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PRE-ORDINATION COURSE
February 3 - March 1 2010
 “More
and more people from non-Buddhist
backgrounds are expressing a wish to become ordained as Buddhist monks
and nuns. Sometimes they face unexpected problems. These may occur
because they did not properly understand what ordination entailed or
because they lack the social and spiritual support that is
taken for granted in traditional Buddhist societies…
Ordination is not something to be taken lightly. In the Tibetan
Buddhist tradition, it is intended to be a lifelong commitment. The
Buddhist tradition itself will not be strengthened merely by increasing
the numbers of people who become ordained. That will depend rather on
the quality of our monks and nuns. Therefore, those who sincerely seek
ordination deserve proper guidance, encouragement and
support.”
"After
taking ordination the new monks and nuns should live in a
monastery for at least 5 years, living within the discipline and with
teachers
available to guide them.”
- His
Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet
During the getsul/getsulma ordination
of 2007 His Holiness the Dalai Lama announced that nuns, who did not
have a monastery to go
back to and were remaining in India,
should go to Thosamling nunnery
for Westerners to study
there.
THE
PRE-ORDINATION COURSE
In response to the
uniquely difficult position
that His Holiness describes above, concerned Sangha with first-hand
experience of the challenges of being Western Buddhist monastics came
together ten years ago to organize a course designed to guide,
encourage and support the newly ordained. Dharamsala was the
ideal
location for such a training course, since
His Holiness the Dalai Lama
offers ordination every year, usually between Losar (the Tibetan New
Year) and His Holiness’ annual Losar teachings (starting two
weeks after Losar). Since its
establishment in 1973,
Tushita has become
a focal-point for those seeking English-language Dharma study in
Dharamsala, and as such was the natural home for a Pre-Ordination
Course for Westerners.
Since that first year, the Pre-Ordination Course (POC) has grown and
developed. It is structured to give a well-rounded insight into what
monastic commitment entails, and provides opportunities for group
discussion and personal reflection. Senior Western Sangha lead teaching
sessions on all aspects of Vinaya and related topics such as sojong
(confession), ordination procedure and how to wear robes. Great
emphasis is placed onto learning to live together as a Sangha and how
to use the Vinaya in our daily lives. POC participants
live, study and serve together on Tushita’s grounds, giving
them an opportunity to apply what they have learned.
“The purpose of the Vinaya is to
guide us on the fast track to real freedom and so reach our highest
spiritual
goal. But if instead of feeling lighter we feel burdened by it all, it
means
that we have not understood the purpose of ordination or we do not know
how to
apply the Vinaya to our daily lives in a constructive and positive way.
As a
Sangha, it helps us to live in harmony; as individuals, it helps us to
train
our minds so that we can experience the freedom that we are so
desperately
looking for. Only when we find it can we lead others to it."
- Sister Jotika at POC 2006
Tushita’s
Pre-Ordination Course is designed for those who
have already been accepted by the Office
of His Holiness the Dalai Lama
for ordination in that same year (please note that there is no
certainty if and when His Holiness gives ordination until it really
happens - so please come with an open and flexible mind!), or those
recently
ordained getsuls (srameneras), getsulmas (srameneris), gelongs
(bhikkshus) and gelongmas (bhikkshunis) of any tradition.
The 2006 Pre-Ordination Course was so well-received by the Office of
His Holiness the Dalai
Lama, that they have officially sanctioned future Pre-Ordination
Course at Tushita as a prerequisite in the application procedure for
Westerners to become
ordained by His Holiness. Tushita is very happy
and honoured that Sister Jotika has agreed to return to lead every
POC since.
Sister Jotika
Sister Jotika was born in Spain in 1945 and was educated
during her teenage years at a progressive convent school run by nuns.
It was this experience that influenced so much of the way she
approaches her training today with new monks and nuns.
She took novice ordination at Chithurst Monastery in
England with Ajahn Sumedho in 1983, and there she began to get involved
with monastic training. Later in 2004, she took full ordination with
His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Taiwan.
Sister Jotika has lived in monasteries for the last 18
years in England, Taiwan, Burma and Spain and has led and co-lead
Pre-Ordination
Courses
at Tushita since 2001.
You can read an interview with Sister Jotika, on the
theme of "Training for Community Life"
here.
Please note that all Sangha members are expected to
abide by the
discipline and the TUSHITA SANGHA POLICY while
at Tushita.
