The following rules can subject the retreatant to immediate expulsion if broken.
No drugs or alcohol
No illegal drugs or firearms are permitted. Possession and/or use of illegal drugs or firearms are grounds for immediate expulsion from the center with no refund.
The consumption of alcohol at the Center is permitted only in the context of certain ceremonies. In general, His Holiness Penor Rinpoche discourages the use of alchohol and tobacco so please try to avoid drinking and smoking at least during the retreat. Any recreational drinking must take place outside the limits of Palyul Center property. Please do not drink and drive; it is better to call the center for a ride should you over-indulge rather than risk the lives of others through drunk driving.
Smoking
Smoking is only permitted in designated areas. It is not permitted in living areas or within 500 feet of practice areas.
Pets
With the exception of Certified Guide dogs, pets cannot be accommodated on the land.
Class Level
Retreatants may under no circumstances change classes without written permission from both Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso Rinpoche and Lama Lobsang Chophel.
There are seven levels of practice, or seven classes, commonly referred to as first year class, second year, and so on. Progression from one year’s class to the next depends on successful completion of the earlier year class’s requirements. These requirements include receiving all the teachings of the respective class, participation in the regular practice sessions, and the approval of the khenpo.
Each student is a member of one, and only one, class. There are no exceptions to this rule. After the first week of the retreat, no one may switch from one class to another.
Classes have scheduled daily practice sessions and occasional teachings to guide the practice. Students may attend daily practices only in their own class. However, with the teacher’s permission, they may attend teachings of earlier level classes for review purposes. No one may attend teachings or practices in later-year classes for which the requirements have not been completed.
Besides the practices, each class has other duties, such as taking care of the altar, keeping the practice area clean, and so on. Each class must select a coordinator to organize these activities, to coordinate with the other classes and to represent the class at certain retreat functions.
One last point about the Dzogchen practice area: only students in third year and later should travel down the Dzogchen Highway to the Dzogchen practice area at any time. Even when classes are not in session, individuals may be engaging in the higher level practices on their own time.