Please read all of the Guest Reservation Information below before submitting your request.
Please note: The Abhayagiri Guestmonk received many emails the first 10 days of April, 2025 and our guest calendar is full until June 8. Please do not make a request to stay for any dates before June 8. It is advised that as soon as you know which dates you wish to reserve for yourself that you contact us exactly two months before that start date to secure space for yourself as we do not schedule more than two months before your start date. For example, if you wish to stay beginning June 15, then please write on April 15.
We appreciate your interest in visiting Abhayagiri. Please take note that we generally ask overnight guests to stay for at least three nights. First-time visits are limited to a one week stay, possibly a bit longer if visiting from out-of-state. If your first stay goes well, you may request to stay for a longer period of time when returning for a second visit. We discourage making reservations more than two months in advance of the date you wish to stay. Also, once you have made a reservation, we ask that you contact us and cancel your visit to the monastery if you are experiencing any cold or flu symptoms.
All guests here abide by the 8 precepts, including not eating after the main meal, which ends around noon, until 7 am breakfast the next day. Guests also participate in the daily routine, including the morning group meditation which begins at 5 am and the evening group meditation which begins at 7 pm. The daily morning routine also includes a brief chore and a three hour work period (please see information below).
After making a reservation, it would also be useful to let us know your estimated arrival time as the date of your stay gets closer. The best time to arrive is by 10:45 am, for the main meal of the day. The guest orienters will usually be around after meal clean-up until about 12:15 pm to orient you to the monastery and take you to your dwelling. If you arrive in the afternoon, feel free to explore the monastery and join in for tea time at 5:30 pm. We ask guests to arrive no later than 6:30 pm so you can attend the 7:00 pm chanting/meditation session (however, if you are riding on the Greyhound bus and taking a taxi, you will probably not arrive at the monastery until 7:30 pm).
When using the Contact Form below, please see the list of questions to answer on the Form at the end of this information page.
You may also come here for a day visit or stay in a hotel or AirBnB near Ukiah and come up for multiple day visits if you wish. If you are interested in a day visit please see the directions in the information provided below.
Please note that guests will not have access to WiFi here at the monastery, so arranging transport out via something like Uber must be done prior to arrival or over the monastery phone, computer or your cell phone (if you have a signal).
Staying at the Monastery
Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery is located on about three hundred rustic acres in Redwood Valley, California. Abhayagiri is not a retreat or meditation center. It is a monastery devoted to the training of monks and lay people in the Forest Tradition of Theravada Buddhism.
In keeping with our tradition there is no charge for anything at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery, which is supported entirely by voluntary donations in the form of food and other material requisites, money, and work. While there is no obligatory charge to stay, guests can consider how they might contribute to the needs of maintaining the monastery, developing the virtues of generosity, gratitude and kindness, important qualities supporting the practice of mental cultivation.
Cancellation Policy
Due to the high number of overnight guest requests, we ask that reservations not be made until one can commit to those dates without the likelihood of changing or canceling. Because of limited facilities, we often have to turn people away who wish to visit. Occasionally, people make reservations and then cancel or change them. If a guest makes a reservation and then cancels or changes it, it usually means someone else has lost the chance to stay here. Therefore, we ask guests not to make a reservation unless he or she can make a firm commitment to follow through on it.
If a potential guest has made a reservation to stay, received confirmation and then later decides to cancel the reservation with less than two weeks before their visit, then that guest forgoes being able to stay at Abhayagiri for a year from the reservation date. In addition, if a guest comes to stay at Abhayagiri and leaves much earlier than planned, the guest forgoes being able to extend their next stay past the number of days stayed on that visit. So, if someone plans to come for a week and he or she only stays four days, their next reservation can only be for four days and not longer. Exceptions to this policy may be made on an individual basis. We understand that illness of one kind or another or some type of emerging situation two weeks prior to your arrival date may prevent you from fulfilling your commitment to stay. If there is a need to cancel your reservation within two weeks of your arrival date, please explain your situation to the Guestmonk and he will consider this in regards to how this policy is implemented for you.
