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
Dhamma Maṇḍa, also known as the Northern California Vipassana Center, means "the essence of Dhamma" in Pali. It is one of numerous centers worldwide dedicated to the teaching of Vipassana Meditation as taught by S.N. Goenka in the tradition of Sayagyi U Ba Khin. Dhamma Maṇḍa is located in the Cobb mountain area of Lake County, California, nestled among seventeen acres of mature pine, fir, and oak trees and is approximately a two and a half hour drive from San Francisco.
- 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.
Northern California Vipassana Association - Dhamma Manda Tel: [1] (707) 928-9981 Email: [email protected] | Children's / Teenagers' Course Registration Voice Mail: [1] (408) 471-7642 Fax: [1] (800) 734-1558 Email: [email protected] |
Students may apply to sit only one 10 Day course at a time, even if the other course is in another state or is a waitlisted enrollment.
CHECK SPAM/JUNK MAIL or you may miss important email communications.
Applications submitted via cell phone may not go through. A follow-up call or email is recommended.
See Comments for any special instructions for events in this section.
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apply | Oct 10 |
Children and Teen Course |
Open | Santa Rosa |
Boys and Girls Ages 10-17 yrs. old |
All courses open for applications at 7:00am Pacific Time
Students may apply to sit only one 10 Day course at a time, even if the other course is in another state or is a waitlisted enrollment.
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apply | Sep 09 - Sep 20 | 10-Day | In Progress | Kelseyville |
Female Servers are welcomed. |
| Apply | Sep 21 - Sep 28 |
Bi-Annual Work Period |
Servers - Open | Kelseyville |
For old students Old students are welcome to join us for an extended period of deep cleaning and wildfire prevention service. It's a great opportunity to deepen your practice while supporting the center. Part-time servers very welcome. |
| Apply | Sep 27 - Sep 30 |
Between Course Service Period |
Servers - Open | Kelseyville |
For old students |
| Apply | Sep 30 - Oct 11 | 10-Day | Women - Short Wait List Men - Wait List Servers - Open | Kelseyville |
Servers are still needed. |
| Apply | Oct 11 - Oct 14 |
Between Course Service Period |
Servers - Wait List | Kelseyville |
For old students |
| Apply | Oct 14 - Oct 25 | 10-Day | Women - Wait List Men - Wait List Servers - Open | Kelseyville |
Servers are needed. |
| Apply | Oct 25 - Oct 28 |
Between Course Service Period |
Servers - Women - Wait List Servers - Men - Open | Kelseyville |
For old students |
| Apply | Oct 28 - Nov 08 | 10-Day | Women - Wait List Men - Open Servers - Open | Kelseyville |
Servers are needed |
| Apply | Nov 08 - Nov 11 |
Between Course Service Period |
Servers - Open | Kelseyville |
For old students |
| Apply | Nov 11 - Nov 15 | 3-Day | New Women - Closed Old Women - Short Wait List New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open | Kelseyville |
For old students |
| Nov 15 |
Quarterly Trust Meeting |
Applications accepted starting Sep 16 | Kelseyville |
For old students If you are interested in attending remotely or in-person, please send an email to [email protected] |
|
| Apply | Nov 15 - Nov 18 |
Between Course Service Period |
Servers - Open | Kelseyville |
For old students |
| Nov 18 - Nov 29 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Sep 18 | Kelseyville | ||
| Nov 29 - Dec 02 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Sep 18 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Dec 02 - Dec 13 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Oct 02 | Kelseyville | ||
| Dec 13 - Dec 16 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Oct 02 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Dec 16 - Dec 27 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Oct 16 | Kelseyville | ||
| December 22, 2026 - January 02, 2027 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Oct 17 | Near Occidental, CA | ||
| Dec 27 - Dec 30 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Oct 16 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| December 30, 2026 - January 03, 2027 | 3-Day | Applications accepted starting Oct 30 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 03 - Jan 06 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Nov 04 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Jan 06 - Jan 17 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Nov 07 | Kelseyville | ||
| Jan 17 - Jan 20 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Nov 18 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Jan 20 - Jan 31 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Nov 21 | Kelseyville | ||
| Jan 31 - Feb 03 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Dec 02 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Feb 03 - Feb 14 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Dec 05 | Kelseyville | ||
| Feb 14 - Feb 17 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Dec 16 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Feb 17 - Feb 28 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Dec 19 | Kelseyville | ||
| Mar 03 - Mar 07 | 3-Day | Applications accepted starting Jan 02 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Mar 12 - Mar 14 |
Annual Trust Retreat Weekend |
Applications accepted starting Jan 11 | Kelseyville |
For old students ALL Old Students may submit an application either to join the committee meetings or to assist with meal preparations in the kitchen. |
|
| Mar 17 - Apr 01 | 14 Day Gratitude Course | Applications accepted starting Jan 16 | Kelseyville |
Old Student Course Qualification Requirements |
|
| Apr 01 - Apr 07 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Jan 31 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Apr 07 - Apr 18 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Feb 06 | Kelseyville | ||
| Apr 18 - Apr 21 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Feb 17 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Apr 21 - May 02 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Feb 20 | Kelseyville | ||
