Preparing for Ordination

For free distribution (see below for additional use information). Originally published by Life as a Western Buddhist Nun.

About the book

The decision to take monastic ordination is an important one, and to make it wisely, one needs information. In addition, one needs to reflect over a period of time on many diverse aspects of one’s life, habits, aspirations, and expectations. The better prepared one is before ordaining, the easier the transition from lay to monastic life will be, and the more comfortable and joyous one will be as a monastic. This booklet, with articles by Asian and Western monastics, is designed to inform and to spark that reflection in non-Tibetans who are considering monastic ordination in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.

Contents

• Foreword by His Holiness the Dalai Lama
• Introduction by Bhikshuni Thubten Chodron
• The Benefits and Motivation for Monastic Ordination by Bhikshuni Thubten Chodron and Bhikshuni Tenzin Kacho
• Being a Monastic in the West by Bhikshu Thich Nhat Hanh
• If We Want to Work for the Good of All Beings, What Should We Do? by Bhikshu Gendun Rinpoche
• H. H. the Dalai Lama Answers Questions at Life as a Western Buddhist Nun
• A Letter to a Friend Considering Ordination by Bhikshuni Thubten Chodron
• A Garland of Advice for Prospective Monastics by Bhikshuni Karma Lekshe Tsomo
• Writing an Autobiography by Luminary Temple in Chia-I, Taiwan
• Waiting for the Right Time by Upasaka Guy Ro
• Protocol for Sangha in the Tibetan Tradition by Bhikshuni Karma Lekshe Tsomo
• Appendix 1: The Sramanera and Sramanerika Ordination Ceremony: A Summary by Bhikshu Tenzin Josh
• Appendix 2: The Sramanera/Sramanerika Precepts
• Biographies of the Contributors
• Glossary
• Suggested Reading

Translations

• Available in German: Vorbereitung fur die Ordination

Acknowledgements and permissions

• Thich Nhat Hanh’s article and materials in this booklet have been edited and reprinted with his kind permission.
• Gendun Rinpoche’s article first appeared in Karme Gendun, the newsletter of Kundreul Ling, and has been reprinted here with his kind permission.
• Daria Alma Fand—cover illustration and design.
• Edwin G.M. Solheim—cover computer graphic assistance.

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This booklet as a whole is copyrighted by Bhikshuni Thubten Chodron. For permission to reprint the entire booklet, please contact her. For permission to reprint any of the articles separately, please contact the individual author. Addresses may be found with the biographies of the contributors (listed on the individual articles).