Dhamma Cakka

Dhamma Cakka, meaning 'Wheel of Dhamma', is the Sarnath centre near Varanasi, at Khargipur village (Piyari post office, Chaubepur). It is a short distance from the Deer Park, where the Buddha gave his first discourse, the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta: dhamma.org gives the distance as 3.5 km, the centre's own site as 4.5 km. The Dhamek Stupa in the Deer Park marks the spot, and the area around it has the Mulagandha Kuti Vihara, with its paintings of the Buddha's life, and monasteries built by several countries. The centre's first course was held in September 2004. Its site says it holds two 10-day courses a month, as well as Satipatthana Sutta courses, Special 10-day courses and 20-day and 30-day courses for experienced old students; the schedule also includes short courses for old students, 7-day courses for teenagers and children's courses. Courses are taught in Hindi and English.

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).