Name: Bhavana Society
Item: Bhavana Society
Author: Send an Enquiry

The Bhavana Society was created to preserve the Theravada forest meditation tradition within the context of Western culture.

Our vision is as follows:

To provide a forest monastery where ordained monks and nuns can live while cultivating Sila (morality), Samadhi (concentration) and Panna (wisdom)

To provide training to suitable lay candidates who are seeking ordination and to ordain those candidates at the end of the training period.

To provide opportunities for monks and nuns to become future Dhamma and meditation teachers.

To offer organized meditation retreats on a regular basis to members of the society and to the general public.

To provide space for a limited number of lay people, who will assist in the running of the center, to live as long-term residents.

To provide facilities for a limited number of lay people to undergo private long-term retreats.

The retreats and monastic training will be determined and run by the senior monastic residents. The Board of Directors’ function is to assist and support the monastery and monastics in the continued realization of our vision.

Bhante Henepola Gunaratana is the founding abbot of the Bhavana Society. Born in rural Sri Lanka, he has been a monk since age 12 and took full ordination at age 20 in 1947. He came to the United States in 1968. “Bhante G” (as he is fondly called by his students) has written a number of books, including the now-classic meditation manual Mindfulness In Plain English and its companion Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness. Bhante G regularly leads retreats on vipassana, mindfulness, metta (Loving-friendliness), concentration, and other topics both at the Bhavana Society and elsewhere.

Bhante Gunaratana is an internationally recognized author and meditation teacher. Prior to coming to the United States, he spent five years doing in missionary work with the Harijanas (Untouchables) of India and ten years in Malaysia. He has taught in a number of settings, including American University of Washington DC where he served as Buddhist chaplain and the Buddhist Vihara of Washington DC, where he served as president. Bhante G has a strong scholarly background and livelong commitment to dhamma.

In 1985 Bhante G co-founded the Bhavana Society and became its abbot. He wanted to teach meditation in an environment allowing for longer retreats and intense practice free from the trappings of a city vihara. He continues to teach in the direct, compassionate style that characterizes his books and articles. Bhante G conveys a well-rounded approach to Buddhist Dhamma, touching on all aspects of the Noble Eightfold Path. He emphasizes metta bhavana (the cultivation of loving-friendliness) as a basis for samma-samadhi, or right concentration. As a teacher, he is known for his emphasis both on samadhi and on metta as part of spiritual training.

In 1996, Bhante G received the title of Chief Sangha Nayaka Thera for North America. This acknowledged his status as highest-ranking monk of his sect in the United States and Canada. In 2003, his autobiography, Journey to Mindfulness, was published. In 2005, the Sri Henepola Gunaratana Scholarship Trust was founded under his guidance. This trust provides educations for poverty stricken children in rural Sri Lanka.

Bhante G continues to write articles, lead retreats, and teach at the Bhavana Society and all over the world.

4:30 AM 5:00 AM Wake-up and shine
5:00 AM - 6:00 AM Meditation in Main Hall
6:00 AM - 6:30 AM Puja chanting
6:30 AM - 6:45 AM Announcements
6:45 AM - 7:00 AM Lay person offer monastic allowances in Sangha Hall
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM Breakfast/Cleaning
8:00 AM - 8:30 AM Work Meeting
8:30 AM - 10:45 AM Work period
8:30 AM - 10:30 AM (Saturday) Mutual cleaning
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM (Sunday) Meditation
10:45 AM - 11:00 AM Preparing for Lunch
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Puja Chanting/Lunch/Cleaning
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM Personal time
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Work Period
3:00 PM - 4:30 PM (Wednesday) Resident’s Meeting - all residents must attend
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM (Tuesday and Friday) Interviews with Bhante Gunaratana and Bhante Seelananda
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM Tea time with discussion (on topics given by the Buddha which are truly sobering, befit to mental clarity & conducive to opening awareness) [optional]
5:00 PM - (Evening meditation begins at 5:00 pm during the winter months)
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM (Saturday) Pali Class
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Saturday) Sutta Discussion
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM Meditation in the Main Hall
6:00 PM - 6:30 PM Break
6:30 PM - 6:45 PM Puja Chanting
6:45 PM - 7:00 PM A thought to bed (A word of the Buddha)
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Meditation (Minimum one hour, after that, you can continue to practice as you wish)

All Residents and guest are expected to fully participate in morning and evening meditations. If you cannot fully participate, please speak to the guest Master upon your arrival. Visitors are welcome to come just for the day for the Saturday and/or Sunday meditations, Dhamma talks, discussions and classes. Please let us know if you would like to participate in any of the events offered to the public each week (except when we are in retreat, please read all the guidelines about visiting).

All residents and guest are expected to contribute two to four hours of work per day of chores and work for the benefit of the community. If you believe you cannot offer your help or are limited to what work you can offer, please speak to the Guest Master upon your arrival.

Noisy work should be completed between the hours of 8:00 am and 10:45 am and 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm. Please keep the Meditation Hall and surrounding areas quiet at all other times.

Please keep conversations to a minimum from evening meditation until after breakfast.

Flashlight
Sleeping bag preferred or Twin Sheets, Pillow case, Towel *

Alarm clock
Water bottle
Ear plugs if you are a light sleeper
Wet weather clothes and shoes
Unscented Bug Spray during warm weather conditions as flying insects are common in our region
We always recommend bringing a shawl or something to cover yourself for cool weather year round
Personal meditation cushion if you prefer (We have plenty of zafus, zabutans, and benches for everyone)
Yoga mat (if you will practice yoga)
Modest clothing. (even in the warmest of weather, tank tops, low cut shirts and short shorts, etc. are not acceptable. Baggy shorts that come down to the knees are permissible.) Do not bring t-shirts with commercial or political messages. Please note, tight fitting clothing is inappropriate. Loose fitting clothing is requested for both men and women.
Please bring your own water bottle/container to re-fill with our filtered water. If you drink a special drink like juice or soymilk, we request that you bring it with you in a non-perishable container and keep it with your personal items. Though we have a refrigerator used by visitors, it is very small and everyone will have access to it. Unfortunately, we cannot provide soymilk or other supplements for your special dietary needs.
You may bring your cell phone but not all cell phones work in our area. You may use your cell phone for an alarm clock but we strongly request that you do not use your cell phone once you are on our premises. If you need to contact someone, please do so before you arrive or after you leave our center.
If you would like to bring a donation of food or supplies, please read about what we need.

*Note: Bhavana does have a limited number of sheet sets, pillow cases, and towels for those arriving by public transportation. Please bring these things if possible but don’t sweat it if you can’t. Bhavana is able to supply blankets and pillows.

Laundry facilities are available only for guests staying over 10 days.
What NOT to bring

Do not bring illicit drugs or alcohol. They are strictly forbidden. If you are addicted to smoking and feel you must smoke while you are here, please contact us before coming.
Do not bring personal computers, electronic musical devices, radios, musical instruments, newspapers, magazines and secular books to the center. It is our Abbot’s request that you concentrate on the retreat and not disrupt your concentration with electronic devices or reading material.
Do not bring noisy jewelry, noise-making clothing (such as nylon, corduroy, etc.)
Do not bring clothing with distracting lettering.
Do not wear perfumes or deodorants with strong scents.
Do not bring pets.

Bhavana Society

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