in the tradition of Sayagyi U Ba Khin
Course Schedule
Center Location: Website | Map
The Northwest Vipassana Center, also known as Dhamma Kuñja, is situated on 50 acres in rural western Washington, conveniently located approximately two hours drive from both Seattle, WA and Portland, OR. It was established in August 1991 to offer training in Vipassana meditation.
- 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.
Northwest Vipassana Meditation Center | General Course Registration | Child/Teen Course Registration |
REGISTRATION GUIDELINES
Coronavirus Safety Measures at Dhamma Kuñja
Dhamma Kuñja is making every effort to offer safe Vipassana courses while Covid continues to circulate in the population. Anyone with symptoms of illness, a positive Covid test, or exposure to Covid within the past 10 days will be asked to stay home.
Testing:
- Please take a rapid antigen test before arriving at the Center. Take a photograph of the results which you can display at the registration table when you get to the Center. If this is not possible, you will be asked to take the test upon arrival.
- On the third day of the course, you will be asked to take another test - please bring two additional tests with you. Anyone with a positive test will be asked to return home.
- Dhamma Kuñja is gladly accepting donations of rapid-antigen Covid tests.
Masking:
Masking is now optional at the Center.
Vaccine:
A Covid vaccination is not required.
Accommodations:
Dhamma Kuñja is operating at full-capacity and students are housed in double rooms with a shared bath.
Anyone with any of the following conditions should not apply at this time:
- Testing positive with Covid-19 virus or direct contact with someone who tested positive within 10 days prior to arrival at the Center
- Experiencing any of the Covid-19 symptoms
- Significant changes that involve higher risk of contracting Covid-19 viruses (traveling, moving residences or others moving into their home, changing jobs, etc.)
Although Dhamma Kuñja is taking all precautions, there still remains a risk of exposure to Covid-19 while at the Center. Please note certain conditions may increase the risk of serious illness from Coronavirus. If you have any of these conditions, you may want to consider applying to a later course.
For questions, please contact Registration
Courses for young people. Child courses are for ages 8-12; Teen courses are for ages 13-17.
See more information| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apply | Mar 08 | Children | Open | Sammamish, WA |
New Course!! |
| Apply | Apr 25 - Apr 27 | Teen | Open | Onalaska | |
| Jun 27 - Jun 29 | Children | Applications accepted starting Dec 29 | Onalaska |
New Course!! |
No First-time students. 1-Day, 2-Day, and 3-Day courses are short courses for Old Students only.
For Old Students, Virtual Sittings are taking place and in-person group sittings are being held at the Hillsboro Site
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apply | Nov 24 | 1-Day | New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Closed | Hillsboro |
For old students |
| Apply | Nov 30 | 1-Day | New Women - Closed Old Women - Wait List New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Closed | Redmond, WA |
New Course!!For old students |
| Apply | Dec 11 - Dec 15 | 3-Day | Wait List | Onalaska |
For old students Allergy Information |
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 26 - Mar 30 | 3-Day | Applications accepted starting Dec 26 | Onalaska |
For old students Allergy Information |
|
| Apr 30 - May 04 | 3-Day | Applications accepted starting Jan 31 | Onalaska |
For old students Allergy Information |
|
| Nov 05 - Nov 09 | 3-Day | Applications accepted starting Aug 10 | Onalaska |
For old students |
APPLICATION RESTRICTIONS
- First-time students may sit, but not serve; they are restricted to one active application at Dhamma Kuñja
- Waitlisted Old Students may apply to sit a second course; two course limit; once accepted for a course, all other applications will be cancelled
- Multiple serving applications are welcome
All ten day courses begin on the evening of the first day on the schedule,
and end on the early morning of the last day on the schedule.
