Course 1: Diploma Course in Buddhist Studies – Vipassanā Theory & Practice

Online One-year course conducted by VRI in collaboration with Philosophy Dept., Mumbai University.

Primary objective: The course caters to both- new meditators as well as long-time meditators. This course gives insight into the theoretical aspect of the Teachings of the Buddha. It includes an overview of the practical bases and scientific thought that support the technique of Vipassanā mediation.

Course Duration: One Academic Year (weekly sessions every saturday)

Eligibility: Minimum Old SSC or HSC or minimum 12 years of education. Only those are eligible who have done at least one ten-day Course of Vipassanā as taught by S.N. Goenka ji, in the tradition of Sayagyi U Ba Khin.

Tution Fees - ₹2600 for Indian Students as per the terms of the University of Mumbai.

International students will register directly with VRI.

Topics Covered:
  1.Introduction to Pāli literature. 
  2.Life and Spiritual Quest of the Buddha. 
  3.Detailed explanation of Core Teachings of the Buddha. 
  4.Councils and the role of patrons. 
  5.Places related to Life of the Buddha.
  6.A few Pāli Suttas from Tipiṭaka.
  7.Complete understanding of Ānāpāna and Vedanā.
  8.The applied aspects of the technique: Management, Mental health, Ayurveda etc.

Group-presentations by students are an important part of this course.
All sessions are conducted by expert faculty of VRI.

Exam: An online exam would be conducted and a written assignment on a chosen topic has to be submitted at the end of the course, on the passing of which a certificate would be issued by the university for Indian Students And International Students will receive certificate from VRI.

Course Dates: August 2026 to April 2027

Course Days: Every Saturday

Course Time: 09:00 am. - 01.00 pm. (IST)

Course Platform: Virtual platform (Zoom)

Status: Admissions Closed

Courses Related Enquiry:

For any queries, please send a message on WhatsApp to the VRI Office Mobile Number: +91 96192 34126

Or email us at: baljeet@philosophy.mu.ac.in , enquiry@vridhamma.org

Course 2: Advanced Diploma Course in Buddhist Studies – Vipassanā Theory & Practice

Online One-year course conducted by VRI in collaboration with Philosophy Dept., Mumbai University

Primary objective: The course caters to those who have passed Diploma Course in Buddhist Studies – Vipassanā Theory & Practice (Course 3) and wish to go more in depth of the Teachings. Students are encouraged to read from the original words of the Buddha compiled in ‘Tipiṭaka’.

Course Duration: One Academic Year (weekly sessions every saturday)

Eligibility: Passing Certificate of Diploma Course in Buddhist Studies – Vipassanā Theory & Practice. Only those are admitted who have passed Diploma Course in Buddhist Studies – Vipassanā Theory & Practice

Tution Fees - ₹2600 for Indian Students as per the terms of the University of Mumbai.

International students will register directly with VRI.

Topics Covered:
  1.Detailed explanation of the teachings of the Buddha from the Pāli Suttas. 
  2.In-depth study of the concepts on which Vipassanā is based and strengthening of the practice can be done. 
  3.The spread of teachings in other countries. 
  4.Art and Architecture inspired by the life events of the Buddha. 
 5.The applied aspects of the technique: physical health, stress-management, inter-personal relationships and world peace etc. 

Group-presentations by students are an important part of this course. 
All sessions are conducted by expert faculty of VRI.

Exam: An online exam would be conducted and a written assignment on a chosen topic has to be submitted at the end of the course, on the passing of which a certificate would be issued by the university.

Course Dates: August 2026 to April 2027

Course Days: Every Saturday

Course Time: 02.00 pm to 06.00 pm (IST)

Course Platform: Virtual platform (Zoom)

Status: Admissions Closed

Courses Related Enquiry:

For any queries, please send a message on WhatsApp to the VRI Office Mobile Number: +91 96192 34126

Or email us at: baljeet@philosophy.mu.ac.in , enquiry@vridhamma.org

Course 3: Introduction to Vipassana Meditation (ITVM)  

Online short-term course conducted by VRI in affiliation with Mumbai University.

Primary objective: The course caters to the curiosity of those who wish to get introduced to and understand the technique & benefits of Vipassanā meditation as taught by the Buddha and brought back to India by Principal teacher S.N. Goenka ji.

Course Duration: 3-month course (12 weekly sessions every sunday)

Eligibility: Minimum Old SSC or HSC or minimum 12 years of education. Preference would be given to those who have not done any 10-day Vipassanā course in the tradition of S.N. Goenka ji.

