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About Dhamma Maṇḍa

Dhamma Maṇḍa means "the essence of Dhamma" in Pali. It is one of numerous centers worldwide dedicated to the teaching of Vipassana Meditation as taught by S.N. Goenka in the tradition of Sayagyi U Ba Khin. The center is also identified as the Northern California Vipassana Center (NCVC) which had its beginnings as the Mendocino Vipassana Association in the 1980s.

Dhamma Maṇḍa is in the Cobb mountain area of Lake County, situated in the north west of California, nestled among seventeen acres of mature pine, fir, and oak trees and is approximately a two and a half hour drive north and east of San Francisco; one and a half hours east of Santa Rosa; and two and a half hours west of Sacramento.

The property is approximately 2,500 feet above sea level and experiences the full range of seasonal changes and weather. The site offers quiet hillside walking paths and vistas of calm meadows among towering pines.

“Dhamma Maṇḍa” is a newly opened center and began offering 10-day and 3-day courses in 2008. During the first phase of NCVC’s development, several already existing buildings were converted to residential housing use, a new Dhamma Hall was built and a new kitchen and dining room were built and made operational. Since then the center offers a full schedule of courses for both old and new students.

CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS AT DHAMMA MAṆḌA

Dhamma Maṇḍa is working on a floor plan for converting the existing office and storage area into a server's dormitory. This will be a major improvement for the center's ability to serve the Vipassana community. The planting of flowering bushes and improvements to the walking paths continue to enhance the facility. Cleaning, painting and other projects further develop the facility and create an atmosphere students come to enjoy not only during the courses, but when giving service during our regularly scheduled work periods.

(Information updated: June, 2011. This section is refreshed every quarter, so check back to find out what is currently going on at NCVC)

Location of the center