This regulation defines the conditions and duration of lay people's stay at Chittaviveka Monastery. All visitors must observe the monastery rules and follow the instructions of the chief incumbent at all times. Considering the diverse goals and intentions of potential visitors, the duration of stay at the monastery is divided into three categories:
Those who intend to take ordination as samaneras must possess the minimum necessary knowledge for future monks.
Short-term stay (usually about 2 weeks)
Для родственников монахов, а также людей желающих пройти короткий ретрит (в настоящее время проведение ретритов для мирян в монастыре невозможно в связи с отсутствием необходимой инфраструктуры.) или познакомиться с буддийской практикой и монастырской жизнью.
It is necessary to coordinate the terms of your stay with the abbot of the monastery in advance (currently, the monastery has limited resources and cannot accommodate a large number of laypeople and monks simultaneously. Accommodation for women in a male Buddhist monastery is currently not permitted. In the future, there are plans to construct a separate dormitory for laypeople, which will allow laywomen to stay under specific conditions).
Medium-term stay (usually about 1 month)
For practicing Buddhist lay people who wish to become more deeply acquainted with the practice and monastic life.
Prior approval from the abbot of the monastery is required. You need to complete and submit the application form:
Application Form for Medium-Term Stay at the Monastery
Long-term stay (3 months or more)
Для практиков буддизма Тхеравады с многолетним опытом, соблюдающих пять предписаний (панча-сила) в повседневной жизни и восемь обетов (аттханга-сила) в дни упосатхи, регулярно практикующих бхавану, проявляющих щедрость (дана) и служение общине, изучающих буддийские тексты и учения, которые теперь рассматривают возможность принятия монашеских обетов.
The first 3-6 months (within the tourist visa period) is a period of mutual adaptation and evaluation of the character and behavior.
Allows the practitioner to better understand their mind and ensure the correctness of their choice and the sincerity of their intention. It is important to remember that initial enthusiasm may fade over a time. A long-term stay provides an opportunity to observe how the mind reacts to monastic life in different circumstances. Often people discover that their mind behaves unexpectedly in unfamiliar conditions, which helps to understand oneself and one's true intentions more deeply.
Gives the chief incumbent an opportunity to assess the sincerity of the practitioner's intentions. The chief incumbent observes the behavior and attitude of the practitioner over a long period of time. This allows seeing how a person copes with difficulties, interacts with other practitioners, how consistent they are in their practice, and how their initial intentions correspond to real actions. Such a period also helps to identify possible hidden motives or ill-considered decisions made in the heat of emotion.
By mutual agreement, the issue of obtaining a religious visa for a long-term stay can be considered. For this, the practitioner will need to leave Sri Lanka to obtain an entry visa with the invitation letter, which will allow them to re-enter Sri Lanka and apply for a religious visa. In this case, the practitioner will need to follow general recommendations on how to prepare for long-term practice in Sri Lanka (recommendations are attached below). It is necessary to complete and submit the application form:
Application Form for Long-Term Stay with the Goal of Becoming a Monk
General rules:
- Adherence to the monastery's daily schedule
- 4:30 AM — Wake up
- 5:00 AM — Morning group meditation
- 6:00 AM — Pindapata (alms round) or cleaning the monastery grounds
- 7:30 AM — Meal
- 8:00 AM — Cleaning the dining hall
- 8:30 AM — Individual meditation
- 11:00 AM — Meal
- 12:00 PM — Cleaning the dining hall
- 12:30 PM — Individual meditation
- 5:45 PM — Evening Vandana (chanting)
- 6:00 PM — Evening group meditation
- 7:00 PM — Individual meditation
- 10:00 PM — Lights out
- Every month, from the 1st to the 10th, the monastery enters retreat mode. An additional group meditation from 9:00 to 10:00 is added to the schedule. During these days, we ask everyone to observe noble silence.
- Every Wednesday, the monastery holds a workday (cleaning the monastery grounds).
- Adherence to the Rules of Residence at the Chittaviveka Monastery
Rules of Residence at the Chittaviveka Monastery - Respectful attitude towards monks and other practitioners
- Following Buddhist precepts and ethical norms (observing 5, 8, or 10 rules of moral training for Buddhist laypeople).
If you plan to sustain your body with alms food (the food that Buddhist laypeople offer to monks) throughout your entire stay at the monastery, it is advisable to adopt the enhanced 8 or 10 training rules. - The monastery practices the Noble Eightfold Path and traditional Theravāda Buddhist practices. It is preferable to already have a basic understanding of the Noble Eightfold Path. Otherwise, it is necessary to consult with the monks in advance regarding possible practices.
For clarification of details and coordination of stay, please directly contact the chief incumbent of the monastery.
Application
Общие рекомендации по подготовке к длительной практике на Шри-Ланке с целью отречения от мирской жизни (становления саманерой).
Практикующему, которому одобрено длительное пребывание для дальнейшего пострига в саманеры, а следовательно, и оформление религиозной визы под поручительством монастыря Читтавивека, необходимо подготовиться к оставлению мирской жизни. В период ожидания пригласительной entry-визы, практикующий должен решить свои мирские вопросы.
1. Finances:
- Prepare funds to cover transportation costs between the two countries.
- Ensure financing for religious visa application expenses.
- Settle all debts.
- Have a financial safety net to ensure the possibility of returning if monastic life doesn't suit the person. At a minimum, it should cover the cost of a return ticket and funds for the period of job searching and reintegration into the world.
2. Family matters:
- Inform close relatives.
- Obtain a written approval from wife if married to avoid further problems that may affect both the practitioner and the teacher.
- It is advisable to execute necessary powers of attorney for close people.
3. Legal aspects:
- Prepare a document certifying the absence of criminal records. Federal Police clearance is a must.
4. Health:
- Re-check overall health condition.
- As the environment you are going to stay for long time is going to be different from your home country, prepare to familiarize with the peculiarities of tropical climate and associated health risks. Having relevant vaccination before travel is advisable. Once residing at the monastery please always adhere to advices and guidance of chief incumbent or senior resident monks.
- Assess your physical abilities for living in new conditions.
- Ensure a supply of necessary medicines and the possibility of their delivery to Sri Lanka.
5. Spiritual preparation:
- Familiarize yourself with the Patimokkha rules for monks.
- По возможности выучить основные тексты которые произносятся на вандане и других буддийских религиозных мероприятиях.
- Have a general understanding of Buddha's Dhamma within the framework of the Theravada school and adhere to lay Right Views.
6. Adaptation to monastic life:
- Be prepared for the peculiarities of local food.
- Consider the monastic rule of not consuming food after noon.
Thorough preparation on all the above points will help you transition more smoothly to a monastic life and avoid possible difficulties in the future.
Thorough preparation on all the above points will help you transition more smoothly to a monastic life and avoid possible difficulties in the future.
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