Becoming a Monk or Nun

I follow the Buddha, who has compassion for all, who has shown the complete path to achieve perfect complete happiness and freedom. The foundation of our practice is not to harm others or ourselves and to help benefit others as much as we can. For that purpose I shave my head and wear robes, which is the easy way to practice Buddhism. The meaning behind this is to take freedom from the cycle of death and rebirth and from the cause of all afflictive emotions, such as ignorance and attachment, which bring all the pain and confusion in this life.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Overview

Lama Zopa Rinpoche emphasizes the primary consideration in any request for ordination is your relationship with the teacher. The student-teacher relationship is not only important in determining the your suitability as a candidate for ordination at the time of the request but also as you integrate into the monastic community after taking vows.

While the teacher has the responsibility of deciding your suitability in requesting ordination, you must be clear that the decision to ordain is yours. The International Mahayana Institute community of monks and nuns are available to facilitate the process of ordination and to provide support for you prior to and after ordination.

The aspiration to become a Buddhist monk or nun is cultivated from within a deep understanding of renunciation; turning away from the many activities and responsibilities of life in the lay community and undertaking a life of study, practice and service within a monastic community. The aspiration is best nurtured with a firm foundation in the lamrim (Stages of the Path to Enlightenment) and the guidance of a teacher and support of a community.

Background

In requesting ordination, it is understood that you will have:

  • a foundation in the lamrim (Stages on the Path to Enlightenment),
  • a firmly established relationship with a spiritual teacher,
  • cultivated an understanding of renunciation in undertaking the life of a monk or nun, and
  • developed the wish to devote their life to service and practice as part of a monastic community.

Students considering ordination should also:

  • have had Buddhist refuge for at least five years,
  • have lived with lay vows for at least three years,
  • NOT be a Shugden practitioner,
  • be at least 20 years of age,
  • ideally have permission from their family,
  • be free of any encumbering relationships; if married, the candidate will have permission from their partner and be living separately,
  • be free of any encumbering financial obligations,
  • not be returning to their ordinary work situation; working in a Dharma center is permissible,
  • have held the getsul ordination for at least three years if requesting gelong ordination.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche has indicated that newly ordained monks and nuns commit themselves to living in a Sangha community, or similarly conducive environment that supports subduing the mind: five years for a monk and four years for a nun. Particularly in the beginning, there needs to be balanced education available, not just philosophical study, but a balanced education to produce good monk and nuns. A monastic community can help provide the physical, emotional and practice support required as a monastic.

Prior to requesting ordination, it is recommended that you discuss your interest in ordination with an IMI senior Sangha member who can facilitate the process and provide guidance.

Steps in Requesting Ordination

The steps for the student seeking ordination are:

Teacher Interview

In the meeting you should be prepared to discuss your motivation in seeking ordination, reviewing your background and current situation. You should also be prepared to formulate plans once having taken ordination. On the basis of this discussion, an assessment will be made as to your suitability as a candidate for ordination and a decision will be reached.

An application form for ordination is available online for students to complete if requested by their teacher. The application form can be reviewed and used to assist teachers in making their assessment.

Letter of Recommendation

If the teacher recommends you for ordination, a letter of recommendation is required. In addition to recommendation for ordination, the letter should indicate the level of ordination and any appropriate instructions to the candidate after having taken ordination. Examples of recommendation letters are available at www.imisangha.org.

The letter is required if you are recommended to take ordination under His Holiness Dalai Lama or another teacher (Abbott). The student is also requested to submit a letter of recommendation with their membership application for IMI, the community of monks and nuns within the FPMT.

If your teacher recommends taking ordination with His Holiness Dalai Lama, please contact the Office of His Holiness Dalai Lama for specific guidelines and an application.

The letter of recommendation from your teacher is required including indication of specific plans upon ordination. For further information, please contact office@imisangha.org.

If your teacher recommends ordination with another teacher (or Abbott), please contact the IMI senior Sangha representative. Please be sure to have the letter of recommendation from your teacher.

Meet with the IMI senior Sangha representative

Having been recommended for ordination, you would meet with an IMI senior Sangha representative who can help facilitate the ordination arrangements, ordination training and transition into the monastic life. In all cases the local FPMT Center Director or Spiritual Program Coordinator (SPC) should be notified when any member of the community is taking ordination, or for any ordination at the Center.

Attend Monastic Training (Pre or Post Ordination)

IMI Senior Sangha can facilitate Pre or Post Ordination Training. Presently ordination training is offered on a limited basis. An ordination training program, to be offered on a regional basis, is being developed and ordination training will be required for all monks and nuns. Training can be provided in advance of the actual ordination ceremony as well as within a timely manner thereafter.

Receive Ordination and Teachings on the Vows

During the ordination ceremony, the student is asked a series of questions relating to their qualifications to enter the monastic community as prescribed by the Vinaya. During the ceremony, the ritual of hair cutting, blessing of the robes and conferring of the vows are also included, depending on the level of ordination.

Once having taken ordination, you should make a formal request to receive teachings on the vows from your teacher who will provide basic instruction in the vows received. This should happen in a timely manner (e.g. within the first few weeks of ordination).

Entering Monastic Life

Within the ordination ceremony, not only do you receive vows, but you are also accepted into the monastic community. To help stabilize the transition to monastic life, you are expected to:

  • attend (Pre or Post) Ordination Training scheduled by IMI,
  • receive teachings and commentary on the Vinaya and to maintain the vows to the best of your ability,
  • commit to follow the guidance of your teacher for a period of at least five years,
  • live in a monastery or nunnery to study or train, or another suitable environment that supports your ordination, such as a residential Dharma center, for at least five years (four years for nuns),
  • not return to your ordinary work situation; working in a Dharma center is permissible. IMI is available to assist in finding a suitable situation.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche has indicated that newly ordained monks and nuns commit themselves to living in a Sangha community, or similarly conducive environment that supports subduing the mind: five years for a monk and four years for a nun. Particularly in the beginning, there needs to be balanced education available, not just philosophical study, but a balanced education to produce good monk and nuns. Rinpoche has said time and again that the main protection for one’s ordination is the study and meditation of Lam-rim, to generate some experience. A monastic community can help provide the physical, emotional and practice support required as a monastic.

International Mahayana Institute

IMI is a supportive community and is committed to helping monks and nuns maintain their ordination. Upon ordination, new monks and nuns are eligible to join IMI which provides access to education and training, financial support and a family of monks and nuns to nurture and strengthen one’s practice.

To join the IMI community of monks and nuns, IMI requests:

Upon acceptance of the required membership documents, IMI will issue a Certificate of Ordination to the student.

IMI is available as a resource prior to and after ordination. You are invited to contact IMI to discuss the various services available. Information for those interested in ordaining is available online at www.imisangha.org. An application form for ordination is also available where requested by one’s teacher.

For any questions about ordination, ordination policy or ordination training, please contact IMI at office@imisangha.org.