Dhamma Nilaya Meditation House

Access

Guidance and information for travel to the centre

Association ASV

How Dhamma Nilaya is organized

Renovation and extension project

A renovated house to welcome more meditators

An hour's drive from Paris, the Maison du Dhamma welcomes former meditators every Sunday.

In this haven of peace and greenery, ASV welcomes you to come and meditate and serve; you are greeted with hands joined in a welcoming gesture. The silence, the soft and peaceful atmosphere of the place, the dedication of the volunteers, all of this invites one to reflect and meditate seriously. At lunchtime, it is always with surprise and admiration that you discover the small dishes, both savory and sweet, carefully prepared and reheated. Everyone can contribute by bringing what they want (respecting the vegetarian rules of Vipassana centers - no meat, fish, eggs, cheese, or alcohol).

On the first and third Sundays of each month*, there are one-day courses that begin at 8:00 am and end around 4:00 pm. Registration takes place on site. Respecting noble silence, you follow the instructions of Anapana, then those of Vipassana, group meditation, the Metta session, and to close the day, a discourse by Goenkaji.

On other Sundays, it may be possible to come to Dhamma Nilaya to serve and meditate: contact one of the numbers on the "Contact Us" page beforehand. The pace of meditation is less intense and speech is open; you have the choice between meditating, serving (gardening, maintenance, cooking, etc.), meeting other meditators, and enjoying the serenity and beauty of the place.

It is always an excellent opportunity to put meditation into practice.

At the end of the day, you leave Dhamma Nilaya refreshed and filled with a sense of gratitude for this charming little place that has secretly offered us a chance to share some of its tranquility.

Anapana courses for young people

At Dhamma Nilaya, one-day Anapana meditation courses (observation of breath) are also organized for children and teenagers. These are aimed at young people who have already practiced as well as those coming for their first initiation.

*On the first Sunday of the month, instructions are given in English-Khmer, and on the third, in English-French.

Dhamma Nilaya's story

Dhamma Nilaya was founded in 1998 under the management of the Association Khmer pour le soutien du Vipassana (ASKV). The site, located at 6 La Moinerie in Beautheil-Saints, was acquired for 450,000 francs (around €103,000 today). It was chosen for its proximity to the community of Khmer meditators. Over time, the association expanded to include all meditators who had already completed a course in this tradition, and its name evolved to become the Association pour le soutien du Vipassana (ASV). 

Since its acquisition, this Dhamma house has evolved to meet the needs of a growing community. It can accommodate up to 35 participants for the two one-day courses held each month. These sessions enable former students to reconnect with the practice on a regular basis. In addition, three dedicated children's courses are offered each year, ensuring that younger children can also benefit from the Dhamma teachings.

For over two decades, Dhamma Nilaya has remained an important venue for former students in the Île-de-France region. Although access is restricted to old students - except for courses for children - the venue continues to embody the spirit of Dhamma: a commitment to providing a serene environment conducive to introspection, inner calm and selfless service. The renovation project aims to preserve these qualities while meeting the needs of the meditators who visit regularly.