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words of dhaMMa
Anicc vata sakhr, uppdavayadhammino. Uppajjitv nirujjhanti, tesa vpasamo sukho.
they arise and are extinguished, their eUropeaN NewS................................................. 89 eradication brings happiness.
east anglia, UK..................................................................... 8 Dhamma Servers Meeting July 7-11, 2011 at Dhamma Neru, spain .................................................................................... 8 Coach service reduces travel time to Dhamma campus....... 9
the essentials of Buddha-Dhamma in Meditation Practice ........................................................ 2-3 Gratitude to Sayagyi U Ba Khin ............................................ 4 webu Sayadaw speaks about Sayagyi ................................. 5 Impermanent truly are created things, Questions and answers with Goenkaji ................................. 7 by nature arising and passing away. If
Dhamma Sukhakari ............................................................ 10 CoUrSe SCheDUleS...............1822 Uk talks by Dr paul r Fleischman ...................................... 11 UK and Ireland Course Schedule.............18 Dhamma Campus open Day ............................................. 12 european Course Schedule.................19-20 the Dhamma Shed.........................................................12-13 long & old Student Course Schedule.....21 opportunities for Dhamma service ................................ 15-17 Group sittings...............................................22
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n e x t pag e
international news
the essentials of buddha-dhamma in Meditation practice
This January marks the 40th anniversary of the passing away of Sayagyi U Ba Khin. In the years since 1971 the world has changed greatly but the teaching of the Buddha is, if anything, more relevant. Sayagyi would certainly be happy to see more people than ever around the world practising the essence of this teaching, which is Vipassana. Following is an extract from an article he wrote specifically for his students outside Myanmar. The title was added later but there can be no doubt that this represents Sayagyis testament, the summation of his many years of teaching. the initial object of Vipassana meditation is to activate the experience of anicc in oneself and to eventually reach a state of inner and outer calmness and balance. this is achieved when one becomes engrossed in the feeling of anicc within. the world is now facing serious problems which threaten all mankind. It is just the right time for everyone to take to Vipassana meditation and learn how to find a deep pool of quiet in the midst of all that is happening today. Anicc is inside of everybody. It is within reach of everybody. Just a look into oneself and there it isanicc to be experienced. when one can feel anicc, when one can experience anicc, and when one can become engrossed in anicc, one can at will cut oneself off from the world of ideation outside. Anicc is, for the householder, the gem of life which he will treasure to create a reservoir of calm and balanced energy for his own well-being and for the welfare of the society. the experience of anicc , when properly developed, strikes at the root of ones physical and mental ills and removes gradually whatever is bad in him, i.e., the causes of such physical and mental ills. this experience is not reserved for men who have renounced the world for the homeless life. It is for the householder as well. In spite of drawbacks which make a householder restless in these days, a competent teacher or guide can help a student to get the experience of anicc activated in a comparatively short time. once he has got it activated, all that is necessary is for him to try and preserve it; but he must make it a point, as soon as time or opportunity presents itself for further progress, to work for the stage of bhagaa (knowledge of bhaga). however, there is likely to be some difficulty for one who has not reached the stage of bhaga. It will be just like a tug-of-war for him between anicc within and physical and mental activities outside. so it would be wise for him to follow the motto of work while you work, play while you play. there is no need for him to be activating the experience of anicc all the time. It should suffice if this could be confined to a regular period, or periods, set apart in the day or night for the purpose. During this time, at least, an attempt must be made to keep the attention focused inside the body, with awareness devoted exclusively to anicc. that is to say, his awareness of anicc should go on from moment to moment so continuously as not to allow for the interpolationof any discursive or distracting
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thoughts, which are definitely detrimental to progress. In case this is not possible, he will have to go back to respiration-mindfulness, because samdhi is the key to the contemplation of anicc. to get good samdhi, sla (morality) has to be perfect, since samdhi is built upon sla. For a good experience of anicc, samdhi must be good. If samdhi is excellent, awareness of anicc will also become excellent. there is no special technique for activating the experience of anicc other than the use of the mind adjusted to a perfect state of balance, and attention projected upon the object of meditation. In Vipassana the object of meditation is anicc, and therefore, in the case of those used to focusing their attention on bodily feelings, they can feel anicc directly. In experiencing anicc in relation to the body, it should first be in the area where one can easily get his attention engrossed, changing the area of attention from place to place from head to feet and from feet to head, at times probing into the interior. at this stage it must clearly be understood that no attention is to be paid to the anatomy of the body, but to the formations of matterthe kalpas and the nature of their constant change. If these instructions are observed, there will surely be progress, but the progress depends also on pram (i.e., ones disposition for certain spiritual qualities) and devotion of the individual to the work of meditation.
