Monastic Life

A treasury of information about the joys and challenges of life as a Buddhist monastic.

All Posts in Monastic Life

Exploring Monastic Life 2013

Changes in relationships and social life

After ordination, one creates space with family and friends and interacts with them in different…

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Exploring Monastic Life 2013

What changes when you become a monastic

The seven aspects of monastic life that are different, and the rationale behind them.

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Exploring Monastic Life 2013

Advantages of precepts

Precepts serve as common standards for living in a monastic community and in society.

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Exploring Monastic Life 2013

Time well spent

Reflecting on how the Exploring Monastic Life program is structured around Dharma practice.

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Exploring Monastic Life 2013

Volunteering to take monastic vows

Balancing study, meditation and service to the community. We can begin by taking the precepts.

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Large group of monastics from various traditions sitting together.
Western Buddhist Monastic Gatherings

How to grow a monastic

A personal account of the 19th Annual Western Buddhist Monastic Gathering.

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A group of Tibetan nuns.
Tibetan Tradition

Ordination of buddhist nuns

Progress on the revival of Mūlasarvāstivāda bhikṣuṇī ordination.

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Life at Sravasti Abbey

Sangha in the West

A discussion on on the sangha in the West, and life at Sravasti Abbey.

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Korean nun, walking alone.
Full Ordination for Nuns

Siksamana and bhikshuni ordinations

Explaining different level of nun ordination in various Buddhist tradition.

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Western Monastics

Chinese bhikshunis visit Sravasti Abbey

A question-and-answer session with Chinese bhikshunis who visited the Abbey to help conduct the ordination…

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Venerable Chodron, smiling, receiving alms from a young boy.
Western Monastics

How precious is monastic community

The conditions for a stable monastic community, where beginners can train, are extremely rare and…

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