Wheel of Dhamma

Vipassana Meditation Center
Offering courses in Vipassana Meditation as taught by S.N. Goenka
in the tradition of Sayagyi U Ba Khin
Course Schedule

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  • CoursesIcon blue down arrow 7x4
    • Teenagers' and Children's Courses
    • Ten Day & Other Adult Courses
    • Non-Center Courses: New York Vipassana Association, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico
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    • U.S. English
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    • United States
      14 Center(s)
      6 Non-Center(s)
    • North America
      19 Center(s)
      9 Non-Center(s)
    • Americas
      33 Center(s)
      45 Non-Center(s)
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      272 Center(s)
      135 Non-Center(s)
Dhara
Dhamma Dharā, Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts, United States
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 two dining rooms, a meditation hall for 200, a 140 cell pagoda, separate residences for men and women and a teacher's residence.
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 Center - Dhamma Dharā
386 Colrain-Shelburne Road
Shelburne, Massachusetts 01370-9672 USA

Tel: [1](413) 625-2160
Fax: [1](413) 625-2170
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://dhara.dhamma.org

The courses will open up to accept applications four months before the start of the course. Course registration will start at 6 AM on the listed dates. Students may apply to sit no more than two 10-day courses per year. Any additional applications will not be processed.

 

Course applicants should read the Disclosure and Acceptance page which informs the student about the demands of the course, as well as the importance of the student providing full and honest answers to all the questions in the application process.

 

 
Teenagers' and Children's Courses
Courses for young people.
See Comments for any special instructions for events in this section.
2026 Teenagers' and Children's Courses
Attend / Serve Dates Course Type Status Location Comments
Apply Oct 10 - Oct 11

Teen Course (age 13-17)

Girls - Wait List Boys - Closed Servers - Open Shelburne Falls

Overnight Teen Course age 13 to 17

2027 Teenagers' and Children's Courses
Attend / Serve Dates Course Type Status Location Comments
Mar 06

Teen Course (age 13-17)


English
Applications accepted starting Jan 23 Empty Cloud Monastery

Teen Course age 13 to 17

Location: West Orange, NJ

May 08

Childrens Course (age 8-12)

Applications accepted starting Mar 27 Shelburne Falls

Childrens Course age 8 to 12

Jul 24

Childrens Course (age 8-12)


English
Applications accepted starting Jun 12 Empty Cloud Monastery

Childrens Course age 8 to 12

Location: West Orange, NJ

Oct 02 - Oct 03

Teen Course (age 13-17)

Applications accepted starting Aug 21 Shelburne Falls

Overnight Teen Course age 13 to 17

 
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.
2026 Ten Day & Other Adult Courses
Attend / Serve Dates Course Type Status Location Comments
Sep 09 - Sep 20 10-Day In Progress Shelburne Falls

For new and old students

Men Servers Needed!

Apply Sep 20 - Sep 30

Seasonal Dhamma Service Period

Women - Closed Men - Closed Servers - Open Shelburne Falls For old students
Apply Sep 30 - Oct 09 Satipatthana Sutta New Women - Closed Old Women - Wait List New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open Shelburne Falls Old Student Course Qualification Requirements

FOR OLD STUDENTS ONLY

Servers Needed 

Apply Oct 09 - Oct 14 Service Period Servers - Open Shelburne Falls For old students
Apply Oct 14 - Oct 25 10-Day Women - Closed Men - Wait List Servers - Wait List Shelburne Falls

For new and old students

Apply Oct 25 - Oct 28 Service Period Servers - Open Shelburne Falls For old students
Apply Oct 28 - Nov 01 3-Day New Women - Closed Old Women - Wait List New Men - Closed Old Men - Wait List Servers - Wait List Shelburne Falls For old students
Apply Nov 01 1-Day New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open Shelburne Falls For old students
Apply Nov 01 - Nov 04 Service Period Servers - Open Shelburne Falls For old students
Apply Nov 04 - Nov 15 10-Day Women - Closed Men - Wait List Servers - Women - Wait List Servers - Men - Open Shelburne Falls

For new and old students

Apply Nov 15 - Nov 18 Service Period Servers - Open Shelburne Falls For old students
Apply Nov 18 - Nov 29 10-Day
English / Spanish
Women - Wait List Men - Open Servers - Wait List Shelburne Falls

Priority will be given to Spanish-speaking students who are not fluent in English.

