GUIDELINES

Rocksprings is not a motel, recreation area, or social activity center. Rocksprings is committed to serious meditation practice and Dhamma studies only. Therefore, all visitors will be asked to follow the Eight Precepts upon arrival, either taking the Eight Precepts themselves, or at the first opportunity formally taking them in the meditation hall.

1) To refrain from taking life.
2) To refrain from stealing.
3) To refrain from sexual intercourse (and even physical contact (touching) of the opposite sex except in      emergencies). 
4) To refrain from telling lies.
5) To refrain from intoxicating liquors and illicit drugs.
6) To refrain from eating after noon, and before dawn.*
7) To refrain from dancing, singing, music and watching shows, from wearing garlands (jewelry), smartening with scents, and beautifying with perfumes.
8) To refrain from the use of high and large luxurious seats or beds.

            * After 12:00 pm, only tea, coffee, juice, soft drinks are allowable. Also, honey, sunflower seeds, and cheese may be consumed in small quantities at tea time in the late afternoon.

Fees

    The Buddha’s teachings are priceless, therefore, they are offered at no cost. This is generosity. If you in turn offer a donation of money, labor, food, or sincere meditation practice, then you are practicing generosity as well.     

   Along with virtuous behavior (The Eight Precepts), generosity diminishes greed, which is essential in calming the mind. Therefore, Rocksprings operates on donations only, and only through the generosity of others can we continue to make Rocksprings available to meditators. Donations can be made through our Support tab.

Age requirement:

All overnight visitors must be eighteen or older, unless prior approval is obtained from Venerable Samarn Saengsri.

Conduct:

In general, it is inappropriate to point the soles of one’s feet or stretch the legs toward a monk, nun, or Buddha image, to lounge around in a haphazard manner, or to be generally disrespectful. Meals are taken in silence, with silence being the general rule except for “tea time” (See “Daily Schedule”).

WHAT TO BRING

• Courage, perseverance, determination, lovingkindness, forgiveness, and joy.
• One “D” cell flashlight (and a small keychain flashlight to keep in your pocket as an emergency backup).
• Battery alarm clock
• It can unexpectedly become very cold at night in this desert-type climate between September and May. Bring a warm parka just in case. During July and August the average daytime temp is about 96 degrees with many days in the hundreds, and early morning lows about 74. During December and January, daytime temps average about 61 degrees, but can go into the 70's, and early morning temps about 33 degrees, but can drop into the teens quite often and sometimes into single digits.
• Socks and insect repellent to avoid ticks and chiggers during the spring and fall.
• Sun block and hats for summer walking meditation.
  
• The rocks here can make walking hazardous, so be sure that you have a good support shoe.
• Personal meditation cushion.
• We have a limited number of towels, sleeping bags, blankets, pillows, pillow cases, and sheets, so if you can, bring any of these items that you may need. 
• Laundry facilities: we have a washing machine (cold water only) and a dryer (in bad weather), and clotheslines
• Rain gear: umbrella, boots, etc., especially during April and October.
• Any medications that you may need during your stay. If you are taking prescription drugs, bring enough of your meds along in case of an emergency such as a flashflood where we cannot get out for a few days due to impassable roads. The nearest hospital is The Peterson Regional Medical Center,  551 Hill Country Drive, Kerrville, TX 78028, 830-896-4200, and in good weather is an hour and a three quarters drive from here.  In case of a medical emergency such as a rattlesnake bite or heart attack, a Medivak Flight for Life helicopter may have to be dispatched from San Antonio (at a cost of about $15,000)! So mindfulness is key. , Generally, rattlesnakes are a rare occurrence out here and will retreat unless provoked, but constant, unobstructed mindfulness is recommended at all times. Stay alert when walking around the grounds and even near the sala where two rattlesnakes were found recently (May and July 2010).   
  
• The customary dress code for women maintaining the Eight Precepts is either a white or black ankle length skirt, with a long sleeved, conservative white top. For men it would be the same, except that they may wear trousers.
• The nearest grocery store is about a two hour round trip, so please bring along anything that you may need such as toothpaste, toothbrush and any personal hygiene or pharmaceutical items.

   WHAT NOT TO BRING

• Your past and future thoughts and concepts! (Come with an open mind).
•  Illicit drugs and alcohol - these are strictly forbidden, as are pets of any kind. Also, please do not bring radios, musical instruments, secular books, newspapers or magazines. Take advantage of the rare opportunity of silence, aloneness and poverty that is so conducive to meditation practice.
• Also, the 7th precept specifically requires abstention from dancing, singing, music of any kind, any shows, (or entertainment DVDs or CDs), jewelry, scents, perfume, or make-up.
• If you bring any special food for yourself, please store it in the kitchen with your name on it rather than in your dwelling place - the mice and ants will find it! The 6th precept states that we abstain from untimely eating, which is after noon and until dawn. We only eat one main meal a day at 11:00 AM, plus a light breakfast after morning meditation.

