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Asking for Ordination
Well, there’s been a development since my recent post about my efforts to follow a spiritual path – yesterday evening I asked to be Ordained into the Triratna Buddhist Order.
Its an exciting feeling and also a very natural one – something I’ve built up to fairly gently over the last four years of my involvement with Buddhism and my gradual realisation that I am definitely Buddhist (and not merely Buddhish as Ive been claiming until recently 
)
In Buddhist terminology what this involes is going for refuge to the three jewels (the jewels being Buddha, Dharma and Sangha).
What this means is that I recognise the Buddha as a symbol of the ideal of human enlightenment, the Dharma (the body of teaching) as being the route towards that goal and the Sangha (the community of other Buddhists) as being the context in which I want to practice.
In a way, I cant put my hand on my heart and say Im really trying to become enlightened because if I was too make 100% effort to acheive that lofty goal, then I’d probably be meditating all day, not just for one hour in the morning. However, I do believe that any steps I can take in that direction will be of benefit to me and, since I believe we are all fundamentally connected, also to the benefit of all sentient beings.
The Triratna Order is a lay order, so I’m not going off to be a monk or anything, in fact little will change at first other than a strengthening of my resolve to work on myself to become a better and more compassionate person – as those who know me well can confirm, there’s plenty of room for improvement!
Anyway, I’ll share significant moments along the path here as I can, meanwhile, wish me luck!
Xx
6 comments to “Asking for Ordination”
Congratulations! How should I address you now?
Thanks Danny, thats good to hear – Hopefully I can avoid becoming the first 
Xx
Thanks Jake
If/When I get accepted for Ordination (it can take anything from 2 years to forever) I will get given a new name, tho I’ll still answer to the old one or anything you else you feel appropriate
Rich
Xx
Hi , We do not know one another but I am a Mitra from Brighton and came across your post via google and am potentially interested in your situation ie asking to be ordanined. Dont know if I ever will ask for ordination but mitra friends of mine are. So.
Making Good Use of our life along with letting go of attachment be ours.
Hi Tara
thanks for your message
it took me a while to acknowledge that Buddhism was the way forward for me, but having done so I quickly realised that I wanted to progress as soon and as much as reasonalbly possible (in balance with my other objectives in life). For me this meant asking for Ordination before my Mitra Ceremony even came along.
I feel going thru the process will ensure that I have a good thorough grounding in the basics of Buddhism and the four month ordination retreat promises to be quite an experience.
But others I know are content with being a Mitra and establishing a regular practice and dont feel the need to go through the Ordination process.
All horses for courses Im sure. Best wishes.
Rich
Xx
On April 22nd, 2010 at 8:33 pm, Danny Smith wrote:
Good luck, I have the utmost respect for Buddishism, and never met a Buddhist I didn’t like.