Support the First Vipassana Center in Austria
Since 1997, Vipassana meditation courses have been held in Austria. In recent years, six non-center courses have been offered annually, each welcoming around 130 participants and 20 Dhamma servers. Every course received more than twice as many applications as there were places available — a clear sign of growing interest in Dhamma.
Yet access to suitable course locations has remained limited. After a decade-long search, a significant step forward was taken in 2017 when a property was acquired in the quiet hills of Rechberg, Upper Austria. This marked the beginning of Austria’s first permanent Vipassana center: Dhamma Mudita.
In spring 2024, construction began on the first accommodation buildings and a temporary kitchen and dining area. Thanks to the dedicated work of volunteers and professionals, these are nearly complete. A temporary meditation hall — transformed from the former “garden hut” — is preparing to host up to 60 meditators when the regular course programme at the center will start in late May 2025. But before the gong sounds for the first 10-day course, there’s still much to be done.
Dhamma Mudita is growing — and your Dana helps it flourish. As we move beyond the first phase, further development depends on continued support. Every offering of time, skill, or funds brings the next stage closer to reality.
As of the end of April 2025, Dhamma Mudita is experiencing an unexpected financing gap due to unforeseen circumstances. To help meet upcoming payments to building companies for completed work, support would be deeply appreciated to bridge a shortfall of €250,000. The Austrian trust warmly welcomes any expressions of Dana or short-term loans (now also with a minimum of 1 year) that will assist during this time. In a beautiful gesture of generosity, an old student has also offered to match any donations received until the end of May, doubling the impact of each offering.
May all who offer their time, energy, or volition at Dhamma Mudita grow in wisdom and compassion. May all beings benefit and be happy.
You can learn more about Dhamma Mudita’s plans HERE. Should you have the volition to support the Austria fund: you will receive a U.S. tax-deductible receipt upon donating*.
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If you have any problems or questions with your donation you can reach us at donations@vcf.dhamma.org
*Note that VCF can also receive dana in the forms of: cash, check, wire transfer, crypto currency, securities, or other complex donations. Feel free to reach out to us if you would prefer to donate via one of these alternative methods. Also, VCF allocates 2% of any international donations to the admin fund to help cover any operational & legal costs related to international giving.
MAKE A DONATION
Austria Fund
You will receive a U.S. tax-deductible receipt upon donating.
Birds eye view of temporary Dhamma hall before the expansion and phase 1a.
Rendering of construction for Accommodations and Kitchen planned for phase 1a.
New accommodation buildings, temporary kitchen, dining area and Dhamma hall – making progress on the 1a construction phase.
Temporary Dhamma Hall or the “garden hut” before its expansion.
Construction planned for the 1a phase nearing completion with the Dhamma hall on the left.
Final stages of the expanded Dhamma Hall.
Completed accommodation buildings from the 1a construction phase.