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.
The Chittaviveka Monastery is also open to visitors daily from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM. We kindly ask you to maintain silence while on the monastery grounds. If you need advice or consultation, you may approach the monks present.
Please note that from noon until the evening service (Vandana), the monks are usually in their kutis (huts) for individual practice.
Recommended visiting hours:
— 7:00 AM (morning)
— 10:30 AM (before noon)
— 5:00 PM (before the evening Vandana)
The monks of Chittaviveka Monastery are sustained by the faith and goodwill of the Sri Lankan people. Sri Lankan society is deeply committed to Buddhist traditions and preserves its unique cultural values, which trace their roots back to the ancient history of the island.
Guests are required to show respect and attentiveness to local traditions by adhering to the appropriate dress code and rules of conduct.
It is important to understand that all expenses of the monastery are entirely covered by voluntary donations from the devoted lay community—both local residents and international followers of the Dhamma. Their generosity and faith make it possible to sustain this place of spiritual practice.
Food and accommodation at Chittaviveka Monastery are provided to lay visitors free of charge as an expression of generosity from the local Buddhist lay community and the monastic Sangha. We ask you to treat with deep respect the faith and hospitality that the monastery receives from the local Sri Lankan community. These offerings are extended to those who sincerely seek to follow the path of the Dhamma.
In cases where a guest’s behavior does not align with the spiritual purpose of staying at the monastery, shows disregard for the established order, or is purely of a tourist nature, the monastery reserves the right to ask the guest to leave. This is necessary to maintain harmony and uphold respect for the Dhamma and the Sangha.
Short-term stay (usually about 2 weeks)
For the relatives of monks, as well as for Buddhists wishing to undertake a short retreat (currently, retreats for laypeople are not possible due to the lack of necessary infrastructure) or for those interested in learning about Buddhist practice and monastic life.
It is necessary to arrange the conditions of your stay in advance with the abbot of the monastery (currently, the monastery has limited resources and cannot accommodate a large number of laypeople and monks at the same time. At present, women are not allowed to stay in the men's Buddhist monastery. In the future, there are plans to build a separate dormitory for lay visitors, which will provide the possibility for laywomen to stay under specific conditions).
Upon arrival at Cittaviveka Monastery, you must register with the guest monk by presenting a valid passport and visa (or visa on arrival). Without these documents, accommodation at the monastery is not possible.
All guests, medium and long term stays, must prove:
Good physical and mental health.
Having medical or travel insurance.
Having sufficient funds for unforeseen expenses, visa extensions, and further travel.
Important: If you have a history of mental health conditions, including depression or psychotic episodes, we will not be able to provide accommodation, as there is no professional support available in the region for foreigners in case of symptom escalation.
You must complete and submit the form:
Application for a short-term stay in the monastery
After receiving your application, we will review the possibility of your stay at Chittaviveka Monastery and inform you about the availability of accommodation. In some cases, if the conditions of stay do not align with the monastery’s current capacity or the nature of its practice, a response may not be provided. We appreciate your understanding and respect.
Medium-term stay (usually about 1 month)
For those who observe the Five Precepts (Pañca-sīla) in daily life and the Eight Precepts (Aṭṭhaṅga-sīla) on Uposatha days, and who regularly practice Bhāvanā.
The following mandatory requirements are established:
1. Compliance with the established monastic daily routine.
2. Mandatory participation in all general meetings.
3. Regular participation in monastery duties (such as cleaning the grounds and other tasks).
Staying at the monastery implies full adherence to its internal regulations and rules. These requirements are mandatory for all lay practitioners without exception.
Prior approval from the abbot of the monastery is required. You must complete and submit an application form:
Application Form for Medium-Term Stay at the Monastery
Long-term stay (3 months or more)
For serious practitioners considering the possibility of becoming a monk.
The first six months (under a tourist visa) serve as a period of mutual adaptation and evaluation.
For practitioners of Theravāda Buddhism with many years of experience, who observe the Five Precepts (Pañca-sīla) in daily life and the Eight Precepts (Aṭṭhaṅga-sīla) on Uposatha days, regularly practice Bhāvanā (meditation), cultivate generosity (Dāna) and service to the community, study Buddhist texts and teachings, and are now considering the possibility of taking monastic ordination.
The first six months (under a tourist visa) serve as a period of mutual adaptation and evaluation.
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.
Upon mutual agreement, the issuance of an invitation letter to obtain a religious visa for a long-term stay is considered by the chief incumbent. For this, the practitioner will need to leave Sri Lanka to obtain an invitation entry visa, with which they can re-enter Sri Lanka and apply for a religious visa. In this case, the practitioner will need to adhere to the general recommendations on how to prepare for long-term practice in Sri Lanka. Recommendations are in the appendix below.
