in the tradition of Sayagyi U Ba Khin
Course Schedule
Center Location: Website | Map
** Unless noted otherwise, course instructions are given in the following language(s): English
The Shelburne center, founded in 1982, was the first center in North America. The original facility was merely a roomy, comfortable two-story house and barn on eight acres of meadowland. In 1989, a group of meditators donated an adjoining seventy acres of land. Today the center consists of 108 acres and many new buildings have been added, including a bathhouse, two dining rooms, meditation hall for 200, a 140 cell pagoda, separate residences for men and women and a center manager's house.
- 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 Center - Dhamma Dharā
386 Colrain-Shelburne Road
Shelburne, Massachusetts 01370-9672 USA
Tel: [1](413) 625-2160
Fax: [1](413) 625-2170
Email: info@dhara.dhamma.org
Website: http://www.dhara.dhamma.org
See Comments for any special instructions for events in this section.
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 19 | Children |
 Applications accepted starting Aug 19
|
Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts | 1-Day Children's Course for ages 8-12 | |
| Oct 20 | Teen |
Applications accepted starting Aug 19
|
Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts | 1-Day Teen's Course for ages 13-17 |
See Comments for any special instructions for events in this section.
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 12 - Jun 23 |
10-Day English/
Chinese |
In Progress | Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts | Priority in this course is given to students whose native language is Chinese. | |
| Apply | Jun 23 - Jun 26 | Service Period |
 Open
|
Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts | For old students |
| Apply | Jun 26 - Jul 07 |
10-Day English/
Burmese |
 Women - Wait List Men - Wait List Servers - Open
|
Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts |
Priority in this course is given to students whose native language is Burmese. |
| Apply | Jul 07 - Jul 09 | Service Period |
Open
|
Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts | For old students |
| Apply | Jul 09 - Jul 19 | 9-Day |
Women - Closed Men - Wait List Servers - Open
|
Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts | |
| Apply | Jul 19 - Jul 21 | Service Period |
Open
|
Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts | For old students |
| Apply | Jul 21 - Aug 11 | 20-Day |
Open
|
Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts | For old students |
| Apply | Aug 11 - Aug 14 | Service Period |
Open
|
Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts | For old students |
| Apply | Aug 14 - Aug 25 |
10-Day English/
Khmer |
Women - Wait List Men - Wait List Servers - Open
|
Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts |
Spaces still open for Cambodian applicants. WAITLIST FOR ALL OTHER MALE AND FEMALE APPLICANTS. Priority is given to students whose native language is Khmer. |
| Apply | Aug 25 - Aug 28 | Service Period |
Open
|
Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts | For old students |
| Apply | Aug 28 - Sep 08 | Special 10-Day |
Open
|
Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts | For old students |
| Apply | Aug 28 - Sep 08 | 10-Day |
Women - Closed Men - Wait List Servers - Open
|
Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts | |
| Apply | Sep 08 | 1-Day |
Open
|
Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts | For old students |
| Apply | Sep 15 - Sep 25 | Dhamma Service Period |
Open
|
Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts | For old students |
| Apply | Sep 25 - Oct 06 | 10-Day |
Women - Wait List Men - Wait List Servers - Open
|
Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts | |
| Apply | Oct 06 - Oct 09 | Service Period |
Open
|
Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts | For old students |
| Apply | Oct 09 - Oct 18 | Satipatthana Sutta |
Open
|
Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts | For old students |
| Apply | Oct 18 - Oct 23 | Service Period |
Open
|
Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts | For old students |
| Apply | Oct 23 - Nov 03 | 10-Day |
Women - Wait List Men - Open Servers - Open
|
Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts | |
| Apply | Nov 03 - Nov 06 | Service Period |
Open
|
Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts | For old students |
| Apply | Nov 06 - Nov 17 | 10-Day |
Open
|
Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts | |
| Apply | Nov 17 - Nov 20 | Service Period |
Open
|
Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts | For old students |
| Apply | Nov 20 - Dec 01 | 10-Day Course for Leaders and Executives Only |
Women - Open Men - Open Servers - Closed
|
Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts | Course occurs over Thanksgiving holiday. |
| Apply | Dec 01 - Dec 04 | Service Period |
Open
|
Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts | For old students |
| Apply | Dec 04 - Dec 08 | 3-Day |
Open
|
Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts | For old students |
| Apply | Dec 08 - Dec 11 | Service Period |
Open
|
Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts | For old students |
| Apply | Dec 11 - Dec 22 | 10-Day |
Open
|
Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts | |
| December 27, 2013 - January 07, 2014 | 10-Day |
Applications accepted starting Sep 01
|
Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts | This course begins on a Friday and ends on a Tuesday. Open only to those who will be attending for the first time and those who have not sat a course in 2013. |
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 09 - Feb 09 | 30-Day |
Applications accepted starting Jul 13
|
Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts | For old students | |
| Jan 09 - Feb 24 | 45-Day |
Applications accepted starting Jul 13
|
Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts | For old students |
See Comments for any special instructions for events in this section.
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.dhara.dhamma.org/os. A user name and password will be required to access these pages.
Questions may be addressed to Email: info@dhara.dhamma.org
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 above.
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.
10-day Executive courses are an introductory course to Vipassana Meditation especially for business executives and government officials where the technique is taught step-by-step each day. For more information please visit the Executive course website. 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 7:30am.
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.
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.
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.
Satipatthana Sutta Courses have the same timetable and discipline as 10-day course. 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.