The Mountain State is home to a variety of hidden gems ranging from an underground river to an underground museum and more. Not many people know West Virginia is also home to a Buddhist Monastery hidden deep in a forest and it is awe inspiring.
From the moment you arrive at Bhavana Society, a monastery located in Fair View, West Virginia, you'll likely feel transported to another realm.
The monastery opens its doors to visitors for varying lengths of time. If you'd like to visit for the day, an overnight, a week, or even longer it is possible. Although visits of longer than a week require an application to become a resident layperson.
During your visit, however long or short, you'll be asked to participate in the daily activities and to share the experience of monastery life, even if only for an afternoon.
You may be asked to participate in meditation, and even be given some work tasks to complete if you're visiting during the time the residents are working. Overnight visitors (and longer) are assigned one of the humble visitor cabins, which come at no charge. (Donations are greatly appreciated!)
During your visit, you'll have some free time to enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
However, some hard and fast rules must be observed. Silence is golden and you may only speak in designated times and places. Always remove your shoes when entering the meditation hall, and don't bring food; fasting is observed each day after 12:00 noon until breakfast the next morning.
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Are you ready to pay a visit to this hidden monastery in the woods?
Bhavana Society (Monastery) is located at 97 Meditation Trail, High View,WV 26808. There are very restricted days in which you can visit; basically, visitations are open on any day there is no scheduled retreat at the Monastery. Reservations to visit must be made in advance. The cost is free. Find out more at this link on the official website; make a reservation to visit at this link (note, you’ll need to create/register an account in order to make a reservation.)
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