During your stay, please keep these things in mind

•     Try to maintain the Noble Silence as much as possible with a skillful, joyful and gentle attitude. Remember   that many people prefer the silence of Rocksprings, so if you want to personally listen to chanting or Dhamma Cds, please always use earphones or earplugs with courtesy to others in mind.   
•     Abstain from reading, writing, hobbies, etc. Allow the mind to become quiet.
•     Don’t wander too far away from the community area; it’s easy to get lost!
•   Rattlesnakes and scorpions are a rare occurrence out here and they will retreat unless provoked, but constant, unobstructed mindfulness is recommended at all times. Stay alert when walking around the grounds and even near the sala where two rattlesnakes were found recently (May and July 2010). Also extremely rare are Mountain Lion sightings, however one was sighted about 200 yards from the community center during July, 2010.    
•     Be mindful and respectful of other trainees. Give each other lots of space.
•     Help out when you want to, but remember that you are here for the “inner work!“
•     Relax, smile, and discover the truest peace there is.
•     After the Dhamma talks are heard and the Dhamma books read, it always comes down to only you and  your breath. This is where the heart changes, and this happens in solitude and aloneness.  
  

The Seven Rules for attaining deeper states of meditation:

1. A quiet secluded dwelling.
2. Not in your old place, a new place conducive to practice with food and shelter available.
3. No worldly affairs should be discussed, only Dhamma questions relating to your direct practice.
4. Live with others who are practicing seriously.
5. Eat just enough to keep up your energy to practice.
6. Climate must be suitable.
7. Remain engaged as much as possible in either sitting or walking meditation.

Hold Harmless Agreement (For overnight guests)

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF RISK AND HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENT

I hereby acknowledge that I have voluntarily chosen to participate in the Dhammabucha Rocksprings meditation program (hereinafter called “program”).
 
 I understand the risks involved in the program. I recognize that the program and its activities involves risk of injury and I agree to accept any and all risks associated with it, including but not limited to property damage or loss, minor bodily, mental, or psychological injury, severe bodily, mental, or psychological  injury, and death.

Furthermore, I recognize that participation in the program involves activities and risks incidental thereto, including but not limited to: transportation related to the program, training, practices, hazardous and primitive living conditions, exposure to plants, insects and animals, some of which may be potentially dangerous, limited availability of medical assistance because of the remote location, and the possible reckless conduct of other participants. I am voluntarily participating in the program with the knowledge of the risks involved and hereby agree to accept any and all inherent risks of property damage, bodily, mental, or psychological injury, or death.
 
In consideration of my participation in the program and to the fullest extent permitted by law, I agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Dhammabucha Rocksprings,  its trustees, officers, directors, employees, agents, volunteers and assigns from and against all claims arising out of or resulting from my participation in the program. “Claim” as used in this agreement means any financial loss, claim, suit, action, damage or expense, including but not limited to attorney’s fees, attributable to bodily injury, mental, or psychological injury, sickness, disease or death, or injury to or destruction of tangible property including loss of use resulting there from. In addition, I hereby voluntarily hold harmless Dhammabucha Rocksprings its trustees, officers, directors, employees, agents, volunteers and assigns from any and all claims, both present and future, that may be made by me, my family, estate, heirs or assigns.

I hereby expressly agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Dhammabucha Rocksprings , its trustees, officers, directors, employees, agents, volunteers and assigns for any claim arising out of or incident to my participation in the program. I also understand that Dhammabucha Rocksprings does not provide any medical or dental insurance or life insurance to cover bodily, mental, or psychological injury, illness or death, nor insurance for personal property damage or loss, nor insurance for liability arising out of my negligent acts or omissions; and I acknowledge that I am completely responsible for my own insurance to cover these expenses.

I further understand that this assumption of risk and hold harmless is intended to be as broad and inclusive as permitted by the laws of the State of Texas, and that if any portion hereof is held invalid, I agree that the balance shall, notwithstanding, continue in full legal force and effect.

I agree that this acknowledgment of risk and hold harmless is effective for as long as I participate in the program.

I have read and understand this acknowledgement of risk and hold harmless.
 
 
Participant’s Name (Last, First, M.I.):

Participant’s Signature/Date:

Email Address:
 
Emergency Contact/Emergency Phone:

IF THE PARTICIPANT IS UNDER THE AGE OF 18, THE SIGNATURE OF A PARENT OR GARDIAN IS REQUIRED BELOW.

Parent Name/Signature/Date: