GAMPO ABBEY 2016 Resident Handbook

 

“The Shambhala Monastic Order provides a deep training ground of bravery by leaning into the world, not withdrawing. This path will be a noble pursuit, and those who wish to follow it should be welcomed and supported in this profound intention.”

— Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche

“The Abbey is a place where you can live the life of a monk or nun. You come here because you wish to be a monk or nun or because you wish to experience the support of the monastic environment. In any case, it’s a place where you can’t get away from yourself. You might find this quite challenging and quite amazing. You might find it softens you and awakens your heart.”

— Gampo Acharya Pema Chödrön

Table of Contents

Introduction

Director’s Welcome

Monasticism at Gampo Abbey

Temporary Ordination

Other levels of Ordination

Keeping the Five Precepts

Silence and Mindful Speech

Meditation: Individual and Community Practices

Respecting the Monastic Environment

Schedule

Education and Study

Service to the Community

Libraries, Computers and External Communications

Health

Working with Conflict

Traveling to Gampo Abbey

Expenses

What to Bring

Leave and Guest Policies

Introduction

Gampo Abbey is the monastery of the global Shambhala community founded by Tibetan meditation master Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche and led by his son and heir Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche. The Abbey is perched high on the cliffs above the Gulf of St. Lawrence on the northwest coastline of Cape Breton Island in the province of Nova Scotia, Canada and is home to the Shambhala Monastic Order.

Under the leadership of the Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche and blessings of the Abbot, the Venerable Thrangu Rinpoche, Gampo Abbey’s residential monastic community is open to practitioners from all Buddhist traditions who are seeking an immersion experience in the Shambhala Buddhist teachings. Ani Pema Chödrön is the senior teacher and spiritual director (Gampo Acharya). Due to her commitment to solitary retreat practice, she is typically in residence at the Abbey each winter teaching the Yarne retreat and remaining for a period as her schedule allows. Throughout the year, the Abbey’s life monastics and lay leadership operate the monastery, offering teachings, training, and administration.

In keeping with the vision of Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, our year-long training residencies are structured along the Four Dignities of Shambhala and serve as the unifying factor of life at the Abbey. Everyone is committed to deep personal trans-formation through the monastic forms of discipline, meditation and study mixed together with the challenges and rewards of an intense community life. Everyone who lives at the Abbey holds the five precepts and participates in the daily schedule of morning and evening liturgies, meditation practice and work service to the community.

Anyone wishing to live at Gampo Abbey must apply through the “Becoming a Resident” page of our website (http://gampoabbey.org/resident.php) which typically involves a 9-12 month commitment. For those seeking shorter program opportunities, we also offer one to two week In-House Retreats each summer, the Yarne winter retreat, volunteer opportunities as needed, Monastic Youth Dathüns, and solitary retreat cabins. See the programs section of our website for more information on these programs.

The nuns, monks, and lay residents at Gampo Abbey look forward to welcoming you in person. Until then, we hope this handbook will give you a chance to know more about the Abbey and to prepare for your visit with us. If you have any questions that are not answered here, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at (902) 224-2752 or by email at office@gampoabbey.org.

DIRECTOR’S WELCOME

I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome you to Gampo Abbey. As we move into our second quarter-century, this tender shoot of Western monasticism based on the Shambhala terma teachings of Trungpa Rinpoche has taken root in the harshly beautiful landscape of the Cape Breton Highlands here in Nova Scotia, Canada. Under the direction of the Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche and with the blessing of our Abbot the Venerable Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche, Ani Pema Chödrön in the role of Gampo Acharya is leading this monastic and lay community in an ongoing experiment in creating enlightened society. Building on the deep and profound experience of the Kagyü monastic tradition as embodied by our Abbot, we are exploring how the qualities of enlightened warriorship of Shambhala can inform our training as monastics.

