Multi-Day Retreat

5-Day Meditation Retreat in New Jersey

Sep 4 - 8Bodhi Monastery, New Jersey

Spend five days immersed in guided meditation practice, silence, and the teachings of experienced Buddhist monks, in the peaceful setting of Bodhi Monastery.

About This Meditation Retreat

Set aside five days to step fully away from the demands of daily life and immerse yourself in sustained meditation practice, quiet reflection, and the guidance of experienced Buddhist monks.

Open to beginners and experienced meditators alike, this residential retreat offers a supportive space to deepen your practice, build a daily habit that lasts well beyond the retreat, and reconnect with yourself in the peaceful setting of Bodhi Monastery.

Why Attend This Retreat

Give yourself five uninterrupted days to slow down, recharge, and build a meditation practice that supports everyday life long after you leave.

Find Deep Calm

Five days of guided meditation give the mind time to truly settle, well beyond what a single day allows.

Build Real Focus

Sustained daily practice trains attention and concentration far more than an occasional sit.

Establish a Daily Practice

Leave with a routine and techniques you can keep practicing long after the retreat ends.

Return Transformed

Five days of immersive practice leave you calmer, more balanced, and better equipped for daily life.

What You'll Experience

Daily guided sitting and walking meditation across five full days
Dhamma talks and personal guidance from experienced Buddhist monks
Loving-Kindness, Breathing, and Insight Meditation practices
A supportive, quiet environment for sustained practice
Vegetarian meals provided throughout the retreat

Cost

$80 per person, per day

3-day minimum stay

A 10% discount is available when two people book together.

Your contribution helps cover the cost of the retreat, including meals, facilities, and the upkeep of the monastery, allowing us to continue offering these programs.

Questions about the retreat or pricing? Contact us at events@wisdommeditation.org.

When

Sep 4 - 8, 2026
Places Left
Male: 15 left Β· Female: 14 left

Daily Schedule

5:30–6:30 AM
Morning Sitting Meditation
6:30–7:30 AM
Breakfast
7:30–9:00 AM
Dhamma Talk & Walking Meditation
9:00–11:00 AM
Guided Meditation Session
11:00 AM–12:30 PM
Lunch Break
12:30–2:00 PM
Rest & Personal Practice
2:00–4:00 PM
Guided Meditation Session
4:00–5:00 PM
Tea Break
5:00–6:30 PM
Evening Meditation & Dhamma Talk
6:30–7:00 PM
Closing Reflection

Meals

Vegetarian meals will be served throughout the retreat.

We primarily serve two meals each day, with fruits and frozen foods available in the evening to encourage participants to practice intermittent fasting.

Breakfast

Sep 4, 2026
  • Tofu scramble
  • Selection of cereal and instant oatmeal with soy milk, oat milk and regular milk
  • Selection of breads and bagels with fruit spread, peanut butter and cream cheese
followed by
  • Fresh fruit and yogurt
followed by
  • Tea and coffee
Sep 5, 2026
  • Sri Lankan herbal porridge
  • String hoppers with lentils in coconut gravy, coconut sambol and seasonal green vegetable
  • Selection of cereal and instant oatmeal with soy milk, oat milk and regular milk
  • Selection of breads and bagels with fruit spread, peanut butter and cream cheese
followed by
  • Fresh fruit and yogurt
followed by
  • Tea and coffee
Sep 6, 2026
  • Sauteed garbanzo beans (breakfast kadala) with vegetarian lunu miris
  • Selection of cereal and instant oatmeal with soy milk, oat milk and regular milk
  • Selection of breads and bagels with fruit spread, peanut butter and cream cheese
followed by
  • Fresh fruit and yogurt
followed by
  • Tea and coffee
Sep 7, 2026
  • Mung beans with rice in coconut cream (mung ata kiribath) with vegetarian lunu miris
  • Selection of cereal and instant oatmeal with soy milk, oat milk and regular milk
  • Selection of breads and bagels with fruit spread, peanut butter and cream cheese
followed by
  • Fresh fruit and yogurt
followed by
  • Tea and coffee
Sep 8, 2026
  • Green onion pancakes, flaky paratha, Indian wheat roti (frozen product cooked on site) and coconut roti, served with lentils in coconut curry and a variety of chutneys
  • Selection of cereal and instant oatmeal with soy milk, oat milk and regular milk
  • Selection of breads and bagels with fruit spread, peanut butter and cream cheese
followed by
  • Fresh fruit and yogurt
followed by
  • Tea and coffee
Sep 9, 2026
  • Breakfast burritos with potatoes and a vegetarian protein (tofu, paneer)
  • Selection of cereal and instant oatmeal with soy milk, oat milk and regular milk
  • Selection of breads and bagels with fruit spread, peanut butter and cream cheese
followed by
  • Fresh fruit and yogurt
followed by
  • Tea and coffee

