Monasticism at Gampo Abbey
Gampo Abbey is committed to offer monastic training with compassionate and skillful guidelines in how to embody the teachings, how to work with each other and how to speak genuinely and listen fully to each other. This training is further enforced by the Vinaya (the traditional monastic Buddhist code). The promise of awakening is realized through the fearlessness to overcome the obstacles that cover up our natural inherent, innate, always present wakefulness, which is also called basic goodness. At Gampo Abbey, we allow our outer forms to tame us thoroughly.
The unifying factor, the backbone defining the Gampo Abbey monastic experience, is the Shambhala Terma teachings of our founder, the Vidyadhara Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche: the collective project to create an enlightened society. Throughout their stay at the Abbey, all residents, including those coming from other traditions, will be exposed to the Shambhala teachings and be invited to follow the first levels of training.
Joining an intentional community creates a container that supports each individual’s efforts at waking up and developing mindfulness and encourages self-responsibility. The container minimizes choices and heightens awareness through providing a clear schedule and structure. At Gampo Abbey, one has a combination of scheduled practice, study, work, regular house chores and occasional service for visiting teachers or special programs. All residents agree to abide by the five Buddhist precepts (not killing, not taking what is not offered, not lying, no sexual activity, no intoxicants), to fully participate in the daily schedule and the observance of silence and to attend the bi-monthly Sojong purification ceremony.
Through vows and commitments, relating to our life with an open heart and mind becomes choiceless. Then our senses open up, we become relaxed and we can enjoy experiences in ways otherwise not available. When everyone is moving in the same direction this develops windhorse or lungta, the energy to raise ourselves above conventional mind, above doubt. This is the inner magic of working together as a community.
Under the spiritual guidance of Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche holder of the Shambhala lineage, our Abbot the Venerable Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche, our main teacher Gampo Acharya Pema Chödrön, and senior monastics, the Abbey community is committed to developing monasticism within the tradition of Shambhala Buddhism drawing from its Kagyu and Nyingma lineages.
Temporary Ordination
At the request of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, Ven.Thrangu Rinpoche introduced temporary ordination [Tsanchö Genyen/Upasaka Bramacarya ordination] to give Dharma practitioners an opportunity to experience monasticism without making a lifetime commitment. The prerequisite is the Refuge Vow. Temporary ordination is offered after residing at the Abbey for at least three months. Residents may request temporary ordination and be ordained for a minimum of six months or for the balance of their stay. Temporary monastics shave their heads, wear robes and train in the disciplines and rituals of monastic life.
In the first phase training is geared towards cultivating the contentment of the Tiger stressed in the first trainings of Shambhala. Ingredients for this training are amongst others;
- cultivating friendliness to all aspects of oneself (unconditional friendship of self);
- developing mindfulness in everyday life, in particular mindful discernment or payu;
- working with shenpa, seeing one's story lines and trusting that one can make the choice of not strengthening old habits of ego;
- practicing renunciation, the basis of the Hinayana traditional practices;
- respecting silent periods.
It also entails training in monastic forms and other monastic skills, such as:
- how to wear robes properly;
- how to make tormas;
- how to be umdze and gatekeeper for group practices;
- how to eat oryoki meals;
- how to maintain shrines;
- how to raise flags
In the second phase , the emphasis will be on further trainings like knowing how to raise the lungta of a perky Lion. This means amongst others:
- training to keep one's heart and mind open in deep listening and genuine communication. Being able to do this depends on mindful discernment that is rooted in gentleness and friendliness;
- training with the rest of the community in the discipline of the six Paramitas (generosity, moral conduct, patience, exertion, meditation and wisdom) and the main practices of Mahayana: bodhicitta and tonglen;
- developing a correct understanding of the three vows (Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana).
In this phase the Gampo Abbey monastic will be encouraged to take on more responsibility in the area of monastic forms and skills, to be able to teach some of them and lead discussion groups.
In the third phase, temporary monastics continue their active service in the Abbey. The emphasis of training is more on:
- understanding the meaning of impermanence, change, freedom from fixed mind. Examining how to free self, other and the world of one's prejudices and bias's;
- refining of actions of body and speech, applying a joyful mindfulness to whatever you do;
- embodying monastic discipline in such a way that you become an example for newer monastics.
In general, temporary monastics will learn a lot by interacting with the elders and the other life monastics of Gampo Abbey. Also, temporary monastics are encouraged to take part in the Vidyadhara Institute Shedra program taught in two sessions every year. Although this in-depth study program is not mandatory, it helps them to go deeper in their study and contemplation of the Buddhist teachings.
Someone who has completed a period of two years as a temporary monastic may make a request to the life monastics of the abbey that he or she be considered for Parma Rabjung ordination.
Other levels of Ordination
Parma Rabjung is a lifetime commitment. To be accepted, the candidate needs to manifest: successful training, capacity to take responsibility for one’s choice, clear understanding of what is a spiritual commitment, capacity to receive feedback and work with one’s mind, commitment to study and practice and successful integration into the community. They would also be encouraged to continue their Shambhala training.The age limit for people requesting life vows and wishing to remain at Gampo Abbey is 55 years.
At the end of this year, after evaluation, one may ask the life monastics for permission to take Novice vows ideally given by our Abbot Ven. Thrangu Rinpoche. Further preparation and training are needed prior to taking these vows.
They are followed two years later, if requested, by full ordination (Bhikshu or Bhikshuni) vows.
For a more comprehensive summary of the information that you will need to know to become a resident at Gampo Abbey download our Residents Manual.
View video on Youtube of Life at Gampo Abbey narrated by Gampo Acharya Ani Pema Chodron.
Archive of earlier information on Life at Gampo Abbey
|
