California Vipassana Newsletter

Vipassana Meditation As Taught By S. N. Goenka in the tradition of Sayagyi U Ba Khin

February 2013, Issue 37: http://www.mahavana.dhamma.org/os/news/archives/

Dhamma Manda
Inside this issue:
Northern California 1 Vipassana Center California Vipassana Center South Bay Vipassana Hall 3 6

Northern California Vipassana Center

News & Events

CYO Vipassana Course during the Holiday Season

The eighth annual year-end 10-day Vipassana course at CYO camp in Occidental was completed on January 1, 2013. This is the largest 10-day course offered outside of India. About 260 students were happy to take this opportunity to immerse themselves in Dhamma for 10 days in the redwood forest of Northern California. Four teachers, seven course managers and two dozen kitchen servers reaped the benefits of Dhamma service in this natural setting. Many others played a significant role in preparing the site and planning for this large course.

The course went smoothly, and NCVC will continue our relationship with this excellent facility. We hope that this annual tradition will continue to help spread Dhamma for years to come. NEW CYO Camp Spring 2013 Course For the first time during the spring, a large 10-day course will be offered in Occidental at CYO in 2013. The dates are May 29 - June 9, 2013. Please see the course schedule to apply to sit or serve at courses in Northern California. To apply to sit or serve the May 2013 CYO course please visit: http://courses.dhamma.org/en-US/ schedules/schmanda

Southern California 7 Vipassana Center Children's and Teens' Courses Bilingual Courses Local Group Sittings Pariyatti Learning 11

12 13 14

International News 14

NCVC Restructures Its Loans

A $500,000 loan to NCVC, which was made with no interest and with no interim payments, allowed the center to invest its surplus dana during the last three years in further growth and development rather than in making loan payments. The Dhamma Manda Board of Directors (Trust) has decided to repay this generous short-term loan and replace it with one or more long-term loans. NCVCs Finance Committee is seeking fully amortized, new loans for a period of at least 15 years, bearing a reasonable rate of interest. The committee will consider loans from commercial sources or individualsfrom old students or nonstudents. Anyone interested in making such a loan may contact treasurer@manda.dhamma.org for further information. These loans will be handled with the same strict confidentiality as is afforded to donations. Once the new loans replace the $500,000 loan, monthly payments are expected to add up to about $50,000 annually. The Trust hopes that old students will make monthly pledges which together will cover the monthly payment, thus allowing Dhamma Manda to continue to grow and make improvements that will contribute to greater comfort for students and servers as well as an increase in residential capacity. Any old student interested in finding out more about making a monthly pledge may contact treasurer@manda.dhamma.org.

Improvements to the Men's Entrance to the Dhamma Hall

Many Projects Accomplished in 2012

Rain Protection for the Women's Entrance to the Dhamma Hall
One of the newest Vipassana centers in the United States, Dhamma Manda made great progress in 2012. We built a new office, an interview room, and male server accommodations. Other upgrades to the Kelseyville site include new signage, a new generator, tent platforms, rain protection for a Dhamma Hall entrance, an enclosed

compost storage area, and beautiful new landscaping. Plans for 2013 include improvements in female student and server accommodations as well as many other indoor and outdoor projects that will give students more comfort and support during courses. All old students are welcome to get involved. If you would like to receive updates on service opportunities, subscribe to the Dhamma Manda "announce" email list by sending an email to announcesubscribe@manda.dhamma.org.

Outreach Committee Help Needed

Dhamma Manda is seeking old students with writing, graphic design and photography skills to support the center's outreach efforts. Most of this Dhamma service can be done from home, for example writing articles for this newsletter and helping write updates for Facebook and the Dhamma Manda website. If you are interested in this kind of service, please email us at info@manda.dhamma.org.

