Wheel of Dhamma

Bodhi Leaf

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

Dhamma Surabhi, which means the Fragrance of Dhamma, is one of many Vipassana centers around the world taught by S.N. Goenka. In August 1997 a 56-acre property was purchased just above the Coldwater River, near Merritt. Construction of the Centre began in spring 1999 and the first course was conducted in 2002. The Centre consists of a building of approximately 9300 sq. ft. with accommodations for 60 people and a meditation hall that holds 70 people.

REGISTRATION GUIDELINES

 UPDATED May 18, 2023

 

The "Apply" button will first appear for a course only once registration opens, shortly after 8:00 am Pacific Time on the date listed.  If you've logged in early you may need to refresh your browser.

Priority may be given to those who haven't sat recently.

The waitlist is created from applications received through the website.  When the course is listed as "Closed", then the waitlist is also closed.

During the registration process, you will be receiving a number of e-mails from us. If you don't receive these emails, please check your Spam/Junk Mail box. 

 Please check this page regularly for further information.

 

 
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.

No courses are currently scheduled.
 
Short Courses

1-Day, 2-Day, and 3-Day courses are short courses for old students.
See Comments for any special instructions for events in this section.

NEW: 1-day courses are being held monthly in Coquitlam, the second Saturday of each month. For more information see here.  Login with usual old student password.

2025 Short Courses
Attend / Serve Dates Course Type Status Location Comments
Apply 26 Mar - 30 Mar 3-Day New Women - Closed Old Women - Wait List New Men - Closed Old Men - Wait List Servers - Open Merritt For old students
30 Jul - 03 Aug 3-Day Applications accepted starting 04 May Merritt For old students
17 Dec - 21 Dec 3-Day Applications accepted starting 21 Sep Merritt For old students
 
Ten Day & Other Adult Courses

 

Update: Course dates from September to the end of the year have all changed.  They are one week earlier than when the schedule was originally published. [Updated March 31st ]

2025 Ten Day & Other Adult Courses
Attend / Serve Dates Course Type Status Location Comments
Apply 15 Jan - 26 Jan 10-Day In Progress Merritt
Apply 27 Jan - 29 Jan

Between Courses Service Period

Servers - Open Merritt For old students
Apply 29 Jan - 09 Feb 10-Day Women - Closed Men - Closed Servers - Open Merritt
Apply 10 Feb - 12 Feb

Between Courses Service Period

Servers - Open Merritt For old students
Apply 12 Feb - 23 Feb 10-Day Women - Wait List Men - Wait List Servers - Open Merritt
Apply 24 Feb - 26 Feb

Between Courses Service Period

Servers - Open Merritt For old students
Apply 26 Feb - 09 Mar 10-Day
English / Persian (Farsi)
Women - Wait List Men - Wait List Servers - Open Merritt

Priority given to Farsi-speaking students.

اولویت این دوره با فارسی زبانان خواهدبود . بقیه در لیست انتظارخواهند بود. استادیاران فارسی صحبت میکنند ونیازی به ترجمه نیست. کسانی که زبان فارسی اصلا صحبت نمی کنند پذیرفته میشوند     

English-speaking servers are welcome.

Apply 10 Mar - 12 Mar

Between Courses Service Period

Servers - Open Merritt For old students
Apply 12 Mar - 23 Mar 10-Day Women - Closed Men - Wait List Servers - Open Merritt
Apply 24 Mar - 26 Mar

Between Courses Service Period

Servers - Open Merritt For old students
Apply 31 Mar - 02 Apr

Between Courses Service Period

Servers - Open Merritt For old students
Apply 02 Apr - 13 Apr 10-Day Women - Closed Men - Closed Servers - Open Merritt
Apply 14 Apr - 16 Apr

Between Courses Service Period

Servers - Open Merritt For old students
Apply 16 Apr - 07 May 20-Day New Women - Closed Old Women - Open New Men - Closed Old Men - Open Servers - Open Merritt Old Student Course Qualification Requirements
08 May - 21 May

Spring Service Period

Applications accepted starting 10 Feb Merritt For old students

Can apply in-progress.  Part time applications welcomed.