PRE-REQUISITES
FOR ORDINATION WITH HIS HOLINESS THE DALAI LAMA
Advice
for those taking Getsul Ordination (Please note that His
Holiness does not give Rabjung vows)
- Applicants should have taken refuge at least 3
years ago and have kept all 5 lay vows for 3 years. It is preferable,
but not required, that the applicant has kept Rabjung vows for the
duration of the second year.
-
Applicants should have
observed total abstinence from any kind of sexual activity for no less
than two years. The vow of sexual abstinence also includes
total abstention from viewing or reading material with a sexual content.
-
Applicants should NOT have
received ordination
before.
- Applicants should NOT be Shugden (Dogyal)
practitioners.
- Applicants should NOT go back to their ordinary
work,
but join a monastery or nunnery to study and train. If
you have to work to earn a living, unless it is in a Dharma Centre, you
should
postpone your ordination until you are able to leave work and join a
monastic
community. His Holiness' point of view is that if
you have to go back to ordinary work, it is better that you remain with
lay vows for the time being.
Advice
for those taking Gelong Ordination
- Applicants wanting to take Gelong ordination should
have received Getsul ordination at least 3 years ago.
- Applicants wanting to take Gelong ordination should
be over 20 years of age.
- Applicants wanting to take Gelong ordination should
have received teachings on the novice vows, have
memorized them and be able to prove that they know them.
Post-Ordination Instructions
For women:
It is
compulsory for all women to stay at Thosamling Nunnery and Institute in Sidpur,
Himachal Pradesh, India, for a period of two years after ordination,
unless you can prove that you are registered and have been accepted to
study and train at another Dharma centre or monastery.
For
men:
It is
compulsory for all men to prove that you are registered and have
been accepted to
study and train at a Dharma centre or monastery.
Both
men and women have to provide a letter of acceptance from their
respective
monasteries or dharma centres, signed by the director and stating that
you have been
accepted onto a course of study or that you will undertake a
specifiable practice on your return. Failure to attach this letter with
your application will deem it incomplete and your request will not be
considered.
Documentation
that you will need for the application procedure
- Application
form duly completed and signed by yourself and by one of your teachers.
You can get this form by contacting
us. This application form must also have the official stamp or seal
of the Monastic or Dharma Centre where you have arranged to live after
ordination.
- Two letters of
recommendation, one from your main
teacher (root guru) and one from another teacher, who knows you well
(e.g. Geshe at a local Dharma center).
- Letter of acceptance from the monastery/nunnery or
dharma centre where you are
going to live after ordination.
- 3 recent photos to be sent as an attachment.
You will need 2 copies of all this documentation, one to send to His
Holiness’ office AND one to the course leader. Those copies with
the official seal or signatures will have to be scanned. For the
application
form and further details please CONTACT
US.
The application process might take a while, so please apply as early as
possible. The deadline for applications is the November before the
Ordination each year, and late
applications will not be considered!
After you have been accepted by His Holiness’ office for
ordination you are guaranteed a place on the Pre-Ordination Course.
For further details about the POC and how to apply
for ordination with His Holiness the Dalai Lama please CONTACT US.
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FEEDBACK
FROM PREVIOUS POC PARTICIPANTS
"The joy of
being a monastic comes if you do it properly,”
said Ven. Tenzin Josh. With this, the third Pre-Ordination Course at
Tushita Meditation Centre, Dharamsala, was set in motion. For the next
eight days, our group was immersed in a great sea of teachings, pujas,
discussions and shared meals.
The teachings generally fell into three categories: the root and
secondary vows of a novice; establishment of the Sangha by Lord Buddha,
how the precepts came about; and the practical aspects related to the
ordination ceremony, requisites, robes, and right motivation for
receiving the vows. In the afternoons we had discussion groups on
various aspects of monastic life. Among our teachers were two nuns
ordained in the Burmese tradition, Sisters Jotika and Dhammadina, who
along with Vens. Josh, Rita, Sangye Khadro and Rene Feusi put forth an
incredible wealth of advice, the result of years of studying and living
as monastics. The emphasis on the Vinaya was helpful as it is truly
rare to receive teachings on this subject.
