Arranging an Overnight Stay at a Lumbini Monastery
A short Nepali dialogue at a Theravada monastery in Lumbini — the Buddhist greeting, dana donation amount, the 5:30 am prayer schedule, and the shoes-off threshold.
The situation
A Sri Lankan monastery in Lumbini's East Monastic Zone, mid-afternoon. A junior monk in saffron robes meets you at the gate. You want a quiet night and you understand that the stay is dana — a donation, not a hotel transaction. This is the exchange.
The dialogue
Tourist
Namo Buddhaya. I would like to stay one night.
। ।
Namo Buddhāya. Malāī ek rāt basnuparyo.
Monk
Welcome, sister. Please remove your shoes.
, । ।
Swāgat chha, didi. Kripayā juttā nikālnuhos.
Tourist
How much is the donation for one night?
?
Ek rātko dān kati ho?
Monk
As you wish, sister. Five hundred to one thousand is common.
, । ।
Tapā̱īko ichchhā, didi. Pā̱ch say dekhi ek hajār sāmānya ho.
Tourist
Thank you. What time is morning practice?
। ?
Dhanyabād. Bihānko abhyās kati baje suru hunchha?
Monk
Five-thirty. Please come quietly to the meditation hall.
। ।
Sāḍhe pā̱ch baje. Kripayā chupchāp dhyān kakṣamā āunuhos.
Comprehension check
Three quick questions to test what you heard. No pressure, no streaks.
Cultural notes
Dana is donation, not payment — never haggle. NPR 500–1,000 is the standard range; more is welcomed quietly.
'Namo Buddhaya' marks you as respectful at Theravada sites. Tibetan Mahayana monks at Boudha may use 'Tashi Delek' — Tibetan, not Nepali.
Morning practice in Lumbini monasteries starts 5:00–5:30 am. Silence is observed in the hall from arrival to dismissal — about an hour.
Walk clockwise around any stupa or main shrine. Offerings (butter lamps, flowers, fruit) are placed at the altar with the right hand or both hands.
Phrases from this dialogue
Each phrase as a stand-alone reference — open for the full pronunciation and cultural context.
नमो बुद्धाय
Namo Buddhaya — Buddhist greeting
Namo Buddhāya
मलाई गुम्बामा एक रात बस्नुपर्यो
I would like to stay one night at the monastery
Malāī gumbāmā ek rāt basnuparyo
Photo: Unsplash
एक रातको दान कति हो?
How much is the donation for one night?
Ek rātko dān kati ho?
बिहानको अभ्यास कति बजे सुरु हुन्छ?
What time does morning practice begin?
Bihānko abhyās kati baje suru hunchha?
कृपया जुत्ता निकाल्नुहोस्
Please remove your shoes
Kripayā juttā nikālnuhos