Staying in Newbury Buddhist Monastery
Newbury Buddhist Monastery (fondly referred to as NBM) is one of the very few monasteries in the world and the very first in Victoria, Australia that supports both Bhikkhu and Bhikkhuni training, ordination and practice.
In providing a conducive environment and adequate support, we welcome devotees inclining towards the Buddhist path to stay at NBM to further their practice and support the resident monastics at the same time, subject to suitability of the practitioner/volunteer to the monastic environment through a review system and accommodation availability.
All practitioners/volunteers who stay at the NBM are required to follow the 8 precepts. Please refer to the tab “The Eight Precepts” below.
Accomodation
We do not accept walk-in guests. For those who wish to stay at NBM, please understand that accommodation will only be accorded to:
- Regular BSV / NBM volunteers and supporters,
- Applicants who have previously stayed in a monastery, are familiar with monastic rules and able to support monastics in their Vinaya practices accordingly,
- Applicants who have taken refuge in the Triple Gem and are practising a minimum of 5 precepts as a way of life,
- Applicants who are in good physical and mental health, as there are no professional doctors or therapists at NBM who are qualified to provide treatment for mental or physical health conditions.
There is no formal meditation teaching at the monastery; please ensure that you are able to meditate independently while living in accordance with Buddhist principles within the 4-fold community environment.
Applicants are expected to follow the daily routine, attend work meetings and participate in work and group activities.
Practitioners/volunteers must have sufficient funds to support their personal needs such as onward travel and especially if one has special dietary/medical requirements.
Please note the minimum number of days for a short stay is 3 days.
Application
If you wish to stay, please ensure that you carefully read the Conditions of Stay before sending an email to stay@nbm.org.au. If you have stayed at NBM frequently and recently, simply drop us an email with dates of intended arrival/departure and we will get back to you on availability. However, please provide us with your current documents if they have been updated.
NBM requires up to 3 business days to process applications.
Ordination
If you are interested in ordination, kindly email office@nbm.org.au
Self-retreats
The monastery does not offer self-retreats. If you wish to undertake a self-retreat, this can be done at the Sanctuary of Stillness Meditation Centre (SOS). Please visit bsv.net.au/retreat-centre/ for more information or email office.sos@bsv.net.au.
Etiquette
- No one is to have visitors visiting them in their private residence regardless of gender. Any visits/meetings should take place in public areas such as the dining hall. This is to prevent rumours and to preserve quiet around private quarters to support meditation.
- Excessive one-on-one interactions with the opposite gender are not encouraged, even between spouses.
- Please refer to the Conditions of Stay document for further information.
Lay Precepts
The 8-Precepts are to be maintained at all times by those staying at NBM. Exceptions can be made in consultation with the NBM Sangha Representative/s. Relaxation of rules are usually in regards to chronic medical issues.
The 8 precepts are as follows:
- I undertake to abstain from killing beings (includes insects).
- I undertake to abstain from taking what is not given.
- I undertake to abstain from any sexual activity (in public or private).
- I undertake to abstain from false, harmful speech.
- I undertake to abstain from the use of intoxicants (includes alcohol and any recreational drugs).
- I undertake to abstain from eating after the midday meal (exceptions can be arranged for legitimate health concerns such as pregnancy & diabetes etc.).
- I undertake to abstain from dancing, singing, music and watching entertainments*, and from using beautifying objects i.e. jewellery, perfume, cologne, fragrant antiperspirants, make-up etc. (*includes entertainment through modern hand-held technological powered gadgets like smart phones, i-pads, laptops…)
- I undertake to abstain from indulging in high and luxurious seats and beds.
If you are from Victoria, please bring the following:
- A sleeping bag, a fitted sheet, a blanket and any other bedding items you may need.
- Pillow and pillow case.
- Warm clothing – jackets, socks, beanie etc.
- Towel, toiletries, personal hygiene items, any personal medications.
- A set of work clothes for outdoor work.
Some other optional items you can consider bringing:
- Raincoat / umbrella.
- Hot water bottle (the one used in bed to keep warm)
- Meditation cushion (if you need a special one or need one in your room)
- Slippers, joggers and warm shoes.
- Small blanket / wrap for hall use
- Drinking water bottle / vacuum flask
- Torch and alarm clock
It is important to bring clothing that allows you to sit on the floor or a chair comfortably. All clothes should be in good repair and appropriate to the occasion (i.e. please don’t wear pyjamas outside your accommodation block). Loose clothing affords better flexibility when sitting cross-legged (i.e. tracksuit pants or cargo pants etc.).
| Time | Activity |
| 04:30am | Wake and rise unless ill. One can always get up earlier. |
| 05.00am | Chanting followed by Group Meditation. |
| 06:30am | Assist with breakfast preparation |
| 06.45am | Breakfast and Clean–up. |
| 07.45am | Work meeting and work. (Note: cold weather: work from 2pm to 4pm) |
| 09:30am | Stop work & clean–up |
| 09:45am | Assist with lunch Dana at SOS |
| 10:45am | Main meal & clean-up. |
| 12:15pm/12:30pm | Dhamma talk or Q&A with a monastic (monk or nun). Chaperone if needed. |
| 01:00pm | Personal time. |
| 06:00pm | Evening drinks in dining hall (optional) |
| 07:00pm | Group meditation. Wednesdays: recorded talk by Ajahn Brahm Saturdays: recent recorded talk by Ajahn Brahm (Monks’ Vihara) |
| 08:30pm | Personal time. |
Temperature: Newbury’s temperatures can range from lows of around -5 °C to highs of around 38 °C. The colder months are usually from May to October. In any case, it’s safer to bring warm clothing as there has been instances of light sleet or snow in as late as October.
Rain: Newbury tends to have an above average level of rainfall compared to the rest of Victoria. It’s best to bring some clothing suitable for wet-weather conditions.
Sun: The availability of direct sunlight is patchy as there is usually some form of cloud cover for most of the year. The driest and sunniest days tend to be from November to March.
Newbury can be cold even during summer. Before coming to NBM, please check the temperature and bring some warm clothing.
Please click here to check Newbury Weather Forecast.
Support the Operating Cost
There is no charge to stay at NBM. However, any donations are welcome for the sustenance of monastery.
