S.N. Goenka (Satya Narayan Goenka) was born and raised in Myanmar (Burma). He learned Vipassana Meditation techniques fromm his teacher Sayagyi U Ba Khin. Later on, settling in India, Mr. Goenka started teaching Vipassana in 1969.
For almost 45 years, Mr. Goenka and teachers appointed by him taught many thousands of people in Vipassana Meditation in India and many other countries. Today, Goenka Vipassana meditation centers are operating in Asia, Europe, the Americas, Africa and Australasia.
All courses are run on a donation basis. Courses in Thailand are given bilingual (Thai and English) or only in Thai or only in English. Meditation courses are held at both center and non-center locations in a retreat style fashion. Meditation centers are dedicated study facilities where courses are held regularly throughout the year.
In general, depending however on the specific center, there are 3-day, 10-day, 20-day, 30-day, 45-day, and Satipatthana Sutta Courses offered. The 10-day Course is the most popularly known introductory course to Vipassana Meditation. For the other courses there are usually prerequisites. Please check out the individual center websites for schedules, prerequisites, and other conditions.
In Thailand, we currently find 9 Goenka Vipassana Meditation training centers. In this article, below, we list the complete set. If you’d like info on Goenka Lineage Vipassana training centers in other countries you may visit the Dhamma.org global website.
Dhamma Ābhā
Dhamma Ābhā is a Thailand Dhamma.org Vipassana Meditation training center located in Phitsanulok (Northern Thailand). The center offers 3-day, 10-day, 30-day, and 45-day Vipassana courses. Some of the courses are only for students who have already taken a 10-day course.
Dhamma Canda Pabhā Vipassana Center
Dhamma Canda Pabha (The Glowing Moon of Dhamma) is located in the Chantaburi province (East Thailand). Course instructions are given in English and Thai. Some in Thai only. Occasionally, Satipatṭhāna Sutta courses (The Discourse on the Establishing of Mindfulness) are offered to students who have already taken a 10-day course.
Dhamma Dhānī Vipassana Meditation Center
Dhamma Dhani means City of Dhamma. The center in Bangkok offers 1-day, 3-day, and 10-day courses. Run on donation basis. Dhamma Dhani is also the place where the Foundation for the Promotion of Vipassana Meditation under the patronage of His Holiness the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand is based.
Dhamma Kamala
Dhamma Kamala, the Lotus of Dhamma, is the first Thailand Dhamma.org Vipassana center offering courses in Vipassana Meditation as taught by S.N. Goenka. Vipassana trainings started way back in 1992. The center is located in the Prachinburi province east of Bangkok. Offers 10-day and Satipatṭhāna Sutta training courses on donation basis.
Dhamma Kañcana Vipassana Meditation Center
Dhamma Kañcana (Gold of Dhamma) is located in the village of Wang Kayai in the Kanchanaburi province bordering to Myanmar (Burma). Course instructions are given in English and Thai. Courses take 10 days, or 3 days and run on donation basis. Occasionally, Satipatṭhāna Sutta courses (The Discourse on the Establishing of Mindfulness) are offered to students who have already taken a 10-day course.
Dhamma Porāṇo
Dhamma Porano, located in the Nakhon Sri Dhammaraj province (Southern Thailand), signifies the Ancient Dhamma. The name refers to the Dhamma path that the Lord Buddha himself had travelled. The center offers 3-day and 10-day courses in Vipassana Meditation as in the lineage of S.N. Goenka. Mind that the 3-day courses are for former students only (who have finished the 10-day course).
Dhamma Puneti
Dhamma Puneti, located in the Udon Thani province (Isan region), offers 3-day, 10-day and Satipatthana Sutta Courses and are run on donation basis.
Dhamma Sīmanta
Dhamma Simanta (Boundary of Dhamma) in Lamphun (40 km south of Chiang mai) offers 1-day, 3-day, 10-day and 20-day meditation courses, although the 10-day course is the most common one scheduled.
Dhamma Suvaṇṇa
Dhamma Suvanna is located near Khonkaen, one of the major cities in Northeastern Thailand (Isan). The center offers regular 1-day, 3-day, 10-day, and Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta courses during the year. In addition, 1-day Ānāpānasati Courses are being offered to children on a regular basis.
