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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Venerable receiving an offering after a teaching at Maitripa.
Monastic Life

Right livelihood for the sangha in the 21st century

How the sangha practices the Dharma will have a deep impact on the survival of…

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HH Dalai Lama placing a khata over Venerable Thubten Chodron.
Full Ordination for Nuns

Dark matter

Examining the complexity of the issue of bhikkhuni ordination: different views and lineages of the…

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Venerables. Jigme, Chonyi and Semkye studying together.
Full Ordination for Nuns

Bhikkhuni pārājika 1

An exploration of the first pārājika: the variety of rule formations and disrobal methods, re-ordination…

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Statue of Guanyin.
Full Ordination for Nuns

Chinese bhikshuni ordination

Brief history of the Chinese vinaya lineage, bhikshuni ordination and the guidelines for consulting other…

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Ven. Yeshe and other nuns in a Buddhist Monastic Gathering.
Theravada Tradition

Ordination of nuns by monks

Scriptural references in the Pali canon on the bhikshuni ordination procedure.

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A tibetan nun praying.
Full Ordination for Nuns

Principles to be respected

A comprehensive essay on the eight garudhammas, the rules concerning bhikkhunis' conduct in their social…

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A group of young novice Buddhist nuns in prayer.
Theravada Tradition

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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Mass ordination of novices.
Exploring Monastic Life 2007

The monastic preceptor

Enter monastic life with a sincere motivation. Cultivate it again and again so it increases…

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Young novice studying.
Exploring Monastic Life 2007

Reasons for monastic precepts

The more we keep the precepts, the better we get along with other people, because…

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Words written on a board:To speak no ill, to do no harm, to practise restraint according to the fundamental precepts, to be moderate in eating, to live in seclusion, to devote oneself to higher consciousness, this is the Teaching of the Buddhas
Exploring Monastic Life 2007

The purpose of monastic precepts

Precepts serve to guide monastics in a positive direction, making the mind peaceful by abandoning…

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Photo of Abbey Sangha and guest sangha.
Exploring Monastic Life 2007

The six harmonies

The temporary goal of a monastic is to create a community that facilitates practice, so…

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Tibetan nuns sitting and waiting.
Tibetan Tradition

Clarifying the status of the “Geshe-ma”

A clarification of the status of women in the Tibetan monastic community: how the issues…

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