Monastery Etiquette and Visitor Guidelines

Aranya Refuge Theravada Buddhist Monastery has rented Earthspring Sanctuary for a month in March/April 2024. Ajaan Peter and Taan Will from Metta Forest Monastery will be our monastics in residence.

Earthspring is a large nature sanctuary, a wilderness refuge suitable for forest monks and for those wishing to participate in the daily schedule of a Theravada Buddhist monastery. Earthspring is approx. 40 minutes by car from downtown Victoria. See Travel Directions below.

The daily meal offering and meditation gatherings will be held in the Kitchen/Sanctuary building. Registered Day Visitors are welcome to offer food and join the Daily Schedule at any time. Please see the application for Day Visitors.

The monks will stay in separate cabins.

There is some room for overnight guests. Overnight guests are asked to participate fully in the Daily Schedule of the Monastery. Please see the application for Overnight Guests.

There is no charge for room or board, or, teachings. Everything is provided in the spirit of generosity by the monks and supporters of the Monastery.

The Sanctuary entrance is by use of a ramp.
The Main House is not wheelchair accessible.
There is a pond of water near the Main House that is not to be used by Day Visitors or Overnight Guests.

EIGHT PRECEPTS AND RIGHT SPEECH

This event is not a scheduled retreat as found at some meditation retreat centres. Aranya Refuge at Earthspring, is modelled after Metta Forest Monastery, which is always in “retreat” mode. While at the Monastery, all lay guests will follow the Eight Precepts.

  1. Refrain from taking life.

  2. Refrain from stealing.

  3. Refrain from sexual activity including comments or physical contact that could be interpreted as sexual or sensual in nature.

  4. Refrain from telling lies.

  5. Refrain from consuming alcohol or intoxicating drugs.

  6. Refrain from eating at the wrong time (after mid-day and before dawn).

  7. Refrain from dancing, singing, music, watching shows, wearing garlands, using perfumes, and beautifying oneself with cosmetics.

  8. Refrain from sitting or lying on high and luxurious seats and beds.
    (Earthspring Sanctuary’s accommodation is in keeping with this precept).

The Monastery is not a place for total silence. However, visitors are encouraged to keep conversations to a minimum to support an atmosphere conducive to meditating. There are certain chores to be done and cooperation is necessary among the guests, so some speech is necessary. The Buddha taught the principles of Right Speech. Before speaking, ask yourself: Is it true? Is it useful? Is it the right time?

Daily Schedule

5:30-6:30am:
Morning Meditation: Chanting, Recorded Dhamma talk from Taan Ajaan Geoff & Meditation

7:00am:
Work Period – meal preparation, cleaning.

9:30am (10am on Saturday/Sunday):
Meal Offering to the Monks.
After the meal offering to the monks, the meal is shared with guests. After the meal, Day Visitors are invited to meet with Ajaan Peter. 🙏
Work Period – Clean-up.

Noon:
Self-directed time for meditation.

4:30pm:
Work Period – for some tasks.

6:00-8:00pm:
Q&A with Ajaan Peter in Sala
Tea & allowables (in the Sala)
Evening Meditation: Chanting, Recorded Dhamma talk by Taan Ajaan Geoff & Meditation

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

DAY VISITORS

Registered Day visitors are welcome to join any time of the day and stay for all or part of the Daily Schedule. Application for Day Visitors is available here.

All visitors are required to agree to and follow these Monastery Etiquette and Visitor Guidelines, and sign a Participant Agreement.

For those wishing to make a food offering, please arrive by 8am with your food ready to serve. 

For more information contact us at registrar@aranyarefuge.org.

OVERNIGHT GUESTS

There will be rooms for overnight guests to stay for up to one week. Arrivals will start on Mondays and departures will end on Sundays.

The Main House can accommodate up to 8 overnight guests:

  • 4 single rooms with ensuite toilet and sink. Shower building nearby.

  • 4 single beds in a Dorm room occupied by those of the same gender. Shared washroom and shower nearby.

In addition there are 2 very small cabins with a bed. Toilet and shower nearby.

For information and to apply, click here.

Unfortunately, Earthspring is not set up to receive overnight guests who require wheelchair access.

Requirements for travelling to and from Canada can be found here.

If you become ill while at the monastery, you are responsible for arranging alternative accommodations such as renting a hotel or Airbnb. All guests must have appropriate medical insurance.

PREPARATIONS FOR VISITORS - WHAT TO BRING

Be prepared for rain and cold weather between 2 and 10 celsius.

The buildings at Earthspring are spread out. Expect uneven terrain when driving and walking. 

For those with mobility concerns, there is a small secondary parking lot next to the Sanctuary. There is a ramp access to the Sanctuary.

Bring footwear that will keep your feet dry and for walking in the woods, on gravel and unpaved pathways.

Bring slippers for indoor spaces as the floors are cold.
Bring heavier socks for wearing in the sala (no shoes permitted).

Dress conservatively. Casual and comfortable is fine, but no shorts, and nothing provocative or revealing. This applies to all genders. Avoid using scented products.

