First 10-day Course in Muscat
Muscat, Oman, had its first 10 day course earlier this year, from 25th April '99, at Hotel Asas Oman, in the presence of Goenkaji. A total number 63 students participated, including 12 old students and 34 female students. Among the participants were an Austrian male, three Sri Lankan ladies (including the wife of the Sri Lankan Ambassador) and one female Nepali student. The rest were Indian expatriates and Oman nationals of Indian origin. Five Dhamma workers (4 female) served the course.
Goenkaji arrived on the evening of 3rd April, giving metta to students during the course, including conducting the metta session on Day 10. Goenkaji also gave two public talks on 4th & 5th evening - for the Sri Lankan community in Oman and two about 250 people in a talk organised in a Hindu temple. He also met the media and a few prominent persons in Oman. Goenkaji’s visit has obviously given a boost to spread of Dhamma in this part of the world. Plans are on to regularly organize one-day courses in Oman, as a prelude, no doubt, to regular 10-day courses in a Dhamma centre.