Monastic Life
A treasury of information about the joys and challenges of life as a Buddhist monastic.
Access Vinaya Teachings
If you’re a Buddhist monastic who would like to watch Venerable Thubten Chodron’s Vinaya teachings, send in a request via our contact form here. Please provide information on your level and length of ordination and the name of your preceptor.
Subcategories
A Nun's Life
What’s it like to be a Buddhist nun? Venerable Thubten Chodron and other nuns share about their lives.
VIEW CATEGORYBecoming a Monastic
Monastics offer advice on what aspirants can do to prepare for ordination.
VIEW CATEGORYExplore Monastic Life
Teachings from the annual Exploring Monastic Life program at Sravasti Abbey.
VIEW CATEGORYFull Ordination for Nuns
Learn about why full ordination for women matters and different perspectives on how it can be revived.
VIEW CATEGORYLiving in Community
How monastic community life supports living in the precepts and brings other benefits.
VIEW CATEGORYWestern Monastics
Learn about the history and unique situation of Western Buddhist monastics.
VIEW CATEGORYRelated Books
Related Series
Monastic Mind Motivation
Commentary on the "Monastic Mind Motivation" prayer that is recited at the end of the daily morning practice at Sravasti Abbey.
View SeriesMonastic Teachings (Italy 2017)
Teachings given to monastics at Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa in Pomaia, Italy.
View SeriesAll Posts in Monastic Life
Comments and reflections on the Vinaya Training Cour...
I saw the purpose of this course in a much bigger context: so that the…
View PostSowing the seeds of Dharma in the Wild West
The journey from meeting the Dharma to establishing Sravasti Abbey.
View PostWhat if the Buddha were a lay woman?
Questions from the Hamburg Dharma College about Venerable Thubten Chodron's personal practice, monastic life, and…
View PostSravasti Abbey joins in the 2023 International Bhiks...
A report from the International Bhikshuni Varsa in Sravasti, India, 2023.
View PostThe 18th Sakyadhita conference
The 18th Sakyadhita Conference took place in Seoul, Korea, June 23–27, 2023. I did not…
View PostSakyadhita: Daughters of the Buddha
A Sravasti Abbey nun reports on her experience at the 2023 Sakyadhita International Conference in…
View PostBuddhist practice and community life
Questions about lay life, monastic life, and community life in relation to Dharma practice and…
View PostEstablishing the sangha in the West
Transcript of a meeting with monastics on establishing a monastic community in the West.
View PostMonastic Mind Motivation commentary
The importance of reconfiguring our usual mindset to align with our precepts and values.
View PostSravasti Abbey and social engagement
Part two of an interview with Korea Buddhist Television Network on Sravasti Abbey and Buddhist…
View Post