Did I imagine this?

[texastheravadin]

Okay for the life of me I cannot track down where I read or heard about this, but I'm almost sure it was not something that I imagined...

Is there or is there not a - for lack of a better term - class of lay Buddhists who are not novices or monastics, but who instead of taking the Five Precepts permanently take the Eight Precepts? As in for life? And if so, what's the term? And do they wear white robes, or is that something that all lay people do on special occasions? I ask because one of the first times I visited the local wat, the ladies that showed me around were householders, but they were wearing special white robes/dresses or something. They said that it was some kind of holiday or special time where they stayed at the wat to help out.

Maybe I'm just but I swear I came upon this practice before...

Josh

[bodom]

Hi texastheravadin

Are you thinking of an Anagarika?

In Theravada Buddhism, an anagarika(Pali: anāgārika/ā; lit., "homeless one") is a lay attendant for nuns or monks. The monastic rules of Vinaya restrict nuns and monks from many tasks that might be needed, including the use of money, driving, cooking, digging and cutting plants, so lay attendants help bridge this gap. All anagarika take the Eight Precepts, and often have the intention of becoming a nun or monk at a later point, though not always. In some monasteries a period as an anagarika, often one year, is required in order to take novice ordination.

[bodom]

They said that it was some kind of holiday or special time where they stayed at the wat to help out.

They are referring to the Uposatha.

Uposatha days are times of renewed dedication to Dhamma practice, observed by lay followers and monastics throughout the world of Theravada Buddhism....

Lay people observe the Eight Precepts on Uposatha days, as a support for meditation practice and as a way to re-energize commitment to the Dhamma. Whenever possible, lay people use these days as an opportunity to visit the local monastery, in order to make special offerings to the Sangha, to listen to Dhamma, and to practice meditation with Dhamma companions late into the night. For those not closely affiliated with a local monastery, it can simply be an opportunity to step up one's efforts in meditation, while drawing on the invisible support of millions of other practicing Buddhists around the world.

[Ytrog]

In some monasteries a period as an anagarika, often one year, is required in order to take novice ordination.

I thought that some monasteries required a year as a samanera before ordaining as a bhikku. Am I mistaken or is this yet another way some monasteries handle ordinations?

[BlackBird]

In some monasteries a period as an anagarika, often one year, is required in order to take novice ordination.

I thought that some monasteries required a year as a samanera before ordaining as a bhikku. Am I mistaken or is this yet another way some monasteries handle ordinations?

Supposing you fit the bill, in the Ajahn Chah group it's:
1. A few months as a lay person
2. 1 year as an Anagarika (some exceptions for WPN due to visa issues)
3. 1 year as a Samanera

After that you can take higher ordination as a Bhikkhu.

There are similar (although often less) requirements for monastic sects which uphold a similar level of Vinaya.

[Ytrog]

In some monasteries a period as an anagarika, often one year, is required in order to take novice ordination.

I thought that some monasteries required a year as a samanera before ordaining as a bhikku. Am I mistaken or is this yet another way some monasteries handle ordinations?

Supposing you fit the bill, in the Ajahn Chah group it's:
1. A few months as a lay person
2. 1 year as an Anagarika (some exceptions for WPN due to visa issues)
3. 1 year as a Samanera

After that you can take higher ordination as a Bhikkhu.

There are similar (although often less) requirements for monastic sects which uphold a similar level of Vinaya.

I've heard about the year as a Samanera, but never about the year as an Anagarika. Good to know.