Welcome to Mid-America Buddhist Association Monastery-MABA
In our busy world, having the opportunity to visit a monastery, participate in a retreat or attend a workshop is rare and precious. Here we learn and practice the Buddha’s teachings in order to calm our minds, gladden our hearts, make our lives meaningful, overcome self-centeredness, and progress on the path to full awakening. Here is some information to help you prepare for your visit and to optimize your Sunday and/or retreat experience.
Visiting MABA on Sundays
MABA is usually open to the public on Sundays from 9 am to 4:00 pm. Our Sunday schedule includes sitting meditation, walking meditation, frequent Dharma talks (except during our winter retreat (December 1 – March 1), and chanting (mostly in English). We also have study groups, discussions, and visits from visiting teachers from various traditions.
Depending on the time of year and the monastic schedule, our monastery has different hours of being open to the public. We suggest visiting our website at www.maba-usa.org for our hours of being open to the public and for retreat schedules.
Retreats
MABA offers retreat throughout the year. Retreats vary in length, usually from one to three days. Longer retreats are also offered. Retreats consist of meditation sessions, Dharma talks, and cooperative activities. Retreats require participants to sign up in advance and let us know of any limitations or special accommodations you might have. Our facilities are ADA accessible. We serve only vegetarian meals (no meat, fish, or poultry products). Please advise us of any special dietary needs or allergies.
Retreats vary in terms of whether Noble Silence is partially or fully observed. See our website for details and for signing up for retreats.
Facilities
MABA is located on 74 acres in the beautiful Missouri River valley. It is appropriate to wear comfortable, modest clothing. Sunscreen and insect repellent is advised during certain times of the year. Shoes should be wearable on grass and gravel pathways. We remove shoes upon entering the buildings.
Upon arriving, parking is available by the Chan Hall where meditations and Sunday practices take place. In addition to Chan Hall, our facilities include a 1200 square foot Blue Lotus House where the female monastics live and where female guests can stay overnight. The Blue Lotus House also has a large kitchen and dining area, plus two rooms for Dharma activities. We also have a male dormitory, the Buffalo Lodge, for male monastics and male overnight guests. Other facilities include the Guanyin Pavilion, the children’s Sudhana Pavilion, and the Dizang Hall.
Accommodations are simple but comfortable. Participants are housed in the male and female dormitories. You may also wish to camp, but again men and women are to stay separately. Children are welcome but should be supervised by parents except during specific child activities.
Three meals a day are served, with lunch being the main meal. All meals are vegetarian. Meals are prepared by a host of wonderful volunteer cooks.
Meditation cushions are provided in the meditation hall.
To avoid disturbing your own retreat or that of others, please take care of any telephone calls you need to make before the retreat begins. If someone needs to contact you here in case of emergency, they may call 636-482-4037. We ask that people leave their phones in their cars and check them only during designated break times if necessary. Please advise the retreat coordinator about any special circumstances. Do not bring cells phones into the meditation room. Observe Noble Silence in and around the Chan Hall during meditation sessions.
Observing the Five Precepts
While at MABA, all guests are asked to agree to observe the Buddha’s five ethical guidelines They help us to calm our minds and live in harmony with all beings:
1. Respect life. Do not physically harm any living being, including insects. Weapons are not allowed on the property.
2. Respect others’ property. Do not take anything that hasn’t been freely given or is not meant for your use.
3. Do not engage in sexual behavior at MABA. In general this precept concerns sexual misconduct. As a community of celibates, we ask respect for our lifestyle. Please refrain from sexual activity of any kind, including physical expressions of affection and flirting, while you are here.
4. Speak truthfully. Right speech also includes speaking wisely, kindly, and at appropriate times.
5. Do not use intoxicants—alcohol, illegal drugs, or recreational drugs (e.g., marijuana), tobacco or vaping. Anyone using or possessing these substances will be asked to leave.
Cultivating an Awakened Mind
MABA Monastery gives you the opportunity to slow down, quiet down, and cultivate an Awakened Mind. Monastics live simply, following the Buddha’s guidance on how to train our bodies, speech, and minds. Visitors and lay practitioners are inspired by the example of the monastics.
Quiet the Mind
We do not play or listen to music, dance, or sing (except for religious chanting). We keep silence after evening meditation practice until breakfast the next day (9:00 pm to 7:15 am). During retreats and teachings, we keep silence at all times unless otherwise noted.
Be Mindful
Speak and act quietly, aware of the effect of your actions on others. There are rooms designated for stretching and yoga; we don’t do it in common areas. We also sit down when we eat or drink to become aware of what and how we are eating.
Focus on Inner Beauty
Wear simple, modest, loose-fitting, solid-colored clothing. Leave off jewelry, make-up, perfume, and scented toiletries. Allow time to focus on the beauty and joy that comes from quieting the mind.
Unplug
We require that all guests leave your cell phone in our office. There is no Internet access for short-term guests. You may use personal electronic devices to take notes during teachings and access Dharma texts offline.
Respect Our Environment
We conserve electricity and water, taking short showers and flushing only when necessary. We don’t take unnecessary trips in the car. Once you have arrived, please do not leave MABA except for approved errands or emergencies.
Practice Joyous Effort
We do our best to work happily, kindly, and efficiently at whatever task or job is assigned to us — with the motivation to benefit the Buddhas, Dharma, Sangha, and for the benefit of all sentient beings.
The Practice of Generosity
Buddhism values generosity in its many forms. People learn how generosity helps each individual as well as the entire community. MABA exists due to the generosity of others. Fees are not charged. Each person gives what they can from the heart. This generosity is called dana. People provide support in many ways: by volunteering time, helping with the grounds, cooking, and giving monetarily. For example, Sunday lunch donations vary from $10-20. Retreat donations usually are $50 per day for food and upkeep. Additional donations for the teachings are welcome.
Please remember that we depend entirely on the generosity of guests and supporters to carry out our programs and maintain and build our facilities. Please make your generosity to MABA part of your practice of developing delight in giving.
Additional Reminders:
What to Bring
Loose fitting clothing, warm clothing (for cold weather)
Umbrella and footwear for cold and rainy weather
Slip-on shoes that can be easily removed for entering the buildings (except the Dizang Hall)
Towels and toiletries (toothbrush, hand lotion, deodorant, etc.)
Medicines taken with a doctor’s prescription (no medical marijuana THC or CBD unless approved by retreat coordinator)
Notebook and pen (optional) to take notes during teachings
Additional items for Retreats
Bedding: bed sheets and blanket; pillow case
Flashlight
Alarm clock
What Not to Bring
Pets
Alcohol, cigarettes, recreational or illegal drugs
Meat products
Cell phones (keep in your car)
Please lock valuables in your car, MABA is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
Be mindful and not to lock your keys in your car! (This happens from time to time)