Vipassana Courses in Guatemala: VCF is delighted to receive the final report from Vipassana Guatemala on the grant they received in January 2024. With great dedication, the local team organized three 10-day courses, one Satipatthana course, and two 3-day courses, serving a total of 279 students last year. It is truly inspiring to see such determined efforts to spread the seeds of Dhamma, especially in countries where centers are not available yet. Their commitment ensures that more people have the opportunity to walk on the path of liberation. Swipe through to see glimpses of the beautiful venues where these courses took place and the bright faces of students walking this path together! #VipassanaGuatemala #VipassanaCommunityFoundation #vipassana #metta #behappy #meditation #dhamma

Updates from Dhamma Pamoda, Israel: Nestled near the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan River, Dhamma Pamoda—meaning “The Joy of Dhamma”—is surrounded by serene date palm plantations and a nearby nature reserve. This wonderful 10-acre property, just two hours from central Israel, offers a truly inspiring environment for practice. The center accommodates up to 75 meditators and servers. With the dedicated efforts of old students, Dhamma Pamoda hosts over 25 courses annually, including long courses and special courses. To help sustain these invaluable courses, VCF has provided one grant this past year—made possible entirely through the volition of old students—to support essential operational costs, including water, electricity, property tax, loan repayment, kitchen expenses, maintenance, and gardening. This collective Dana ensures that the Dhamma continues to flourish in Israel. May all beings share in the joy of Dhamma! #VipassanaIsrael #vipassana #meditation #metta #dhamma

Grateful for Your Support to Dhamma Rasa: With deep gratitude, we share the joyful news that the settlement for the Dhamma Rasa property was successfully completed on January 15, 2025. Thanks to the boundless generosity of many, the 39.5 acres of serene land are now secured, bringing us one step closer to establishing the first dedicated long-course center in the Asia-Pacific region. To mark this milestone, old students gathered for the inaugural group sitting in an existing building on the property—filling the space with metta. We will continue to share updates on the Dhamma Rasa fund page as more details emerge from the local team: https://vcf.dhamma.org/australia-rasa Let us take a moment to appreciate this wonderful accomplishment and share merits with all who have contributed to this step toward strengthening the practice of Dhamma. #vipassana #dhamma #meditation #DhammaRasa #VipassanaAustralia

News from Côte d’Ivoire, Africa: We are delighted to share wonderful news and photos from Africa: a significant milestone has been reached in Côte d’Ivoire! The first Vipassana course in the country was successfully organized, marking a beautiful step forward in the spread of Dhamma in the region. The local team worked with dedication, skillfully managing resources to create a harmonious and sustainable environment for the course. Their efforts culminated in a serene setting that truly supported the practice of sila, samadhi, and panna. This achievement was made possible through the volition of old students and their unwavering commitment to Dhamma. We extend our gratitude and metta to all who contributed to this inspiring milestone. #VipassanaAfrica #metta #vipassana #dhamma #meditation

Soil Preparations and Designs Completed at Dhamma Janani, Nepal: Nestled at the birthplace of Gotama the Buddha, Dhamma Janani (“Mother of Dhamma”) holds deep significance for Vipassana meditators. Hosting 19–20 courses annually, the center serves 800–1,000 students and is expanding on a recently received 43,560 sq ft plot just north of its current site. With the support of VCF grants, significant progress has been made: soil preparation, testing, and designs for the Dhamma Hall, Pagoda, and meditation cells are now complete. Construction of the boundary wall and Dhamma Hall is already underway, marking the next phase in this inspiring journey of growth. The photos reveal a glimpse of the comprehensive master plan taking shape. Learn more about Dhamma Janani here: https://vcf.dhamma.org/dhamma-janani #DhammaJanani #VipassanaNepal #metta #meditation #vipassana #dhamma

An Update from Dhamma Sela in Colorado: Bringing a new Vipassana center to life is an inspiring journey that requires immense dedication and collaboration. The Rocky Mountain Vipassana Association has been steadfastly working to make this vision of Dhamma Sela a reality, responding to the growing demand for courses in Colorado with persistence and care. In the past six months, the collective effort was focused on the water distribution system. Two 20,000-gallon cisterns were procured, delivered, and placed on-site. A solar-powered well pump was installed, and the cisterns were connected to an underground piping system. This crucial infrastructure ensures both potable water and fire safety for the center. VCF is honored to support the Rocky Mountain Vipassana Association on this journey. Our deep gratitude goes to the old students whose generosity and dedication made this progress possible.