More details on the steps toward renouncing worldly life:
For those intending to take monastic ordination, the first step is to stay at Chittaviveka Monastery as a lay practitioner observing the Eight Precepts (Aṭṭhaṅga-sīla) for at least three months. After this period, you may request permission from the abbot to become an anagārika (“homeless one”).
The abbot will discuss your candidacy with the Sangha, and upon their approval, you will be able to formally take on the status of anagārika, affirming the Ten Precepts in a Sangha gathering. From this moment, your more intensive training in monastic rules and practices begins. An anagārika wears white robes and still maintains financial independence, remaining in a transitional period toward full monastic ordination.
After approximately six months, you may request pabbajjā—ordination as a sāmaṇera (novice monk). The primary difference between a sāmaṇera and an anagārika is that the novice monk takes an additional vow, completely renouncing the possession, handling, and use of money. As a result, a sāmaṇera relies entirely on the support of the lay community and is considered a monk, a full-fledged member of the monastic Sangha.
Sāmaṇeras wear brown robes, just like bhikkhus, and follow a similar daily routine, although their code of discipline is less extensive. At Chittaviveka, sāmaṇeras study monastic rules, develop essential skills for monastic life, and learn monastic etiquette, including the recitation of Pāli texts. They also practice meditation and participate in the daily life of the monastery alongside bhikkhus. With favorable progress, proper preparation, and the approval of the Sangha, after a minimum of two years as a sāmaṇera, one may request higher ordination (upasampadā) to become a bhikkhu.
- Calculate and save sufficient funds.
Determine in advance the amount needed for two trips to Sri Lanka, the extension of a tourist visa for up to six months, and any other potential expenses.
We kindly ask you to pay special attention to the financial aspect of staying at the monastery. Although the monks share food received through alms and provide access to monastery facilities, all guests and anagārikas must independently cover their personal needs until they take monastic ordination. This includes:
— Medical care
— Visa expenses
— Обратные билеты
— And other essential items.
Special attention should be given to visa matters, as the costs for long-term visas can be significant. Until attaining the status of sāmaṇera, the monastery can only assist with coordinating timelines and organizational aspects related to visas.
After attaining the status of sāmaṇera, the monastery assumes responsibility for all visa matters and related expenses.
Therefore, we strongly recommend maintaining sufficient financial resources to cover all personal expenses until the moment of taking monastic ordination. - You must complete and submit the form:
Application Form for Long-Term Stay with the Goal of Becoming a Monk - Provide a certificate of no criminal record.
A mandatory requirement is a certificate of no criminal record issued by the relevant authorities. - Provide a medical certificate.
A health certificate must be submitted, including information on whether the applicant has been registered at a psychiatric or neurological dispensary.
General rules:
- Adherence to the monastery's daily schedule
Go to the schedule of Chittaviveka Monastery - 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.
A document has also been prepared for those intending to take ordination as sāmaṇeras, containing the minimum essential knowledge for future monks, which must be thoroughly studied.
Application
General Recommendations for Preparing for Long-Term Practice in Sri Lanka with the Aim of Renouncing Worldly Life (Becoming a Sāmaṇera)
A practitioner who has been approved for a long-term stay with the intention of further ordination as a sāmaṇera, and consequently for obtaining a religious visa under the sponsorship of Chittaviveka Monastery, must prepare for renouncing worldly life. During the waiting period for the entry visa invitation, the practitioner should resolve their worldly affairs.
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.
- Confirmation of having no dependents to ensure that no one enters monastic life while leaving unresolved obligations behind.
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.
- It is preferable that the candidate has no minor children or official marital obligations.
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.
- Confirm the absence of serious chronic illnesses requiring constant treatment (e.g., Type 1 diabetes, severe cardiovascular diseases).
- Prepare a medical certificate, including information on whether the applicant has been registered at a psychiatric or neurological dispensary, as well as certificates confirming the absence of drug addiction, sexually transmitted diseases, tuberculosis, and hepatitis.
- Be mentally prepared for the specifics of the tropical climate and potential exotic diseases (such as dengue fever, Lyme borreliosis, leishmaniasis, etc.). If possible, consider the necessary vaccinations. Consult a specialist regarding recommended vaccinations and preventive measures for Sri Lanka.
- 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 Pātimokkha rules for monks.
- If possible, learn the essential texts recited during Vandana and other Buddhist religious ceremonies.
The texts can be found in an Android application. - 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:
Important Points Regarding Food in the Monastery:
1. Be prepared for the specifics of local food. The monastery meal is composed of what is offered by lay supporters.
2. In accordance with monastic discipline, meals are taken only in the first half of the day—before noon. The consumption of solid food after noon is not permitted.
3. Alms offerings may include various types of food, including meat. In the Theravāda tradition, monks accept any food offered with gratitude, without expressing personal preferences. This is part of the practice of letting go of attachments and cultivating equanimity.
It is important to mentally prepare yourself for this eating regimen in advance and to be ready to accept any offered food with gratitude.
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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