Rockhill Hermitage, easily accessible from Kandy, is located far out on a mountain slope in the peaceful landscape of Sri Lanka’s central highlands. The climate is mild and pleasant. The visitor is surrounded by a diverse flora and fauna. There is a natural spring on the property.
The hermitage consists of a monks’ monastery, a men’s area, a nuns’ monastery, and a women’s area, and has a large meditation hall.
A library and a number of caves and student accommodations are scattered across the peaceful 15-acre property. The name “Rockhill” refers to the impressive rocks and boulders that form some of the caves.
Rockhill Hermitage is one of the few retreat centers in Sri Lanka where women can live alone in small huts in a natural environment.
At the beginning of each month, ten-day intensive meditation courses are held. But individual retreats for an indefinite period are also possible. The founder and teacher, Ven. P. Kassapa (Bhante), has been teaching Vipassana meditation and the Dhamma for over 35 years. He teaches in English.
Vipassana retreats take place during the first ten days of each month. Participants are invited to stay for individual practice after the retreat ends.
Tradition and Teacher: Theravada. The founder and teacher, Ven. Bhante P. Kassapa, has been teaching Vipassana meditation and the Dhamma for over 35 years.
Meditation Technique: The main practice taught here is Vipassana meditation. Those who register for a ten-day course will spend the first three days learning to concentrate the mind by observing the in-breath and out-breath and the resulting sensations (Anapanasati). In the remaining seven days, one is shown how to penetrate one’s physical and mental structure and develop a profound understanding of oneself and others. Daily progress is explained in more detail each evening during a one-hour teaching talk. Experience has shown that the meditation technique can be understood and the mind can reach a certain degree of concentration and subtlety during a ten-day course. This requires a structured schedule and strict adherence to a few simple but very important rules.
Rules: Since accommodation is limited, several students may have to share a room. The confined space and proximity to others require that yoga or other forms of physical exercise such as Tai Chi are not practiced without consideration for fellow retreatants. A high standard of personal cleanliness is absolutely necessary, and it is recommended to wear loose, comfortable white clothing. Please ensure that clothing is simple and decent and covers the body appropriately. Shorts and miniskirts are not permitted.
NOBLE SILENCE: Continuity in practice, both during meditation sessions and in free time, is of utmost importance. To facilitate this training of undivided observation of mind and body phenomena, most of the course is held in noble silence. Further details are provided by the management upon course registration.
In order to develop a good understanding of the practice and benefit from the course, the emphasis during the ten days is on WORK. A golden rule is to work as if one were the only course participant, ignoring all distractions and inconveniences and with the mind always completely turned inward. Each student is expected to read the above rules carefully and only register for a course if they are willing to fully submit to this discipline.
The following schedule will enable the student, if strictly adhered to, to develop a sharp and concentrated mind, the tool for their work. Nevertheless, it is emphasized again that it is exclusively the continuity of practice that matters. It alone makes it possible for the meditator to penetrate the subtle layers of mind and body and for the process to begin in which they recognize their attachment to stress and emotions, which are usually the source of suffering and unhappiness, and begin to detach from them.
5:45 AM Wake-up
6:00-7:00 AM Meditation at a self-chosen location or in the hall
7:00-8:00 AM Breakfast in the nuns’ monastery
8:00-9:00 AM Group meditation in the hall
9:00-11:00 AM Sitting or walking meditation at a self-chosen location or in the hall
11:00-11:30 AM Bell for Buddha Puja, preparation for lunch (Dana)
11:30-12:00 PM Dana (lunch) in the nuns’ monastery. Please be punctual!
12:00-1:00 PM Time for rest, study, or personal needs
1:00-2:00 PM Walking meditation
2:00-3:00 PM Group meditation in the hall
3:00-3:30 PM Tea break in the nuns’ monastery
3:30-5:00 PM Private interviews in the office. Individual meditation
5:00-6:00 PM Group meditation in the hall
6:00-7:00 PM Free time
7:00-7:30 PM Tea break in the nuns’ monastery
7:30-9:30 PM Teaching discourse, group discussion, group meditation
9:30 PM Retreat to one’s own room
Please be punctual and try to experience every moment with mindful awareness.
Since there are only two meals a day, at 7:00 AM and 11:30 AM, visitors are requested to arrive either after lunch or bring some food (fruit, etc.). Office hours are from 9:00-10:00 AM and 3:00-5:00 PM.
Course Duration and Dates: A ten-day retreat begins on the first of each month and ends on the morning of the eleventh. After the retreat, there is the possibility to stay and continue practicing individually.
Language(s): Teaching is in English.
Accommodation: Comfortable kutis (huts) and some caves are available. Men and women live separately in simple, plain shared accommodations. Cold water showers are available in the house; on hot sunny days, there is sometimes warm water for bathing outdoors. Please always remember that Rockhill is a monastery, and wear swimwear when washing outdoors.
Shopping is only possible in emergencies. Retreat participants should bring everything they need, including toiletries, washing powder, etc.
Meals: Good vegetarian food is served for breakfast and lunch. No solid food is taken after noon. Exceptions are only made for visitors who need to eat something in the evening for medical reasons. A soup is available for them. Those who need to follow a specific diet for medical reasons should contact the management before registering.
Costs: Meditators are asked to contribute an appropriate amount for food and accommodation. A minimum of US $5 per day is payable. Any additional donation for the maintenance of the hermitage is completely voluntary. All donations are gratefully accepted. Payment is requested in cash at the office upon arrival.