Explore Monastic Life
Teachings from the annual Exploring Monastic Life program at Sravasti Abbey.
All Posts in Explore Monastic Life
Venerable Thubten Chodron 
Ten reasons for monastic precepts
Continuing the story of Sudina, where the Buddha explains 10 reasons for laying down the…
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The first monastic precept
The story of Venerable Sudina, a monk whose transgression occasioned the first monastic precept.
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Why ordain young?
The story of Venerable Ratthapala and his response to a king who asked why he…
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Resisting social pressure
The story of Venerable Ratthapala, a young man in the Buddha’s times who vowed that…
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The spread of Buddhism and monastic life
The Buddha’s life story and how monasticism adapted to different cultures.
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Cutting bonds and going forth
Venerable Thubten Chodron finishes the ordination ceremony text, and concludes this set of teachings with…
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Renouncing worldly life
Advice on severing attachment to this body, loved ones and worldly life so we can…
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Sravasti Abbey values
The Sravasti Abbey values, which help guide the development of monastic minds at the Abbey.
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Western monastics
How to overcome obstacles to receiving precepts, and the situation of Western monastics in the…
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Taking ethical restraints
The importance of purification before ordination and the actual taking of ethical restraints.
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Guarding integrity and aspiration
How monastics must guard their integrity and aspiration for awakening by developing self-confidence and immunity…
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