Dhamma Makaranda

Dhamma Makaranda ('nectar of the flower of Dhamma'), a Pali name given by S. N. Goenka, was the first Vipassana meditation centre built in Latin America. It is in San Bartolo Amanalco, State of Mexico, a few kilometres from Valle de Bravo in the highlands of central Mexico, about two hours' drive west of Mexico City. Its 3-hectare plot, donated by old students, lies on the edge of a small community next to a pine and oak forest. The first 10-day courses were held there in October 2003; before then, courses in Mexico were held at rented sites. The centre's directions put it about ten minutes by car beyond the town of Amanalco. By bus, travellers take a Valle de Bravo bus running 'vía Amanalco' from the Observatorio terminal in Mexico City or from Toluca, and then a taxi from Amanalco. The centre is owned and operated by the Mexico Vipassana Foundation. It holds 10-day, Satipatthana Sutta and 3-day courses, taught in Spanish and English. As of 2026 the centre is raising donations for a new student residence with private bathrooms, the first stage of its master plan.

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).