Lunch

Sep 4, 2026
  • Seasonal soup
  • Veggie burgers with fixings
  • Tofu and roasted vegetable medley
followed by
  • Brownie with a swirl of whipped cream
followed by
  • A curated selection of teas and coffee
Sep 5, 2026
  • Seasonal soup
  • Mushroom and wild rice pilaf
  • Seasonal salad with assorted greens and veggies
followed by
  • Baked fruit bars topped with seasonal fresh fruit
followed by
  • A curated selection of teas and coffee
Sep 6, 2026
  • Sri Lankan rice and curry
  • Shredded carrot salad with grated coconut and shredded carrot leaves
followed by
  • Chocolate biscuit pudding, vatalappam or sago pudding
followed by
  • A curated selection of teas and coffee
Sep 7, 2026
  • Seasonal soup
  • Butternut squash and sage pasta bake
  • Garlic bread and side salad
followed by
  • Warm canned peaches with vanilla ice cream
followed by
  • A curated selection of teas and coffee
Sep 8, 2026
  • Poori and roti with cholay and raita, with a variety of chutneys
followed by
  • Warm kheer
followed by
  • A curated selection of teas and coffee

For those who prefer a meal at night: Self-serve frozen dinners and noodles in the pantry.

For a quick snack anytime: A variety of treats will be available in the pantry, self-serve.

Beverages: Water, coconut water and a variety of juices.

Where

Bodhi Monastery
67 Lawrence Road, Lafayette, New Jersey 07848

60-minute drive from the Newark Liberty International Airport

Accommodation

Dormitory-style accommodation will be provided, with separate sleeping areas for men and women.

Single beds are provided for each guest.

What to bring

Comfortable clothing, an open heart, and nothing else. Cushions, mats, and chairs are provided.

Your teacher
A Theravāda Buddhist Monk

Ordained in the Theravāda tradition and trained at Mahamevnawa Meditation Center in Sri Lanka, our monk brings warmth, patience, and years of lived practice to every session.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need any previous meditation experience?

No. This retreat is designed for both beginners and experienced meditators. Our teachers guide you step by step, making it easy to follow regardless of your experience.

Can I attend for fewer than 5 days?

Yes. You can register for as few as 3 days or as many as all 5, and the days must be consecutive. Every day is $80 per person, so 3 days is $240, 4 days is $320, and 5 days is $400.

Is there a discount for two people?

Yes. When one booking covers two people, 10% comes off the total. Two people staying all five days is $720 instead of $800, and a booking covering a 5-day stay and a 3-day stay is $576. Each booking can cover up to two people, so a group of three or more will need more than one booking.

How many places are there?

The retreat has 30 places in total, 15 for men and 15 for women. Places are for the whole retreat rather than for individual days, so attending three days uses one place, the same as attending all five. Once the places are taken, email info@wisdommeditation.org to join the waiting list.

What should I wear?

Please wear comfortable, modest clothing that allows you to sit and move comfortably for extended periods.

What should I bring?

Please contact us at info@wisdommeditation.org for a full packing list, including what to bring for an overnight, residential stay.

Will meals be provided?

Yes. Vegetarian meals will be served throughout the retreat. Please let us know when registering if you have any dietary restrictions.

Is this retreat silent?

There will be periods of quiet reflection as well as guided instruction, Dhamma talks, and opportunities to ask questions.

Who will be leading the retreat?

The retreat is led by experienced Theravada Buddhist monks who have guided thousands of people through meditation retreats across the United States.

Can I attend if I'm not Buddhist?

Absolutely. This retreat welcomes people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and cultures.

Is there an age requirement?

The retreat is recommended for adults and mature teenagers (ages 16+). Younger participants may attend if accompanied by a parent or guardian.

What if I need to cancel my registration?

Please let us know as soon as possible by emailing info@wisdommeditation.org so we can offer your place to someone else.

Can I get a refund if I can't attend?

Payments are non-refundable. If you let us know before the retreat, we'll gladly transfer what you paid to a future retreat.

Still have a question? Feel free to contact us. We're happy to help and look forward to meditating with you. πŸ™

Terms & Conditions

Code of Conduct

We are committed to creating a peaceful and welcoming environment for everyone. We ask all participants to treat fellow attendees, teachers, volunteers, and the monastery with kindness and respect. Disruptive, inappropriate, or disrespectful behavior may result in being asked to leave the retreat without compensation.

Photography & Media

Photographs and videos may be taken during the retreat for educational, promotional, and social media purposes. By attending the retreat, you consent to the use of your image in these materials. If you prefer not to appear in photographs or videos, please let a member of our team know upon arrival.

Payments & Cancellation Policy

Payments for this retreat are non-refundable. If you are unable to attend, please notify us before the retreat by emailing info@wisdommeditation.org. As a courtesy, we will transfer what you paid to a future retreat.

$80/day
Sep 4