Apply Nov 29 1-Day New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open Shelburne Falls For old students
Apply Nov 29 - Dec 02 Service Period Servers - Open Shelburne Falls For old students
Apply Dec 02 - Dec 13 10-Day Women - Closed New Men - Open Old Men - Wait List Servers - Women - Wait List Servers - Men - Open Shelburne Falls

For new and old students

Apply Dec 13 - Dec 16 Service Period Servers - Open Shelburne Falls For old students
Apply Dec 16 - Dec 27 10-Day Women - Wait List New Men - Open Old Men - Wait List Servers - Wait List Shelburne Falls

For new and old students

Apply Dec 27 1-Day New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open Shelburne Falls For old students
Apply Dec 27 - Dec 30 Service Period Servers - Open Shelburne Falls For old students
Apply December 30, 2026 - January 10, 2027 10-Day Women - Wait List New Men - Open Old Men - Wait List Servers - Wait List Shelburne Falls

For new and old students

2027 Ten Day & Other Adult Courses
Attend / Serve Dates Course Type Status Location Comments
Apply Jan 10 - Jan 12 Service Period Servers - Open Shelburne Falls For old students
Apply Jan 12 - Mar 14 60-Day New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Wait List Shelburne Falls Old Student Course Qualification Requirements
Mar 14 - Mar 17 Service Period Applications accepted starting Nov 14 Shelburne Falls For old students
Mar 17 - Mar 28 10-Day
English / Mandarin
Applications accepted starting Nov 17 Shelburne Falls

Priority will be given to Chinese-speaking students who are not fluent in English

 

Mar 28 - Mar 31 Service Period Applications accepted starting Nov 28 Shelburne Falls For old students

FOR OLD STUDENTS ONLY

Mar 31 - Apr 04 3-Day Applications accepted starting Dec 01 Shelburne Falls For old students
Apr 04 - Apr 07 Service Period Applications accepted starting Dec 05 Shelburne Falls For old students
Apr 07 - Apr 18 10-Day Applications accepted starting Dec 08 Shelburne Falls

For new students and old students

Apr 18 - Apr 28 Old Student Program Applications accepted starting Dec 19 Shelburne Falls For old students

FOR OLD STUDENTS ONLY

Apr 28 - May 07 Satipatthana Sutta Applications accepted starting Dec 29 Shelburne Falls Old Student Course Qualification Requirements

Old Student Course Qualification Requirements

May 09 - May 12 Service Period Applications accepted starting Jan 09 Shelburne Falls For old students

FOR OLD STUDENTS

May 12 - May 23 10-Day Applications accepted starting Jan 12 Shelburne Falls

For new students and old students

May 23 - May 26 Service Period Applications accepted starting Jan 23 Shelburne Falls For old students

FOR OLD STUDENTS ONLY

May 26 - Jun 06 10-Day Applications accepted starting Jan 26 Shelburne Falls

For new and old students

Jun 06 - Jun 09 Service Period Applications accepted starting Feb 06 Shelburne Falls For old students

FOR OLD STUDENTS ONLY

Jun 09 - Jun 20 10-Day Applications accepted starting Feb 09 Shelburne Falls

Priority will be given to Burmese-speaking students who are not fluent in English

Jun 20 - Jun 23 Service Period Applications accepted starting Feb 20 Shelburne Falls For old students

FOR OLD STUDENTS ONLY

Jun 23 - Jul 04

For new and old students


English / Thai
Applications accepted starting Feb 23 Shelburne Falls

Priority will be given to Thai-speaking students who are not fluent in English

Jul 04 - Jul 10 Service Period Applications accepted starting Mar 06 Shelburne Falls For old students

FOR OLD STUDENTS ONLY

Jul 10 - Jul 31 20-Day Applications accepted starting Mar 12 Shelburne Falls Old Student Course Qualification Requirements

Old Students Course Qualification Requirements

Jul 31 - Aug 04 Service Period Applications accepted starting Apr 02 Shelburne Falls For old students

FOR OLD STUDENTS ONLY

Aug 04 - Aug 15 10-Day Applications accepted starting Apr 06 Shelburne Falls

For new students and old students

Aug 15 - Aug 18 Service Period Applications accepted starting Apr 17 Shelburne Falls For old students

FOR OLD STUDENTS ONLY

Aug 18 - Aug 29 10-Day
English / Vietnamese
Applications accepted starting Apr 20 Shelburne Falls

Priority will be to Vietnamese-speaking students who are not fluent in English

Aug 29 - Sep 01 Service Period Applications accepted starting May 01 Shelburne Falls For old students

FOR OLD STUDENTS ONLY

Sep 01 - Sep 12 10-Day Applications accepted starting May 04 Shelburne Falls

For new students and old students

Sep 12 Old Student Program Applications accepted starting May 15 Shelburne Falls For old students

FOR OLD STUDENTS ONLY

Sep 12 - Sep 22 Service Period Applications accepted starting May 15 Shelburne Falls For old students

FOR OLD STUDENTS ONLY

Sep 22 - Oct 01 Satipatthana Sutta Applications accepted starting May 25 Shelburne Falls Old Student Course Qualification Requirements

Old Students Course Qualification Requirements

Oct 03 - Oct 06 Service Period Applications accepted starting Jun 05 Shelburne Falls For old students

FOR OLD STUDENTS ONL

Oct 06 - Oct 17 10-Day Applications accepted starting Jun 08 Shelburne Falls

For new students and old students

Oct 17 - Oct 20 Service Period Applications accepted starting Jun 19 Shelburne Falls For old students
Oct 20 - Oct 24 3-Day Applications accepted starting Jun 22 Shelburne Falls For old students

