Monastic Life
A treasury of information about the joys and challenges of life as a Buddhist monastic.
All Posts in 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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His Holiness the Dalai Lama The joy of monastic discipline
Written by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, these verses pay tribute to the ethical discipline…
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Buddhist monastics in the Inland Northwest
How Sravasti Abbey found a home in rural Washington and the purpose of a Buddhist…
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Venerable Thubten Lamsel The power of an idea
Halfway around the world from the Abbey, the idea that people are living an alternative…
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Why monastics matter in the modern world
Venerable Thubten Chodron explains how the role of monastics today is not much different than…
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Venerable Thubten Samten Kathina celebration 2018
A short talk about the kathina robe ceremony to celebrate the end of the monastic…
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Venerable Thubten Semkye Becoming a nun
There are many ways to consider one's desire to ordain. Motivation is the most important…
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Venerable Thubten Chonyi A nun’s lifestyle
The lifestyle of a Buddhist nun or monk is based on Buddhist values of compassion,…
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