Visiting and Staying

Nowadays in the West there are many centres which offer the Buddha's teachings, and even more where a range of spiritual or psychological practices can be studied.  Cittaviveka, however, is one of the few places where people can train as Buddhist monks and nuns, and this therefore remains its primary focus. And although meditation is taught and practised here, formal guided retreats for lay people are not what we offer.  (For such retreat please contact Amaravati Buddhist Monastery, north of London.)  Instead, we offer a way of life, which people can come and partcipate in as guests.  Sometimes a visit may be a chance to step outside of domestic concerns for a few hours or days and get a new perspective; or a time to gain strength and nourishment from the simple purity and commitment that is the life-force of the monastery; or an opportunity to meet, or re-connect, with spiritual friends. And of course, if you're interested in taking up monastic life, here is a good place to sample what that may entail before looking to make a further commitment.  So for those who feel moved by what the monastery has to offer, there is the opportunity to visit, to come and stay for a while – or to make it into a way of life.
 

Visiting for the Day
Staying as a Guest
Precepts and Observances
The Daily Routine
Other Practical Considerations
Advice for Visiting Monks and Nuns
Becoming a Monk or Nun
HOW TO GET HERE