This requires followers to commit themselves to what is known as the Triple Gem: the Buddha, the dharma (the Buddha's teachings) and the sangha (the worldwide group of Buddhists). How to Become a Nun 1. This step away from a householder's path and onto the monastic path is essentially a novice ordination for women. Becoming a nun is a difficult process that requires a lot of time and sacrifice. What obstacles do they face? Preparing to Become a Buddhist Monk or Nun According to Buddhist practice, there are three stages or steps. It is also important to strengthen one’s practice by taking “lay vows” preparing one for living with vows; many students will also practice celibacy for a period prior to taking ordination. Venerable Amy Miller discuss why she became a Buddhist nun. Considering OrdinationIf possible spend some time living in a monastic community receiving advice from the resident monks or nuns on what it is like to be a monastic. The process itself varies from order to order. IMI also provides support in dependence on available resources. You should at first study the life of Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha), know the principles of the Four Noble Truth, Karma, Reincarnation, the Eightfold Path, and the Five Precepts. Archive for November 2006 INTRODUCTION. Sangha Jewel – A Community Of Buddhist Monks And Nuns. For both men and women, renouncing secularism involves the relinquishment of all material goods except for eight items that the Buddha found necessary for living: a food bowl, three robes, a belt, a sewing needle, a razor and a water filter. Then in the third stage, self-cherishing is eliminated. International Mahayana Institute - Welcome! Living in community also means that we share our resources, our habits, our practice and our personalities. For two weeks in July of 2003,… For those considering ordination, it is important to consider what resources are available for support once one has taken ordination. Having a Spiritual GuideIn any venture we undertake, we need someone who can teach and guide us. However, as monastic communities are still in development in many parts of the world, this is not always possible. If you are beginning, check your local area for a center or study group where you can generate an understanding of the teachings, gather the support of other dharma students and have the guidance of a qualified teacher. The purpose of the community is to study and practice the Buddha’s teachings, and whenever possible, to share them with others. Classroom is the educational resource for people of all ages. Becoming a Buddhist monastic means that you are joining a community—the Sangha. She went away with the Buddhist teachers to Kushinagar in India, where she was ordained. The word zen means meditation. A small difference between the vows of Mahayana and Theraveda Buddhists occurs at this step in the path of ordination for women. This is especially true in our spiritual journey where a qualified teacher can provide the guidance we need to be successful in our practice. Though our monastic Sangha represents many co… The last requirement for full ordination is agreement of the sangha, or monastic community, that she is ready. Responding to a question posed to the Ask a Buddhist feature at Spokane FAVS, Ven. In Buddhism, the goal of the Buddhist path is to reach enlightenment, a state free of mental suffering and characterized by bliss, peace and happiness. Following the renunciation of secular life, there are two additional stages of ordination for women. What is the lifestyle of a Buddhist nun like?. The purpose of the community is to study and practice the Buddha’s teachings, and whenever possible, to share them with others. Becoming a nun can be easy but to get continuing support is a different issue. While men only have two levels of ordination, Buddhist women have three; however, the first step for both is the same -- relinquishing of secular life. to take refuge in the Triple Gem and follow a ceremony during which you take a vow to uphold the Five Precepts (to not kill, not steal, not commit sexual misconduct, refrain from false speech and not take intoxicants that lessen your awareness). Currently, two of the main Buddhist sects, Theraveda and Mahayana, both give women the right to become nuns, but this was not always the case; nuns were missing from the Theraveda tradition for nearly 800 years. You need to have a teacher who can give you permission to be ordained, and you need to be following one of the Buddhist traditions (e.g. Traditionally, one stays in a monastic community for at least 5 years after becoming ordained. Tiffany Andras received her bachelor's and master's degrees from Georgia Tech in Biology and Biochemistry. Whether you’re studying times tables or applying to college, Classroom has the answers. Ask A Buddhist: Becoming a Buddhist - February 4, 2019; View All Posts. if you can go to Buddhist countries, the Buddhist communities would support you. After 49 colourful years working in theatre and academia, Venerable Thubten Chokyi became a Buddhist nun so she could devote the rest of her life to the service of others. Also, be sure to check out the "Prerequisites for Becoming a Catholic Sister or Nun" at the bottom of this post. Entering the Buddhist PathTake the time you need in developing your spiritual practice. In order to become ordained, any person, male or female, who wishes to become an ordained member of the Buddhist tradition must meet certain health standards. Though this is not required in the Theraveda tradition, which focuses on each individual reaching an enlightened state, nuns can elect to take these vows regardless of their secular affiliation. A Lifelong CommitmentThe vows of a Buddhist monk or nun are taken for life, therefore it is important to spend time and take great care in reflecting on the various advantages and disadvantages before making a decision. For women and men, the first step to becoming a Buddhist practitioner, monk or nun is taking refuge. Theravada, Tibetan, etc.). Lama Thubten Yeshe, the founder of FPMT, established the IMI in 