General visit: Throughout the year our doors are open to receive guests.  You can come for a stay outside of our Retreat program.  Our way of life is so different to that of society that it sometimes takes a little time for you to really feel that you have arrived and so in order to benefit from the practice we request that you come for a minimum of one week.  Our arrival day is Friday of every week.  On arrival day the monastery can provide transportation to either pick you up or take you to the nearest bus and train stations.  If you cannot make it for an entire week it is possible to come for a stay as long as this includes at least either a Thursday or Sunday Mindfulness Day.   A stay longer than two weeks will require formal request from you in the form of a letter and a decision made by the community. 
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(Please note that each retreat on our program may have different arrival days.  Also after each Retreat the community will be closed between several days to a few weeks.  Do contact us to find out about these dates).

Example of Daily Schedule

Communal Silence is practiced from 9:00 pm through breakfast the next day.

Mindfulness Days: Twice weekly on Thursdays and Sundays we hold our Days of Mindfulness to listen to either a live teaching by the Dharma teachers or listen to a teaching of Thay direct from Plum Village.  As of this Spring, Mindfulness Days begin at 9:00 am.  Other activities include walking meditation, formal lunch together with the community, and a discussion of the practice in the afternoon.  Sometimes there might be other activities arranged for the afternoon. The day usually ends around 4-5 pm.  Day guests are very welcome to attend.  Lunch is provided for everyone, so please let us know if you plan to come.  There is no cost incurred for the day participation, but dana or donation is also appreciated.
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SPECIAL RETREATS

Annual Summer Retreat: takes place around the last week of June and lasts for two weeks.  It is a family retreat where a program for children between 6-12 years would be provided.  But the retreat is open for everyone, couples, singles, young or old, no matter what age or status.  If there is sufficient numbers of young people, a teens program would also be provided.   If you wish to participate please contact us or visit our website for actual dates and information on how to register. 

Annual Winter Retreat:  takes place around mid November and lasts for three months.   The Retreat is a wonderful opportunity to deepen our practice and understanding of the Dharma. It is our main monastic retreat and is equivalent to the traditional 3-month Rainy Season Retreat, which has existed since the time of the Buddha. During this time, monks and nuns gather to practice as a Sangha, a community of practice. However, lay practitioners, who are eager to deepen their practice, are warmly invited to join the monastic community during our Winter Retreat.   You do not have to attend the full three months but a minimum stay of one week is requested. 

Other Retreats:  Retreats of various different themes are also offered.  Please see our Calendar of Events list for the dates.
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To Register: If you wish to participate in either a listed Retreat or just come for a general stay please contact us or visit our website for  more information.   You will need to fill out a registration form (there will be different forms for the different retreats.  Please send  in a deposit (minimum of $50) to reserve your place.  We accept forms sent by email, mail, or fax.  You can download registration forms from our website www.bluecliffmonastery.org
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Accommodations are simple rooms, most being dormitories between 3-7 people sharing.  Each has their own private bath/shower.  There are no single rooms available.  Camping is possible between June and October. 

Donations, costs, and scholarship:

We wish to open our doors to as many people as possible and for this we have established as low a price as we can in consideration to the cost of running Blue Cliff.  Cost is around $45 per adult per night stay, with lower costs for students, seniors, and children.  The cost covers food, utilities, tuition, and housing. 

Donations large or small have made it possible for the community to be here and to provide the Monastery as a sanctuary of mindfulness practice for many people.  We rely on the financial support of visiting practitioners and donations in order to cover the significant costs of running, renovating, upkeep and development.

But we do not want to turn anyone away because they lack financial resources so we are establishing a scholarship fund.  Your generosity will benefit others who might not be able to afford to come, and yet who aspires to learn and cultivate this beautiful path of transformation and healing.  Everyone who can is invited to contribute to this fund. Scholarship forms are available on request.
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What to bring? sleeping bag,   sheet,   pillow, and case,   towel,   alarm clock,  flashlight,  house slippers, personal toiletries.

Presently we do provide any linen or bedding, but if you have problem bringing them we can do so.  A donation is appreciated if you need any bedding provided for you.

Bring stereo headphones (and a long extension cord (if possible).  Sometimes we will listen to talks given in Vietnamese , you will need earphones for the translation.
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Transportation: All guests are requested to come on Arrival Day when transportation is provided.  For a general stay it is Friday of every week.  Please try and arrive before 6 pm.

By Train: Port Jervis line from Penn Station in Manhattan to Middletown, NY.

By Bus: Short Line Bus from Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan to Middletown, NY.

By plane: 1) Stewart International Airport, Newburg, NY.

2) Kennedy Airport and La Guardia Airport: take the New York Airport Express Bus either to Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan and take the Short Line Bus, or to Penn Station also in Manhattan and take the Port Jervis Line .

3) Newark Liberty Airport please make your way into Manhattan to either Penn Station or Port Authority Bus Terminal  in Manhattan and take the Short Line Bus, or to Penn Station also in Manhattan and take the Port Jervis Line .

 (*Note: the bus has a shorter ride time)
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