Vinaya

Teachings on the monastic code of ethical discipline and precepts as set out by the Buddha 2,500 years ago and how they are lived in the present-day context.

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View all posts in Venerable Thubten Chodron's teaching archive.

Exploring Monastic Life 2022

Uncovering unrealistic expectations

A discussion about unrealistic expectations that can interfere with Dharma practice and ordained life.

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A group of shiksamanas in the Abbey library reading their precepts at the round table.
Living in Community

The benefits of living in community

Venerable Chodron talks with a monastic about what it means to take full ordination.

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Monastic Life

Skillfully connecting with others

Being mindful of our speech and movements is essential to benefiting others.

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Monastic Life

Being mindful of our precepts and values

Our real practice is to reformat how we think and then change our lives.

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Monastic Life

Imbued with the Buddhist worldview

How the monastic mind is imbued with the Buddhist worldview and differs from worldly values.

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Nuns performing the bimonthly confession of precepts at Sravasti Abbey.
Monastic Rites

Posadha at Sravasti Abbey

An explanation of the ritual known as posadha, during which monastics purify and restore their…

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Monk with palms together, reciting prayers.
Monastic Life

Reinforcing ordination in daily life

The Abbot of Namgyal Monastery in Dharamsala explains how precepts contribute to the attainment of…

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Group photo of participants from the Living Vinaya in the West program.
Life at Sravasti Abbey

Living Vinaya in the United States

A paper on the bhikshuni sangha in the west written by a nun who participated…

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Travels

Participating in the bhikshuni ordination

Venerable Thubten Chodron shares her experience being a witness at a bhikshuni ordination in Taiwan.

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Ven. Chodron leading a group of monastics in a chant.
Life at Sravasti Abbey

The future is up to us

A participant in Sravasti Abbey's recent "Living Vinaya in the West" course considers how the…

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