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VISITORS INFORMATION
Get in touch with your heart of love and compassion, and with an altruistic intention, think that you will come to the Abbey in order to bring peace and compassion in your own heart and in the hearts of all sentient beings. Generate the aspiration to attain enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings. This is a precious and joyous motivation that will support you as you travel, abide, and depart the Abbey
Getting Here:
The Abbey is near Newport ,Washington; an hour's drive north of Spokane, Washington and Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. It is a six hour drive from Seattle.
If you fly:
Abbey is more than a one hour drive from the Spokane Airport. The following options are available to get from the Airport to the Abbey:
- If you arrive in Spokane Airport by 2:00pm on a week day, there is a $3.00 (yes, three dollars) shuttle van that can take you directly to Newport by 5pm. If you have a later flight, please stay in a motel and catch the early shuttle at 6:30am to Newport. You must call ahead at least 24 hours to reserve a place and let the shuttle driver know where you'll be waiting: (509) 534-7171. We will pick you up at the Safeway in Newport.
- There is another shuttle van operating from Coeur d'Alene: Omni Bus costs $80 for first person one-way single fare and $15 for each additional passengers [drop off in Oldtown, ID]. Call (208) 667-6664 for reservations. We will pick you up from Old town. This one operates every day.
- If you take a taxi, expect to pay $100 in fare one-way, plus tip.
Airport Daily Taxi (509) 218-5000 ; or Airport Express from Coeur d’Alene (208) 704-5768.
- Rent a car at the airport .
- Please consider offering dana to those who transport you to and from Newport and the Abbey, for gas expenses.
If you take the train or a bus to Spokane:
See the information under "If you fly " for shuttle arrangements. The shuttle will pick up at the train station and bus station.
If you drive:
Email
for directions.
To check current weather conditions and travel advisories on roads near the Abbey go to www.weather.com and put in abbey's zip code: 99156.
Arriving at the Abbey:
- If it is your first visit to the Abbey, please arrive before 6:30 PM. Abbey residents are in silence from 7:00 PM to 7:30 AM, so it is difficult for us to help you settle in if you arrive late. If you have been here before and know which room you will stay in, you may arrive while the community is in silence and settle in by yourself.
Bringing Children:
- The Abbey is not able to accommodate families with children under ten for overnight visits. Please stay at a motel in Newport and visit the Abbey during the day.
- Advance notice is required if you wish to bring children ten and older during work party weekends. Parents are responsible for overseeing their children during the visit.
Hotels in Newport:
- Golden Spur Motor Inn 924 W. Highway 2 Tel: 509.447.3823
- Newport City Inn 220 N Washington Ave Tel: 509.447.3463
What to Bring:
- Bring enough clothes to last your visit if you are visiting for a week or less. Laundry facilities are not available for short term visitors.
- Bring a shawl or blanket for the meditation hall.
- Hiking shoes and work clothes.
- Remember you are staying in a monastery. Loose fitting clothing, pants and long skirts are acceptable, preferably in a subdued color. Athletic clothing, tank tops, shorts, T-shirts with slogans and clothes made of cloth with designs on it are not suitable to wear in at the Abbey.
- Indoor slippers or thick socks.
- If you are visiting in the winter, expect snow and bring warm clothing, snow boots, gloves and a hat.
- Sheets and towels (If you are traveling by plane, we will supply blankets; if you're traveling by car, please bring a sleeping bag or blankets as our supply is limited.)
- Flashlight
- Toiletries (toothbrush, hand lotion, lip balm, deodorant, etc.)
- Yoga mats (optional)
- Medicines taken with a doctor's prescription. Allergy medicine if you are allergic to cats or bees.
- Notebook and pen (optional) to take notes during teachings
- Alarm clock
- Monetary offering
- If you have an allergic reaction to bee stings, etc., please bring an EPI PEN or two with you if you visit in the summer months.
- We eat only food that is offered to the monastic community. We do not shop for groceries. Please consider making a food offering when you come. You can call in advance, if you wish, to find out what is needed (509 447-5549). Please offer nutritious food that is low in fat and does not contain a lot of sugar. The abbey is vegetarian, so please do not bring meat, chicken, fish, fertilized eggs, radishes, onions, garlic, or leeks.
- Please bring any items on the Abbey's current wish list that you would like to donate.
- Bring meditation outlines, prayer books, and Dharma books to read. Please bring Pearl of Wisdom, Book I and II. You may also get these at the Abbey. Do not bring reading material that is not related to the Dharma or the work you are doing at the abbey.
- Get ready to enjoy meditating in the abbey's beautiful, natural setting!
What Not to Bring
- Pets
- Alcohol, cigarettes, illegal drugs
- Radios, CDs or tapes with music, musical instruments
- Chewing gum
- Firearms
- Decorative jewelry or make-up
- Perfumes, after-shave, or strongly scented lotion
Staying at the Abbey:
- For general guidance on Abbey etiquette, click on the Guidelines section on this page.
- Set your motivation and aim high! Rejoice in knowing that by helping the Abbey, you & your fellow volunteers are creating causes and conditions that will help the three Jewels to remain in the world for a very long time!!!
