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Vipassana Newsletter
Vipassana Meditation as taught by S.N. Goenka in the tradition of Sayagyi U Ba Khin
Vol. 37, No. 2 October 2010 www.vnl.dhamma.org Since 1974
With well over half a billion people, today Latin America is one of the most dynamic parts of the globe. It is also a region
in which the Dhamma is growing at an extraordinary pace. In only a decade and a half, almost every one of the region’s
countries has hosted courses, and the demand continues to
grow.
Before the 1990s, quite a few students from Latin America took courses in India or the West, but no course was organ-ized in Latin America itself until September 1991. Panama
was the location for that first course and, as sometimes hap-pens, the start was a little shaky. Because of some confusion,
the police came to the site on Day 7 and took the assistant teacher and students to the local jail for questioning. They
were quickly released but the course came to an early end.
Despite that, the results were significant. Some of the stu-
dents returned for full 10-day courses and now help organize activities in Panama. What’s more, people in other countries
were inspired when they read about the course in the Vipas-sana Newsletter. They too began looking into the possibility
of organizing courses where they lived.
Those efforts bore fruit in March 1994, when the first full 10-day course took place in Venezuela. In addition to local par-
ticipants, meditators from neighbouring countries came to sit and serve on this course. From here the stream of Dhamma
started flowing through many other countries of the region. In October and November 1994, courses were given in Brazil
and Argentina, and again in Venezuela. The next year saw courses in Panama, Chile and Mexico, as well as Brazil, Ar-
gentina and Venezuela. Cuba had its first Vipassana course in 1996, Bolivia in 1997, Colombia and Peru in 1998, Ecuador
Contents
Latin America: The New World of Dhamma ........... 1
The Pagoda: A Reminder of Our Past,
an Inspiration to Practice ..................................... 3
International News ..................................................... 4
Grateful Commemoration ........................................ 10 New Appointments and Responsibilities ................................................... 11
in 1999, Uruguay in 2001, Puerto Rico and Paraguay in 2003, the Dominican Republic in 2004, Nicaragua, El Salvador and
Costa Rica in 2006, and Guatemala in 2007. Many countries now offer courses at more than one location. There have also
been long courses, children’s courses and prison courses. On the 2010 schedule are 75 10-day courses, three Satipatthana
Sutta courses, three 20-day courses, one 30-day course, six
three-day courses and six children’s courses.
Permanent Vipassana centers offer ongoing courses in Mex-ico (Dhamma Makaranda), Brazil (Dhamma Santi) and Vene-
zuela (Dhamma Veṇuvana). New centers are under construc-tion in Argentina (Dhamma Sukhadā), Peru (Dhamma
Suriya) and Chile (Dhamma Pasanna).
All this activity clearly shows that the clock of Vipassana has
struck in Latin America, for the good and happiness of many.
Words of Dhamma
— Mettasuttaṃ (Sutta Nipāta 1.8.150 & Khuddakapāṭha 9)
Let one’s thoughts of boundless mettā pervade the whole world,
above, below and across,
unhindered, free of hate and of enmity.
Whether one is standing, walking, sitting or lying down, as long as one is awake,
one should develop this mindfulness [of boundless mettā].
This, they say, is a sublime way of living.
Mettañca sabbalokasmiṃ, mānasaṃ bhāvaye aparimāṇaṃ; uddhaṃ adho ca tririyañca, asambādhaṃ averamasapattaṃ.
Tiṭṭhaṃ caraṃ nisinno vā, sayāno yāvatassa vigatamiddho; etaṃ satiṃ adihiṭṭheyya, brahmametaṃ vihāramidhamāhu.
Latin America: The New World of Dhamma
2
involves improving the water and sewage systems, expanding
the Dhamma hall, and building new dining halls, new medita-tion cells, more private accommodation for students, and
rooms for managers.
For more information, contact: [email protected]
Dhamma Venuvaṇa, Venezuela. The “Bamboo Grove of
Dhamma,” Dhamma Venuvaṇa is located 90 minutes from Caracas. Located at an altitude of 1,400 metres (4,000 feet),
the center enjoys wonderful temperatures all year round. Goenkaji named it after one of the places where the Buddha
himself stayed; at the time, Goenkaji did not know that there were stands of bamboo on the land. More will be planted in
the future so that Dhamma Venuvaṇa truly brings to life its
ancient namesake.
The center was purchased in March 2006 and the first 10-day course was held in April of that year. The facility had origi-
nally been built for retreat purposes but was never used. At present the center can accommodate around 50 students; the capacity will eventually be expanded to 80.
