A meditation retreat is an opportunity to develop peace and self-reflection in a safe and supportive environment. It is also an undertaking that requires some effort and self-discipline. The retreat will follow an intensive daily schedule consisting of meditation and instruction. The medium of instruction will be Hokkien dialect, English or Mandarin.
Eight Precepts
All retreatants are expected to keep the Eight Precepts whilst on retreat. They offer a way of living together morally, ethically and harmoniously, causing ourselves and each other as little suffering as possible.
1. Harmlessness: not intentionally taking the life of any living creature.
2. Trustworthiness: not taking anything that is not given.
3. Chastity: refraining from any sexual activity.
4. Right Speech: avoiding false, abusive or malicious speech and idle chatter, and, on retreat, keeping Noble Silence.
5. Sobriety: not taking any intoxicating drinks or drugs that lead to carelessness.
6. Renunciation: not eating after mid-day.
7. Restraint: not wearing make-up, perfume, jewellery or immodest clothing; not texting, emailing, making telephone calls or using the internet; not playing or listening to music, or watching TV.
8. Alertness: refraining from overindulgence eg sleep.
Noble Silence
The retreat will be held in NOBLE SILENCE, which all retreatants are expected to observe. Noble silence gives us the opportunity to not engage in conversations with others unless absolutely necessary. Noble Silence helps to quieten the mind and allows us to have the space and time to reflect inwardly and observe our minds, thoughts and feelings.
Accomodation
This is a residential retreat, so there will be no commuting. We provide simple mattresses, sitting meditation mats, pillows, blankets, bed sheets and pillow cases. You are welcome to use all these but would have to wash and dry the blanket, bed sheets and pillow cases before you leave should you use them. Alternatively you could bring your own blanket, bed sheet and pillow case. Keep your accommodation clean and tidy at all time.
Food
Throughout the entire retreat we shall observe eating one meal a day. There will be a daily meal of breakfast-lunch at around 9am. The food is Dana food offered by devotees and is usually ample for all preceptors. In the evening, we will provide the allowable drinks such as coffee, tea or herbal tea.
The below is the list of allowable sustenance after noon and consumption is up to the individual (we don’t necessarily have all of them at any one time therefore the retreatant should endeavour to bring with him those that he wishes to consume):
– honey
– ghee
– cottage cheese
– butter
– oil
– molasses
– preserve or fresh (aloe vera, nutmeg, gooseberries, chinese olive, sweet & sour plums, Pegaga, Daun Kaduk, garlic, chilli, pepper & ginger)
– dark chocolates without milk, nuts or raisins
– Soluble vitamin C
– Filtered Fruit (smaller than the size of a man’s fist) juice but not vegetable juice.
– 2 in 1 drinks without milk or creamer
If you have a medical problem which requires a special diet or any other food supplements, please bring the items you need.
Health
If you have a serious medical condition or any special dietary requirements, please let us know beforehand. Please cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze.
Attire
You are required to wear WHITE top and plain DARK/WHITE COLOURED long pants or BLACK/WHITE long skirts. Please dress modestly, out of respect for the monastics leading the retreat and also as not to distract other retreatants. This includes:
– not wearing sleeveless tee-shirts, tops or dresses
– not wearing short or tight-fitting clothing or leggings
– not wearing low or plunging necklines or transparent clothing
– not wearing shorts, skirts, or dresses which end above the knees
It is advisable to wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing and quiet fabric (for example, cotton) and prepare enough number of clothing that you need for the whole retreat duration. .
Daily Chores
Participants are required to do the daily cleaning /chores assigned to them. Assigned chores are to be performed mindfully.
Things to Bring
You will need to bring:
1. Sufficient clothing for the retreat (Note: washing is not recommended)
2. Torch/flashlight
3. Personal toiletries
4. Alarm clock
5. Personal medication If any
6. Water tumbler
7. Mosquito net/tent for sitting meditation
8. Sleeping bag (individual preference).
9. Encouraged to bring your own blanket, bed sheet and pillow case.
Most importantly, please bring an attitude of being easy to look after, not fussy and not complaining.
Things Not to Bring
Please DO NOT:
– Bring a laptop or use any emailing/tweeting device.
– Bring valuable items to the retreat.
– Use of beeping watches in the Meditation Hall.
Use of Electronic Equipment/ Mobile Phones
Retreatants are to refrain from using electronic equipment during retreats, and are expected to surrender their mobile phones upon check-in at the Vihara. If you are unable to meet this request, please consider whether this is the right time for you to come on meditation retreat.
Smoking and Fires
Smoking or fires of any kind, including candles, are prohibited due to the risk of fire. The only exceptions to this are the candles that are lit in the Shrine and meditation hall.
Ending
All participants are expected to stay for the entire period of the retreat that they have signed-up for, except in the case of illness or emergency of compassionate nature and with permission from the resident monk.
