In
order to become ordained, one needs to have experience
in the practice of sitting meditation and have taken refuge
vows.
After
coming to Gampo Abbey, one must be a resident for a minimum
of three months before asking for the vows. The applications
for ordination are presented by the candidate to the Monastic
Council. The Monastic council consists of nuns and monks
living in the Abbey. Preceptors are resident senior bhikshunis and bhikshus (fully ordained nuns and monks). The temporary
vows are identical to the five vows taken by all residents.
However, a monastic shaves his or her head, wears robes,
performs rituals and attends monastic training.
The
five vows are:
The
vows are taken within a wider context of Mahayana teaching
and are explained further.
Monastics,
like all residents, participate in Buddhist sitting meditation
(4 hour/day minimum). Twice a month we have Sojong, which
is a confessional and purification ceremony. During the six to seven weeks of Yarne (winter
retreat) there is intensive training in the Vinaya (traditional
rules of monastic conduct). Throughout the year we study
the Dharma (in English) in classes and individually, utilizing
our extensive library.
The
temporary ordination is usually given for a minimum of
6 months. After six months, people may leave Gampo Abbey
and return to lay life. If someone wants to continue to
reside at the Abbey as a monastic, after a minimum of
two years the pre-novice vows (Parma Rabjung) may be taken.
This is the first step in becoming a monastic for life.