For more information, contact: [email protected]
Statistics for 10-day Courses in Latin America
Vipassana Centers in Latin America
Dhamma Makaranda, Mexico. “Dhamma Makaranda” means “Nectar of the flower of Dhamma.” It began offering 10-day
courses in 2003. It is located near Valle de Bravo, a beautiful colonial town beside a large lake, in the highlands of central
Mexico. The center is a pleasant two-hour drive west from Mexico City. The 10-acre property is in a quiet, secluded val-
ley, surrounded by pine and oak forests and small farms.
The Centre can now accommodate about 50 students, mostly
in double rooms. Sleeping tents are also used during the dry season. A small Dhamma hall can hold up to 60 meditators.
Plans call for construction of a proper teachers’ residence, a
larger Dhamma hall and more single accommodations.
For more information, visit: www.makaranda.dhamma.org
Dhamma Santi, Brazil. “Dhamma Santi” means “Peace of Dhamma.” The center is surrounded by pristine, protected
rainforest, in an area reputed to have the cleanest air on the planet. Rio de Janeiro is two hours away, and São Paulo and
Belo Horizonte are four hours away. This is the most popu-lated part of Brazil and the area with the most Vipassana
meditators.
The first course at the center was held in April 2003 and
regular 10-day courses are now conducted, including courses for old students. In 2011, Dhamma Santi will offer 22
courses.
The center was built to accommodate 70 students but it often exceeds that number. Waiting lists are long. Plans call for
expanding the capacity to 120 students and 20 servers. This
2000 2005 2009 2010
No. of courses 24 43 66 75
No. of partici-pants, incl.
servers
1,109 2,214 3,900 4,500 (est.)
Dhamma Makaranda, Mexico
Inside the Dhamma Hall at Dhamma Santi
View from Dhamma Santi
3
Dhamma Sukhadā, Argentina
Goenkaji named Argentina’s first center “The Happiness of
Dhamma.” It is located in a peaceful environment about 85 kilometres from Buenos Aires. The first phase of construc-
tion has started, with the aim of accommodating 60 students.
The hope is to start holding courses at the center in 2011.
For more information, visit: www.sukhada.dhamma.org
Other Centers are in the planning stage in Peru (Dhamma
Suriya) and Chile (Dhamma Pasanna).
Non-center Courses
Following are only two examples of how Vipassana is
spreading to all parts of Latin America.
First Course in Northern Mexico
The first 10-day course in northern Mexico was held this Au-
gust at a rented site on the outskirts of Monterrey. A total of 51 students (42 new and nine old) completed the course. The
participants came from all over the country. The course was organized within five weeks’ time, shortly after a devastating
hurricane hit the city of Monterrey. The success of this course has led to the scheduling of two more 10-day courses
for this December, with a capacity of 90 persons in each course. The Monterrey Vipassana Group is holding weekly
group sittings and one-day courses each month.
Island of Chiloé, Chile. In January 2010, 185 people partici-
pated in a 10-day course on the island of Chiloé, in Chile. The largest previous course in that country had been for 70
students. It took a massive effort to handle the doubling in numbers: there were 25 servers at the January 2010 course and three assistant teachers. The students had beds but no
cushions for sitting. The servers slept on the floor. The only place large enough for a Dhamma hall was an unroofed area
between two wings of the facility. The amount of food or-dered in advance was insufficient, and from Day 3 the course
organizer scoured the markets in neighboring towns. Some-how all the problems were resolved and the course ended
happily. Another course has been announced for January 2011; it filled up almost immediately and now has a long
waiting list. This is a common situation in Latin America.
The Pagoda: A Reminder of Our Past,
an Inspiration to Practice
Goenkaji has said. “In an ideal Vipassana meditation center, each student has their own room, their own cell and a
Dhamma hall for joint meditation.” Usually the cells are the last component to be built when a center has reached matur-
ity. The cells are grouped in buildings or complexes that we commonly call pagodas. Right now, pagodas are under con-
struction at two US centers: Dhamma Mahāvana in North Fork, California, and Dhamma Dharā in Shelburne Falls,
Massachusetts.
Traditionally, cell complexes are topped by a bell-shaped structure known in Myanmar as a zedi (Pali cetiya). We are
using the same design for the pagodas now under construc-tion in America. This is to remind us of our connection to
the Buddha and the lineage of teachers, including Sayagyi U Ba Khin and S.N. Goenka in our time. By its design, the
View of Dhamma Venuvaṇa
Dhamma Venuvaṇa
Panoramic view of Dhamma Sukhadā
Pagoda at Dhamma Giri (Igatpuri, India)
4
pagoda also reminds us of the debt we owe to the land and people of Myanmar, who preserved both the words of the
Buddha and the living practice of Vipassana through the
millennia. Last, the soaring shape of the pagoda encour-ages us to aspire to higher goals through the practice of
Vipassana.