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international news
the essentials of buddha-dhamma in Meditation practice
If he attains high levels of knowledge, his power to understand the three characteristics of anicc, dukkha and anatt will increase and he will accordingly come nearer and nearer to the goal of the ariya or noble saintwhich every householder should keep in view. this is the age of science. Man of today has no utopia. he will not accept anything unless the results are good, concrete, vivid, personal, and here-and-now. when the Buddha was alive, he said to the people of Kma: "Now look, you Kmas. Be not misled by report or tradition or hearsay. Be not misled by proficiency in the scriptural collections, or by reasoning or logic or reflection on and approval of some theory, or because some view conforms with ones inclinations, or out of respect for the prestige of a teacher. But when you know for yourselves: these things are unwholesome, these things are blameworthy, these things are censured by the wise; these things when practised and observed, conduce to loss and sorrowthen do ye reject them. But if at any time you know for yourselves: these things are wholesome, these things are blameless, these things are praised by the intelligent; these things, when practised and observed, conduce to welfare and happinessthen, Kmas, do ye, having practised them, abide. " the time clock of Vipassana has now struckthat is, for the revival of Buddha-Dhamma Vipassana in practice. we have no doubt whatsoever that definite results would accrue to those who would with an open mind sincerely undergo a course of training under a competent teacherI mean results which will be accepted as good, concrete, vivid, personal, here-andnowresults which will keep them in good stead and in
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a state of well-being and happiness for the rest of their lives. May all beings be happy and may peace prevail in the world.
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international news
gratitude to sayagyi khin by s.n. goenka (January 19, 1981)
Most reverend Dhamma teacher! It is now 10 years since you passed away, but your inspirational presence is still being felt. My heart fills with gratitude towards you, my magnanimous teacher, who most compassionately, most lovingly and affectionately bestowed upon me this invaluable Dhamma-jewel. If I had not received this Dhammajewel, what would my plight have been? I would have wasted this life in the pursuit of earning and hoarding wealth, and in the rat race for status. You nurtured the seed of Dhamma within me. If you had not, then I would have been content to remain bound in sectarian fetters, mistaking them for ornaments. I would have passed my life taking pride in the experiences of others rather than my own. where would I have obtained this real and direct experience of the truth? I would have contented myself with the mental projections of imagination. where would I have had this yathbutha adassana (wisdom of the direct experience of truth as it is)? I would have wasted my life taking intellectual knowledge as true wisdom. I would have squandered this invaluable human life by performing rites, rituals and recitations, and in getting conditioned by nonexperiential, sectarian philosophies. My peerless Dhamma teacher! You have made my human life truly successful and worthwhile by bestowing the gift of this unrivalled, incomparable Dhamma upon me. Verily, unrivalled and incomparable is the practice of Dhamma. how easy! how clear! how scientific! how beneficial! leading from bondage to freedom, from delusions and mirages to the reality, from the apparent truth to the ultimate truthmay this invaluable jewel remain in its unblemished purity! I solemnly make these meritorious resolutions on this auspicious day, the anniversary of your demise: May I not commit the monumental sin of adulterating the teaching. May this invaluable technique remain in its flawless purity. May its practice open the door of deathlessness and salvation for one and all. Fulfilling these resolutions is the only way to respect, honour and revere you.
