Bodhgaya Work & study

Study

Courses

Additional meditation courses to those below typically run from October through to March and are sometimes advertised at local restaurants and the Burmese Vihara.

Established by vipassana (the insight meditation technique of Theravada Buddhism in which mind and body are closely examined as changing phenomena) guru SN Goenka, the Bodhgaya Vipassana Meditation Centre (Dhamma Bodhi; 220437; www.dhamma.org) runs intensive 10-day vipassana courses twice each month throughout the year. The small compound is 4km west of town and runs on donations.

Three nine-day vipassana meditation and spiritual inquiry retreats are held by Insight Meditation Retreats (www.insightmeditation.org) from 7 January to 6 February at the Thai Monastery. Space is limited so book ahead. From mid-November you can inquire at the Burmese Vihara between 3pm and 4pm. Donations are requested.

The courses at the International Meditation Centre (2200707; per day Rs 100) are more informal and students can start and finish any time they choose, year-round.

The popular introductory 10-day meditation courses run by the Root Institute for Wisdom Culture (2200714; www.rootinstitute.com) go from late October through March and are excellent for beginners. A requested donation of Rs 5800 will cover your course, accommodation and meals. Intermediate level courses are also scheduled from December to February and, for serious students, a one-month Mahayana Vipassana retreat is organised during February. The institute also holds talks and meditation sessions that are open to all comers – the website has a full schedule.