
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 two dining rooms, a meditation hall for 200, a 140 cell pagoda, separate residences for men and women and a teacher's residence.
- 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: [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.
See Comments for any special instructions for events in this section.
| 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 |
| 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 |
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| 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 |
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| Oct 02 - Oct 03 |
Teen Course (age 13-17) |
Applications accepted starting Aug 21 | Shelburne Falls |
Overnight Teen Course age 13 to 17 |
See Comments for any special instructions for events in this section.
| 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 |
| 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
|
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| Mar 28 - Mar 31 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Nov 28 | Shelburne Falls |
For old students FOR OLD STUDENTS ONLY |
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| Mar 31 - Apr 04 | 3-Day | Applications accepted starting Dec 01 | Shelburne Falls |
For old students |
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| 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 |
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| Apr 18 - Apr 28 | Old Student Program | Applications accepted starting Dec 19 | Shelburne Falls |
For old students FOR OLD STUDENTS ONLY |
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| Apr 28 - May 07 | Satipatthana Sutta | Applications accepted starting Dec 29 | Shelburne Falls |
Old Student Course Qualification Requirements |
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| May 09 - May 12 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jan 09 | Shelburne Falls |
For old students FOR OLD STUDENTS |
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| May 12 - May 23 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jan 12 | Shelburne Falls |
For new students and old students |
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| May 23 - May 26 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jan 23 | Shelburne Falls |
For old students FOR OLD STUDENTS ONLY |
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| May 26 - Jun 06 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jan 26 | Shelburne Falls |
For new and old students |
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| Jun 06 - Jun 09 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Feb 06 | Shelburne Falls |
For old students FOR OLD STUDENTS ONLY |
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| 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 |
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| 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 |
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| Jul 04 - Jul 10 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Mar 06 | Shelburne Falls |
For old students FOR OLD STUDENTS ONLY |
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| Jul 10 - Jul 31 | 20-Day | Applications accepted starting Mar 12 | Shelburne Falls |
Old Student Course Qualification Requirements Old Students Course Qualification Requirements |
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| Jul 31 - Aug 04 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Apr 02 | Shelburne Falls |
For old students FOR OLD STUDENTS ONLY |
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| Aug 04 - Aug 15 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Apr 06 | Shelburne Falls |
For new students and old students |
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| 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 |
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| Aug 29 - Sep 01 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting May 01 | Shelburne Falls |
For old students FOR OLD STUDENTS ONLY |
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| Sep 01 - Sep 12 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting May 04 | Shelburne Falls |
For new students and old students |
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| Sep 12 | Old Student Program | Applications accepted starting May 15 | Shelburne Falls |
For old students FOR OLD STUDENTS ONLY |
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| Sep 12 - Sep 22 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting May 15 | Shelburne Falls |
For old students FOR OLD STUDENTS ONLY |
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| Sep 22 - Oct 01 | Satipatthana Sutta | Applications accepted starting May 25 | Shelburne Falls |
Old Student Course Qualification Requirements Old Students Course Qualification Requirements |
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| Oct 03 - Oct 06 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jun 05 | Shelburne Falls |
For old students FOR OLD STUDENTS ONL |
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| Oct 06 - Oct 17 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jun 08 | Shelburne Falls |
For new students and old students |
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| Oct 17 - Oct 20 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jun 19 | Shelburne Falls |
For old students |
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| Oct 20 - Oct 24 | 3-Day | Applications accepted starting Jun 22 | Shelburne Falls |
For old students Old Students Course Qualification Requirements |
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| Oct 24 - Oct 27 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jun 26 | Shelburne Falls |
For old students |
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| Oct 27 - Nov 07 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jun 29 | Shelburne Falls |
For new students and old students |
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| Nov 07 - Nov 10 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jul 10 | Shelburne Falls |
For old students FOR OLD STUDENTS ONLY |
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| Nov 10 - Nov 21 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jul 13 | Shelburne Falls |
For new students and old students |
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| Nov 10 - Nov 21 | Special 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jul 13 | Shelburne Falls |
Old Student Course Qualification Requirements Old Students Course Qualification Requirements |
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| Nov 21 - Nov 24 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Jul 24 | Shelburne Falls |
For old students FOR OLD STUDENTS ONLY |
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| Nov 24 - Dec 05 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jul 27 | Shelburne Falls |
For new students and old students |
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| Dec 05 - Dec 08 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Aug 07 | Shelburne Falls |
For old students FOR OLD STUDENTS ONLY |
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| Dec 08 - Dec 19 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Aug 10 | Shelburne Falls |
For new students and old students |
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| Dec 19 - Dec 22 | Service Period | Applications accepted starting Aug 21 | Shelburne Falls |
For old students FOR OLD STUDENTS ONLY |
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| December 22, 2027 - January 02, 2028 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Aug 24 | Shelburne Falls |
For new students and old students |
| 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 |
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| Jan 05 - Feb 05 | 30-Day | Applications accepted starting Sep 07 | Shelburne Falls |
Old Student Course Qualification Requirements Old Students Course Qualification Requirements |
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| Jan 05 - Feb 20 | 45-Day | Applications accepted starting Sep 07 | Shelburne Falls |
Old Student Course Qualification Requirements Old Students Course Qualification Requirements |
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.
| 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.