Before Leaving the Abbey:
- Please vacuum your room and common rooms, clean the bathroom, and generally tidy up.
- Rejoice in the service you offered to make the Dharma available to others, rejoice in your meditation practice and all you gained by visiting the abbey. Dedicate all the positive potential you and all others in the past, present, and future create so that all sentient beings may be freed from suffering, generate the bodhicitta and wisdom realizing emptiness, and quickly attain enlightenment.
Food and Accommodation
- Accommodations are simple but comfortable.
- Men and women are housed separately. Community spaces are used for meeting with other residents or guests. Guests are not permitted in each other's sleeping quarters or in the monastics' rooms.
- We do not shop for food, but following the ancient custom of Buddhist monastics, eating the food that is offered by visitors and supporters.
Daily Schedule
The abbey's daily schedule includes periods of meditation, Dharma class, discussion, work, and puja. Please arrive on time for all activities.
The abbey does not have a staff that cares for guests. Everyone staying at the abbey shows their care for others and for the community by offering service for several hours a day. Through work, we create positive potential that is a basis and support for Dharma practice. We discover how to integrate the Dharma with our daily life actions. We learn about ourselves by observing our habitual patterns of speaking, acting, and thinking.
| 5:15 AM |
Wake up |
| 5:45 - 7:15 AM |
Meditation Practice |
| 7:30 AM |
Breakfast (in silence) |
| 8:30 - 10:00 AM |
Teachings,
Dharma Discussion, or
Personal Study Time |
| 10:00 AM - 12:00 noon |
Offering Service |
| 12:00 noon |
Lunch (in silence) followed by
Dharma Discussion |
| 1:30 PM - 5:45 PM |
Offering Service |
| 6:00 PM |
Medicine Meal (optional light meal) |
| 6:45 PM - 8:15 PM |
Meditation Practice |
Please observe silence 7:30 PM to after breakfast the following morning.
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GUIDELINES FOR GUESTS
Our daily life activities have a profound spiritual significance and an important part of Buddhist training is to do all actions calmly, with gratitude, care, and kindness. We ask that all guests follow the daily schedule, arriving on time and participating fully. Doing this enables us to drop our opinions and preferences and to cultivate a kind heart. If you are unable to follow the schedule due to health or age reasons, please let us know and we'll do what we can to accommodate you.
In our busy world, having the opportunity to live and practice the Dharma in a monastic setting is rare and precious. Here we learn and practice the Buddha's teachings in order to calm our minds, gladden our hearts, make our lives meaningful, overcome self-centeredness, and progress on the path to full enlightenment.
To help us live together harmoniously, we live within the five precepts:
1. Respect life and do not physically harm any living being
2. Respect others' property and do not take anything that hasn't been freely given or use anything that is not for your use.
3. Do not engage in sexual behavior, including flirting
4. Speak truthfully, wisely, kindly, and at appropriate times
5. Do not use intoxicants (alcohol, recreational drugs, tobacco). Anyone using these substances during their stay here will be asked to leave.
Other Guidelines:
Since you are coming to the abbey to practice the Dharma and to live with the community, please follow these guidelines to help everybody remain focused, limit unnecessary distractions and facilitate harmony among residents.
- Please attend all morning and evening meditation and chanting sessions and Dharma talks.
- Silence is observed from the end of evening meditation until breakfast the next morning. At other times, please be aware of noise from talking, laughing, etc. and the impact it might have on others. Shut doors quietly.
- During their stay, guests must take medications prescribed by their physician. Do not try going off your regular medication while here.
- Our septic system is fragile. Please do not flush hair, sanitary products, dental floss or anything else except human waste and toilet paper.
- Take short showers and don't let the water run when brushing your teeth.
- Promptly return all kitchen equipment and tools to the place they belong. If something breaks, please tell us immediately. Do not use broken equipment or engage in any tasks that could be physically dangerous for yourself or others.
- If you will need to make urgent phone calls while here, please bring a phone card and limit your calls to five minutes. Some cell phones have reception in this area, most do not. If someone needs to contact you here in case of emergency, they may call 509 447-5549.
- · Guests may not Abbey computers or go online without permission. To help you not to be distracted, guests may NOT check personal email. All personal correspondence should be done by "snail mail."
- Quiet time for reading, reflection, and meditation are valued. Do not play or listen to music, sing, or dance.
- Rooms should be kept clean and tidy.
- The Abbey is in a high fire risk area. Please do not burn candles or incense.
- Please turn lights off when not in use.
- Someone has been designated to stoke the furnace. Please do not add wood.
- Don't adjust the temperature in the meditation hall. Bring a shawl or blanket.
- A snack and tea table is provided, please do not take food from the kitchen.
- Please do not eat or drink while standing up. Sit down and be mindful of what and how you are eating.
- Work happily, kindly, and efficiently at whatever task or job you are given.
- Please lock valuables in your car. Sravasti Abbey is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
- Do not use your cars except for approved errands for the Abbey or for emergencies.
- Before you arrive, please arrange transportation to your next destination. If you need a ride to the shuttle in Newport, ask the Abbey’s Administrative Assistant for help. We request guests not to contact Abbey volunteers directly to arrange rides.
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