Vipassana Meditation Center

Dhamma Dharā

Vipassana Meditation Center, Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts, United States
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.
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.

Filters

83 courses
Popular courses
Other courses
New students can only apply to 10 day courses

Teenagers' and Children's Courses

4 courses
Courses for young people.
Dates
Course Type
Location
Comments
Status
2027
Mar 6
English

Teen Course (age 13-17)


English
Empty Cloud Monastery

Teen Course age 13 to 17

Location: West Orange, NJ

TeenNon-Center
Applications accepted starting 23 Jan
May 8

Childrens Course (age 8-12)


Shelburne Falls

Childrens Course age 8 to 12

Children
Applications accepted starting 27 Mar
Jul 24
English

Childrens Course (age 8-12)


English
Empty Cloud Monastery

Childrens Course age 8 to 12

Location: West Orange, NJ

ChildrenNon-Center
Applications accepted starting 12 Jun
Oct 2 - Oct 3

Teen Course (age 13-17)


Shelburne Falls

Overnight Teen Course age 13 to 17

Teen
Applications accepted starting 21 Aug

Course types

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.

Childrens Course (age 8-12)

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.

Teen Course (age 13-17)

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.

Ten Day & Other Adult Courses

58 courses
All ten day courses begin on the evening of the first day and end on the early morning of the last day.
Dates
Course Type
Location
Comments
Status
Nov 4 - Nov 15
10-Day
Shelburne Falls

For new and old students

10-Day
In Progress
Nov 15 - Nov 18
Service Period
Shelburne Falls
For old students
Service Period
Servers- Open
Nov 18 - Nov 29
English, Spanish
10-Day
English, Spanish
Shelburne Falls

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

10-Day
Wait List
Nov 29
1-Day
Shelburne Falls
For old students

Servers Needed!

1-Day
New Women- Closed
Old Women- Open
New Men- Closed
Old Men- Open
Servers- Open
Nov 29 - Dec 2
Service Period
Shelburne Falls
For old students
Service Period
Servers- Open
Dec 2 - Dec 13
10-Day
Shelburne Falls

For new and old students

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

For new and old students

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

For new and old students

10-Day
Women- Closed
Men- Wait List
Servers - Women- Closed
Servers - Men- Wait List
2027
Jan 10 - Jan 12
Service Period
Shelburne Falls
For old students
Service Period
Servers- Open
Jan 12 - Mar 14
60-Day
Shelburne Falls
60-Day
New Women- Closed
Old Women- Open
New Men- Closed
Old Men- Open
Servers- Wait List
Mar 14 - Mar 17
Service Period
Shelburne Falls
For old students
Service Period
Applications accepted starting 14 Nov
Mar 17 - Mar 28
Mandarin, English
10-Day
Mandarin, English
Shelburne Falls

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

 

10-Day
Applications accepted starting 17 Nov
Mar 28 - Mar 31
Service Period
Shelburne Falls
For old students

FOR OLD STUDENTS ONLY

Service Period
Applications accepted starting 28 Nov
Mar 31 - Apr 4
3-Day
Shelburne Falls
For old students
3-Day
Applications accepted starting 01 Dec
Apr 4 - Apr 7
Service Period
Shelburne Falls
For old students
Service Period
Applications accepted starting 05 Dec
Apr 7 - Apr 18
10-Day
Shelburne Falls

For new students and old students

10-Day
Applications accepted starting 08 Dec
Apr 18 - Apr 28
Old Student Program
Shelburne Falls
For old students

FOR OLD STUDENTS ONLY

Old Student Program
Applications accepted starting 19 Dec
Apr 28 - May 7
Satipatthana Sutta
Shelburne Falls
Satipatthana Sutta
Applications accepted starting 29 Dec
May 9 - May 12
Service Period
Shelburne Falls
For old students

FOR OLD STUDENTS

Service Period
Applications accepted starting 09 Jan
May 12 - May 23
10-Day
Shelburne Falls

For new students and old students

10-Day
Applications accepted starting 12 Jan
May 23 - May 26
Service Period
Shelburne Falls
For old students

FOR OLD STUDENTS ONLY

Service Period
Applications accepted starting 23 Jan
May 26 - Jun 6
10-Day
Shelburne Falls

For new and old students

10-Day
Applications accepted starting 26 Jan
Jun 6 - Jun 9
Service Period
Shelburne Falls
For old students

FOR OLD STUDENTS ONLY

Service Period
Applications accepted starting 06 Feb
Jun 9 - Jun 20
10-Day
Shelburne Falls

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

10-Day
Applications accepted starting 09 Feb
Jun 20 - Jun 23
Service Period
Shelburne Falls
For old students

FOR OLD STUDENTS ONLY

Service Period
Applications accepted starting 20 Feb
Jun 23 - Jul 4
10-Day
Shelburne Falls

For new and old students

10-Day
Applications accepted starting 23 Feb
Jul 4 - Jul 10
Service Period
Shelburne Falls
For old students

FOR OLD STUDENTS ONLY

Service Period
Applications accepted starting 06 Mar
Jul 10 - Jul 31
20-Day
Shelburne Falls
Old Student Course Qualification Requirements

Old Students Course Qualification Requirements

20-Day
Applications accepted starting 12 Mar
Jul 31 - Aug 4
Service Period
Shelburne Falls
For old students

FOR OLD STUDENTS ONLY

Service Period
Applications accepted starting 02 Apr
Aug 4 - Aug 15
English, Thai
10-Day
English, Thai
Shelburne Falls

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

10-Day
Applications accepted starting 06 Apr
Aug 15 - Aug 18
Service Period
Shelburne Falls
For old students

FOR OLD STUDENTS ONLY

Service Period
Applications accepted starting 17 Apr
Aug 18 - Aug 29
English, Vietnamese
10-Day
English, Vietnamese
Shelburne Falls

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

10-Day
Applications accepted starting 20 Apr
Aug 29 - Sep 1
Service Period
Shelburne Falls
For old students

FOR OLD STUDENTS ONLY

Service Period
Applications accepted starting 01 May
Sep 1 - Sep 12
10-Day
Shelburne Falls

For new students and old students

10-Day
Applications accepted starting 04 May
Sep 12
Old Student Program
Shelburne Falls
For old students

FOR OLD STUDENTS ONLY

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

FOR OLD STUDENTS ONLY

Service Period
Applications accepted starting 15 May
Sep 22 - Oct 1
Satipatthana Sutta
Shelburne Falls
Old Student Course Qualification Requirements

Old Students Course Qualification Requirements

Satipatthana Sutta
Applications accepted starting 25 May
Oct 3 - Oct 6
Service Period
Shelburne Falls
For old students

FOR OLD STUDENTS ONL

Service Period
Applications accepted starting 05 Jun
Oct 6 - Oct 17
10-Day
Shelburne Falls

For new students and old students

10-Day
Applications accepted starting 08 Jun
Oct 17 - Oct 20
Service Period
Shelburne Falls
For old students
Service Period
Applications accepted starting 19 Jun
Oct 20 - Oct 24
3-Day
Shelburne Falls
For old students

Old Students Course Qualification Requirements

3-Day
Applications accepted starting 22 Jun
Oct 24 - Oct 27
Service Period
Shelburne Falls
For old students
Service Period
Applications accepted starting 26 Jun
Oct 27 - Nov 7
10-Day
Shelburne Falls

For new students and old students

10-Day
Applications accepted starting 29 Jun
Nov 7 - Nov 10
Service Period
Shelburne Falls
For old students

FOR OLD STUDENTS ONLY

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

Old Students Course Qualification Requirements

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

For new students and old students

10-Day
Applications accepted starting 13 Jul
Nov 21 - Nov 24
Service Period
Shelburne Falls
For old students

FOR OLD STUDENTS ONLY

Service Period
Applications accepted starting 24 Jul
Nov 24 - Dec 5
10-Day
Shelburne Falls

For new students and old students

10-Day
Applications accepted starting 27 Jul
Dec 5 - Dec 8
Service Period
Shelburne Falls
For old students

FOR OLD STUDENTS ONLY

Service Period
Applications accepted starting 07 Aug
Dec 8 - Dec 19
10-Day
Shelburne Falls

For new students and old students

10-Day
Applications accepted starting 10 Aug
Dec 19 - Dec 22
Service Period
Shelburne Falls
For old students

FOR OLD STUDENTS ONLY

Service Period
Applications accepted starting 21 Aug
Dec 22, 2027 - Jan 2, 2028
10-Day
Shelburne Falls

For new students and old students

10-Day
Applications accepted starting 24 Aug
2028
Jan 2 - Jan 5
Service Period
Shelburne Falls
For old students

FOR OLD STUDENTS ONLY

Service Period
Applications accepted starting 04 Sep
Jan 5 - Feb 5
30-Day
Shelburne Falls
Old Student Course Qualification Requirements

Old Students Course Qualification Requirements

30-Day
Applications accepted starting 07 Sep
Jan 5 - Feb 20
45-Day
Shelburne Falls
Old Student Course Qualification Requirements

Old Students Course Qualification Requirements

45-Day
Applications accepted starting 07 Sep

Course types

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.

