Requirements and Terms for Residency at Embracing Simplicity Hermitage

Embracing Simplicity Hermitage is a Buddhist practice community and retreat center. Its purpose is to preserve the Buddha’s teachings through providing residential training for Western monastics and dharma teachers, and retreat opportunities for practitioners who cannot live the secluded life on a full-time basis.

The Hermitage also provides harmonious, meditative living for sincere contemplatives of all compassionate traditions who value the Buddhist path. Residency at the Hermitage can range from one year to long-term status.

Residents are expected to participate fully in the life of the community:

1) Practice Orientation

          Buddhist path as primary practice. May embrace complimentary spiritual practices. All residents

          take the Five Precepts, but the Three Refuges and additional Buddhist vows are only offered upon

          request.

2) Meditation

          We have morning and evening silent group sittings. Those who perform puja may incorporate this

          practice before and after the meditation periods.

3) Dharma Discussions

          Offered daily by residents on a rotating basis.

4) Retreats

          Usually, once a month there is a formal meditation retreat open to the public. Residents may

          participate  as permitted by their duties, with permission by the facilitator. Sometimes outside

          facilitators have set fees or other restrictions. In addition, there is a weekly dharma talk given by a

          residential teacher or trainee.

 5) Work

          Average three hours daily. Personal days are Wednesday and Sunday (after the 11 am - 2 pm

          service). However, the work schedule is very flexible. Duties may be original creative projects or

          retreats conducted by residents. Chores may include cooking, shopping, buildings and grounds

          upkeep, construction of new buildings, coordinating retreats, assisting visitors, and administrative

          duties. Work assignments will not always be what you would choose to do, but rather what needs

          to be done.

6) Conduct

• Willingness to control speech and actions
• Kind, cooperative, supportive, self-content, respectful, quiet demeanor
• Willingness to contemplate the effects of your behavior on others and make changes as needed
• Severly limited “entertainment” needs. TV in use only during designated times; no personal radios or CDs without earphones.
• Cheerful working attitude
• Out of courtesy,  let someone know when you are leaving the Hermitage for a significant period of time
• Participate in weekly meeting of residents to discuss work or issues (including grievances)
• If you bring a vehicle to the Hermitage, you are fully responsible for its upkeep, registration and insurance. If it breaks down and is not fixed in a timely manner, it must be removed from the premises.
• Modest attire, no perfumes and colognes (very limited use of herbal fragrances and oils OK)
• At the present time, committed partners may share accommodations at the Hermitage. However, the relationship may not be sexual in order to avoid distractions. If you come without a mate and find one at the Hermitage, you will both be asked to leave. In the future, we hope to establish an area on the grounds where active couples can live communally.
• Accountability for fiscal arrangements
• Only vegetarian eating on premises
• No smoking on the premises
• Adherence to all Hermitage guidelines
• Must be flexible, as this is an emerging practice community and Western contemplative order and many changes will take place. In keeping with the Buddha’s example, precepts are limited and will only be added when necessary to preserve the purpose and harmony of the community.

7) Serve on the Advisory Council of the Hermitage after the 90-day probationary residency period (excluding MA students and volunteers).

8) Accommodations

It is our goal to offer residence on a dana basis. This will be possible when the mortgage is retired and donations are sufficient. Until then, we must receive a minimum contribution from each resident. Also, it is our desire for each long-term resident to have his/her own private room in the future. We have additional land for building expansion and a standing offer to purchase adjoining property to meet this vision. We would also consider relocating the Hermitage to a new home with substantial acreage as we grow.

              Private room or kuti

                            At this time, private accommodations are not available. As the Hermitage

                            seasons and builds new facilities, such accommodations will be available in order of  

                            residency, starting with founding members.

               Residents 

• Double occupancy. This means you will share a room with a resident of the same sex unless accompanied by a partner. Contribution of $500 monthly per person (may be subject to small annual adjustment)
• Dormitory. Contribution of $400 monthly per person (may be subject to small annual adjustment)
               

              M.A. Students

                            The Hermitage hopes to offer a Teacher’s Diploma and residential  Master’s Degree in

                            Buddhist Studies program in the fall of 2006. Student accommodations will be

                            dormitory only at this time, with  restricted work schedule @ $600 monthly.

              Volunteers

                            Dormitory accommodations for volunteers @ $200 a week with five hour work days,

                            April, May, October and November.

Additional Requirements and Considerations

1) A return fare (plane, train or bus) if not driving your own vehicle and one month’s contribution on deposit.

2) Preference is given to applicants who do not have to work during their residency. Those accepted who must have an outside job cannot work more than 20 hours a week, must be fully responsible for getting to and from work, must fulfill their work obligation to the Hermitage as well.

3) Good health. Embracing Simplicity Hermitage is not responsible for health problems and cannot incur hospital or physician expenses for any resident. Residents are solely responsible for their own health care (or lack thereof). We do have a qualified holistic practitioner and nutritionist on staff who can provide services on a dana basis.

4) Residents must successfully complete a 30-day trial residency and a 90-day probationary residency before approval will be granted for long term residency of one year or more. The Hermitage reserves the right to ask residents to leave at any time. Residents may give notice of intent to leave the Hermitage at any time. Therefore, no person is encouraged to cut off worldly ties, liquidate property or assets. The Hermitage cannot take responsibility for a resident’s failure to prepare for the possibility of tenure at the Hermitage being terminated.

5) Acceptance is not automatic and will depend on space availability, apparent aptitude for life in a spiritual community, recommendations, your aspirations and the qualifications of others who may apply at the same time.

Please contact the Hermitage for more information and an application for residency, or download the application from our website www.embracingsimplicityhermitage.org

EMBRACING SIMPLICITY HERMITAGE

41 Wisdom Lane

Hendersonville, NC 28739

Phone: 828-696-1638

e-mail: embracingsimplicity@yahoo.com

Application for Residency

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