Becoming a Monastic

Monastics offer advice on what aspirants can do to prepare for ordination.

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Becoming a Monastic

Great vehicle driver’s ed

Ajahn Kovilo, Ajahn Nisabho, and Ayyā Ahiṃsā interview Venerable Chodron about her decades of experience…

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Venerable Pende standing next to Venerable Chodron, holding her robes and smiling.
Becoming a Monastic

Seniority in the sangha

Reflection on the monastic hierarchy helps a "baby" nun to grow in her Dharma practice.

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Venerable Thubten Chodron shaves the head of Rebecca Bradley at her novice ordination.
Becoming a Monastic

Home

A poem about what the word "home" means for a monastic.

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Becoming a Monastic

Dismantling identities

Venerable Thubten Kunga describes how living at Sravasti Abbey supports her intention to dismantle old…

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Venerable holding a microphone and speaking.
Becoming a Monastic

Living in the precepts

The joy of living in the Dharma. The importance of bodhicitta and how it helps…

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Venerable Chodron cutting the hair of Venerable Semkye (then Nancy).
Becoming a Monastic

Becoming a nun

There are many ways to consider one's desire to ordain. Motivation is the most important…

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Group of monastics and laypeople practicing on Lama Tsongkhapa Day.
Becoming a Monastic

Q & A regarding ordination

A monastic aspirant is given advice on examining oneself for hidden negative motivations, and a…

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Closeup of a monastic's hand, a prayer book, and mala.
Becoming a Monastic

The importance of monastic training

Monastic life may be viewed as restrictive but actually offers freedom from distractions and freedom…

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Venerables Jenying and Jendy bowling to each other.
Becoming a Monastic

Advice on preparing for ordination

Senior bhikshunis give poignant advice on preparing for monastic ordination.

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Venerable Jampa shoveling snow.
Becoming a Monastic

Value of a supportive community for monastic training

Venerable Jampa (while still Anagarika Dani Meritz) writes about how living in the Abbey community…

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