Vinaya

Teachings on the monastic code of ethical discipline and precepts as set out by the Buddha 2,500 years ago and how they are lived in the present-day context.

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View all posts in Venerable Thubten Chodron's teaching archive.

Monastic Life

Imbued with the Buddhist worldview

How the monastic mind is imbued with the Buddhist worldview and differs from worldly values.

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Nuns performing the bimonthly confession of precepts at Sravasti Abbey.
Monastic Rites

Posadha at Sravasti Abbey

An explanation of the ritual known as posadha, during which monastics purify and restore their…

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Monk with palms together, reciting prayers.
Monastic Life

Reinforcing ordination in daily life

The Abbot of Namgyal Monastery in Dharamsala explains how precepts contribute to the attainment of…

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Nuns from different traditions do Chinese chanting and bowing at Sravasti Abbey.
Life at Sravasti Abbey

Living Vinaya in the United States

A paper on the bhikshuni sangha in the west written by a nun who participated…

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Travels

Participating in the bhikshuni ordination

Venerable Thubten Chodron shares her experience being a witness at a bhikshuni ordination in Taiwan.

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Ven. Chodron leading a group of monastics in a chant.
Life at Sravasti Abbey

The future is up to us

A participant in Sravasti Abbey's recent "Living Vinaya in the West" course considers how the…

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Group of nuns in Taiwan during bhikshuni ordination ceremony.
Full Ordination for Nuns

Brief history of bhiksunis

Venerable Chodron provides a short history of the issues surrounding ordination for women.

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Ven. Jampa giving a gift to Ven. Chodron.
Living in Community

The benefits of living in a monastic community

Venerable Jampa reflects on the benefits to be gained by living in a community of…

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Living in Community

Questions and answers with monastics

A discussion on various topics of daily life in the community, applicants for ordination, the…

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Living in Community

The six harmonies of the sangha: Part 2

The six ways of keeping harmony in the monastic community that help the community as…

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Living in Community

The six harmonies of the sangha: Part 1

The six ways of keeping harmony in the monastic community that help the community as…

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