General Information

Retreats are held in a facility separate from the Monastery. Accommodation is mostly in dormitories, but there are a few rooms available for those with special needs.

Retreatants are asked to participate fully in the daily schedule of sitting and walking meditation.

NOBLE SILENCE
Meditation instruction is given by the monk or nun leading the retreat and there is usually an opportunity to ask questions about meditation practice.
Otherwise retreatants are asked to maintain ‘noble silence’, that is not engaging in any talk with each other, or anyone else, unless it is really necessary.

On the first evening
Retreatants are asked to arrive between 4 and 7pm.
On arrival, please come to the Retreat Centre Reception to complete a registration form, find out where you are sleeping, sign up for working meditation, etc.

The schedule for the first evening
Registration - Retreat Centre Reception 4-7pm
Supper - Retreat Centre Kitchen 6-7.00pm
Orientation Talk - Retreat Centre Kitchen 7.15pm
Opening Meditation - Retreat Centre Shrine Room 8.15pm

Weekend retreats finish at 4pm; 5 and 10 day retreats finish after the meal around 1pm on the last day.

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.

A typical daily schedule

05:00 Wake-up bell
05:30 Meditation & chanting
07:00 Breakfast
07:45 Working Meditation
08:30 Meditation (sitting and walking)
11:30 Meal (11am in winter)
14:00 Meditation (sitting and walking)
17:00 Hot drinks (cheese and chocolade)
19:30 Meditation, chanting and talk
21:30 Sleep

Things to bring

Please bring the following items:

Sheets and pillowcases (pillows, duvets and blankets are available)
Towels and toiletries
Waterproof outdoor clothing and footwear
Slip on shoes and sandals are useful
Thick socks or slippers (no outdoor shoes are worn indoors)
Comfortable, loose-fitting clothes (retreatants are asked to dress modestly and not to wear short or tight fitting clothing, please!)
Small torch, hot water bottle and ear plugs may be useful (also provided)

Please note: retreatants are asked not to use mobile phones, laptops or ipods during retreats. We provide safe facilities where these and other valuables are left for the duration of the retreat.

Please let us know at registration if you think you might need to contact someone as a matter of necessity during the retreat. You are welcome to use our office facilities in emergencies. If you think someone may need to contact you during your stay, in an emergency, please provide them with our office phone number in advance. We will to take a message and pass it on to you. We are happy to support you during your retreat in this way.

Health and Safety - Electrical Appliances
Please note that due to current Health and Safety regulations, every electrical appliance - i.e. anything which needs to be plugged into a wall socket in the monastery, must first be checked and approved by a qualified electrician. This means that visitors can no longer bring items such as mobile phones, laptops, ipods, hair dryers etc. from home to plug in and use while staying here.

Registration

When you arrive for the retreat, please check in and register at the Retreat Centre Reception. A manager will be at hand to welcome you and assist you.
A Retreat Centre map will be published here shortly.

Generosity or Dana (Cost of Retreat)

We are often asked how much a retreat costs. This note is to provide information indicating cost of running this Retreat Centre.

There is no charge for attending retreats at Amaravati. However, the Retreat Centre depends entirely on the generosity of retreatants to meet its costs.
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 or £20 per person per day.

At the end of every retreat there is an opportunity for participants to make a contribution. People are encouraged to give, where faith arises, what they feel they can offer. Donations are voluntary and can be made anonymously. 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.

Gift Aid Scheme

As a charity, the Retreat Centre can benefit considerably from the Gift Aid scheme. This enables the Retreat Centre to claim up to 28 pence for every £1 donated by United Kingdom taxpayers. For the donor it takes very little effort and costs absolutely nothing. More details are provided at the end of retreats.

Staying at the Monastery

It is not usually possible to stay at the Retreat Centre outside organised retreats, except for people who offer to support us in preparation for and clearing up after retreats.

If you wish to come early or stay on after the retreat, it may be possible to stay as a ‘guest’ at the Monastery. Please write to the ‘guest monk’ (for males) or ‘guest nun’ (for females). For more information, please read the Participate (Staying Here) section.

Bookings

TO BOOK A RETREAT obtain a booking form by

downloading from the website
e-mailing the Retreat Centre or
writing to the Retreat Centre

Amaravati Retreat Centre
Great Gaddesden
Hemel Hempstead
Hertfordshire HP1 3BZ
England
e-mail: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
tel & fax: (++44) (0)1442 843239

If you have any problems or queries concerning the booking procedure or the retreat itself, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Note: bookings are only accepted on receipt of a completed booking form. Bookings cannot be made over the phone.

Confirmation

On receipt of a booking form we will send a booking confirmation or information about your place on a waiting list. Please supply a stamped addressed envelope or an e-mail address.

Cancellations

In case of cancellation, please let us know as soon as possible so that your place can be offered to someone on the waiting list. If you no longer wish to be on the waiting list for a retreat, also please let us know.

If you have any problems or queries concerning the booking procedure or the retreat itself, please don’t hesitate to contact us.