The “Brahmajala Sutta” and monastic precepts

A talk given during Sravasti Abbey's annual Exploring Monastic Life program in 2009.

  • Development of monastic precepts
  • Description of three present-day Vinaya traditions
  • Ethical conduct as the foundation of practice
  • Commentary on the Brahmajala Sutta (DN 1)1
    • How to respond to comments on the Three Jewels
    • Ethical conduct is not sufficient
    • Action and karmic results
  • Questions and answers
    • Attitude toward female disciples during Buddha’s time
    • Creation of the nuns’ order and prediction of existence of Dharma
    • What constitutes sexual misconduct
    • Mixed-gender monastery

Exploring Monastic Life 2009: Session 7 (download)


  1. In the references to the sutras MN refers to the Majjhima Nikaya, the Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha. DN refers to the Digha Nikaya, the Long Discourses of the Buddha

Venerable Thubten Chodron

Venerable Chodron emphasizes the practical application of Buddha’s teachings in our daily lives and is especially skilled at explaining them in ways easily understood and practiced by Westerners. She is well known for her warm, humorous, and lucid teachings. She was ordained as a Buddhist nun in 1977 by Kyabje Ling Rinpoche in Dharamsala, India, and in 1986 she received bhikshuni (full) ordination in Taiwan. Read her full bio.