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Vipasana International Academy
Vipasana International Academy
Sayagyi U Ba Khin was the ideologist and distinguished Vipassana Teacher.
Before dying he revealed his last desire of a Vipasana Academy in India to
his Disciple - S.N. Goenka. So he down from Rangoon and established the
Vipasana International Academy in India. Thus Dhama Giri came into
establishment in the year 1976 with its first 10 day course for the general
public. Today its known to the World as Vipasana Academy. At a time around
2500 students attend Vipasana Course.
Fast Facts
» Location - Vipasana International Academy, Dhamma Giri; P.O.
Box 6; Igatpuri; District Nasik; Maharashtra; India.
» Accessibility - Direct Buses from Nasik and Mumbai Bus
Services, Cabs - Easily reachable by road.
» Best time - Round the Year
» Visit Timings - 06:00 a.m. to 08:00 p.m. *Timings are subject
to vary.
» Membership Fee - No fee. Futher detail on enquiry from the
Ashram only.
» Other Branches - Argentina, Australia, Austria, Baharain,
Bangaldesh, Brazil, Cuba, Denmark, Japan, Pakistan, Spain, United States,
Venezuela, Turkey, Mexico and many more countries have Vipasana Centres. The
entire List can be had from the Vipasana Centre. - California: Giorgio&Shu-Xiang
Quintero, 5162 La Dorna Street, San Diego, CA
Famous Facets:
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Dhamma Tihar
Even the famous Tihar Jail of New Delhi has a Vipassana Dhamma Centre
where the prisoners undergo Vipassana Courses. These courses have
dramatically changed the behaviour of the Prisoners.
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Vipasana Centers
Around 60 Countries worldwide have well established Vipasana Centers
including India.
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The Ashram
The Vipasana International Academy or Dhama Giri is a big Ashram
covering an area of twenty acres of Land. It accomodates around 600
workers at a time and its dining hall has a seating capacity of 300
people.
As one enters the Gates of Dhama Giri, there is a Huge Gate with
Vipasana Internatinal Academy written on it. No Car is allowed in the
Academy; however if you intend to enter as a student then a parking
space is provided till the course is finished. Inside the entrance there
are separate Registration Offices for Gents and Ladies. Once registered
for a course, you can walk to your allotted rooms or take a round of the
Ashram which is in close vicinity of Nature. From here you can also see
the Vipasana Pagoda and the Meditation Cubicles around it.
A day in Ashram :
Early Morning Morning Meditation in the Meditation Hall or your
own room. Its done at 04:00 o'clock in the morning.
After Breakfast at 08:00 a.m.; meditation in the hall till 11:00
a.m.
Rest and lunch at 01:00 p.m. and then meditation till 05:00 p.m.
At 06:00 p.m. Group mediation till 07:00 p.m. and then watching
video recording of Goenkaji is shown.
Dinner and rest at 08:00 p.m.
The Concept/Ideology
Vipasana is seeing things as they are. Its a type of Buddhist
Meditation Technique in which a person stills his mind and achieves a
sort of tranquility. It is a technique which was used by Gautam Buddha
while meditating. Its a process of self realization by self realization.
In Vipasana one controls his breath, develops concentration. On
developing concentration one moves through observing various body
changes, thus purifying body and soul.
In this technique there is no Guru, one has to practice on his own.
However there are guides who help you carry out the various practices.
The Concept of Vipasana
Its not doing Yoga - its a process of listening of silence. One you
join a Vipasana, your contact with the world is pulled out. For the
beginners, there is a 10 Days course. Each day the to be yogi sits in
silence for 10 hrs, there is no communication - even with the fellow
students. In a typical Vipasana Program there are 3 steps which one has
to follow:
Practice abstaining from actions which are thought of as harmful -
stealing, lying, killing, sexual misconduct and using intoxicants.
Secondly, for the first three and a half day one has to practice
Anapana Meditation, thus controlling the breath and the mind.
Thirdly and lastly, for the next six days you have to practice
Vipasana - achieving total control on mind. Throughout the course, you
will be guided as to what needs to be done and how it needs to be
done.
There are certain neccesities which are to be followed during the
course like all sorts of prayer, worship, counting beads etc. are
abstained from. Any sort of meditation/healing/spiritual practices are
dicontinued and everyone has to respect this form of meditation. A Noble
Silence of speech, communication of any sorts - written, verbal, gesture
and signs are not permitted. Even reading and writing are not allowed.
Our Suggestions
- Vipasana International Meditation has different
rules, some of which are not found in any other Ashram. If you
consider joining Vipasana Meditation Program, then you have to
follow them. Enquire in detail before enrolling yourself for such
course.
- The minimum number of days of the Vipasana
Course is 10 days. During this time there are possibilities that you
may be cut off from the outside world - even your family members.
members.CheckCheck it out.
- Separate Rooms are given to the students and no
fee is charged - either for the course or the stay.
- Igatpuri is 136kms from Mumbai and 44 kms from
Nasik. You can hire a Cab to reach here or take a direct train from
Nasik.
- Valuables ane Medicines are not allowed.
However, if you do bring some valuables, they are deposited at the
entrance and given back when you leave the Centre. If you are bound
to take Medicine, then you can bring them along after telling the
teacher about it. Use of Mobiles is also not permitted.
- Take along necessities like mosquito repellents,
torch, lock and key.
- Its a Strictly Vegetarian place and one has to
abide by it. Smoking, chewing tobacco and taking snuff are not
allowed at any cost.
- Vipasana Ashram does not charge anything for its
services. Its a NGO and runs solely on donations. But still, be
Clear about the Membership Fee at the first place.
- For any other assistance, feel free to talk to
us.
