Dhamma Pala

 

Dhamma Pala is one of the many centres around the world dedicated to the practice of Vipassana meditation as taught by Shri S. N. Goenka.

 

Dhamma Pala means one who protects Dhamma. It is situated at Bhopal, the capital city of Madhya Pradesh, India and was established in May 2009. Prior to this, gypsy camps were being organized in and around Bhopal, since 1984.

Rev. Shri S. N. Goenkaji’s visit to Bhopal in November 1995 gave an impetus to Dhamma activities in the region. He was the State Guest of Government of M.P. during his visit and delivered a talk at the Chief Minister’s residence, which was attended by the Governor, Cabinet Ministers, MLAs and senior administrators. Besides this, three public lectures were delivered by him to huge local audiences. All this set the tone for the Centre to eventually come about in 2009.

Dhamma Pala & Sanchi

The Buddhist Vihara, famous for its Great Stupa is located at Sanchi Town in Raisen District of the state of Madhya Pradesh, India, 46 km north-east of Bhopal.

Dhammapala is 46 km from Sanchi famous for the Great Stupa, which is the oldest stone structure in India and was originally commissioned by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BC. Its nucleus was a simple hemispherical brick structure built over the relics of the Buddha.

The Stupas of Sanchi are a silent witness in stone to the immortal teachings of the Buddha, which have withstood the ravages of time. They commemorate the far sighted efforts of the visionary Ashoka, his wife and offspring in preserving the teachings of the Magnificent One for posterity, for us.

Meditators can take advantage of meditating at Dhamma Pala due to its close vicinity to Sanchi. In hindsight, this hardly seems fortuitous; as also the fact that Rev. Guruji named it Dhamma Pala, the protector of Dhamma.

Residential meditation courses are held here throughout the year. Dhamma Pala is managed by the Madhya Pradesh Vipassana Samiti, a Registered Charitable Trust.

Set up on 5 acres of land, the Centre is ensconced in beautiful, quiet surroundings, covered by lush, evergreen forests. It presently has a Dhamma Hall, a mini Dhamma Hall, single room residential accommodation with attached bathroom for 40 male and 30 female meditators, Teacher residences, Dining Hall and staff residential quarters. All rooms for male/female meditators, the Dhamma hall and Teachers residences are air-cooled.

The Ideal Centre is the one which has – individual Cells to meditate. Dhammapala Centre has constructed a Pagoda having 116 Individual Cells & every cell is Air Cooled.

Construction of additional residences and Dhamma halls etc. is also being taken up shortly.

Owing to well planned gardening and tree plantation, the Centre has a soothing green look all year round. The Centre enjoys perennial water supply and regular power availability. A water treatment plant has been established and UV purified drinking water is provided. There is a power back up system in the form of a 12.5 kva diesel generating set.

Apart from a schedule of 19 to 20 Ten day courses for new as well as old students, two Satipatthana courses are being organised every year. Besides, 7 day Teenager Courses – separately for Boys and Girls once in a year, One Day, two day, and three day courses for old students and children courses for the Age group from 12 Yrs. to 16 Yrs. & 8 Yrs. to 12 Yrs. are regularly organised. There are other activities like Parichay Sammelan (Introduction to Vipassana programmes) for non meditators and Dhamma server workshop for old meditators.

A City Office situated at Arera Colony Bhopal, manages the registration and correspondence for all such courses and programmes at the Centre, and is the contact and co-ordinating unit for the same.