Ordination

Introduction

Monastic ordination at our centre is possible for those who want to dedicate their lives to practice, study and teaching of the meditation teachings of the Buddha in our tradition. Ordination is a serious undertaking, and applicants are expected to ordain with the intention of fulfilling all the duties of a monastic. Though there is no formal commitment and one may disrobe at any time if one is unable to fulfill the life of a monastic, it is also assumed that monastic applicants intend to ordain for life.

Requirements

The most important requirement for ordination is a strong meditation practice; our centre is not a monastic training centre, it is a meditation training centre. Emphasis for both monastic and lay members of our community is on meditation, not monastic life. We are far more likely to approve an applicant ordaining out of a wish to meditate than by one fulfilling our meditation requirements out of of a wish to ordain. The very minimum requirement for beginning the ordination process is completion of a foundation course and advanced review course at our centre. For more information on these courses, please see our meditation course outline page.

On the logistical side, applicants for ordination are required to obtain a suitable visa for Sri Lanka in their home country – one that will allow them to obtain a residence visa once they are in Sri Lanka. The catch here is that you need a letter of guarantee from us to get such a visa and unless we already know you quite well, we won’t as a rule provide such a letter. In most cases, you will have to visit our centre, take a meditation course under our guidance, leave the country, obtain a proper visa with our letter of guarantee, return with the proper visa and then ordain; this is according to new Sri Lankan immigration policy and there is not much we can do to get around it.

Other requirements include good physical and mental health, freedom from debt, and parental consent.

Procedure

Once one has been approved for ordination, one must obtain proper requisites, including three monastic robes and an almsbowl, both of suitable size and colour. These may be obtained with the help of our staff and supporters. Then, one will begin to memorize the short procedure, including a request for ordination and the ten precepts of a novice monk. An ordination date will be set by the centre, and one’s head will be shaved on the day before the ceremony. The ceremony itself takes about an hour to complete, and includes a talk about the significance of ordination and one’s duties as a monastic.

After ordination as a novice monk, applicants must prove by their behaviour that they are capable of monastic life, after which they may ordain as a full monk if found capable or have their probation extended if found incapable.

Since novice monks are treated essentially the same as fully-ordained monks, at this point one can consider oneself ordained. After the allotted time, however, if one’s interest and commitment to the meditation practice is still strong, one will be given the opportunity to apply for full ordination. While it is technically possible to stay as a novice monk for one’s entire life, the preference is for full ordination, since there are many monastic procedures that require full ordination to take part in, and the many duties and requirements that bind fully-ordained monastics make one a more genuine and reliable member of the monastic community.

Ordination FAQ

Why ordain? Ordination in Buddhism is taking on the genuine life of a meditator. While it is true that anyone can practice meditation and receive equal results, the life of a monastic provides an ideal environment for the purpose, free from the many distractions of the lay life. For more information on why one might wish to ordain, for those who like the idea but are not sure if it is really for them, please read Going Forth: A Call to Buddhist Monkhood, an excellent introduction to the topic.

Can women ordain? Yes. Female applicants will be ordained using a procedure similar to that of male monks, and will be expected to follow the code of conduct laid down in the texts for female monastics (Bhikkhunis) to the best of their ability. For clarification on our position in this regard, please feel free to contact us to discuss it further.

If I ordain, do I have to follow a certain set of rules and/or principles? – Absolutely. Our centre can be considered to be on the conservative end of the scale in regards to adherence to the codified rules, practices, and methods of ordination and monastic life as found in the Pali Canon, which we take to to be the more or less complete teachings of the Buddha. If one is looking for a modern interpretation or variation on the monastic life as laid down by the Theravada elders, it can be considered that this is not the place to find it. Debate and argument will be tolerated to a point, but we consider it to be an important part of our training to give up attachment to views and opinions and follow humbly the monastic practice prescribed by the texts and focus our efforts on the meditation practice, not on debate and controversy.

How do I apply for ordination? – You don’t directly apply for ordination at our centre, you apply for meditation. If you are interested in long-term dedication to the meditation practice at our centre, please fill out our meditator application and indicate your intention to dedicate your life to the practice, study, and teaching of meditation in our tradition.

Do I need money to ordain? – No, monastics are not allowed to use money. All expenses in organizing the ordination will be cared for by the monastery; any money you own should be disposed of prior to ordination.

Is there a minimum period I am required to ordain? – Not exactly, but the expectation is that an applicant intends to ordain for life. While it is possible to disrobe at any time if one decides they are not suited for the life, applicants intending in advance to ordain temporarily will not be accepted.

Can I live at your centre without ordaining? – No, we don’t normally allow meditators to stay long-term without taking on the monastic rules of our community, i.e. ordaining.

Can I travel as a monk? – The first five years as a monk, you will be required to stay with a senior monk who will act as your teacher and give guidance necessary for fulfilling the requirements of the monastic life. During this period, travel should be restricted and dedication given to study and practice, though one may study under different teachers at different centres at the recommendation of one’s preceptor. After five years, one is considered a monk of ordinary standing and permitted to travel as one sees fit.

Anything else I should know before applying? – Most questions can be answered by our staff once your meditator application has been approved. For now, you should know that we appreciate your even considering such a beneficial way of life, and will do our best to ensure that sincere applicants of all sorts are guided towards a successful monastic life of meditation practice.