Also known as “Soon Wipassana Kammatthan Thamma Candapabha” on Google Maps.
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Meaning of the Name
Dhamma Canda Pabhā comes from Pali language
Dhamma – the truth, the teachings
Canda – moon
Pabhā – light or radiance
Put together it’s basically, “The Radiant Light of the Dhamma.” This fits a Goenka Vipassana center vibe well – calm, bright, steady practice.
Address
Dhamma Canda Pabhā
Vipassana Meditation Centre
Chanthaburi Province, Eastern Thailand
(Exact postal address varies depending on the map listing – the center is located a few kilometers outside the town area, surrounded by orchards and quiet farmland.)
Website & Social Media
Instagram
None officially. Goenka centers rarely use social media.
Directions (from a major city)
From Bangkok
You can reach the center in about 3.5 to 4 hours.
Bus
Go to Ekamai Eastern Bus Terminal in Bangkok and take a bus to Chanthaburi City.
From Chanthaburi bus station you take a songthaew or pre-arranged center pick-up. Many students coordinate via email with the manager.
Driving
Take Route 7 and Route 344 toward Chanthaburi, then continue east.
The center sits in rural countryside, quiet and isolated for ideal practice.
When to Arrive
Students must usually arrive between 12pm and 4pm on the course starting day.
If you arrive early, you wait at the registration area.
Late arrivals are not accepted because they disrupt orientation.
Dhamma Canda Pabhā Meditation System
This center follows S N Goenka’s Vipassana system in the tradition of Sayagyi U Ba Khin.
It’s the standard global Goenka format
– 10-day courses
– Noble Silence
– strict schedule
– no reading, writing, phones, or exercise
– equal focus on moral conduct, concentration, and insight
– Anapana first, then Vipassana body scanning
Everything is uniform across the worldwide Goenka network.
The emphasis is
– deep concentration
– continuous awareness
– equanimity
– observing sensations without reaction
It’s one of the most popular and reliable meditation systems in Thailand for people who want a structured, silence-based retreat with strong discipline.
Teaching Method
Instruction is provided through
– Goenka video teachings
– Recorded evening discourses
– Audio instructions during meditation sessions
– Onsite assistant teachers who guide the course and give clarifications during interview times
The method is highly standardized. Every course worldwide uses the same recordings and format.
Meditation Teachers
Teaching is technically delivered by S N Goenka through recordings.
Onsite “assistant teachers” are senior practitioners authorized to answer questions, approve entry into the course, and oversee discipline.
Names rotate and are not heavily advertised.
Languages
– English
– Thai
Courses are bilingual. Headphones are usually available if you need translation.
Description
Dhamma Canda Pabhā sits in the quiet countryside of Chanthaburi, surrounded by forests, orchards, and farmland. The atmosphere is peaceful, non-touristy, and perfect for silent practice.
As with all Goenka centers, the environment is intentionally simple
– minimal distractions
– clean kutis or dorms
– large meditation hall
– segregated male and female areas
– walking paths for mindful walking
Chanthaburi itself is a lush, green province known for its fruit orchards, rivers, and hills, giving the entire center a very relaxed natural feel.
Daily Routine
A typical 10-day Goenka schedule looks like this
4:00 am – Wake up
4:30 am – 6:30 am – Meditation in hall or in your room
6:30 am – Breakfast
8:00 am – 9:00 am – Group meditation
9:00 am – 11:00 am – Instructions and self-practice
11:00 am – Lunch
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm – Self-practice
2:30 pm – 3:30 pm – Group meditation
3:30 pm – 5:00 pm – Self-practice
5:00 pm – Tea break
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm – Group meditation
7:00 pm – 8:15 pm – Goenka video discourse
8:15 pm – 9:00 pm – Final meditation
9:00 pm – Rest / lights out at 9:30 pm
Silence is strict (Noble Silence). Interaction with others is not allowed except teacher interviews.
Meals
Meals follow the standard Goenka system
– Breakfast around 6:30 am
– Lunch around 11 am
– Tea break at 5 pm (fruit optional, depending on the center)
Food is simple Thai vegetarian
– rice
– vegetables
– soups
– curries
– fruit
Dinner is not served to new students. Old students only get lemon water or tea.
Accommodations
This varies by course size, but generally
– Men and women stay completely separate
– Dorm rooms or individual kutis depending on availability
– Simple beds, blankets, mosquito screens
– Shared bathrooms
– No AC usually, but fans are provided
– Very clean and well maintained
Goenka centers avoid luxury on purpose but always maintain cleanliness and order.
Write in Advance?
Yes. You must apply online and be accepted before attending. Walk-ins are impossible. Goenka centers strictly pre-screen. Courses fill up fast, so apply weeks or months in advance.
Monk Ordination
No. Monk ordination is not offered at any Goenka center. These are meditation-only lay retreats.
Other Information About Dhamma Canda Pabhā
Donations
Goenka centers operate entirely on donation from students who completed a course.
There is no fee.
Silence
Full Noble Silence for the first 9 days.
Grounds
– Wide open greenery
– Paths for walking meditation
– Quiet, rural surroundings
– No tourist distractions
– Designed for deep internal work
Layout
– Large hall
– Segregated living areas
– Teacher interview rooms
– Dining hall
– Walking paths
It’s a clean, organized, disciplined environment.
Conclusion
Dhamma Canda Pabhā is one of Thailand’s quietest and most structured meditation retreats in Thailand, ideal for anyone wanting a serious 10-day Vipassana experience with full Noble Silence and strong discipline. If you want a guaranteed system, consistent teaching, and an environment built specifically for deep mental training, this center is an excellent fit.