Western Monastics

Learn about the history and unique situation of Western Buddhist monastics.

All Posts in Western Monastics

Venerable Thubten Chodron sitting in meditation position and smiling happily.
Western Monastics

Buddhist education for nuns in Western countries

The ordination and education of nuns in Western countries; Sravasti Abbey as a proving ground…

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Venerable Chodron and other monastics in the meditation hall during the 2014 Pravarana ceremony.
Western Monastics

The challenge of the future

Does Western Buddhism need a monastic sangha? If so, what should their role be? What…

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Monastics standing together.
Western Monastics

The importance of Buddhist monasticism in the West

The role of Buddhist monastics, monastic centers, how Western monasticism differs from Eastern monasticism, and…

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Group photo of monastics.
Western Buddhist Monastic Gatherings

Monasteries and monastic training

A summary of the recent 14th annual Western Buddhist monastic conference, describing the training of…

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Group photo of monastics.
Western Buddhist Monastic Gatherings

Western monasticism

Monastics from different traditions discuss aspects of training, creating monasteries, and the challenges of monastic…

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Venerable standing in front of sunflowers, smiling.
Western Monastics

Living as a Western monastic

A short article that examines the hurdles in going for ordination and living as a…

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Group photo of monastics.
Western Buddhist Monastic Gatherings

Monastic health

Monastics practicing in the West discusses health, including how it influences practice, how it relates…

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Venerable teaching at Thosamling.
Western Monastics

Adjusting to monastic life

Important elements in forming a community: how to cultivate an attitude of transparency and how…

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Group photo of participants in the twelfth annual Buddhist Monastic Conference.
Western Buddhist Monastic Gatherings

Western monastic life

Monastics from different traditions practicing in the West discuss aspects of training, precepts, community life,…

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Group of monastics at the 2013 WBMG.
Western Monastics

Whatever happened to the monastic Sangha?

Examining the role of monastics in Western culture, especially as torch-bearers of the Dharma.

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Venerable Chodron and a monk walking down a path, in conversation.
Western Buddhist Monastic Gatherings

Monastic practices

A discussion among Western and Asian monastics highlights some of the practices in their particular…

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Venerable chodron and other bhikshunis at Posadha ceremony.
Western Buddhist Monastic Gatherings

Renunciation and simplicity

For monastics of all traditions, renouncing worldly materialism and self-centeredness inspires the cultivation of genuine…

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