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What to Expect / Sample Schedules

 

Noble Silence

Our retreats are conducted in Noble Silence. The retreat leaders will speak when they need to direct you, and of course the teacher will be giving Dharma talks. When other communication is necessary, short handwritten notes are allowed.

In addition to no talking, Noble Silence also means no reading, writing, texting, email, phone calls, music devices, or internet. All of this supports your meditation practice by limiting mental distraction.

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Cushions

  • Cushions for sitting meditation are provided in our Chan Hall.

  • There are also chairs.

 

Meals

  • The retreat fee includes all meals. Breakfast, lunch, and a light supper (“medicine meal”) are all provided in the dining hall.

  • Food is for sustaining energy during practice and not for indulgence; therefore, no food or beverage is to be consumed outside the dining hall and scheduled mealtimes.

  • Meals are vegetarian and follow monastic dietary rules (no eggs, garlic, onions, shallots, or chives). We ask that guests accommodate themselves to our menu and not bring any personal food.

  • There are hot-and-cold water dispensers in the dining hall.

 

Health

  • The retreat center is a smoke-free and drug-free area.

 

Sample Schedules

1-Day Retreat

(For retreats held in-person)

Time Activity

09:00 am Check in (in-person)

09:30 am Introduction, exercise, sitting, walking meditation, etc.

12:00 pm Lunch break & work practice

01:30 pm Sitting, Dharma talks, walking meditation, etc.

04:00 pm Closing & sharing

05:00 pm End of event

 

Overnight Retreat – 1st Day (Check in Day)

Time Activity

04:00-06:00 pm Check in

07:15 pm Preparation bell

07:30 pm Orientation & guided sitting

09:30 pm Retire

10:00 pm Lights out

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Overnight Retreat – Daily Schedule

Time Activity

05:00 am Morning boards (wake up)

05:30 am Exercise, sitting meditation, morning service (chanting)

07:15 am Breakfast, followed by work practice

08:45 am Preparation bell

09:00 am Dharma talk, sitting, walking, exercise, etc.

12:00 pm Lunch, followed by work practice & lunch break

02:15 pm Preparation bell

02:30 pm Sitting, walking, exercise, evening service (chanting)

05:30 pm Medicine meal (supper), followed by work practice

07:15 pm Preparation bell

07:30 pm Dharma talk, sitting

09:30 pm Evening boards (retire)

10:00 pm Lights out

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Overnight Retreat – Last Day (Closing Day)

(For retreats 2 or 3 days in length)

Time Activity

05:00 am Morning boards

05:30 am Exercise, sitting meditation & morning service

07:15 am Breakfast, followed by cleanup/ pack up

08:45 am Preparation bell

09:00 am Dharma talk

10:00 pm Sharing, final words by teacher

12:00 pm Lunch

01:00 pm End of event

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