We ask that prior to coming to the Abbey, you be well grounded in Buddhism generally, and have at least six months of well-established sitting meditation experience. In order to maintain continuity in the community and to deepen the experience of contemplative life, residents are asked not to leave the Abbey for the first six months of their stay. If you are not very familiar with Tibetan Buddhism or the teachings of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, we ask you to have read several of the following books before coming to the Abbey. The diet at the Abbey is vegetarian. An effort is made to accommodate those with special diets.
Canned tuna is available on days off.
Please be sure that a vegetarian diet will meet your needs. Alcohol is forbidden. Lay residents are allowed to smoke in a designated garden close to the main building. While the discipline and schedule at the Abbey are extremely enriching, they are also rigorous and demanding. Therefore, it is important that you are in good mental, emotional and physical condition for your time at the Abbey.