Who can participate?

In general, anyone interested - regardless of background, age, or gender, and whether or not they have meditation experience - is warmly welcome to visit the monastery. The only requirement is an openness to the nunnery’s routines and rules of conduct. 

It is possible to register for day visits without an overnight stay and for introductions to mindfulness meditation. 

Only after attending an introductory weekend, a practice week, or a longer meditation course at the monastery may one request a monastery stay. A monastery stay serves to deepen Buddhist practice. Further, comprehensive information will then be sent with the registration email.

Nunnery guests must adhere to the Eight Precepts. Noble Silence prevails in the monastery, and guests are asked to refrain from using cell phones and similar communication devices. Furthermore, guests are expected to behave appropriately and to follow the nunnery schedule or the daily routine during a meditation course. 

The nunnery follows the meditation tradition of the Most Venerable Phra Prom Mongkol Vi (Venerable Phra Ajarn Tong Sirimangalo) from Thailand and is not an individual retreat center. Accordingly, only the meditation techniques taught and practiced at our main monastery - including walking and sitting meditation - are taught and practiced here. Those wishing to register for a stay at the nunnery must be aware that this is an intensive retreat.  

Daily routine

4:00 a.m.     day starts

6:30 a.m.     breakfast 

7:15 a.m.     meeting for chores and working period

11:00 a.m.   lunch (time can vary depending on summer or winter time) 

afterwards   individual practice

5:00 p.m.     afternoon tea with allowable tonics

7:00 p.m.     evening chanting & meditation 

10 p.m.        sleep

During their stay at the nunnery, guests are invited to experience the nunnery’s normal, contemplative daily routine. Each person practices walking and sitting meditation individually according to our tradition, and during work periods (approx. 3–5 hours per day), they practice performing everyday tasks with mindfulness while observing the mind. This is a very valuable practice for everyday life. The work periods also take place in a monastic, contemplative atmosphere of Noble Silence. 

In the evenings, there is a communal evening chanting and meditation. On some evenings, there is an opportunity to ask questions about Dhamma practice and to engage in group discussions. On specific dates, there is also a Dhamma talk. Depending on the length of your stay, you may have the opportunity to meet with the teacher for a personal conversation at certain times. However, it is expected that nunnery guests are sufficiently established in their practice to be able to handle arising states and obstacles and are primarily nourished by the general practice instructions and evening Dhamma discussions.

During formal meditation courses, the daily schedule varies, and the focus is on formal meditation practice to take advantage of the opportunity to gain insights directly from practice. Through daily discussions (reports) with the meditation teacher, participants receive individual guidance and instruction in the exercises. An hour of work meditation is part of the daily schedule. You will be informed of the exact daily schedule in the registration email.

The meals are vegetarian. Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate allergies or food intolerances. 

The Eight Buddhist Precepts

I will train myself… 

1. …to abstain from killing any living creature. (harmlessness)
2. …to abstain from taking what is not given. (trustworthiness)
3. …to abstain from all sexual activity. (chastity)
4. …to abstain from speaking what is not true. (truthfulness)
5. …to abstain from all intoxicants (alcohol, drugs). (mental clarity)
6. …to abstain from eating solid food after the peak of the sun (around 12 o´clock noon-time) (drinks are allowed in the afternoon). (frugality)
7. …to abstain from sensual entertainment (dancing, singing, reading, listening to radio) and bodily decoration (jewels, perfume, cosmetics). (restraint)
8. …to abstain from sleeping on high or luxurious beds. (moderation)

Exclusion of liability

The "Dhammanikhom Vipassana-Meditationszentrum e.V.", the nuns as well as any meditation teacher and the volunteers assume no liability unless this is due to intentional acts or gross negligence or injury to life, body or health by intentional or negligent breach of duty.

Nunnery stays or participation in courses is always at one´s own risk. The programs and courses offered are not therapeutic events and do not replace professional care for people with mental and physical illnesses. In cases of severe mental or physical illness, a doctor´s or therapist´s consent is needed.

No liability is assumed for personal items or valuables.

The responsible nuns and teachers and the "Dhammanikhom Vipassana-Meditationszentrum e.V." reserve the right to deny participation in a course or to send the participant home earlier if he / she does not follow the rules and instructions or endangers himself / herself or others. 

Registration, further information and questions:

Dhammanikhom

Hauptstr. 18

03185 Heinersbrück

Germany

email: [email protected]

phone: 0049 (0)35601-803804