Visitor Information

Monastery Etiquette

Please dress conservatively. Casual and comfortable is fine, but no shorts, provocative or revealing clothing. This applies to all genders. Shoes are to be removed prior to entering any building (except for the restrooms). When inside the buildings, we are mostly seated on the floor, but there are chairs in the back of the room for those who need them. Please sit comfortably. We just ask that you please avoid sitting with your feet pointed straight at the monks or at the statue of the Buddha.

The Monks

Please avoid the monks’ areas of the Monastery where their kutis (small huts/houses) are.

Guests are asked to be supportive of the Vinaya rules that the monks follow. When interacting with the monks they might point out certain practices, rules, or procedures.

First, be respectful of their requests. Second, they do not expect the laypeople to know all the Vinaya rules, and will be happy to explain them to you, time permitting. If you want to learn more about the monks’ rules, you can download and peruse the eBook version of the Buddhist Monastic Code.

Daily Schedule

(This schedule describes activities that the public is invited to participate in)

6am - Morning chanting and meditation in the Bot

7am - Chores

10:30am - Meal offering in the Sala

6pm - Evening chanting and meditation in the Bot

If you are interested in donating your time to help with the daily upkeep of the monastery, help would be appreciated with the following daily chores:

Preparing breakfast for the monks (7:30am-8:30am)

Sweeping the grounds with the monks (7:30am-10:00am)

Preparing lunch for the monks (8:30am-10:30am)

Cleaning the kitchen after lunch (11:00am-12:30pm)

*If you have any special set of skills and would like to help in your skillset area, please speak with Maechee Sarah or with one of the monks.*

Helpful Resources

An online guide to chanting can be found here.
accesstoinsight.org
dhammatalks.org

(Both websites contain English translations of The Buddha's teachings as well as written and audio collections of Dhamma talks)

Visiting During the Day

Visitors are welcome to participate in the daily activities of the Monastery, morning chanting, meal offering, and evening chanting. If visitors would like to help out with the daily chores, please see the daily schedule section below. Outside of those group activities, you are welcome to spend the day meditating in the garden. Day visitors are not required to observe the Eight Precepts while at the Monastery, only the (first) five of them.

Precepts

In the context of visiting the Monastery, we ask that each visitor practice the Five Precepts. For a more dedicated practice, visitors may practice the Eight.

The Five Precepts

1. Panatipata veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami -

I undertake the precept to refrain from taking life.

2. Adinnadana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami -

I undertake the precept to refrain from stealing.

3. Kamesu micchacara verami sikkhapadam samadiyami-

I undertake the precept to refrain from sexual misconduct.

4. Musavada veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami -

I undertake the precept to refrain from telling lies.

5. Suramerayamajja pamadatthana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami -

I undertake the precept to refrain from taking alcohol or intoxicating drugs.

The Eight Precepts

1. Panatipata veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami -

I undertake the precept to refrain from taking life.

2. Adinnadana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami -

I undertake the precept to refrain from stealing.

3. Abrahmacariya veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami -

I undertake the precept to refrain from sexual activity.

4. Musavada veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami -

I undertake the precept to refrain from telling lies.

5. Suramerayamajja pamadatthana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami -

I undertake the precept to refrain from taking alcohol or intoxicating drugs.

6. Vikalabhojana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami -

I undertake the precept to refrain from eating at the wrong time. (i.e., after midday and before dawn.)

7.Nacca-gita-vadita-visukkadassana-mala-gandha-vilepana-dharana-mandana-vibhusanathana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami -

I undertake the precept to refrain from dancing, singing, music, watching shows, wearing garlands, using perfumes, and beautifying myself with cosmetics.

8. Uccasayana-mahasayana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami -

I undertake the precept to refrain from sitting or lying on high and luxurious seats and beds.

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse