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Best Places For Bhikkhuni Ordination

Posted: Wed Dec 18, 2013 1:51 am
by Brittany P.
Hello all, thanks for reading.

I am an American student studying in Thailand. After years I've finally decided to enter a monastic life. I was hoping someone out there might be
able to point me in the right direction. I know there are a handful of places to ordain in Thailand (I'm interested in studying with Dhammananda)
but I am afraid of getting left behind by language barriers. I am also worried about the heat, mosquito's and the facilities in Thailand.

I am currently talking with Aranya Bodhi in California, they seem great but it is taking a very long time to communicate back and forth.
I just want to find a place that is peaceful, full of information and studying. I don't want to be limited on just one teaching, and I want to learn multiple
meditation techniques like yoga, pranayama breathing, things like that.

I'm not strict on what country it's in so long as I can learn in English. I am also limited on money, I don't own or carry money, everything I will do will be
through donations that I have already set up, so it can't be a place where I have to worry about annual visa fees (like australia! $$$)
I would really appreciate any advice or guidance in my search.

Sincerely,
Brittany P.

Re: Best Places For Bhikkhuni Ordination

Posted: Wed Dec 18, 2013 3:08 am
by appicchato
Hi Brittany,

Since you're asking, I'll respond...all things considered (from your brief description), were I you I would go to Bhikkhuni Dhammananda's temple in Nakhon Phratom and ensconce myself there...the heat? You become acclimated...mosquitos? A net, or a fan, problem solved...facilities?...the necessities are there, and adequate...not using money, you will be hard pressed to find a more supportive environment than here in Thailand...personally, I've found the internet to be the best 'teacher' (meaning access to the Teacher's (the Buddha) words), plus videos and dhammatalks, YouTube for yoga, pranayama, or anything else one can think of, Buddhist forums for discussions, etc., and all in English...learning the basics of Thai is not that difficult, and a deep discussion with Thais (on any topic) is not going to happen anyway, no matter how good one knows the language...again, slim odds you will find someone, anyone, anywhere, that you can learn as much from as what's available on the net...

Anyway, all the best in your endeavor...I'm an American also, been a monk for seven in nearby (to Nakhon Prathom) Kanchanaburi...in Thailand a lot longer...again, I would like to reiterate that you will not find the level of support anywhere like you would/will in this country...PM me if you've got more questions about it...

Be well...


Re: Best Places For Bhikkhuni Ordination

Posted: Wed Dec 18, 2013 3:44 am
by Brittany P.
Thanks! I will try again to get in touch with Sr. Dhammananda, though I gather she is probably a pretty busy woman.
I've definitely become acclimated to Thai heat, but the mosquito's really have a taste for american blood! Hopefully if I
can get in touch with the monastery here, they can solve some of my worries about having study materials in English.

Thanks again for replying, I appreciate the help :)

Re: Best Places For Bhikkhuni Ordination

Posted: Wed Dec 18, 2013 5:18 am
by James the Giant
Santi Forest Monastery near Sydney is restarting in 2014. Beautiful place, with accommodation in converted caves. All women.

Near Perth is Dhammasara Nun's Monastery, it's excellent but the waiting list is long as they are currently doing a huge building project. Basically building a whole new monastery from scratch. It's worth emailing them though, get on the waiting list to stay as a laywoman for a month or two.

Re: Best Places For Bhikkhuni Ordination

Posted: Wed Dec 18, 2013 5:23 am
by Brittany P.
James the Giant wrote:Santi Forest Monastery near Sydney is restarting in 2014. Beautiful place, with accommodation in converted caves. All women.

Near Perth is Dhammasara Nun's Monastery, it's excellent but the waiting list is long as they are currently doing a huge building project. Basically building a whole new monastery from scratch. It's worth emailing them though, get on the waiting list to stay as a laywoman for a month or two.
Thanks, I was accepted to study at Santi, and had made it clear my intention was to be ordained. Thankfully I didn't book my flight because shortly after
they emailed me saying they had to cancel my acceptance due to them no longer ordaining women. Sounded strange if you ask me.

Re: Best Places For Bhikkhuni Ordination

Posted: Wed Dec 18, 2013 5:34 am
by James the Giant
Santi is restarting in 2014 and should be ordaining women again soon. Until then you could stay as a laywoman.
Best of luck with your determination to do every thing by donation!