Those interested in practicing in a more involved capacity at Chetiya Mandapa may apply for an initial visit of up to ten days. All guests must have a sincere intention to keep the eight precepts (see below for more information), to strictly adhere to the monastery schedule and all community rules and regulations. All guests must display proper respect the resident community and must ask permission from the resident community before undertaking any tasks or jobs within the monastery to ensure their actions are appropriate.

As the monastery is a center for the training of monastics, it is unable to cater to long-term guests and also cannot host overnight visitors arriving unannounced. The chance to live with a community dedicated to meditation and mindfulness represents a precious opportunity, and guests are asked to show their appreciation by carefully observing monastery rules and guidelines.

In keeping with Buddhist tradition, the monastery does not charge for accommodation, food, or teachings. In general, staying at the monastery is about a way of life. Though a few times per year we do offer group silent retreats, for the most part staying here provides a chance for lay guests to develop mindfulness, generosity, and humility through living and participating within a monastic culture.

While staying at the monastery, practitioners should dress in white to symbolize their purity of intention. While men generally wear a white shirt and long white trousers, women dress in a white blouse and a long black skirt or pants. Visitors should dress modestly, casually, comfortably, and refrain from wearing provocative or revealing clothing (e.g. shorts or skirts riding high above the knees, translucent clothing, clothing revealing midriff or the back, tight clothing, leggings, tank tops, etc.). While this applies to both sexes, it is especially important for women to dress conservatively out of respect and consideration for the celibate male monastics.

Lay guests generally stay in dormitories with others who are visiting. Guests are expected to clean their places of stay each day as well as the dormitory restrooms.

Visitors share in the meal offered to the monastic community by the laity. In keeping with Buddhist tradition and ethic of simplicity, monks and lay guests generally eat only one meal a day, though drinks and tonics may be taken in the evening at the designated time with the community. As the monastery receives food as a gift, it is unable to cater to special diets.

In order to develop mindfulness, clarity and seclusion, guests are highly encouraged to avoid using the internet while visiting Chetiya Mandapa, and should keep any personal electronic devices either off or in airplane mode during their stay. No wifi will be accessible within the monastery.

Languages spoken at Chetiya Mandapa are English and Sinhala.

Chetiya Mandapa requests that visitors kindly refrain from smoking during their stay.

It is best if lay guests have some basis in meditation practice, and knowledge of how to conduct themselves in a Buddhist culture.