Updates from Dhamma Sukhada (Argentina): VCF is excited to give you an update on Dhamma Sukhada—and the significant strides they have made in upgrading their electrical infrastructure as part of old student support via VCF. The center’s growing needs—such as heating and cooling systems for meditators and servers, and essential kitchen equipment—pushed its electrical capacity to the limit. The first stage of the upgrade is now complete: a new, more powerful transformer has been installed, stabilizing the power supply for the center. The second stage remains to be completed, which involves connecting the Dhamma Hall to its own dedicated power source. This will further enhance the reliability of the center’s operations, especially during peak seasons. #vipassana #VipassanaArgentina #metta #meditation #DhammaSukhada #dhamma

Dhamma Suriya (Peru) Progress Update: With the unwavering support of the old students, VCF has had the opportunity to provide grant funding to Dhamma Suriya over the past few years. In the last grant report that we received from them, Dhamma Suriya confirmed that the dining hall roof debt has been cleared, and work is underway on the second housing module for male students. With the female accommodations completed, the center now hosts 36 students and is on its way to expanding to 48 places. Such growth is possible through the tireless efforts of old students–an inspiring reminder of how collective volition can pave the way for Dhamma to flourish. #vipassana #DhammaSuriya #VipassanaPeru #meditation #metta

Long Course Center for Asia-Pacific: Support needed before January 15th The Dhamma community is at a pivotal moment: the establishment of Dhamma Rasa (Nectar of Dhamma), the first dedicated long-course Vipassana center in the Southern Hemisphere. This extraordinary opportunity to secure 40 acres of land next to Dhamma Rasmi in Queensland, Australia, however, must be finalized by January 15th, 2024—less than two months away. Dhamma Rasa will offer Special 10-day, 20-day, 30-day, 45-day, and 60-day courses, giving old students a unique space to deepen their practice. Its location in the Asia-Pacific region is ideal, addressing practical challenges like visa limitations and opening the door for students from countries like China, Japan, and Southeast Asia. Over the past year, old students have been contributing dana to make the long course center a reality. However, to date, while 75% of the dana needed has been raised, there is still a shortfall of approximately $340,000. And if the dana deadline is not met, then sadly the opportunity for a dedicated long course in the Southern Hemisphere will be lost at this time. Any contribution, whether large of small, will help Dhamma Rasa secure this property and bring this center to life — ensuring deeper practice opportunities for generations to come. To learn more, visit: https://vcf.dhamma.org/australia-lcc #meditation #vipassana #metta #dhamma #VipassanaAustralia #DhammaRasa

Vipassana Grows in Northern Ethiopia: We are delighted to share the latest update from Tigray, Ethiopia, where the second Vipassana course concluded successfully in August 2024. This course welcomed 53 participants, a mix of new and old students, who came together to deepen their understanding of Dhamma. Amid challenges, including a shift in attendee numbers and high venue costs, the Dhamma continues to take root in this region, fostering growth and resilience. The local meditators are making significant progress. Committees have been formed to focus on course planning, translation efforts, and finance management. Though financial challenges remain, the determination of the community is stronger than ever. The team from Ethiopia is also exploring more affordable venues to ensure future courses can continue and more people can experience the benefits of Vipassana. Your continuous mettā and support make all of this possible, bringing the practice of Dhamma to those who need it most. 🙏 #Vipassana #Metta #Meditation #VipassanaEthiopia #Dhamma

