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 Monasteries as the conscience of society
The vision behind Sravasti Abbey, the benefits of living the monastic life, and using community…
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Sravasti Abbey Monastics Founding donor’s day
The birth of Sravasti Abbey, the first Tibetan Buddhist monastery in the U.S.
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On monastic life
Following the ordination of Venerable Thubten Semkye at Sravasti Abbey, visiting nuns participated in a…
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Bhikkhu Bodhi The revival of bhikkhunī ordination in the Theravāda...
Legal and moral issues involved in the revival of the Theravāda Bhikkhunī Sangha.
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Refuge and precepts ceremony
Teachings on taking the five lay precepts with or without celibacy and the eight precepts…
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The monastic preceptor
Enter monastic life with a sincere motivation. Cultivate it again and again so it increases…
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The hindrances to ordaining
Ordination provides a direction for spiritual yearning, something very pure inside of us.
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Reasons for monastic precepts
The more we keep the precepts, the better we get along with other people, because…
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The six harmonies (continued)
Living in community with mindfulness: a long-term vision to prepare the monastery for future generations…
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The precepts in modern culture
Keeping precepts in our present-day culture and relating to others in a healthy way.
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The purpose of monastic precepts
Precepts serve to guide monastics in a positive direction, making the mind peaceful by abandoning…
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The six harmonies
The temporary goal of a monastic is to create a community that facilitates practice, so…
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