'" May
Dhamma service prove most beneficial'to you. With best wishes for success we
offer the
following information. Please read it carefully before coming to serve.
Selfless Service
Selfless service
is an essential part of the path of Dhamm4 an important step in the direction
of
liberation. The
practice of Vipassana gradually eradicates mental impurities until inner peace
and happiness are attained. At first, this liberation from misery may be only
partial, but still it brings a deep sense of gratitude for having been given
the wonderful teaching of Dhamma. With these feelings of love and compassion,
the wish naturally arises to help others come out of their misery. Serving on
courses provides an opportunity to express this gratitude by helping people as
they learn Dhamma" without expecting anything in return. In selflessly
serving others we also serve ourselves by developing the tenparami and
dissolving the habit of egotism.
Who is Qualified for Dhamma Service
Students who have
successfully completed a ten-day Vipassana course with Goenkaji or one of
his assistant
teachers, and who have not practiced any other meditation technique since their
last Vipassanac ourse,m ay give Dhamma service.Serversa re also encouragedt o
be trying to
maintain their
daily practice at home.
The Code of Discipline
Unless otherwise
stated here, Dhamma servers should, as far as possible, follow the rules in the
Code of Discipline for Meditation Courses. Those rules also apply to servers.
In certain instances, however, relaxation of them is necessary and permitted.
The Five Precepts
The Five Precepts
are the foundation of the Code of Discipline:
. to abstain from
killing any being,
. to abstain from
stealing,
. to abstain from
sexual misconduct (meaning, at the meditation center, to abstain from all
sexual activity whatsoever),
. to abstain from
wrong speech,
. to abstain from
all intoxicants.
These Five
Precepts are mandatory for everyone at the center and must be observed
scrupulously at all times. It is expected that those serving are also seriously
trying to maintain the Five Precepts in their daily lives.
Accepting Guidance
Dhamma servers
should follow the instructions of the Teachers, the assistant teachers, and the
center
administration and management committees, being amenable to the advice and
guidance of those who are elder in meditation or in service. Changing established
practices or initiating projects without authoization or against the directions
of those responsible will cause confirsion, duplication of effiorts and be a
waste of time and material. Insisting on working independently of any direction
is inconsistent with the spirit of cooperation and congeniality which pervades
the Dhamma atmosphere. By following instructions servers learn to set aside
personal preferences and prejudices and do what is needed for the good of the meditators
and the efficient and harmonious running of courses and the center. Problems
should be resolved openly and with humility. Positive suggestions are always
welcome.
Relations with Meditators
In every
situation Dhamma servers should defer to the welfare of the students who are
sifiing a
course. Courses
and centers are for meditators; they are the most important people, doing the
most essential
work. The job of a Dhamma server is simply to assist the meditators in whatever
way possible.
Students should therefore be given preference for accommodation and food.
Unless they have pressing duties, Dhamma servers should not take their food
until after the students have been served, and they should not sit with
students in the dining hall. Dhamma servers should use the bathrooms for
bathing and laundry at times other than the students, and they should go to bed
only after the students have done so, in case a problem should arise at that
time. For all other facilities as well, students must be given preference, and
servers should avoid disturbing them as much as possible.
Dealing with Students
Only course
managers should interact directly with the studen.ts--female managers with
female
students, male
managers with male students. They need to be aware whether the students are
following the
discipline and timetable, and may have to speak with those who are not doing
so.
This task should
always be done in a friendly and compassionate manner, with the volition of
encouraging the
meditators to overcome their difficulties. Words should be phrased mindfully,
in a positive
way--never harshly. If one is unable to do so, a co-worker should deal with the
situation.
Managers must always take care to inquire about rather than assume the cause of
some apparent misconduct. All Dhamma servers should be respectful and polite,
and available to help when approached. It is usually helpful to ask the
student's name. Servers should by to refer students to the proper person with a
minimum of talking or distraction--either the assistant teacher or the course
manager--depending on the nature of the problem. Dhamma servers should not
attempt to answer students' questions pertaining to meditation, but should
suggest that such questions be asked of the assistant teachers. Assistant
teachers should be kept informed of any contact the management has with
students. The private affairs of students should never be unnecessarily
discussed with others serving in the kitchen or elsewhere.