For more information about the Dhamma Mahāvana pagoda,
visit: www.mahavana.dhamma.org/cvcpagoda
For more information about the Dhamma Dharā pagoda, visit: www.dhara.dhamma.org/os/centerdev_pagoda.shtml
(username: oldstudent, password: behappy)
International News
New Website on Children’s Courses
A new international website has been launched about Ana-pana meditation courses for children and teens. The site
contains information for potential participants, as well as parents and teachers. Also posted are video clips and course
dates.
For more information, visit: www.children.dhamma.org.
Mobile Version of International Vipassana Website
Now there are more ways to explore the www.dhamma.org w e b s i t e . U s e yo u r sm a r tp ho ne to v i s i t
www.mobile.dhamma.org. You’ll find a wealth of informa-tion about Vipassana, including the worldwide schedule of
courses. A Hindi-language version of the website has also
been added at www.hindi.dhamma.org.
Africa
Mauritius Holds its First Course
In the past, people from the island of Mauritius traveled to
India or other countries to attend Vipassana courses. Now the journey is becoming shorter. Seven students successfully
completed the first 10-day Vipassana course to be held on the island last December. The course was held in Arsenal, in the
northern part of Mauritius.
Asia/Pacific
Fiji Holds its First Course
The first 10-day course in Fiji was held at Suva in December 2009. The course was conducted in English and was held at a
Current and future pagoda at Dhamma Mahāvana
(California, USA)
Current and future pagoda at Dhamma Dharā (Massachusetts, USA)
Site of first 10-day course in Fiji
5
rented site near the sea. Students had separate rooms set in
quiet, pleasant gardens.
There were 23 students from various backgrounds: ethnic Fijians, Polynesians, local Indians and Asians, a few Europe-
ans and others. The seven servers included three local old students, three from New Zealand and one from Hong Kong.
They prepared a varied menu of local dishes, as well as In-
dian and European food.
Weekly group sittings and a few one-day courses have been
organized since the course. This year the same site will be rented for a three-day course as well as a 10-day course in
late December.
For photos of the first course, visit: www.fj.dhamma.org/os/
photos.htm (username: oldstudent, password: behappy)
India
Pilgrimage to Sites Associated With the Buddha
IRCTC, the tourism arm of Indian Railways, offers an eight-day package tour of sites associated with the Buddha: Lum-
bini, Bodhgaya, Sarnath, Sravasti, Rajgir and Kushinagar. A fully air-conditioned special train named the Mahaparinir-
vana Express is used for the journey. The tour is a comfort-able way for Vipassana meditators to complete this pilgrim-
age without having to organize multiple ticketing, local
transport and hotel stays.
The Global Vipassana Foundation has negotiated a special discount of 21% with IRCTC for the benefit of Vipassana
meditators. In addition, two periods of group meditation may be worked into the schedule: the first under the Bodhi tree in the Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya, and the second at Ku-
shinagar. The group sittings will take place after visiting hours to the temple have ended so as to provide a quiet envi-
ronment. (Group meditations can be arranged if there are at least 10 Vipassana meditators on a tour and there are no other
engagements scheduled on the premises.)
For information and registration, visit:
www.railtourismindia.com
In the United States, Pariyatti Press has recently published a
guide to Buddhist pilgrimage sites. Along the Path: The Meditator's Companion to the Buddha’s Land was written by
two Vipassana meditators. This unique guidebook provides practical and inspiring information for meditators who plan to visit sites in India and Nepal where the Buddha lived and
taught. For more information, visit Pariyatti at:
www.pariyatti.org
Second Center in Tamil Nadu
The second Vipassana center in Tamil Nadu is being built
near Chettiyapatti, Gandhigram. Goenkaji has named it Dhamma Madhurā (Sweetness of Dhamma). It will be able to comfortably accommodate 100 students. For more informa-
tion, contact: [email protected]
Indonesia
First 20-day at Dhamma Jāvā
The first 20-day course at Dhamma Jāvā, on the island of
Java, was held this past June. There were 16 students, in-
cluding three foreign students, and five experienced servers.
All the new facilities built at the center in 2009 were used,
including meditation cells, single rooms and a new dining/
kitchen building. The new gardens and fencing helped to
make the center attractive and welcoming.
All the students worked seriously and the atmosphere of the center was even more calm, peaceful and quiet than usual.
All the students felt happy with the course and most of them would like to attend a 30-day course next year. For more pho-
tos of the center, visit: www.java.dhamma.org/area.htm
Japan
New Buildings at Dhammādicca
Dhammādicca (Sun of Dhamma) is the second Vipassana center established in Japan, to serve the eastern part of the
country. Recently the center completed construction of a new meditation hall and dormitories. It can now serve more than
Path from new accommodation blocks to
meditation hall at Dhamma Jāvā
The new meditation hall and dormitories at Dhammādicca
6
60 students on a course and can better meet the increasing
demand from Tokyo residents.