Update from Dhamma Ariya, Costa Rica: It’s inspiring to witness the progress of Dhamma in Costa Rica. Over a decade since the first course, Asociación Vipassana Costa Rica (AVCR) is making significant progress toward establishing the first center in Central America. Located on 34 acres in the Orosi Valley, this site is surrounded by Costa Rica’s largest protected natural reserve, just an hour from San Jose. With support from old students and VCF, Dhamma Ariya has completed key developments to welcome meditators. A bamboo camping structure, storage and workshop space, and essential shower and toilet blocks are now ready. The temporary Dhamma Hall has been extended, and a large Burmese gong now sounds, connecting students in Costa Rica to the tradition of Dhamma from Myanmar. Looking ahead, Dhamma Ariya's next steps include finishing the kitchen and dining hall, preparing to hold 10-day courses and welcoming both new and old students in the spring of 2025. You can learn more about their plans here: https://vcf.dhamma.org/costa-rica Let’s share our mettā for the continued growth of Dhamma Ariya, knowing that each step is rooted in danā, volunteer service, and shared volition. #Metta #Meditation #Dhamma #Vipassana #VipassanaCostaRica #VCF

Celebrating Two Vipassana Courses in Morocco: This August, two 10-day Vipassana courses took place in a serene location in Morocco, welcoming 103 students on their journey in Dhamma. Thanks to the support of generous old students, this peaceful space allowed old and new students alike to deepen their practice. We are deeply grateful for the volition of donors that made these courses possible in such a beautiful setting. 🙏 #Vipassana #VipassanaMorocco #Dhamma #Meditation #Metta

𝐃𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐚 𝐍𝐞𝐫𝐮 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝐀𝐜𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐧) We are happy to share that Dhamma Neru has successfully completed the purchase of an adjacent urban property. This marks an important step forward for the center's growth and for the spread of Dhamma in Spain and beyond. After almost a decade of planning and patience, this milestone has finally been achieved. With this new land, Dhamma Neru will be able to expand its facilities, allowing more students to experience Vipassana meditation in a comfortable and supportive environment. Planned improvements include new student accommodations, enhanced dining facilities, and dedicated rooms for old students and servers. For those interested in learning more about the future plans for Dhamma Neru, please visit: https://vcf.dhamma.org/spain May this progress benefit many! #DhammaNeru #Vipassana #Dhamma #MeditationCenter #VipassanaSpain #Metta

𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐃𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐚 𝐍𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐚’𝐬 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 Since 1998, Dhamma Nilaya has been a peaceful refuge for old students, particularly within the Khmer community near Paris. While it’s a smaller Dhamma house, it plays a vital role, offering space for one-day courses and children’s programs, helping meditators reconnect with the path of Dhamma. To continue serving this growing community, Dhamma Nilaya is beginning an important renovation and expansion project. Key improvements include: 1️⃣ Extending the roof to prevent water leaks. 2️⃣ Building a new dining hall to welcome more meditators. 3️⃣ Constructing a larger, more accessible Dhamma Hall for over 40 students, including those with mobility challenges. This project will help ensure that Dhamma Nilaya remains a serene and welcoming space for all who seek to deepen their practice. If you feel inspired to support this effort, learn more about it here: https://vcf.dhamma.org/france-nilaya Let’s continue spreading Dhamma together. 🙏 #DhammaNilaya #Vipassana #Dana #MeditationCommunity #VipassanaFrance #ServeTheDhamma #Metta

𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐔𝐩𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐃𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐚 𝐁𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐮, 𝐉𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐧 The reconstruction work at Dhamma Bhanu began in September 2023, focusing on rebuilding the dining hall and reinforcing other buildings to meet earthquake safety standards. The center offers a wide range of courses, including 17 10-day courses, 4 3-day courses, a 30-day course, a Satipatthana course, and a children’s course. These essential upgrades benefit over 1,200 students who attend courses at the center annually. As the project neared completion in May, Dhamma Bhanu reached out to VCF to help cover some unexpected additional expenses. We’re humbled to have contributed a small grant to support these expenses, allowing the center to finalize the project successfully. May the benefits of these improvements support many more students on their path toward liberation. 🙏 #Vipassana #Dhamma #Dana #OldStudents #DhammaBhanu #Meditation #SeismicReinforcement #Metta

𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐭 𝐃𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐚 𝐕𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐲𝐚, 𝐀𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐚 We are pleased to announce the successful completion of the new Assistant Teacher house at Dhamma Viriya, located in the beautiful Province of Córdoba, Argentina. This project is the result of the partnership and collaborative effort of Dhamma Viriya and VCF, and we are excited to share photos of this new space, designed to enhance the comfort and well-being of our visiting teachers. Since its inception in 2016, Dhamma Viriya has rapidly grown, hosting a wide variety of Vipassana courses to meet the increasing demand from meditators in Argentina and beyond. With the number of courses increasing each year, the center reached 15 10-day courses, two Satipatthana Sutta courses, multiple children courses and three long courses of 20 and 30 days in 2023. Up until now, Assistant Teachers stayed in a small room within the main house, with limited privacy and natural light. This new house offers a much-needed improvement, providing a comfortable and secure environment for the assistant teachers, who come from all over the world to serve the Dhamma. The newly completed structure is a modest but well-designed house with two ensuite rooms — one for male teachers and one for female teachers. Nestled away from the main student and server areas, the house offers peace and quiet, ensuring that teachers have a space to rest and recharge. The house is fully equipped with electricity, bottled gas, and a solar water heater, ensuring a sustainable and comfortable stay for all teachers. We are deeply grateful to all the old students whose donations made this project a reality. Your generosity ensures that Dhamma Viriya can continue to offer courses in a way that supports both the students and the teachers who selflessly serve the Dhamma. For a more detailed read, visit our blog: https://vcf.dhamma.org/blog/the-new-assistant-teacher-house-at-dhamma-viriya-argentina #vipassana #metta #vcf #dhamma #VipassanaArgentina #DhammaViriya

𝐕𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐂𝐮𝐬𝐜𝐨 𝐎𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝟏𝟎-𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐮 Since 2002, Vipassana Cusco has been dedicated to teaching Vipassana to around 500 students annually. Though still relatively new as an official association, they continue to make a profound impact in the region. In August 2023, the Vipassana Cusco association approached the VCF for a small grant, as donations from old students were not sufficient to cover all the costs associated with running courses. Thanks to the generous support of old students, they successfully held another 10-day course at the Sacred Valley Ashram, Cusco, from July 24 to August 4, 2024. We’re deeply grateful for your contributions, which directly supported the continued teaching of Vipassana in Peru. Thank you for making this possible! #dhamma #meditation #vipassana #metta #VCF #vipassanaperu

𝐏𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐲: 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐃𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐚 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢, 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐳𝐢𝐥 With deep gratitude for the generous support and volition of our old students, VCF is pleased to share the successful completion of two infrastructure projects at Dhamma Santi Meditation Center. The 1312ft (400m) access road to the center is now paved with concrete, enhancing accessibility for pedestrians and vehicles. Additionally, 492ft (150m) of internal access ramps were finalized, seamlessly connecting the dormitories to the dining room. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this project. Your dana and support are paving the way to a brighter future for all. As S.N. Goenka beautifully said: “People have changed through coming to Vipassana courses, and this is bound to happen because it is the nature of Dhamma. And when the individual changes, society will change. If even ten percent of society practice Vipassana and manifest their purity, goodwill, and mettā, they will start to attract more and more people, and the whole society will start changing. “ #Dhamma #Meditation #Vipassana #VCF #DhammaSanti #VipassanaBrazil

𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐃𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐚 𝐏𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐚 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 It has been a year since our last update about Dhamma Phala. Over this period, they have worked diligently on various construction projects, transforming the entire center. Many buildings, previously unfit for use, have been rebuilt, including dormitories, bathrooms, and now they are working on a new permanent dhamma hall. Currently, courses are being temporarily held in the dining hall which is a reflection of their strong determination. We’re excited to share some pictures from the Philippines to celebrate their remarkable progress. VCF is pleased to see the positive impact of our partnership with Dhamma Phala on the spread of Dhamma in the Philippines. #dhamma #meditation #vipassana #VCF #DhammaPhala #vipassanaphilippines