Meditation Practice for Servers
Dhamma servers
should serve conscientiously, without wasting time, giving full attention to
their
work; this is
their faining. At the same time, they must also maintain their meditation
practice.
Every server must
meditate at least three hours daily; if possible, this should be during the
group sittingsat 8:00 a.m.,2:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. In addition,e very eveningt
hat an assistantte acher is present, there is a short meditation session for
servers in the Dhamma hall at 9:00 p.m. These meditation periods are essential
for the well-being of the Dhamma servers. Servers on a coursem should practice
Vipassana, using Anapana when needed. Dhamma serverF may change their positions
during group sittings if they wish. At all times Dhamma servers have a
responsibility to observe themselves. They should try to be equanimous in all
circumstances and aware of their mental volition. If unable to do so because of
tiredness or any other reason, they should meditate or rest more, no matter how
pressing their work seems. Servers should not imagine themselves to be indispensable.
One can only give proper Dhamma service when there is peace and harmony within.
If the base is not positive, the work that is done will not be truly
beneficial. Servers staying at the center for longer times must periodically
sit a 10-day course, completely laying aside all work, and not expecting any
special preference or privilege as a result of having given Dhamma service.
Meeting the Assistant Teachers
Servers should
discuss any problems or difFrculties with the Teachers or the assistant
teachers.
The proper time
to raise questions about serving or general matters is after the 9:00 p.m.
evening meditation session for servers. Private interviews can also be
arranged. In the absence of assistant teachers, servers should bring questions
or difficulties to the center management.
Separation of Men and Women
This separation
is always in effect, both during and between courses. While absolute separation
of the sexes is
not practical for the servers due to the close working conditions, this
situation
should not be
misunderstood as an opportunity for men and women to socialize beyond what is
necessary to
perform their Dhamma service. This rule is all the more important for couples.
Physical Contact
In order to
maintain the pure meditative atmosphere and the introspective nature of the
practice, and to set a good
example for the students, all Dhamma servers must avoid any physical contact with
meditators and other servers of either sex. Both during and between courses,
this rule is always to be followed.
Noble Speech
The Noble Silence
of the meditators should be respected by the Dhamma servers. They should try to
be silent within the meditation compound and speak only when necessa"ryE.
ven if students are not within earshot or there is no course in progress, it is
important not to disturb the silence needlessly. When speaking, servers must
practice Right Speech, refraining from:
. speaking lies
or anything less than the truth.
. harsh language
or rude words. Someone practicing Dhamma should always be polite and soft
spoken.
. slander or
backbiting. There should be no criticism of others arising from one's own negative
feelings. A problem should be brought to the attention of the person concerned
or to the assistant teachers or center management.
. idle gossip,
singing, whistling or humming.
Noble Speech is,
without a doubt, much more difficult than silence. It is therefore a very important
training for anyone following the path of Dhamma.
Personal Appearance
In the eyes of
others,D hamma serversa re representativeso f the Teaching and the center.F or
this reason,t he appearanceo f the serverss hould always be neat and clean, and
nothing should be worn which is tight, transparent, gaudy or revealing, or that
might attractundue attention (such as shorts, short skirts, tights and
leggings, sleevelesso r skimpy tops). Jewelry should be kept to a minimum or
not worn at all. This attitude of modesty prevails at all times.
Smoking
It is assumed
that one who has accepted Dhamma is no longer involved in the use of
intoxicants such as alcohol, hashish, marijuana, and so forth. The use of tobacco
in any form is also totally forbidden, indoors or outdoors, either within or
outside of the meditation compound. Neither should Dhamma seryers leave the
property to smoke.
Food The center
provides simple, wholesome, vegetarian meals, without subscribing to any
particular food philosophy. The Dhamma servers, like all students, are expected
to accept what is offered in a spirit of renunciation. Because meals prepared
and served at courses are completely vegetarian, food containing alcohol or
liqueur, eggs or food containing eggs (some baked goods, mayonnaise, etc.), or
cheese with animal rennet, may not be brought to the center. In general, any food
from outside should be kept to an absolute minimum.
