Retreat

Liability

By attending, traveling to/from, and/or participating in the retreat in any way, the participant agrees to release, forgive, and forever discharge Trisikkha Meditation Center, its subsidiaries, employees, agents, contractors, subcontractors, and affiliates from any and all claims, suits, actions, charges, demands, liabilities, injuries, damages, judgments, and/or costs, whether known or unknown, both legal and equitable in any manner.

Trisikkha Meditation Center is not responsible or liable in any way for any and all damages you receive directly or indirectly from your travel to/from the retreat and/or your attendance and/or participation at or in the retreat. We do not assume liability for damages, injuries, harm, death, misuse of (or failure to properly use) information or documents, due to any act, or failure to act, by you. IN NO EVENT SHALL WE BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES.

Assumption of Risk

It is solely the Attendee’s responsibility to familiarize (himself/herself/themself) with all possible risks associated with participation in the retreat. The participant agrees that Trisikkha Meditation Center is not liable, to the fullest extent possible by law, for any harm that the participant may experience due to his/her participation in, or travel to/from, the retreat.

Noble Silence

All students attending the course observe “Noble Silence” – that is, silence of body, speech and mind. They agree to refrain from communicating with their co-meditators. However, students are free to contact the staff about their material needs. After each Dhamma Talk there is a time for questions to be asked. If the Teacher is not otherwise occupied, participants may also ask him questions in the Meditation Hall when the Teacher allows. Silence is observed for the first nine full days. On the tenth day, speech is resumed as a way of re-establishing the normal pattern of daily life. Continuity of practice is the secret of success in this course; silence is an essential component in maintaining this continuity.

Why should I stay for the entire ten days? 

Vipassana is taught step by step, with a new step added each day to the end of the course. If you leave early, you do not learn the full teaching and do not give the technique a chance to work for you. Also, by meditating intensively, a course participant initiates a process that reaches fulfillment with the completion of the course. Interrupting the process before completion is not advisable. Leaving early is short changing yourself. You don’t give yourself a chance to learn the full technique and so you won’t be able to apply it successfully in daily life. You also interrupt the process in the middle rather than letting it come to the proper conclusion. To get home a day or two early, you waste all the time you have invested.

Language

English and Thai. Some retreats are only English or only Thai, and some use both languages alternately. This is stated clearly in the announcement for the retreat.

Cost and Financial Support

Our meditation retreats are free of charge, and operated solely by donations, which are typically given towards the end of the session. Your donations could be directed specifically towards food, electricity, water, new construction, and instructor’s appreciation.  Our instructor and organizers volunteer their time and effort, without compensation.  Thus, retreats are supported by those who have found benefits for themselves and wish to share these benefits with others.

Whether a donation is large or small, the participants should feel free to donate at the amount they feel comfortable giving. Your donations are tax deductible.  Please feel free to request a receipt for your tax deduction.

Separation of Men and Women

Men and women should be completely separated.  Friends, family members, and couples should not speak or interact with each other during the course. Physical contact with persons of both the same and opposite sex is prohibited during the retreat.

Food

The Center provides breakfast and lunch for practitioners. We will try our best to accommodate your restrictions. However, you may bring your prepared food (only microwave provided) in case of food allergies or diet restrictions and please inform the staff in advance . We make our best effort to prepare a balanced, nutritious menu suitable for meditation. Vegetarian options are always included. As participants gather in line to obtain food, please refrain from passing silverware, dishes, or food to fellow participants as they may be practicing meditation at that time and for good hygiene. Please also wear a mask while getting food for good hygiene. 

If you have an evening medicine to take after a meal, you may keep food for that purpose. Please inform the staff team of your requirements, you can store the food in the canteen refrigerator and warm it in the microwave in the canteen during the evening break.

Participants are encouraged to bring their own mug/thermos and/or refillable water bottle to minimize waste. 

Intoxicants, tobacco, and drugs

No drugs, alcohol, tobacco, or other intoxicants should be brought to the center.

Sleeping Arrangements

The meditation center has two sleeping halls, one for women and one for men. You may choose to set up a tent in the camping area, we have tents provided. Pillows and sleeping mats are provided. Participants should bring their own pillow covers and bed sheet to use during the retreat as these are not provided. If possible, please bring your own blanket or sleeping bag, otherwise $15 will be charged at the time of registration. 

Clothing

We have no restriction on color, however dress should be simple, modest, and comfortable. Tight, transparent, revealing, or otherwise striking clothing (such as shorts, short skirts, tights and leggings, sleeveless or skimpy tops) should not be worn. Sunbathing and partial nudity are not permitted. This is important in order to minimize distraction to others. Makeup should not be worn. Clothing should not be a distraction to others.  It is advisable to bring comfortable walking shoes.