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The Dhamma has returned to India and spread around the world because of my teacher, Sayagyi U Ba Khin. You may forget the name of Goenka but never forget Sayagyi U Ba Khin! Emperor Asoka sent Sona and Uttara to Myanmar as Dhamma messengers. Hardly anyone knows Sona and Uttara even in Myanmar, but everyone gratefully remembers Asoka and all sing his praises. I want the same to happen with Sayagyi and myself. My name should never be allowed to overshadow that of Sayagyi U Ba Khin in any way whatsoever. S.N. Goenka
Sayagyi U Ba Khin in formal attire meditating in the central room of the pagoda at the International Meditation Centre (IMC), Yangon
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international news
webu sayadaw speaks about sayagyi
one of the most unusual things about Sayagyi U Ba Khin was his close relationship with webu Sayadaw, a renowned monk who was commonly regarded as an arahant in Myanmar. It was on webu Sayadaws prompting that U Ba Khin began to teach Vipassana. later, it was at Sayagyis invitation that webu Sayadaw first came to Yangon, where he stayed for several days at Sayagyis centre. and it was under webu Sayadaw that Sayagyi briefly became a monk, as virtually all Burmese men do at least once in their lifetime. after Sayagyi passed away, the news was brought to webu Sayadaw. he commented, a person like Sayagyi U Ba Khin will never die. You may not see him, but his teachings live on.
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It will include slide shows of courses from around the world, poetry and artwork from meditator children and teens, and follow-up materials. the site is a wonderful entry point into the world of meditation for the young. and it will also interest meditators of any age.
the outcome of years of effort around the world, the site is an attractive introduction to an activity that is growing in popularity. Separate sections provide information for readers with different interests. parents can find general background information, details on how the courses work, and comments from people with children who have learned anapana. a teachers page talks about bringing courses into schools. the videos section features short films on anapana courses. For children, there are simple explanations with cartoons, plus comments from kids who have sat a course. another section provides similar information in language that will appeal to teens. and most important is information on course dates.
Sayagyi U Ba Khin listens to a discourse by Ven. Webu Sayadaw in the Dhamma Hall at IMC.
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international news
Asia/Pacific
russia
first Vipassana centre in russia after seven years of searching, in December 2010 the russian trust purchased a property for a Vipassana centre. Goenkaji has named the new centre Dhamma Dullabha, meaning the rare, extraordinary (difficult to obtain) Dhamma. the property covers two hectares (five acres). originally a childrens camp, it is located 100 kilometres (70 miles) east of Moscow and is easily reached by local train. the surrounding land is wooded, with beautiful old pine and oak trees. the peaceful environment and seclusion are ideal for serious meditation. the first 10-day course at Dhamma Dullabha is scheduled for June 2011. at first, the Centre will be able to accommodate up to 80 students and to offer courses only in summer. there will be five courses in 2011, with another 10 courses at a rented site. In the long run, the capacity will be expanded to 120 students and 30 servers, and courses will be held year-round. For more information about Dhamma Dullabha, visit: www.ru.dhamma.org/index.php?id=2161&l=0 (username: oldstudent, password: behappy)
Residential building at Dhamma Dullabha
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grateful commemoration
Shri Ram Singh Chauhan passed away peacefully on December 18, 2010, at the age of 93. He was one of the first two cariyas appointed by Goenkaji and was one of the most active Dhamma servers during the initial establishment of Vipassana in India. He helped Goenkaji in many of the projects that served to expand the growth of Vipassana in the world. In addition, he was the main force behind the initiation and propagation of Vipassana courses in prisons. Shri Ram Singh also played a major role in the establishment and growth of Dhamma Thal in Jaipur, India, and was responsible for the management of Dhamma Giri for many years. He is survived by his wife, Shrimati Jag-dish Kumari, also a Vipassana teacher, as well as three sons and three daughters. May they all be happy, peaceful and liberated! See the International Vipassana newsletter (www.vnl.dhamma.org) for news about Burmese courses in the USa, and further developments in hong Kong, Sri lanka, taiwan, australia, and thailand
china
land for new centre in hong kong hong Kong students have been conducting 16 to 18 courses a year at a temporary centre located in the New territories. however, the facility can accommodate only 40 meditators in cramped conditions, and zoning rules do not allow expansion. For these reasons the trust has long been hoping to acquire another property. Success finally came in December 2010, when the hong Kong trust was able to buy a site in the southern part of lantau Island. the property is located in a serene valley and is more than 10 times the size of the current temporary course site. planning is now under-way, and construction should be completed before the end of 2014. the new facility will accommodate up to 120 meditators in single or double rooms, and there will be cells for meditation. Goenkaji has named the new centre Dhamma Mutt (pearl of the Dhamma). For more information, visit: www.hk.dhamma.org/mutta.html.