Arranging for Transport
Unfortunately, due to limited resources, we do not arrange transport for guests and request that they organize their own transportation both to and from the monastery before arriving.
Directions to Abhayagiri
- Take the WEST ROAD exit from HWY 101, north of Ukiah (about half-way between Ukiah and Willits).
- If you were heading north on HWY 101 from Ukiah turn right onto West Road from the exit ramp. If you were heading South on HWY 101 from Willits turn left onto West Road from the exit ramp
- Go straight on West Road past NORTH STATE ST. and then past SCHOOL WAY.
- Follow WEST ROAD until it reaches a stop sign and T-junction (3 miles from the exit).
- Turn (veer) left at the “T” onto TOMKI ROAD. Continue for 4 miles. There will be a big turn-out with 20 mailboxes on your right. The entrance to the monastery is right there (16201 Tomki Road).
Public Transport
Please see our website here: http://www.abhayagiri.org/visiting/transportation for public transportation information.
Outside Communication and Coming and Going while Staying at the Monastery
A monastery is a sanctuary from the usual worldly concerns for those who have dedicated themselves to spiritual practice. As guests are sharing in community life, it is not appropriate to come and go without notice or engage in external business during their stay. We ask guests to take care of all business before arrival and agree to stay in the monastery for the duration of their visit.
To help make the monastery a haven of quiet, simplicity and solitude, guests are asked to refrain from using their cell phones (or smartphones) for calls, texts, or email while staying here and to leave their tablets and laptop computers at home.
If it is absolutely necessary for a monastery telephone or computer to be used for a departure arrangement or an emergency, please ask the Guestmonk or a senior monk for permission to do so.
Times of Eating at Abhayagiri, Special Diets and/or Vegetarian/Vegan Diets
Please note that we are generally unable to host overnight guests who need to eat outside of the two meal times (breakfast at 7:00 am and lunch at 11:00 am).
We are also unable to host overnight guests who require a special diet (any type of food outside of what is offered to everyone on a daily basis).
In this tradition of Buddhism, Theravada Buddhism, the monastery does not grow or purchase our own food. Thus, the monastics and guests staying at the monastery rely on the generosity of the extended community for our sustenance. When receiving another person’s food offering, our custom is to refrain from asking the donor or the cook about whether or not the food contains items we prefer not to have. Furthermore, the standard for food at Abhayagiri is that it is not labeled when it is put out to eat.
While much of our food is vegetarian, visitors and supporters do sometimes bring meat dishes and they are accepted respectfully and with appreciation for their generosity.
Thus, to stay here as a guest, attempting to be flexitarian is possible: aiming to be vegetarian, vegan or having some other dietary objective, but being tolerant with the possibility that some of the food one takes may not be what one wishes to have (and this might not be know even while eating it). If this kind of flexibility is not possible, then a prospective guest will need to find an alternative place of practice or visit here as a day guest without partaking in the offered meals.
Lodging Description for Men and Women
One of the monastery lodging traditions derived from the practices in the time of the Buddha is to accept whatever lodging one is offered. At Abhayagiri, the guest lodgings vary from site to site but are all heated individual rooms with water and a bathroom or outhouse close by. Men and women stay in separate areas of the monastery and live in separate dwelling spaces.
Women guests stay at Casa Serena, a 2000 square foot, three story house with four separate rooms and three bathrooms. Each room has a basic spring or foam mattress. Reaching the house requires walking up a staircase and each room requires walking up steps. The women’s accommodation is located about a twelve minute walk (2/3 of a mile) from the monastery cloister; up and down a few hills along a gravel road. There is also a forest trail that women can access to walk to the upper part of the monastery. For guests staying at Casa Serena, driving between Casa Serena and the monastery cloister is only possible for those physically unable to make the walk.
