Overnight and Longer

Accommodation at the Wat is simple, comfortable and generally shared. Guests are housed in dormitories, houses and caravans. Facilities are basic as the Wat is not on mains electricity. As the buildings are well spread out, a certain amount of walking along bush tracks will also be necessary. Guest are asked to come prepared for various weather conditions. A torch is a must if staying overnight.

In keeping with our tradition there is no charge for accommodation or food at the Wat. As a Theravadin monastery, we are fully supported by donations in the form of food, money, and volunteer labour. Guests are encouraged to consider how they might contribute to the needs of maintaining the monastery, while at the same time cultivating wholesome states of mind.

Meals and Eating at WBD

At the monastery, the guests follow the 8 Precepts (see below) along with all of the other residents in the monastery. The monks follow 227 rules, many of which are based on these 8 basic precepts. One of these 8 precepts is to limit the consumption of food between the hours of dawn and midday or roughly 6:00 am to 12:00 pm. By limiting eating to these times, the monks are less of a burden on the laity because they do not require food outside of the morning time and they can devote their afternoon and evening hours to formal practice. Refraining from eating in the afternoon is also a form of renunciation.

There is usually a very light breakfast of porridge, tea and milk/milk alternative served at 6:00 am. At 10:00 am, the main meal is offered. At 5:00 pm, tea with sugar/honey and juice are available.

There has always been enough food for everyone at the monastsery. However, since WBD residents subsist on donated food and do not buy food, what is offered varies day by day. As a principal, there is a strong emphasis based on renunciation and restraining the outward expression of any preference for specific types of food (unless there is an invitation from the donor). This principal creates an atmosphere of ease for those donating food, whereby they can feel free to generously give whatever they wish without a sense of fear or concern that they might be giving the “wrong” or “non-preferred” foods.

For that reason, and to work with views, opinions and preferences, WBD residents and guests are asked to accept whatever food is offered. Overnight guests may donate whatever food they wish but are under no obligation to do so. That being said, guests who stay at WBD are asked to refrain from requesting a special diet or special food either at breakfast or the meal. Since the work tasks change from day to day for a guest, it is also not possible to oversee the cooking process to make sure that one’s special dietary needs are met for the meal.

Those with strong food allergies or food requirements, whether eating specific foods or needing to eat in the afternoon, would be advised to find a different practice environment that would better suit those needs.

Outside Communication and Coming and Going while Staying at the Monastery

A monastery is a sanctuary from the usual worldly concerns for those who have dedicated themselves to spiritual practice. As guests are sharing in community life, it is not appropriate to come and go without notice or engage in external business during their stay. We ask guests to take care of all business before arrival and to agree to stay in the monastery for the duration of their visit.

To help make the monastery a haven of quiet, simplicity and solitude, guests are asked to refrain from using their cell phones (or smart phones) for calls or email while staying here and to leave their tablets and laptop computers at home. This policy is in place to ensure a peaceful, contemplative stay.

If it is absolutely necessary for a monastery telephone or computer to be used to arrange departure or for an emergency, it is customary to ask the guest monk or a senior monk for permission to do so.

Pets at WBD

As the monastery is in the middle of the national park,  we strongly discourage bringing pets to WBD. If a day visitor brings a pet, we ask that a dog or cat be leashed and with the owner at all times (or left in a car – weather permitting). Some people are highly allergic to pets and may be prevented from visiting if pets are around WBD or have been in the guest living spaces. In addition, we do not allow pets to stay overnight in the monastery. These policies ensure safety for the pets, visitors, residents, and wild animals that live in the monastery.

First time visits are limited to 10 days. For those who have previously spent time with the community, it may be possible to arrange longer stays. Local guests may stay for up to one month, interstate and international guests, for up to three months.

