Monastic Life
A treasury of information about the joys and challenges of life as a Buddhist monastic.
All Posts in Monastic Life
Space from sensual pleasures
Consciously moderating contact with certain things because of how they affect the mind and developing…
View PostThe Buddha’s homeless life
A continuing examination of the Buddha's life, his period of austere practices, and a discussion…
View PostThe eight Mahayana precepts
A discussion of the eight Mahayana precepts and what constitutes a complete transgression of each.
View PostThe householder’s life
Examining the householder's life and the holy life, considering the reactions of family and friends…
View PostThe purpose of Sravasti Abbey
The purpose of the monastic sangha and the story behind the founding of Sravasti Abbey.
View PostThe Buddha’s life: The four sights
An illustration of how to practice and how it relates to our lives. How different…
View PostVinaya is the best retreat manual
A group of long-term retreatants discover that the Buddha's system of ethical conduct in the…
View PostDonning the robes
One nun's path from being a householder with interest in Buddhism, to spiritual director of…
View PostAdvice for someone considering ordination
Venerable Chodron offers advice to an aspiring monastic who asks how to know when it's…
View PostThe life of Venerable Sek Fatt Kuan: compassion in a...
Through the force of her compassion, a Buddhist nun overcomes difficulties to establish a home…
View PostA dialogue about ordination
An Abbey resident, considering ordination, talks to a nun about what changes after one ordains.
View PostLiving 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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