Novice Monk — (Śrāmaṇera/Śrāmaṇerī)
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The requirements for entrance into the ordained community of the Five Mountain Zen Order are rigorous and the ongoing responsibilities of ordained members are demanding.
Monastic ordination represents the highest commitment that one can make as a lay student through the realization of the Buddhadharma and to live out of that clear understanding for the benefit of all sentient beings.
Ordained member work with the Zen teachers to develop training forms and lead the Sangha in spiritual practice at their local center. In addition to their own personal practice duties, ordained members lead ceremonies and may be asked by the Guiding Teacher to answer questions at Dharma talks.
Monastics also make themselves available to perform wedding ceremonies, birth dedication ceremonies and memorial ceremonies for the general public as their faith moves them. Ordination in the Five Mountain Zen Order involves a lifelong commitment to the practice and realization of the Dharma. The Novice Monk ordination is an opportunity to deepen the commitment to practice and to live the vow to help others. It encourages its members to widen their focus from being largely a questioner and receiver, to being also able to guide, inspire, and educate others. As a Novice Monk, the relationship to the teacher and the Zen center will have the opportunity to mature.
After a member has been actively participating at the center for a minimum of nine months as a Postulant, and has completed three full quarters, nine classes, in Buddha Dharma University. Additionally, the Postulant must take and pass the Postulant Certification Test to become a Novice. If both the applicant and the Zen center’s Guiding Teacher feel that the Postulant has the acumen and the right commitment to a lifelong dedication to Zen practice, he or she may apply to become a Novice Monk at a precepts ceremony. The Postulant will take the Sixteen Precepts at this ceremony, and this publicly marks an entry into the Ordained community.
The Guiding Teacher’s approval attests to the Postulant’s ability to lead practice, knowledge of the teaching and its forms, and a willingness to take more responsibility at the center or group. Because all students are not interested in ordination, it is never assumed that a member will become a Novice Monk; therefore, it is necessary to submit an application to the Guiding Teacher to clarify the situation regarding one’s aspiration towards a path of service with the local Zen community.
When a Postulant becomes a Novice Monk, he or she will continue wearing their Spring Green Bangasa. In addition, the Novice Monk must purchase the long ceremonial grey robes. (See the local Zen center Guiding Teacher to arrange the purchase of your gasa and robes).
If a new member is transferring from another Buddhist organization and was recognized as an equivalent Novice Monk, the Guiding Teacher may waive the requirements for this position in the Five Mountain Zen Order. Even though the requirements are waived for installation as a Novice Monk, the requirements for education and liturgy should be completed in at most forty-eight months following ordination.
The Ten Precepts:
The Sixth Precept: I vow to be kind and to encourage others, and to refrain from discouraging others including myself.
The Seventh Precept: I vow to be kind to others and refrain from being boastful and self-centered.
The Eighth Precept: I vow to be generous, to be grateful for what I have, and refrain from yearning for things that do not belong to me.
The Ninth Precept: I vow to promote harmony and refrain from acting in anger or hatred.
The Tenth Precept: I vow to affirm and uphold the three jewels (the Buddha, the Sangha and the Dharma).
NOTE: The Ten Precepts are additions to the previous Five Precepts.
It should be noted that the 10 Precepts of a Novice Monk are granted for a period of two years, wherein the practitioner continues their practice and formation under the guidance of their teacher. At the end of the two year period a Novice Monk will either
Seeing as Novice Ordination grants a practitioner only the spiritual authority of their teacher as authorized, unlike other certificates those of Novice Monks have dates of precept validation clearly printed on them.
Monastic ordination represents the highest commitment that one can make as a lay student through the realization of the Buddhadharma and to live out of that clear understanding for the benefit of all sentient beings.
Ordained member work with the Zen teachers to develop training forms and lead the Sangha in spiritual practice at their local center. In addition to their own personal practice duties, ordained members lead ceremonies and may be asked by the Guiding Teacher to answer questions at Dharma talks.
Monastics also make themselves available to perform wedding ceremonies, birth dedication ceremonies and memorial ceremonies for the general public as their faith moves them. Ordination in the Five Mountain Zen Order involves a lifelong commitment to the practice and realization of the Dharma. The Novice Monk ordination is an opportunity to deepen the commitment to practice and to live the vow to help others. It encourages its members to widen their focus from being largely a questioner and receiver, to being also able to guide, inspire, and educate others. As a Novice Monk, the relationship to the teacher and the Zen center will have the opportunity to mature.
After a member has been actively participating at the center for a minimum of nine months as a Postulant, and has completed three full quarters, nine classes, in Buddha Dharma University. Additionally, the Postulant must take and pass the Postulant Certification Test to become a Novice. If both the applicant and the Zen center’s Guiding Teacher feel that the Postulant has the acumen and the right commitment to a lifelong dedication to Zen practice, he or she may apply to become a Novice Monk at a precepts ceremony. The Postulant will take the Sixteen Precepts at this ceremony, and this publicly marks an entry into the Ordained community.
The Guiding Teacher’s approval attests to the Postulant’s ability to lead practice, knowledge of the teaching and its forms, and a willingness to take more responsibility at the center or group. Because all students are not interested in ordination, it is never assumed that a member will become a Novice Monk; therefore, it is necessary to submit an application to the Guiding Teacher to clarify the situation regarding one’s aspiration towards a path of service with the local Zen community.
When a Postulant becomes a Novice Monk, he or she will continue wearing their Spring Green Bangasa. In addition, the Novice Monk must purchase the long ceremonial grey robes. (See the local Zen center Guiding Teacher to arrange the purchase of your gasa and robes).
If a new member is transferring from another Buddhist organization and was recognized as an equivalent Novice Monk, the Guiding Teacher may waive the requirements for this position in the Five Mountain Zen Order. Even though the requirements are waived for installation as a Novice Monk, the requirements for education and liturgy should be completed in at most forty-eight months following ordination.
The Ten Precepts:
The Sixth Precept: I vow to be kind and to encourage others, and to refrain from discouraging others including myself.
The Seventh Precept: I vow to be kind to others and refrain from being boastful and self-centered.
The Eighth Precept: I vow to be generous, to be grateful for what I have, and refrain from yearning for things that do not belong to me.
The Ninth Precept: I vow to promote harmony and refrain from acting in anger or hatred.
The Tenth Precept: I vow to affirm and uphold the three jewels (the Buddha, the Sangha and the Dharma).
NOTE: The Ten Precepts are additions to the previous Five Precepts.
It should be noted that the 10 Precepts of a Novice Monk are granted for a period of two years, wherein the practitioner continues their practice and formation under the guidance of their teacher. At the end of the two year period a Novice Monk will either
- a.) proceed to full ordination with the approval of their teacher,
- b.) renew their precepts in a formal ceremony for a continued novitiate training and formation phase, with definite length determined by their guiding teacher or
- c.) revert to lay status and precepts.
Seeing as Novice Ordination grants a practitioner only the spiritual authority of their teacher as authorized, unlike other certificates those of Novice Monks have dates of precept validation clearly printed on them.