After a year of engagement, building projects and activity, Amaravati will be entering the winter retreat period, starting January 3rd in the evening and extending over three months to March 31st.
As those familiar with the monastery’s routines will know, it a time when the sangha turn their focus inwards for a period of prolonged formal practice. Sense-restraint and silence are particularly encouraged, and many of the sangha’s outward activities are put down. While the sangha is on retreat, the monastery will be supported by a group of lay men and women who will ensure the continued running of the place.
Visiting
Visitors are very welcome to come to participate in the meal offering at 10.45 am (10.30 on Sundays), attend the weekly Saturday afternoon meditation workshops, spend some quiet time, use the library, attend the moon day talks and join in the group meditation in the Temple (see schedule below).
Ajahn Amaro will offer readings at 6 pm in the sālā. (Except on moon days and the day after; and from February 8th-29th, his time of personal retreat).
We kindly request that visitors respect the quiet as much as possible, especially when entering or leaving the Temple. The sangha are expected to keep Noble Silence; as a support for their practice, please try not to engage them in casual conversation.
The Saturday Meditation Workshops will continue to be held from 2-4 pm every week. They will be taking place in the sālā and taught by experienced lay teachers.
Staying Overnight
There is no overnight accommodation available and the guest monk/guest nun will not be answering booking or other queries from January 2nd until the end of March.
The Retreat Centre is closed, with the first retreat of 2020 taking place in early April. You can however, still make bookings online for retreats.
General Monastery Enquiries and Office Hours
From Jan 3rd to March 31st, there is someone in the office to take calls and answer queries from 8.15-10.45 am, Mon-Fri only. At other times, there is an answer phone for leaving messages. The monastery secretary will check messages regularly but only reply to those deemed urgent. General enquiries will be filed away to be answered once the winter retreat is over.
The website is not updated with new Dhamma talks over the winter. Any talks recorded will be published in April. The monastery newsletter, Looking Ahead, will be published in early January and posted here shortly afterwards.
Group Practice Schedule
- Jan 3rd – 16th All-day group practice
- Jan 17th – Feb 7th Afternoon & evening group practice only
- Feb 8th – 29th Open schedule (no formal group practice or evening Dhamma readings)
- Mar 1st – 15th Morning group practice only
- Mar 16th – 31st All-day group practice
The daily schedule during periods of group practice
- 5.00 am Morning sitting and chanting
- 8.30 am Sitting with instruction
- 9.30 am Walking
- 10.45 am Meal offering (10.30 on Sunday)
- 2.00 pm Sitting
- 3.00 pm Walking
- 4.00 pm Sitting
- 6.00 pm Dhamma Reading in the sālā (except on moon-days and the day after)
- 7.30 pm Evening chanting and meditation
On moon-days there is a dhamma talk in the evening and midnight meditation vigil. The Temple will be open from 4.00 am to 10.00 pm daily.
The moon days in Jan-Feb-Mar are
Jan ◐ 2nd (Thur) ○ 9th (Thur) ◑ 17th (Fri) ● 24th (Fri)
Feb ◐ 1st (Sat) ○ 8th (Sat) ◑ 16th (Sun) ● 22nd (Sat)
Mar ◐ 1st (Sun) ○ 8th (Sun) ◑ 16th (Mon) ● 23rd (Mon) ◐ 31st (Tue)