SECOND ORDINATION AT THE ABBEY
On September 7, Nanc Nesbitt a full time lay resident becomes the second resident of Sravasti Abbey to ordain in less than a year. She takes the Sramanerika or novice precepts as well as the 2 year training precepts or Siksamana precepts which will prepare her to one day take the bhikshuni vows.
Nanc is given the name Thubten Semkye by Venerable Chodron which is translated as the mind generating the Able One’s teachings or bodhicitta. The kindness and support of many people especially the Chinese bhikshunis made this auspicious day possible as the Buddhist sangha welcomes another member to its community.
 Nanc gets her head shaved by the bhikshunis first thing in the morning as guests chant the Buddha's mantra.
Bhikshunis Jencheng, Jendy, Minjia and Chodron enter the meditation hall before the start of the ceremony.
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 Venerables Minjia, Chodron and Nanc bow to the Buddhas.
 Although the ordination ceremony is private, folks were able to witness the offering of incense at the beginning. Here Bhikshuni Minjia offers incense to the Buddha.
 Bhikshuni Chodron offers incense to the Buddha
 After the incense is offered the bhikshunis and Nanc bow deeply to the Buddha.
 While the ceremony is proceeding, the guests and Abbey residents prepare a delicious potluck.
 Thubten Semkye (Nanc) presents gift to Venerable Chodron who was her preceptor during the ordination ceremony. The preceptor plays a crucial part in the training of a novice.
 Venerable Chodron presents a gift in gratitude to the Venerables Minjia and Jendy. The Chinese bhikshunis have been a great support to Venerable Chodron and her vision for Sravasti Abbey especially participating in the ordination ceremony which requires bhikshunis to be present.
 The visiting sangha join the Abbey sangha for a group photo.
 The guests and the sangha share in the merit of this auspicious day of the monastic community welcoming a new member.
Venerable Semkye poses with her sister Jane and niece Dreolin who traveled from Vermont and California for the ceremony. |
 The lay guests and residents of the Abbey prepared a lovely lunch table for the sangha to quietly enjoy each others company and talk about monastic life. Reverend Clairissa from the Portland Buddhist Priory on the right is visiting for ten days helping sew some of monastic robes for the Abbey Sangha.

After the guests leave the Abbey, residents and friends take to the meadow to celebrate Venerable Saldon and Tsundru Kelly's birthdays. Here Tsundru and Carl carry zafus for everyone to use when we get to our destination.
 The birthday folks then share who has helped them the most along their life's journey. Here we all recite the Extraordinary Aspiration of Samantabhadra, a beautiful prayer for them all.
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