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international news
Questions and answers with Goenkaji
how can we know the difference between bodily sensations that we create (illusions) and sensations that just crop up naturally? i have noticed that i often get an internal image of the part of the body which i am scanning. this seems to help me know where i am with my attention. but it feels as if the image keeps me from going deeper and i wonder if i am just creating fantasy. if this is true, how could i best overcome this? another question i have is how to get more speed in scanning. it takes me mostly about an hour to scan the whole body.
there is a simple way to test whether your meditation experience is natural or artificially created. Simply go to a part of your body and give a command for a particular sensation to appearsay, heat or heaviness or tingling or anything else. Do this two or three times. If the sensations appear on your command, you know that the experience is manufactured and you should throw it away. Go back to anapana for some time and then start again moving through the body, trying only to observe objectively. But if the sensations do not appear on your command, you must accept that they are real, actually happening in that part of the body.
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You should avoid any visual image of the part of the body you are scanning. If it crops up naturally, never mind; but if it becomes predominant or you start giving importance to it, you will find that your awareness of sensations fades away and you stop practising Vipassana. Instead you may try moving with the breath: breathe out and move down from one part to another, then breathe out again and move to the next part throughout the body as you go from head to feet; then breathe in and move up. this can help you to fix your attention on the area you have chosen. From what you write generally, I would advise you to scan the body more quicklysay, in about 10 minutes. Don't worry for now about feeling every detail; that ability will come gradually. Move quickly and keep moving in different ways so that the experience remains fresh.
Aerial view of new site for Quebec Vipassana Centre c o n t e n t s pag e n e x t pag e pr e V i o u s pag e
european news
New East Anglia Dhamma house, Dhamma Sukhakri
in december 2010 the east anglia branch of the uk trust celebrated the opening of the dhamma house in saxmundham, suffolk. this comes at the end of nine years of hosting rented site courses in the region. goenkaji has now named it Dhamma Sukhakri giving happiness
the property, a former day care centre, is in the small Suffolk market town of Saxmundham, with excellent road and rail connections with the rest of the country. Built only about 10 years ago to the highest specifications, it is in top condition. It is hoped that the Dhamma house will act as a catalyst to encourage all old students, local as well as further afield, to come to the region to serve and sit. after an initial period spent adapting and developing the property to make it more suited for our purposes, regular 1, 2 and 3 day assistant teacher-led courses will be offered. there will also be an opportunity for more serious old students to come and sit self-courses. Dhamma Sukhakri will be used for weekend children's courses, the Branch meetings and, when there is a caretaker/manager, it will be open for the three daily group sittings for those living locally.
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register by clicking on this link for applications in english: http://calm.dhamma-eu.org/v/a/app?re=eu&sc=neru&co=7 92&la=en&server=y travel: you will find information on how to reach the centre at the website www.es.dhamma.org
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european news
coach service reduces travel time to dhamma campus
travel to Dhamma Dipa and Dhamma Padhna, the first European Long-Course centre, has been made easier for all students travelling from around the uk and europe. a dedicated coach transport service from the city of gloucester to both centres is now organised by Vipassana trust at the beginning of each course. gloucester is only 45 minutes drive from the campus, and is easy to get to by coach from most uk cities. there are also direct train connections to gloucester from, amongst others, london, cardiff, bristol, swindon, worcester, nottingham and birmingham.
Many students welcome this new service, and appreciate the chance to complete the last leg of the journey more quickly and in comfort, with fellow students: two of us travelling together for a Vipassana course decided to try out the new service. we had a good connection from london and the bus was waiting for us. the trip was smooth and without any problems. well certainly take the coach again. "the service made getting to the centre very easy. the group who came on the noon london National express coach service walked the hundred metres to the railway station where we found the coach waiting. a few people who had come by train were already there and others arrived before we left at 3.30. then 45 minutes later we were at Dhamma Padhna." this coach service is available on Day 0 of all courses at Dhamma Dipa and Dhamma Padhna, and
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additionally on Day -1 of long courses. the fare is 7 per person. return journeys to Gloucester in shared taxis can be organised on Metta Day through the campus managers. Further details are sent to all students who register for a course.
For further details on travel to Dhamma Dipa and Dhamma Padhna please click here.