Tuition Fee: No Fee

Topics Covered:
  1.Life and Spiritual Quest of Buddha. 
  2.Introduction to Ānāpāna Meditation & Vipassanā Meditation. 
  3.Introduction to the Teachings of the Buddha. 
  4.Applicability of Vipassanā Meditation for Children & Teenagers, for householders, for professionals.
  5.Introduction to 10 day Vipassanā Courses. 

All sessions are conducted by expert faculty of VRI.

Exam: An online exam would be conducted at the end of the course, on the passing of which a certificate would be issued by the university.

Course Dates: 13-Sep to 13-Dec, 2026

Course Days: Every Sunday

Course Time: 10.00 am - 01.00 pm. (IST)

Course Platform: Virtual platform (Zoom)

Status: Admission Open - Last date of application - 06-Sep, 2026

https://forms.gle/XSsby3aqHBG9VAZu9

Courses Related Enquiry:

For any queries, please send a message on WhatsApp to the VRI Office Mobile Number: +91 96192 34126

Or email us at: vrionlinecourses@vridhamma.org , enquiry@vridhamma.org

 Course 4: Abhidhamma in Daily Life (ADL)

A Non-Residential weekly Course in hybrid mode (in class and online). Short-term course conducted by VRI in affiliation with Mumbai University.

Primary objective: The course caters to the curiosity of those who wish to understand the subtler teachings of the Buddha, Abhidhamma, and learn more about this mind-matter phenomenon.

Course Duration: 3-Month Course (12 weekly sessions every sunday) plus exam after completion of 12 weeks (within 2 weeks after completion of 12 weeks)

Eligibility:

1. University requirement: SSC or HSC or minimum 12 years of education.
2. VRI requirement: Completed Advance Diploma in Vipassanā conducted by VRI, and completed at-least one Satipaṭṭhāna course in the tradition of S.N. Goenka ji.
   OR
   Completed at-least one 20 Days Course in the tradition of S.N. Goenka ji.

Tuition Fee: As per our tradition of offering Dhamma only out of pure volition of Bahujana Hitāya, Bahujana Sukhāya, there is no Fee for the Abhidhamma Sessions. Attendees may, however, donate as per their volition, if the Sessions seem beneficial.

VRI does not charge any fee for any of its services. All expenses are met from donations.
Donations made to VRI are eligible for 100% tax deduction benefits under Section 35 (1) (iii) of the Indian Income Tax Act,1961.

Topics Covered: 
    1 Introduction to Abhidhamma concept as found Pali literature
    2 Concept of Abhidhamma with respect to Vipassana Meditation
    3 Qualities of mind as found in Tipitaka
    4 Method adopted to purify the mind in canonical literature 
    5 Qualities of purified mind in relation with Brahma vihara
    6 Application of Abhidhamma in Daily life

Exam: (Online-Exam) An exam would be conducted at the end of the course, on the passing of which a certificate would be issued by the university.

Medium of Instruction: Only Hindi

Course Dates: 2025 Course completed, next batch will start in 2026

Course Days: Every Sunday

Course Time: 1.00 - 5.00 pm (IST)

Venue: (Hybrid) Auditorium 2, Global Pagoda Campus, Mumbai & Online Zoom Platform

Admission Process Stages: Admission will start in Oct/Nov 2026
Status:  Course Completed

Courses Related Enquiry:

For any queries, please send a message on WhatsApp to the VRI Office Mobile Number: +91 96192 34126

Or email us at: vrionlinecourses@vridhamma.org , enquiry@vridhamma.org

 Online Pali - Hindi Certificate Course - Discontinued

VRI no longer offers online Pāli Courses. It now offers only Residential Pāli Courses. Details of all courses are available at Residential Courses | VRI Academics

For self learning visit Pali Learning portal of VRI:
https://palilearning.vridhamma.org/

Online Pali - English Certificate Course - Discontinued

VRI no longer offers online Pāli Courses. It now offers only Residential Pāli Courses. Details of all courses are available at  Residential Courses | VRI Academics

For self learning  visit Pali Learning portal of VRI:
https://palilearning.vridhamma.org/

The Pali Primer written by Lily de Silva | Vipassana Research Institute

Morning Chanting Online Sessions – Hindi

VRI is pleased to announce Online Sutta Sessions in English for the benefit of Long Course students.

Objective of VRI: To enhance awareness of theory (Pariyatti), which will ultimately assist the meditator in meditation practice (Paṭipatti).

Language: Hindi

Eligibility: Applicants must have completed at least two 30-day Vipassana Meditation Courses conducted by Pujya Goenkaji or an Assistant Teacher appointed by him.

Course Dates:

Schedule:

• Every Friday at 10:00 AM (IST) – Access to one Sutta will be provided.

