Supporting the expansion of the first urban Vipassana center in North America

Dhamma Pubbananda — meaning “Joy of the East” — is the first urban Vipassana center in North America, offering courses in the tradition of Sayagyi U Ba Khin, as taught by S.N. Goenka. It sits on nearly 14 acres in a quiet residential neighborhood in Claymont, Delaware, within easy reach of New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC by bus and Amtrak. Since the Mid-Atlantic Vipassana Association acquired the long-abandoned property in 2013, grateful old students have restored it building by building into a place where about twenty 10-day courses are now held each year, along with courses for old students, children, and teens.

A center still growing

Each renovation has expanded what the center can offer. Building 1 opened in 2014 after initial renovations of the Dhamma hall, Building 2 added a commercial kitchen and dining halls in 2017, and Building 3 brought single rooms and the first meditation cells in 2020 — making 20-day courses possible. Interest has grown alongside: courses now generally fill within minutes of registration opening.

Phase IV is the next milestone: the renovation of Building 4, the last of the four original buildings. It will add 25 en-suite single rooms and 30 meditation cells, topped by a traditional Myanmar-built Zedi, along with a new seven-room server house and improvements to Buildings 1 and 2. Together these changes will give the center private rooms and meditation space for 60 students — close to a 50% increase from the 43 served today — and better facilities for those who serve.

Where things stand (2026)

Building 4 framing has begun and the Building 1 mudroom expansion is underway. Of the total cost of Phase IV, $1,200,000 is currently available and $1,500,000 remains to complete the work; at least $900,000 is needed to maintain momentum on Building 4. Every new room, meditation cell, and improvement supports the ability of future students to learn and practice Dhamma in a proper environment for years to come.

May all who offer their time, energy, or dana at Dhamma Pubbananda grow in wisdom and compassion. May all beings benefit and be happy.

Directing your danā

The Vipassana Community Foundation (VCF) serves as a bridge, helping old students direct danā to Dhamma projects such as this one, when direct giving isn’t possible or practical. VCF does not decide where funds go — danā flows only when an old student chooses to direct it, and giving through VCF complements giving to the center directly. Anyone with the volition to support is welcome to participate; no offering is too small to be meaningful.

Should you feel the volition to support Phase IV, you will receive a U.S. tax-deductible receipt upon donating. You can learn more and support the center’s plans by visiting the local website or using the VCF donation options available on this page.

With gratitude for the service and generosity that keeps the wheel of Dhamma turning.

MAKE A DONATION

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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.