What does it mean to be a member of this Shambhala monastic community? This is a community dedicated to waking up through practicing, studying, working and living together based upon the five precepts of not killing, not stealing, not engaging in sexual activity, not lying and not taking intoxicating substances. We are a community that continues to welcome practitioners from all Buddhist traditions who are interested in exploring monastic life and who are open to receiving monastic training based upon the Shambhala terma teachings. We are a community willing to work with getting to know how our habitual patterns keep us stuck, even when this experience may be deeply challenging and unsettling. We are a community of individuals who have chosen to come here not to escape from the world, but rather to deeply experience how we can work with our minds and live our lives with friendliness and curiosity. Congratulations on having the courage and confidence to take this leap.

— Richard Haspray, Director

Monasticism at Gampo Abbey

Gampo Abbey is committed to offer monastic training with compassionate and skillful guidelines in how to embody the teachings, how to work with each other and how to speak genuinely and listen fully to each other. This training is further enforced by the Vinaya (the traditional monastic Buddhist code). The promise of awakening is realized through the fearlessness to overcome the obstacles that cover up our natural inherent, innate, always present wakefulness, which is also called basic goodness. At Gampo Abbey, we allow our outer forms to tame us thoroughly.

The unifying factor, the backbone defining the Gampo Abbey monastic experience, is the Shambhala terma teachings of our founder, the Vidyadhara Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche: the collective project to create an enlightened society. Throughout their stay at the Abbey, all residents, including those coming from other traditions, will be exposed to the Shambhala teachings and invited to engage in its practices.

Joining an intentional community creates a container that supports each individual’s efforts at waking up and developing mindfulness and encourages self-responsibility. The container minimizes choices and heightens awareness through providing a clear schedule and structure. At Gampo Abbey, one has a combination of scheduled practice, study, work, regular house chores and occasional service for visiting teachers or special programs. All residents agree to abide by the five Buddhist precepts (not killing, not taking what is not offered, not lying, no sexual activity, no intoxicants), to fully participate in the daily schedule and the observance of silence and to attend the bi-monthly Sojong purification ceremony.

Through vows and commitments, relating to our life with an open heart and mind becomes choiceless. Then our senses open up, we become relaxed and we can enjoy experiences in ways otherwise not available. When everyone is moving in the same direction, this develops windhorse or lungta, the energy to raise ourselves above conventional mind, above doubt. This is the inner magic of working together as a community.

Under the spiritual guidance of Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche holder of the Shambhala lineage, our Abbot the Venerable Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche, our main teacher Gampo Acharya Pema Chödrön, and senior monastics, the Abbey community is going forth in developing the Shambhala Monastic Order and we invite you to join our exploration.

“I think the concept of the monastery is always up to date whether it is in medieval times or the 20th century. The point being that there is some kind of discipline and some kind of natural dignity that the monastic tradition displays.”

— Vidyadhara Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche

Temporary Ordination

At the request of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, Ven. Thrangu Rinpoche introduced temporary ordination [Tsanchö Genyen/Upasaka Bramacarya ordination] to give Dharma practitioners an opportunity to experience monasticism without making a lifetime commitment. The prerequisite is the Refuge Vow - taking refuge in the three jewels - the Buddha, Dharma and the Sangha. Temporary ordination is a core element of 9 to 12 month-long training programs in the Shambhala Monastic Order. Temporary monastics shave their heads, wear robes and train in the disciplines and rituals of monastic life. They follow the five precepts, as do all Gampo Abbey residents, and are expected to fully participate in the Abbey's schedule. Some of the teachings that temporary monastics will receive and train in include the following: • Contemplating the view of basic goodness and cultivating unconditional friendliness to all aspects of oneself; • regular practice of and teachings on Shambhala Meditation and the Shambhala Sadhana; • developing mindfulness in everyday life, in particular clear seeing and mindful discernment (payu) of one's thoughts, speech, and actions; • contemplating the meaning of the four reminders: precious human life, impermanence and death, karma and its results, samsara and its faults; • training to keep one’s heart and mind open in deep listening and genuine communication. • training with the rest of the community in the discipline of the six Paramitas (generosity, moral conduct, patience, exertion, meditation and wisdom) and the main practices of Mahayana: bodhicitta and tonglen; • refining actions of body and speech, applying a joyful mindfulness to whatever you do; • exploring as a community how we create enlightened society. It also entails training in monastic forms and other monastic skills, such as: • how to wear robes properly; • respecting silent periods. • how to make tormas; • how to be umdze and gatekeeper

for group practices; • how to eat oryoki meals; • how to maintain shrines; • how to raise flags

