Skip to content Skip to sidebar Skip to footer

Sojong-Purifying and Restoring our Vows

Since the pratimoksha vows are received from a preceptor, an instructor, and several members of the sangha, the rite of confession must also be carried out before members of the sangha-that is to say, a group of bhikshus. Ven. Sangye Khadro Sojong-Purifying and Restoring our Vows By Ven. Sangye Khadro According to Geshe Jampa Tegchog in Monastic Rites,…

LEARN MORE

Meditating on the Body

On reflection we can see that the Buddha is not having us look at the body and be repelled by it or have distaste for it in any way, but to be discerning and dispassionate in the same way that one looks at a bag with various kinds of beans and seeds and whatnot. Ven. Sangye…

LEARN MORE

Keeping Your Balance

Have a sense that being ordained is really important and really precious and someone who has been able to remain ordained for so many years is something to rejoice in. If we have this attitude of appreciation for this whole lifestyle as a monk and nun, we will value our own ordination more. Ven Sangye Khadro Keeping…

LEARN MORE

How to Keep the Spirit

For me it would be arrogant to think that I don’t need to be a nun in order to practice Dharma, in order to get realizations, in order to live a beneficial life, when our teachers such as His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Lama Zopa Rinpoche and so on are all ordained. It’s like saying…

LEARN MORE

Sojong as Skillful Means for Building Community

Sojong as Skillful Means for Building Community By Bhikshuni Thubten Saldon Today more than ever, I am deeply reassured about the potential of Sojong for the Western Sangha. The practice of or Sojong supports both the individual and the community by the dismantling of harmful karmic conditionings. Again and again, I have experienced the huge potential…

LEARN MORE

On the Rule of St. Benedict

The Benedictines view monastic life as a project in itself. They do not think you become a monk in order to do something else; you become a monk to live a monastic life. This is sufficient. This turning away from the things of the world and turning towards a spiritual life is all there is. Ven.…

LEARN MORE

Shasta Abbey—A Western Zen Monastic Community

Meditation is the foundation of our religious practice; through it we can discover the Truth directly for ourselves. In meditation one learns how to accept oneself and the world as it is. Profound transformation becomes possible once we know things as they are. Ven. Chantal Dekyi Shasta Abbey—A Western Zen Monastic Community Ven. Chantal Dekyi For over thirty…

LEARN MORE

Plum Village: An International Monastic Community

There is an emphasis on building trust and support so that the Sangha are confident enough to share both the positive and negative things in their lives, which in turn leads to closer relationships with the people around and a flowering of love and compassion. Ven. Thubten Kundrol Plum Village: An International Monastic Community By Ven. Thubten…

LEARN MORE

Training for Community Life

When we ordain we commit to becoming enlightened through the monastic vessel, and this means you will need to be trained. The Buddha created a Sangha as a fast track to Enlightenment. Sister Jotika Training for Community Life An Interview with Sister Jotika IMI spent time with Sister Jotika to reflect on what motivates her commitment to training…

LEARN MORE