There is only very limited access to washing machines, so participants should bring sufficient clothing for the length of the retreat. Small items can be hand-washed.

Bathing

Participants should bring their own toiletries. Bathing is permitted only during break periods, not during meditation hours.

Outside Contacts

Students must remain within the course boundaries throughout the retreat. They may leave only with the specific consent of the teacher. No outside communications are allowed until day nine. This includes letters, phone calls and visitors. Cell phones, and other electronic devices must be deposited with the staff members  until the retreat ends. In case of an emergency, a friend or relative may contact the staff members. Emergency Phone Number: +1.813.473.2180

Music, Reading, and Writing

The playing of musical instruments, radios, etc. is not permitted. No reading materials should be brought to the retreat. No writing materials should be brought to the retreat except for the purpose of taking notes during the Dhamma Talks. 

Recording Devices

Recording devices may not be used except with permission of the teacher.

Practicing other religions or believes during the retreat

We ask that participants refrain from religious practices and other types of meditation while at the retreat in order to correctly learn how to practice Vipassana Meditation without any confusion with other practices. At Trisikkha Meditation Center we follow the Noble Eightfold Path that was taught by the Buddha. You may visit other meditation centers and try other forms of meditation, but while you’re here please give us your undivided attention to gain the most benefit from the retreat. 

Volunteer tasks

In order to maintain cleanliness and provide for the needs of the retreat participants, we ask for volunteers to work on specific tasks during the break periods for a short period each day. Participants should select which tasks they want to volunteer for which will be notified before the retreat. The benefit of volunteering is the opportunity to practice Mindfulness, Concentration and Wisdom and make it part of your daily life.

Meditation Supplies

Meditation mat and cushion are provided. However, participants may bring their own pad or cushion as they will be in a cross-legged sitting position for prolonged periods of time.  Alternatively, chairs are available for those who are unable to do so. There is no requirement that practitioners sit on the floor. Using a chair is fine as long as the back is straight. The critical point of practice is to have the right understanding of the practice, which is about the mind, not the body. 

Valuable items

Bringing valuable items to the Center is prohibited during the retreat. The Center, its board members and staff will not be responsible for any loss, theft or damage to any persons or their belongings.

Pregnant Women

Pregnant women may certainly attend, and many women come specifically during pregnancy to take advantage of the opportunity to 

work deeply and in silence during this special time. We ask pregnant women to ensure they are confident that their pregnancy is stable before applying. If extra meals are required, they may bring their own food. However, the application will be evaluated and considered on an individual basis.

Capability Requirement

For a person in reasonable physical and mental health who is genuinely interested and willing to make a sincere effort, meditation (including “noble silence”) is not difficult. If you are able to follow the instructions patiently and diligently, you can be sure of tangible results. 

Who Should Not Participate in the Retreat

Obviously someone who is physically too weak to follow the schedule will not be able to benefit from a retreat. The same is true of someone suffering from psychiatric problems, or someone undergoing emotional upheaval. In some cases applicants are asked to get approval from their doctor before they can be accepted.

Health Problems

Please inform us of any existing health conditions and allergies (especially to food). Participant is responsible for his/her own health and will need to bring his or her necessary supply of medications to treat his/her existing health conditions during the stay. If your health condition requires emergency visits or stays at the hospital, the participant will be responsible for the cost of the treatment. The Center, its board members and staff are not responsible for any cost incurred in relation to your health.

Accident while at the Center

The Center and its board members and staff are not responsible for any accident that may occur to you or any losses of your personal belongings during your stay at the Center. 

Mental & Physical Problems and Vipassana Meditation

Many diseases are caused by our inner agitation. If the agitation is removed, the disease may be alleviated or disappear. But learning Vipassana Meditation with the aim of curing a disease is a mistake that never works. People who try to do this waste their time because they are focusing on the wrong goal. They may even harm themselves. They will neither understand the meditation properly nor succeed in getting rid of the disease.

Again, the purpose of Vipassana is not to cure diseases. Someone who really practices Vipassana learns to be happy and balanced in all circumstances. But a person with a history of severe depression may not be able to apply the technique properly and may not get the desired results. The best thing for such a person is to work with a health professional. Vipassana teachers are meditation experts, not psychotherapists.

Please make sure you have read and understood all of the above, and that you agree to accept all of the guidelines, rules and regulations, the only purpose of which is to support your practice at Trisikkha Meditation Center. We look forward to welcoming you to Trisikkha Meditation Center.

Ajarn Willie
Trisikkha Meditation Center
Plant City, Florida, USA