Monastic Buddhism
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The form of Buddhism practiced by celibate renunciates.
A Tibetan nun in Dharmasala, Indian holds a colorful umbrella to shield herself from the sun. (Steve Evans, CC BY 2.0)
Table of Contents
- Articles (14)
- Audio/Video (16)
- Booklets (6)
- Canonical Works (23)
- Essays (17)
- Excerpts (1)
- Monographs (2)
- Subtopics (2)
Articles (14)
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Six challenges (opportunities) faced by monasticism in the modern world.
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⭐ Recommended
The brahmins would indeed take umbrage at being closely associated with the officiant, because the very fact of his being there as an officiant means that he is doing a paid job and so lowers his status below theirs. [The brahmins, in contrast,] have no duties; they are gracing the occasion.
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My loved ones had slowly adjusted to my new direction in life, yet were still stunned that I carried out the final step, leaving everything behind—as this implied that the world has nothing to offer, ever. It made a big impact upon them.
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the role of Buddhist temples in providing aid and taking care of survivors in the wake of the disaster, including the indispensable function of Buddhist monks to conduct funerals and other ceremonies, and their vital responsibility for helping the survivors overcome their suffering.
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All monastics, but Bhikkhunis especially, feel a tension between practicing restraint for their own development and practicing in ways that others expect. This article discusses the role of power and tradition within one such context.
Audio/Video (16)
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Thubten Chodron tells us about her journey from hippie to nun, her concern about the dharma being stripped from its Buddhist world view, and the challenges of being a Western monastic.
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Most people aren’t interested in seriously practicing Buddhism because most people don’t appreciate renunciation, contentment, seclusion, effort, mindfulness, and wisdom.
Booklets (6)
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A clear and thorough introduction to the monastic rules, especially as practiced in the contemporary Theravada Tradition.
Canonical Works (23)
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⭐ Recommended
Is it possible, venerable sir, to point out any fruit of recluseship that is visible here and now?
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The Venerable Aniruddha tells the monks about his practice of austerity.
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The Buddha gives a rough sketch of the entire path, and encourages us to remain skeptical until the very end.
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The Buddha has rid us of so many things that bring suffering and gifted us so many things that bring happiness!
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a knowledge master,
evolved, learned, and unflappable—
can help others to contemplate,
so long as they are prepared to listen carefully. -
Whoever has no respect
for their spiritual companions…
Essays (17)
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these delightful mountain solitudes,
Are like the family estate to the supreme guide’s heirs,
And, as the best of protectors himself has said,
To rely on solitude is indeed the pinnacle of joys! -
whatever the various reactions to a Buddhist monk people might have, fear is highly unlikely to count amongst them. People see a Buddhist monk and they know that he is not dangerous
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Why ordain when you can practice meditation as a lay person?
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Ultimately, Buddhism isn’t about “becoming” anything. A former Tibetan monk points out one of the amazing things about the Buddhist (as opposed to some other) monastic traditions: it’s always possible to disrobe.
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I have no problems with doing ‘Otsutome’ at the Hondo of our temple every morning and every evening. Chanting sutras to praise the virtue of Amida Buddha, and reciting the nembutsu to express gratitude for the process of interdependence at the end of Otsutome makes me feel great!
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⭐ Recommended
Human born.
Faculties intact.
Full of youth.
To encounter the Dharma is marvelous! -
To understand the vinaya correctly, we have to understand it in its historical context and as the product of a (continuing) historical process.
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A short essay on what constitutes wrong livelihood for a monastic.
Excerpts (1)
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As Buddhism came (comes) West, its followers have often been accused of following a “fad” or, worse, a cult. In this fascinating chapter, Ken Wilber provides a theoretical framework for distinguishing (or at least describing) the difference between “good” and “bad” forms of religious authority.
20 pages