GUIDELINES
Course Guidelines
Students undertaking a meditation course should come prepared to abide by the course guidelines. One should come with the understanding and intention to enter a retreat and remain at the Centre for the duration of the retreat.
The training, if followed diligently, will result in a calmer mind through the gradual eradication of impurities and, ultimately, in the realisation of the 'Nibbanic Peace within'.
It is essential to start with a stable and sound base of conduct. For the duration of the training, each student is asked to observe the following five precepts:
- To refrain from killing
- To refrain from stealing
- To refrain from sexual misconduct (here complete celibacy)
- To refrain from lying
- To refrain from the use of intoxicants and recreational drugs
In order to experience the benefits of the technique, students are expected to follow the instructions given by the Teacher. During the period of training students will have to set aside their previous practices and all spiritual activities. Students should not wear or bring with them spiritual objects or reading material of any kind.
Throughout the course, the emphasis is on investigating the truth for oneself by practising the technique. Observance of noble silence throughout the training period will be very beneficial and conducive to a better appreciation of the teaching. This means that the students should not talk amongst themselves, but they may of course speak to the Teacher and staff at any time.
Students may also meditate seated on chairs provided in the Hall.
There are daily interviews with the Teacher where each student is given personal guidance. Students should give a true and accurate account of their experience.
Timetable
| 4:00am | Wake up |
| 4:30am | Meditation in hall |
| 5:30am | Morning discourse |
| 6:30am-8:00am | Breakfast and rest |
| 8:00am-9:00am | Group meditation in hall (for all) |
| 9:30am | Individual instruction (for all) |
| 11:00am-1:00pm | Lunch and rest |
| 1:00pm-1:45pm | Meditation |
| 2:00pm-3:00pm | Group meditation in hall (for all) |
| 3:30pm-5:00pm | Meditation, and interviews for new students |
| 5:00pm-6:00pm | Tea and rest |
| 6:00pm | Evening discourse |
| 7:30pm-8:30pm | Group meditation in hall (for all) |
| 9:00pm | Retire |
Health Guidelines for Courses
- COVID and respiratory illness protocol
We welcome you to the meditation centre for a retreat. As Covid infections are still prevalent in the community, the following arrangements are designed to make the meditation course as safe as possible for everyone.
Means to return home - everyone should have independent means of returning home if you become unwell during the course.
Precautions prior to the course - avoiding exposure to Covid. Please take a lot of care in the days leading up to the course, especially from the morning of the Wednesday, 48 hours prior to the start of the course. Practice social distancing, and wear N 95 masks when you cannot socially distance.
On Arrival - You must be well on the day the course starts. During the course - everyone should practice social distancing and hand hygiene.
If you become unwell during the course, please notify management as soon as possible, especially if you experience any of the following:
- respiratory symptoms, scratchy or sore throat, runny nose, cough, shortness of breath
- a raised temperature or a fever
- headache, itchy eyes, loss of taste or smell
- abdominal pain, joint pain, bruising, or weakness
You may be assessed by a doctor or a nurse, and an immediate rapid antigen test and PCR test may be administered. Prompt test results are important for your health and others on the course.
Symptomatic students may be asked to isolate or return home.