About
Living in a Monastic Environment
Springhill Forest Monastery, Hanthana, Kandy.
Springhill Forest Monastery is a branch of the SRI KALYANI YOGASRAMA, Galduwa, Ambalangoda. This monastery is governed by the Monastic code of ethics set by the Governance bodies. It is also governed by the policies set by the Government & the Department of the Buddhist Affairs.
RESPECT SPRINGHILL FOREST MONASTERY, AS AN INSTITUTION AND ENVIRONMENT THAT THERAVADA MONKS ARE IN RESIDENCE IN ACCORDANCE TO THE MONASTIC CODE OF RULES.
To assist the management & the conduct of the Monastery, all monastic monks will be categorized in the following groups.
a) Abbott & Resident Monks
b) Invited monks
c) Visiting monks
-All monks should & will abide by the accordance of the PATHIMOKKA AND VINAYA rules.
-All monks should & will abide by the SRI KALYANI YOGASRAMA Monastic rules & policies.
-All monks should & will abide by the Springhill Forest Monastery Preservation Society requirements.
(- personal form filled by every monk / - Abbot be able to delegate authority to capable monk / - no changes to infrastructure can be made without prior authority / -)
The SRI KALYANI YOGASRAMA Monastic rules & policies approves and accepts all ten precepted nuns and no other status.
To assist the management & the conduct of the Monastery, all lay devotees will be categorized in the following groups
a) Kapiyakara
b) Invited and Approved Guests
c) Retreat attendees (overnight stay needed)
d) Daily attendees
e) Constructions & Environmental support workers.
a) Kapiyakara will be a volunteer or an approved employee by the Abbott. (Employed Kapiyakara will be managed by the Springhill Forest Monastery Preservation Society.)
- All responsibilities will be agreed & authorized by the Abbott.
- All complaints, improvements & suggestions via the Abbott
- Any complaint or suggestion by the Kapiyakara should be via the Abbott - He will be responsible for all the stores & should only dispense the items with prior approval of the Abbott.
b/ c/ d/) ALL LAY DEVOTEES SHOULD BE AWARE THAT THEY ARE ATTENDEES TO THIS ENVIRONMENT TO IMPROVE THEIR MEDITATION & WE'LL BEING.
- All lay devotees should RESPECT the workings of the Monastery & the monks in the Monastery.
- According to the traditions of the Theravada practice there should be NO COMPLAINTS OTHER THAN SUGGESTIONS to improve with.
- There will never be any EQUAL RIGHTS or entitlements over the Monastic code of practice.
- As this environment is being Gifted & Offered the MAHA SANGHA, the environment & the Infrastructure is only for the USE of the lay devotees & not to be OWNED PERSONALLY. (If this code of practice is not adhered, the offender will be gathering unwholesome demerits).
- All residential guests should observe the “Anagarika” Livelihood precepts.
- Dress code: All Residence must be appropriately covered in white (exceptions made for working clothes.)
- The Abbott & the Maha Sangha has the right to consider the conduct of any guest and their approve status.
- The Abbott would be responsible in the approval & allocation of accommodation in all circumstance.
- Priority will be considered, with each invited & approved guest in their use of the accommodation.
- A guest should follow instruction in each of the approved locations they have been allocated use.
- All residential guests should inform of their presence & absences with the Abbott or the delegated authority.
- All Guests are restricted in the areas where monks reside, other than the common areas with prior approval (Dana sala, Kitchen, Pantry, Library, Workshop and Bodi)
- All items in the Store will be the responsibility of the Kapiyakara to release & dispensed.
- The opposite sex should always "restrain" their company with Monks & Male guests.
- Prior approval should be gained (from the Abbott) if there are any visitors for the lay Guests.
- All visiting gusted should be entertained in common places and not in allocated personal accommodation. (Dana sala, Library)
- All rooms should be cleaned and made ready for the next guest before leaving. All keys must be returned to the Abbott or delegated authority.
- Smoking & Consumption of Alcohol is Strictly Prohibited.
- All valuables are the responsibility of the Owner.
Use of Common locations by the Lay Guest at the
Springhill Forest Monastery
Library:-
- Access to the Library will be from the Hours of 11.00 to 12.00 every day
(other than during special occasion)
- Use of the Chairs in the library is for the use of Monks only. (Special chairs allocated for the Layette).
- Any book or Item removed from the library must be recorded in the registry
- Silence must be adhered all times when in the Library
- The Use of the Monastery Land Phone for Emergency purposes only
Dana Sala & Pantry:-
- Keep the Dana Sala clean & Tidy
- Assist with the needs of the Monks when necessary
- Please adhere to the local instructions for the use of Cutlery & Crockery
- Please respect the instructions for items which are offered to the Monks and the for the use of Monks
- Use of Fridge & other utensils (See local instructions)
- Silence must be adhered all times when in and around the Dana Sala
- Garbage should be disposed as instructed
Kitchen:-
- The use of the Kitchen is the responsibility of the Kapiyakara and all needs must be agreed with him.
- Keep the Kitchen clean & Tidy all of the time
- Meals can only be prepared in the Kitchen (no preparation of food in rooms)
Meditation Hall:-
- Keep the Meditation hall clean & Tidy all of the time
- The platform & Meditation benches are only for the use of the Monks
- No ritualistic offering of flowers, lamps, incense etc. inside the Meditation hall unless at special occasions
- Silence must be adhered all times & there would be no chanting unless on special occasions
Bodi & the surroundings:-
- Use of the SIMA is restricted to the Monks, unless authorized.
Workshop:-
- Kapiyakara will be responsible for the workshop & should only dispense the items with prior approval of the Abbott.
- All used Tools and items should be cleaned before returning to the Workshop (Kapiyakara)