Dharma Centre of Canada

• Rates
• Discounts and Special Arrangements
• Deposit and Cancellation Policy
• Dana (Generosity)
• Registration Forms
• Practitioner Support Fund
• Health
• Directions
• Contact

 

Orientation Guide

We have an "Orientation Guide" to assist newcomers to the Centre. In it are descriptions of the facilities and guidelines both for participating in our programs and as visitors staying on our property. The guide is available here in "PDF" format for download:
Orientation Guide

Here is the link to download Acrobat Reader for free from Adobe's site, in order to read PDF files:

 

What to Bring

Bring your own toiletries, towel, alarm clock, sleeping bag or blankets and bed linens, Kleenex, outdoor wear, indoor slippers, a flashlight and a phone calling card. Bring loose, comfortable clothing to wear (i.e. denim jeans not recommended). Out of consideration for others, we ask that you refrain from wearing perfumes, essential oils, noisy jewelry, beeping watches or phones.

Appropriate seasonal clothing and footwear:

Spring: weather cool, rain and possible snow, insect life at the end of spring.
In late spring, we recommend that you bring insect repellent, a bug hat or bug jacket.

 

Summer: weather hot, some rain, insect life, possible swimming.
We recommend that you bring sun screen, a hat, insect repellent, a bug hat or bug jacket, sandals and bathing suit.

 

Autumn: weather warm to cool, some rain.
We recommend that you bring rain gear and rubber boots.

 

Winter: weather cold, lots of snow.
We recommend that you bring winter outer wear and boots.

 

Food

Three meals per day are provided; our main meal is served at lunchtime. We provide mostly vegetarian food, however meat is also served from time to time, with vegetarian options.

Please note: We do not serve specialized dishes for, nor tailor food to individuals who have food sensitivities and allergies. However, we do serve a selection of foods that allow those with minimal food sensitivities to make choices and/or avoid certain dishes. Those meditators who require additional specialized food preparation, other than our vegetarian, non-wheat or non-diary special menu choices or find that the choices of food types prepared is not appropriate for their diet, are welcome to bring thier own suppplimentaly foods and will find storage and preparation space available in our Teahouse facility.

Accomodations

Rooms are most often provided on a single person basis. They vary from single retreat cabins, to rooms in a motel-type block. Many of the single retreat cabins use propane lighting and wood stoves for heating. The other accommodations have electrical heat and lighting. The rooms are simply furnished with a bed, a desk, a pillow and blanket, and carpets. Camping is available in the warmer months.

Five Precepts

We ask all visitors to the retreat property familiarize themselves with the five basic precepts:

1. I undertake to train myself to support, extend and appreciate the life of all living beings.

2. I undertake to train myself to dwell more and more in the mind of spontaneous generosity.

3. I undertake to train myself to communicate in a skillful and compassionate manner.

4. I undertake to train myself to use the senses to further awakening and explore Dharma.

5. I undertake to train myself to eat, drink and nurture myself in a way that supports awakening.

Service

All guests on the property are asked to share in the maintenance of the centre in what is termed karma yoga. This consists of one hour per day service work and most often involves food preparation and clean up. The Centre also relies on the volunteer work of its members, of a more substantial nature for building and maintenance projects on the property. If you are working on a project that requires a full day of labour, then you are entitled to volunteer benefits. You will be housed on property as long as you are working on the project, and you will be encouraged to attend any open teachings occurring at that time, which interest you. For more details on how to take advantage of this arrangement, please call the Administrator at 705-488-2704.

"By the Merit of Generosity and other good deeds, ..."

One way in which you can help the Dharma Centre keep rates low at the retreat property is to donate items that are needed, and save the Centre the cost of purchasing them. Below is a list of things that are needed. Perhaps you have one of them lying around, unneeded, in your house, taking up precious space, and you would love to be able to give it to someone (someplace) that would appreciate it. Or perhaps you see the perfect thing while you are shopping, and gee, it's not too expensive. Or maybe you can order one with your Club Z points, Or... Give the Centre a call at 705-488-2704 to arrange delivery/pick-up if you have something on our wish list. A tax receipt can be issued for the value of the goods donated.