A significant aspect of
Buddhist practice is sila, the Pali word for
ethics. One expression of sila is following
ethical guidelines. The focus of the ethical guidelines is to choose
actions which are not harmful to oneself or others. The Five Precepts
address different areas where we can practice avoiding harmful actions
and encouraging compassionate actions.
In order to contribute to
a safe and harmonious environment, please observe the following Five
Precepts while at CIMC.
"I undertake the precept to refrain from killing living creatures and
to practice compassionate action."
"I undertake the precept to refrain from taking that which is not given
and to practice generosity."
"I undertake the precept to refrain from using sexual energies unwisely
or uncaringly and to practice responsibility in all my relationships."
"I undertake the precept to refrain from harmful speech and to practice
kind speech."
"I undertake the precept to refrain from the misuse of alcohol and
drugs and to practice caring for my body and mind."
Center Guidelines
Electronic Devices
Cell
phones, pagers, beeper watches, etc can be particularly disturbing in a
quiet atmosphere. Please turn off all such devices at all times while
at the Center. If you need to make a phone call, please go outside to do so.
Shoes,
Coats, Etc.
When entering the
building please remove your shoes and leave them on the shoe rack under
the stairs in the front hallway. Coats may go in the closets across
from the main bulletin board. If the shoe rack is full there are
shelves in the bottom of the coat closets. There is an extra coat
closet in the hallway on the second floor. Occasionally there will also
be mats for shoes in the dining room on particularly busy evenings.
Please keep all
valuables with you.
Meditation
Hall Etiquette
Please maintain silence
in and near the halls at all times; people frequently sit in the
Meditation Halls outside of scheduled sitting times.
Please do not bring water bottles or food of any kind into the
Meditation Halls. Please refrain from reading or writing in the
Meditation Halls unless a teacher gives permission during a specific
event.
Please avoid entering a scheduled sitting after the sitting has begun
or leaving before the sitting is over (unless there is an emergency).
After the sitting, please brush off your zabuton (large mat) and plump
up your zafu (round cushion). Also, return any other items (i.e.
benches, blankets) to their respective storage spaces so that you leave
the hall as you found it.
Heat/Air
Conditioning
Because
our two meditation halls are air conditioned in the summer and because
heat can be somewhat variable in the winter, many people find it
helpful to dress in layers, especially during workshops and retreats.
Housekeeping
Since we have no
custodial staff, we rely on each person in our community to keep the
Center clean and orderly. Please leave the Center at least as neat as
you found it. This may mean brushing off your mat and plumping your
cushion after a sitting, pushing your chair back under the table in the
library or dining room, replacing an empty roll of toilet paper,
picking up any litter from the floor, etc. These can all be expressions
of mindfulness and generosity to those who share this space with you.
Food and Drink
Please feel free to bring
your meal to the Center. There is a dining room and kitchen available
for use on the first floor. Only vegetarian food and non-alcoholic
beverages are permitted.
Food and drink are restricted to the first floor.
Please do not take water bottles into the Meditation Halls.
Please be sure to clean up after yourself; wash utensils, plates and
cups or rinse them and place them in the dishwasher; wipe off the
counter and/or table after finishing.
In the Reclining Buddha
Room (immediately to the right as you enter the building), there is a
tea closet with cups, tea bags and instant hot water. Feel free to
enjoy a cup of tea on the first floor or in the garden. Please clean up
after yourself. Please consider a 25 cent donation to help cover the
cost of the tea.
Please be aware that some
people who practice at the Center have multiple chemical sensitivities
and environmental illnesses. These people can have adverse reactions
when exposed to scented products such as lotions, perfumes, and
aftershave. Therefore, we ask your help in keeping the Center free of
these chemicals.
Please contact
the office if you have any questions.
All floors are accessible
to people who use wheelchairs. An indoor wheelchair lift at the side
entrance of the building leads to the first floor and the lower level.
An elevator is available for movement between the first, second, and
third floors.
A wheelchair-accessible bathroom is available on the first floor of the
building.
One parking space in the parking lot
is reserved for people with disabilities.
If you plan to visit CIMC and need to use the lift please contact the office
ahead of time, since the outer lift entrance is normally locked.
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