Monastic Life

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

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Exploring Monastic Life 2011

Space from sensual pleasures

Consciously moderating contact with certain things because of how they affect the mind and developing…

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Exploring Monastic Life 2011

The Buddha’s homeless life

A continuing examination of the Buddha's life, his period of austere practices, and a discussion…

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Exploring Monastic Life 2011

The eight Mahayana precepts

A discussion of the eight Mahayana precepts and what constitutes a complete transgression of each.

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Exploring Monastic Life 2011

The householder’s life

Examining the householder's life and the holy life, considering the reactions of family and friends…

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Exploring Monastic Life 2011

The purpose of Sravasti Abbey

The purpose of the monastic sangha and the story behind the founding of Sravasti Abbey.

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Exploring Monastic Life 2011

The Buddha’s life: The four sights

An illustration of how to practice and how it relates to our lives. How different…

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A Buddha statue inside a glass case.
Monastic Life

Vinaya is the best retreat manual

A group of long-term retreatants discover that the Buddha's system of ethical conduct in the…

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Group of monastics and the two anagarikas, standing with Venerable Chodron.
Becoming a Monastic

Donning the robes

One nun's path from being a householder with interest in Buddhism, to spiritual director of…

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Abbey retreatant studying near the Meditation Hall.
Becoming a Monastic

Advice for someone considering ordination

Venerable Chodron offers advice to an aspiring monastic who asks how to know when it's…

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Photo of Venerable Sek Fatt Kuan, smiling.
A Nun's Life

The life of Venerable Sek Fatt Kuan: compassion in a...

Through the force of her compassion, a Buddhist nun overcomes difficulties to establish a home…

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The bhikshuni elders shaving Venerable Samten head.
Becoming a Monastic

A dialogue about ordination

An Abbey resident, considering ordination, talks to a nun about what changes after one ordains.

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Living in Community

Living in solitude and living in community

How community life provides the container for someone to receive the full benefits of monastic…

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