Wheel of Dhamma

Bodhi Leaf

 
Modana
Dhamma Modana, Duncan, British Columbia, Canada
Centre Location: Website | Map
** Unless noted otherwise, course instructions are given in the following language(s): English

Dhamma Modana, the "Joy of Dhamma" or "Land of Joy", is the name given by S.N. Goenka for the Vancouver Island Vipassana Association.  In 2018, Dhamma Modana moved to a lovely 12,000 sq ft building nestled on 13.5 acres near the city of Duncan, a 45 min drive North of Victoria BC  or 45 minute drive South of Nanaimo, BC.

 

REGISTRATION GUIDELINES 

 

The "Apply" button for registration appears shortly after 8am Pacific Time (you may need to refresh your browser). Registration might only be open for 30 minutes.  But once you've started your application you'll be allowed to finish it, so please answer all the questions completely.  For fairness, the application queue is randomized.

 

We receive far more applications than we have spots for.  The course and the waitlist are both filled from the schedule page.

 

If you are waitlisted you may try applying for a different course, but only one application will be kept.

 

Priority is given to applications from BC or the Yukon. Old students who have sat within the last year will have lower priority.

 

 If we need to ask you for more information about your application it will not affect your place in the queue.

Don't forget to check your Spam/Junk Mail folder for emails from us.

Please consider applying later if you have conditions that put you at greater risk of serious illness from COVID-19

If you need to make any changes to your application please email Registration.  Don't put in additional applications.

 

 

 

 
Teenagers' and Children's Courses

Courses for young people.
See Comments for any special instructions for events in this section.

In North America Teen courses  are for those 17 years and younger.

Please see the schedule page for Dhamma Surabhi, near Merritt, for additional courses in the region.

No courses are currently scheduled.
 
Ten Day & Other Adult Courses
 
All ten day courses begin on Wednesday evening of the first day (known as Day 0) and end early morning of the last day (Day 11).  Most students stay for breakfast and cleanup.
See Comments for any special instructions for events in this section.
 
2025 Ten Day & Other Adult Courses
Attend / Serve Dates Course Type Status Location Comments
16 Apr - 27 Apr 10-Day In Progress Duncan
Apply 27 Apr - 30 Apr

Service/Work Period

Servers - Open Duncan For old students

Applications welcome for Part Time Service. Please show arrival and departure dates in your application. See the "arriving late" question.
Between course for experienced servers only.

Apply 30 Apr - 11 May 10-Day Women - Closed Men - Closed Servers - Wait List Duncan
Apply 11 May - 14 May

Service/Work Period

Servers - Open Duncan For old students

Applications welcome for Part Time Service. Please show arrival and departure dates in your application. See the "arriving late" question.
Between course for experienced servers only.

Apply 14 May - 18 May

3-Day

Women - Closed New Men - Closed Old Men - Wait List Servers - Wait List Duncan For old students
Apply 18 May - 21 May

Service/Work Period

Servers - Open Duncan For old students

Applications welcome for Part Time Service. Please show arrival and departure dates in your application. See the "arriving late" question.
Between course for experienced servers only.

Apply 21 May - 01 Jun 10-Day Women - Closed Men - Wait List Servers - Wait List Duncan

More servers are much needed on the men's side.  There's only 1 so far.

Apply 01 Jun - 04 Jun

Service/Work Period

Servers - Open Duncan For old students

Applications welcome for Part Time Service. Please show arrival and departure dates in your application. See the "arriving late" question.
Between course for experienced servers only.

Apply 04 Jun - 15 Jun 10-Day Women - Closed Men - Wait List Servers - Open Duncan
Apply 15 Jun - 18 Jun

Service/Work Period

Servers - Open Duncan For old students

Applications welcome for Part Time Service. Please show arrival and departure dates in your application. See the "arriving late" question.
Between course for experienced servers only.

Apply 18 Jun - 29 Jun 10-Day Women - Closed Men - Wait List Servers - Open Duncan
Apply 29 Jun - 02 Jul

Service/Work Period

Servers - Open Duncan For old students

Applications welcome for Part Time Service. Please show arrival and departure dates in your application. See the "arriving late" question.
Between course for experienced servers only.

Apply 02 Jul - 13 Jul 10-Day Women - Closed Men - Wait List Servers - Open Duncan
Apply 13 Jul - 16 Jul Work Period Servers - Open Duncan For old students
Apply 16 Jul - 27 Jul 10-Day Women - Closed New Men - Wait List Old Men - Open Servers - Open Duncan
27 Jul - 31 Jul Work Period Applications accepted starting 01 May Duncan For old students
31 Jul - 04 Aug 3-Day Applications accepted starting 05 May Duncan For old students
04 Aug - 09 Aug Work Period Applications accepted starting 09 May Duncan For old students
09 Aug - 24 Aug 14-Day Gratitude Course Applications accepted starting 14 May Duncan Old Student Course Qualification Requirements
24 Aug - 27 Aug Work Period Applications accepted starting 29 May Duncan For old students
27 Aug - 07 Sep 10-Day Applications accepted starting 01 Jun Duncan
07 Sep - 10 Sep Work Period Applications accepted starting 12 Jun Duncan For old students
10 Sep - 21 Sep 10-Day Applications accepted starting 15 Jun Duncan
21 Sep - 08 Oct

Fall Work Period

Applications accepted starting 26 Jun Duncan For old students

Part time service is welcome. First time servers are welcome, and can get experience to qualify for between course service.

08 Oct - 19 Oct 10-Day Applications accepted starting 13 Jul Duncan
22 Oct - 02 Nov 10-Day Applications accepted starting 27 Jul Duncan
07 Nov - 16 Nov Satipatthana Sutta Applications accepted starting 12 Aug Duncan Old Student Course Qualification Requirements
19 Nov - 30 Nov 10-Day Applications accepted starting 24 Aug Duncan
03 Dec - 14 Dec 10-Day Applications accepted starting 07 Sep Duncan
17 Dec - 21 Dec 3-Day Applications accepted starting 21 Sep Duncan For old students
24 December, 2025 - 04 January, 2026 10-Day Applications accepted starting 28 Sep Duncan
 
 

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://modana.dhamma.org/os. A user name and password will be required to access these pages.

Questions may be addressed to Email: info@modana.dhamma.org

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.


Old Student Course Qualification Requirements

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.


Old Student Course Qualification Requirements

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.

Work 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.


Old Student Course Qualification Requirements

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.

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.