To mark completion of this work, Dhammādicca held its first open house. Visitors were very interested by a video of
Goenkaji and an introduction to the activities of the Japan Vipassana Association.
Philippines
New Temporary Center A new temporary course center is being planned in the Phil-
ippines, until land for a permanent center becomes available
in about five years.
The center is being designed so that the buildings can be dis-mantled and re-assembled at the eventual permanent site.
Tents will be used for the dining area.
For more information, contact: [email protected] or [email protected]
Sri Lanka
New Center in Anuradhapura
Dhamma Anurādha is being built in Anuradhapura, the capi-tal city of Sri Lanka’s North-Central Province. The center is
located on 10.5 acres of land near one of the lakes built in the fifth century BC. The site is easily accessible by road and
rail.
Anuradhapura was the capital of Sri Lanka for 1,400 years.
From here the Buddha’s teachings spread to the entire island.
To this day it is revered by followers of the teachings.
The first stage of construction will provide facilities for 60 meditators, and the number will eventually rise to 150. Plans
also include building a pagoda with 75 cells.
Old students are welcome to help complete the painting and landscaping at the center. For more information, contact:
Thailand
New Center in Eastern Thailand
Land has been donated for a new center in eastern Thailand.
The 20-acre site is situated among orchards and rubber plan-tations, and surrounded by the verdant mountains of
Chanthaburi. It is located near a wildlife sanctuary and a natural hot spring, not far from the border with Cambodia.
Goenkaji has named the center Dhamma Candapabha (The Light of Dhamma). Plans for development are being pre-
pared, and the land is being leveled for future construction.
For more information, contact: [email protected]
Vietnam
Construction of Dhamma Viññu
Goenkaji has named Vietnam’s first Vipassana meditation center Dhamma Viññu (Learned in Dhamma). The center is
located in a quiet area near Bao Loc City, in Lam Dong prov-ince. The 7.5 acres of land border a small stream at the bot-tom of a hill. The climate is moderate, with a year-round av-
erage temperature of about 26°C (77°F).
Construction started in early 2010 and the center can now
accommodate 24 students. The first three-day course was held in September, attended by 23 old students. Building will
continue as funds become available, with the aim of eventu-
ally serving 120 students.
For more information, contact: [email protected]
Europe
European Long-Course Center (ELCC)
Dhamma Padhāna (Foremost in Dhamma) is Europe’s first meditation center dedicated to long courses. It is situated next
to the UK center, Dhamma Dīpa. In 2002 a one-day course
with Goenkaji was held on the site.
Last April, the center started operating, beginning with shorter courses and then a 20-day course in July, followed by
a 30-day course over August. The two long courses pro-ceeded very smoothly and were full, with 52 students and six
servers on site. The Dhamma Dīpa kitchen provided lunches for both centers, cooking for a total of about 220 students and servers. The kitchen at Dhamma Padhāna prepared breakfast,
salads and tea.
Individual residences for bhikkhus at Dhamma Anurādha
Future site of Dhamma Candapabha
7
Students greatly appreciated the chance to practice Dhamma in such ideal facilities. Participants in the 30-day course came
from nine European countries as well as Israel, Canada,
South Africa and Japan.
Next year the first concurrent 30-/45-day course will be held starting in late July. Shorter courses for old students are also
offered. Find out more by consulting the course schedule.
A new coach (bus) service picks up students from Gloucester on the afternoon of Day 0 and brings them to
the center. International visitors can take a coach from Heathrow Airport directly to Gloucester, and coaches run
from all other London airports to Heathrow. Gloucester also has direct train connections from Cardiff, Bristol and
Birmingham airports. For further information, follow this
link to travel details.
To apply to sit or serve, visit: www.padhana.dhamma.org
(username: oldstudent, password: behappy) or contact:
France
Center Development at Dhamma Mahī
Every year, approximately 2,200 students attend Vipassana
courses in France. However, there are an average of two re-quests for each available place. To meet the growing demand,
Dhamma Mahī (Ground of Dhamma) has launched a
project to expand accommodations.
The aim is to be able to accommodate 120 students plus 30 servers per course, for a total of 3,000 students every year.
The new accommodations will feature individual rooms with attached bathrooms. The first new rooms should be ready in
2011.
For more information, visit: www.mahi.dhamma.org/os/
developpement (username: oldstudent, password: behappy)
Germany
Pali Workshop
A 14-day Pali workshop is being planned in southern Ger-
many in August 2011. This intensive seminar will be held in English and is open to all serious and dedicated old students
of Vipassana. The workshop is designed to convey a basic knowledge of Pali, and will provide students with ample ma-
terial to enable them to continue with individual studies.