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uk news
dhaMMa sukhakri
the new dhamma house in east anglia has been named by goenkaji. at the end of the 60 day course goenkaji informed the uk trust that the house would now be called Dhamma Sukhakri, meaning giving happiness. so its full meaning is "giving the happiness of dhamma".
there has been a lot of activity at Dhamma Sukhakri since the doors were at last opened in November. For some time a former Dhamma Dipa manager stayed at the house to help install the various necessary facilities needed to run the house efficiently, as well as oversee the various trades that passed through with deliveries. having an onsite Caretaker and Manager proved to be extremely valuable for the smooth first few weeks. however his stay was short lived and the east anglia Branch is again very keen to hear from any serious old student willing to act as a live in Caretaker and Manager and help see the Dhamma house develop as a vibrant east anglian facility for Vipassana. outside the property the car parking has been properly laid out. Inside a full working kitchen has been bought and installed, and the bunk beds ordered at the last local trust meeting are being made and delivered. the Dhamma hall itself, the hub of the building, has been laid out ,and new curtains are being sewn up. It is all an ongoing work but certainly the initial stages are well under way.
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on March 13th the first at led 1- day course for old students will be held at Dhamma Sukhakri . a number of further 1 day courses are also being planned through the spring. Details will appear on the Dhamma Sukhakri website as plans are finalised. as the site settles and we are able to offer overnight accommodation suitable for residential courses, the website will also start to offer weekend and 3 day
courses for old students. For further information about these courses, how to get more involved with the development of Dhamma Sukhakri, and especially if you are able to offer longer term residential service at the Dhamma house, please contact: info@eastanglia.uk.dhamma.org. or visit: www.eastanglia.uk.dhamma.org.
uk news
uk talks by dr paul r fleischMan
from 912 May dr paul r fleischman will be visiting the uk to deliver a series of public talks about Vipassana in hereford, Manchester and london. this provides a wonderful opportunity for old students and the general public to learn more about the practice from a truly inspirational source.
Dr paul r Fleischman is a teacher of Vipassana meditation and has been asked by Goenkaji to play a leading role in explaining Vipassana to professionals in the west. Dr Fleischman graduated from the albert einstein College of Medicine, trained in psychiatry at Yale University School of Medicine, and later served there as Chief resident. he was in private psychiatric practice in amherst, Massachusetts for over thirty years. his books and monographs include: the healing Spirit: religious Issues in psychotherapy; Cultivating Inner peace; Karma and Chaos: Collected and New essays on Vipassana Meditation; Spiritual aspects of psychiatric practice; the Buddha taught Nonviolence Not pacifism and an ancient path. he is the author of a collection of poetry: You Can Never Speak Up too often/For the love of all things. he contributed to the power of prayer, an anthology that included essays by Mother teresa and Jimmy Carter. Karma and Chaos was a Book of the Year Finalist with Forward Magazine. Dr Fleischman will be speaking on a variety of topics at the following venues. there will be an opportunity for group sittings prior to the talks opening to the general public. admission is free.
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In 1993 Dr Fleischman became the fifth American psychiatrist to be honoured by the American Psychiatric Association with the Oskar Pfister Award for being an "outstanding contributor to the humanistic and spiritual side of psychiatric and medical issues.
Dr Fleischman will be speaking on a variety of topics at the following venues. There will be an opportunity for group sittings prior to the talks opening to the general public. Admission is free.
'an Introduction to Vipassana Meditation: ancient wisdom that Deepens the Scientific world View'
tue 10th May
'an Introduction to Vipassana Meditation: ancient wisdom in the Modern Universal Culture'
thu 12th May
*Group sittings are only available to old students. all other guests should arrive at the later start times.
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uk news
dhamma campus open day
Sunday 19th June 2011
the new Dhamma Campus of Dhamma Dipa and Dhamma Padhana is holding an open day at which all meditators, friends, family and the general public are warmly welcome. the open Day provides the first opportunity to showcase the substantial developments at Dhamma Padhana, highlighting the continued spread of Dhamma both in the UK and europe wide. the opportunity for local non-meditators to visit the centres contributes to open and harmonious relations with the surrounding community. open Days offer a relaxing opportunity to meet other meditators, to find inspiration for your own practice, to introduce the practice to those considering taking a course and for everyone involved to enjoy the tranquil atmosphere of the the new Dhamma campus. the programme will include guided tours of both sites, introductory talks on Vipassana Meditation, short films about the technique, question and answer sessions, woodland walks and refreshments. If you would like to offer service and contribute to this event by distributing promotional materials, preparing the site, serving on the day or in any other way please contact Claire Coach on admission is free. 2-6pm. please inform the centre if you will be visiting with a large group, for disabled access or any other special needs.
