Dhamma Tapovana, meaning 'Grove of Dhamma' , was established on New Year's Day morning of year 2000, when Goenkaji and Mataji meditated with a few Vipassana students on the land adjacent to the southern side of Dhamma Giri. Thus was born one of the most significant projects for the teaching of Dhamma: a meditation Centre exclusively for long courses. In two years, this barren land had developed quickly enough to successfully hold the historic first ever 60-day course from January 2 to March 4, 2002.

Within a year donations given by students - particularly from meditators leasing bungalows and flats in the Sayagyi U Ba Khin Village - enabled the first old students courses to be held in Dhamma Tapovana. Dhamma Tapovana was also on the three projects commemorating the birth centenary of Sayagyi U Ba Khin (the other two projects being the Global Pagoda in Mumbai, and the Sayagyi U Ba Khin Village adjacent to Dhamma Giri).

Presently, around 14 courses are being held annually, including 20-day, 30-day, 45-day and the annual 60-day course, as well as 10-day courses for business executives and senior government officials. In 2003, a ten-day course in Mandarin was held for business executives who flew in from Taiwan and China, along with Chinese assistant teachers, Chinese Dhamma servers, and a Chinese chef. A separate course for executives and students from Korea was also arranged during this time.

The Centre has a total of 141 spacious cottages, with attached baths. The Dhamma hall can comfortably seat 130 students. Two smaller Dhamma halls are used for discourses. The Principal Teachers' Residence for Goenkaji and Mataji is adjacent to the main Dhamma Hall. Another Dhamma Hall to seat 100 is ready in an adjacent land.

The Pagoda of Dhamma Tapovana, of the same height as the Dhamma Giri Pagoda, has 200 cells. On 24 October 2004, the sacred umbrella was hoisted on the Dhamma Tapovana pagoda in the presence of Venerable bhikkhus from Myanmar, Goenkaji, Mataji, the Myanmar Minister for Religious Affairs, and Vipassana meditators.

During courses, Dhamma Tapovana is sealed off from Dhamma Giri - three pathways connect the two Centres. A small van ferries meals from the Dhamma Giri kitchen. There may not be the seclusion of a lonely forest, but as in Dhamma Giri that withstands so many external disturbances, the atmosphere here is serene, intense and strong enough for students to work deeply to build the 'Island of Dhamma' within.