The men’s guest accommodations are generally located a few minutes uphill or downhill from the cloister area. Male guests stay in separate cabins or rooms, some of which have beds and others have thin air mattresses. Each cabin has several windows, a wood laminate floor and is heated by propane. There is running water outside each cabin and all cabins have outhouse toilets or pit toilets. Every cabin requires the ability to climb some steps in order to get to it.
Required Items to Bring with You when Staying Overnight
easy to remove/put on sandals or flip flops for entering/exiting indoor spaces (taking on/off footwear will occur about 15 times or more per day so having only lace up shoes is a hassle)
a set of sheets for a twin mattress: twin fitted sheet and top sheet
two pillow cases
towel
toiletries (we suggest sunscreen, July 1 to October 1)
flashlight or headlamp
alarm clock (you can use your cell phone for this, but not for making a call or accessing the internet)
a pair of sturdy shoes or work boots
work clothes (pants and a t-shirt or long sleeve shirt that you don’t mind getting dirty or stained with paint)
warm clothing and rain gear for: October 1 to January 1 and April 1 to June 1 (no need for an umbrella, we have plenty)
work gloves and a sun hat (helpful but not necessary to bring)
We ask all overnight guests to dress fairly conservatively (i.e. wearing comfortable, loose fitting clothes). This includes wearing pants (light weight pants in the summer) or long skirts, and to wear long or short sleeve shirts rather than tank tops. We prefer guests to refrain from wearing shorts, although extra long shorts (3/4 pants) that cover the calf are fine.
Pets at Abhayagiri
As a monastery policy, we do not allow pets to stay overnight in the monastery.
The Eight Precepts
All guests at Abhayagiri abide by the Eight Precepts, examples of these include not eating after the main meal (which ends between noon and 1:00 pm) until 7 am breakfast the next day, avoiding physical contact between men and women, and not killing any living creature including an insect. The Eight Precepts are:
To undertake the precept to refrain from taking the life of any living creature
To undertake the precept to refrain from taking that which is not given
To undertake the precept to refrain from any kind of sexual activity
To undertake the precept to refrain from false and harmful speech
To undertake the precept to refrain from consuming intoxicating drink or drugs which lead to carelessness
To undertake the precept to refrain from eating at inappropriate times (after midday)
To undertake the precept to refrain from entertainment, beautification and adornment (such as music, makeup, and jewelry)
To undertake the precept to refrain from sleeping on a high or luxurious sleeping place (not over-indulging in sleep)
The Daily Routine
Guests participate in the daily routine, including the morning group meditation which begins at 5 am and the evening group meditation which begins at 7 pm. The daily morning routine also includes a brief chore and a three hour work period.
Please note Guests are required to participate in all scheduled events, including all morning and evening meetings and all clean up periods in the kitchen (after breakfast, after the meal, and after tea time). Guests who do not attend scheduled events or help out with the kitchen clean up periods may be asked to leave or not be allowed to return in the future.
5:00 am: Morning meeting—chanting and meditation
6:30 am: Chore period
7:00 am: Light breakfast
7:30 am: Dhamma reflection and discussion of the tasks for the morning.
8:00 am: Meal preparation and general work period
11:00 am: The meal, eaten in silence, is the last meal of the day
~11:45 pm: Dish-washing/Cleaning up after the meal
1:00 pm: Personal practice period
5:30 pm: Optional Tea Time (a good time to meet informally with the monastics)
7:00 pm: Evening meeting—chanting and meditation
There is a regular Dhamma talk on Saturday evenings. The program begins at 7 pm with chanting followed by meditation. After a short break, one of the senior monks gives a Dhamma talk.
On Lunar Observance Days (the four moon quarters) and the day after, the schedule changes somewhat to allow time for more contemplation. On the Lunar Day, the evening meeting begins at 7:00 pm and is followed by a Dhamma talk and an optional meditation vigil until 3:30 am. As the scheduling for the Lunar Observance Day varies somewhat from the observable moon phases, check the Abhayagiri calendar for exact dates.
