Those who serve must bear in mind that they exemplify to newcomers the efficacy of the Dhamma. If they are devoid of good qualities, they will discourage others from practicing the Dhamma. They have a great responsibility to see that their behaviour inspires confidence in Dhamma in those who were doubtful, and greater faith where it already exists. - S. N. Goenka
 |
There is no better training ground than serving the entire length of the course. It is indeed an ideal way to learn how to apply dhamma in daily life. Besides, it gives dhamma servers immense joy to see students coming out of their misery. |
Serving 10-Day Courses
Serving a ten-day course is a very special kind of service. It is an invaluable tool for strengthening our own practice as well as helping others to get Dhamma. If you wish to serve any course, please click here to apply online.
Nature of activities involved in 10-day course service:
Generally 4 servers are required to manage a 10-day course. Activities involved in a 10-day course are segregated as Dhamma hall, dining hall, compounding and belling.
Please click here to read time table & description of each Seva. DS 1 to DS 4, as mentioned in this link, refers to the Dhamma servers and every server will have a separate time-table accordingly. On arrival at the center, the course manager or the conducting teacher will allocate responsibility to each server after meeting them in person. During the course, Dhamma servers can meet the conducting teacher, in case they need some clarification or change in their time-table.
Short Film on how to Serve on the Course
Following short films have been prepared to guide Dhamma servers on how to behave with students, Dhamma Hall seva, dining hall seva and course management seva.
Short Film on how to Serve in the Dhamma Hall and Course Management in Hindi and English:
Short Film on how to Serve in the Dining Hall Hindi and English:
Guidelines for 10-Day Dhamma Servers
Five Precepts - All Dhamma servers must observe the five precepts for the entire duration of their seva.
Daily Meditation Practice – All residential servers must meditate for at least 3 hours a day, and are also required to attend evening Metta.
Segregation of the Sexes - To protect the Dhamma atmosphere of the Centre, segregation of the sexes should be maintained at all times, both during and between courses. There are separate accommodations for men and women, and separate dining areas as well. Dhamma servers must be very careful to treat those of the opposite sex as their Dhamma brothers or sisters.
Reading Material - Dhamma servers may use the small centre Library of Dhamma books. Reading other material is not appropriate at the centre.
Telephone and Email – Just like students, servers of 10-day course, should deposit their mobile with administration on day 0. They are also not allowed to use centre telephone, except with the permission of the conducting teacher.
Use of Centre Property - As a Dhamma server, one lives the life of renunciation. The centre will provide the basic requirements of food and shelter; other expenses are the responsibility of the servers themselves. As everything at the centre is the result of Dana by other students, Dhamma servers should take care that they are not using property of the centre for their own use without permission.