Training
General Overview of the Training Program
The stages in the training, which will last approximately one month are organized as follows:
| Phase | Training Details | |
| 1. | Orientation, Medical Examination | |
| 2. | Training in Buddhist Culture | |
| 3. | Meditation and Training in Basic Virtue | |
| 4. | Rehearsal for Ordination | |
| 5. | Ordination Ceremony | |
| 6. | Study of Monastic Discipline and On-site Training at local temple | |
| 7. | Meditation Retreat | |
| 8. | Application of Dhamma Principles for Everyday Life and Course Debriefing |
Daily Schedule
| Time | Activity | |
| 04:30 | Rise | |
| 05:00 | Meditation, Morning Chanting, Spreading Loving Kindness | |
| 06:30 | Various Duties / Personal Time | |
| 07:30 | Breakfast | |
| 09:00 | Sermon, Meditation | |
| 11:00 | Lunch | |
| 13:30 | Sermon, Meditation | |
| 16:00 | Pana (Evening Refreshments) | |
| 17:30 | Personal Time | |
| 18:30 | Sermon, Evening Chanting, Meditation | |
| 22:00 | Lights Out | |
Duties
The main purpose of ordaining is to free yourself from worldly commitments and worries so that you may have the opportunity to fully commit yourself to meditation and break away from the shackles of desire so that you may find true happiness.
Monks manage to free themselves from worldly desire by fulfilling the daily routine required of them by the tenets laid down by the Lord Buddha. In this case, the word ‘duty’ (kicavatra) is a compound made up of two words: ‘kica’ and ‘vatra’.
‘Kica’ means duties that are so important that they are considered compulsory. ‘Vatra’ means things that are advisable do, although not required. If you choose not do these latter, the consequences may not be disastrous – they do not break the monastic discipline – but they could result in the lessening of respect by those who support the monks out of faith. However, if you comply with these activities, the level of respect accorded on you will only improve and strengthen. These items of daily routine will also help to free you from worldly desire.
The recommended daily routine is as follows:
- Going on almsround
- Sweeping the temple
- Confession
- Chanting and Meditation
- Reflection
- Caring for Your Preceptor
- Management, Maintenance, Exercise
- Studying the Dhamma and Monastic discipline
- Caring for Temple Property and Responsibility
- Behaviors Worthy of Respect
