In order to maintain an atmosphere conducive to spiritual practice and meditation for oneself and others, residents and visitors of Amitabha Village Retreat Center (AVRC) should comply with all of the following guidelines and rules.
AVRC Guidelines:
Residents and visitors should:
- Be respectful of the Triple-Gem (Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha).
- Help keep the center clean.
- Share the center’s routine duties.
- Dress modestly. (Neutral colors; No form-fitting pants or tank tops.)
- Refrain from physical displays of romantic affection at the retreat center.
- Out of respect for the monastic precepts, refrain from physical contact with monastics.
- Be supportive and helpful of the retreat center’s goals without having a hidden personal agenda.
- Refrain from acting selfishly and being a burden to the center by doing things such as using center’s resources more than necessary.
- Be respectful to other people in the center, behave in a controlled manner, and refrain from making excessive noise that might interfere with others’ practice(s) or be troublesome to others, either those in the retreat center or AVRC neighbors.
AVRC Rules:
- Do not engage in any illegal behavior and uphold the Five Precepts while on AVRC grounds:
- Do not kill.
- Do not take what is not given.
- Do not engage in sexual activity.
- Do not speak falsely.
- Do not smoke or consume alcohol or other intoxicants.
- Do not bring or consume non-vegetarian food to or on the retreat center grounds.
- Do not litter.
- For the health of people with chemical sensitivities, do not wear perfumes, colognes and other scented products.
- Do not sell goods on the retreat center grounds, except religious articles, books, and/or other items offered by the retreat center (not by individuals) on a donation basis.
- Do not engage in any other ethically or otherwise inappropriate behavior that is not elsewhere specifically covered in these rules.
Residents or visitors who break the rules can be removed from the center after being issued a warning.