Lay Lead Retreat Booking Form (For 2,3 & 5 Day Retreats)

ALBA Retreat Booking Form (for weekend & 5 day retreats) (Run by Amaravati Lay Buddhist Association and led by lay-people) ______INFORMATION ABOUT OUR RETREATS

 The Format of ALBA Events

We are very fortunate that ALBA events take place at Amaravati Buddhist Monastery. As such, we respect the rhythms and spirit of the community, in particular the emphasis on quiet reflective enquiry and behaviour that is sensitive to the needs of those on retreat and living on site. The programme for any particular ALBA event is created by the teacher. There is no fixed format, although over the years we have evolved a flexible mix of features. The ALBA event description will explain the theme of the event, the names of the teacher (s) and the activities one can expect. These will include sitting and walking meditation, instruction, talks and discussion. Newcomers to meditation and Buddhism are welcome.

 Silence.

The retreat will be silent except for periods set aside for discussion, activities or questions. Clearly you should use your judgment and speak if necessary. There will be opportunities to talk to others during the final mealtime.

 Precepts.

To help enable safe and supportive conditions for practice we voluntarily undertake a traditional code of conduct. These are called the Eight Precepts. They include respect for life, respect for others’ property, abstaining from sexual activity, maintaining appropriate speech, abstaining from intoxicants such as alcohol and ‘recreational’ drugs, not eating food after the midday meal, and avoiding entertainment (via radio, smart devices and similar).

 Food

We provide breakfast and a main lunchtime meal. All food is vegetarian or vegan. Please let us know if you have a particular dietary requirement for medical reasons. If you require a light meal in the evening, this will consist of bread and cheese or your own food. Please note that retreat participants cannot use cooking facilities.

 Sitting.

During the meditation periods you may sit on a cushion or in a chair. If you find that you are suffering from excessive pain, feel free to take up a standing posture. Spare cushions are available in the meditation room.

 Puja

This is a devotional practice that includes the lighting of candles and incense as well as some chanting. Participants may choose to bow a number of times before, during and at the end of the puja. Please join in if you feel comfortable doing so. If not, it is fine simply to observe.

 Mindful Movement

There are usually opportunities for mindful exercise during ALBA events. These may be Qi Gong, Yoga or similar exercises intended to encourage mindful presence. The exercises are voluntary and it is important that you respect any physical disabilities or health issues you may be experiencing and avoid movement that causes discomfort.

 Questions and answers.

If during your stay you have any queries on any aspect of the retreat, either a housekeeping matter or on meditation practice, please approach the retreat manager, leader, or one of the organisers. On some retreats you may also leave written questions about practice by the leader’s mat or ask questions during group sessions. 2 ALBA Retreat Booking Form

Friday Timetable: 5 00–7 00pm Arrival & Registration - retreat centre kitchen 6 00 pm Light meal 7 30 pm Orientation Talk - retreat centre kitchen 8 00 pm Welcome, introduction & opening meditation - shrine room 9 30pm Own time – lights out at 10pm

Subsequent days usually start at 5.30 am

Retreats usually end at 4pm or 2pm on the last day. See your retreat description for the end time.

Accommodation. Accommodation is mostly in dormitories or shared rooms with a very few single rooms available for those with special needs

Special needs. Please describe on the booking form below. We will let you know if we can support them.

Food. All the food provided on our retreats is vegetarian and much of it is vegan and gluten free. Please let us know if you require vegan or gluten free food or if you have other food allergies/intolerances. We do our best to cater for those with medical allergies and intolerances but we cannot cater for personal food preferences. As retreatants are asked to abide by the Eight Precepts no evening meal is served, but a light snack is offered to those who need it on medical grounds.

Please bring: Sheets, pillow cases and towels (blankets, sleeping bags and pillows are available), warm waterproof clothing and footwear, thick socks or slippers (no shoes are worn indoors), comfortable, modest and loose fitting clothing and a small torch.

Mobile phones and Messages: Mobiles should not be used within the Amaravati grounds (a pay phone is available in the monastery). If someone needs to contact you they can leave a message on 07977 591333.

Please note: The monastery gates close at 9:30 pm. Should you arrive after registration has ended, please come to the retreat centre kitchen where accommodation arrangements are displayed on the board by the door.

If you need more information please email: [email protected]

Please download, complete and save the booking form and send by email as an attachment to: [email protected]. If this is a problem for you, you can copy and paste it into an email.

COSTS: The costs of running retreats are £60 for a weekend and £100 for a five-day retreat, including food. These costs are met out of donations made at previous retreats. We ask you to make a similar donation towards future retreats so that others may benefit. We welcome any donation, either greater or smaller than £60/£100, depending on what you can afford.

No deposit is required. Donations usually to be made on arrival (Cheques payable to The English Sangha Trust).

We welcome any feedback you may offer for the benefit of future newcomers and hope you enjoy the retreat. ALBA Retreat Booking Form (for weekend & 5 day retreats) (Run by Amaravati Lay Buddhist Association and led by lay-people) ______

Dates of retreat: Retreat title if known:

NB Please complete details of name, and address in BLOCK CAPITALS

Surname Forename

Address

Telephone number(s)

Email address (write legibly, please): Would you like to go on our email database so we can let you know about future ALBA events? Y/N

Gender M/F Date of birth:

Occupation:

Have you practised meditation / mindfulness before? Y/N Details:

Have you attended an ALBA weekend or 5 day retreat before? Y/N

(This question is optional) Are you affiliated with any spiritual / religious tradition? If so which? Y/N

Do you need a single room for reasons of health, disability, age or loud snoring? (Please give brief details) (NB Accommodation is mostly in dormitories with a very few single rooms available for those with special needs)

Are you willing to share a four bedded room? Y/N

Do you require vegan food? Y/N

Do you require an evening snack for medical reasons? Y/N

Do you have any food intolerances/allergies?

Do you have any physical difficulties or medical condition? Y/N (Please give brief details)

Do you have any mental health issues? Y/N (Please give brief details)

Are you currently taking any medication? Y/N (Please give brief details)

Any other issues you would like to tell us about (Continue on separate sheet if necessary)

Contact in case of emergency. Name: Telephone Number:

If you need to cancel your booking please let us know as soon as possible. The information given on this form is treated as confidential and only used for administrative purposes.