Most temporary monastics, after their year of training at the Abbey, resume householder life, enriched by the in-depth training they have received within the monastic container. However, individuals interested in taking life vows who have completed a period of two years as a temporary monastic may make a request to the life monastics of the abbey to be considered for Parma Rabjung ordination.

Other levels of Ordination

Parma Rabjung is a lifetime commitment. To be accepted, the candidate needs to manifest: successful training, capacity to take responsibility for one’s choice, clear understanding of what is a spiritual commitment, capacity to receive feedback and work with one’s mind, commitment to study and practice and successful integration into the community. They would also be encouraged to continue their Shambhala training. The age limit for people requesting life vows and wishing to remain at Gampo Abbey is 55 years.

At the end of this year, after evaluation, one may ask the life monastics for permission to take Novice vows, ideally given by our Abbot Ven. Thrangu Rinpoche. Further preparation and training are needed prior to taking these vows.

They are followed two years later, if requested, by full ordination (Bhikshu or Bhikshuni) vows.

Keeping the Five Precepts

1. On Protecting Life

Aware of the suffering brought about by the destruction of life, I vow not to kill any living being. I will do my best to cultivate nonaggression and compassion and to learn to protect life.

2. On Respecting What Belongs to Others

Aware of the suffering caused by stealing or taking anything that belongs to others, I vow not to take what is not offered. I will do my best to respect the property of others.

3. On Protecting Celibacy

Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful or aggressive sexual energy, I vow to keep the precept of celibacy. I will do my best to be aware of what harms myself and others and to nurture true love and respect, free from attachment. I aspire to serve and protect all beings.

4. On Mindful Speech

Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful speech, I vow to cultivate right speech. Knowing that words can create happiness or suffering, I will do my best to avoid lying, gossip, slander, harsh speech, and divisive speech. I aspire always to speak the truth.

5. On Protecting the Body and Mind

Aware of the suffering caused by alcohol, drugs and other intoxicants, I vow not to drink liquor or to use drugs. I will do my best to live my life in a way that will increase my inner strength and flexibility as well as my openness to all beings and to life itself.

Silence and Mindful Speech

“Working with silence is a mindfulness practice, a skillful means, to help us train our minds so that we can ultimately tame our minds.” — Ani Migme Chödrön

Working with silence is one of the main practices at Gampo Abbey. On weekdays, silence is observed from 8 pm until lunch is served the next day. On Nyinthün days (usually Sundays) and Sojong Days (twice monthly), Abbey residents observe silence all day. During programs, additional silence guidelines may be announced. Watching our minds as we work with silence provides an opportunity to develop awareness of how see ourselves and others, it provides an opportunity to reflect and contemplate the dharma, to become more aware of how we work with our emotions.

When not in silence all Abbey residents are encouraged to be mindful of how they use speech. We work with the Six Points of Mindful Speech as identified by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche:

1. Precision: Enunciate your words clearly.

2. Simplicity: Choose your words well .

3. Pace: Speak slowly, without speed or aggression.

4. Silence: Regard si lence as an important part of speech.

5. Others: Listen to the words, texture and quali ty of other’s speech.

6. Self : Focus mindfulness on your speech.

Meditat ion: Individual and Community Practices

While residing at Gampo Abbey, everyone practices approximately 4.5 hours each day. Shamatha/Vipashyana practitioners practice together in the Main Shrine Room; there are also two Vajrayana Shrine Rooms for Ngöndro and Sadhana practitioners, and in some cases Vajrayana practitioners or practitioners from other lineages may practice alone in their rooms. For the first month after their arrival, all new residents practice Shamatha in the Main Shrine Room; thereafter, for the rest of their stay, they can continue with their current practice. Everyone is required to attend morning and evening chants.