Servers observe
Five Precepts and may therefore have a meal in the evening if they wish.
Fasting is not permitted.
Reading
Servers who would
like to keep abreastof current events may read newspapers or news
magazines, but
only in the rest areas set aside for Dhamma servers and out of sight of the
students. Anyone
wishing to read more than the daily news is invited to choose books from those that
appear on the recommended reading list or from the Dhamma library at the
center. Novels or other books read for entertainment are not permitted.
Outside Contacts
Servers are not
required to divorce themselves entirely from the outside world. While serving
on
a course,
however, they should leave the site only on urgent business and with the
permission of the assistant teachers. Telephone calls should be kept to a necessary
minimum. Private visitors may come to the center only with the prior permission
of the management.
Keeping the Center Clean
It is the duty of
the Dhamma servers to help keep the center neat and clean. Besides the kitchen and
dining hall, the residences, meditation hall, bathrooms, offrces and other
areas may need attention. Servers should
also be prepared, if necessary, to do occasional chores unrelated to food preparation
and cleaning.
Use of Center Property
Every student of
Vipassana undertakes to abstain from taking what is not given. Dhamma servers must
therefore be careful not to appropriate center property by taking anything for
their quarters or personal use without frst obtaining permission from the
management.
Staying at the Center for Extended Periods
With the
agreement of an assistant teacher, serious students may stay at the center for
longer
periods in order
to become more established in the theory and practice of Dhamma. During this time they will be
able to meditate on some courses and serve on others, as decided in
consultation with the teachers and manasement.
Dana
The Code of
Discipline for meditators states that there are no charges at courses or
centers, either for the Teaching, or for board, lodging, or other facilities
provided to students. This applies to Dhamma servers as well. The teaching of
pure Dhamma is always given freely. Food, accommodation and other facilities are
offered as gifts made possible by the donations of students of the past. Dhamma
servers should recognize this and give their service making best use of the
gifts received, so that the donors may receive maximum benefit from their dana.
Servers in turn can develop their own dana parami by giving donations according
to their means, for the benefit of others. Courses and centers are able to
operate only by the donations of grateful students. No one may pay for him- or
herself, either by giving money or in any other way. Every donation is for the
benefit of others. Nor can Dhamma service be a form of payment for room and
board. On the contrary, service is of benefrt to the servers themselves, since
it affords them further valuable Dhamma training. A course or center provides
an opportunity to practice meditation and also to practice applying Dhamma by
leaming to serve and deal with others with compassion and humility.
Conclusion
Dhamma servers
should serve following the guidance of the assistant teachers and management. They
should do all they can to assist the meditators without disturbing them in any
way. The conduct of the servers should inspire confidence in Dhamma in those
who are doubtful and greater faith where it already exists. They should always
bear in mind that the purpose of their service is to help others, and in so
doing help themselves to grow in Dhamma.
If these rules
present any difficulties for you, please seek clarification immediately from
the assistant teachers or the management. May your service help you to advance
on the path of Dhalnma, of liberation, of freedom from all suffering, of real
happiness.
May all Beings be
Happy!
A Message From Goenkaji on the Value of Dhamma Service
While serving,
you are learning how to apply Dhamma in dny-to-day life. After all, Dhamma is
not an escapefrom
daily responsibilities. By learning to act according to.Dhammo in dealing
with students and
situations here in the little world of a meditation course or cercter, you
train
yourself to act
in the same wqt in the world outside. Despite thefact that unwanted things keep
happening, you
practice trying to maintain the balance of your mind, and to generate love and
compassion in
response. This is the lesson that you are trying to master here. You are a
student as much as those who qre sitting in the course. Keep on learningwhile
humbly serving others. Keep thinking, "f am here in training, to practice serving
without expecting anything in return. I am working so that others moy benefit
from the Dhamma. Let me help them by setting a good example, and in so doing,
help myself as well." May all of youwho give Dhamma serttice become
strengthened in Dhamma. May you learn to develop your goodwill, love and compassionfor
others. May all ofyou progress in Dhamma, and enjoy real peace, real harmony,
real happiness. S.N. Goenka
