There are Vipassana Meditation Centers in more than 90 countries of the world. A 10-day Vipassana course is organized at these centers. Vipassana is taught and practiced to the students for 10 days. 3-Day Anapana Course is also organized at some centers. Mumbai Vipassana Center, also known as Dhamma Pattana, is famous not only in India but all over the world. Let’s know a little about it.
Mumbai Vipassana Center (Dhamma Pattana) – An Introduction
The Mumbai Vipassana Center (Dhamma Pattana) is part of the Vipassana Global Pagoda. Vipassana Global Pagoda does not require any introduction. It is the highest capable Vipassana Pagoda in the world. In this, more than 8000 people can practice Vipassana at the same time. It took 11 years (1997–2008) to construct this magnificent site. Dhamma Pattana is located on the campus of Vipassana Global Pagoda itself.
Dhamma Pattana is located a few kilometers from Mumbai in a village called Gorai. It is a beautiful green place situated on a mountain. The peace and greenery here make our mind relaxed. Nearby is Excel World where children and older people come for fun.
In this article, we will get to know about Mumbai Vipassana Center (Dhamma Pattana) in detail. We will discuss the special places here in detail. We will also learn about rules, timetables, and courses to be conducted here.
Important Places At Mumbai Vipassana Center (Dhamma Pattana)
Entrance
To enter Dhamma Pattana, we have to use the Entrance of the Global Pagoda itself. If a person is stunned for a while by seeing this entrance, then it is not surprising.
This entrance can be compared to any entrance of the world. Seeing such a grand and beautiful gateway, we get an estimate of the greatness of Vipassana. Its beautiful workmanship makes us think for a while. The grandeur and beauty of the entrance can be gauged by the fact that hundreds of people gather to be photographed here.
Registration Area
It is a simple hall which has chairs and tables. Here the registration process of all the students who come for the 10-day Vipassana Meditation Course is done. This is a normal process and is the same at all Vipassana centers of the world.
In the registration hall, there are some employees of Mumbai Vipassana Center who register the students who have come for the course. Students are allotted their room during registration. In this process, students’ mobiles, laptops, tablets, etc. are deposited.
Student Residence
There is a good arrangement for students to stay in Mumbai Vipassana Center. The room here is full of amenities. Only one or two students stay in a room. The room has a bed, light, fan, pillow, blanket, and all facilities for daily needs. Every room has an air conditioner. There is a system of hot and cold water for bathing. The electricity is available 24 hours a day.
The student residence looks like a hostel from outside. A lift facility is also available to go up in this building of three floors. Students who have difficulty climbing the stairs can use the lift. Jars (20 liters) of mineral water are available for drinking on every floor.
Teacher Residence
This is the important place of the Mumbai Vipassana Center. Vipassana teachers stay here. The teacher has all facilities at the residence. No student (new and old) is allowed to visit this place. Only Dhamma Sevaks can come here.
The teacher sometimes calls new and old students at their residence and discusses the practice of Vipassana. Explains ways to improve practice. The teacher also tells about remedies for difficulties encountered during practice. But this decision is made by the teacher. Students cannot meet the teacher at their choice at the teacher’s residence.
Dhamma Hall
This is the most important place at the Mumbai Vipassana Center. Students coming to the Vipassana meditation course practice Vipassana in this hall. The positive energy of this hall strengthens our practice. As soon as we enter this hall, the atmosphere here overwhelms us.
This hall is very big. In this hall, there is a pedestal for the teacher on the front side. There are mattresses for the students to sit in front of the teacher’s seat. During the practice, Dhamma Sevaks are always present in the hall to ensure that the students follow the rules and discipline.
This hall has some rules. At the beginning of the course, students are given fixed seats to sit. Students’ names are printed on the mattress. Throughout the course, students have to practice sitting in their seats. If a student has difficulty sitting for a long time, then he/she can sit on the chair with the permission of the teacher.
Shunyagar (Cells)
This place is unique in itself. Shunyagar has small cells (cabins). All the students coming to the course practice Vipassana in these cells. The size of these cells is approximately 7×4 square feet. There are no lights and fans in these cells.
For the first three and a half days of the course, students are practiced Anapana. From the fourth day when the practice of Vipassana starts, students are allotted Shunyagar for the practice. First, only the old students are allotted these cells, then after a few days, the new students are also allotted cells for practice.
The experience of practicing Vipassana in these cells is of a different level. The peace and positive energy here reinforce the practice of Vipassana. Every Vipassana centers (except for a few sub-centers) have Shunyagar.
Walking Area
This place of Mumbai Vipassana Center is very beautiful and enchanting to the mind. Greenery and peace all around is a special feature of this place.
The students who come to the course take a walk here during the break. During the entire course, students are not allowed to do any kind of exercise. Students can only walk. Away from the noise of the city, a walk in the middle of nature removes the mental exhaustion of the students during the practice.
Park
There is a small park in the middle of the walking area. Various types of flowering plants are seen here. Students spend quiet moments here during breaks. Seeing the beauty of this park, it is natural to have respect in mind for the management of the Mumbai Vipassana Center (Dhamma Pattana).
Kitchen & Dining Hall
The kitchen and dining hall of the Mumbai Vipassana Center (Dhamma Pattana) meet every criterion in terms of quality and cleanliness. Seeing the hygiene of the kitchen, a feeling of respect for the management and employees arises. Only vegetarian breakfast and food are prepared here.
The dining hall here is spacious and well organized. Like the Dhamma Hall, the dining hall also has certain rules. Such as:
- During the entire course, students have to sit and eat at the allotted seat.
