Wheel of Dhamma

Bodhi Leaf

 
Pakasa
Dhamma Pakāsa, Pecatonica, Illinois, United States
Center Location: Website | Map
** Unless noted otherwise, course instructions are given in the following language(s): English

Surrounded by trees, grass and spring fed ponds, the center provides a supportive atmosphere where one can learn the practice of Vipassana meditation. This technique, discovered by Buddha twenty-five centuries ago, uses the breath and one's own body as the basis for developing concentration and insight. The courses provide a unique opportunity to direct one's attention inward, and set about a process of inner discovery through direct experience.
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DHAMMA PAKASA COVID-19 PROTOCOL - EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 2023

The Illinois Vipassana Center requires incoming participants to take the following precautions against Covid and Influenza, including the stomach flu. 

All participants must take a Rapid Antigen home test the morning of their arrival to the center.

Everyone coming to the Center for a course must

  • Arrive symptom free and be completely free of any Covid or influenza-like symptoms (sore throat, coughing, nasal congestion or fever) for at least 7 continuous days before arrival at the Center.
  • Take personal precautions against contracting Covid or flu for at least 7 continuous days prior to arrival. 
  • Some higher risk situations that are unavoidable may be permitted provided you wear N95, KN95 or KN94 masks fitted securely over mouth and nose at these times.  
  • Travel by public transportation is permitted provided it is domestic and you agree to mask continuously enroute using N95, KN95 or KN94 type masks fitted securely over mouth and nose.
  • Course participants may be required to wear a mask, well fitted over mouth and nose, during all or some of a meditation course. 

Please read this document BEFORE applying as it contains additional information and instructions you will need in order to attend a course. Dhamma Pakasa COVID Informantion and Instructions

*** Covid requirements for between-course Work Service Periods may differ and will be assessed on a case-by-case basis by the reviewing AT.

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A student may apply to no more than two courses. Any additional applications will not be processed.
CHECK SPAM/JUNK MAIL or you may miss important email communications. 
 
Teenagers' and Children's Courses
Courses for young people.
See Comments for any special instructions for events in this section.
No courses are currently scheduled.
 
Ten Day & Other Adult Courses
All ten day courses begin on the evening of the first day and end on the early morning of the last day.
See Comments for any special instructions for events in this section.
2025 Ten Day & Other Adult Courses
Attend / Serve Dates Course Type Status Location Comments
Apply Apr 30 - May 11 10-Day Women - Closed New Men - Wait List Old Men - Open Servers - Open Pecatonica
 
Non-Center Courses
Non-Center Courses
All old students must register online to attend one day courses in Ravenswood - Chicago.
Information about additional one-day courses is (or may be) listed on the Old Student portal of Dhamma Pakasa website:
 https://pakasa.dhamma.org/
No courses are currently scheduled.
 
 

The online application form encrypts your information before it is sent from your computer to our application server. However, it may not be totally secure even though encryption is used. If you are concerned about the possibility of security risks of your confidential information while it is on the Internet, do not use this form and instead download an application. Print and complete it. Then please send the form to the course organizers. By faxing or posting your application form it may delay the registration process by one to two weeks.


To access the Old Student Regional Site please click http://pakasa.dhamma.org/os. A user name and password will be required to access these pages.

Questions may be addressed to Email: info@pakasa.dhamma.org

All courses are run solely on a donation basis. All expenses are met by donations from those who, having completed a course and experienced the benefits of Vipassana, wish to give others the same opportunity. Neither the Teacher nor the assistant teachers receive remuneration; they and those who serve the courses volunteer their time. Thus Vipassana is offered free from commercialisation.

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.

Bilingual courses are courses which are taught in two languages. All students will hear daily meditation instructions in both languages. The evening discourses will be heard separately.

Meditation courses are held at both center and non-center locations. Meditation centers are dedicated facilities where courses are held regularly throughout the year. Before meditation centers were established in this tradition, all courses were held at temporary sites, such as campgrounds, religious retreat centers, churches and the like. Today, in regions where centers have not yet been established by local students of Vipassana who live in the area, 10 Day meditation courses are held at non-center course sites.


10-day Courses are an introductory course to Vipassana Meditation where the technique is taught step-by-step each day. The courses begin after a 2 - 4 pm registration period and orientation, followed by 10 full days of meditation, and end the morning of the 11th day by 7:30 am.