• Every Thursday at 10:00 PM (IST) – Access to that Sutta will be closed.

During this period, you may watch or listen to the session at your convenience.

(There are a total of  13 sessions; therefore, the course will continue for approximately three months.)

Application Form:

Please click on the link below and fill out the application form for registration:

https://forms.gle/EZ2UDBEew8Ck6R8KA

Important Note while filling the form: Please log in using a Gmail account.

Fees: As per our tradition of offering Dhamma only out of pure volition of Bahujana Hitāya, Bahujana Sukhāya, there is no Fee for these Sessions. Attendees may, however, donate as per their volition, if the Sessions seem beneficial.

VRI does not charge any fee for any of its services. All expenses are met from donations.
Donations made to VRI are eligible for 100% tax deduction benefits under Section 35 (1) (iii) of the Indian Income Tax Act,1961.

Status: Admissions Open

Course Start Date: 18 September 2026

Courses Related Enquiry:

For any queries, please send a message on WhatsApp to the VRI Office Mobile Number: +91 96192 34126

Or email us at: pali@vridhamma.org , enquiry@vridhamma.org

Morning Chanting Online Sessions – English

VRI is pleased to announce Online Sutta Sessions in English for the benefit of Long Course students.

Objective of VRI: To enhance awareness of theory (Pariyatti), which will ultimately assist the meditator in meditation practice (Paṭipatti).

Language: English

ELIGIBILITY:- 

• Long-course meditators.
• Must have completed at least two 30-day courses on or before 30th September 2026.

PLATFORM:- Zoom Live Sessions (Online)
Time: 7:00 PM IST onwards (approximately 1–2 hours each day)

LANGUAGE:- English only

WORKSHOP DURATION:- 20th –30th September 2026
SCHEDULE:- 20th September 2026 (Day 0)

• Orientation Session
• General information and course guidelines

21th–30th September 2026:- The following suttas will be covered during the workshop.

• Jinapañjara Paritta (including Aṭṭhavīsati Paritta), as chanted by Guruji
• Mahāsamaya Sutta (including all discourses related to the Mahāsamaya Sutta)
• Dhajagga Sutta
• Mahāthera Bojjhaṅga Sutta
• Karaniyametta Sutta

FACULTY:- The LCMC Sutta Session may be conducted by one or more faculty members from VRI.

Application Form:

Please click on the link below and fill out the application form for registration:

https://forms.gle/6hLdDzLPcS7tf6Yn6

Important Note while filling the form: Please log in using a Gmail account.

Fees: As per our tradition of offering Dhamma only out of pure volition of Bahujana Hitāya, Bahujana Sukhāya, there is no Fee for these Sessions. Attendees may, however, donate as per their volition, if the Sessions seem beneficial.

VRI does not charge any fee for any of its services. All expenses are met from donations.
Donations made to VRI are eligible for 100% tax deduction benefits under Section 35 (1) (iii) of the Indian Income Tax Act,1961.

Status: Admissions Open

Courses Related Enquiry:

For any queries, please send a message on WhatsApp to the VRI Office Mobile Number: +91 96192 34126

Or email us at: pali@vridhamma.org , enquiry@vridhamma.org

The Dhammapada – Selected Gāthās and Stories

VRI is pleased to organize a One-Day Non-Residential Comprehensive Symposium.

Background 
The Dhammapada, a collection of 423 gāthās (verses) in the Khuddaka Nikāya, presents the essence of the Buddha's teachings in a practical and inspiring way. Its timeless wisdom offers guidance for cultivating wholesome qualities, understanding the law of kamma, and living a life of harmony, happiness, and peace.
This workshop explores selected gāthās and their traditional stories, highlighting their practical application in daily life. It is ideal for anyone wishing to deepen their understanding of the Buddha's teachings and integrate them into daily life.

May this offering support the preservation of the Buddha's teaching in its purity and be of benefit to many.

Event Details 

Date: Sunday, 27th September 2026

Time: 09:00 AM – 06:00 PM 

Venue: Auditorium 2, Global Vipassana Pagoda Campus, Gorai, Borivali (West), Mumbai

Language: Hindi / English

Eligibility:
The workshop is open to participants who have completed at least one 10-Day Vipassana Course conducted by Shri S. N. Goenka or any of his Assistant Teachers.

Faculty:
Sessions will be conducted by faculty members of the Vipassana Research Institute (VRI).

Registration:  

https://forms.gle/FtCCprzHzcchyFPr9

Last Date to Register: 18th September 2026

Participation Fee: Free of Charge

Enquiries
WhatsApp: +91 96192 34126
Email: pali@vridhamma.org