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Preparing for Ordination

PREPARING FOR ORDINATION:
Reflections for Westerners Considering Monastic Ordination in the Tibetan Buddhist Tradition

Edited by Bhikshuni Thubten Chodron.
Published by
Life as a Western Buddhist Nun

 
Contents

Contents Page

Foreword
His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Introduction
Bhikshuni Thubten Chodron

The Benefits and Motivation for Monastic Ordination
Bhikshuni Thubten Chodron and Bhikshuni Tenzin Kacho

Being a Monastic in the West
Bhikshu Thich Nhat Hanh

If We Want to Work for the Good of All Beings, What Should We Do?
Bhikshu Gendun Rinpoche

H. H. the Dalai Lama Answers Questions at "Life as a Western Buddhist Nun"

A Letter to a Friend Considering Ordination
Bhikshuni Thubten Chodron

A Garland of Advice for Prospective Monastics
Bhikshuni Karma Lekshe Tsomo

Writing an Autobiography
Luminary Temple in Chia-I, Taiwan

Waiting for the Right Time
Upasaka Guy Rom

Protocol for Sangha in the Tibetan Tradition
Bhikshuni Karma Lekshe Tsomo

Appendix 1: The Sramanera and Sramanerika Ordination Ceremony: A Summary
Bhikshu Tenzin Josh

Appendix 2: The Sramanera/Sramanerika Precepts

Biographies of the Contributors

Glossary

Suggested Reading


Other related articles

 

 
Writing an Autobiography

Luminary Temple in Chia-I, Taiwan

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The one who requests ordination writes an autobiography. This gives him or her time to reflect and put into words key thoughts on ordination and practice. It also gives the ordination master and the monastery the opportunity to get to know the person. The autobiography should include responses to the following questions.The one who requests ordination writes an autobiography. This gives him or her time to reflect and put into words key thoughts on ordination and practice. It also gives the ordination master and the monastery the opportunity to get to know the person. The autobiography should include responses to the following questions.

  1. How did you come to know about Buddhism?

  2. What was it that initially attracted you to Buddhism?

  3. What is your motivation to learn Buddhism?

  4. What does your daily Buddhist practice consist of?

  5. What has your Buddhist education included?

  6. Have you done any meditation retreats? What was your experience in them? What did you learn?

  7. What do you want to accomplish as a monastic? What is your goal, your dream?

  8. What is the relationship between your motivation to learn Buddhism, ordination, and the sangha community? What is your understanding of the purpose and mission of monastics?

  9. How is your health? Have you had any acute illnesses or injuries in the past? Do you have any chronic ailments now?

  10. Are you or have you ever been on medication for mental problems? Have you ever been hospitalized for mental difficulties?

  11. Describe your family of origin and how the people relate to each other. What are your observations of your parents and sibling? Have you ever been married or in a long-term relationship? What is happening now with that?

  12. What is your educational background?

  13. What work experience have you had?
 

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