FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT SRAVASTI ABBEY
(en Español)
Where is Sravasti Abbey located?
The Abbey is on 240 acres of beautiful meadow and forest near Newport, Washington. It is about one hour north of Spokane, Washington and one hour north of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. See the Visiting the Abbey page for maps and pictures.
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Why is it named Sravasti Abbey?
Many years ago, Ven. Chodron went on pilgrimage to the holy sites in India, including Sravasti, the place where the Buddha spent twenty-five rainy season retreats. Many sutras were spoken in Sravasti. While there, she learned that at the Buddha’s time, there had been both a community of nuns and a community of monks at Sravasti, which she found inspiring. In 1998, when she submitted possible names for the abbey to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, he selected “Sravasti Abbey.” (Click here for more on the original Sravasti).
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What is the emphasis of the Abbey?
We focus on monastic training and practice, as well as on general Dharma study and practice. Community life will be part of the practice.
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How are candiates prepared for ordination? How are monastics trained afterwards?
Those interested in exploring the possibility of monastic ordination come and reside at the Abbey as laypeople with five precepts for a number of months. They then take the eight precepts of an anagarika and keep those for at least a year, after which they take the ten precepts of a sramanera/ika (novice).
After at least two years, a novice may request full ordination as a bhikshu or bhikshuni. A person wishing to receive each set of precepts the five lay precepts, the eight anagarika precepts, the ten sramanera/ika precepts, and the bhikshu/ni precepts must request and receive the permission of the group of senior monastics. After ordination, each new bhikshu or bhikshuni stays at Sravasti Abbey for at least five years to train under the senior monastics.
Lay, anagarika, and sramanera/ika precepts are given by the abbess and the sangha at the Abbey. Until the required number of fully ordained are in residence, qualified and approved candidates receive the full ordination in Asia or in valid ordination ceremonies to be held in the United States.
Training includes Vinaya classes and monastic etiquette. Life together in the community is part of the training. While working in their daily jobs at the Abbey, residents will learn the attitudes and comportment of monastics by being around senior monastics.
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May already-ordained monastics become residents at the Abbey?
Yes. They first live at the Abbey for at least one year on a probationary status to see if the Abbey is suitable for them and vice-versa. After that time, they apply to become members of the Abbey.
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Are monastics supported by the Abbey? Are candidates for ordination supported?
All monastics and lay people residing at the Abbey receive room and board. Resident bhikshus and bhikshunis receive health insurance, and medical and dental expenses. All others are responsible for covering these and any other expenses themselves.
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How is the Abbey supported?
As is the custom throughout history, the monastic community depends on the support of kind and generous people who see the value in our way of life and appreciate what monastics offer to the Buddhist community and to society in general.
We receive all food by donations. People may bring cooked dishes or uncooked ingredients (vegetarian please). Visitors may wish to offer commonly used articles office supplies, sheets, blankets, towels, cleaning supplies, toiletries, kitchen ware, tape recorders and tapes, medicines, light bulbs, and so forth. Others may chose to given larger gifts furniture, computers and printers, building supplies, appliances, and so forth.
Our needs are the four requisites: food, shelter, clothing, and medical care. In particular, we now need funds to develop the master plan of living and meditation spaces. Volunteers who help with office work, construction, and gardening, among other jobs, are great assets.
We encourage people to make offerings to the community, not to individuals. All monastics will share the same life style with equal access to daily necessities.
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What is the daily schedule?
The day begin with chanting and silent meditation with the community. This is followed by breakfast, an informal meal. Dharma classes are in the morning while everyone is fresh. This is followed by chores and the preparation of lunch, a formal meal eaten together in silence. A break follows lunch. In the afternoon, the residents serve the community through work, and there is a block of time for private study and practice. Evening tea is a time for discussion and sharing in the community. This is followed by chanting and meditation.
We seek people who are or want to become self-directed. In addition to following the guidance of teachers and senior monastics, each cultivates a sense of responsibility for ones own spiritual practice. Community life can often provide the support and discipline that a person requires. For example, someone who has a hard time getting up in the morning finds easier to do so because the entire community is doing so. However, the Abbey is not suited for those who wish to be entirely independent and not follow the daily schedule.
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Is there be time for retreat in the yearly program?
Yes. The monastery is closed for at least two months each year so that residents can focus on our meditation practice. Serious lay students join the group retreat, with prior permission.
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Are accommodations for private retreats for non-resident monastics or laypeople available?
Community life is one of the most important aspects of the Abbey. While we emphasis this, especially for resident members, we have a retreat cabin where guests may do private retreat. More retreat cabins are planned.
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May laypeople stay at the Abbey?
Yes. Friends and students who wish to participate in community life and serve the community are welcome to join us for a short or a long stay. Those whom we do not know must attend an introductory retreat before applying to stay at the abbey. All lay people are expected to follow the daily schedule including morning and evening chanting and meditation, daily work, and meals. Guests who do not follow the schedule or disturb the community in any way will be asked to leave.
To benefit from their stay, all laypeople staying at the abbey will abide in the five precepts, to avoid killing, stealing, unwise sexual behavior (in this case, because this is a monastic community, lay people will be celibate while staying here), lying, and intoxicants (alcohol, recreational drugs, and tobacco). People should continue to take their prescription medicines while at the Abbey.
Staying at the Abbey is done on a dana basis. No charge is made for room and board. We hope temporary guests and long-term visitors will support the Abbey through financial generosity and service.
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Are there programs open to the public?
Yes, of course.Visit the Events & Calendar page for details of current programs.
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Is the community active in social welfare projects?
Yes, according to our abilities. While this is not our main focus, those monastics who are interested may become involved in hospice work, prison work, and so forth. Those preparing for ordination and junior monastics need the permission of the abbess to do this. The Abbey schedule is structured so that our socially engaged work does not interfere with our community life or the focus of the Abbey.
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Are children welcome to the Abbey? Are there programs for children and families?
There are programs offered throughout the year where children can attend with their parents. Again, the Events & Calendar page has details.
We would like to offer Sunday classes for children, but this will depend on the participation of the parents who will take the lead in organizing these. Ven. Chodron especially likes leading meditations and discussions for teenagers.
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*A reminder:
As we begin and grow, it is essential to remain focused on our vision. Sravasti Abbey is not able to fulfill everyone's wishes or ideas because everyone has different needs and interests. Fortunately, there are many Dharma centers, temples, monasteries, retreat centers, translation projects, family centers, and so forth where those who are interested in other valuable activities can fulfill their wishes.
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