WHAT TO EXPECT ON RETREAT
Noble Silence
Our retreats are conducted in Noble Silence. The retreat leaders will speak when they need to direct you, and of course the teacher will be giving Dharma talks. When other communication is necessary, short handwritten notes are allowed.
In addition to no talking, Noble Silence also means no reading, writing, texting, email, phone calls, music devices, or internet. All of this supports your meditation practice by limiting mental distraction.
We are now requiring that all overnight retreatants turn in their cell phones to the reception staff. Devices will be held securely and returned at the end of the retreat. In case of emergency, your family and friends can reach DDRC staff by phone at (845) 744-8114.
In addition to no talking, Noble Silence also means no reading, writing, texting, email, phone calls, music devices, or internet. All of this supports your meditation practice by limiting mental distraction.
We are now requiring that all overnight retreatants turn in their cell phones to the reception staff. Devices will be held securely and returned at the end of the retreat. In case of emergency, your family and friends can reach DDRC staff by phone at (845) 744-8114.
Cushions and Benches
- Cushions for sitting meditation are provided in our Chan Hall.
- There are also chairs and a few meditation benches.
Accommodations
- The retreat fee includes a single-occupancy bedroom.
- Dormitories are segregated by gender.
- Bathrooms are communal style with multiple showers and restrooms.
- If you stay at our center before or after a retreat, we ask that you follow the residential schedule and perform work practice during your stay.
Meals
- The retreat fee includes all meals. Breakfast, lunch, and a light supper (“medicine meal”) are all provided in the dining hall.
- Food is for sustaining energy during practice and not for indulgence; therefore, no food or beverage is to be consumed outside the dining hall and scheduled mealtimes.
- Meals are vegetarian and follow monastic dietary rules (no eggs, garlic, onions, shallots, or chives). We ask that guests accommodate themselves to our menu and not bring any personal food.
- There are hot-and-cold filtered water dispensers in the Chan Hall, dining hall and the dormitories.
Health
- The retreat center is a smoke-free and drug-free area.
Sample Schedules
1-Day Retreat
(For retreats held in-person and online)
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 8:45 am | Check in (in-person) / Log in to Zoom meeting room (online) |
| 9:00 am | Introduction, exercise, sitting, walking meditation, etc. |
| 12:00 pm | Lunch break & work practice |
| 1:30 pm | Sitting, Dharma talks, walking meditation, etc. |
| 4:00 pm | Closing & sharing |
| 5:00 pm | End of event |
Overnight Retreat – 1st Day (Check in Day)
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 4:00-6:00 pm | Check in |
| 5:30-6:30 pm | Medicine meal (supper) |
| 7:15 pm | Preparation bell |
| 7:30 pm | Orientation & guided sitting |
| 9:30 pm | Retire |
| 10:00 pm | Lights out |
Overnight Retreat – Daily Schedule
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 5:00 am | Morning boards (wake up) |
| 5:30 am | Exercise, sitting meditation, morning service (chanting) |
| 7:15 am | Breakfast, followed by work practice |
| 8:45 am | Preparation bell |
| 9:00 am | Dharma talk, sitting, walking, exercise, etc. |
| 12:00 pm | Lunch, followed by work practice & lunch break |
| 2:15 pm | Preparation bell |
| 2:30 pm | Sitting, walking, exercise, evening service (chanting) |
| 5:30 pm | Medicine meal (supper), followed by work practice |
| 7:15 pm | Preparation bell |
| 7:30 pm | Dharma talk, sitting |
| 9:30 pm | Evening boards (retire) |
| 10:00 pm | Lights out |
Overnight Retreat – Last Day (Closing Day)
(For retreats 2 or 3 days in length)
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 5:00 am | Morning boards |
| 5:30 am | Exercise, sitting meditation & morning service |
| 7:15 am | Breakfast, followed by work practice |
| 8:45 am | Preparation bell |
| 9:00 am | Dharma talk, exercise, sitting, walking meditation |
| 12:00 pm | Lunch, followed by work practice and cleanup/ pack up |
| 1:45 pm | Preparation bell |
| 2:00 pm | Sitting, walking meditation |
| 3:00 pm | Sharing, final words by teacher, followed by cleanup |
| 4:00 pm | End of event |
Overnight Retreat – Last Day (Closing Day)
(For retreats more than 5 days)
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 5:00 am | Morning boards |
| 5:30 am | Exercise, sitting meditation & morning service |
| 7:15 am | Breakfast, followed by work practice and clean up/ pack up |
| 8:45 am | Preparation bell |
| 9:00 am | Sitting, three refuges & five precepts, closing ceremony |
| 10:30 am | Sharing, final words by teacher, followed by cleanup |
| 12:00 pm | Lunch |
| 1:00 pm | End of event |