Dhammagiri is one of the largest centers in the tradition of S.N. Goenka and the first to be established in India. It is located near Bombay. Usually several courses take place there per month. A film (Hill of Dhamma) describing the technique and the center can be found on the homepage.
Registration necessary (please inquire about course dates beforehand)!
In India alone, there are more than 30 centers in this tradition distributed throughout the country. The course schedule and conditions are very similar, so most information can be applied to the other centers as well.
Exact information about all Vipassana centers in the tradition of S.N. Goenka in India and information about course dates can be found here.
Tradition and Teacher: Vipassana according to U Ba Khin (Burma). S.N. Goenka received teaching permission from his teacher U Ba Khin in 1969 after 14 years of practice. Since there are more than 50 meditation centers worldwide in this tradition, Goenkaji’s instructions are shown on video or played from cassette recorders. As a rule, two assistant teachers (male and female) are present to answer questions and assist with problems. Each teacher has completed at least five ten-day courses, one 20-day course, and one 30-day course, and has also attended a special teacher training course. The teachers usually hold consultation hours twice a day.
Meditation Technique: The first three days Anapanasati, i.e., breath observation. Concentration on inhalation and exhalation. The breath is only observed, not manipulated. From the third day, Vipassana meditation according to U Ba Khin. In the “Step by Step” or “Body-Sweeping” method, body sensations are systematically observed. Once the body has been examined from head to toes, another round follows in the opposite direction. Sensations should not be judged, only observed. The course concludes with an exercise for developing loving-kindness.
Rules: Each participant commits to completing the entire retreat (not leaving the premises), maintaining silence for the first nine days, not reading or writing, refraining from sexual activities, not performing rituals, prayers, or other meditation techniques, accepting the instructions of the teacher and management, and observing the five or eight Silas (moral precepts) (new or old students). Conspicuous or short clothing is to be avoided. Wake-up at 4 a.m. daily, formal practice ends between 9 and 10 p.m.
Focus: Silent retreats with intensive sitting meditation and one discourse daily.
Course Duration and Dates: A ten-day course is recommended for new interested persons. Schedule and registration form can be requested.
Language(s): Video and assistant teachers: Hindi, English. Dhamma talks (introductions to the Buddha’s teaching) are also offered in other languages (e.g., German) on cassette.
Meals: The food is vegetarian. Those who want to be sure about the drinking water should use a brought-along water purification agent.
Costs: On a donation basis.
Book Reference: “Die Kunst des Lebens”, Fischer TB-Verlag
Further Information: Can be inquired at the German center:
Dhamma Dvara
Alte Str. 6
08606 Triebel
Tel.: 037434 – 79770
Fax: 037434 – 79771
Internet: www.dvara.dhamma.org
E-Mail:
Note: Good for serious practitioners with retreat experience and the desire for intensive practice. Also suitable for beginners who have no major problems with prolonged sitting and are willing to integrate into an intensive, regulated daily schedule.
Further Centers in India:
Maharashtra: Nashik, Kolhapur, Nagpur, Dhule, Pune City, Pune Riverside, Aurangabad
Gujarat: Kutch, Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Mehsana
Northern India: Jaipur, Rajasthan; New Delhi, Haryana; Kammaspur Village, Haryana; Karnal, Haryana; Dehradun, Uttar Pradesh; Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh; Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh; Shravasti, Uttar Pradesh; Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh; Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh; Hoshiarpur, Punjab
Central India: Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh; Durg, Madhya Pradesh; Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
Eastern India: Calcutta, West Bengal; Muzaffarpur, Bihar; Bodh Gaya, Bihar; Baracakia, Bihar
Southern India: Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh; Nizamabad, Andhra Pradesh; West Godavari, Andhra Pradesh; Madras, Tamil Nadu; Bangalore, Karnataka