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 After ordination
How the many external changes that occur after ordination lead to internal transformation of body…
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Six harmonies of the sangha
Methods for leading life anchored on cooperation, unity and simplicity in monastic community.
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Purpose of precepts
How the monks' and nuns' vows were created by the Buddha to create harmony in…
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The foundation of monastic life
Keeping good ethical conduct, which is the foundation of monastic life.
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Ordination lineages
How ordination is different in the three living Buddhist traditions, and why the path to…
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Establishing precepts
The sometimes unusual origin stories of the monastic precepts help to explain the practical meanings,…
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Self-confidence across monastic cultures
How monastics relate to money and idle talk, the rules governing nuns, and self-confidence for…
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After the Buddha awakened
Creating a solid motivation for ordaining, how the Buddha taught every type of person, and…
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Kathina celebration
A recording of Sravasti Abbey's first robe-offering ceremony followed by reflections from guests and the…
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Sravasti Abbey’s first kathina ceremony
The kathina robe ceremony to celebrate the end of the rains retreat (varsa) and the…
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