Monastic Life

A collection of articles compiled by the Sravasti Abbey community to provide guidance for those interested in exploring their spiritual aspirations more deeply.

Thoughtful preparation before ordaining eases the transition from lay to monastic life and promotes a joyous journey. Venerable Thubten Chodron compiled this collection of articles to support Westerners who have the aspiration to ordain as a Buddhist monastic.

A compilation of talks given at the Life as a Western Buddhist Nun conference in Bodhgaya, India in 1996. Wisdom and inspiration for lay practitioners and nuns seeking the essence of Buddhist practice.

Practical and contemporary perspectives from an abbess and her students on the joys and challenges of building, sustaining, and thriving in religious community.

A guide to the precepts and lifestyle of fully ordained Buddhist nuns for all those who wish to conduct their day-to-day lives more mindfully. This text is best read by fully ordained Buddhist monastics.

Teachings by Vinaya master Bhikshu Benyin on the activities in which monastics should engage in order to preserve the monastic lifestyle. This text is best read by fully ordained Buddhist monastics.

Rites for ordaining novice monastics and training nuns from the Dharmaguptaka Vinaya. This text is best read by Buddhist monastics and ordination candidates.

Essential rites and teachings for novice Buddhist monastics from the Dharmaguptaka Vinaya. This text is best read by Buddhist monastics.

Rites and precepts for training nuns from the Dharmaguptaka Vinaya with commentary on the precepts. This text is best read by Buddhist monastics.

Rites for fully ordained nuns to establish a territory and conduct the bimonthly confession and recitation of precepts from the Dharmaguptaka Vinaya. This text is best read by fully ordained monastics.

Rites for fully ordained monks to establish a territory and conduct the bimonthly confession and recitation of precepts from the Dharmaguptaka Vinaya. This text is best read by fully ordained monastics.

Rites for entering and concluding the annual monastic retreat from the Dharmaguptaka Vinaya. This text is best read by Buddhist monastics.