinhala Applicants are expected to produce a Vaccination Certificate indicating that they have taken 02 doses of vaccine against Covid-19 and a letter from an authorized person certifying that neither they nor any family members have been affected by Covid-19 during the past 14 days and are not in quarantine presently. (In case of inability to take vaccines due to adverse risk considerations on medical advice, a negative PCR test result taken 2-3 days prior to the course can be submitted instead of a Vaccination Certificate). Course and dates are tentative; subject to change/cancellation due to Covid-19 situation in Sri Lanka.

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://sobha.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 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.