Bring your own sitting gear and blankets/shawls. There are folding chairs, some meditation cushions, meditation benches, and large footstools for use. The Sanctuary has a hardwood floor and is heated by a wood stove and a propane heater.

Bring work gloves if you would like to help with tasks such as moving wood or splitting wood.

Bring a COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test Device in case you become ill while at the monastery.

Wearing a mask is optional, but please bring a mask in case you become ill while at the monastery.

OVERNIGHT GUESTS

Bedding is available and we ask, if possible, that you please bring your own sheets, pillow cases and towel as laundry facilities are limited. All single rooms, except one, have queen sized beds. All other rooms have single sized beds.

Please bring unscented soap and shampoo products.

Bring a flashlight or headlamp, alarm clock, and batteries.

There is one main meal per day. Coffee/tea and some light breakfast items will be available at dawn after the morning meditation gathering. Please bring other food items that you require. And please note there is limited storage space. Coolers will be available for items that need to be kept cold. There is no fridge space for personal items.

Taan Ajaan Geoff will consider exemptions on a case by case basis for those who have medical or special dietary needs and cannot follow the 6th Precept of refraining from eating after midday and before dawn.

Bring a water bottle and, or thermos.

What Not To Bring

  • Electronic devices such as microwave ovens, hair dryers, and irons.

  • Smart phones and laptops are okay, but you might consider leaving them behind anyway.

  • Items that require frequent laundering, as laundry facilities are limited.

THE MONKS

Please avoid the monks’ area of the Monastery where their cabins are located. There is a sign posted at the driveway area that marks the entrance to the monks’ section. If you’re not sure, ask a monk or a steward for guidance.

Guests are asked to be supportive of the Vinaya rules that the monks follow. When interacting with the monks, they might alert you to certain protocols or restrictions. First, be respectful of their requests. Second, they do not expect the laypeople to know all the Vinaya rules and will be happy to explain them to you, time permitting. If you want to learn more about the monks’ rules, you can download and peruse the eBook version of the Buddhist Monastic Code.

OFFERING FOOD AND OTHER REQUISITES 

Please email registrar@aranyarefuge.org if you are planning on bringing food to offer to the monks. This will help the cooks plan the meal offering.
Arrive at the Kitchen by 8am to drop off food.
Please know that we cannot respond to phone calls.

Please inquire with a Steward or contact us by email if you would like to offer other requisites to support the monks.

To offer financial support, please click here.

Travel Directions

Earthspring Sanctuary is in the Highlands, approx. 15 minutes from the municipality of Langford, BC. and 40 minutes from the city of Victoria, BC.

Driving to and from Earthspring will require careful attention.
A map can be found here.

 

We recommend that you drive to Earthspring using the route from Hwy 1 to Millstream Road to Millstream Lake Road that leads to 405 Hazlitt Creek Road.

Note: the Google Maps pin is actually not completely accurate; you’ll want to drive a few metres AFTER the location on the Google Maps pin to take the left turn to enter the property. You’ll know to take a left when you see a  “Earthspring” sign on the right side of the driveway.

Public transit buses operate from the Swartz Bay ferry terminal to Victoria (map) and from Victoria to Langford (map).

Car Rentals are available at the airport, in Victoria or Langford.

Taxi service is available from the airport or ferry terminal.

Ride-hailing services are also available via Uber.

WHERE TO PARK

Please park in the main parking lot. There will be a few vehicles there.

The dorm and single bedrooms are in the Main House, close to the parking lot. To get there, take the first path AFTER the parking lot, to your LEFT.

From the parking lot area, you can also walk up the hill to the Kitchen and Sanctuary building. To get there, take the path at the RIGHT, AFTER the parking lot.

You are welcome to park for a short time in front of the Kitchen/Sanctuary to drop off food, and meditation gear you wish to bring with you. Those with mobility concerns can park for longer periods of time in this secondary parking area.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

For those traveling to join us at Earthspring, especially from the USA or other overseas locations, it's important to obtain medical insurance before your arrival. This step is important to safeguard against any unforeseen medical expenses for those not residing in Canada.

Additionally, we recommend considering comprehensive travel insurance. This can provide peace of mind and protect against unexpected changes in travel plans. We suggest looking for policies that cover trip cancellations and interruptions—ideally with a 'Cancel for Any Reason' (CFAR) upgrade, which offers the most flexibility.

While Aranya Refuge Theravada Buddhist Monastery endeavors to provide stability and certainty in our retreat planning, we recognize that unforeseen circumstances can arise. Robust travel insurance can be an essential safeguard for your investment in travel and accommodation. Please ensure that your policy provides adequate coverage for cancellations initiated by either the traveler or the retreat organizers.

HEALTH SERVICES

If you are not a resident of British Columbia, you must have appropriate medical insurance for your time in British Columbia. 

The closest urgent care facility is in Langford, BC.

The closest hospital is the Victoria General Hospital, approx. 30 minutes from Earthspring. 

Guests are responsible for finding appropriate accommodation should you become ill while staying at the monastery. Check Airbnb or this site for options.

Information about services in Langford can be found here.