Students are most welcome to apply for individual or groups retreats here. To make the most of this special time, we would like to suggest the following:

• It is good to settle all outside communication before you begin your retreat. Telling friends and family that you will be out of contact for the duration will significantly help to reduce distractions. Likewise, settling your travel arrangements, etc. before you come to Root Institute is highly advisable.

• To maintain a healthy, calm, clear mind, observing silence will also bring you the mental space most conducive to retreat.

• Practicing Dharma is a source of happiness, so rejoice in your efforts!

• Thank you for thinking of Root Institute as your place for retreat. We will do our best to support you!

Root Institute is a delightful, semi-monastic meditation centre.

To maintain a conducive, spiritually harmonious atmosphere for inner reflection and meditation, we kindly ask all our students, guests and visitors to observe the following guidelines:

• Respect all life: do not intentionally kill any living being, even small insects.

• Respect others' property: do not steal or take anything not freely given.

• Be honest and straightforward: do not lie or intentionally deceive others.

• Be celibate: no sexual activity; this also includes no romantic holding hands, hugging, massages and other physical displays of affection.

• Be alert and mindful:* avoid intoxicants such as alcohol, drugs and cigarettes; we encourage you to stop smoking while here, but if this is impossible, you can smoke outside the gates.

• Be considerate of others' silence: keep silence in the appropriate areas and at all times during residential courses, especially in the meditation hall (gompa) and dormitories; no singing or playing music and, in general, maintain a quiet demeanour while on the property.

• Be considerate of the monks and nuns: dress respectfully; please no shorts above the knee, tank-top shirts, or tight and revealing clothing.

• Couples: can stay in the same room for two weeks or less under the celibacy policy.

Please be aware:

• * The Bihar state government has passed laws totally prohibiting the sale and consumption of alcohol in the state, with very severe penalties! Please ensure that you do not carry any alcohol with you in Bihar.

• Also, please note that those in service or teaching in FPMT centers and projects do not engage in the practice of Shugden and, due to our commitment to follow His Holiness the Dalai Lama's advice and support his work, we do not share our materials and facilities with those who knowingly continue to practice Shugden against his advice.