The focus is on pariyatti—academic study—as a means to
paṭipatti—the practice of Dhamma. Certain days of the work-shop will be dedicated to topics of special interest to medita-
tors, such as the Noble Eightfold Path, suttas dealing with dāna and mettā, the morning chantings, and a selection of
Goenkaji’s sutta discourses.
The workshop will be held at a rented site regularly used for non-center courses. It will be preceded by a 10-day course.
There will be a charge for room and board. For more infor-mation about the site and photos, vis it:
www.berghof-agatharied.de
For further details and registration, contact: paliwork-
View of Dhamma Padhāna. Female accommodation in the fore-
ground. In the background, from left: the meditation hall, boiler
house and dining rooms
The dining rooms for Phase 1
Plan showing new residences at Dhamma Mahī
8
Latvia
First Course in Latvia
In July 2010, the first Vipassana course was held in Latvia. A
total of 68 students took part, including only nine old stu-dents. Most participants were from Latvia (both Russians and
Latvians), with 10 students from Lithuania, Estonia and Rus-
sia. The students ranged in age from 17 to 78.
For many of the Latvian students, the course was a unique opportunity: they would not have traveled outside their coun-
try to learn Vipassana. For the servers, the experience of serving the first course in their home country was an inspira-
tion.
Latvia's second course is now scheduled for July 20 to 31, 2011. For more information, contact: [email protected].
Spain
Ten Years of Dhamma Neru and Search for a
Second Center
Dhamma Neru (Celestial Mountain of Dhamma) was able to pay off its mortgage in 2009, its 10th anniversary year. To
meet the strong demand, several non-center courses are held at various sites throughout Spain every year. The Trust is
working on finding a suitable location for a second center in Spain. For more information, contact:
Middle East
Israel
Land for a New Center
In March 2010, after many years of searching, the Israel Vi-
passana Trust acquired a beautiful property for the country's first Vipassana center. It is located close to the Sea of Galilee
and the Jordan River, and flanked by date plantations and a nature reserve. Goenkaji has given the new center the Pali
name Dhamma Pamoda (Joy of Dhamma). The next step is to
develop the property.
For more information on Dhamma Pamoda and to see a video newsletter, visit:
www.il.dhamma.org/os/Vipassana-centre-eng.asp (username:
oldstudent, password: behappy)
Prison Research
In 2005 and 2006, two courses were conducted in Hermon Prison, a minimum-security facility in northern Israel (see
previous VNL article). At the request of the prison au-thorities, highly respected criminologists conducted a
study of the value of the courses for rehabilitation. A first article on the study appeared last March in Issue 13 of
Glimpse into Prison, Crimes and Penalties in Israel —
Theory and Application.
A total of 22 inmate-meditators participated in the study on a voluntary basis. Each participant was interviewed three times: before the course, immediately after its completion,
and three to four months later.
Two main themes emerged from the findings:
The researchers found a positive transformation in the pris-oners’ perception of the prison staff, the creation of a new
social network among participants with a positive social atmosphere, and the creation of a mutual moral commit-
ment. However, the return to regular prison life after the course was accompanied by a sense of confusion and frus-
tration. The authors therefore suggest an after-course pro-
gram and a separate ward for the students after the course.
The researchers found that participants self-reflected on their inner world, were willing to face their emotional, cog-
nitive and behavioral difficulties, attempted to improve their family relationships, and experienced a sense of achievement and self-worth as a result of completing the
course tasks.
The researchers concluded that Vipassana has a high rehabili-
tative value and can meet various therapeutic needs of in-
mates.
This was only preliminary research. The number of students and the duration of the study were limited. However, it is one
Location of first 10-day course in Latvia
View of the Dhamma Pamoda land
9
of the first academic articles about Vipassana in prisons in a
recognized journal in the Western world.
North America
Alberta
A New Center for Western Canada
After many years of searching, the Alberta Vipassana Foun-dation Trust is happy to announce that it has purchased a par-
cel of land for a center. Goenkaji strongly encouraged estab-lishment of a center in this area when he visited in 2002. He
has named the center Dhamma Karunā (Compassion of
Dhamma).
The 108-acre property has a large open field with slight rises, two gullies and a number of small wooded areas that contain creeks and springs. There are several good potential building
sites and the local authorities have been supportive of the
Trust’s proposals.
The site is two hours from Edmonton, an hour and a half
from Calgary, and not too far from southern and northern communities. Two towns in the area have many amenities. In
early September 2010, the Trust participated in a design workshop: it reviewed the work of other centers and decided
on its own path for development. Sufficient funds are avail-able for initial work and to repay student loans and a mort-
gage in a fairly short time.
