Visiting Hours
We welcome people with all levels of meditation experience — including none at all. However, please plan your visit for times when the monastery is open and receiving visitors. If you have registered for an overnight retreat, plan to arrive on your designated arrival day.
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· Registration is required for all events hosted by Mountain Spring Monastery
Mindful Conduct
Mountain Spring is a monastic practice centre and during your time with us we ask that you help to nurture the peaceful and solid energy of this place
Practicing the Mindfulness Trainings / Intoxicants and Drugs Prohibited
· Observe the five mindfulness trainings of protecting life, not taking what does not belong to you, refraining from sexual activity, practising mindful and compassionate speech, and refraining from intoxicants (alcohol, drugs for example) whilst on the property. Mountain Spring is a completely non-smoking environment (including e-cigarette).
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Dress Code
· For everyone’s comfort, the dress code at Mountain Spring is smart casual. You will find it helpful to bring clothes that are loose fitting and cover your knees and elbows so that you can easefully sit in meditation. The weather is quite changeable and you will find it helpful to bring a few layers.
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Silence (or turn off) your device
· The chance to practice together is very precious. In order to fully be here and benefit from the mindful energy here we ask that you minimise your use of electronic devices as much as possible
Compassionate Speech
· Be aware of the suffering caused by engaging in unnecessary conversations about topics that may be uncomfortable or distressing for some (such as politics) etc.
What To Bring
Day Visit
· Weather is quite changeable here, so it will be helpful to dress in layers, bring a hat and sturdy shoes.
· Please bring a plant-based/vegan dish to share for lunch (unless otherwise stated)
Overnight Stay
· Comfortable clothing, warm jacket, bath towel, toiletries, insect repellent, sunscreen, hat, umbrella or raincoat, walking shoes, water bottle, a torch, and outdoor work/gardening clothes.
· Please plan on bringing your own sleeping bag and other sleeping items that you need to be comfortable during your stay.
On-site Donations
We welcome you to attend our Days of Mindfulness on a donation basis. There are donation boxes available in the Dining Hall and Meditation Hall, or you can click here to donate online.
Visitors for events and retreats are welcome to donate as they are called to and are able. Donations are warmly welcomed to support basic operational and monastic living costs and to support this monastery for future generations here in Australia.
Financial
Contributions
(overnight stays & retreats only)
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We strive to keep retreat fees as low as possible to ensure accessibility for all. Actual costs are higher, but generous contributions from donors help bridge the gap.
Sliding-Scale Contribution​
Additional Giving
If you are able to contribute additional funds to your registration costs, it will help us offer financial assistance to others and to help us realise the vision of creating a peaceful oasis where all can come and practice.
Financial Assistance
If your financial situation means you would have difficulty paying for the suggested retreat cost but would really benefit from attending you may select a reduced ticket price during registration.
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Scholarship (Further Reduction)
No one is every turned away for lack of funds. If you require a further reduced rate, please use the contact us form to let us know the event you’d like to attend and the amount you can afford at this time (if any).
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· Registration fee covers accommodation, plant-based/vegan meals, mindfulness activities and time to flow as a river with the Sangha.
​Accommodation
· All rooms are shared dormitory style with bunk beds.
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· Mountain is still in the development phase. Facilities are still a little limited. We ask for your warm hearted understanding!
Cancellation Policy
· Full Refunds (minus original service fee) are available for cancellations made at least 7 days before the retreat start day.
· Partial Refunds (minus $10 cancellation fee & original service fee) are available for cancellations made 1-7 days before the retreat start day.
· No Refunds for cancellations made on or after the retreat start day.
· Registration is non-transferable.
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· Monastery Stay 7 Day option is for return overnight retreatants only (in the Plum Village tradition), if selected inappropriately we reserve the right to revoke the registration.
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COVID-safe Protocol Agreement
· In order to protect everyone, I agree to practice COVID-safe protocols while at the monastery and I will not attend if I am ill, or experiencing any respiratory symptoms. I will inform the monastery if I become ill and will arrange to come at another time when I am well.
Sample Schedule
(Monastery Stay)​
Friday 6:00p Dinner 7:30p Sitting Meditation & Chanting Saturday 5:00a Wake Up 5:45a Sitting Meditation 7:30a Breakfast 9:00a Walking Meditation 10:30a Personal Practice/ Study Time 12:30p Lunch 3:00p Working Meditation 6:00p Dinner (optional) 7:30p Sitting Meditation & Chanting Sunday 5:00a Wake Up 5:45a Sitting Meditation 7:30a Breakfast 9:00a Meditation Session 9:45a Walking Meditation 11:00a Dharma Talk/ Ceremony 12:30p Lunch 2:00p Discussion Group or Afternoon Practice 3:00p Departures
Terms & Conditions
I acknowledge that I enter into the Mountain Spring Monastery at my own risk. In consideration of permission to enter the Monastery and or to participate in the classes / work/ gatherings operated or facilitated by the Monastery, I agree to release and hold harmless the Monastery against any actions, suits, proceedings, claims, demands or damages, and against any and all liability whatsoever in connection with any injury or loss suffered by me or any other matter arising out of any liability, claim or demand as a result of or during my participation in any work, classes operated and or facilitated by the Monastery.
Getting Here
Our Hamlet Addresses
Sisters Hamlet / Day Parking Lot -
2651 Bells Line of Rd, Bilpin NSW 2758
Brothers Hamlet -
2675 Bells Line of Rd, Bilpin NSW 2758
Parking
There is ample parking. Once you arrive at the Sisters Hamlet, park in our Day Parking Lot - a large gravel lot on the left side with additional parking in designated grass area.​
Public Transportation
We acknowledge that it is challenging to get here via public transportation. The nearest train station is Richmond station. Please use the Trip Planner website for planning travel on public transportation - https://transportnsw.info/trip#/trip There is a bus that travels between Richmond train station and 2689 Bells Line of Road, Bilpin (5 mins walk / 450m to Mountain Spring Monastery).
Privacy Policy
Your personal information is kept confidential and is used only by the Mountain Spring Monastery Caretaking Council for the purpose of the event/retreat that you have registered to attend. We do not share information with third-parties.
