Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso Rinpoche
Becoming a monk or nun
Inspired by the understanding of the Four Noble Truths and the contemplation of the Four Thoughts that turn the mind towards the the teachings of the Buddha ("Dharma"), practitioners feel a great yearning to renounce cyclic existence ("samsara") and practice uninterruptedly in order to attain enlightenment as soon as possible. The renunciation of samsara and deep practice are essential for all who truly wish to experience the fruition of the path. This means making an effort to abandon unnecessary and worldly activities as much as possible and focus on the Dharma exclusively. If we are unable to give up our attachment to samsara, we can never be truly free from it. Some are able to integrate their practice with a householder's life. Others choose to take the vows of a monk or nun. All practitioners, whether lay or monastic must truly and irreversible turn their mind towards the Dharma and away from samsara if they wish to attain enlightenment.
Why Take Vows?
The main reason people take monastic ordination is because they wish to benefit all sentient beings without exception through the study of the Dharma and through prayer and meditation practice. As a result of this wish, they feel motivated to carry through their study and practice in circumstances as free from the distractions of daily life as possible. The more you study, the more you can improve your understanding of the Dharma and therefore strengthen your practice. The stronger your practice, the more you can help others connect to the path to liberation. Moreover, within the monastery environment, it may be possible to receive instruction more frequently than in a householder's circumstances. Because of this focus, the monastery itself can become an object of refuge for the community it is in, creating the circumstances that help others to learn and connect with the Buddha's teachings.
An Object of Refuge
One of the three objects of refuge is actually the sangha itself, as the Buddha taught. Since the time of Buddha the monastic sanghas of monks and nuns have been the primary holders of the Dharma because they receive the teachings directly from the teacher. It is through intensive study and practice of these teachings that monastics as well as yogis and lay people have themselves become great teachers and realized beings, inspirational to others who would seek the liberation that they have achieved.
Vows
The monastic path is not an easy path. The vows which monks and nuns take are called the "Personal Liberation" vows which are a commitment taken by the purely-renounced mind to abstain from harming others. Taking these vows involves promising to abandon certain activities and to uphold pure moral discipline. Vows taken during ordination are kept for one's whole life. If a changes one's mind after a few years it is not sufficient to just stop being a monk or nun, it is necessary to formally give back the vows to another monastic who is holding his or her vows purely. If a monastic breaks his or her root vows it cause a very negative karma which is extremely difficult to purify in this life. Thus, a person considering ordination should be aware that it is a serious commitment which lasts one's whole life. It is inappropriate to take monastic ordination wishing "just to try it for a few years".
How to take ordination
Anyone wishing ordination must clear their lives of outstanding business, arranging their finances and clearing debts before taking vows. In order to take ordination, one must make a formal request, in person, to a master who is qualified to give ordination. The master will then assess the person's request including their sincerity and preparedness for taking on the difficult path of training in the monastic tradition. It is not uncommon that prospective monastics are asked to wait a few years before ordination. This is in order to protect people from rushing into a situation without the requisite stability. Many people have found it beneficial to wait and maintain celibacy for at least a year before ordination in order to create the positive habits necessary to keep the vows purely once they are received.
To take vows from a Palyul master:
In the eastern hemisphere, the best way to request ordination is to request permission to travel to Namdroling Monastery to make this request in person. His Holiness Penor Rinpoche gives novice and full ordination every year before the beginning the shedra's academic year, usually April or May. You must call the office at Namdroling to make arrangements and inquire about the schedule. International students have taken ordination at this time in the past. Please note that permission to visit the monastery and a permit from the Indian government may be required.
- In the western hemisphere, one is encouraged to attend the summer retreat in the United States. During the retreat it may be possible to request ordination from His Holiness Penor Rinpoche through a formal request.
Support
At Namdroling Monastery in South India it is possible, with the permission of the governing board, for monastics from outside India to receive the same support as the resident Tibetan and Himalayan monks and nuns. Although basic food and accommodation is provided free of charge, both Tibetans and international students generally choose to seek a sponsor to provide additional income. Expenses for international students at Namdroling generally include: additional food, medicine, Dharma books in their native language, supplies for study and practice, clothing and bedding, travel for visas and teachings in other areas, etc. International students who are unable to find a sponsor sometimes go overseas to work for a few months and return with enough money to last a few years. More details about courses of study at Namdroling can be found here.
In the Western hemisphere, there is no formal support structure within the Palyul lineage for those who have take monastic ordination. Many people choose to work and save money which then allows them to spend extensive periods engaged in study and practice either at Western Dharma centers or in monasteries in India and Nepal. In Asian countries it is rarely necessary for monastics to seek employment as they are sponsored by their relatives and friends. It is said in the teachings that the lay person who sponsors a monastic with pure moral discipline also accumulates merit.
Since the Dharma and the monastic tradition are relatively new to the West, the tradition of lay people sponsoring monastics has not caught on very much. Western monastics who cannot find a sponsor and do not wish to live in India generally have no choice but to find a job. It is best do a job which is in harmony with the Dharma. Some people choose work which is directly beneficial to others such nursing or social work. Jobs which allow one to stay at home or have few hours outside are also good as they allow one to focus on one's primary job as a monastic which is the study and practice of Dharma. Jobs that would cause one to bend or break one's vows are, of course, to be avoided. Further, if one is not able to wear one's robes one should attempt to wear the colors of the Sangha as much as one can, even if it is only possible to wear suits with the correct colors. Most importantly, one's commitment to renounce samsara should be kept in mind.
It is discouraging for monastics when they must spend the majority of their time at a job where they must engage in worldly activities and possibly even hide their ordination. Staying for extended periods of time with worldly activities, a monk or nun's monastic resolve may decline, and ultimately this can lead to having to give up ordination. This is not the purpose of a monastic. A person considering ordination should give serious thought to the conditions and circumstances which will be necessary for them to keep their ordination for the rest of their lives and how that ordination with be conducive to their practice and eventual enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings without exception.
This text on this page was written with inspiration of teachings from Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso Rinpoche, Ways of Enlightenment, and Words of My Perfect Teacher. The information found on this site is for your information. True teachings need to be received from an authentic spiritual teacher who has realized their meaning.
If you are interested in taking monastic vows, please write us. His Holiness Penor Rinpoche has ordained many monks and nuns worldwide.
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