Old Student Course Qualification Requirements

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.

There are a number of special courses for old students in this tradition of Vipassana meditation practice. These courses have certain requirements which an old student must meet in order to qualify for admission. The basic qualification requirements are as follows:

1-Day, 2-Day or 3-Day Old Student Course

Completion of at least one 10-Day course with Goenkaji or one of his assistant teachers. Those practicing energetic healing on others should not attend. Should be trying to keep all precepts to the best of one's ability.

Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta Course

Requirements for the Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta Old Student Course

Have sat at least three 10-Day courses with Goenkaji or one of his assistant teachers. This does not include courses served.
Have been practising Vipassana meditation as taught by S.N. Goenka for at least one year.
Have not practiced any other techniques since your last course with Goenkaji or one of his assistant teachers.
Trying to maintain daily practice, at the very minimum from the time of applying to the course
Trying to maintain five precepts, at the very minimum from the time of applying to the course

Self-course for Serious Old Students

Self-courses are for serious old students who have completed at least three 10-Day courses - the most recent being within the last two years. There are no teachers present, no student managers, no noon interviews, and no question/answer sessions at the end of the day. The evening audio discourses are required, and the students attending are responsible for playing the tape at 7pm.

Students are expected to follow the same time-table as a regular 10-Day course. Follow all the rules and regulations (noble silence, 8 precepts, etc.) while at the center. Have not practiced any other techniques since your last course with Goenkaji or one of his assistant teachers. Trying to maintain daily two-hour practice since last 10-Day course. Trying to maintain the five precepts to the best of one's ability. Permission must be granted from an assistant teacher to attend the course.

Special 10-Day Course for Old Students

Must be a serious old student who is committed to this technique.
Must have sat at least five 10-Day courses with Goenkaji or one of his assistant teachers.
Must have sat at least one Satipatthana Sutta Course.
Must have served at least one 10-Day course.
Maintenance of daily practice of two hours per day for at least 2 years.
Abstaining from killing, sexual misconduct, intoxicants and keeping other precepts to the best of one's ability for one year minimum.
Spouse must be supportive of partner sitting long course.

14-Day Gratitude Course

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.

14-Day Gratitude Course Requirements are:

Must be a serious old student who is active in giving Dhamma Service.
Must be practicing Vipassana exclusively (not practicing any other meditation techniques).
Must have sat at least one Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta course and three 10-Day courses.
Must be trying to maintain the five precepts to the best of one’s ability.
Must be trying to maintain two-hour daily practice since last 10-Day course.
Must have local Teacher’s recommendation.

20-Day Course

Must be a serious old student who is committed to this technique.
Must have sat at least five 10-Day courses with Goenkaji or one of his assistant teachers.
Must have sat at least one Satipatthana Sutta Course.
Must have served at least one 10-Day course.
Maintenance of daily practice of two hours per day for at least 2 years.
Abstaining from killing, sexual misconduct, intoxicants and keeping other precepts to the best of one's ability for one year minimum.
At least six months gap since last sat a long course.
Ten day interval between long course and any other course.
Spouse must be supportive of partner sitting long course.

30-Day Course

Must be a serious old student who is committed to this technique.
Must have sat at least six 10-Day courses with Goenkaji or one of his assistant teachers.
Must have sat at least one Satipatthana Sutta Course.
Must have sat at least one 20-Day Course.
Must have served at least one 10-Day Course.
Maintenance of daily practice of two hours daily for at least 2 years.
Abstaining from killing, sexual misconduct, intoxicants and keeping other precepts to the best of one's ability for one year minimum.
At least six months gap since last sat a long course.
Ten day interval between long course and any other course.
Spouse must be supportive of partner sitting long course.
For first 30-Day course, at least one regular 10-Day course must have been sat after first 20-Day course.

45-Day Course

Must be a serious old student who is committed to this technique.
Restricted to ATs and those involved with Dhamma service.
Must have sat at least seven 10-Day courses with Goenkaji or one of his assistant teachers.
Practice this technique exclusively for at least last 3 years.
Must have sat at least two 30-Day Courses.
Maintenance of daily practice of two hours per day for at least 2 years.
Abstaining from killing, sexual misconduct, intoxicants and keeping other precepts to the best of one's ability for one year minimum.
At least six months gap since last sat a long course.
Ten day interval between long course and any other course.
Spouse must be supportive of partner sitting long course.
For first 45-Day course, at least one regular 10-Day course must have been sat after first 30-Day course.
All confirmations provisional until day 30.

60-Day Course

Admission is limited to:

Active ATs who have sat at least two 45-day courses and conduct at least four 10-day courses annually.
Those who are enrolled in or about to enter AT Training, have sat two 45-day courses, have served at least four 10-day courses in the past 12 months and/or are deeply involved in daily Dhamma service.
In some areas, non-ATs may be accepted as rare exceptions if they have completed at least two 45-day courses, served at least four 10-day courses annually and/or are deeply involved in daily Dhamma service.

The above are minimum requirements and not a guarantee of admission. Application for admission to each of the 10-Day Special Course, 14-Day Gratitude Course, 20-Day Course, 30-Day Course, 45-Day Course and the 60-Day Course must include a recommendation from an Assistant Teacher who knows you well and a Full teacher from the student’s local area.