BECOMING A MONASTIC IN THE CHAN/ZEN TRADITION

BECOMING A MONASTIC

Those with a sincere aspiration to cultivate understanding and compassion are welcome to join our monastic community.

REQUESTING ORDINATION 

As a candidate to become a monastic you should stay at Bodhi Chan Meditation Centre for at least six months. In this way, you can have direct experience of monastic and community life, and the sangha can observe whether or not you have a strong monastic volition. 

During these first six months you will be expected to participate in the activities and practices of monastic members, with the exception of activities strictly reserved for ordained members of the community.

After six months, aspirants will be deemed as suitable or unsuitable for monastic life in the sangha. Should you be found suitable for monastic life, you will be given the chance to formally request novice ordination.

This will begin a three-year novitiate period which precedes full ordination as a monk or nun.

LIFE AS A NOVICE 

When you are ordained as a monk or a nun, the sangha is your family and Bodhi Chan Meditation Centre is your home. 

When you train as a monastic you have the opportunity to find the root of your freedom, solidity, joy, and happiness, and to help your society. 

When you ordain you learn to cut through your illusions and achieve awakening in this very life. In this process of self-knowledge and self-realization, you also gain the understanding of how to change society into one that is more compassionate, empathetic, and accepting.

May you fulfill your noble aspiration and attain awakening in order to benefit and help others!

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