People have asked about staying at the temple. We do have rates, registration forms, and FAQ posted on our temple website. These were developed for those wishing to come and take private retreats. Now that some of you would like to come and read the rare and precious Imparting the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra and the fact that we have more nuns staying and working here, I have had to rethink our policies. The rates have not changed, but I have added a few alternatives for more informal visitors.
The existing rules do still apply to any qualified person who wants to stay and do a private retreat. We are simply not set up to handle long-term retreats yet (more than 30 days), as the purpose of this temple at present is to provide opportunities for many different people to learn and practice dharma with a focus on English and when we can, Spanish speakers. Chinese students are welcome, but it is best if you can also understand English. Classes will be taught in English and when we have Spanish translators, Spanish. There are many Dharma Centers and temples in our group that serve the Chinese speaking community. Language will not be so important for the long-term private retreats when we have such facilities, hopefully in Hesperia at Heavenly Lakes. Please let me know if you are interested in such an experience and would like to build or sponsor the building of a”Hermit Meditation Cave” there. Please read FAQ if you are interested and MORE on Hesperia plans and the “caves”. It is possible that we could start this project in 2020.
We do offer a discount for monastics on a case-by-case basis and have allowed “drop ins” for a single overnight when we are not having retreats, but this is not an inexpensive place where you can just crash as some have viewed it. I know some temples do allow that sort of thing and we did too when we were just starting, but now that we are a more formal temple and have resident nuns, it is not appropriate. I do want to be fair and especially make the Heart Sutra available for serious students, but now must also consider the needs of the nuns who are living here as well as the visitors. If you have questions, please call and we can discuss your needs and see what can be arranged.
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