- After breakfast and lunch, students have to wash their utensils themselves and put them back in the right place.
- Noble silence has to be followed in the dining hall as well.
- Food does not have to be wasted.
Note: Dinner is not served to the students. This is one of the important rules of the course. But if dinner is compulsory for a student, he/she can meet the teacher and get permission.
How To Reach Reach Mumbai Vipassana Center (Dhamma Pattana)
Address Of Dhamma Pattana:
Inside Global Pagoda
Next To Esselworld, Gorai Village
Borivali (West), Mumbai
Maharashtra – 400091
India
Since Dhamma Pattana is located in Borivali (Mumbai), we have to come to Borivali first to come here. Borivali can be reached easily by Mumbai local train or bus. Borivali is a well-known place in Mumbai. It is easily accessible from any part of Mumbai.
From Borivali Station To Mumbai Vipassana Center (Dhamma Pattana):
After reaching Borivali station, get out from the West Side. There is a local bus stand very close to the station. Take bus number (No. 294) and reach Gorai Creek. Take a boat from Gorai Jetty to Esselworld. This boat reaches Esselworld in 25-30 minutes. On the way, we begin to get a glimpse of the Global Vipassana Pagoda. The boat takes us to Esselworld. The walking distance from Esselworld to Global Pagoda is just 5 minutes.
From Airport To Mumbai Vipassana Center (Dhamma Pattana):
Dhamma Pattana can be reached directly by catching a taxi or cab from the airport. Tell the taxi or cab driver the address of Esselworld. Just next to Esselworld is the Global Pagoda. Dhamma Pattana is Global Pagoda.
Timetable And Rules Of Mumbai Vipassana Center Center (Dhamma Pattana)
If we talk about timetables and rules, then they are the same at the Vipassana centers of the whole world. These rules are very strict and mandatory. Students coming to the course have to follow them. Dhamma Sevaks are always present at the center to ensure that the students follow these rules completely and properly.
Vipassana is a very rare technique. It requires hard work and discipline to learn. It is impossible to learn it without being in the discipline. The rules of the centers have been made to keep the students in the discipline so that the student can learn the vipassana and take benefits of Vipassana.
Read Detailed Article On Rules & Timetables Of Vipassana Center.
Courses At Mumbai Vipassana Center
10-Day Vipassana Courses are conducted at Dhamma Pattana. The course here is conducted only for Business Executives and Government Officials.
Process After Reaching The Center:
- Registration of students.
- Room allocation.
- The gathering of students in which information about the rules and timetables of the center is given.
- All students go to the Dhamma Hall.
- The course begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I Do Vipassana At Home?
Ans: Yes of course. After the 10-day course of Vipassana, you have to practice it regularly at your home. You decide the time of morning and evening for practice. In these two times, practice Vipassana regularly for 1 hour. Within a few days, you will feel the change inside you.
- What Do They Teach In Vipassana?
Ans: In vipassana, we are taught the right way to live life. In Vipassana, we practice changing the nature of our mind in real terms, not just by preaching.
In Vipassana meditation, we are first taught to feel the impurities (anger, greed, fear, etc.) hidden in the depths of our subconscious mind as bodily sensations. Then we are taught to root out all those impurities one by one by keeping our mind in equanimity. - What Happens During Vipassana Meditation?
Ans: Vipassana Meditation is a rare but simple technique. During Vipassana Meditation, we practice feeling the sensations arising on our body with equanimity. The more the mind gets set in equanimity, the sooner we are freed from the impurities of our mind. When we are freed from all the impurities one by one, then the door of our liberation opens.
- How To Apply For The Course?
Ans: To apply for the course, we have to fill the application form on the official website of Vipassana. During the application, we can fill in the name of our desired center. We are notified by email and phone a few days after applying. This information is given to us about 1 month before the start of the course so that we can make complete preparations.
- What Is The Goal Of Vipassana?
Ans: The goal of Vipassana is “to free us from the impurities of the mind forever”. Everyone wants to live a life of happiness, peace, and bliss. But the impurities hidden in our subconscious mind do not allow this to happen. In Vipassana, we practice eliminating those impurities of the mind from the root.
Conclusion
There are Vipassana Centers in more than 90 countries of the world where Vipassana Meditation Courses are conducted. The Mumbai Vipassana Center is one of the major centers of the world. Situated in Gorai village, this center is part of Vipassana Global Pagoda. Mumbai Vipassana Center is also known as Dhamma Pattana. The peace and greenery here relax the minds of the students.
There are many facilities available to reach Mumbai Vipassana Center (Dhamma Pattana). We can easily come here by boat or road. The registration hall, student residence, teacher residence, dhamma hall, Shunyagar, kitchen, dining hall, walking area, and park are the main places here.
The rules and timetables of the Mumbai Vipassana Center are very strict. Students coming to the course have to follow them compulsorily. Courses are held here only for Business Executives and Government Officials.
If you also want to live a life of bliss, free from the impurities of your mind, then apply for the course today. Apply for the Mumbai Vipassana Center and enjoy learning Vipassana Meditation in the beautiful and serene environment here.
Other Famous Vipassana Meditation Centers In India:
- Jaipur Vipassana Center (Dhamma Thali)
- Igatpuri Vipassana Center (Dhamma Giri)
- Delhi Vipassana Center (Dhamma Sota)
- Bangalore Vipassana Center (Dhamma Paphulla)
- Kolhapur Vipassana Center (Dhammalaya)
- Pune Vipassana Center (Dhamma Punna)
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