How to Use dhamma.org

Vipassana courses are 10-day residential retreats. You arrive the evening before (Day 0), stay for 10 full days of meditation, and leave the morning of Day 11. That's approximately 12 nights total.

Key requirements you should know upfront:

• Complete silence (no talking, gestures, eye contact, or phone use)
• No reading, writing, or any other entertainment
• Men and women are completely separated
• Wake up at 4:00 AM, lights out at 9:30 PM
• About 10 hours of meditation per day
• Vegetarian meals — no dinner, just a light snack with tea at 5 PM
• You commit to staying the full 10 days

This is not a spa retreat. It is serious, focused inner work. But it is also one of the most profound experiences you can have.

Go to dhamma.org/en/locations/directory to browse the list of centers worldwide. There are over 200 centers across every continent.

Each center has a Pali name starting with “Dhamma” (e.g., Dhamma Mahavana in California, Dhamma Dipa in England). Click on a center to see its location, contact info, and course schedule.

For first-time students, you can only take a 10-day course. There are no shorter options for new students. This is non-negotiable.

After completing your first 10-day course, additional options open up:

• 10-day courses — The standard; you can retake as many as you like
• Satipatthana Sutta course — A special 10-day course focused on the Buddha's discourse on mindfulness
• 20-day, 30-day, 45-day courses — Longer courses for serious practitioners
• Service (Dhamma Seva) — Volunteer at a center while maintaining your practice

From the center's page, click on a specific course date to apply. The application form asks:

• Personal information (name, age, contact)
• Physical and mental health history — be honest, this is important
• Previous meditation experience
• Whether you can commit to all 10 days
• Agreement to the Code of Discipline

About the health questions: They ask about psychiatric conditions, substance use, and physical limitations. This isn't gatekeeping — Vipassana involves intense introspection that can be destabilizing for people with certain conditions. Answer honestly for your own safety.

After submitting, you'll receive a confirmation email. Courses fill up quickly, especially at popular centers. You may be:

• Accepted — You'll get instructions about arrival time, what to bring, and logistics
• Wait-listed — Spots often open up. Keep your schedule flexible
• Not accepted — Usually due to health concerns. The center may follow up for clarification

dhamma.org has a concept of “old students” and “new students.” Once you complete one 10-day course, you become an “old student.” This unlocks:

• Access to old student-only course types
• Ability to serve (volunteer) at courses
• Access to the “For Old Students” section of the website with additional resources
• Ability to donate to support future courses

The “For Old Students” section on the website isn't prominently linked — look for it in the navigation or go directly to the center's website.

All courses are free. After completing a course, you may donate any amount to help future students attend. This is entirely optional and there is absolutely no pressure.

The donation model is central to Vipassana: you benefited from someone else's generosity, and now you can pay it forward. Even small amounts matter.