Monastic Life

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

All Posts in Monastic Life

Thai monk sitting outside next to alms bowl, meditating.
Exploring Monastic Life 2006

Sexuality and celibacy

The precept of celibacy and the repercussions of unwise sexual behavior.

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Maroon robes.
Exploring Monastic Life 2006

Origin of the Mahayana sutras

There are records of Buddhist teachings in oral and written form through time. Were they…

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Maroon robes.
Exploring Monastic Life 2006

The development of the Mahayana tradition

How the various traditions build upon each other. The different ways of seeing the spiritual…

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Venerable Damcho and visiting nuns, cooking.
Exploring Monastic Life 2006

Living in monastic community

Respecting others' spiritual practice and spiritual yearning. Trusting the wisdom of the group.

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Venerable Chogkyi with an EML participant.
Exploring Monastic Life 2006

Doing long retreat

Learning to live without constant ego-gratifying feedback.

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Nun studying.
Exploring Monastic Life 2006

Monastic precepts

Classification of vows for fully ordained monastics and disciplinary measures.

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Young Tibetan nun, smiling.
Exploring Monastic Life 2006

Evolution of the monastic community

The sangha from Buddha's time to the present day, from wandering mendicants to community.

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Lay people kneeling, taking precepts.
Exploring Monastic Life 2006

History of the eight Mahayana precepts

We take the precepts to stop gross harm to sentient beings and to reduce distractions…

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Painting of Siddhartha and disciple.
Exploring Monastic Life 2006

The Buddha’s life

Apply the lessons we learn from the Buddha's life. How he lived is a teaching…

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Group photo of participants in the twelfth annual Buddhist Monastic Conference.
Western Buddhist Monastic Gatherings

Western monastic life

Monastics from different traditions practicing in the West discuss aspects of training, precepts, community life,…

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Group of monastics at the 2013 WBMG.
Western Monastics

Whatever happened to the monastic Sangha?

Examining the role of monastics in Western culture, especially as torch-bearers of the Dharma.

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