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Abhayagiri Monastery is not a retreat or meditation center. It is a monastery devoted to the training of monks in the Forest Tradition of Theravada Buddhism. People are welcome to visit and it is possible for some to arrange to stay as a guest for short periods, sharing in the lifestyle of the monastic community.

Staying at the Monastery

In keeping with our tradition there is no charge for anything at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery, which is supported entirely by voluntary donations in the form of food, money, and volunteer labor. While there is no obligatory charge to stay, guests can consider how they might contribute to the needs of maintaining the monastery, while at the same time developing good qualities within themselves.

First-time visits are limited to one week. For those who have previously spent time with the community, it may be possible to arrange longer stays. Accommodations are presently few, so please contact the guestmaster well ahead of time (preferably by email) to check on the availability of space.

NEW CANCELATION POLICY: Because of very limited facilities, we often have to turn people away who wish to visit. Many people have made reservations and then canceled or changed them. If you make a reservation and then cancel or change it, it usually means someone else has lost the chance to come here. Therefore we ask you, please don't make a reservation unless you can make a firm commitment to follow through.

Guests participate both in the routine of the monastery as well as in the structure of the community. The life of the community is based on the Eight Precepts, which includes eating only before noon and avoiding physical contact between men and women. As guests are sharing in community life, it is not appropriate to come and go without notice or engage in external business during their stay. To help make the monastery a haven of quiet and solitude, guests are not allowed to use telephones, computers or email while staying at the monastery. To inquire about visiting Abhayagiri, please contact the guestmaster Page 2 of 4

at the monastery. (guestmonk at abhayagiri dot org)

The Eight Precepts
1. Harmlessness: not intentionally taking the life of any living creature
2. Trustworthiness: not taking anything that is not given
3. Celibacy: refraining from any sexual activity
4. Right Speech: avoiding false, abusive or malicious speech
5. Sobriety: not taking any intoxicating drink or drugs
6. Renunciation: not eating after midday (No food eaten after 12 pm until next morning)
7. Restraint: not seeking entertainment, playing radios and music, and dressing modestly
8. Alertness: refraining from overindulgence in sleep

To make your stay more comfortable, you will need to bring a flashlight, sleeping bag, towel and toiletries, sturdy shoes, work clothing (warm clothing in the winter months), and an alarm clock.

*** Please take care of all business and travel arrangements BEFORE coming to the monastery. Guests are not allowed to use the computers here for any reason, including the checking of email. Phone use is limited to emergencies. Please leave your portable computers at home. All of these policies are to help insure a peaceful, contemplative stay.***


The Daily Routine
5:00 am Morning meeting—chanting and meditation
6:30 am Brief chore period
7:00 am Light breakfast
8:00 am Meal preparation and general work period begins
11:00 am The meal, eaten in silence, is the last meal of the day
1:00 pm Period for personal practice
5:30 pm Tea (a good time to meet informally with the monastics)
7:30 pm Evening meeting—chanting and meditation (Dhamma talk on Saturdays)

*On Lunar Observance Days (the four moon quarters) the routine is relaxed and the day is a time for contemplation. The evening meditation practice may continue all night.

Monastic Code

The Vinaya, the code of monastic discipline, establishes a relationship with laypeople without whose daily support the sangha could not continue. Monks and nuns are prohibited from possessing money or property and from storing food. They are completely dependent on the laity in many simple ways, like having food offered, cutting grass or digging the earth.

Etiquette

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establishing harmony by mindfulness and consideration for others. Guests are invited to share in these observances of beautiful behavior and sensitivity.

Before entering a shrine room or living space it is necessary to remove the shoes. Although visitors are not obliged to, there is the custom of bowing to the shrine or teacher. The triple bow, to the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha, is usually done upon entering or leaving the meditation hall. At the end of a formal meditation period, respect is usually paid to the senior monk with the triple bow. When in the meditation hall concern need be taken in moving with as little noise as possible. When sitting one should avoid lolling and lounging and sitting with one's back against the wall, especially during a Dhamma talk. Care should be taken not to point the feet at the shrine or at other people generally, as this is considered impolite.

When offering something to a monk or nun or talking with them, one should not stand looming over them but rather approach them at the same level at which they are sitting.

Offering

Monks and nuns are allowed to collect and consume their daily meal in the period between dawn and noon. Anything they intend to eat or drink, except water, must be formally offered into the hands or placed on or into something in direct contact with the hands.

General Conduct

A monastery is a sanctuary from the usual worldly concerns for those who have dedicated themselves to spiritual practice. As guests are sharing in this life as visitors, it is not appropriate to come and go without notice or engage in external business during your stay. It is customary to ask one of the senior monks if you wish to make a telephone call. We ask people to leave their computers at home as email facilities are not available here for visitors.

Relationships

In our tradition monks and nuns lead lives of total celibacy. This includes suggestive speech or physical contact with lustful intent, both of which are serious Page 4 of 4

offenses against the Vinaya discipline. To avoid this and to prevent gossip or misunderstanding from arising, a monk has to be accompanied by another male whenever he is engaging in a long conversation with a woman. A similar rule applies for nuns.

Guests are asked to be sensitive to the proper mode of conduct for men and women within a monastic setting. Complete segregation of the sexes is mandatory and no men should enter the women's lodgings, or vice versa, without permission from the senior monk.

Terms of Address

The abbot is usually addressed as "Ajahn," which comes from the Thai and means "teacher." Other monks can be addressed as "Venerable" or the Thai equivalent, "Tahn." These designations may or may not be followed by the ordained name of the individual. Alternatively, any monk can be called "Bhante," a more general term. If there are nuns in residence they should be addressed as “Sister” or, if they are elders of the sangha, they are also addressed as “Ajahn."

Anjali and Bowing

"Anjali"' is a gesture of respect. The hands are held together in prayer-like fashion raised to the slightly lowered forehead. To bow correctly, kneel with the buttocks on the heels and with the hands in anjali. Bring the palms to the floor about four inches apart, then bring the forehead down to touch between the palms, the elbows close to the knees. Bow three times.

We hope that your stay will be peaceful and enriching to your spiritual life.