International Monastic Training IMT)
International Monastic Training
In June 1st – 15th, 2023
At Songdhammakalyani Bhikkhuni Arama
Songdhammakalyani Bhikkhuni Arama and Buddhasavika Foundation organize an International Monastic Training every year.
In 2015, the training lasted through the vassa. There were 5 nuns from Vietnam and 4 from India with one laywoman participating in this Monastic training programme.
In 2016, the training was scheduled for 4 weeks in June. This was to allow the participants to return to keep the vassa in their home town. There were 17 participants: 1 bhikkhuni from Thailand, 11 samaneris from Vietnam, 1 from South Korea, 1 from Italy, 1 from Germany with 2 attendants. This year Venerable Dhammananda taught in English and Dr. Kanjana Suthikul translated into Thai throughout the training.
In 2017, the training was offered from June 1st- 27th, and there were 28 participants from 12 countries: 7 from Indonesia, 3 from Malaysia, 2 from Canada, one each from Australia, France, India, Myanmar, Russia, Sri Lanka, USA, Vietnam, and 8 from Thailand. Of those, three were laywomen. It was a good number of international monastics, and thus, more exchanging of ideas and support of each other. An increase of the number of countries in the next IMT can be expected.
In 2018 the training was shortened and scheduled from June 1st – 15th. There were 27 Participants from 4 countires: 1 bhikkhuni from South Korea, 24 bhikkhunis from Thailand, and 2 laywomen one from Hong Kong, and another from USA.
The participants attend classes on: the history of Buddhism with emphasis on Women and Buddhism, bhikkhuni sangha lineage, important points on the Vinaya, how the vinaya is put into practice, Patimokkha reciting, spiritual training, and socially engaged Buddhism.
With the monastic setting, one is expected to attend morning and evening chanting, and meditation. On full moon and dark moon, those who are bhikkhunis will recite Patimokkha together. Recitation of Patimokkha happens only if bhikkhunis stay together as a sangha. This is a golden opportunity for newly ordained bhikkhunis to be trained with other senior bhikkhunis.