21 May - 01 Jun

Vietnamese-English 10-day Course

Applications accepted starting 23 Feb Merritt

Vietnamese speakers will be given priority.

02 Jun - 04 Jun

Between Courses Service Period

Applications accepted starting 07 Mar Merritt For old students
04 Jun - 15 Jun 10-Day Applications accepted starting 09 Mar Merritt
16 Jun - 18 Jun

Between Courses Service Period

Applications accepted starting 21 Mar Merritt For old students
18 Jun - 29 Jun 10-Day Applications accepted starting 23 Mar Merritt
30 Jun - 02 Jul

Between Courses Service Period

Applications accepted starting 04 Apr Merritt For old students
02 Jul - 13 Jul 10-Day Applications accepted starting 06 Apr Merritt
14 Jul - 16 Jul

Between Courses Service Period

Applications accepted starting 18 Apr Merritt For old students
16 Jul - 27 Jul 10-Day Applications accepted starting 20 Apr Merritt
28 Jul - 30 Jul

Between Courses Service Period

Applications accepted starting 02 May Merritt For old students
04 Aug - 06 Aug Work Period Applications accepted starting 09 May Merritt For old students
06 Aug - 15 Aug Satipatthana Sutta Applications accepted starting 11 May Merritt Old Student Course Qualification Requirements
16 Aug - 18 Aug

Between Courses Service Period

Applications accepted starting 21 May Merritt For old students
27 Aug - 07 Sep 10-Day Applications accepted starting 01 Jun Merritt
08 Sep - 21 Sep

Fall Work Period

Applications accepted starting 13 Jun Merritt For old students

Can apply in-progress.  Part time applications welcomed.

22 Sep - 24 Sep

Between Courses Service Period

Applications accepted starting 27 Jun Merritt For old students
24 Sep - 05 Oct 10-Day Applications accepted starting 29 Jun Merritt
06 Oct - 08 Oct

Between Courses Service Period

Applications accepted starting 11 Jul Merritt For old students
08 Oct - 19 Oct

Pujnabi / English 10-day course


English / Punjabi
Applications accepted starting 13 Jul Merritt

This course will have Punjabi speaking AT's, so Punjabi speaking students will have priority for enrollment.

ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਬੋਲਣ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਤਰਜੀਹ ਦਿੱਤੀ ਜਾਵੇਗੀ

English speaking students may also apply.

English speaking servers please do apply.

20 Oct - 22 Oct

Between Courses Service Period

Applications accepted starting 25 Jul Merritt For old students
22 Oct - 02 Nov 10-Day Applications accepted starting 27 Jul Merritt
03 Nov - 05 Nov

Between Courses Service Period

Applications accepted starting 08 Aug Merritt For old students
05 Nov - 16 Nov 10-Day Applications accepted starting 10 Aug Merritt
17 Nov - 19 Nov

Between Courses Service Period

Applications accepted starting 22 Aug Merritt For old students
19 Nov - 30 Nov 10-Day Applications accepted starting 24 Aug Merritt
01 Dec - 03 Dec

Between Courses Service Period

Applications accepted starting 05 Sep Merritt For old students
03 Dec - 14 Dec 10-Day Applications accepted starting 07 Sep Merritt
15 Dec - 17 Dec

Between Courses Service Period

Applications accepted starting 19 Sep Merritt For old students
22 Dec - 24 Dec Work Period Applications accepted starting 26 Sep Merritt For old students
24 December, 2025 - 04 January, 2026 10-Day Applications accepted starting 28 Sep Merritt
 
Non-Centre Courses
Courses at the Po Lam Meditation Vihara will show up here
2025 Po Lam Meditation Vihara Courses | Map
Attend / Serve Dates Course Type Status Location Comments
Apply 26 Feb - 09 Mar 10-Day
English
Women - Wait List Men - Closed Female Server - Open Male Server - Closed Chilliwack

This course is for women only.

Servers needed. 

 
 

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

Questions may be addressed to Email: info@surabhi.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

20-day Courses are open only to serious Old Students committed to this technique who have completed a minimum of five 10-day courses , one Satipatthana Sutta course, given Dhamma Service at least one 10-day course, and have been practicing regularly for at least two 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.