Courses open for applications at 8am PDT on the date listed below
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apply | Nov 17 - Nov 23 |
House & Garden Days |
In Progress | Onalaska |
For old students House & Garden Days Service Period: A few times a year we set aside time to work on larger maintenance, construction, household, and gardening projects. The daily program includes three group sittings with morning and afternoon work periods. Full-time and Part-time are welcome. |
| Apply | Nov 23 - Dec 08 | 14 Day Gratitude Course | Women - Closed Men - Closed Servers - Open | Onalaska |
For old students
|
| Apply | Dec 08 - Dec 11 |
Between Course Service Period |
Servers - Open | Onalaska |
For old students
|
| Apply | Dec 15 - Dec 21 |
House & Garden Days |
Servers - Open | Onalaska |
For old students House & Garden Days Service Period: A few times a year we set aside time to work on larger maintenance, construction, household, and gardening projects. The daily program includes three group sittings with morning and afternoon work periods. Full-time and Part-time are welcome. |
| Apply | December 21, 2024 - January 01, 2025 | 10-Day | Women - Closed Men - Closed Servers - Wait List | Onalaska |
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apply | Jan 01 - Jan 08 |
House & Garden Days |
Servers - Open | Onalaska |
For old students House & Garden Days Service Period: A few times a year we set aside time to work on larger maintenance, construction, household, and gardening projects. The daily program includes three group sittings with morning and afternoon work periods. Full-time and Part-time are welcome. |
| Apply | Jan 08 - Jan 19 | 10-Day | Women - Wait List Men - Wait List Servers - Open | Onalaska |
Allergy Information |
| Apply | Jan 19 - Jan 22 |
Between Course Service Period |
Servers - Open | Onalaska |
For old students Between Course Service Period: A time to clean the center, mow the grass, replenish the food, and generally get ready for the next course. The daily program includes three group sittings. Full-time and Part-time are welcome. |
| Apply | Jan 22 - Feb 02 | 10-Day | Women - Closed Men - Wait List Servers - Open | Onalaska |
Allergy Information |
| Apply | Feb 02 - Feb 12 |
House & Garden Days |
Servers - Open | Onalaska |
For old students House & Garden Days Service Period: A few times a year we set aside time to work on larger maintenance, construction, household, and gardening projects. The daily program includes three group sittings with morning and afternoon work periods. Full-time and Part-time are welcome. |
| Apply | Feb 12 - Feb 23 | 10-Day | Open | Onalaska |
Allergy Information |
| Feb 23 - Feb 26 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Nov 26 | Onalaska |
For old students Between Course Service Period: A time to clean the center, mow the grass, replenish the food, and generally get ready for the next course. The daily program includes three group sittings. Full-time and Part-time are welcome. |
|
| Feb 26 - Mar 09 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Nov 29 | Onalaska |
Allergy Information |
|
| Mar 09 - Mar 12 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Dec 09 | Onalaska |
For old students Between Course Service Period: A time to clean the center, mow the grass, replenish the food, and generally get ready for the next course. The daily program includes three group sittings. Full-time and Part-time are welcome. |
|
| Mar 12 - Mar 23 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Dec 12 | Onalaska |
Allergy Information |
|
| Mar 23 - Mar 26 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Dec 23 | Onalaska |
For old students Between Course Service Period: A time to clean the center, mow the grass, replenish the food, and generally get ready for the next course. The daily program includes three group sittings. Full-time and Part-time are welcome. |
|
| Mar 30 - Apr 11 |
House & Garden Days |
Applications accepted starting Dec 30 | Onalaska |
For old students House & Garden Days Service Period: A few times a year we set aside time to work on larger maintenance, construction, household, and gardening projects. The daily program includes three group sittings with morning and afternoon work periods. Full-time and Part-time are welcome. |
|
| Apr 11 - Apr 20 |
Satipatthana Sutta
English / Thai |
Applications accepted starting Jan 12 | Onalaska |
For old students |
|
| Apr 20 - Apr 30 |
House & Garden Days |
Applications accepted starting Jan 21 | Onalaska |
For old students House & Garden Days Service Period: A few times a year we set aside time to work on larger maintenance, construction, household, and gardening projects. The daily program includes three group sittings with morning and afternoon work periods. Full-time and Part-time are welcome. |
|
| May 04 - May 07 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Feb 04 | Onalaska |
