On life at Gampo Abbey: "We are training in choicelessness and kindness. Giving up all hope of fruition
we recommit each day to doing the best we can" Ani Pema Chödrön, Gampo Acharya, Losar 2008

Introduction - The Library - Monastic Vows - Practice Schedule - Ordination - New Monastics
Download Lion's Roar Newsletter (PDF file) - Photo Album - Torma Night
Resident's Handbook (PDF) - Maitri Bhavana and Sukhavati Practices
COMMUNITY EVENTS: Summer Solstice Picnic - Community Baseball Game - Lobster Release


Taking Monastic Ordination

People can be cynical about temporary ordination saying "they're just playing". What I've found is you can be a monk or a nun for your whole life and be pretending. Just using it as a way to run away from life and not observing the discipline of not causing harm. It's easy to be a monk or a nun and not acknowledge your habits directly. Refraining and not causing harm is a powerful way to live. Even for one day, living this way wholeheartedly is more than some do their whole life. You can spend these days and learn something of value for the rest of your life.

This is about becoming a truly loving person.

Pema Chödrön, Yarne Ordination Ceremony,
January 2001


Ani Tsultrim Palmo- Leading Ordination Ceremony - December 14, 2005

"The first act performed by the Buddha after his enlightenment
and the last act before his parinirvanna was to ordain one of his students."
Ani Tsultrim Palmo from Ordination Ceremony