Dhamma Dhara--Vipassana Meditation Center

I don't believe anyone there goes to schools to teach children, but children's courses are held from time to time on the center property! See the course schedule for details.

It is wonderful to be inquisitive and want to learn more. However, sometimes our knowledge or our brain gets in the way of the essence of meditation - observing things as it is and makes simple things unecessarily complicated. That was what happened to me. In the 10- day course, it teaches you step-by-step how to meditate in this tradition. It also has discourse every night to satisfy the needs of our brains to understand. Just prepare yourself to have an open mind and commit to finish the 10-day course. You will do fine and get benefit from it. It is great that you start the journey on Vipassana meditation. Wish you all the best.

Yes, ofcourse, you can do it as many time you can find time for it. Same structure followed wherever you do it.

Anything of value is not free. Pure Dhamma is priceless - it is NOT free. Your cost to stay and learn has been paid by others that took the course before you. Similarly after you complete your course, out of compassion for others when you make your donation it will pay the cost for other students that follow you. Thus you don't develop ego - expecting services, quality for the "fees" you pay in advance. Generally people will not ask you directly to make a donation. There is no set amount. If you feel that you benefited from the course, then you donate per your capacity and goodwill.

That sounds like a very good practice.

Yes, upon arrival and check in you will have the opportunity to deposit your valuables.

Yes, you need to apply online. Dhamma.org

No, the reason to go to a meditation centre is purely for spiritual gains. If he plans to go to meditate they will accomodate him best they can with his diet. If he wants to cure his diabetes then I recommend looking at this https://youtu.be/CPdoDkUrfXM

This is more spiritual. To remove defilements in the mind.

Hi Richard, Registration is from 2-5pm. Please send all requests/needs to the email addresses in your acceptance email. See you soon!

Yes, when you attend a 10-day course, both meals and accommodation are provided at no charge. After you attend one 10 -day course and become an old student in the tradition, you can serve at the center or attend courses and the center provides meals and accommodation free of charge as well.

No public transportation to the center. But greyhound, or Amtrak offer services to the nearest town Greenfield. It is about 15 minutes ride from Greenfield to the center. You can call for taxi service from there. Usually you can find people for carpool at Greenfield if you take Amtrak. There is useful transportation information on the webwite as well.

It was a great experience, like Joshua said u will understand the reason for the silence. I don't not want to give anything away to take away from your experience if you are going to this retreat. It is definitely worth it! It is an Eye opening experience that i feel everyone should undertake.