Dhamma Tapovana, meaning ‘Meditation 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.

Dhamma Tapovana is also one of 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)

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.