A Meditation Instructor (MI) assists each individual with his or her practice on a regular basis, and a Gekö (discipline master) helps in integrating mindfulness practices in daily life.

Please note that this basic overview of the practice schedule is subject to variations. On occasional days our regular practice schedules are interrupted for community service days, teachings, events and other required activities. In addition, Vajrayana practitioners who have received pointing-out instruction are encouraged to attend the Werma and Padmasambhava Feast group practices which take place once per month.

As Gampo Abbey is a Buddhist monastery, we observe Sojong, Yarne, and Gagye, three key activities in the monastic calendar. Sojong occurs on the days of the new and full moon. Ceremonies held at this time focus on purifying and renewing our vows. All members of the community participate. Yarne is the 6- to 7-week traditional “rainy season” monastic retreat that Gampo Abbey holds during the winter; most years, it is led by Gampo Acharya Pema Chödrön. Gagye is the closing of Yarne. On Gagye, each of the monastics who took part in Yarne gives a short talk related to the teachings received during the retreat.

Respecting the Monastic Environment

1. The diet at the Abbey is vegetarian. Certain special diets are provided, i.e. allergies to gluten, dairy, soy, and eggs. Other special diets or preferences are not catered to. The main meals of the day are breakfast and lunch, to allow monastics to work with the eight vows. A “medicine meal” of hearty soup is available in the evenings. Tuna is available on Open Days for medicinal purposes. In accordance with monastic tradition, garlic and onions are not permitted.

2. Accommodations are typically shared rooms or dorms for new residents.

3. Music (including singing, whistling, humming, and the playing of musical instruments) is not permitted, except for liturgical purposes.

4. When planning your clothing for the Abbey, let your respect for the monastic environment guide you. Tank tops, half-shirts, mini-skirts or shorts (including Capri pants) are not worn on Abbey property (but may be worn at the beach). Sleepwear and bathrobes are not worn in public areas. Tight-fitting or other provocative clothes (including tops or dresses with a plunging ‘V’ neckline) are not acceptable at the Abbey. Jeans and athletic wear are not permitted in the main shrine room (although sweats may be worn for prostration practice). Similarly, in order to reduce distractions and support the practice environment, clothing with advertisements, slogans, imagery, and bold or “busy” patterns are also not allowed.

5. Residents may not smoke.

Schedule

If you are coming for the Residential Monastic Training or an in-house Retreat Program, the following schedule will give you an idea of what to expect. The schedule may vary for a specific program, such as Yarne or Dathün, or for other occasional reasons. Saturdays are generally Open Days (no schedule), while Sundays are generally Nyinthün. This schedule is subject to change.

Morning (si lence unti l lunch)

5:30 Wake-up clacks

6:00 Morning Chants and Sitting Meditation

6:40–7:00 House Jobs and Breakfast

8:00–11:00 Meditation Practice (interspersed with walking)

11:00–12:30 Mind–body time (open time, often when residents choose to spend time outside and/or exercise)

Afternoon

12:30 Lunch (silence is lifted)

1:30–5:00 Service period

(Nyinthün/full practice day: typically Sundays: 3:30–5:00 Sitting Meditation )

5:30 Evening Chants

6:30 Medicine Meal

7:30 Evening sitting (optional)

Education and Study

The curricula for Gampo Abbey’s 9-12 month training residencies are structured along the Four Dignities of Shambhala. These teachings are drawn from the Shambhala terma with supplementary material from the tradition of sutra as taught by the Sakyong lineage. The residencies as a whole offer an immersion experience in the dharma, complete with hours each day of your main meditation practice, regular study, service and community life, and monastic training, all as part of a unified path of personal transformation and enlightened society in the monastery and beyond. The educational component aspires to offer participants both the opportunity to explore these teachings experientially as well as to deepen their practice and intellectual understanding. This is done through weekly classes utilizing diads, contemplative meditation, interpersonal exploration, and core practices of the Shambhala tradition, as well as weekly study courses, which offer a presentation of the classical teachings on supportive topics. The study courses are optional for students seeking this kind of training. There are also extensive resources and guidance available for your individual path of study. Throughout the year there are intensives on particular topics such as the Shambhala Sadhana or other core practices or teachings. As well, students will have the opportunity to continue along their program path of Shambhala Training and programs which the Abbey will offer or arrange time away for as circumstances allow (it is very important to read our Leave Policy at the end of this handbook).

