Participant Information
Please Print a Checklist and more detailed information by clicking the link at right to download in Word format. Download the document "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 if you are not traveling by air.
____ Personal towels if you are not traveling by air.
____ 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, editation cushion and zabuton, only if you are driving
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 are thermos or thermal mugs.
- Beverage containers must have a leak-proof top if you want to take them to the Shrine Room.
Accommodation
During winter months, from October 1 until May 31, indoor lodge accommodation is included within the program price.
During summer months, from June 1 until September 30, tent or hut accommodations are included within the program price. Lodge accommodations during the summer months are available for an extra fee of $20.00/night.
Dorje Denma Ling has a limited number of indoor beds available, and we will hold some of these beds in reserve for those with health needs. To secure one of these reserved beds you must book at least 30 days in advance of the program start date. After that date, we will release these beds on a first come first served basis.
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 wood 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 at specific hours at a cost of $2/wash and $2/dry.
- You are welcome to wash things by hand and hang them to dry.
Local Accommodation
There are several bed and breakfast lodgings, hotels and motels nearby. Please contact the proprietors directly to arrange offsite accommodation. The following lodgings are within a short drive of Dorje Denma Ling:
Green Dragon
902-657-0081
greendragon@seasidehighspeed.com
www.greendragon.ca
Forest Haven Inn
8627 Hwy. 311 Balfron (Tatamagouche)
902-657-2962, 877-658-3466, Fax – 902-657-0233
www.foresthaveninn.com
Balmoral Motel
131 Main Street
Tatamagouche
902-657-2000, 888-383-9357; Fax – 902-657-2205
stay@balmoralmotel.ca or www.balmoralmotel.ca
Cottages at Cambra Sands
1-866-559-0705
info@cambrasands.com
Heritage Cottages
4261 Hwy 6
Brule, NS
902-657-2922, 1-866-684-1864
heritagecottages@yahoo.com
Hollings House B&B
37 Church Street
Tatamagouche
902-657-0096
Jubilee Cottage
Wallace, NS
902-257-2432
Stone Garden Chalets by the Sea
1120 Sand Point Road
Tatamagouche
902-662-2746, 1-866-657-0024
Sunrise Shore Marina & Cottages
405 Brule Shore Road
Tatamagouche
902-657-1058; Fax – 902-657-0294
b.g.church@ns.sympatico.ca or www.sunriseshoremarina.ca
The Train Station Inn
Tatamagouche
902-657-3222
Transportation
-
- Acadian Lines - www.acadianbus.com or 1-800-567-5151
- U-Need-A Taxi (from Truro) - 902 893-2899 or other local taxi company
- Via Rail Canada at 1-888 842 7245
- for groups of 4 or more - Robert Young - 902 830-9179 (needs advanced booking)
Directions for driving to Dorje Denma Ling can be found here. Unfortunately, Dorje Denma Ling does not have the staff resources to co-ordinate travel arrangements from Halifax or the Halifax International Airport to our Centre.
We now offer a free online ride board through Yuku, an online message board service. Please click here to offer or ask for rides to or from Dorje Denma Ling. Read the instructions carefully before you post a request or offer a ride (you will have to sign up for a free Yuku account to do that).
You can also contact the following to arrange your own transportation:
From Halifax or the Airport to Truro: Acadian Bus or Via Rail Canada.
From Truro to Dorje Denma Ling - U-Need-A Taxi (at the number above).
Return arrangements may be made through these companies as well.
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 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!
Other 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 16:00 pm in order to have enough time to complete your registration and settle into your accommodations prior to the evening meal.
Financial Assistance
- If you require financial assistance please download and complete the financial aid form and return it to our Finance Manager Susan Engel.
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.
During the winter months from October 1 until May 31 indoor lodge accommodation is included within the program price.
During the summer months from June 1 until September 30 indoor lodge accommodation is charged at $20.00 per person per day.
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