Before You Apply
Meditation Retreat Guidelines & Policies | Meditation Island Thailand
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Retreat Guidelines
Community Expectations & Living Conditions
Meditation Island is a Buddhist forest practice environment dedicated to mindfulness, simplicity, discipline, and inner development. It is not a resort, wellness retreat, tourist attraction, or holiday destination.
Please read the following carefully before applying.
𑁍 Attendance & Participation
All activities form part of the practice and are mandatory unless excused by the resident nuns for a genuine reason.
Participants are expected to:
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Attend all scheduled activities & Arrive at least 10 minutes early
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Respect periods of silence
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Follow the guidance of the founder and resident nuns
The retreat includes: Meditation practice, Morning and evening chanting, Alms round with the resident nuns, Dhamma teachings, Monastery duties and community service, Personal practice and reflection
The minimum stay is 3 nights and the maximum stay is 14 nights.
Participants who repeatedly refuse to follow the schedule, community guidelines, or instructions from the resident nuns may be asked to leave.
𑁍 Initial Stay & Contribution
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All new participants begin with a contribution period.
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Current contribution rates: (including accommodation and breakfast)
- Outside Stay: 300 THB per night
- Retreat Stay: 450 THB per night
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These contributions support accommodation, utilities, transportation, maintenance, and the ongoing operation of the monastery.
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The contribution period also serves as an important screening process for the safety and wellbeing of the community.
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All contributions are final and non-refundable once received.
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As only female practitioners currently reside onsite, safety is taken seriously. The contribution requirement helps ensure that participants arrive with sincere intention and a willingness to respect the monastery environment.
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After completing the initial 14-day contribution period, female participants only may be considered for a donation-based volunteer stay with no required contribution for an additional 7–14 days.
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As only female monastics currently reside onsite, volunteer opportunities are currently limited to female applicants.
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Approval must first be given by the founder and the onsite nun committee. Volunteer opportunities are limited and not guaranteed.
𑁍 The Eight Precepts
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Participants are expected to observe the Eight Precepts throughout their stay:
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Refrain from killing living beings
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Refrain from taking what is not given
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Refrain from sexual activity
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Refrain from false or harmful speech
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Refrain from intoxicants
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Refrain from eating after the main meal of the day
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Refrain from entertainment, music, and unnecessary adornment
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Refrain from luxurious beds and excessive comfort
𑁍 Community Living
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Please show respect toward: Resident nuns, Fellow participants, Shared spaces, The practice environment
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The following are not permitted: Violence or threatening behavior, Sexual misconduct, Illegal drugs, Theft, Harassment of any kind
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Participants may be asked to leave immediately if their behavior creates disruption, safety concerns, or an unsuitable environment for practice.
𑁍 Religious Activities & Yoga
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Meditation Island is a Buddhist practice environment.
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Please do not organize, promote, teach, or conduct activities related to other religions, spiritual movements, ceremonies, energy healing practices, or belief systems anywhere on monastery grounds.
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Private personal prayer or religious practice may be done quietly inside your accommodation.
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Yoga and stretching may be practiced privately inside your hut but not in public areas where they may distract other practitioners.
𑁍 Monastery Duties & Community Service
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Meditation is not limited to sitting.
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Mindful work and helping the community are considered part of the practice.
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Participants may be asked to assist with:
- Cleaning the dining hall, cafeteria, communal kitchen, and shared facilities
- Washing buffet trays, food containers, utensils, and kitchen equipment after meals
- Sweeping leaves, pathways, and communal areas
- Preparing and cleaning the Dhamma Hall and teaching areas
- General monastery cleaning and maintenance duties
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We also encourage participants to help whenever help is needed. If someone is carrying supplies, setting up a communal area, preparing food offerings, or cleaning shared spaces, please lend a hand when possible. When everyone helps a little, the workload does not fall on only a few people.
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Additional help is especially appreciated during:
6:00 AM – Cleaning the dining hall, cafeteria, and communal kitchen area
6:50 AM – Assisting during the alms round with the resident nuns
3:00 PM – Preparing and cleaning the Dhamma Hall and teaching areas
𑁍 Living Conditions
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Living conditions are intentionally simple and are part of the practice.
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Participants should expect:
- No hot water
- No modern flushing toilet system
- One meal per day
- No food after the meal
- Basic accommodation
- Tropical weather and insects
- Limited phone use and outside communication
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These conditions are intended to cultivate simplicity, mindfulness, responsibility, and contentment.
𑁍 Before Applying 𑁍
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Meditation Island was created as a place for practice, not comfort.
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If you are seeking a holiday, luxury retreat, wellness vacation, resort experience, or sightseeing destination, this may not be the right environment for you.
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If you are seeking simplicity, mindfulness, personal responsibility, and sincere Buddhist practice, we warmly welcome your application.
Participant Reflections