However, please plan on your life at the Abbey being your main endeavor. It is often a powerful experience which can allow us to process on a deep level, but requires a great deal of commitment and whole-hearted engagement. Gampo Abbey’s resident teachers and meditation instructors look forward to supporting you on this path and practicing the dharma together as we all continue to learn and grow.

Gelong Loden Nyima

Shastri Alice Haspray

Service to the Community

Everyone who lives at Gampo Abbey shares in the work of keeping the community functioning properly. Everyone spends a minimum of 20 hours per week providing their labour in the service of the community whether working in the kitchen preparing meals, maintaining the grounds and buildings, working in the various offices or doing the laundry. In addition, all residents are assigned rotas which involve cleaning a portion of the Abbey or preparing breakfast or evening meals.

Monastics also share responsibility for maintaining the shrines, preparing tormas (offerings) and serving in the shrine rooms during practice periods or chants. Periodically, all residents will participate in full-service days where the entire community will focus an entire day working together on specific projects (e.g., spring clean-up of the grounds, or a “deep clean” of the Abbey to prepare for the arrival of visiting teachers, etc.).

Library, Computers, and External Communication

Gampo Abbey’s libraries are a valuable resource for residents and visitors. As well, they are essential to our path of education and study. Please respect all Dharma materials; please do not place them on the floor, step on them or handle them in a careless manner.

Books

Gampo Abbey has an excellent print library including books on Buddhist studies, comparative religion, art, psychology, and philosophy. All materials are for use at Gampo Abbey only.

DVD and MP3

Gampo Abbey is fortunate to have an extensive audio, videocassette, DVD and MP3 library. Many of the DVD and MP3 are recordings of teachings offered at the Abbey throughout its history of hosting outstanding teachers. DVD and MP3 teachings of Gampo Acharya Pema Chödrön and other Buddhist teachers are available. Listening to or viewing dharma MP3 files or DVDs may be done during the mind/body period, during the evenings throughout the week, or on open days.

Use of Computers

Gampo Abbey has a number of computers which are provided to support the administrative operations of the community. Residents who are assigned service roles which include use of one of Gampo Abbey’s computers may not install personal software on these computers. Gampo Abbey computers may be used by residents who work with them for personal email outside of the meditation practice periods and service hours (1:30 to 5:00 weekdays). Gampo Abbey computers may not be used for watching DVDs or listening to MP3 files. There is a single public computer with access to the Internet and to a printer which is available for use by any resident. This computer may be used for reading personal email or browsing of the Internet outside of meditation practice periods. Residents may bring a personal notebook/portable computer, however it is recommended that these devices be used minimally during their stay at Gampo Abbey, so as to take full advantage of life at the monastery. Personal computers may be used for email or browsing the Internet outside of meditation practice periods and service hours – in other words, in the evening or on open days. Personal computers may be used for listening or viewing of Dharma teachings from Gampo Abbey’s library during these same periods. Playback of non-Dharma videos is not permitted except during open days. Personal access to the Internet for email or Internet browsing -- whether on a Gampo Abbey computer or a personal notebook/laptop – may be subject to a $5/month surcharge.

Due to our remote location, Gampo Abbey has limited bandwidth for accessing the Internet, which is also used for the Abbey’s official business. Residents should make every effort to minimize personal online activities that consume large amounts of bandwidth – such as uploading or downloading large files, etc.

External Communications

One of the goals of living at Gampo Abbey is to simplify your life. The variety and intensity of our modern communication technologies can contribute to our sense of distraction and busyness. The Abbey’s remote location helps to reduce the level of distractions that are available. While you are encouraged to take full advantage of this rare opportunity to reduce the level of your external activities, during your stay at Gampo Abbey you will be able to make long distance phone calls to relatives or friends as well as to communicate by email. There is no cell phone coverage in the area.

Health

Life at Gampo Abbey is strenuous and demanding, both physically and psychologically. Everyone is expected to participate fully in all aspects of community life. You should be in good health physically and emotionally if you wish to come and participate in our monastic community.

Medical Assistance and Medications

Gampo Abbey is a one-hour drive from the nearest local clinic or pharmacy. If you have a health concern that might require frequent or immediate attention, this should be taken into account before applying to come to the Abbey. If you take medications and supplements, please plan on bringing a sufficient amount for your entire stay. Supplies in our vicinity are limited. It is your responsibility to ensure that your medical insurance covers you while at the Abbey. Hospital patient care for non-residents of Canada is very expensive and solely the resident’s responsibility.

Allergies and Environmental Sensit ivi t ies

Allergies: If you have particular sensitivities, please discuss them thoroughly with the director prior to planning your stay.

Scents and Sensitivities: Please bring only unscented body-care and personal-use products. We appreciate your consideration for others in this regard, and recognize that it may require some forethought and flexibility on your part. The use of incense in public spaces is limited to the shrine room.

Dekyongs

The Gampo Abbey community usually elects a dekyong on both the women and the men’s side. A dekyong, literally meaning “bliss protector”, is responsible for the general well-being of the community. Their tasks include attending to residents’ needs when they are ill (bringing their meals to their room, scheduling medical appointments, etc.), planning and leading birthdays celebrations, and generally checking in with folks if they seem to be having a hard time in any way. Dekyongs may also organize and lead a community meeting to discuss a particular theme if it feels needed and appropriate.

Working with Confl ict

The meditation and other practices given to our community have the ability to heighten and purify intense emotions and behaviors that can otherwise be harmful to ourselves and others. Each person experiences and expresses this process in their own distinctive way. It is natural, therefore, that we will experience various displays of troubled personal and social behavior that each individual has to work with as part of his or her path. Ignorance and confusion tend to make us unaware of the effect our behavior has on others. The forms and disciplines of the Shambhala Buddhist path create a container in which this process can unfold, enabling all practitioners to be protected as this heightening and purification takes place.

At the same time, the path of the bodhisattva warrior involves personal and group discipline. Discipline is cultivated during formal meditation, oryoki practice, the contemplative arts, and other forms of meditation-in-action. This discipline is important for two reasons. First, it is part of the process of learning to work skillfully with intense human energy on the path of warriorship and the journey to enlightenment. Second, personal discipline is essential in a community that provides an environment for teaching, practice and study.

Traveling to Gampo Abbey

Getting to Gampo Abbey is a practice in itself. You will be coming to a fairly remote area of Cape Breton where transportation options are limited and the pace is slower. Don’t worry: we are here to help.

If you are a newly arriving resident or guest – and also prior to your departure – please contact the Abbey regarding your transportation plans before making your travel arrangements. We will offer you personalized information about how best to get to the Abbey from your place of origin. We will also let you know on which day it is best for us to welcome you, as the Abbey can make transportation available only on designated days. We offer you, however, some general transportation information below to provide you some context as you begin to plan your route.

By Plane to Halifax, Nova Scotia

The closest airport is Halifax’s international airport (YHZ). Try to arrive at the Halifax airport at least one day before your abbey arrival day. We can recommend some Halifax hotels. If arriving the day before is entirely impossible, arrive as early as 7:00am and as late as 12:00pm. Return flights should be scheduled no earlier than 2:00pm.

The airport is a six-hour drive from the Abbey. The Abbey will assist you in booking a seat with a shuttle bus service that will drive you the approximately four hours from the airport to one of the designated drop-off points. The Abbey will then send out a vehicle to meet you at your drop-off point and drive you to the Abbey.

By Car to Gampo Abbey

Take the Trans-Canada 104 to the causeway to Cape Breton Island. Take 105 off the traffic circle there to Whycocomagh (also the highway to Baddeck and Sydney). Turn left at the Cabot Trail towards Cheticamp Rt 19 then follow highway through Cheticamp, over the mountains through the Highlands National Park to Pleasant Bay. Turn left at the sign to Red River Road (a T intersection near Timmons Store); a sign just before the intersection points to Red River. Stay on the paved road until it becomes a dirt road. Continue on the dirt road for about 3 kms until you see the Gampo Abbey sign on the left. The parking lot for the Abbey is on the right just behind the bend of the road.

Driving Times (approximate)

Halifax to Antigonish:3 hours

Antigonish to Whycocomagh: 1.5 hours

Whycocomagh to Cheticamp:1 hour

Cheticamp to Gampo Abbey: 1 hour

Total trip: 5.5 to 6.5 hours

Gas and Weather – Be Prepared.

The last gas station en route to the Abbey is in Cheticamp, approximately one hour away; don’t leave Cheticamp without filling up your tank. Weather on MacKenzie Mountain can be intense. During spring, fall, and winter, if there is any risk of snow or freezing rain, ask for road conditions before leaving Cheticamp or phone (800) 307-7669 or (902) 224-2041. During the winter, a set of high-quality winter tires, with embedded ice-gripping studs, is essential.

Please help us prepare for your arrival! Work with the Office Coordinator (office@gampoabbey.org, or 902-224-2752) to arrange your travel plans as soon as possible so that we will be prepared for your arrival.

Information We Need from You

We will need to know the following:

• Name and telephone/email contact.

• Are you driving? If so, will you be traveling through Halifax?

• Are you willing to offer a lift to others?

• Are you taking a bus or shuttle to Cape Breton? The best way to make arrangements for a shuttle is through the Gampo Abbey office, so we can coordinate drop-off and pick-up times. We work with several shuttle companies in the area.

Expenses

Gampo Abbey is supported primarily through the generosity of our patrons and donors. All residents are expected to be mindful in the use of all resources, respectful of the environment and to minimize waste.

When planning for your stay at Gampo Abbey, please ensure that you have sufficient financial resources to cover the costs of living at the Abbey including resident’s fees, funds for Shambhala programs, transportation costs, personal toiletries, medications, and the surcharge for personal Internet usage if applicable.

Resident’s Fees

All residents during the first two years of their stay at the Abbey will be expected to pay $400 per month towards the costs of their residency. These resident’s fees cover about one quarter of the costs of living at Gampo Abbey. The balance is made up through the generosity of our patrons and donors. The work we do while living at the Abbey is also considered part of our contribution.

Shambhala Programs

In order to assist residents to progress on the Shambhala path, the Abbey will periodically host Shambhala programs for Abbey residents as well as the wider sangha. These programs are offered on a cost-recovery basis. Abbey residents who wish to participate will be expected to pay the program fees as well as to make an offering towards the teacher gift.

Transportation Fees

The Abbey will provide transportation to residents and guests needing to make trips to and from the Abbey. All travel arrangements must be made through the Office Coordinator. Because of our remote location, fees are charged for transportation to recover the costs of gas, insurance, maintenance, repairs and depreciation of the Abbey vehicles. These fees payable to the Abbey are additional to the fees paid to the shuttle companies we hire to travel to and from Halifax. A shuttle ride (one-way), depending on the company, is usually around $70.

For more information on our Transportation Fees Policy, please contact the office coordinator at office@gampoabbey.org.

Personal Expenses

Personal toiletries and other items may be ordered and purchased through bi-weekly Abbey “town trips” conducted by designated Abbey drivers.

Personal Internet Surcharge

Due to the Abbey’s remote location, Internet access is provided through a satellite service. This service is primarily intended to support the administrative needs of the Abbey. Personal use of the Abbey’s Internet service either through the public computer or a personal laptop is allowed outside of the practice and work periods – see section on Use of Computers for more details. There may be a $5 monthly surcharge for residents who wish to use the Abbey’s Internet service for personal reasons.