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2.5m height limit, we did not need planning permission. So our joiner went ahead and designed a well-insulated wooden structure suitable for 20-30 meditators. For the first week or so, a team of paid workers were employed clearing the site and digging foundations. But we needed 3 or 4 semi-skilled workers every day for a month or so. So, very much at the last minute, we sent out some messages asking for volunteers, on the london list and the Vipassana announce list. In retrospect it seems crazy to start a project like that with almost no idea of who our workers would be. But somehow it all worked out. people turned up for service, whether building the shed itself or in the kitchen to feed the others - including people we had never seen before or since. Some were accommodated in the house; others came on a daily basis. at times we doubted that this would work but somehow we always seemed to have the right numbers and mix of skills. hey! - Dhamma works!
clairecoache@hotmail.com
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uk news
admittedly the house sometimes became rather chaotic and messy but a positive atmosphere always pervaded it. as on any building site, there were a few moments of friction but they were very rare and equanimity and good humour always prevailed. I am sure this was mainly due to the Group sittings which we instituted at the start and end of every work day. at first these were held in the house but moved onto the site as soon as we had a floor to sit on. Most of the work was completed in a burst of energy in the first month.see this link for a stop-frame animation of this period. If you look closely you can see a record of the very first sitting. By the beginning of october the roof was on, and we began to use the shed for regular sittings - at first somewhat "al fresco". progress continued at a slower pace, fitting the doors and windows, cladding and decorating. Finally, as the November cold snap approached and just in time, we sealed the gaps around the windows and installed electric heating. the project had been completed - and much more easily, more quickly and more cheaply than anyone expected. It is a beautiful building and a wonderful place to meditate. It has become a support and inspiration to many meditators. as far as I am concerned, I can honestly say the benefits of the project have far exceeded all my expectations.
a one hour sitting Every Day from 7 to 8 pm "half day" sittings every Sunday morning from 10 am to 1 pm and every Thursday morning from 9 am to 12 noon (It is OK to come for part of the period)
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Meditators can also let themselves in to sit at other times. we may be able to arrange short self courses sometimes with accommodation.
sittings
we currently have the following scheduled group-sittings. Just turn up for these - there is no need to call in advance.
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uk news
June 2011: sitting, serving and learning at the dhamma campus
General service Periods (scheduled throughout the year) have been arranged at Dhamma Dipa and Dhamma Padhana from: Monday June 6 friday June 10 Monday June 13 - wednesday June 22. this day workshop will include brief presentations from servers in different centre and trust roles, question and answer sessions and an opportunity for individuals to post their own queries about Dhamma service for discussion in small groups and sharing with all. * Sunday June 19 - open day (Dhamma Dipa & Dhamma Padhana) You are welcome to apply on-line for all or part of the GsP programme.
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childrens courses
there are training workshops for appointed Childrens Course teachers in europe every two years. In aug 2010, I was one of 23 UK/european CCts who spent 3 days at the beautiful Italian Centre, Dhamma Atala, receiving in depth guidance about conducting the courses. we were able to see an Italian Childrens Course in action, complete with pizza making. as the children have other activities between their meditation sessions, some ideas for these were shared, and needed trying out; for example walking the slackrope, which was fixed between two trees. we have now put some of these ideas into practice at Dhamma Dipa; teenagers tried out the newly purchased slack rope during this years February courses.
