Teaching and Courses:
In the quiet and beautiful surroundings of the ancient village of Wegiraya, near Kandy, you can learn and practice Vipassana meditation under the guidance of Venerable Dhammachari Silmatawa. Regular seven-day courses include 3 group sessions per day, a Dhamma talk or discussion and individual guidance.
there will be a group course - everyone is asked to stay for the whole course. There will be no possibility to come and go during this period and no refunds.
Please arrive 1st no later than 3pm for registration.
The course ends after lunch on the 7th
there will be possibilities for Individual Retreats with private interviews and guidance.
If possible, students should register in advance by post, telephone, email or in person. As meals are only taken twice a day, at 7:00 and 11:30, students are asked to arrive after lunch or to bring some food (fruit, etc.) with them.
Office hours are 9-10am and 3-5pm. To contact us, please see the contact details. (If possible Hyperlink)
On arrival there will be a personal interview with the student by the teacher, Dhammachari.
You must have your visa extensions in order before coming to Rockhill.
Simple, basic shared accommodation is provided. Cold water showers are available indoors, and on hot sunny days there may be warm water outside for bathing. Please remember that Rockhill is a hermitage (monastery and nunnery). Students are asked to wear bathing clothes when washing outside.
5:45am Wake up bell
6:00am - 7:00am Meditate in own place or in the Hall
7:00am - 8:00am Breakfast in the nunnery
8:00am - 9:00am Group meditation in the Hall
9:00am - 11:00am Meditate in the Hall or in own place, sitting or walking. Attend to personal needs
11:00am - 11:30am Bell for Buddha Puja, get ready for lunch (Dana)
11:30am - 12:00pm Dana (mid-day meal) in the nunnery. Please be on time
12:00pm - 1:00pm Rest, study, attend to personal needs
1:00pm - 2:00pm Walking meditation
2:00pm - 3:00pm Group meditation in the Hall
3:00pm - 3:30pm Tea break in the nunnery
3:30pm - 5:00pm Private interviews in office. Meditate individually, sitting or walking. Attend to personal needs
5:00pm - 6:00pm Group meditation in the Hall
6:00pm - 7:00pm Free time
7:00pm - 7:30pm Tea break in the nunnery
7:30pm - 9:30pm Teacher's discourse, group discussion, group meditation
9:30pm Retire to own room
Please be on time and try to be mindfully aware of every movement you do.
Any variation in the timetable will be announced by the management during the course.
- White clothing - long trousers/trousers/skirts, blouses/shirts/T-shirts with sleeves
- A torch/flashlight (Taschenlampe)
- Towel and toiletries
- A padlock (Vorhängeschloss)
- Washing powder
- Any special dietary requirements
Optional - Umbrella (April-Dec)
Mediators are asked to contribute a reasonable amount for food and accommodation. A minimum of US$20 per day is required. We accept Sri Lankan Rupees, US Dollars or Euros. Please book at least 2 weeks in advance as we have a limited number of cottages. If you wish to come at short notice, please contact us to see if there are still places available. Any special donations for improvements to the Hermitage are entirely voluntary. All donations are gratefully accepted. Please pay cash at the office on arrival.
If you would like to find out more about how you can contribute to our mission, for example by donating goods (e.g. electronics, school supplies, medical equipment), please visit our donations section.