Please note that all fees listed in this handbook are subject to change without notice.

What to Bring

Clothing and Footwear: See “Respecting the Monastic Environment” for dress appropriate for a monastic environment. Those planning on receiving ordination may wish to bring sleeveless saffron (yellow) tops, long-sleeved maroon or saffron shirts, and maroon socks. We do not wear outdoor shoes inside the Abbey, so you should bring easy-to-slip-on-and-off shoes, slippers, or indoor shoes. A set of dress clothes for special occasions is also a good idea.

• Spring: Hat, light coat, rain coat, warm sweater, boots for the mud

• Summer: Light clothes, light coat, warm sweater, bathing suit, shorts

• Fall & Winter: Be prepared for cold, wintery, windy, wet weather; good winter boots, water-resistant winter outer-wear, hats, ice-grippers, etc. are appropriate. (A limited number of ice grippers can be obtained at the Abbey.)

Linen: The Abbey provides sheets, blankets and towels. However, you can bring your own if you wish.

Toiletries: Bring what you will need during your stay or plan to purchase them in town. The Abbey does not supply them. However a town trip is scheduled every two weeks for essentials. Earplugs may be useful in dorms and shared rooms, as some people snore.

Other Helpful Items: You may bring your own oryoki set or use one provided by the Abbey. For the audio library, a portable CD player or MP3 player is very useful. A flashlight (remember to bring batteries), coffee/tea mug, and study materials (notebook, pens, etc.) may also be nice to have. A meditation cushion will be provided for you. You do not need to bring your own cushion, but may do so if you wish.

Leave and Guest Policies

Leave Policy

For the first six months of residing at the Abbey, participants are asked not to leave Cape Breton Island as much as possible. If Abbey residents plan to complete the full year (or 9 months) of their temporary monastic training, they are allowed 14 days of personal leave, 7 of which may be used for solitary retreat at Gampo Abbey. The potential need to leave (example: for a family wedding planned before coming to the Abbey, or for a retreat at another Dharma center) should be raised as an item of consideration for anyone requesting ordination. For those staying two years and beyond, additional time is offered, depending on length of residency and level of ordination. All requests must be made to, and approved by the resident’s Meditation Instructor and the Director. Any requests to leave for periods or purposes outside the leave policy need to be presented to the Leadership Council.

Shambhala Programs

Up to seven days of additional leave per year will be provided at the Director’s discretion for Gampo Abbey residents to participate in Shambhala programs which require travel outside of Gampo Abbey.

Personal Guest Policy

Three months from the time of their arrival, Abbey Residents may begin to receive guests. Personal guests can stay for one week maximum. From that point, they may have visitors again within the same twelve-month period, but the second visit must be at least three months after the first visit. Guests should be encouraged to stay outside of the Abbey, but may stay here if it is impractical for them to stay nearby. If space is available for them to stay at the Abbey, they are expected to pay the $45 per day in-house retreat fee. The Di-rector will have discretion about applying this fee. While at the Abbey, personal guests are expected to either participate in the daily practice schedule, or to respect them by being silent and not moving about the house. Similarly, they are expected to observe the five precepts and the dress code. Residents hosting guests may spend up to three days off-schedule with their guests. If a visit coincides with an open day, the open day is counted as one of the three days. For any additional amount of time a guest is visiting, residents are expected to keep their regular schedule. If a resident fully prepares for their guest (i.e., prepares their accommodations and cleans after their departure), the daily fee is reduced to $25 a day.

We look forward to seeing you!

1533 Pleasant Bay Rd, Pleasant Bay, Cape Breton N. S. Canada B0E 2P0

Phone: (902) 224-2752 Fax: (902) 224-1521 Atlantic Time Zone

Office staffed weekday afternoons after 1:30 p.m. .

Email: office@gampoabbey.org

Website: www.gampoabbey.org

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gampo-Abbey/92266952847

Blog: http://gampoabbey.blogspot.com