Participant Info

What to Bring

Checklist of What to Bring to DDL

____ Flashlight with extra batteries (for walking between buildings at night)
____ Alarm clock
____ Sleeping-bag or sheets and blankets (check with registrar).
____ Personal towels (check with registrar).
____ Personal toiletries
____ Raincoat or poncho
____ Umbrella (optional)
____ Warm jacket
____ Boots or water-resistant shoes
____ Shoes that slip on or off easily
____ One dressy outfit, sport coat and tie, for special gatherings
____ Clothing appropriate for duty-rota work
____ Zafu, bench, meditation cushion and zabuton if desired (we provide these also)

Gear Recommendations & Weather

• Overall, plan a wardrobe that allows for ruggedness, refinement, practicality, elegance, and, of course, simplicity
• For practice and classes, casual clothes
• For ROTA shifts, work clothes such as jeans and t-shirts
• Clothing that can be layered for varied weather conditions
• Rain gear and waterproof rubber shoes or boots with good traction and stability
• Other recommended footwear: a pair of slip-on shoes for going in and out of the shrine rooms easily, sturdy sandals in hot weather, and, if you have room in your luggage, your dressier shoes as well for feast events.
• Also useful and optional to bring a thermos or thermal mugs.
• Beverage containers must have a leak-proof top if you want to take them to the Shrine Room.

Accommodations

Dorje Denma Ling offers indoor accommodations during winter months, from October 1 until May 31,  for $35 per night, which is added to the program tuition.  Gyatso Lodge has double and triple rooms with shared hallway bathrooms.

During summer months, from June 1 until September 30, tent or hut accommodations are available for $20 per night, and lodge accommodations are available for $45 per night.  The huts, dorm tents and cabins have 2-8 occupants and share an outdoor bath-house.

Since there are a limited number of indoor beds available, please apply at least 30 days in advance if you need one for health reasons.  All lodge accommodations must be confirmed by contacting our registrations desk either by emailing: info@dorjedenmaling.com or calling 902 657 9085.

• All tents have wooden platforms, two single beds with mattresses, pillows, a pair of chairs and a side table.
• You may bring a battery-operated lantern if you like.
• No gas, candle or propane lighting of any kind is permitted.
• For those staying in the lodge, rooms are provided with two beds, pillows, bottom sheet and pillowcase, lamp and clothes rack.
• There are enclosed shower houses (men’s and women’s) which have dressing rooms where clothing can be hung and personal toiletries stored.
• There are a limited number of beds available indoors. If you feel you need one for health reasons, please contact us, prior to 30 days in advance of the program arrival date.
• The washer and dryer at the center are available for participants’ use during limited specified hours at a cost of $2/wash and $2/dry.
• You are welcome to wash things by hand and hang them to dry.

Environment, Diet and Health Concerns

• Dorje Denma Ling aspires to be a SCENT-FREE environment for the comfort of all our patrons. Please bring only scent-free personal bathing and grooming products (also available in our commissary).
• The kitchen staff will try its best to accommodate SPECIAL DIETARY NEEDS, but given the wide range of dietary limitations within the special diet category, we ask you to recognize that we will not be able to satisfy all diet needs. Such needs must be indicated on your on-line registration form.
• If your dietary restrictions are over and above items specified in our on-line registration “Diet” fields, please contact us by e-mail to see if your specific needs can be met.
• A microwave oven and fridge space for supplemental foods is available for participants.
• If you have physical or health limitations that prevent you from doing certain ROTA tasks, please specify in the “Comment” field so this information can be passed on the program ROTA manager.
• Please contact us if you have any further heath or dietary concerns.

Insurance and Liability

• If you are coming from outside Canada, we encourage you to have health insurance.
• All program staff and participants are required to sign a release of liability upon arrival
• We have a special liability release form for youth participants (under age 18) – download it now by clicking here.

Communication and Mail

• Cell phones are not permitted at Dorje Denma Ling.
• Public phone available for participants’ use until 21:30.
• Phone cards and stamps are available for purchase in our gift shop.
• Messages, if urgent, can be left for you with our office staff by calling 902-657-9085; or faxed to: 902-657-0462.
• No internet e-mail access is available to participants
• Office hours are 1:30 – 5:30 Tuesdays to Saturdays.

Rota Details

• Experienced rota service co-ordinators and ikebana practitioners are invited to offer their skills as their rota during a program. Please e-mail the office with a short message.
• Offering of other special skills that may be helpful to the program (such as finance, retail experience, or medical training) would be greatly appreciated.
• Your skills will be taken into consideration as we complete the rota planning. Thanks!

General Information

• Depending on the program, some meals will be taken oryoki style. Oryoki sets may be rented for $25.00, with a $150.00 refundable deposit.
• Dorje Denma Ling provides rectangular foam meditation cushions (gomdens) and mats (zabutons). If you require other styles of cushions or Zen-style benches, please feel free to bring your own.

Registration Information

• If possible, please arrive by 4:00 pm in order to have enough time to complete your registration and settle into your accommodations prior to the evening meal.

Financial Assistance

• All program costs at Dorje Denma Ling are workable.  We offer payment plans of up to 6 months for all programs, and we also match all scholarships that local Shambhala Centers grant to help their members attend programs.  If you have any questions about the financial aid or payment plans, please contact our Finance Manager, Susan Engel at 902-657-9085 x16   or via email at accounts@dorjedenmaling.com  at least two weeks before the program begins.  Please note that we cannot arrange tuition discounts at registration.

Dorje Denma Ling Protocol

• As stated above in the Environment & Health section, Dorje Denma Ling as a community aspires to be scent-free. Therefore, no scents are allowed – including personal care products for hair and body and especially any perfumed items.
• Anyone possessing and/or using illegal drugs on the Dorje Denma Ling property will be asked to leave.
• No pets allowed.