Those of us attending the course came from a diverse background within
Western culture. The days of intensive focus on living as monastics for
the rest of our lives and what that really entails brought up many
issues: the desperate need for monastic institutions in the West, how
to deal with the desires, the need to return to a lay job right after
ordination, how to keep our vows when being back in the west etc. Ven.
Sangye Khadro offered some soothing, practical advice: "Be realistic,
know that: ‘I’m going to make mistakes,
it’s okay, it’s not the end of the
world’” and “Don’t be too tight
with family, but also not too loose in going beyond what is acceptable
as a monastic.” Two in our group decided to wait to become
ordained, a result of thoughtful consideration of what taking these
vows entails. Everyone was very supportive of their decision.
Then it happened. We got a call from Ven. Lhakdor, from the Private
Office of His Holiness. With our heads shaved, last minute
‘dress rehearsals’, a few more words of wisdom from
our kind teachers, we were off. We joined a crowd of about 100
Tibetans. The ordination ceremony was amazing: His Holiness Dalai Lama,
our refuge and protector, read the Pratimoksha Sutra, in groups of
three we went before him to have our robes determined, received new
ordination names, and with a finger snap of our Preceptor, Ven Geshe
Dawa
(Sonam Senge), we became ordained! We were offered tea with His
Holiness, who then gave a short discourse on the importance of keeping
our vows.
We were also honored to have a teaching on the ‘Thirty Six
Vows’ from Geshe Damcho, Abbot of the Institute of Buddhist
Dialectics. Geshe-la said “It is incredibly virtuous to have
been ordained by His Holiness, but it is not enough to just have the
ceremony, you must now keep these vows.” He went on to give
an amazing teaching stating that according to Chandrakirti,
“being born as a human has no other cause than
morality.” And explained that because it is only on the basis
of a human rebirth that beings can be liberated from samsara, it is
therefore imperative that we adhere to the ethical guidelines set forth
in the vinaya pitaka. Geshe-la stressed the need for a long-term view,
the need for a continuity of fortunate human rebirths to actualize the
complete path to Buddhahood.
Being that our backgrounds were diverse before the course, our
destinations after the course reflected this as well, with some people
staying on in Tushita, some going back to work, and others venturing
out on their own way…
The Pre-Ordination course is valuable for all who are considering
ordination. There seemed to be a general consensus that the course
could be even longer, with more group interaction, more in depth study
of the vows and even wider participation from our western elder Sangha."
-
Getsul Tenzin Sengye, POC 2001
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"Dear Tushita
Friends,
It is one week
since my arrival back home to Australia and now I am
getting to those things I promised on my departure!
Again I thank you sincerely for giving us, i.e. the "POC Folk", the
space, the chance and the kind support to move into our new roles. This
was particularly pertinent, I felt, because it was such a huge
transitionary time and change can often bring with it discomfort. You,
friends, and the Tushita environment, as a whole, contributed largely
to making this process and progress easier. The POC allowed me to
absorb
the transition in a fully informed and focused manner. From my side I
believe it allowed all attendees to step into our new Philosophical,
Spiritual and Physical personas as Nuns and Monks, fully supported and
informed in our endeavours. Thank you "Tushita Folk"!
Having acknowledged your full support I turn to the "Female Buddha"
personified in Sister Jotika.Her calm presence and wisdom was literally
palpable and enlightening to my, ignorant mind. Yet, I came to Tushita
feeling fully prepared for my pending ordination. I realised at the end
of the POC that I would have suffered in my ignorance if I, by chance,
had missed the course. I never doubted it would, in some way, be a
worthwhile attendance. What I was ignorant to was the extent which I
would travel through into my new role as a nun. Sister Jotika deepened
my knowledge base and therefore my understanding as to why things in
Monastic life, are as they are. No information was left unexplored. All
questions were answered candidly with profound knowledge and
understanding, both practically and historically expressed. We were
treated as adults of another era being guided into a higher
understanding as we embarked on the new. This was done with a lightness
of being that is truly the Buddhas way. Sister Jotikas humour and wit
abounded as we travelled with our dear, wise guide, on this precious
preparation for our journey forward.
I was given, no doubt, a precious gift at Tushita. I sincerely thank
Sister Jotika and you Tushita staff for making it so. The recollection
and learning will always travel with me and sustain my journey.
Farewell... for the benefit of all sentient beings. "
- Getsulma
Tenzin Tsangpa, POC 2006
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MAY ALL BEINGS BE HAPPY!
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