Theravada Monastic

            Ven.Bhikkhuni Dhammananda (main teacher)

            Akshesware mahavihara, Kathmandu, Nepal.

            June 10^th-12^th, 2019

            This is a 3-day intensive course on Theravada Monastic. Considering Nepal as a country with mixed Buddhist practice, mainly Vajrayana and Mahayana, Theravada is only a minority. Even courses offered at a university level cover mostly Mahayana and Vajrayana.

            This course is offered with an intention to provide information for the audience to be more familiar with Theravada both at an academic level and practical level.

            With the history of the Sakyas, eventhough their ancestors came from India, but they have long lost the Theravada monastic tradition. This course will offer a glimpse into monastic life.

            Information will offer the details of ordination, novice ordination and full ordination both for the bhikkhus and bhikkhunis.

            Contents

• The establishment of the fourfold Buddhist Communities
• Success of the bhikkhunis in the Buddha’s time
• (reading Gotami Vatthu)
• The first Council
• Formation of Theravada
• Formation of the Tipitaka
• The four Qualities of Ordination
• Understanding the patimokkha
• Important sanghakammas;
• Recitation of Patimokkha, confession, abbhana, kathina, etc.
• The need for sangha for bhikkhunis.
• Monastic etiquettes
• Using of the robe, bowl, slippers, cotton bag, etc.
• The relationship between Laypeople and the ordained.