Project : Buddhist Women in Residence 
(BWR)
Buddhasavika Foundation
Time : Aug.-Oct.2004

         Background: In this past decade more and more women have entered monastic life from various traditions, e.g. Chinese, Tibetan, Theravada, etc. In some traditions ordination of women is still new and often training before and after an ordination is not fully organized. In this case, even newly ordained bhikkhunis/ samaneris who have made a full commitment, but have not been 
        
Properly trained, could have difficulty continuing as an effective sangha. This training endeavors to offer intensive studies and practice in the following areas:
        Vinaya Studies, Patimokkha chanting and training, monastic etiquettes, etc.
         From a larger perspectives, a bhikkhuni will also receive Buddhist education on the history of Buddhism itself and the place of women within Buddhism, the role of monastic in an engaged Buddhist manner.


        
Objectives of the Project
         To prepare bhikkhunis to lead the proper monastic life. To fortify oneself in order to strengthen Buddhism and society.

         
Purposes of the training:
         - To be a good monastic by studying and observing the Vinaya 
         - To live harmoniously with the sangha by integrating the Dhamma and Vinaya
         - To uplift oneself spiritually through the practice of meditation
         - To help build up the Buddhist community through socially engaged activities.
         - To strengthen the Sangha and Buddhism

         
Training Process:

         
Candidate's requirement
           1. She is a bhikkhuni, samaneri or a lay woman who is interested in leading monastic life.
           2. Age 18-60
           3. She has good physical and mental health (provide medical certificate).
           4. Education: minimum high school/equivalent with sufficient English.
           5. Recommendation letter from Upajjhaya or a teacher whom she has been living with for minimum one year.
           6. Willingness to learn and to improve.

         
Organizers: Buddhasavika Foundation 
         
Sponsors: Songdhammakalyani Temple
         
Date: Vassa (Rain Retreat) Aug. - October 2004
         
Venue: Songdhammakalyani Temple, Nakhonpathom Province, Thailand
         
Contact person: Ven.Dr. Chatsumarn Kabilsingh (Dhammananda)
                                          P.O. Box 108, Nakhonpathom 73000, Thailand
                                         
[email protected], [email protected]
                                          www.thaibhikkhunis.org

          
Conditions for participants to BWR
          
Sangha duty:
           1. Attend regularly morning (5.30 A.M.) and evening (7 P.M.) chanting and meditation
           2. Go for alms round twice a week
           3. Give dhamma talk (acc. to assigned slot of time)
           4. Attend Patimokkha recitation twice a month (applicable only for bhikkhunis)

         
Sangha's expected role:
           1. To live as a sangha member harmoniously, benefiting and nourishing each other.
           2. To guide lay people in their practice
           3. To be of service to the community
           4. To be eager and willing to participate in community work (minimum one hour labor work a day)
           5. To consult each other when something need the attention of the community.
           6. To be diligent in attending all classes and activities arranged for BWR.

        
Common understanding
           1. She who attends BWR will receive training in the Theravada tradition.
           2. She will pay her own travelling to and from BWR.
           3. Her boarding and lodging through 3 month period will be covered by BWR
           4. She will be responsible for extra expenses, e.g. phone card, long distance calls.
           5. She is a monastic : 
               Since she belongs to the family of the Buddha, worldly and family concerns should be kept at its minimum.
               Her monastic needs will be promptly attended to by BWR
           6. In order to be trained, she will request a teacher for guidance; respect for seniority and spirit of the Sangha is necessary. 

         
Brief course description:
         
Part I: Monastic training 
                     Patimokkha training (for bhikkhunis only)
                    Vinaya classes
         
Part II: Buddhist studies
                     History of Buddhism
                     History of women and Buddhism
                     History of Thai Buddhism
                     History of Bhikkhuni sangha in different countries
         
Part III: Socially engaged Buddhism
                      Field trips : emergency home for women; training center for ex-sex workers; home for street children; college for Buddhist nun (mae ji); historical sites, etc.
                                      : As monastics, bhikkhunis also accept invitation to go out for Paritta chanting in the homes of supporters. When invited, bhikkhunis will offer dhamma talks.
         
Part IV: Spiritual training
                      Meditation practice
         
Part V : Skill training to balance mind and body
                      Clay sculpture; fruit carving; massage, ch' I kong; yoga; making 
                      flowers, making beads decorations, etc.

         
Certificate
                     At the completion of the training course, a certificate will be given to those who have fulfilled the course designed.

         
Notice : If you are interested to join the program kindly filled in the application form and send to contact person. This year there will be space only for 15 candidates, apply early.


Application Form for 3-month Training 
Buddhist Women in Residence BWR 2004


                 1. Name........................ Surname.................. .Ordained name..............................
                 2. Age................. Number of years ordained............... Date of birth.....................
                 3. Marital status   ( ) single   ( ) married   ( ) widow   ( ) separated
                 If married, number of children......... oldest one age........... youngest one age........
                 4. Highest education............................................................................................
                 5. Highest education in dhamma ..........................................................................
                 6. Professional experiences..................................................................................
                 7. Responsibility as an ordained person ...............................................................
                 8. Special skill ....................................................................................................
                 9. Language skill (specify)...................................................................................
                 10. Medical data (do you have any illness? Do you need any special   treatment?............................................................................................................................
                 11. Do you have any restriction on your diet? (specify).........................................
                 12. Contact person in case of emergency (address, phone number, e-mail) ...........................................................................................................................................
                 13. Do you have any sponsorship to attend this program? (if you do, specify?).............................................................................................................................
                 14. What is your expectation from this program? ..........................................................................................................................................
                 15. Who recommended this program to you?......................................................

                                                                              Signature ...................................

                                                                              Date ..........................................


 Songdhammakalyani  Temple  195 Petkasem Highway Muang District, Nakhonpathom Thailand 73000
Tel.& Fax.  660 3428 4315   E- mail :
[email protected]
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