Charter "Let Us Together Care for the Dharma Mountain and Its Users"

For all users of the Dharma Mountain

This document aims to recall the ethical principles applying at the Dharma Mountain site and requires a commitment from those who stay at this place (participants and organizing teams).

Dharma Mountain is a practice center affiliated with the Buddhist tradition of Plum Village. Its founding teacher is Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh. The activities offered by Dharma Mountain are days and retreats of mindfulness, such as those offered by Plum Village. The way of life at Dharma Mountain — whether the center is open to the public for activities (mindfulness days and retreats) or outside of this context — follows the ethics of the 5 Mindfulness Trainings and the 14 Mindfulness Trainings, as well as the Buddhist practice of the six harmonies: sharing a living space, practicing the mindfulness trainings together, sharing our deep insights, communicating with loving speech, sharing material resources, and combining our diverse ideas in joy.

In practice, during retreats and mindfulness days at Dharma Mountain, we ask all those present to observe the following points, which are a concrete application of the 5 Mindfulness Trainings to the needs and realities of the place.

Practical application at Dharma Mountain of Training No. 1: Protection of Life

We do not consume any meat or fish at Dharma Mountain, and ask that these products not be brought onto the site.

During retreats, we consume only plant-based foods (no animal products, including eggs and dairy). Outside of these times, or during periods open to other friends, the consumption of eggs and dairy products is tolerated.

We commit to paying attention to risks that could endanger the safety of people, particularly the risk of fire, which is a serious concern in the region. For this reason, the use of candles and incense is not permitted at Dharma Mountain, except in exceptional cases and under the permanent responsibility of a person in charge of the premises. No lit candle (or incense) should ever be left unattended, even for a few moments. Also to reduce the risk of fire, people who smoke are asked to do so on the road and to dispose of their cigarette butts in an appropriate container (a glass jar).

Practical application at Dharma Mountain of Training No. 2: True Happiness — Respect for the Site's Resources and Sobriety

Water resources are scarce in the region, especially in summer! We have chosen to have dry toilets in order to preserve water. Please limit your water consumption, particularly by taking short showers.

When using the stoves, and in order not to use too much wood, please bear in mind that in the Oustaou, once the fire is going, it is not necessary to add much wood — especially if the weather is not truly cold; just a log from time to time to maintain the bed of embers.

We collectively maintain the site on a daily basis — please feel free to take initiative with cleaning or tidying, and to report any damaged objects or materials.

Out of consideration for the work of our kitchen teams, please ask them if you need something (a small snack or an extra ingredient, for example) rather than helping yourself independently.

Practical application at Dharma Mountain of Training No. 3: True Love

We ask that sexual abstinence be practiced during retreats and mindfulness days.

We invite you not to cultivate any intentions of seduction or flirting, particularly during retreats. Organizers, facilitators, and teachers commit, through a dedicated charter, not to encourage this type of behavior.

We ask both people who have come as a couple and those who have come alone to be mindful of how relational intimacy (physical closeness, gestures, etc.) is expressed in front of the rest of the group, out of respect for everyone's sensitivities.

Practical application at Dharma Mountain of Training No. 4: Loving Speech and Deep Listening

We encourage the use of right and loving speech, which carries peace and reconciliation. In this spirit, we consider that discriminatory remarks toward certain groups (for example regarding gender and sexual orientation, race or ethnic origin, disability, neurodivergence, social class, etc.) have no place at Dharma Mountain.

Practical application at Dharma Mountain of Training No. 5: Transformation and Healing — Responsible Consumption

We ask users of the site to reduce their mobile phone use as much as possible, to make any calls from the road, and to consult their phones as discreetly as possible (not in the yurt, not in the house, and not on the bench overlooking the valley).

The consumption of alcohol and drugs is not permitted.

As mentioned above, people who smoke are asked to do so on the road and to dispose of their cigarette butts in an appropriate container (a glass jar). The use of e-cigarettes must also take place off-site, on the road.

During each retreat, two designated guardians are identified within the organizing team to pay attention to these matters. If you are a victim, party to, or witness of an inappropriate or troubling situation, please do not hesitate to approach the organizing team, and in particular the designated guardians. The Dharma Mountain team may intervene with individuals who do not respect these principles, following a dedicated procedure.

This document is displayed at Dharma Mountain, communicated to members, available on our website, shared upon registration for a retreat with a commitment from participants, and resent by organizers to the group in pre-retreat emails.