Day Visitors

Day visitors are welcome to participate in the daily activities of the Monastery (see Daily Schedule) and also spend the day meditating in the ordination hall, dining hall, on the tent platforms, and on the walking paths in the avocado orchard. During your visit, day visitors are asked to observe the Five Precepts and follow Monastery Etiquette.

The Alms Round#

The monks’ alms round is at 8:30am every day. If you are running late, you might get a last chance to offer food if you arrive at the Dining Hall before 9:00am. This is the only meal of the day. If you arrive after 9:00am, you can still give the food to the resident laypeople, who will keep it overnight and offer it to the monks the next day.

Dhamma Books#

There are books and mp3 CDs on meditation and Buddhism in the Library and Dining Hall. These are completely free of charge. Take what you think might be useful for you or your family and friends. Most of the books and recordings are also freely available to download from dhammatalks.org.

Five Precepts#

All visitors are asked to observe the Five Precepts, the basic training rules for practicing lay Buddhists. The precepts are often recited after reciting the formula for taking refuge in the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha.

  1. Panatipata veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami.

    I undertake the precept to refrain from destroying living creatures.

  2. Adinnadana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami.

    I undertake the precept to refrain from taking that which is not given.

  3. Kamesu micchacara veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami.

    I undertake the precept to refrain from sexual misconduct.

  4. Musavada veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami.

    I undertake the precept to refrain from incorrect speech.

  5. Suramerayamajja pamadatthana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami.

    I undertake the precept to refrain from intoxicating drinks and drugs which lead to carelessness.

The Orchard#

The Monastery is located in an avocado and persimmon orchard. Please don’t pick fruit directly from trees in the orchard without first getting permission from one of the monks.