Inclusivity

Diversity

The Vipassana Meditation Center, Dhamma Dharā, welcomes everyone to our courses. We embrace and respect diversity of everyone, including all colors, identities, genders, religions, backgrounds, and cultures. Despite our unique lives and lived experiences, when we come to a Vipassana course we are united by a common purpose: to discover the way to self-transformation through self-observation.

Non-sectarian Program

Although this teaching comes from Gotama the Buddha, it is presented in a non-sectarian format. The Buddha was not interested in converting people. He had found the Path to the end of suffering and his only interest was to share this with others. It is the same today. The cause of suffering lies within each of us, and we only need to look inside to find its solution. This works for anyone regardless of their origins or traditions. And that is what you will learn here.

Languages

On every course we have many students whose native language is not English. Course materials are available in almost 50 languages and some courses are bilingual.

Gender Diversity

People of all sexual orientations and gender identities are welcome to our courses.

The campuses at all the meditation centers in this tradition are separated into a men’s side and a women’s side. This extends to the residential accommodations, the walking areas, the dining rooms and the meditation hall. This structure is designed to reduce the tension that derives for the majority from the mixing of genders.

We recognize this doesn’t work for everyone and that sometimes members of the queer, trans, gender-nonconforming, and intersex community may not feel comfortable on either side of the campus. If being in a space with binary gender separation is a concern for you, please let us know when you apply to the course so that we can try to arrange a space for you that is as safe and undistracting as possible while you meditate. You can let us know how you identify in the section of the application where we ask, “Anything you wish to add to the above information?” We will contact you and collaborate together on a plan that works for you. Your private information is kept confidential for the teacher of the course and for accommodation arrangements only.

Physical Health Needs

Some applicants may have a unique requirement because of a health issue, physical limitation, pregnancy or a medical dietary restriction. If you have a special need, please describe it in the section of the application form “Anything to you wish to add to the above information?”

We can supply back support or chairs for meditation for those who need it.