| May 02 - May 05 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Mar 03 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| May 05 - May 16 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Mar 06 | Kelseyville | ||
| May 16 - May 19 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Mar 17 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| May 19 - May 23 | 3-Day | Applications accepted starting Mar 20 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| May 30 - Jun 02 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Mar 31 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Jun 02 - Jun 13 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Apr 03 | Kelseyville | ||
| Jun 13 - Jun 16 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Apr 14 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Jun 16 - Jun 27 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Apr 17 | Kelseyville | ||
| Jun 27 - Jun 30 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Apr 28 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Jun 30 - Jul 11 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting May 01 | Kelseyville | ||
| Jul 11 - Jul 16 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting May 12 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Jul 18 - Jul 21 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting May 19 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Jul 21 - Aug 01 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting May 22 | Kelseyville | ||
| Aug 01 - Aug 04 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Jun 02 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Aug 04 - Aug 15 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jun 05 | Kelseyville | ||
| Aug 15 - Aug 18 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Jun 16 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Aug 18 - Aug 29 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jun 19 | Kelseyville | ||
| Aug 29 - Sep 02 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Jun 30 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Sep 02 - Sep 06 | 3-Day | Applications accepted starting Jul 04 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Sep 06 - Sep 08 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Jul 08 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Sep 08 - Sep 19 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jul 10 | Kelseyville | ||
| Sep 19 - Sep 26 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Jul 21 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Sep 26 - Sep 29 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Jul 28 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Sep 29 - Oct 10 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jul 31 | Kelseyville | ||
| Oct 10 - Oct 13 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Aug 11 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Oct 13 - Oct 24 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Aug 14 | Kelseyville | ||
| Oct 24 - Oct 27 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Aug 25 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Oct 27 - Nov 07 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Aug 28 | Kelseyville | ||
| Nov 10 - Nov 14 | 3-Day | Applications accepted starting Sep 11 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Nov 14 - Nov 17 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Sep 15 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Nov 17 - Nov 28 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Sep 18 | Kelseyville | ||
| Nov 28 - Dec 01 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Sep 29 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Dec 01 - Dec 12 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Oct 02 | Kelseyville | ||
| Dec 12 - Dec 15 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Oct 13 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| Dec 15 - Dec 26 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Oct 16 | Kelseyville | ||
| Dec 26 - Dec 29 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Oct 27 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
|
| December 29, 2027 - January 02, 2028 | 3-Day | Applications accepted starting Oct 30 | Kelseyville |
For old students |
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://manda.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 Anapana Courses are generally open for all children aged 8-12 years old who wish to learn to meditate. However there are local variations in age range, so please check the schedule.
Teenagers' Anapana Courses are generally open for all teenagers aged 13-18 years old who wish to learn to meditate. However, there are local variations in age range. In India and a few other countries there are also 7-day Vipassana courses for older teenagers. Please check the schedule for details.
Old Student Course Qualification Requirements
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.
Old Student Course Qualification Requirements
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.
Service Periods have been set aside to work on a variety of Centre maintenance, construction, household and gardening projects. All Old Students are welcome to apply. 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 Course Qualification Requirements
The 14-Day Gratitude Course was previously called the Teacher's Self Course. One of the qualities we develop as we meditate is gratitude - gratitude towards one’s teachers, Goenkaji and Mataji, and towards the long tradition of Vipassana teachers, right back to the Buddha.
The course is open to old students who are active in giving service. Requirements include 3 x 10day courses plus one Satipaṭṭhāna course, being active in Dhamma service, trying to maintain two-hour daily practice since last 10-Day course, and trying to maintain the five precepts to the best of one's ability. Local teacher’s recommendation is required. The course follows the usual format of 3x group sittings with instructions in the day, but students work more independently and the teaching materials are drawn from the 20-day course. This is a half-way step to help students mature for long courses, and serves to inspire students to work more deeply in Dhamma.
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.