For more information, visit: www.karuna.dhamma.org/os
(username: oldstudent, password: behappy)
California
Dhamma Vaddhana Takes Shape
Construction is moving forward at Dhamma Vaddhana (Growth of Dhamma) in southern California. Seven struc-tures are almost completely finished: six residences for 60
students (two thirds of them with private rooms and bath) and a Dhamma hall that can hold 84 students. Construction of the
kitchen/dining building began in September; it is expected to be ready within about six months. Work on a servers’ resi-
dence is also underway and a building permit application for an AT residence complex will soon be filed. The hope is that
the center will become operational by the end of March 2011. Phase 1 will provide accommodation for 60 students, 10 serv-
ers and two to four teachers.
For more information, visit: www.vaddhana.dhamma.org/os
(username: oldstudent, password: behappy)
Georgia
Expansion of Dhamma Patāpa
Located in a forested, rural area of the coastal plains of Geor-
gia, Dhamma Patāpa (Majesty of Dhamma) offered its first
10-day course to 30 students in March 2008.
This year, the center has begun construction to double its ca-
pacity from the current 30 students. The largest structure will be the Dhamma hall, seating 60 to 70 students. There will
also be 10 to 12 meditation cells for old students.
A new male residence will be built with a connected bath
block, which can also be used by male students staying in cottages or tents. The existing student accommodations will
be converted to house 30 women. A pair of temporary an-nexes will provide the necessary dining seating for men and
women.
Current accommodations for assistant teachers are next door
to the kitchen, which can be a noisy and hectic environment. Another priority for this year is the construction of a teach-
ers’ cottage next to the new Dhamma hall. The vacated space in the kitchen building will permit the expansion of the
kitchen to prepare meals for larger numbers of students.
This latest construction phase began in July and is expected
to be finished in spring 2011.
For more information, visit: www.patapa.dhamma.org/os
(username: oldstudent, password: behappy)
Future site of Dhamma Karunā
Dhamma Vaddhana
10
Washington State
Center Development Reaches Milestone at Dhamma Kuñja
Construction of the new women’s residence at the Northwest
Vipassana Center, Dhamma Kuñja (Grove of Dhamma), is
nearly complete and it is expected to be in use by late fall of this year. The residence will house 47 students. It has one unit
for persons with disabilities and a room to accommodate the course manager. Each double-occupancy room in the new
residence has a full bathroom, skylight and windows for natu-ral light, and an exterior entrance to a common, covered path-
way around the building.
With the completion of the female residence this fall (following the male residence in 2008), the center will have
comfortable, semi-private accommodations for 80 students. The new dorms will provide a better atmosphere for all stu-
dents. The higher standard of comfort and quality will finally
make it possible to hold an executive course in the Pacific
Northwest. A 10-day course for business executives, govern-ment officials and other influential community leaders is
scheduled for August 31 to September 11, 2011.
The final step in this phase of the center’s development will
be to remodel the existing house. This involves expanding the kitchen and dining halls to serve the larger number of stu-
dents, and improving accommodations for female servers.
The work will be completed in 2011.
Established in August 1991, Dhamma Kuñja is situated on 50 acres of rural land near the town of Onalaska, Washington,
between Seattle and Portland, Oregon.
For more information, visit: www.kunja.dhamma.org/os
(username: oldstudent, password: behappy).
New female residence at Dhamma Kuñja
Interior of new residence at Dhamma Kuñja
Grateful Commemoration
John Leach, senior assistant teacher from Australia, passed away peacefully on February 16, 2010. He was suffer-ing from cancer but faced the illness with courage and equanimity. John gave valuable Dhamma service for many
years in various areas, including information technology. He is survived by his wife Carolyn, who is also a senior
assistant teacher.
Mr. Bhaktidas Shrestha, Vipassana teacher from Nepal, passed away peacefully on March 7, 2010. He was 88 years old. During the early days of Vipassana in Nepal, Mr. Shrestha served as a trustee for several years. Later, he
served as an assistant teacher and finally as a teacher for the spread of Vipassana in Nepal.
Mr. Ravjibhai Barot, senior assistant teacher from Himmatnagar, Gujarat, breathed his last peacefully on March
15, 2010. He was 72 years old. He served many courses throughout India.
Mr. Jaya Ram Ranjitkar, senior assistant teacher from Nepal, passed away peacefully on April 28, 2010. He was
68 years old and had been unwell for quite some time. Mr. Ranjitkar devoted all his time after retirement to Vipas-
sana and conducted many courses in Nepal. His family is also involved in Dhamma service.