Dhamma Manda Student Residences in the Fall

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Dhamma Mahavana
California Vipassana Center
News & Events

Dhamma Service Benefits

For a group of Dhamma servers at the California Vipassana Center, the start of the new year fell on Day 7 of their course. Giving service is such a rewarding experience, offering first-time as well as experienced servers a wonderful opportunity to develop their 10 paramis in a supportive course atmosphere. These fortunate servers took some time after the course ended to reflect on the value of their course service. Here is what they had to say: Working for Dhamma "My experience serving the 10-day over the New Years holiday with my partner was amazing - for my meditation practice, building my Vipassana meditator community and getting an invaluable opportunity to bridge my meditation practice into daily life. I could feel the power of Dhamma working through us and supporting the course, our practice and the bonding of the Dhamma servers." I Received More "The 10 days service at North Fork was a great experience. Each and every person serving was generous, helpful and kindI have sat 5 courses and this was my fifth

10-day course served, but my first at CVC. Thanks for the opportunity to contribute. I do, however, feel I received more than I gave." Sink or Swim "During the 10 days service, I worked hard in the kitchen. It was really fun. At the end of the 10 days, I was physically tired but mentally and spiritually energized. I told a Dhamma brother, "I have trouble walking to the hall because my feet are tired and at the same time, I feel I would like to jump into a pool and swim a mile."" Real Life on a Course "During my very first 10-day Dhamma service this past December where my wife and a few of our friends were sitting the course I came into the course believing that serving in the kitchen would be mentally easy in an environment where every single person is working towards the same goal of providing the hardworking meditators with as much material comfort as possible there. But here too, just as in the outside world, there are moments of tension, great joy and new friendships These, in turn, bring about sensations which one is then able to directly observe during the group sittings and learn from, shedding light into

the effortless nature of this practice and simultaneously demonstrating the great difficulty in achieving effortlessness. I believe that serving on a course has taught me a lot, and in some instances, perhaps even more than sitting a course." Long Term Service: Getting Stronger "My husband and I just completed two months of long-term service, sat two courses and served three. This was my sixth 10-day course I've served. Our purpose was to get established in the technique and build a stronger foundation of meditation in our daily life. If you can imagine exercising every day for two months how strong your body would feel. Since the focus at the Dhamma center is training and exercising the mind, you can imagine how my mind received the same benefits of strength. We have seen a lot of positive change in ourselves and how we relate to each other since arriving back home. Serving has helped me to use the technique to handle the challenges I face in my daily life. It's a really good experience to be working in the kitchen and then stop what you are doing to go and meditate. It's helpful in daily life to learn how to incorporate meditation into our busy lives. Serving has also helped me understand and apply the technique of Metta for myself, other people and situations I face in my life. Metta is a powerful tool, and its great to experience the benefits of applying it into my work and daily life. Of course I still face storms, challenges continue to come up every day, but at this moment (which is all I have) I feel more confident and optimistic for a brighter and better life. Meditation has become a natural and important part of my daily life, and I'm so grateful for the opportunity to grow and build strength of mind at the Dhamma centers. Plus, the people I've served with feel like family at end of the course. I learned

something valuable from each person I've served with, and some have become dear friends and have been really supportive in my life. Serving is like the other side of the coin on the path. I highly recommend it. :)"

Next Dhamma Service Period - February 11-19

All old students who have completed a 10-day course in this tradition are welcome and encouraged to participate full-time or part-time in this service period. It is a wonderful way to deepen ones practice by giving selfless service in the supportive Dhamma environment at the center. During service periods students deepen their practice by also participating in three daily group meditations, practicing noble speech while interacting with fellow meditators, and hearing special discourses. Currently at CVC, there are many painting projects to be completed as well as projects requiring carpentry, electrical work, cleaning, cooking, plumbing and other fix-it skills. You are also always welcome to arrange to come up to the center outside scheduled work periods if you see a project you want to help with, or just want to serve. The more hands the better! A full list of service projects at Dhamma Mahavana can be found at: http:// service.na.region.dhamma.org/taxonomy/ term/2

Dhamma Mahavana on Facebook

Visit http://www.facebook.com/ DhammaMahavana and become a friend of CVC ! Regular updates, pictures and interesting news are posted on this page.