1973 in order to develop a community of nuns and monks where we would not only be cared for, but where we would also take care of each other. By becoming a monk or a nun, one abandons the ways and appearance of a lay person and adopts the appearance and ways of an ordained person by keeping a number of vows. © 2020 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Tags ask a buddhist buddhist form of address buddhist nun spokanefavs ask a buddhist. Copyright ©2020 International Mahayana Institute, Preparing to Become a Buddhist Monk or Nun. Many monks and nuns provide service to their local dharma communities in exchange for their basic needs. Those seeking to become monks or nuns should discuss their situation with their teacher or senior sangha to ensure their stability once they have taken ordination. How To Become A Buddhist Monk In UK. Programs are being developed where lay practitioners considering ordination can gain an understanding and experience of the monastic life in protected retreat environment. They are openly curious about what it means to be a Buddhist as well as a nun … In the West, Buddhist nuns don't always call themselves "nuns," preferring to call themselves "monastics" or "teachers." She has been writing professionally since 2012, with articles spanning topics from French culture to nutrition and brain disorders. Resources and articles are also available online. The most touching doctrine to her is about cause and condition. Before becoming one, she liked to question about souls and life. Mahayana Buddhists take vows to follow the path of the Bodhisattva, suggesting that their attainment of enlightenment is for the good of all beings. Based on the Word Net lexical database for the English Language. You must be free from contagious, chronic and venereal diseases as well as any mental disorders; this is probably because of the close quarters and interactions with other monks and nuns that occur with this lifestyle. But that doesn't mean that everybody should . After 49 colourful years working in theatre and academia, Venerable Thubten Chokyi became a Buddhist nun so she could devote the rest of her life to the service of others. in Thailand) offer part-time ordination programs, usually for men, which allow one the possibility to live as a monastic for a few days, weeks, months, or years. See disclaimer. Knowing the Buddhist TeachingsBefore making the decision to take ordination, one should have a thorough foundation in the teachings of the Buddha, such as the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, and the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment (Lamrim). I learned that some students had troublesome struggles between the time they decided to become a student at this Buddhist college and before their entrance date, either personally or with their parents. With the proper preparation and sense of commitment, anyone can take the vows of a Buddhist monk or nun and enter the walls of monastic life. Once one understands the value of the Buddha’s teachings and feels they are appropriate for one’s own spiritual development, the next step is to formally establish yourself as a Buddhist by taking “refuge”. Traditionally a student requesting ordination has completed several years of study and practice under the guidance of a qualified teacher. What can they learn by leading a Buddhist monastic life? Ven. Zen Buddhism started in India and has gradually spread to the western world over the years. A new IMI cabin in Thakpa Kachoe, Vajrayogini Pure Land in France. Becoming a Buddhist monk or nun is truly a meaningful and worthwhile way to spend your life, and to be of benefit to others. Pray. The most important place to begin is to pray (or continue praying) about this call you sense. This is her story. Some monasteries in Asia (e.g. When Buddhism was first initiated around 500 B.C.E., the Buddha, born Siddhartha Gautama, allowed women to become part of his monastic order of disciples. Additional vows are taken at this step, the head is shaven and study and practice of the Buddha's teaching are implemented as the essential components of the postulant's days. First of all, you can achieve the same thing by finding a Buddhist teacher and doing the practices daily that you are taught … while you continue to hold down a job, get married, have kids, etc. Thubten Chonyi is a nun in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Understand that you are not mandated to accept these teachings. In some cases, one can also reside within a dharma center under the guidance and protectio… At that time, a woman may be fully ordained as a nun by taking the entirety of the 311 vows, which is in contrast to the 277 required of men. In the Plum Village monastic communities there are monks and nuns from many different countries including France, England, The Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Spain, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Indonesia, India, Canada, Sweden, Portugal, USA, and Australia. The requirements state that you must be in good health, physically and mentally. We are very fortunate that the monastic tradition started by the Buddha is still alive today, thanks to the devotion, dedication and efforts of many thousands of monks and nuns in Asia over the last 2500 years. 3 Prerequisites for Becoming a Buddhist Nun Paula Bronstein/Getty Images News/Getty Images While the requirements to become nuns and monks were the same in the time of the Buddha, there were already differences in expectations. On a deeper level, there is nothing to grasp to about being Western, a nun, a Buddhist, or from the Tibetan tradition. The English word "nun" comes from the Old English nunne, which could refer to a priestess or any woman living under religious vows. Is a nun in many parts of the world, resources to you. Stays in a foreign religion was how to become a buddhist nun ' important to consider what resources are available for support one! For full ordination is agreement of the community is to reduce attachment towards life and! 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