uk course dates for 2011:
10th Jun - 12th Jun 23rd Sep - 25th Sep Young person`s Courses Boys 12-18, Girls 12-18 Children`s Course mixed 8-11
gsp projects
the main projects for general service periods are identified closer to the time, but we always need general help around the site and buildings. help is also always needed in the office and in the kitchen to prepare meals. If you have any special skills i.e. building, carpentry, painting, gardening, office, etc., please let us know before you arrive so that we can use your skills more efficiently during your stay
special events
As part of this particular GSP programme a variety of sitting, serving and learning opportunities for deepening ones Vipassana practice will be available for old students
* thursday June 9 - Sunday June 12 three-day course (Dhamma Padhana) * tuesday June 14 (9.30 5.00) one-day course (Dhamma Dipa) * wednesday June 15 (9.30 5.00) one-day dhamma servers workshop (Dhamma Dipa)
Vipassana in uk prisons
If you have contacts in prisons or are interested in bridging the gap with prisons, prison information packs are available. please contact Udo Marquardt with your email and postal address and he will contact you: udomarquardt2003@yahoo.co.uk
Any mediator interested in organising a Childrens Course in their local area should contact the UK Childrens Course committee:
arvinbark@yahoo.co.uk
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uk news
opportunities for dhamma service
Maintenance co-ordinator and deputy needed starting february/March 2011
as the combined Dipa and Padhana Dhamma campus has grown over recent times so the task of maintaining the buildings, grounds and infrastructure has become increasingly complex and labour intensive. this work is managed by a permanent team of two long term servers. Both these positions will become vacant in april 2011 and the new recruits would ideally be in place in February/March for training. the Maintenance co-ordinator is primarily a management role. It involves the administration of the various systems used including job logging, maintaining manuals and ppM scheduling. the co-ordinator also forms part of the centre management team and liaises with contractors and suppliers. the Maintenance Deputy liaises with the co-ordinator and is more engaged in the actual jobs on the ground including assigning them to the appropriate available servers. It is, however, important that both positions are filled by people able to cover the other role when that person is unavailable. applicants should therefore ideally meet the following criteria: Reasonable and broad experience in building maintenance, (various trades - plumbing, carpentry etc). Good English (for dealing with suppliers and contractors).
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Ability to manage other servers. Full driving license valid in the UK. Good computer skills including knowledge of excel spreadsheet and windows Mail. these roles offer a wonderful opportunity to serve both centres as an essential part of the spread of Dhamma. Please contact maintenance-committee@dipapadhana.org if you are interested.
* please note that all these positions are at the discretion of the Centre Management team who may need you to serve in another capacity
uk news
opportunities for dhamma service
Examples of a few of the jobs we have done in 2010:
replaced 103 mattresses at Dhamma Dipa deep cleaned all the AT accommodation, The dhamma halls and most student accommodation provided emergency radiators for Dhamma Padhana set up a comprehensive household documentation system for Dhamma Padhana bought fleece for meditation and accommodation blankets
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Some jobs that are scheduled for the next few months:
turning the fleece rolls into blankets making extra shoe racks for accommodation blocks and dp dhamma hall lobbies providing new external mats for Dhamma Padhana - dhamma hall lobbies
we experimented through 2010 with different scheduling for Garden work periods, and by far the most successful were the General Service periods. this is a time when many people come to give service, and a good working atmosphere is created, without the need to avoid disturbing students on a course. several people who attended GsP's last year stated that they had an interest in gardening, so we had a team who worked very well together. even the cold December weather did not deter the enthusiastic workers at that month's GSp!
trust Meetings
all old students are welcome at trust meetings and new committee members are always needed. the programme starts on Saturday with a group sit at 1.00pm followed by committee meetings. on Sunday, the group sit is at 7.45am followed by the trust meeting which finishes at noon. 9/10 April at Dhamma SukhakriEast Anglia 21/22 May at Dhamma Padhana 2/3 July at Dhamma Padhana 17/18 at Dhamma Dipa ( AGM and Joint meeting) 22/23 Oct at Dhamma Padhana 19/20 Nov at Dhamma Padhana
therefore, this year we will not be publicising Garden Days as a separate project. Instead, meditators who wish to give gardening service should apply for a GSp in the normal way, and state their interest in gardening.
New members for the Garden Committee are always welcome. please contact the Centre if you would like to attend our meeting at a trust weekend, and leave a message for paula ruddick, Co-ordinator of the committee.
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uk news
dana in kind
we would like to thank students for their volition to donate items to the centre. we would ask them to always contact the centre management first as some items may not be needed or may not be suitable. the centre has the policy of replacing all shawls, blankets, bedding, electrical equipment and kitchen items with new ones.
