staying @ dhammasara : rains retreat 2019 for lay guest

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Vassa (Rains Retreat) : 15 Jul – 13 Oct 2019

Vassa is a beautiful and quiet time of practice, with minimal interaction. Day visitors are welcomed to offer Dana. During the lunch ceremony at 10:30am, there will be a short group meditation session.

If you wish to stay during the Rains Retreat at Dhammasara you must be personally known to the monastery and should meet the following criteria:

  • Minimum stay is 1 month.
  • Applicants should have completed 2 nine days retreat by BSWA and have previously stayed at Dhammasara.
  • Applicants should be Buddhist, and a member of the BSWA if living locally.
  • There is no formal meditation teaching program at the monastery. Applicants should be able to meditate independently, live in solitude and observe noble silence with very little interaction.
  • Applicants should be in good physical and mental health.
  • Applicants must have sufficient funds to support their personal needs and medication, including onward travel.
  • Guests are expected to participate in assigned duties eg. Food preparation, cleaning and sweeping.
  • Guests are required to keep the 8 precepts and respect the monastery rules.
  • For overseas guests, please ensure you have valid Australian Visa and adequate Medical Insurance coverage when staying in the monastery, as medical cost is very expensive in Australia.
  • Please only apply if you are an experienced meditator and is 99% sure that you are able to come, as many cancellations cause difficulty for others.

Please read and understand the information page for visitors.

Other information:

  • Check-in time: 10am. If you are unable to arrive during our opening hours, please arrange with the Guest Nun to check-in on the next morning by 10am.
  • The climate during Vassa months is generally cold and wet. Please bring adequate clothing, rain-gear and proper footwear for walking in the forest environment. Check the weather website for typical winter/spring temperatures.
  • Trips to Bodhinyana are for monastics. If you would like to attend regular Dhamma Talk or Sutta classes there, we recommend you apply to stay at Jhana Grove or Bodhinyana Monastery.
  • Guest who don’t wish to leave your car in the open car park for extended period, please arrange to be dropped off at the monastery.
  • Monastery’s Internet usage is restricted. It is preferred that you have your own mobile plan, however, the mobile coverage is limited to certain spots.

Dhammasara Rains Retreat 2019 Application (Lay Guest)

  • If you do, which tradition & teacher (if any) are you affiliated with?
  • Please provide approximate regularity and lengths of retreat(s)
  • Please provide details of your stay (including at Dhammasara).
  • Guests are expected to participate in assigned work. Give details of any conditions that may endanger you during your stay.
  • Please specify any mental health issues, including medication/treatment and when did you last suffer from it.
  • Please bring along your medications during your stay.
  • We depend on alms of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food. Please bring your own supplements if you are on special diet.
  • Your Relationship with this person, their Name and Contact number.
  • All guests must have health coverage (Medicare included) during their stay.
  • Please attach your Visa if available, or submit it prior to arrival.
  • A recent photo for us to know you. For overseas visitors, please upload your passport bio page.
    Max. file size: 256 MB.
  • Drop files here or
    Max. file size: 256 MB.
    • Check all boxes to indicate your agreement to the conditions of stay.

      Your stay dates cannot be extended without prior approval from the Monastery.
    • By placing your initials here, we interpret this as being your legally valid signature.
    • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

    You will receive a confirmation from the monastery once your application is approved. This may take some time, your patience is appreciated.