1-Day
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.
3-Day
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.
10-Day

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.

20-Day

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

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

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

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.

Old Student Program

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

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 Period

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.

Special 10-Day

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.

Non-Center Courses

21 courses

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.

Dates
Course Type
Location
Comments
Status
Nov 14
English
1-Day
English
New York, NY
For old students
1-DayNon-Center
New Women- Closed
Old Women- Open
New Men- Closed
Old Men- Open
Servers - Women- Closed
Servers - Men- Open
Nov 15
English
1-Day
English
New York, NY
For old students
1-DayNon-Center
New Women- Closed
Old Women- Open
New Men- Closed
Old Men- Open
Servers - Women- Closed
Servers - Men- Open
Nov 20
English
1-Day
English
New York, NY
For old students

On Friday. Led by an Assistant Teacher

1-DayNon-Center
New Women- Closed
Old Women- Open
New Men- Closed
Old Men- Open
Servers- Open
Nov 21
English, Burmese
1-Day
English, Burmese
New York, NY
For old students

Led by an Assistant Teacher

1-DayNon-Center
New Women- Closed
Old Women- Open
New Men- Closed
Old Men- Open
Servers- Wait List
Nov 22
English
1-Day
English
New York, NY
For old students
1-DayNon-Center
New Women- Closed
Old Women- Open
New Men- Closed
Old Men- Open
Servers - Women- Closed
Servers - Men- Open
Dec 5
English
1-Day
English
New York, NY
For old students
1-DayNon-Center
Applications accepted starting 21 Nov
Dec 6
English
1-Day
English
Woodbridge NJ
For old students

Led by an Assistant Teacher.

Location:1000 Woodbridge Center Dr, Woodbridge, NJ 

1-DayNon-Center
New Women- Closed
Old Women- Open
New Men- Closed
Old Men- Open
Servers- Open
Dec 6
English

Dhamma Service Day


English
New York, NY
For old students

More info: DSD at DH

Service PeriodNon-Center
Servers- Open
Dec 12
English
1-Day
English
New York, NY
For old students
1-DayNon-Center
Applications accepted starting 28 Nov
Dec 18
English
1-Day
English
New York, NY
For old students

On Fri. Led by an Assistant Teacher.

1-DayNon-Center
Applications accepted starting 20 Nov
Dec 19
English, Burmese
1-Day
English, Burmese
New York, NY
For old students
1-DayNon-Center
Applications accepted starting 05 Dec
2027
Jan 3
English

Dhamma Service Day


English
New York, NY
For old students

More info: DSD at DH

Service PeriodNon-Center
Applications accepted starting 06 Dec
Jan 9
English
1-Day
English
Woodbridge NJ
For old students

Led by an Assistant Teacher.

Location:1000 Woodbridge Center Dr, Woodbridge, NJ 

1-DayNon-Center
Applications accepted starting 06 Dec
Feb 7
English

Dhamma Service Day


English
New York, NY
For old students

More info: DSD at DH

Service PeriodNon-Center
Applications accepted starting 03 Jan
May 7 - May 9 New Course!!
English

Camp Setup & Day 0 Service


English
Fishkill, NY
For old students

Camp Setup starts May 7, 12pm.

Day 0 service starts May 9, 12pm.

Service PeriodNon-Center
Applications accepted starting 05 Feb
May 9 - May 13 New Course!!
English
3-Day
English
Fishkill, NY
For old students
3-DayNon-Center
Applications accepted starting 06 Feb
May 13 - May 14 New Course!!
English

Service Period


English
Fishkill, NY
For old students

Service period starts May 13, 6:30am.

Day 0 service starts May 14, 1pm.

Service PeriodNon-Center
Applications accepted starting 06 Feb
May 14 - May 25 New Course!!
English
10-Day
English
Fishkill, NY
10-DayNon-Center
Applications accepted starting 13 Feb
May 25 - May 26 New Course!!
English

Service Period


English
Fishkill, NY
For old students

Service period starts May 25, 6:30am.

Day 0 service starts May 26, 1pm.

Service PeriodNon-Center
Applications accepted starting 06 Feb
May 26 - Jun 6
English, Russian
10-Day
English, Russian
Fishkill, NY

Servers of any language are welcome.

For new and old students.

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

10-DayNon-Center
Applications accepted starting 27 Feb
Jun 6 New Course!!
English

Breakdown Service


English
Fishkill, NY
For old students

Service starts at 6:30 am and finishes by 2pm

Service PeriodNon-Center
Applications accepted starting 06 Feb

Course types

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.

1-Day
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.
3-Day
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.
10-Day

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.

Dhamma Service Day

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.

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