Ordination Training

Asking for Ordination

When you ask for Ordination, you are declaring your desire to make a definite and life-changing commitment to the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, within the context of the Triratna Buddhist Order founded by Urgyen Sangharakshita. Asking for Ordination is therefore a deeply significant step in your Dharma life. This page is intended to help you get a sense of what you are stepping into.

Padmaloka’s Going for Refuge retreats are designed to help you activate your aspiration; they provide intensive conditions for as vivid an encounter with the Three Jewels as possible. Although much of your preparation takes place in your local context, you need to make sure you have the time, energy and stability in your life to follow up on your request by attending the retreats, which are also essential.

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1

If you are thinking of asking

The most important thing is that you discuss this with your local Men’s Mitra Convenor – and, if appropriate, other local Order members you have connections with. Your request is your own initiative, of course. But it is very helpful for you and us if you have had some good discussion about it first.

We expect a man asking for Ordination:

To be a Mitra;
To have a regular practice of the Metta Bhavana and Mindfulness of Breathing meditations, as taught in Triratna;
Ideally to be in a regular study context, e.g. a mitra study group;
To be completely vegetarian;
To have some regular contact, even friendship, with at least one or two Order members.

2

When you are ready to ask

You ask by writing to the Ordination team at Padmaloka (you can either email or post a letter to this address). This team is made up of men who care deeply about the Order and are committed to helping other men to join it. We lead all the Going for Refuge retreats here, and having your letter helps us start to get to know you, and how to support you in your Going for Refuge.

When you write, you are basically introducing yourself to us – saying something about your background, your current life circumstances and your reasons for asking for Ordination.

Please also tell us:

Which Order members are your main contacts;
What sort of retreats you have been on so far;
Something about your practice of meditation and study;
Whether or not you have visited Padmaloka before;
Your date of birth and postal address.

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Occasionally we need to contact a man who has asked for Ordination with a few more questions or for a short discussion. Once we have accepted your request, we will send you a copy of our handbook about preparing for Ordination. It is then up to you to book your retreats and engage wholeheartedly.

You can see a full list of our retreats here. We look forward to receiving your request and supporting you in the journey ahead.