Dhamma Santi

Dhamma Santi ('peace of Dhamma') describes itself as the first Vipassana centre in Brazil and the oldest in Latin America. From 1994, courses in Brazil were held at temporary sites such as Catholic retreat houses, a borrowed farm and a rented guesthouse, until a group of old students bought land with a few buildings near Miguel Pereira, in Rio de Janeiro state. Work began in November 2002, and the first 10-day course, in May 2003, had 23 students. The centre is at Avenida Maria Luiza 2605, Sacra Família do Tinguá, in the municipality of Engenheiro Paulo de Frontin, 3.5 km along a road that starts cobbled and turns to dirt; it is on the same road as a federal education institute and is known locally simply as 'Vipassana'. Donations from old students have since enlarged the meditation hall to hold 120 people and added accommodation for men and women, including single rooms with their own bathrooms, and meditation cells. Long courses began in 2005, and a new kitchen, dining and office complex opened in January 2018. The centre's site says it now takes more than 100 students. Instructions are given in Portuguese and English, and as of October 2026 the schedule includes 10-day, 3-day and Satipatthana courses and long courses of 30 and 45 days. From Rio, Útil buses run from the Novo Rio bus station to Miguel Pereira and Vassouras, and the centre's directions suggest a taxi from either town.

How to apply

Apply online through the centre's page on dhamma.org (in Nepal, start from np.dhamma.org). New students must first complete a 10-day course, and there is no charge.

What is taught here

Donation-funded 10-day courses taught with S. N. Goenka's recorded instructions, in the line of Sayagyi U Ba Khin, at centres in Nepal and worldwide. Read about Goenka (U Ba Khin).