Mr. Sureshchandra Kathane, Vipassana teacher, passed away peacefully on April 28, 2010, in Mumbai. He
conducted many courses throughout India and served Dhamma Ketu, the Vipassana center near Raipur, since its inception. Mr. Kathane had been suffering from cancer for many years and endured this illness with great
equanimity.
continued on next page
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Grateful Commemoration
Daw Win Kyi, Vipassana teacher from Mandalay, Myanmar, passed away peacefully on May 18, 2010, while con-ducting a 30-day course at Dhamma Makuṭa. She conducted many courses in Myanmar and served as the center
teacher of Dhamma Maṇdala, Dhamma Maṇḍapa and Dhamma Mahimā since 2007.
May they all be happy, peaceful and liberated.
Idha nandati pecca nandati, katapuñño ubhayattha nandati;
puññaṃ me katanti nandati, bhiyyo nandati suggatiṃ gato. — Dhammapada 18
Here one is happy, here after one is happy, The doer of good deeds is happy in both existences.
"Good have I done"--thinking thus he is happy, He is happier still when he goes to a blissful state.
2. Ms. Gayatri Balkrishnan, India (Igatpuri), to serve
Dhamma Ketana, Kerala
Senior Assistant Teachers
1. Mr. Samir Patel, Dhamma Giri / UK
2. Mr. Baburao Kasture, India (Aurangabad)
3. Mr. C. V. Mohana Krishnan, India (Chennai)
4. Mrs. Saroja Ramachandran, India (Chennai)
5. U Tin Shwe, Myanmar
6. Dr Myo Aung & Daw Khin Than Hmi, Myanmar
7. U Kyi Thein & Daw Tin Tin Yee, Myanmar
8. Mrs. Saraswati Satya, India (Mysore)
9. Mr. Himatlal Joshi, India (Gandhidham)
10. Mr. V. Santhanagopalan, India (Chennai)
11. Daw Wai Wai, Myanmar
12. Daw Myat Lay Khaines, Myanmar
13. Mrs. Nani Chhori Bajracharya, Nepal
14. Mr. Gyanu Raja Bajracharya, Nepal
15. Mr. Mahendra Muni Bajracharya, Nepal
16. Mr. Akkal Dhwaj Gurung, Nepal
17. Dr. (Mrs.) Keshari Manandhar, Nepal
18. Mrs. Laxmi Manandhar, Nepal
19. Mr. Dharma Man Newa, Nepal
20. Mrs. Sharda Ranjitkar, Nepal
21. Ms. Ratna Devi Shakya, Nepal
22. Mrs. Roshani Shakya, Nepal
Africa
New Appointment
Senior Assistant Teacher
Ms. Shanti Mather, South Africa
Asia Additional Responsibilities
Ācariyas
1. Mr. George Hsiao, Taiwan, to serve Taiwan, in-
cluding Dhammodaya, and Korea, and to assist the area teachers to serve the People's Republic of
China
2. Dr. Roop & Mrs. Beena Jyoti, to serve Nepal
3. Daw Nini Shwe (Sushila), to serve Myanmar
4. Mr. Ashok & Mrs. Uma Kela, India (Bhopal), to
serve Dhamma Mālavā, Indore
5. Ms. Priti Dedhia, India (Mumba)i, to serve Dhamma Vāhinī, Titwala
6. Mr. Suresh Khanna, India (Jaipur), to serve
Dhamma Pubbaja, Churu
Senior Assistant Teachers
1. Mr. Ping-San Wang, Taiwan, to assist the area
teachers in serving Dhammodaya
2. Mrs. Sumedha Varma, India (Pune), to assist area
teachers in Pune
New Responsibilities
Bhikkhu Ācaryas
Ven. Bhikkhu Chamroeun Chhuon, Cambodia
Ācariyas
1. Mrs. Sheeladevi Chaurasia, India (Kolkata), to serve northeastern states of India (including Sik-
kim and Siliguri) and north Bengal (Darjeeling)
Appointments and New Responsibilities
(through October 2010)
(Continued on the next two pages)
12
23. Mrs. Urmila Shakya, Nepal
24. Anagarika Sujata, Nepal
25. Mr. Basant Kumar Tamang, Nepal
26. Mr. Bhimbar Singh Thapa, Nepal
27. Mr. Sharda Man & Mrs. Tara Shakya, Nepal
28. Mr. Haridas Meshram, India (Balaghat)
