The first 10 day course in Portugal was held in Algarve in 1990 for only 9 students. Two of the students were old students and they were not Portuguese. At that moment, there were only two Vipassana students in Portugal. Since then, one 10 day course was conducted every year, having increased later on to two/three courses a year. Until 1998 the courses were conducted in English and Spanish, but thanks to the efforts of several Brazilian students, the course was recorded in Portuguese, allowing more and more Portuguese students to learn the technique.
In 2011, the Vipassana Association of Portugal was formed (non-profit Association), which is responsible for the organization of courses and also the spread of this meditation technique that promotes self-knowledge, morality, mental concentration, the observation and profound understanding of one’s own physical and mental reality. The Association is constituted by old students who meet at least once a year and are appointed every 3 years. The Association's headquarters is located in Estrada da Baía dos Tiros c.p. n.º 853 L, Maria Vinagre, 8670-412 Rogil.
Because the Association is not connected to any type of organization, the running of the courses is only made possible by the voluntary donations. These donations are only accepted from those who have completed at least one course and who wish that other courses may happen so that other people may benefit as well
Social Bodies of Associação Vipassana Portugal for the three-year period 2023-2025
ASSEMBLEIA GERAL:
Presidente – José Ricardo Vaz
Vice-presidente – Rita Norberto
Secretario – Sophie Burrough
DIRECÇÃO:
Presidente – Eric Balans
Secretário – Renate Moerman
Tesoureiro – Filipe Costa
CONSELHO FISCAL:
Presidente – Pedro Serpa
Vogal – Baerbel Engel
Vogal – Marisa Jesus Oliveira