guidelines for supporters of Siladhara
2007 Saranaloka Foundation. Headquarters in San Mateo, California.
Having the opportunity to host a sister for an evening or for a longer stay in one's
home is a rich opportunity to be with a person who lives by the Vināya (set of
training rules) as established by the Buddha. The Vināya supports monks and
nuns to live a life of ease and simplicity which is most beneficial for the practice of
Dhamma.


Note: Siladhara is the term used to designate the ten precept nuns living in the
Forest Tradition of Ajahn Chah and Ajahn Sumedho. It will be used throughout
these guidelines in place of the word nun.


A FEW CONSIDERATIONS:

It is useful to remember that the Siladhara Training is to encourage contentment
with what is offered, whether it is shelter for a night, a meal or any of the Four
requisites (food, shelter, medicine and robes).

  • A siladhara is not allowed to teach Dhamma unless invited to do so.

  • She can only receive food  between dawn and 12 noon (1:00 pm during
    daylight savings time). She cannot consume food or drink other than water
    unless they are offered by body (physically handed to her or placed in the
    almsbowl), speech (e.g. saying, “this is for you, please help yourself”), or
    by arrangement (e.g. a note signaling that a particular item has been
    offered for the use of a particular siladhara or group).

  • There are certain things called ‘medicinal allowances’ (or ‘allowables’) that
    can be offered after noon. For example, coffee, tea, herbal teas, fruit juice
    (clear), sugar, honey, soy milk, crystalized ginger, miso, cheese, dark
    chocolate and boiled sweets.

  • It is preferable for a siladhara to either have their own room or to share a
    sleeping area with another siladhara or anagarika .

  • When conversing with a man not closely related to her in a private or
    secluded place, she should have another woman with her who can
    understand what is being said.

  • She cannot receive money or use money. If you wish to offer something for
    her personal use, the item can either be offered directly or funds can be
    given to a lay person who can purchase the item and offer it to her (see
    ‘Making an Offering’ below).

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The following additional suggestions are offered by the Saranaloka Board and are
intended to help lay folks feel at ease when hosting or visiting with a sister. In all
cases, if you have a question about anything, simply ask them for guidance.

ETIQUETTE:
  • Añjali: This is a lovely gesture of respect that can be used when greeting a
    siladhara (it can be helpful to know that they have an observance advising
    them against making anjali to a lay person). The gesture consists of
    placing the palms together at the heart level.

  • Polite Sitting: It is polite to avoid pointing the soles of the feet toward a
    Buddha image or another person when sitting.

  • In addressing all siladhara, it is appropriate to use the title Sister or Ajahn
    for a siladhara of more than 10 years standing. Siladhara with fewer than
    ten years would not have the title ‘Ajahn’.

TEACHING DHAMMA:
  • When a teaching nun is giving a Dhamma talk, listeners, out of respect for
    the Dhamma, should avoid sitting on a higher seat unless for health
    reasons one needs to sit on a chair or a bench. It is customary for the
    teacher to sit on a slightly raised mat or chair. Drinking water can be
    placed by her sitting place or offered to her after she is seated.

  • When listening to a Dhamma talk it is respectful to remove any head wear
    (unless for health reasons one needs to cover the head).

HOSTING A NUN:
  • Breakfast can be offered to her directly; if that is not possible (e.g. you've
    gone to work) then food can be left out with a written invitation for her to
    help herself.

  • If a man is present it is best, whenever possible, for a siladhara to be
    accompanied by another woman.

THE MEAL:
  • Generally, a siladhara prefers to eat in her customary style: sitting quietly
    on the floor and eating in silence from her alms bowl. At the discretion of
    the senior nun a different arrangement can be made.

  • She will have her alms bowl, spoon, and small knife. A sitting place can be
    arranged with a small water jug, glass or mug; a container for waste, such
    as fruit peelings, can be placed by her sitting mat.

MAKING AN OFFERING:
  • An invitation (pavarana: pronounced pa-var´-ana) can be made at any time.
    This involves asking the siladhara to let you know if there is anything she
    needs that you could offer. It is quite all right to be very specific about what
    you have in mind, e.g. “Please let me know if you need transport to the
    retreat center,” or “I would like to offer to take you anywhere you need to
    go during the time of your stay,” or “Please let me know if you need any
    medicines/sandals/a toothbrush.” This helps to avoid unfortunate
    misunderstandings.