For old students Between Course Service Period: A time to clean the center, mow the grass, replenish the food, and generally get ready for the next course. The daily program includes three group sittings. Full-time and Part-time are welcome. |
|
| May 07 - May 18 |
10-Day
English / Vietnamese |
Applications accepted starting Feb 07 | Onalaska |
Allergy Information |
|
| May 18 - May 28 |
House & Garden Days |
Applications accepted starting Feb 18 | Onalaska |
For old students House & Garden Days Service Period: A few times a year we set aside time to work on larger maintenance, construction, household, and gardening projects. The daily program includes three group sittings with morning and afternoon work periods. Full-time and Part-time are welcome. |
|
| May 28 - Jun 08 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Feb 28 | Onalaska |
Allergy Information |
|
| Jun 08 - Jun 11 |
Between Course Service Period |
Applications accepted starting Mar 08 | Onalaska |
For old students Between Course Service Period: A time to clean the center, mow the grass, replenish the food, and generally get ready for the next course. The daily program includes three group sittings. Full-time and Part-time are welcome. |
|
| Jun 11 - Jun 22 |
10-Day
English / Khmer |
Applications accepted starting Mar 11 | Onalaska |
Allergy Information |
|
| Jun 22 - Jul 02 |
House & Garden Days |
Applications accepted starting Mar 22 | Onalaska |
For old students House & Garden Days Service Period: A few times a year we set aside time to work on larger maintenance, construction, household, and gardening projects. The daily program includes three group sittings with morning and afternoon work periods. Full-time and Part-time are welcome. |
|
| Jul 02 - Aug 02 | 30-Day | Applications accepted starting Mar 04 | Onalaska |
For old students |
|
| Jul 02 - Aug 17 | 45-Day | Applications accepted starting Mar 04 | Onalaska |
For old students |
|
| Aug 20 - Aug 31 |
10-Day
English / Thai |
Applications accepted starting May 18 | Onalaska | ||
| Sep 03 - Sep 14 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jun 01 | Onalaska | ||
| Sep 17 - Sep 28 |
10-Day
Hindi / English |
Applications accepted starting Jun 15 | Onalaska | ||
| Oct 08 - Oct 19 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jul 06 | Onalaska | ||
| Oct 22 - Nov 02 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Jul 20 | Onalaska | ||
| Nov 12 - Nov 23 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Aug 10 | Onalaska | ||
| Nov 26 - Dec 07 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Aug 24 | Onalaska | ||
| Dec 10 - Dec 21 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Sep 07 | Onalaska | ||
| December 24, 2025 - January 04, 2026 | 10-Day | Applications accepted starting Sep 21 | Onalaska |
Courses and Activities conducted at other locations.
Note: Idaho courses are sponsored by the Intermountain Vipassana Association, and Montana courses are sponsored by the Montana Vipassana Association| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apply | Nov 24 | 1-Day | New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Closed | Hillsboro |
For old students |
| Apply | Nov 30 | 1-Day | New Women - Closed Old Women - Wait List New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Closed | Redmond, WA |
New Course!!For old students |
| Attend / Serve | Dates | Course Type | Status | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apply | Mar 08 | Children | Open | Sammamish, WA |
New Course!! |
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://kunja.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 open for all children aged 8-12 years old who wish to learn to meditate. Their parents/guardians do not have to be meditators.
Teenagers' Anapana Courses are available for teens in different age ranges from 13-18 years old. Their parents/guardians do not have to be Vipassana meditators.
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.
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.
The 14-Day Gratitude Course was previously called the Teacher's Self Course. One of the qualities we develop as we meditate is gratitude - gratitude towards one’s teachers, Goenkaji and Mataji, and towards the long tradition of Vipassana teachers, right back to the Buddha.
The course is open to old students who are active in giving service. Requirements include 3 x 10day courses plus one Satipaṭṭhāna course, being active in Dhamma service, trying to maintain two-hour daily practice since last 10-Day course, and trying to maintain the five precepts to the best of one's ability. Local teacher’s recommendation is required. The course follows the usual format of 3x group sittings with instructions in the day, but students work more independently and the teaching materials are drawn from the 20-day course. This is a half-way step to help students mature for long courses, and serves to inspire students to work more deeply in Dhamma.
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.
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.
