First vipassana course center established by S.N.Goenka

The technique of Vipassana meditation is a practical way to achieve peace of mind and live a happy productive life. It is learned by attending a 10- day residential course with a qualified teacher where the student is free from distractions so that the reality within can be observed.  This technique helps practitioners come out of suffering; it is non-sectarian and is suitable to all people regardless of religion, gender, race or nationality.

Dhamma Khetta is the first center to conduct a course in this tradition. It was established in September 1976 by Satya Narayana Goenka.  The centre now has three spacious Dhamma Halls,  four mini halls and 200 Pagoda cells in 7 acres.  Accomodation is provided to nearly 100 male and 70 female students.  
Note: Courses for children are currently not scheduled due to covid restrictions.

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Vipassana, which means to see things ​ as they really are, ​ is one of India's most ancient techniques of meditation.  It was rediscovered by Gotama Buddha more than 2500 years ago and was taught by him as a universal remedy for universal ills, ​i.e., an  Art of Living. 

Today, meditation centers established under the guidance of S.N.Goenka are operating in Asia, Europe, the Americas, Africa and Australia.

​These ten-day Vipassana meditation courses are very serious, a deep operation of the mind. They can be a rigorous undertaking, both physically and mentally.  It requires students to spend most of their time alone, without speaking to other students, inside their own mind, meditating for up to ten hours per day over a period of ten days. 

While the course includes lectures, instructional tapes, a few meetings with the teacher, and some limited time for questions, the bulk of the ten days is spent within the autonomous, private sphere of a person’s own mind.

​The meditation course requires a reasonable capacity to maintain focus, cooperate in a large-group setting, follow detailed instructions, adhere to a time schedule, maintain silence, not disturb other students, and to work with a teacher with honesty and full cooperation. ​

what is vipassana

Principal teacher Mr. S. N. Goenka explains what is Vipassana meditation and its various aspects.   Over a period of almost 45 years, Mr. Goenka and the teachers appointed by him taught hundreds of thousands of people in courses in India and other countries.  

how to apply

  • It is essential that you understand the serious nature of the ten-day course before applying. 
  • Students will have to stay for the entire period of the course and are not permitted to leave in the middle.  ​Only those who feel that they can honestly and scrupulously follow the discipline should apply for admission.
  • Therefore, as part of the application process, all course applicants must read the Introduction to the Technique and Code of Discipline booklet before applying.

course schedule

  1. Many courses are full 1 -2 months in advance. Apply early in order to allow time to make travel arrangements once registered.
  2. Submit application online from the course schedule link below.  After submitting application, you will get auto reply through email confirming your application has been received. This first email is NOT a notice of acceptance to the course.
  3. Await notification of whether you have been accepted for the course. All correspondence will be through e-mail. Due to the large volume of applications, it may take up to two weeks before you receive confirmation.
  4. Review the Upcoming Course List and choose a course that is suitable for your schedule. Please note that you are expected to arrive between 9 am to 11.30 am on the day the course begins and you are expected to stay until the course is completed, which is approximately 7:00am on the last day of the course.