Annual Trust Retreat March 23-24

The Annual Trust Retreat at Dhamma Mahavana, CVC, will be held from March 23 to 24 this year. Anyone who has completed a 10-day Vipassana meditation course in this tradition is welcome to attend and participate in the trust retreat. Servers are also needed to cook for the retreat participants. Trust meetings and the Annual Trust Retreat provide excellent opportunities to learn how decisions are made and see how the center is able to administer up to 20 courses annually to more than 2,000 students a year. All this work is achieved through the efforts of volunteers, just like you, serving Dhamma. If you would like to attend, please send an email to registration@mahavana.dhamma.org. Include your full name and the dates you will be attending.

Spring at Dhamma Mahavana!

Pagoda elements ready for shipment

One-Day Courses in Northern California

http://www.mahavana.dhamma.org/public/courses/oneday/norcal-sched.htm 2013 One Day Courses San Francisco 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

http://www.mahavana.dhamma.org/public/ courses/oneday/norcal-sched.htm San Francisco 6555 Geary Blvd. San Francisco, CA 94121 408-425-6452 Berkwood Hedge School 1809 Bancroft Way Berkeley, CA 94703 415-250-6727 (3rd Sundays) February 17 March 17 April 21 Saturday, Feb 9 Sunday,March 10 (1st Sundays and 3rd Saturdays) Sunday, Feb 3 Saturday, Feb 16 Sunday, Mar 3 Saturday, Mar16 Sunday, Apr 7 Saturday, Apr 20

Berkeley 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

South Bay 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

South Bay Vipassana Hall Garrett Business Center, 3375 Scott Blvd. Suite 432 Santa Clara, CA 95054

SBVH
South Bay Vipassana Hall, Santa Clara
News & Events
The South Bay Vipassana Hall serves the old students of Vipassana meditation as taught by Mr. S.N. Goenka in the Bay Area by hosting one-hour group sittings, three-hour sittings, one-day courses, and trust meetings. For more information, to view the schedule of activities at SBVH and to find directions, click here: http://www.mahavana.dhamma.org/sbvh

Dhamma Vaddhana
Southern California Vipassana Center
News & Events

What's Going On at SCVC?

The upcoming year at Dhamma Vaddhana, SCVC, will offer a full schedule of 10-day courses. Among these are a variety of bilingual courses including Farsi, Khmer, Mandarin, Vietnamese and the first Sinhalese course at SCVC. For bilingual courses, priority admittance will be given to those students who speak the language being offered. For old students only, there will also be several 3-day courses available this year, as well as three Satipatthana Sutta Courses for those who are ready to take their practice to a deeper level. The Satipatthana Sutta Courses are open to serious old students who have sat (not including courses served) at least three 10-day courses, have not been practicing any other meditation techniques since their last 10-day course, have been practicing this technique of Vipassana for at least one year, and are trying to maintain their meditation practice and the five precepts in their daily lives--at the minimum from the time of applying to the course. To apply for courses, please visit the course schedule at http://courses.dhamma.org/en-US/ schedules/schvaddhana

Iranian AT Coming to North America

As a result of the efforts of some Iranian old students in Southern California, an assistant teacher will be coming from Iran to North America to conduct four bilingual Farsi/ English courses to be held this year. This assistant teacher first conducted a few courses at Dhamma Giri for Iranian meditators who went to India from Iran around 1996-1999. In 1999, Goenkaji asked him to return to Iran and spread Dhamma there, in the same way Sayagyi U Ba Khin had requested Goenkaji to go to his homeland of India. He went back to Iran in 1999 and began conducting separate 10-day courses for men and women. Since then, he has been working tirelessly, translating all the books, discourses and course materials into Farsi, as well as conducting course after course in Iran, all while having to constantly deal with a government that does not understand the concept of meditation. He is a great source of inspiration to the Farsi-speaking Vipassana community, and it was their biggest wish to have him come to the USA and conduct bilingual courses for Iranians who can't go back to Iran for different reasons, or who may be elderly or recent immigrants. For details on Farsi/English courses in 2013, please see page 12. Farsi speakers and servers are encouraged to take advantage of these wonderful opportunities to experience the benefits of Dhamma in their native language.

