6
votes
Accepted
What are the rotating cylinders in monastries, and why are they there?
These are Tibetan Buddhist prayer wheels and they often have 'Om mani padme hum' engraved on them:
According to Tibetan Buddhist belief, spinning a prayer wheel is just as effective as reciting the ...
- 1,822
5
votes
Monastery or Temple in California
There is nothing specific to Theravada nearby (other than what you found in Redwood Valley, which I'm guessing is Abhayagiri), but just in case it is helpful, here are some other monasteries and ...
- 1,099
4
votes
Would a skin condition stop someone becoming a monk?
Previous lifestyle & herpes should not prevent a person from becoming a monk. If your friend wants to become a monk, he should talk to a monk at the temple.
- 40.5k
3
votes
Within Theravāda tradition, what are the differences in doctrine and practice between schools and sects around the world?
It appears that some teachers and traditions are more focused on samatha and jhana like Pa Auk Sayadaw and Ajahn Brahm.
And then there are other teachers and traditions that are more focused on ...
- 37.4k
3
votes
Any recommended monasteries in Sri Lanka that offer extended meditation retreats?
Please refer these links.
http://nauyana.org/
http://www.sadahamarana.org/?page_id=48
You can google for these links. Please do some background checks, before you go there. False teachers can be ...
- 421
3
votes
Accepted
Are there any Buddhist monasteries near Varanasi?
Venerable Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche has built a classic Tibetan monastery in Sarnath called Vajra Vidya Institute. When you reach Sarnath, go to the backside of the Deer Park. The area is known as ...
- 58.3k
3
votes
What would happen if everyone became a monk or nun?
The distinguishing principle in the quote from MN 71 is:
'without abandoning the fetter of householdership'
I would assume (I will research later) 'the fetter' of householdship refers to concerns ...
- 40.5k
3
votes
What are the rotating cylinders in monastries, and why are they there?
It's called Prayer wheel. These round cylinders are mantras, with thousands of prayers handwritten outside each in Sanskrit and Tibetan letters. Each full clockwise turn of the mantra is said to work ...
- 195
3
votes
Meditation posture and language as a monk in Thailand
Answering from the Ajahn Tong (Mahasi-like) vipassana lineage I am somewhat familiar with:
Sitting posture is not a problem. Most people in Thailad, as far as I have seen, practice in the "burmese" ...
- 951
3
votes
Accepted
Is there a defined sequence of events when a Buddhist enters a temple?
It depends on the temple and what part of it you're entering.
For instance, I used to be involved with my local Mahayana Temple. Whenever we entered the meditation hall, we did the following..
Took ...
- 2,229
3
votes
Were/are Zen monastery time schedules liberal with regard to meal and dharma talk timing?
Zen is definitely its own animal. Why the practices, monastic laws, daily schedules vary so vastly from even other East Asian instantiations of Buddhism could be a subject of a book of its own. You ...
- 231
2
votes
Any recommended monasteries in Sri Lanka that offer extended meditation retreats?
Rathmalkanda Meditation Center
Meditation Techniques
Vipassana(Mahasi Sayadaw)
Samatha(Anapanasati/ Kasina)
I stayed there for a short period about 8 years ago. You have to call the number in the ...
- 25.7k
2
votes
Any recommended monasteries in Sri Lanka that offer extended meditation retreats?
I've heard Mithrigala Nissarana Vanaya is a good place. I don't know if they do long retreats but most monasteries will accommodate the sincere aspirants.
In Burma, I've personally hoped to someday ...
- 7,433
2
votes
2
votes
Monastery or Temple in California
I've attended Vipassana intensive retreats at Tathagata Meditation Center in San Jose, a Mahasi style center. I found the atmosphere conducive to advanced meditation practice and the other yogis who ...
- 21
2
votes
What is a Buddhist ceremony or service called, and what day of the week is it likely to be?
In early times, (and still today in some Buddhist countries), laypeople would intensity their practice on certain days according to the lunar calendar. The special weekly Buddhist holy day is called ...
- 9,522
2
votes
What would happen if everyone became a monk or nun?
A layperson does not necessarily have to be a householder. A layperson is not necessarily clinging to a house if they live in a house. One can hold something but still not cling to it. When I use the ...
- 7,144
2
votes
Looking for a Buddhist Monastery in UK, Ireland, Scotland or Australia - All traditions are welcome
Forest Sangha United Kingdom branches - Amaravati, Cittaviveka, etc.
- 40.5k
2
votes
Where can I find a Buddist Monastery that practice hard training?
Following are some pointers:
https://www.dhamma.org/en/index
http://www.internationalmeditationcentre.org/global/index.html
http://www.buddhanet.info/wbd/
https://www.paaukforestmonastery.org/
https:/...
1
vote
A good Abhidhamma monastery to ordain?
This institute fits the criteria you have listed. (one-meal is optional)
Most of the teacher monks at IIT are top scholars in different subjects. They are of Forest-Vinaya sect in Sri Lanka.
...
- 360
1
vote
Within Theravāda tradition, what are the differences in doctrine and practice between schools and sects around the world?
It is important to know what the original teachings are because one cannot practise aimlessly. As for ordaining, I would choose an Ajahn Chah monastery due to its proven history of providing good ...
- 40.5k
1
vote
Accepted
Renunciation and Negative Mysticism (Escaping from ones Dharma)
In my earthly young days many many many years ago, I experienced "death". It began with recessing, recessing into the tiny light-dot then it shot with an incomparable speed of exiting. This tiny light-...
- 2,291
1
vote
Renunciation and Negative Mysticism (Escaping from ones Dharma)
Let's try and break this apart:
Is it possible that one can see that everything they have tried has failed in a worldly sense and has brought about suffering for themselves and others. Has been ...
- 58.3k
1
vote
Renunciation and Negative Mysticism (Escaping from ones Dharma)
Your idea about "One's Dharma" is Hindu & not Buddhist. Equally, your concerns about helping the world are too far ahead in respect to priorities. A monastic life (which does not necessarily mean ...
- 40.5k
1
vote
What is a Buddhist ceremony or service called, and what day of the week is it likely to be?
Assuming Manhattan College is in Manhattan, here is a website for an SGI-USA center which is in the Lotus Sutra/Nichiren tradition, The New York Culture Center. It is in the old Cooper Union building ...
- 217
1
vote
How different is the lifestyle of male monks from that of the female monks?
Bhikshuni Thubten Chodron founded Sravasti Abbey in 2003. It's based i the US, not Asia, but Venerable has her education and tradition from Asia (education India/tradition Tibet). Male and female ...
- 2,653
1
vote
What is a Buddhist ceremony or service called, and what day of the week is it likely to be?
If it is a Thai temple (eg. 76-16 46 Ave Elmhurst), the service is where the devotees chant to (take refuge in) the Buddha, Dhamma & Sangha, request the five precepts, generally offer the monks ...
- 40.5k
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible