Equality policy

All people are welcome to our Vipassana courses. Regardless of background, gender or sexual orientation - we all come to a Vipassana course with a common goal: to overcome suffering.

The technique we teach and practice is not bound to any particular religion or philosophy
Buddha taught the technique of Vipassana meditation and was not interested in converting people to any religion or to a particular philosophical point of view. He found a way to eradicate suffering and wanted to show this path to others.
This still applies to us today. To overcome suffering we have to look within, because the cause of our suffering lies within ourselves. Countless Vipassana courses have shown that the technique works - regardless of our cultural roots, religious backgrounds, world views or orientations.

Health
A Vipassana course is a demanding undertaking and in order to practice seriously, participants must be physically and mentally fit to follow the meditation instructions.

Physical health
Some participants may need special support due to a health issue or physical impairment. We strive to meet your needs the best we can, provided you are generally able to follow the schedule and program persistently.
Well in advance - before you arrive at the Vipassana centre - we need to know your requirements in order to accommodate you appropriately and meet your needs during the course. Therefore, we ask all persons with special requirements to inform us in detail in their online registration form. For this, please use the section "Would you like to add anything to the above information?". In order to meet your needs accordingly, we may contact you again before the course starts.

Mental health
Vipassana has been shown to help with certain mental health problems, although in some individual cases it may be advisable for your own safety to wait some time before attending a Vipassana course seriously. In order to ensure good care and to decide together whether a Vipassana course seems appropriate at the current time, it is very important that we receive detailed and complete information about possible (earlier) mental illnesses from you. We therefore ask to answer the relevant questions conscientiously as you register. This enables us to get a more accurate picture of your condition and past history so that we can provide appropriate support in the event of challenges. We are concerned about the welfare of all participants. Only people who can really benefit from a course should attend.

Visual, hearing and learning disabilities
In order to participate successfully in a Vipassana course, applicants with learning disabilities, visual, hearing or cognitive impairments must be able to perceive and apply the instructions as well as follow the timetable and course discipline. They should also be able to hear, understand, follow and apply the instructions and advice given. Please let us know in advance if you have any of the above-mentioned limitations so that we can support you best (e.g. with hearing aids). If in doubt, we will contact you to discuss whether we can provide what you need during the course.

Sexual orientation and gender diversity
People of all sexual orientations and identities are welcome to our courses.
The Vipassana meditation center is divided into a male and a female area. This separation extends to the living quarters, the walking areas, the dining rooms and the meditation hall.
People who do not clearly identify with one particular gender, please let us know when registering. Transgender and non-binary people will be accommodated on either the male or the female side of the campus. Please let us know in advance which gender you identify with. We hope that you can accept living either on the female or the male side for the duration of your stay.
Please include any relevant information, needs and other important notifications in the section "Would you like to add anything to the above information?" when registering online. For us it is very helpful to receive this information in advance so that appropriate arrangements and provisions can be made.

Confidentiality
The Vipassana Trust is committed to protecting the privacy of all people who apply for and attend a course to the best of our ability. All personal data and information is handled with great care in accordance with our privacy policy. If you have any questions about the above stated points, please feel free to contact us at any time at: [email protected].