Construction of a new residence for female servers

Development Update
Construction has begun on a new residence for female servers, which will offer 10 private rooms as well as overflow accommodations for female students when necessary. During the grading process for the new building, the parking area for students was also expanded. External road work as mandated by the local jurisdiction will soon begin, including improvements to the highway directly in front of the center property and paving the road up to the center entrance. It is hoped that the road work will be completed at approximately the same time as the female servers building, and that the new building will be ready to be occupied by the summer. A plan is also being submitted to the city planning commission to allow for unpaved internal driveways and parking lots, based on the center's rural zoning. This will allow the natural environment of the center to be preserved. To donate online toward the continuing development of Dhamma Vaddhana, please visit http:// www.vaddhana.dhamma.org/os/contributions.htm (id: oldstudent; password: behappy). If you are interested in offering a loan or making a monthly pledge to support SCVC, please contact the treasurer at treasurer@vaddhana.dhamma.org

Dhamma Service Opportunities

A service period will take place at SCVC from February 15-18 involving general cleaning and maintenance. If servers register with some particular maintenance skills, specific projects can be prepared for them. Assistance preparing meals in the kitchen will also be needed. To apply to participate please go to http://www.dhamma.org/en/ schedules/schvaddhana.shtml If you would like to find out about other service opportunities as they come up, you can join SCVCs Dhamma Service listserv by sending an email request to dhammaservice@vaddhana.dhamma.org

Teachers Self-Course for Old Students Completed

A special course took place at SCVC from November 21 to December 2. The Teachers SelfCourse (TSC) was attended by old students who are committed to the practice of Vipassana Meditation as taught by S. N. Goenka, and who are helping significantly in the spread of Dhamma. It took place concurrently with the time that S. N. Goenka was sitting his own annual self-course in India. The students followed the 10-day course format, but worked more independently and the atmosphere

was very serious. At the end of the course, the students listened to a live feed from India of Goenkaji chanting and giving Metta at the end of his own course. At 89 years old, he continues to inspire students of Vipassana all around the world.

Trust Meetings
The monthly meeting of the Southern California Vipassana Center Trust is the forum where continuing operations and development of Dhamma Vaddhana are discussed. It is an excellent opportunity to learn and also to become involved in whatever way you are available. It is a good opportunity to plug into a variety of committees, including housekeeping, maintenance and landscaping. There are also many jobs that can be done from home. Trust meetings are currently scheduled on the following Sundays: February 10, March 17, April 14 On each of these dates, a group sitting begins at 9:00 a.m. and the Trust meeting runs from approximately 10:15 - 12:15. Please see the Trust Meetings/Minutes page on the website to review previous months' discussions: http:// www.vaddhana.dhamma.org/os/meetings-minutes.htm

One-day Courses in Southern California

An updated schedule of one-day courses available at www.vaddhana.dhamma.org. Directions are available at the website. You can also visit: http://www.dhamma.org/en/schedules/schvaddhana.shtml
2013 One-Day

Course Schedule (Click here) Dhammajoti Meditation Center 4436 Walnut St. Baldwin Park, CA 91706 Quaker Meeting House 1440 Harvard St. Santa Monica 90404 San Diego Hospice 4311 Third St. San Diego, CA 92103 4201 Long Beach Blvd, Suite 102 Long Beach, CA 90807 13731 Olive Street Westminster, CA 92683 Saturdays 9 a.m. 4 p.m Mar 2, May 4, July 6 Saturdays 9 a.m. 4 p.m Feb 23, Mar 23, May 18, July 27 Saturdays 9 a.m. 4 p.m Feb 9, Mar 9, Apr 13, May 11, June 8 Sundays 9 a.m. 4 p.m. Feb 24, April 28, June 30 Sundays 9 a.m. 4 p.m. Feb 9, Mar 2(English/Hindi), Apr 13, May 18, June 15

