A Typical Retreat Day

05:00 Wake-up bell
05:30 Chanting and meditation
07:00 Breakfast
07:45 Working Meditation
08:30 Meditation (sitting and walking)
11:00 Lunch
13:30 Meditation (sitting and walking)
17:00 Hot drinks
19:30 Chanting, meditation and talk
21:30 Sleep

Things to Bring

Please bring the following items:

Sheets and pillowcases (blankets and sleeping bags are available)

Towels and toiletries
Waterproof outdoor clothing and footwear (slip on shoes are useful)
Thick socks (no shoes are worn indoors)
Comfortable, loose-fitting clothes (retreatants are asked to dress modestly and not to wear short or tight fitting clothing)
Small torch, hot water bottle and ear plugs may be useful
Please note: retreatants are asked not to use mobile phones during retreats. A payphone is available at the monastery

The Eight Precepts

The residents of Amaravati follow a monastic code of conduct, based on the eight precepts:

1. Harmlessness: not intentionally taking the life of any living creature.
2. Trustworthiness: not taking anything that is not given.
3. Chastity : refraining from any sexual activity.
4. Right Speech: avoiding false, abusive or malicious speech.
5. Sobriety : not taking any intoxicating drinks or drugs.
6. Renunciation : not eating after mid-day.
7. Restraint : not wearing make-up, jewellery or immodest clothing; not playing radios, music tapes or musical instruments.
8. Alertness: to refrain from overindulgence in sleep.

Cost of Retreat

The running of the Retreat Centre is made possible through the generosity of previous retreatants who have made a donation so that others can attend. The Retreat Centre now totally depends on this generosity to meet its running costs.
Similarly, all retreatants will be given an opportunity at the end of their retreat to make a contribution so that others can attend future retreats.
It has been calculated that the basic costs of running the Retreat Centre (food, heating, maintenance, administration, insurance, etc.) averages out at about £60 per person per weekend and £200 per person for a 10 day retreat.  Any donation made is anonymous and voluntary, and retreatants are invited to give whatever they are able to offer.  It is hoped that this spirit of generosity will enable the Retreat Centre to continue to provide facilities for teaching and practice into the future. For, after all, the teaching of the Buddha is that of generosity, virtue and meditation.