A Guide to Monastic Etiquette at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery
This is intended as a guide to laypeople staying at Abhayagiri Monastery. People from non-Buddhist backgrounds may find the discipline and customs somewhat unfamiliar. It is hoped that the following information will help in giving greater understanding and sensitivity to the various conventions of monastic life.
Monastic Code
The Vinaya, the code of monastic discipline, establishes a relationship with lay people without whose daily support the sangha could not continue. Monks and nuns are prohibited from possessing money and from storing food. They are completely dependent on the laity for many simple things, such as the preparation and offering of food, pruning foliage, and digging in the earth.
Respectfulness
In monasteries, emphasis is placed on establishing harmony by mindfulness and consideration for others. Guests are invited to share in these observances of beautiful behavior and sensitivity.
Before entering a shrine room or living space it is necessary to remove the shoes. Although visitors are not obliged to, there is the custom of bowing to the shrine or teacher. The triple bow, to the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha, is usually done upon entering or leaving the meditation hall. At the end of a formal meditation period, respect is usually paid to the senior monk with the triple bow. When in the meditation hall concern need be taken in moving with as little noise as possible. When sitting one should avoid lolling and lounging and sitting with one’s back against the wall, especially during a Dhamma talk. Care should be taken not to point the feet at the shrine or at other people generally, as this can be considered impolite.
When offering something to a monk or nun or talking with them, one should not stand looming over them but rather approach them at the same level at which they are sitting.
Offering
Monks and nuns are allowed to collect and consume their daily food in the period between dawn and midday. Anything they intend to eat or drink, except water, must be formally offered into the hands or placed on or into something in direct contact with the hands.
Relationships
In our tradition monks and nuns lead lives of total celibacy. This includes refraining from suggestive speech or physical contact with lustful intent, both of which are serious offenses against the Vinaya discipline. To avoid this and to prevent gossip or misunderstanding from arising, a monk has to be accompanied by another male whenever he is engaging in a long conversation with a woman. A similar rule applies for nuns.
Guests are asked to be sensitive to the proper mode of conduct for men and women within a monastic setting. In terms of lodging, men and women stay in separate areas of the monastery and no men should enter the women’s lodgings/public restrooms, or vice versa, without permission from one of the senior monks.
Terms of Address
Any monk who has been ordained for at least ten years may be referred to as “Ajahn” (a Thai word derived from the Pāli word Ācariya meaning “teacher”). Other monks can be addressed as “Venerable” or the Thai equivalent, “Tahn.” Any monk, senior or junior can be called “Bhante,” a more general term of respect. These designations may or may not be followed by the ordained name of the individual.
Añjali and Bowing
“Añjali”’ is a gesture of respect. The hands are held together in prayer-like fashion raised to the slightly lowered forehead. To bow appropriately, kneel with the buttocks on the heels and with the hands in añjali. Bring the palms to the floor a few inches apart, then bring the forehead down to touch between the palms, the elbows close to the knees. Bow three times.
Questions to answer in the Contact Form below:
What name do you prefer to go by?
Your cell phone number?
Your age?
Your gender?
Where are you travelling from, and/or where do you live? How are you planning to arrive at Abhayagiri (car, public transport, drop off, etc)?
For what dates would you like to request a stay at Abhayagiri?
Please briefly describe your background with meditation.
Have you ever visited by day or stayed overnight at Abhayagiri before (if so please specifiy overnight or day visit)?
Have you ever stayed at another monastery before?
If yes, please briefly describe your previous stays at monasteries.
Are you familiar with the five and eight precepts?
If yes, please describe your background following precepts.
Are you able to follow the eight precepts for your stay, especially not eating a meal after midday?
Do you have any physical restrictions or conditions?
If yes, please (let us know what these are and) provide any type of medication you are currently taking for them.
Do you have any history with mental health conditions?
If yes, please (let us know what these are and) provide any type of medication you have taken for them.