A few times a year, Chuang Yen Monastery will hold meditation retreats, dharma study retreats, or special spiritual mind and body related health workshops. These programs could run from 1 day and up to 21 days.
To uphold a good quality retreat, here are some of the general guidelines to join the longer retreats in the Chuang Yen Monastery.
Garment/Dress
- Meditators are expected to dress conservatively and do not wear sleeveless shirts, tank tops, shorts or short skirts when residing at the retreat. Please wear comfortable respectable clothing for all participants.
- Meditators are expected to wear light and comfortable clothing for meditation (fabric that would not make a lot of noise). We also suggest that you wear shoes without shoelaces for the convenience of entering and exiting the halls。
- Chuang Yen Monastery is situated on higher ground, therefore the morning and evening period can be quite cold. Please dress warm and make sure you bring your jacket, hat and scarf.
Items to bring
- Please bring your own sleeping bag, toiletries, toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, soap, shampoo, razors, mirror, hair-brush and nail clippers.
- Meditators may also wish to bring a watch, alarm clock, vitamin supplements as well as any prescribed medicines.
- Don’t bring any valuable articles as we will not be responsible for any loss.
Some retreats may strictly observe the following:
Noble Silence
Meditator is asked to maintain strict “noble silence,” that is, not engaging in any talk with each other, or anyone else, unless it is really necessary during the course of the retreat.
The Eight Precepts
All meditators are expected to observe the eight precepts during the retreat:
- HARMLESSNESS: Not intentionally taking the life of any living creature
- TRUSTWORTHINESS: Not taking anything that is not given
- CHASTITY: Refrain from any sexual activity
- RIGHT SPEECH: Avoiding false, abusive or malicious speech
- SOBRIETY: not taking any intoxicating drinks or drugs
- RENUNCIATION: Not eating after mid-day
- RESTRAINT: Not wearing make-up, jewellery or immodest clothing; refrain from playing music or musical instruments; refrain from dancing, singing and also to refrain from the use of adornments and ornaments
- ALERTNESS: To refrain from using high and luxurious seats and beds
Meditators are required to strictly adhere to the rules of the meditation centre and to practice diligently, according to the instructions given by their teacher.
Other Protocols
- Applicants 18 or older is suggested, and can behave independently. One who is healthy with right faith and right view, and genuinely interested in learning.
- To prevent from disturbing the practice of others, please don’t bring your children to the monastery if they can’t maintain “Noble Silence” or sit quietly in the Dhamma Hall.
- No telephone is allowed, so please inform your family members and friends.
- If there is any reason you cannot attend after you have sent in your application, please let us know early.
- Should you break any of the rules during the time attending the retreat, we may request you to leave.
- Please park your vehicle at the designated big parking lots that is infront of the Bodhi Path.