Baldwin Park

Santa Monica

San Diego

Long Beach

Orange County Vipassana Hall

www.vaddhana.dhamma.org - Please visit the website for calendar of events, service opportunities, and development news. Please check the old student pages at the site regularly to stay informed. (username: oldstudent. password: behappy)

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Childrens and Teens' Courses in California

Childrens Courses offer young people an introduction to Anapana meditation, the practice of observation of natural breath to concentrate the mind. Young people who have started practicing this technique have realized many benefits. Their ability to concentrate is enhanced, their memory gets sharper, their ability to comprehend a subject improves, and they become calmer. In general, they feel they have a practical tool to use in the face of any type of adversity or challenge. South Bay Vipassana Hall (Santa Clara) February 2 An Anapana course for boys and girls ages 8 to 12 years old will be held in Santa Clara. For information and application, or to apply to serve, please visit: http://www.mahavana.dhamma.org/public/ children/reginfo.htm Dhamma Mahavana (North Fork) February 16-17 Two separate Teens Anapana courses, one for girls and one for boys ages 13 to 17 years old, will be held in North Fork. For information and application, or to apply to serve, please visit: http://www.mahavana.dhamma.org/public/ children/reginfo.htm Dhamma Manda (Kelseyville) March 23-24, 2013 An Anapana course for boys and girls 8 12 years old will be held in Kelseyville. For information and application, or to apply to serve, please visit: http://courses.dhamma.org/en-US/ student_apps/new_app? course_id=20993&location_id=1357

Quotes from children who have completed Anapana courses: "I am not going to argue with my mom anymore" What I liked most about this course was the beautiful stories and I loved meditating"

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Bilingual Courses in North America

Ten-day course materials have been translated into many world languages, enabling bilingual courses to be held worldwide from South America, to Africa, to the Middle East, to all corners of Asia. Whenever possible, these bilingual courses are conducted by an assistant teacher who speaks the language that is being supported. If no assistant teacher is available who speaks the language, the courses are run with the support of translators. North American bilingual courses are conducted in both the specified language as well as in English - including instructions, discourses and question-and-answer sessions. This reduces language barriers for students whose first language is not English, and allows for deeper understanding of the technique and teachings. Servers, especially bilingual servers, are needed for all these courses. In 2013, bilingual courses will be offered in the U.S. and Canada in the following languages: Burmese, Farsi, Hindi, Khmer, Mandarin, Sinhalese, Thai and Vietnamese. For more information, please see the schedule of bilingual courses below.

Dhamma Surabhi, British Columbia, Canada http://courses.dhamma.org/en/schedules/schsurabhi Phone: 778-785-4080 _______________________________________ August 7 - 18, 2013 Dhamma Torana, Ontario, Canada http://courses.dhamma.org/en/schedules/schtorana Phone: 416-342-6229 _______________________________________ For more information on Vipassana in Farsi, please visit http://www.iran.dhamma.org/ Those who might have further questions and/or need assistance in Farsi with registration may call any of the following numbers: 949-350-6858 323-683-5240 310-398-5455

Hindi/English Vipassana Course

July 10 - 21, 2013 Dhamma Torana, Ontario, Canada http://courses.dhamma.org/en/schedules/schtorana Phone: 416-342-6229

Khmer/English Vipassana Courses

September 4 - 15, 2013 Dhamma Mahavana, North Fork, CA http://courses.dhamma.org/en-US/schedules/schmahavana Phone: 559-877-4386 _______________________________________ September 25 - October 6, 2013 Dhamma Vaddhana, Twentynine Palms, CA http://courses.dhamma.org/en-US/schedules/schvaddhana Phone: 760-362-4615 _______________________________________ August 14 - 25, 2013 Dhamma Dhara, Shelburne Falls, MA http://courses.dhamma.org/en-US/schedules/schdhara Phone: 413-625-2160 _______________________________________ May 22 - June 2, 2013 Dhamma Suttama, Qubec, Canada http://courses.dhamma.org/en/schedules/schsuttama Phone: 514-481-3504

