Dhamma Kancana is a Vipassana Meditation Retreat
Meaning of Dhamma Kañcana
Dhamma means the teachings. Kañcana means gold. Together it means “The Golden Dhamma,” symbolizing purity and the precious nature of disciplined practice.
Address
Dhamma Kañcana Vipassana Meditation Centre. Kanchanaburi Province, Western Thailand. Located in quiet countryside west of Bangkok.
Website & Social Media
Website
Instagram
• None (Goenka centers do not use social media)
Directions (from a major city)
From Bangkok
• About 3 hours travel time. From Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai), take a bus to Kanchanaburi City,
• From the bus station, take a tuk-tuk, songthaew, or arrange a pick-up.
Driving
• Take Highway 4 (Phetkasem Road)
• Then Route 323 into Kanchanaburi
• Center is a short distance outside the city in very quiet surroundings
When to Arrive
• Arrival window is between 12 pm and 4 pm
• Early arrivals wait in the reception area
• Late arrivals are not accepted
Dhamma Kañcana Meditation System
This center follows the S N Goenka tradition of Vipassana as taught by Sayagyi U Ba Khin. The system is standardized worldwide.
• 10-day silent retreats
• Noble Silence
• No reading, writing, or devices
• Anapana for the first three days
• Vipassana body scanning from day four onward
• Strict discipline and structure
• Heavy focus on awareness and equanimity
Teaching Method
• Video discourses from S N Goenka
• Audio-guided meditations
• Assistant teachers available daily for question time
• Teaching format matches all Goenka centers globally
Meditation Teachers
• Goenka (via recordings) is the principal teacher
• Onsite assistant teachers guide interviews and maintain the schedule
• Teacher assignments rotate and are not publicly listed
Languages
• English
• Thai
• Headphones available for translation
Description
Dhamma Kañcana is a quiet, peaceful retreat center set in rural Kanchanaburi. The environment is simple, calm, and ideal for intensive silent meditation.
• Large central meditation hall
• Walking paths
• Separate male and female living areas
• Dorms and kutis arranged to reduce distraction
The surrounding farmland and forest give it a grounded, natural atmosphere without tourist noise.
Daily Routine
4:00 am – Wake up
4:30–6:30 – Meditation
6:30 – Breakfast
8:00–9:00 – Group meditation
9:00–11:00 – Instructions and self-practice
11:00 – Lunch
1:00–2:30 – Self-practice
2:30–3:30 – Group meditation
3:30–5:00 – Self-practice
5:00 – Tea break
6:00–7:00 – Group meditation
7:00–8:15 – Evening discourse
8:15–9:00 – Meditation
9:00 – Rest (lights out around 9:30 pm)
The entire course is conducted in Noble Silence.
Meals (when and what)
• Breakfast at 6:30 am
• Lunch at 11 am
• Tea break at 5 pm
Food is simple Thai vegetarian
• Rice
• Vegetables
• Soups
• Curry
• Fruit
New students receive tea and fruit in the evening; old students take only tea or lemon water.
Accommodations
• Men and women are housed separately
• Dorm rooms or small kutis depending on availability
• Simple bedding and fans
• Shared bathrooms
• Rooms are clean, quiet, and minimal
Designed intentionally for deep practice without comfort distractions.
Write in Advance?
• Yes. Online application and approval required
• Courses often fill early
• No walk-ins are allowed
Monk Ordination
• Not available. This is a lay meditation retreat only.
Other Information About Dhamma Kañcana
• Donation-only system
• Full Noble Silence for nine days
• Clean grounds with walking paths and shaded areas
• Standard Goenka layout for hall, dorms, dining, and walking areas
• Ideal for serious practice in a stable environment
Conclusion
Dhamma Kañcana offers a structured, disciplined, and deeply quiet meditation environment perfect for beginners and experienced meditators who want a strong, proven system. Its rural setting and standardized Vipassana method make it one of the most reliable retreats in western Thailand. It is also very close to Bangkok so getting there is not too difficult.
[Image by Mark Khaolak – Google Business reviewer]