Illinois Vipassana Center – Dhamma Pakasa

Friends & Family Day – April 25, 2026

Ajay Bawankule — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 21:38:04 +0000

You are warmly welcomed to the annual Friends and Family Day at Dhamma Pakasa!

When: Saturday, April 25 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm  (Central time)

Where: The Illinois Vipassana Center (Dhamma Pakasa) 10076 Fish Hatchery Road (across from the Four Lakes Forest Preserve) Pecatonica, IL 61063 (parking is free)

Who: The event is free and open to the public

Friends and Family Day is a wonderful way to introduce your friends and family to the Vipassana tradition, and to the Dhamma Pakasa Center where Vipassana meditation is taught in ten-day residential courses. The event includes tours of the facility and grounds, delicious vegetarian food and refreshments from our kitchen, and opportunities to meet Center teachers, Trust members, and servers who will be there to greet you. All are welcome, including children.

Please send your RSVP to: Dhamma Pakasa Friends and Family Day Tickets, Saturday, Apr 25 from 11 am to 4 pm | Eventbrite

We look forward to seeing you!

For directions and additional information about the Center go to: https://pakasa.dhamma.org

SPREAD THE WORD!   Feel free to take flyers to share with others.

Also, tell your friends, family, and colleagues about this event by posting the RSVP link on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc. 

OLD STUDENT SERVERS ARE NEEDED

Friday, April 24th to help prepare the Center for the event
Saturday, April 25th to help during the event

Register to serve at: http://www.dhamma.org/en-US/schedules/schpakasa (Open House Service Period, April 24/25).  Come for a few hours or spend the night of the 24th. Be sure to note when you plan to arrive and when you will leave.

The post Friends & Family Day – April 25, 2026 appeared first on Illinois Vipassana Center - Dhamma Pakasa.

Spring Work Period at Dhamma Pakasa : April 13 – 25

Ajay Bawankule — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 00:48:04 +0000

Old Students are needed to come serve on all or some of the days throughout the extended work period at Dhamma Pakasa from Sunday, April 13 through Friday, April 25. There are a number of projects that need to be completed prior to Friends and Family Day on April 26. Skill levels required for these projects will range from none to expert. The following list is representative of the kinds of projects that are planned.

Wind storm clean up. In mid-March a strong storm hit the Center with high winds resulting in some damage to older structures and trees. We have a large amount of tree branches that need to be picked up and taken to the burn pile, as well as some repairs to structures.
Spring clean-up of garden areas.
Cleaning and straightening up the garden barn.
Brush clearing and junk removal from structure at new property.
Several small painting projects.
Drywall repairs.
Preparatory work for the Friends and Family Day.

If you have the volition and time to serve for a few days, one day or even a few hours, please visit our website and go to the Course Schedule Page to register http://www.dhamma.org/en-US/schedules/schpakasa There will be plenty of time for meditation, as well as to connect with friends. An AT will be available on site for interviews. Spring is an exciting time to be at the Center and spend some time outdoors once again.

The post Spring Work Period at Dhamma Pakasa : April 13 – 25 appeared first on Illinois Vipassana Center - Dhamma Pakasa.

In-Person, Half-Day Group SittingsFriday, August 25, (Doors Open at 1.15 pm) Room 204 Parkes Hall, Northwestern University 1870 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL

Ajay Bawankule — Thu, 24 Aug 2023 13:27:02 +0000

For all Old Students practicing in the tradition as taught by S. N. Goenka.

We would like to announce upcoming in-person, half-day Group Sitting to be held on Friday, 25th August.
Please find the details below. If you have any questions, please contact: rika.kojima@dhamma.org

Please feel free to share this message with any other old students you know, and please see the attached flyer for some helpful additional information!

Afternoon Timetable :

Doors Open: 1:15 pm
Group sitting: 1:30p – 2:30p
Break: 2:30p – 2:40p
Group sitting: 2:40p – 3:40p

Location:

Parkes Hall Room 204 (2nd floor) on the campus of Northwestern University (see below*)
1870 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208
https://maps.northwestern.edu/txt/facility/182

What to Bring:

Mats and cushions are provided but may be in limited supply, especially if the group sittings are well attended. For greater comfort and flexibility around our limited supply and just in case we run out, please bring a nice zabuton and cushion. Other than that, just bring yourself!

Parking:

Unlike weekends, unfortunately, free parking is not available around Parkes Hall. Be sure to check the signage in the area and park accordingly.

*Parkes Hall is on the campus of Northwestern University in Evanston, located along Sheridan Road, at the southeast corner of Sheridan Road and Chicago Avenue, just south of the Alice Millar Chapel. Note: The doors on the chapel side on Sheridan Road may not be open when there is a church-related event. Should this be the case, please use the doors off of Chicago Avenue (the south entrance in the photo above), or also on the east side of the building.

with metta,

Rika Kojima

The post In-Person, Half-Day Group SittingsFriday, August 25, (Doors Open at 1.15 pm) Room 204 Parkes Hall, Northwestern University 1870 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL appeared first on Illinois Vipassana Center - Dhamma Pakasa.

Welcome to our New Website

tom — Fri, 31 Mar 2023 20:42:19 +0000

Our new website is up and running. Keep an eye out here for news and announcements. Please provide feedback to webmaster@pakasa.dhamma.org

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