Regulations

These are the basic points of monastic etiquette formulated by Ajahn Chah that are the basic binding feature of the Wat Pah Pong Sangha. It is the adherence to these that is called upon to be considered a Wat Pah Pong branch.

Sangha Regulations in this monastery – by Luang Por Chah

  1. Bhikkhus and novices are not to make requests unless the people are relatives or have made an invitation (to ask for things), and should not make associations with householders or with people ordained outside of the Buddha-sāsana.
  2. Do not speak about or study worldly pursuits (lit. ‘animal knowledge’), tell lucky numbers, make holy water, give out medicines, tell fortunes, or make or distribute various kinds of auspicious items (e.g. amulets).
  3. Bhikkhus with less than 5 vassa cannot go travelling alone, unaccompanied, unless there is a necessary reason, or unless there is an appropriate Ajahn travelling with them.
  4. When you want to do something, consult with the Sangha or the head of the Sangha beforehand. When it is seen as being in line with Dhamma-Vinaya, then it can be done. Don’t do things on your own authority.
  5. Be glad for the dwelling that the Sangha has arranged for you, and keep the kuti clean and well-swept. Keep the path to the kuti clear.
  6. When work arises for the Sangha, we do it together. When we stop, we stop together. Don’t make yourself a nuisance to the community, i.e. someone deceitful and fraudulent, avoiding, evading, and making excuses for yourself.
  7. When eating almsfood, storing the bowl, washing the bowl, sweeping the monastery, drawing water, bathing, setting up the eating hall, dying robes, listening to a Dhamma talk – in all of these – don’t chat with others, but try to do that work in a really true way.
  8. When finished eating, sweep and tidy the eating hall together, before paying respects together. Then quietly take your requisites back to your kuti.
  9. Make yourself a person intent on little with regard to speaking, eating, sleeping and boisterousness. Be someone who lives with persistence aroused, and help look after sick bhikkhus and novices with kindness.
  10. Do not accept silver and gold (money), and do not have others keep it for you. Do not buy, sell, trade or exchange goods.
  11. When offerings accrue to this community, they are all kept in a central store. When a monk wants something, with the Sangha’s approval it will be given to him in line with what is appropriate.
  12. Do not chat together in groups throughout the day and night all over the place, or even in your kuti, unless there is a necessary reason, and even so, don’t be ‘socialites’ laughing and making a scene. No smoking or chewing betel nut.
  13. Sending or receiving letters, or documents, or other materials beyond the monastery requires the notification of the Sangha or the head of the Sangha every time. When the Sangha or the head of the Sangha sees that it is appropriate, then sending or receiving is possible.
  14. Bhikkhus and novices who would like to come to this monastery to practice must first have a letter of recommendation from their preceptor and must bring their bai-suddhi beforehand; then it may be possible.
  15. Visiting monks and novices coming to stay must show their bai-suddhi to the Sangha or the head of the Sangha on the first night. They can arrange to stay for a period not exceeding 3 nights, unless there is a necessary reason.

When anyone disobeys these Sangha regulations, the Sangha has full authority to deal with the matter.

L.P. Chah Subhaddo (Phra Bodhiñanathera) Jan 1, 2520.

Regulations for monks using the facilities of Delhi Dhammarama

The following regulations should be observed for monks using the facilities of Delhi Dhammarama. They have been put up because Delhi Dhammarama is not a monastery with a resident Sangha, abbot, or senior monk who looks after it.

General information about Delhi Dhammarama:

  • The property has been made available by the Goel Family for use by the WPP Sangha and generally other Monks with appropriate permission.
  • It is managed by Aranya Vihara Trust under advice and guidance of Ajahn Kevali, abbot of WPN and patron of Aranya Vihara Trust.

Who should be able to stay at Delhi Dhammarama?

  1. Monks who travel in the name of WPP/WPN or the international Sangha associated with WPN and Wat Pah Pong (WPP), such as:
  2. Monks visiting India from the international branch monasteries of WPN and WPP.
  3. WPP, WPN monks in transit passing through Delhi
  4. Monks who need to attend to their private business (e.g. visa, passport-related, or hospital visits).
  5. Any other monks if they have direct pavarana (invitation) by Aranya Vihara Trust.
  6. Other monks after sending a request and receiving permission according to guidance below.

