I was a novice for about an hour or so, and then a full ordination. It was sort of like, "Oh, now you are a fully ordained monk and you will be whenever you ordain next, if you decide to." No duties, no service. It's actually pretty darn cool. Wearing robes: There is the "easy" w...

The retreat was intense. U Pandita Sayadaw gave Dhamma talks many nights. He has extremely high standards (obviously, as he is speaking from ultimate realization) and it has humbled me greatly. I took robes for 12 days. I encourage everybody who is serious about the Path to take robes at least tempo...

Why ordain as a novice? Why not? Many people in many SE Asian countries ordain temporarily for a period of time. I don't see any negative consequences to ordaining. I feel it would remind me everyday of why I am at the retreat. Having fewer clothes to wear is part of renunciation. There may not be a...

Hello Dhamma Brothers and Sisters, I am visiting the Panditarama Forest Monastery and sitting the annual 60-day retreat. I would like to ordain as a novice for the duration of the retreat. A few questions regarding temporary ordination: 1. If I have money (cash, cards), basic clothes and toiletries ...