禅修营为在家居士提供了一个在安全及辅助的环境下培育内心平静及内省自觉的机会，这也是一个极需个人精勤与自律的修行。禅修者必须遵循密集的静坐与禅修指导的日程安排活动。教学媒介语为福建话、英语或华语。
八戒
在禅修期间，所有禅修者在必须受持八戒，因为这将为大家提供一个有道德情操及和谐气氛的共修环境，并尽可能把会引起其他同修不便/不满之处减至最低。八戒为：
1. 不杀生 ：不可有意夺走任何生物的生命。
2. 不偷窃 ：不取任何不属于自己的东西。
3. 不邪淫 ：不可进行任何性行为。
4. 不妄语 ：避免虚假、辱骂或恶意的言语和闲聊，并在禅修期间 保持高度的沉默。
5. 不饮酒 ：不可服用任何会导致人麻醉的饮料或药物。
6. 过午不食：中午过后不吃东西。
7. 克制 ：不可使用化妆品、香水、珠宝或穿不适当的衣服；不发短信、电子邮件、打电话或使用互联网；不播放及不听音乐、 不看电视。
8. 惊醒 ：避免过度自我放纵，例如睡觉。
圣默然
禅修者必须保持禁语，这可让我们有机会独处。除非
有绝对必要，否则禅修者应尽量减少与他人接触交谈。禁语有助于平伏内心的杂念，给予我们更多的空间与时间静思内省，同时对一切的起心动念及情绪的起落保持明觉。
住宿
这是一个举办于住宅寓所的禅修营。在禅修期间，禅修者必须住在寺里，不可以每天居家往返。我们会提供基本所需如床垫、静坐垫、枕头、毯子、床单和枕头套，欢迎禅修者使用，惟须在离营前必须把床单和枕头套洗净及晒干。禅修者与可以自备毯子、床单或枕头。请保持住所的清洁及整齐。住宿的房间没有空调设备。我们不处理对提供空调及转换房间的要求。
食物
在禅修期间，禅修者日食一餐。用餐时间为每天早上9点左右，食物是由当天来供僧的信徒所布施，通常足够供所有禅修者食用。我们将在下午/傍晚为禅修者提供午后允许饮用的饮料，例如咖啡、茶或凉茶。
以下是中午之后可进食的食物清单，禅修者可自行决定取舍（我们不保证在任何时候都拥有清单上所有的食物，因此，有需要者请自行准备。）
蜂蜜
酥油
奶酪
牛油
黄油
糖浆
腌制或新鲜的芦荟、肉豆蔻、醋栗、中国橄榄、酸甜梅子、金钱莲（Pegaga）、山劳叶（Dauh Kaduk）、蒜、辣椒、胡椒和生姜。
不加牛奶的黑巧克力、坚果或葡萄干
可溶性维生素C
已经过滤渣滓的水果汁液（榨汁的水果必须小于男人的拳头）， 蔬菜汁则不可饮用。
不含牛奶或奶精的2合1饮料
如果您有健康问题，需要特殊饮食或任何其他食品补充剂，
请自行携带所需物品。
健康
如果您患有严重的疾病或需要任何特殊的饮食要求，请事先告知我们。在咳嗽或打喷嚏时请必捂住嘴。
服饰/衣着
禅修者必须身穿白色上衣和全黑/白色长裤或黑/白色长裙。穿着要求简单朴实，以示尊重主持禅修营的僧侣，同时也避免分散其他禅修者的专注力。这包括：
– 不可穿无袖T恤衫、上衣或连衣裙
– 不可穿短裤、紧身衣或紧身裤
– 不可穿低胸或透明服装
– 不可穿短过膝盖以上的短裤、裙子或连衣裙
建议 ：穿着舒适、宽松的衣服，布料不会因肢体摩擦而发出声响（例如棉布），并准备足够在整个禅修期间所需要的衣物。
日常作务
禅修者必须进行分配给他们的日常清洁工作/杂务，请在进行所分配的杂务时保持正念。
自备品免带品
禅修者需要携带的物品：
– 足够供禅修期间更换的衣物（注意：不建议洗衣）
– 手电筒
– 个人用品
– 闹钟
– 个人药物（如有需要）
– 水壶
– 静坐用蚊帐/帐篷
– 睡袋（个人选择）
请抱着随遇而安、不挑剔和不抱怨的心态来参加禅修营。
免带品
请不要携带：
– 电脑笔记本或使用任何电子邮件/通讯设备。
– 贵重物品。
– 任何会发出响声的手表或其他电子设备进入禅堂。
使用电子设备/手机
禅修者应自我克制，避免在禅修期间使用电子设备，并应在抵达寺院报到时交出手机。如果您无法遵守此条规，那请再三考虑此时是否正是您参加禅修营的合适时机。
吸烟和点火
为免引起火灾，除了佛坛和禅堂允许点燃蜡烛之外，寺院内的其他地方禁止吸烟或点火，包括蜡烛。
结束
所有禅修者必须全程参与禅修营直到结束。除非生病或有家里有突发事件/紧急情况，并且在获得僧侣的批准下方可半途离营。
Dormitory Dos & Don’ts 宿舍注意事项：
Dos 需要:
1. Clean the dormitory room, balcony and pantry every day 每天打扫宿舍房间、阳台和餐具室 。
2. Preserve the peace and sacredness of Vihara BoonRaksa Forest Monastery (VBR) 维护福持寺(VBR) 的和平与神圣 。
3. Follow VBR timetable strictly 严格遵守VBR时间表 。
4. Keep all electric appliances OFF when not in use 不用时关闭所有电器 。
5. Make sure the room is kept clean and tidy, items / things are all in their original position before leaving. Please wash up the room’s toilet 确保房间保持干净整洁，物品/物品在离开前都在原位。请清洗房间的厕所。
6. Please report any malfunction / not in working conditions of any items in the dormitory 请报告宿舍内任何物品的任何故障/不在工作状态 。
7. Please check the dormitory before leaving 请在离开前检查宿舍。
Don’ts 不要:
1. Don’t make noise 不要制造噪音 。
2. Don’t eat or smoke in the room 不要在房间里吃东西或吸烟 。
3. Don’t leave any personal belongings behind 不要留下任何个人物品。
Self Retreat Facility 个人禅修的设施