Dhamma Simanta

Dhamma Simanta (Dhamma Sīmanta, “Area of Dhamma”) is a Vipassana centre in the Goenka tradition. It stands in Pa Sang district, Lamphun province, about 40 kilometres south-west of Chiang Mai. Dhamma.org says it opened in December 2009.

The site covers about 8 hectares (50 rai; the Thai page says 49) among longan plantations, with hills around it. Dhamma.org gives English and Thai as the default languages of instruction unless a course says otherwise; at the time of checking only some three-day courses were marked Thai speakers only.

Besides the standard ten-day course, the schedule lists three-day courses for old students, a 20-day course, and Satipatthana Sutta courses. The 20-day and Satipatthana courses are for experienced students: the 20-day course requires at least five completed ten-day courses, according to the schedule page.

A ten-day course follows the format in the Code of Discipline. It spans twelve days counting arrival and departure. Students keep Noble Silence, meaning silence of body, speech and mind, until the morning of the last full day, with men and women kept apart. They take five precepts and see the teacher in set interview hours. Dhamma.org’s introduction describes the practice as starting with the natural breath and widening to the changing nature of body and mind. Recording devices and cameras are not allowed.

Courses run on donations only. Dhamma.org says gifts are accepted from people who have completed at least one ten-day course in this tradition, and a first-time student may give at the end. Applications go through dhamma.org, and Thai students apply through thai.dhamma.org.