Meditation Retreats /
  1. Rules & Guidelines

Rules & Guidelines

 

 Rules for the Silent Retreat 

 

 

 

Questions and the monks

 

  • Please do not ask the monks about worldly or personal problems
  • Only ask Dhamma questions to the monks during Q&A time
  • You may ask Kim or volunteers if you need anything
  • You can write questions and pass to Kim, or leave them in jar on the coffee table in Library
  • Please do not stand or sit too close to the monks, please give way and allow them to pass
  • Ladies please do not touch or pass anything directly to the monks
  • Please do not point the soles of your feet to the monks or the Buddha statues

 

 

 

General rules

 

  • Do not lie down or stretch in the meditation room or anywhere else in the monastery.
  • Men please do not walk to the women’s area and vice versa 
  • Please wear modest clothing that covers the neck to below elbows and knees.

 

No bare back or tummy when bowing or exercising. No skin tight clothes or See through

 

Please remove all jewellry, except wedding rings and all long hair is to be tied back at all times

 

  • No reading as all you’ll need will be taught by Phra Mana and reading will distract you
  • No smoking or alcohol
  • Please be punctual, when you hear the bell go the next session or be there already
  • You must attend every session
  • No photos until retreat ends.  Kim or volunteers may take photos for our records and you all can view from the website
  • Keep fires going
  • If you need torches, hot water bottles, pens and paper let us know
  • Leave the lights on outside the bathrooms
  • Please feel free to use the bush toilets at night
  • Please do not enter the kitchen without permission or use the staff bathroom
  • All food is vegetarian and donated by devotees and cooked by our kind volunteers.
  • Unfortunately, we can't prepare special meals for anyone
  • Phra Mana asks that women collect their food first
  • The washing area outside the bathroom

 

 

 

Noble silence

 

  • Please do not wear plastic jackets or pants during meditation 
  • Try not to move during meditation, as it disturbs tour own practice and others as well
  • Switch off mobile phones or put on silent
  • This is a silent retreat and it benefits everyone to maintain quiet
  • Couples and friends can help each other most by keeping noble silence
  • We want to ensure that people have the best experience. Everyone here is dedicating this time knowing the rules in advance
  • If people are talking, we will ask people to be quiet. If people persist they will be cautioned. If they continue, we will discuss their suitability to be on a silent retreat

 

Thank You for your respect and kindness. Anumodhana! Rejoice with you! SADHU.