Ordination & monastic training
Becoming a Monk
Eligibility
- Settle your worldly affairs
- If in Job, then Resign properly
- No Debt, all bank accounts should be closed
- Parents’ Permission is necessary
- Health should be supportive for monk training – Physically as well as Mentally
- No Serious Disease
A Life Dedicated to Dhamma
Becoming a Bhikkhu is not simply changing one's clothing, receiving a new name, or attending an ordination ceremony.
It is a gradual training in Dhamma, Vinaya, mindfulness, simplicity, discipline, and letting go.
At BUDDHASHRAMA, those who aspire to enter the Bhikkhu life are given an opportunity to gradually leave behind household life, understand the monastic discipline, develop the qualities required for monastic life, and prepare themselves for higher ordination.
From Household Life to the Higher Training
Anāgārika → Sāmaṇera → Bhikkhu
Each stage is a deeper commitment to the Buddha's path.
The Three Stages
01 — Becoming Anāgārika
The Anāgārika stage is an opportunity to experience monastic life before entering novice ordination.
It is a time to step back from ordinary household responsibilities and live a simpler life centred around:
- Dhamma practice
- Meditation
- Sīla and discipline
- Service
- Study
- Mindfulness in daily activities
- Learning the realities of monastic life
This period allows a person to ask an important question:
“Am I genuinely prepared to live this life?”
Rather than rushing toward ordination, the aspirant has time to observe, learn, adapt, and develop the qualities necessary for the next stage.
The Aim
Experience monastic life before making a deeper commitment.
02 — Becoming a Sāmaṇera
Enter the Novice Training
After developing sufficient understanding and suitability for monastic life, an aspirant may enter Sāmaṇera ordination.
As a Sāmaṇera, one formally undertakes the novice training and begins living more deeply within the framework of the Buddha's monastic discipline.
Training includes:
- Learning and observing the Sīla
- Studying Dhamma and Vinaya
- Developing meditation practice
- Learning proper monastic conduct
- Living simply and responsibly
- Participating in the daily routine of the monastery
- Developing mindfulness in speech, action, and daily activities
- Learning how to live harmoniously within the Saṅgha
03 — Becoming a Bhikkhu
Enter the Higher Training
When the required conditions, training, maturity, and qualifications are fulfilled, a Sāmaṇera may seek Upasampadā, higher ordination as a Bhikkhu.
Bhikkhu life means entering a much deeper commitment to the Dhamma, and Vinaya.
The Bhikkhu training involves living according to the Vinaya, cultivating meditation and wisdom, studying the Dhamma, and participating responsibly in the life of the Saṅgha.
Higher ordination is therefore not the end of the journey.
It is the beginning of a deeper level of training.
Monk Training at Buddhashrama
Training Is More Than Meditation
Monastic training is a complete way of life.
At BUDDHASHRAMA, training may include:
- Meditation
- Developing mindfulness and understanding through regular meditation practice.
- Dhamma Study
- Studying the Buddha's teachings through the Suttas and developing a clear understanding of the Dhamma.
- Vinaya
- Learning the principles and practical discipline that guide the life of a Bhikkhu.
- Daily Responsibilities
- Learning mindfulness, responsibility, cooperation, and simplicity through ordinary daily activities.
- Saṅgha Life
- Learning how to live respectfully and harmoniously with other practitioners.
- Simplicity
- Gradually reducing unnecessary dependence on possessions, entertainment, comfort, and worldly concerns.
- Service
- Developing generosity and responsibility by contributing to the welfare of the monastery and fellow practitioners.
Daily Schedule
Live the Training
The daily routine provides structure for meditation, study, work, rest, and other monastic responsibilities.
A typical day may include:
- Early Morning
- Wake up • Meditation • Morning duties
- Morning
- Dhamma/Vinaya study • Alms/meal • Monastic responsibilities
- Afternoon
- Meditation • Study • Work/service • Individual practice
- Evening
- Meditation • Dhamma reflection • Community responsibilities
- Night
- Rest and preparation for the following day
The purpose of the schedule is not simply to keep the day busy.
It is to train the mind to live with awareness, discipline, and purpose.
Vinaya Training
Discipline Protects the Training
The Vinaya is an essential part of Bhikkhu life.
A person considering higher ordination should gradually become familiar with the principles, rules, procedures, responsibilities, and standards of conduct expected within the Saṅgha.
Vinaya training includes understanding:
- Bhikkhu discipline
- Proper conduct
- Relationships within the Saṅgha
- Use of requisites
- Food and daily living
- Communication and behaviour
- Saṅgha procedures
- Offences and their remedies
- Responsibilities of a Bhikkhu
- Harmony and proper conduct within the community
Facilities
A Supportive Environment for Training
BUDDHASHRAMA provides an environment intended to support a simple and focused monastic life.
Facilities and arrangements may include:
- Accommodation
- Meditation spaces
- Dhamma and Vinaya study facilities
- Walking meditation areas
- Dining/meal arrangements
- Basic monastic requisites
- Areas for individual practice
- Spaces for community activities and responsibilities