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resources
the following companies offer for sale a variety of books, tapes and other materials on Vipassana.
on-line donations
since last year we have been using a new on-line donation service, Charity Choice. this is an efficient way for the trust to collect donations since there are no charges for the service, even when payments are made by credit card. the full donation is transferred to our account. administration is also reduced. If you would like to make a donation in this way, please visit the how to Give pages at www.dhamma.org/os username: old student password: be happy
insight books
the Sun, Garway hill, herefordshire, hr2 8eZ, UK tel & fax: 0845 458 1466, www.insightbooks.co.uk info@insightbooks.co.uk
pariyatti (us)
867 larmon road, onalaska, wa 98570, USa tel: (1) (360) 978 4998 www.pariyatti.org, bookstore@pariyatti.org
ayana-book.com
Semmelweisstr. 20, 78532 tuttlingen, Germany tel: (49) (0)7461-5148, Fax: (49) (0)7461-12443 www.ayana-book.com, contact@ayana-book.com
dhamma disks
audio CD sets of 10-day discourses by S.N. Goenka. all proceeds will be given to the UK Vipassana trust. Contact Manju agarwal: highgables@googlemail.com
c o n t e n t s pag e n e x t pag e pr e V i o u s pag e
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date
19th sep - 23rd sep 22nd Sep 23rd Sep - 25th Sep 28th Sep - 9th oct 12th oct - 23rd oct 22/23 oct 26th oct - 6th nov 9th Nov - 20th Nov 19/20 nov 23rd Nov - 4th Dec 7th dec - 18th dec 27th dec - 7th Jan
activity
3 day Children`s Course mixed 8-11 10-day course trust Meeting 3 day 10-day course 10-day course general service period for old students 10-day course trust Meeting 10-day course (hindi/english) general service period for old students schools Course Young Person`s Courses Boys 1218, Girls 12-18 opeN DaY From 2-6 pm, all welcome 10-day course 10-day course 10-day course) trust Meeting 10-day course 10-day course 10-day course 3 day 10-day course general service period for old students 3 day 10-day course
location
scotland Dhamma Dipa Dhamma Dipa east anglia lancashire Dhamma Dipa Ireland dhamma dipa Dhamma Dipa dhamma padhana Dhamma Dipa dhamma dipa Dhamma Dipa Dhamma Dipa
activity
general service period for old students schools Course Children`s Course mixed 8-11 10-day course 10-day course trust Meeting 10-day course 10-day course trust Meeting 10-day course 10-day course 10-day course
location
dhamma dipa Dhamma Dipa Dhamma Dipa Dhamma Dipa Dhamma Dipa dhamma padhana Dhamma Dipa Dhamma Dipa dhamma padhana Dhamma Dipa Dhamma Dipa Dhamma Dipa
19th Jun 22nd Jun - 3rd Jul 6th Jul - 17th Jul 20th Jul - 31st Jul 2/3 Jul 20th Jul - 31st Jul 3rd aug - 14th aug 17th aug - 28th aug 26th aug - 29th aug 17th aug - 28th aug 29th aug - 1st sep 1st Sep - 4th Sep 6th Sep - 17th Sep
Dhamma Dipa Dhamma Dipa Dhamma Dipa Dhamma Dipa dhamma padhana Dhamma Dipa Dhamma Dipa Dhamma Dipa lancashire Ireland dhamma dipa Dhamma Dipa Dhamma Dipa
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For contact details for the non-centre courses listed below please see world contacts: www.dhamma.org/alphalist.htm.
serbia
22 June - 3 July 10-day
bulgaria
26 aug - 6 Sep 11 22 May 10-day 10 day
spain
1-12 June (palencia) 4-15 July (Valencia) 7 - 18 July (orense) 4-15 July (Valencia) 24 aug - 4 sept (toledo) 8-11 sept (palencia) 10-day 10-day 10-day 10-day
czech republic
25 July - 5 aug 10 - day
ukraine
4 - 15 april 10-day 10-day 16 - 27 april
greece
18 - 21april 3-day
lithuania
13 - 16 aug 17 - 28 aug 3-day 10-day
Macedonia
22 april 2 May 10-day
latvia
20 31 July 10-day
portugal
17 28 august 9-20 Nov 10-day 10-day
kyrgyzstan
20 31 July 10-day
romania
29 aug - 9 sep 10-day
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