LOGISTICS & INFO
Facilities and Accommodations (New in 2022):
Outdoor Buddha Hall and Dining Hall: To ensure the safety of our community during the pandemic, large group gatherings such as chanting, meditation, classes, and dining, will be conducted outdoors. Large event tents will be set up to serve as the Buddha Hall and Dining Hall. This means temperature can vary widely from early morning to nightfall. Wear clothing suitable for both cold temperatures in the mornings and evenings as well as for hot temperatures during the day.
Lodging: Buddha Root Farm does not provide indoor lodging accommodations for participants. Participants will stay in tents or their own vehicles. We ask that you bring your own tent and camping equipment to ensure that you will be comfortable and warm at night. In addition, sounds travel easily in the forest. Please be mindful and considerate of others and refrain from carrying on conversations after 10:00 PM.
(Note: The loft area inside the Half-can where some women have previously stayed will not be Covid-safe during the pandemic. Staying at the Half-can is no longer an option.)
Showers and Bathrooms: Several outdoor showers and porta potties will be available for retreat participants. Indoor facilities are extremely limited. Please be prepared to use outdoor showers and porta potties during your stay at Buddha Root Farm.
Transportation
Participants are responsible for making their own travel arrangements to and from Buddha Root Farm. Due to safety concerns during the pandemic, we will not be chartering a bus from the San Francisco bay area to Buddha Root Farm for the retreat.
We encourage participants to self-organize carpools and help those who may need a ride. If you would like to offer rides or in need of a ride, email brf@drba.org and we will send you a link for group carpooling.
If you plan to take public transportation, our retreat staff may be able to pick you up at the bus station at Reedsport or from the airport in North Bend with advanced notice. Please contact us and schedule a pickup time.
After your application is approved, you will receive an email with detailed driving directions.
Weather
The temperature can fluctuate up to 40 degrees in the course of a day, from low 40s to high 90s. So please bring warm clothing for the mornings and evenings and some light clothing (no shorts please) for the afternoon. Group gatherings will be held outdoors, so please dress warmly.
Meals
​The food that comes to the monastery is given as an offering for those practicing a spiritual path. We are grateful for the food we receive and take only as much as we need to sustain the body. You are welcome to go back for seconds or thirds if you’d like, but please finish all the food you take. By being mindful of the food we eat and regulating our eating schedule, we are developing discipline and concentration that aid our spiritual practice.
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For health and safety reasons, retreat participants will use their own dishes for meals this year. Please bring a bowl, a plate, a cup, and utensils for your own use during the retreat. Everyone will wash their own dishes after each meal.
Below is a suggested packing list:
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Suitable clothes
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Mornings and evenings can be chilly, while midday is usually quite warm so bring a range of clothing
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Warm clothing items you will need include gloves, scarf, hat, thermal underwear, and a winter jacket.
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Hot weather items include tee-shirts, jeans, bandana, sun hat, and sturdy clothes suitable for meditation and hiking.
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Sleeping bag
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Small tent
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Insulated sleeping pad
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Dishes and utensils for meals
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Personal hygiene products, towels, and personal clothing
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Umbrella and raincoat, plus rain boots if you have them
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Your favorite meditation cushion if needed
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Bring shoes for walking and hiking. Shoes with good traction are ideal.
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Flashlight (a necessary item!)
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Alarm clock
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Drinking mug/water bottle
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Sunblock and sunhat
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Mosquito repellent
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Medication, if you are allergic to bee or wasp stings
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Tiger Balm for bug bites
Recommended Packing list
Things Not to bring
Please do not bring perfumes or heavily scented products, alcohol, meat (including fish & poultry), eggs, illicit drugs, cigarettes, firearms, weapons, fireworks, or other flammable materials into the monastery.