Old Students Course Qualification Requirements

Oct 24 - Oct 27 Service Period Applications accepted starting Jun 26 Shelburne Falls For old students
Oct 27 - Nov 07 10-Day Applications accepted starting Jun 29 Shelburne Falls

For new students and old students

Nov 07 - Nov 10 Service Period Applications accepted starting Jul 10 Shelburne Falls For old students

FOR OLD STUDENTS ONLY

Nov 10 - Nov 21 10-Day Applications accepted starting Jul 13 Shelburne Falls

For new students and old students

Nov 10 - Nov 21 Special 10-Day Applications accepted starting Jul 13 Shelburne Falls Old Student Course Qualification Requirements

Old Students Course Qualification Requirements

Nov 21 - Nov 24 Service Period Applications accepted starting Jul 24 Shelburne Falls For old students

FOR OLD STUDENTS ONLY

Nov 24 - Dec 05 10-Day Applications accepted starting Jul 27 Shelburne Falls

For new students and old students

Dec 05 - Dec 08 Service Period Applications accepted starting Aug 07 Shelburne Falls For old students

FOR OLD STUDENTS ONLY

Dec 08 - Dec 19 10-Day Applications accepted starting Aug 10 Shelburne Falls

For new students and old students

Dec 19 - Dec 22 Service Period Applications accepted starting Aug 21 Shelburne Falls For old students

FOR OLD STUDENTS ONLY

December 22, 2027 - January 02, 2028 10-Day Applications accepted starting Aug 24 Shelburne Falls

For new students and old students

2028 Ten Day & Other Adult Courses
Attend / Serve Dates Course Type Status Location Comments
Jan 02 - Jan 05 Service Period Applications accepted starting Sep 04 Shelburne Falls For old students

FOR OLD STUDENTS ONLY

Jan 05 - Feb 05 30-Day Applications accepted starting Sep 07 Shelburne Falls Old Student Course Qualification Requirements

Old Students Course Qualification Requirements

Jan 05 - Feb 20 45-Day Applications accepted starting Sep 07 Shelburne Falls Old Student Course Qualification Requirements

Old Students Course Qualification Requirements

 
Non-Center Courses: New York Vipassana Association, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico

NYVA courses are held in either the New York City Dhamma House or Fishkill, NY, in two different sections of Sharpe Reservation.

Dominican Republic courses are held at Las Canas Retreat Center, Cabarette, DR.

2026 New York Vipassana Association Courses    Website | Map
Attend / Serve Dates Course Type Status Location Comments
Apply Sep 19 1-Day
English / Burmese
New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Closed New York, NY For old students
Apply Sep 20 1-Day
English
New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Closed New York, NY For old students

Led by an Assistant Teacher

Apply Sep 26 1-Day
English
New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Closed New York, NY For old students
Apply Sep 27 1-Day
English
New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Closed New York, NY For old students
Oct 03 1-Day
English
Applications accepted starting Sep 19 New York, NY For old students
Apply Oct 04

Dhamma Service Day


English
Servers - Open New York, NY For old students

More info: DSD at DH

Apply Oct 10 1-Day
English
New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open Woodbridge NJ Note: New Dates!For old students

Led by an Assistant Teacher.

Location:1000 Woodbridge Center Dr, Woodbridge, NJ 

Oct 10 1-Day
English
Applications accepted starting Sep 26 New York, NY For old students
Oct 17 1-Day
English / Burmese
Applications accepted starting Oct 03 New York, NY For old students
Oct 23 1-Day
English
Applications accepted starting Sep 23 New York, NY For old students

On Friday. Led by an Assistant Teacher.

Oct 24 1-Day
English
Applications accepted starting Oct 10 New York, NY For old students

Led by an Assistant Teacher

Nov 01

Dhamma Service Day


English
Applications accepted starting Oct 04 New York, NY For old students

More info: DSD at DH

Nov 20 1-Day
English
Applications accepted starting Oct 23 New York, NY For old students

On Friday. Led by an Assistant Teacher

Nov 21 1-Day
English / Burmese
Applications accepted starting Nov 07 New York, NY For old students

Led by Assistant Teacher(s)

Dec 06

Dhamma Service Day


English
Applications accepted starting Nov 01 New York, NY For old students

More info: DSD at DH

Dec 19 1-Day
English / Burmese
Applications accepted starting Dec 05 New York, NY For old students

Led by Assistant Teacher(s)

 
 

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://dhara.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 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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

60-day Courses are reserved for: 1. Active ATs who have sat at least two 45-day courses and conduct at least four 10-day courses annually.  2. Those who are enrolled in or about to enter AT Training, have sat two 45-day courses, have served at least four 10-day courses in the past 12 months and/or are deeply involved in daily Dhamma service. 3. In some areas, non-ATs may be accepted as rare exceptions if they have completed at least two 45-day courses, served at least four 10-day courses annually and/or are deeply involved in daily Dhamma service.

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.

 
 

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