Please note the following requirements:

  • Applicants should be:
    • a Buddhist and familiar with Theravadin Forest Tradition.
    • experienced meditators and have completed at least one Buddhist retreat.
    • in good physical and mental health.  Note: Due to the large acreage size of the property, there is a fair amount of walking on uneven ground.
  • New Guests are required to:
    • complete an online application form two weeks before arrival date,
    • stay a minimum of 5 days, and not longer than 10 days.
    • arrive by noon.

Before filling in the application form below, please read the following:

Information for New Guests

All guests are asked to abide by the following Precepts and Monastery rules:

  • To refrain from killing or harming any living being.
  • To refrain from taking that which is not given.
  • To refrain from any sexual activity. No physical contact or intimacy with another person.
  • To refrain from false or harsh speech.
  • To refrain from taking intoxicants which confuse the mind.
  • To refrain from eating before sunrise and after noon.
  • To refrain from entertainments, beautification and adornment.
  • To join in the monastery schedule and work duties.
  • To refrain from using computers, telephones, and internet.

Daily Schedule

  • 4:00 – 6:00 am Morning Chanting & Meditation
  • 6:15 – 6:45 am Breakfast (Optional)
  • 7:00                    Work Meeting
  • 7:00 –  9:30 am Work Period
  • 10:00 – 12:00 pm Lunch and Kitchen Clean Up
  • 12:00 – 2:00 pm Rest Time
  •  2:00 – 4:00 pm  Group Practice
  • 6:00 – 6:45 pm  Drinks
  • 7:00 – 9:00 pm Evening Chanting & Meditation.

**On Full Moon and New Moon Days the evening meditation practice may continue all night. There may be variations in the Daily Schedule from time to time.

Conduct

Guests should try to be sensitive to what is appropriate for a quiet and meditative environment. All external business and contact should be kept to an absolute minimum. Please keep your room and the surrounding area clean and tidy. Do not walk around in a state of undress. Men should not be bare-chested, or wear shorts in public areas, and women should be well covered. Male and female guests are not allowed to visit each others’ rooms.

General

The Wat is very vulnerable to fire; smoking is prohibited and we do not allow the burning of candles or incense (exception: Sala). Guests should use their torch, as snakes move around during the night as well as the day in summer. Be careful where you walk and stick to established pathways. Be mindful when using lights as we are on solar power. Please be frugal with your use of water. Make sure you organize your own transport in and out of the Wat.

Sala

  • Enter and leave as quietly as possible. (Through double doors only.)
  • Feel free to adopt a suitable sitting posture without lying down.
  • Move mindfully and quietly if you need to change position during meditation.
  • It is considered impolite to point your feet towards the Buddha statue or teacher.
  • Observe noble silence at all times around the Sala.
  • Do not wear ‘noisy’ or skimpy clothing.
  • The last person leaving must extinguish the candles at the shrine.

Coming and Going

Please inform the Resident Teacher before leaving the Monastery for any reason. Towards the end of your stay please inform the Senior Monk of your expected departure time. Before leaving, make sure your room and monastery linen have been thoroughly cleaned and all monastery property is returned to where you found it.

May your stay at WBD Forest Monastery be peaceful and harmonious

 

**Note:  The Application Form are for overnight guests outside of  organised retreats eg New Year Retreat.  For Retreats please use the Evenbrite Form.  The link will be provided on the retreat flyer in the Calendar.

Disclaimer Statement:

While the Wat is a beautiful and special place, being in the middle of the Dharug National Park, it has many risks and dangers:   Below are some examples

 1.  A rough 16km of dirt track through the National Park, with dangers of  falling rocks, unstable edges, and slippery at times 
 2.  Poisonous snakes and spiders
 3.  Falling tree branches
 4.  Unreliable mobile phone reception
 5.  Unpaved and uneven walking tracks, most without lighting
 6.  The nearest hospital is 2 hrs drive away.
 
While all reasonable care is taken to ensure your health and safety, if you enter the monastery for a day visit or overnight stay,  you agree to indemnify the monastery for any personal injuries or property damage.