Geshe Tenzin Namdak on the rigorous selection process for ordination
Geshe Tenzin Namdak’s insightful discourse on the monastic life within Buddhism offers a profound exploration of the path to spiritual enlightenment.
Emphasizing the weighty decision to embrace monasticism, he underscores the necessity of a deep understanding of Buddhism’s core tenets and a genuine personal motivation.
Drawing from his own journey, Tenzin elucidates the rigorous selection process for ordination, guided by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and highlights the crucial role of community support for monks and nuns.
Reflecting on his twenty-year immersion in monasticism, Tenzin juxtaposes the communal and disciplined essence of monastic life with secular forms of learning.
He delves into the myriad challenges and rewards inherent in such a dedicated pursuit, offering insights into the cultural and mental adjustments required, the mental fortitude cultivated through rigorous debate, and the transformative power of humility and openness.
Geshe Namdak further elaborates on the journey to monasticism, cautioning against haste and advocating for residing within a monastic community for comprehensive training and support.
He elucidates the significance of the monastic vow ritual and shares candid anecdotes of his early days, navigating language barriers, cultural disparities, and teasing from peers.
Despite initial difficulties, these experiences facilitated profound personal growth, fostering humility, open-mindedness, and a deepening of mindfulness practice through structured debate.
