Staying Here

Amaravati offers a variety of opportunities to deepen the understanding of Buddhism and of oneself, in an environment that encourages peaceful reflection. Visitors come from all over the world. Some stay for a day, a weekend or longer, perhaps to bring an offering, to learn meditation, or to have a time of refuge from the stresses of the world.

The site (formerly a school) houses a lending library, a play room for children, a large meeting hall, a Temple and a separate retreat area. There is no charge to stay at Amaravati, which is funded by voluntary donations. However, financial support is greatly needed and appreciated, as the cost of operating the monastery is considerable.

Disabled visitors are welcome, although not all buildings are wheelchair accessible. For those wishing to stay overnight, all bookings should be made by e-mail or by post. It is not possible to make bookings by telephone or fax. First-time visits to the monastery are limited to one week, unless otherwise arranged with the Guest Monk or Nun. Special consideration is given to those coming from overseas. People who arrive without previous booking can only stay for one night, if accommodation is available.

During their stay, guests are expected to observe the eight precepts and to participate in community activities. The routine of a typical day is shown on the right, but specific times may vary.

The weekly Observance* days are linked with the lunar phases. The early morning meditation may then be optional, most work projects are suspended and the day is devoted to quiet reflection. The evening meditation continues until midnight.

To book as a guest at Amaravati, please send an e-mail to:

guestmonk AT amaravati DOT org (for men) or
guestnun AT amaravati DOT org (for women)
(be sure to change the “AT” and “DOT” before emailing)

Please make your request as early as possible, and include your name, gender, age, contact details and the days you wish to stay.

Due to Child Protection requirements, we are presently not able to accommodate guests who are under 18 years old.

If you have no access to the Internet you can write to:

GUEST MONK (for men) or GUEST NUN (for women)

Amaravati Buddhist Monastery
St. Margarets Lane
Great Gaddesden
Hemel Hempstead
Hertfordshire HP1 3BZ
England

A stamped, self-addressed envelope is appreciated. Please write well in advance informing us of your name, gender, contact address and the days you wish to stay.

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, etc. from home to plug in and use while staying here. We regret any inconvenience caused.