How to arrange a stay at Dhammarama?

1. If you are a WPP affiliated monk, please contact Ajahn Kevali/WPN and place your request through him.

2. For non WPP monks, please send your request to [email protected] with the following details:

  1. The name of your preceptor and the monastery where you received higher ordination.
  2. Your current number of Vassas
  3. The duration and purpose of your stay in Delhi Dhammarama.
  4. Some details about your current monastery such as – the full address of the monastery, is it a branch of a larger monastery, the name of its abbot.
  5. If you are a monk in nisaya, please have your acariya/uppajahya send a letter to Aranya Vihara Trust.

Please make sure you contact at least 15 days in advance since permission has to be sought from Ajahn Kevali.

Who should not be able to stay at Delhi Dhammarama?

  1. Monks who arrive without prior information, other than in emergency situations.
  2. Monks that come individually without direct pavarana by Aranya Vihara Trust or haven’t contacted Ajahn Kevali/WPN in advance.

Duration of stays:

  1. Usually the stays at Delhi Dhammarama should be short term only (to the maximum of three days). For a longer stay, monks should generally reside at a proper monastery.
  2. For extending one’s stay, permission from Ajahn Kevali has to be sought.
  3. Open ended stays are not permitted. Without further appointments in Delhi one should move on.

What does the pavarana at Delhi Dhammarama usually include?

  1. Overnight stays
  2. Meals
  3. Taxi/Metro fares for transfer to bus and train stations or airports (on former notification)
  4. The use of internet and computer in Delhi Dhammarama.

To keep in mind: 

  • Usually Delhi Dhammarama is not a place to hold teaching-events other than upon the explicit invitation of Aranya Vihara Trust.
  • One should not stay in order to make contacts with laypeople, or wait for further support or travel perspectives. The support necessary for one’s business or mission should be prearranged.
  • One needs to fill the guest form with the caretaker and also supply a personal identification (passport etc) which will be photocopied and kept for the Aranya Vihara Trust’s record. .
  • Please don’t leave any personal belongings in Delhi Dhammarama (except for a short trip e.g. for a few days’ pilgrimage). They will be considered abandoned and removed unless well marked for the proper occasion.
  • Kindly do not smoke within the Dhammarāma premises.

In order to preserve the faith of the laity and harmony of the Sangha, please inform Ajahn Kevali/WPN if you witness any important breach of theses guidelines or inappropriate behavior.

Regulations for lay persons using the facilities of Delhi Dhammarama

  • For the period when monks / nuns are in residence, only the Dhammarāma designated Upathaks / attendants may kindly enter the residence area on the 3 floor. Please contact the Upathak / attendant if you would like to meet the visiting monk / nun.
  • Further, when monks / nuns are in residence, there is strict gender segregation on the 3 floor. Please do not enter the Monastic residence under any condition during the presence of monks / nuns.
  • Lay supporters / disciples accompanying visiting monks / nuns are encouraged to have their meals / tea with other participants on the ground floor. Kindly allow the designated Upathaks / attendants to look after the monks / nuns. This will enable the local Sangha to get to know you and also establish bonds between the laity on both sides.
  • Dhammarāma follows monastic etiquette as laid out in the Vinaya Pittaka. Some of these practices may be different from what you are accustomed to. If there is a particular preference outside these boundaries, please bring it to our attention and abide with our recommendation.
  • Dhammarāma is an entirely vegetarian premises. Kindly refrain from brining meat, fish or eggs in the premises.
  • Kindly do not smoke within the Dhammarāma premises.
  • If you wish to make a food offering please bring the dish to the centre by 10 am and hand it to the kitchen manager on the ground floor.
  • Please do not make offerings of  money to monks / nuns. This is prohibited according to the Vinaya.
  • If you would like to stay and practice in Dhammarāma when there is no monastic in residence, please email your request to [email protected] with your proposed period of stay and your prior practice experience.
  • All residents need to fill the guest form with the caretaker and also supply a personal identification (PAN, AADHAR, driving license etc) which will be photocopied and kept for the Aranya Vihara Trust’s record.