Burmese/English Vipassana Courses

June 26 - July 7, 2013 Dhamma Dhara, Shelburne Falls, MA http://courses.dhamma.org/en-US/schedules/schdhara Phone: 413-625-2160 ___________________________________________ July 23 - August 3, 2013 Dhamma Mahavana, North Fork, CA http://courses.dhamma.org/en-US/schedules/ schmahavana Phone: 559-877-4386

Farsi/English Vipassana Courses

June 26 - July 7, 2013 Dhamma Vaddhana, Twentynine Palms, CA http://courses.dhamma.org/en-US/schedules/ schvaddhana Phone: 949-350-6858 ___________________________________________ July 10 - 21, 2013 Dhamma Mahavana, North Fork, CA http://courses.dhamma.org/en-US/schedules/ schmahavana Phone: 559-877-4386 _______________________________________ July 24 - August 4, 2013

Mandarin/English Vipassana Courses

April 17 - 28, 2013 Dhamma Vaddhana, Twentynine Palms, CA http://courses.dhamma.org/en-US/schedules/schvaddhana Phone: 760-362-4615 May 1 - 12, 2013

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Dhamma Kunja, Onalaska, WA http://courses.dhamma.org/en-US/schedules/schkunja Phone: 360-350-1985 ______________________________________ June 12 - 23, 2013 Dhamma Dhara, Shelburne Falls, MA http://courses.dhamma.org/en-US/schedules/schdhara Phone: 413-625-2160 _______________________________________ July 24 - August 4, 2013 Dhamma Torana, Ontario, Canada http://courses.dhamma.org/en/schedules/schtorana Phone: 416-342-6229

Sinhalese/English Vipassana Courses

May 8 - 19, 2013 Dhamma Vaddhana, Twentynine Palms, CA http://courses.dhamma.org/en-US/schedules/ schvaddhana Phone: 760-362-4615

Thai/English Vipassana Courses

Download a Thai-language course flyer at http://www.mahavana.dhamma.org/ thai/2013_Thai_Eng_courses_in_US.pdf _______________________________________ June 19 - 30, 2013 Dhamma Siri, Kaufman, TX http://courses.dhamma.org/en-US/schedules/schsiri Phone: 972-962-8858 _______________________________________ July 31 August 11, 2013 Dhamma Kunja, Onalaska, WA http://courses.dhamma.org/en-US/schedules/schkunja Phone: 360-350-1985 _______________________________________ August 21 - September 1, 2013 Dhamma Mahavana, North Fork, CA Regsiter Online: http://courses.dhamma.org/en-US/ schedules/schmahavana Phone: 559-877-4386 For questions and course-related support in Thai, Lao or English please visit http://www.mahavana.dhamma.org/ thai/ Email: info-thai@na.region.dhamma.org Phone: 815-361-7514

schvaddhana Phone: 760-362-4615 _______________________________________ March 27 - April 7, 2013 Dhamma Patapa, Jesup, GA http://courses.dhamma.org/en-US/schedules/schpatapa Phone: 770-456-5385 _______________________________________ April 17 - 28, 2013 Dhamma Siri, Kaufman, TX http://courses.dhamma.org/en-US/schedules/schsiri Phone: 972-962-8858 _______________________________________ May 8 - 19, 2013 Dhamma Torana, Ontario, Canada http://courses.dhamma.org/en/schedules/schtorana Phone: 416-342-6229 _______________________________________ June 26 - July 7, 2013 Dhamma Mahavana, North Fork, CA http://courses.dhamma.org/en-US/schedules/ schmahavana Phone: 559-877-4386

For questions and course-related support, please visit http://www.mahavana.dhamma.org/vietnamese/ Email: info-vietnamese@na.region.dhamma.org Canada phone number: 514-331-3619 U.S. phone number: 214-233-6641

Attending Local Group Sittings

In the 10-day discourses, Goenkaji explains that practicing Vipassana together with other old students provides support and encouragement in developing a regular meditation practice. For this reason, old students all over the world organize group sittings to practice together weekly. These sittings provide valuable opportunities to strengthen your Vipassana practice by sitting with fellow Vipassana meditators. Old students have group meditations in their homes throughout California and Arizona. Check the link below for the daily, weekly and monthly group sitting nearest you, and contact the host for information. Official group sittings are only for those who have taken a 10-day course with Mr. S.N. Goenka or his assistant teachers. http://www.mahavana.dhamma.org/os/groupsit/index.htm Those old students who host group sittings have agreed to follow specific guidelines to ensure that the sittings will be most beneficial for those attending them. To view the guidelines, or if you would like to host a group sitting,

Vietnamese/English Vipassana Courses

March 6 - 17, 2013 Dhamma Vaddhana, Twentynine Palms, CA http://courses.dhamma.org/en-US/schedules/

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click on this link: http://www.mahavana.dhamma.org/os/groupsit/ guidelines.htm

inspiration and practice. A Vipassana meditator may recognize these suttas from various discourses of S.N. Goenka. ETP includes weekly lessons expected to be posted regularly for the next few years. Additionally, the PLC has discussion forums and an online chat functionality built in -- the hope is that these interactive tools will bring a sense of community to the class and make it more engaging for participants. You can learn more and enroll in the course at learning.pariyatti.org.

Subscribe to NCVC and CVC Email Listservs

Want to know whats happening at the nearest Vipassana center, keep up with Dhamma service opportunities, or attend group sittings in your area? Join our email listservs to receive occasional regional reminders. Subscribing is easy! Just send a blank email to the addresses listed below and you will be added to the listserv. You may unsubscribe at any time by following the instructions at the end of listserv emails. NCVC Announcements announce-subscribe@manda.dhamma.org CVC Dhamma Service Opportunities service-announce-subscribe@mahavana.dhamma.org San Francisco and Berkeley Events announce-sf-subscribe@mahavana.dhamma.org South Bay Vipassana Hall Events announce-sbvh-subscribe@mahavana.dhamma.org Childrens and Teens Courses announce-cc-subscribe@mahavana.dhamma.org CVC Announcements announce-northfork-subscribe@mahavana.dhamma.org

International Vipassana Newsletter

The December 2012 issue of the International Vipassana Newsletter is available online at: www.news.dhamma.org username = oldstudent password = behappy The December issue is also available as a printable PDF file containing some of the material that has appeared on our website since October. In this PDF issue: - Excerpt from writings of Sayagyi U Ba Khin - Report on Teachers Self-Course and Assistant Teacher meeting - Selected questions and answers from a 10-day course International News - Latest from New York City, New Zealand, Germany, Bulgaria and Egypt Also on our website: Words of Dhamma, Dhamma story (with audio), Q&A (with audio), more about Sayagyi U Ba Khin, Day Three discourse summary, photo slide shows, and more. The online International Newsletter site is updated every few weeks as we have new material to post. Every three to four months, we publish some of that material in a printable PDF issue. Please check regularly for updates, or subscribe to our RSS feed to receive notification automatically whenever we post something. You can also subscribe to receive email notification when a PDF issue is published. Please also consider contributing material for posting. It could be a news story, photos, your own reminiscences or more. Write to editor@news.dhamma.org.

Pariyatti Learning Center

The Pariyatti Learning Center (PLC) is an on-line training and resource center provided by Pariyatti (pariyatti.org). The PLC courses are conducted via an on-line learning tool used by many universities today to communicate with students and to distribute notes and on-line class materials. There are two Pli language courses available. The first is an Introduction to Pli which includes a variety of tools to help the student learn grammar, pronunciation, and declensions as well as some lessons related to the Pli used by S.N. Goenka during a 10-day Vipassana course. The second course, Exploring the Sacred, Ancient Path in the Direct Words of the Buddha (ETP), is an applied Pli course, involving working through select sutta translations. ETP presents suttas intended to enable readers to deepen their

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