29. Mr. Ashok Kumar Khobragade, India (Balaghat)
30. Mr. Sachin Natu, India (Pune)
31. Mr. Ram Swarup Bharati, India (Guna)
New Appointments
Assistant Teachers
1. Mr. V. Aravind, India (Chennai)
2. Dr. Dilip & Mrs. Satyakala Jadhav, India
(Ambajogai)
3. Mr. Sudhakar Khaire, India (Chhattisgarh)
4. Mr. Muthuswamy, India (Erode)
5. Mrs. V. Padmini, India (Chennai)
6. Mr. Shrikant S. Patil, India (Shegaon)
7. Mr. Ramesh Jain, India (Aurangabad)
8. Mrs. Boondee Arkkasirisathavorn, Thailand
9. Mr. Ramdeen Ahirwar, India (Bhopal)
10. Mr. Dinesh Joshi, India (Bharuch)
11. Mrs. Pramila Khante, India (Nagpur)
12. Mrs. Rema Nair, India (Thane)
13. Dr. (Ms.) Usha P. Patel, Anand, India (Gujarat)
14. Mrs. Urvashi Upendra Patel, India (Mehsana)
15. Mrs. Minaxi Manhar Shah, India (Vadodara)
16. Mr. Bik-Boen Tan, Indonesia
17. Mr. Kishor Ranwala, India (Gandhidham)
18. Mrs. Dayaben Dedhia, India (Mumbai)
19. Mrs. Hemlata Dixit, India (Mumbai)
20. Mr. Uday Sekhar, India (Bangalore)
21. Mr. G. V. Subrahmanyam, India (Hyderabad)
22. Mrs. B. Padmaja, India (Hyderabad)
23. Mrs. S. Jayalakshmi, India (Hyderabad)
24. Mr. Ramulu Pogula, India (Mahaboobnagar)
25. Mr. Sarveshwar Kondapuram, India
(Secunderabad)
26. Mr. Srinivas Charyulu, India (Hyderabad)
Appointments and New Responsibilities
27. Mr James Fung, Singapore
28. Mr. Gobind & Mrs. Beena Agarwal, India
(Mumbai)
29. Mr. Dineshchandra Deshmukh, India (Nagpur)
30. Mr. Itamar Sofer & Mrs. Jung Im Jung, Korea/
Israel
31. Mr. Kang Young-uk, Korea
32. Mr. Narendra Bharwada, India (Surat)
33. Ms. Kanmanee Phoophakdee, Thailand
34. Mrs. Rama Agnihotri, India (Bangalore)
35. Mr. Kashinath Kulburgi, India (Kolhapur)
36. Mr. K. Krishna Murthy, India (Hyderabad)
Americas
Additional Responsibilities
Ācariya
Mr. Bill Hart, to serve Canada
Senior Assistant Teachers
Mr. Dennis & Mrs. Louie Austin, USA, to assist
center teachers in serving Dhamma Pakāsa
New Responsibilities
Ācariyas
Mr. Narayandas & Mrs. Meena Saparia, Canada, to
serve Dhamma
Senior Assistant Teachers
1. Mr. Scott Corley & Mrs. Kathleen O’Grady, USA
2. Mr. John & Mrs. Cindy Pinch, USA
3. Mr. Dennis Ferman, USA
4. Mr. Riban Ulrich, USA
New Appointments
Assistant Teachers
1. Mr. Rahul Vaid, USA
2. Mrs. Judith Alper, USA
3. Mrs. Marla Sutherland, USA
4. Mr. Jose Silvestre Garcia-Zagal & Mrs. Claire
Joysmith, Mexico
5. Mr. Rashmi & Mrs. Gita Desai, USA
6. Mr. John & Mrs. Marika Suval, USA
7. Ms. Leila Macedo, Brazil
13
8. Mrs. Judy Barta, USA
9. Mr. Baban Naik, USA
10. Ms. Barbara Huffsmith, USA
11. Mrs. Kulwadee (Lee) Acers, USA
12. Mrs. Cailen Richardsen, USA
13. Mrs. Rashmi Shanker, USA
14. Mr. Tom Fantini, USA
15. Ms. Patricia Healy, USA
Australia / New Zealand
New Appointments
Assistant Teachers
1. Mrs. Sheela Mahajan, Australia
2. Mrs. Canny Kinloch, Australia
3. Ms. Anna Forsyth, New Zealand
Europe
New Responsibilities
Senior Assistant Teachers
1.Mr. Samir Patel, Dhamma Giri / UK
2.Mrs. Ann Aston, UK
3.Mr. Patrick Elder, UK
Appointments and New Responsibilities
New Appointments
Assistant Teachers
1. Ms. Veerle Offerhaus, Belgium
2. Mr. David Fumadó Dubé, Spain
3. Mr. Johan Skaar, Norway
4. Mr. Sascha Jaiser, Germany
5. Mrs. Nanette Kurz, Germany
6. Mr. Philippe Fromont & Mrs. Marianne Guignard,
Switzerland
7. Dr. (Ms.) Gosia Myc, Poland
8. Mr. Eric Garcia, Spain