In the quiet and beautiful environment of the ancient Wegiraya village, near Kandy, one can learn and practice Vipassana meditation under the guidance of resident teachers Venerable Sudharma Silmatawa and Venerable Dhammachari Silmatawa. . Regular ten day courses include 3 group sittings per day, a dhamma talk or discussion and individual guidance.
5:45am - Wake up bell
6:00am - 7:00am - Meditate in own place or in the Hall
7:00am - 8:00am - Breakfast in the nunnery
8:00am - 9:00am - Group meditation in the Hall
9:00am - 11:00am - Meditate in the Hall or in own place, sitting or walking. Attend to personal needs
11:00am - 11:30am - Bell for Buddha Puja, get ready for lunch (Dana)
11:30am - 12:00pm - Dana (mid-day meal) in the nunnery. Please be on time
12:00pm - 1:00pm - Rest, study, attend to personal needs
1:00pm - 2:00pm - Walking meditation
2:00pm - 3:00pm - Group meditation in the Hall
3:00pm - 3:30pm - Tea break in the nunnery
3:30pm - 5:00pm - Private interviews in office. Meditate individually, sitting or walking. Attend to personal needs
5:00pm - 6:00pm - Group meditation in the Hall
6:00pm - 7:00pm - Free time
7:00pm - 7:30pm - Tea break in the nunnery
7:30pm - 9:30pm - Teacher's discourse, group discussion, group meditation
9:30pm - Retire to own room
Please be on time and try to be mindfully aware of every movement you do.
The Hermitage is situated on a mountainside and consists of a monastery, a men's area, a nunnery and a women's area. It has a large meditation hall.
A library and a number of caves and student houses are scattered throughout the peaceful 15-acre grounds. The name "Rockhill" refers to the impressive boulders and rocks which form some of the caves.
The Rockhill Hermitage is one of the few retreat centers in Sri Lanka where it is possible for women to live alone in small cottages within natural surroundings.
Intensive meditation courses are held for ten days at the beginning of every month. Arrangements can also be made for individual retreats of indefinite periods. The founder and teacher, Venerable P. Kassapa (Bhante) taught Vipassana Mediation and the Dhamma for more than 35 years. He teaches in English and Sinhala.
Mediators are requested to contribute a reasonable amount for food and lodging. A minimum amount of US $20 a day is payable.
