Finally almost out of debt, it’s taken forever. It’s been very difficult to deal with, but I am so close. I only have about $5000 left of debt. It took way longer then I wished to clear up this hurdle, but it will be done with by May or June. Was looking to ordain in the next year or so and Sāsanārakkha Buddhist Sanctuary in Malaysia is where I have had my heart placed on doing so. I have to spend 1 year waiting after I quit my job for my pension and 401k due to a technicality with my union. So I can’t ordain until a year after I quit my job.
As I was planning how to pass that year I was alerted to the fact that Sāsanārakkha Buddhist Sanctuary isn’t accepting new ordinations until July of 2027. Does anyone have more information on this situation and what I should do to get ordained at SBS?
Edit for tone change:
Thank you for your interest in practising at SBS.
At present, we are intentionally keeping the intake small—usually one yogi at a time, with each stay lasting about three months. This allows for closer guidance and a more supportive training environment. Because of this structure, there can be some waiting time depending on the number of applicants.
The selection process is careful, as we aim to support candidates who are well-aligned with the training and ready to benefit from it. At the same time, the initial yogi period is also an opportunity for both sides to assess suitability. Not everyone who completes this phase will necessarily continue on to postulancy, and even afterwards, ongoing training and feedback remain part of the process.
Given the limited availability, it is wise to remain open to other monasteries as well, rather than relying on a single option. This can be beneficial for one’s broader experience and understanding of monastic life.
For those who have already been ordained elsewhere, it is possible to join the community. However, since training methods and monastic cultures can differ, some period of adjustment should be expected. This may include becoming familiar with local practices and receiving guidance on community standards. While this path allows for flexibility, it also requires a willingness to adapt relatively quickly.
Overall, the aim of these structures is to provide a stable and conducive environment for sincere practitioners, while maintaining the continuity and integrity of the training.
note that I edited the post above this. Below is to add on for promotion of SBS.
Training at SBS: The “Monastic University” Experience
Many people wonder what life is like for a monk in training. Having spent time at Sasanarakkha Buddhist Sanctuary (SBS), I’ve come to view it as a specialized “monastic university” dedicated to the rigorous cultivation of Dhamma-Vinaya.
The Academic Framework
Just as a standard university degree typically spans four years, a newly ordained monk at SBS commits to at least five vassa (rains retreats) under the guidance of a qualified teacher. The structure here mirrors the academic world:
- International Exchange: SBS is highly internationalized. Monks may spend one or two of their initial five vassa overseas to broaden their perspective on the global Sangha.
- Terms and Schedules: The calendar is divided into “scheduled” and “unscheduled” periods, balancing group study with personal retreat.
- Field Research: Our “class trips” include autopsy visits to understand the nature of the body, pilgrimages to India, and jungle stays for wilderness practice.
Department of Sewing & Technical Arts
Robes are not merely clothing; they are a monk’s primary requisite. Our sewing curriculum ensures every monk can maintain and create his own requisites.
- Sewing 101: Foundations of machine operation. Students learn to use manual and electric sewing machines, threading techniques, and mechanical debugging. Projects include small items like lap cloths and sitting cloths.
- Sewing 102: Construction of the lower and upper robes. This involves a theory component covering mathematical formulas for piece calculation, shrinkage factors, and layout optimization to minimize cloth wastage.
- Sewing 201: Advanced construction focusing on the double robe. Students manage complex calculations and specialized assembly methods based on their choice of intensity.
Importance: These skills are critical for the Kathina ceremony, where a robe must be completed within a single day. For monks under five vassa, self-reliance in robe-making is a core requirement for independence.
Department of Pāḷi Studies
To prevent total dependence on AI or third-party translations, SBS provides a structured linguistic path.
- Pāḷi 101 (Pre-Beginner): Focuses on basic vocabulary building using the SBS Pāḷi-English Anki decks and foundational grammar exercises.
- Pāli 102 (Beginner): Formal fortnightly classes including exercises and examinations.
- Pāḷi 202 & 302 (Intermediate to Advanced): Progressive levels typically running between vassa periods, culminating in self-study modules for advanced students.
- Pāḷi 203/204 (Pātimokkha Word-by-Word): A two-year specialized course for Bhikkhus and Bhikkhunīs to understand the specific vocabulary and grammar of the monastic code.
- Self-Study (301): Guided reading of classical grammars (Geiger, Warder, Bodhi, etc.) supported by a comprehensive digital and physical library.
Department of Chanting & Memorization
Memorization ensures the Dhamma is carried within the mind, available at any moment without external aids.
- Chanting 101: Mastery of the SBS Chanting Book, paired with vocabulary Anki decks to ensure the meaning is understood alongside the sound.
- Chanting 201: Memorization of the Bhikkhu Pātimokkha.
- Chanting 301: Memorization of the Dhammapada.
- Chanting 401: Memorization of the Bhikkhunī Pātimokkha.
Life on Campus & Practical Electives
Beyond the core departments, students engage in diverse electives:
- Practical Skills: Broom-making, “Non-Violent Communication” (NVC) workshops, and community tenets formulation.
- Meditation: 23 types of walking meditation and regular personal interviews with a learned meditation teacher.
- Monastic Civics: Learning to live by the 227 Vinaya rules and the unwritten “house rules” that form our unique community culture.
Why This Intensity Matters
Most of us come from countries where Buddhism is a minority. We are being trained as future monastic leaders. This technical knowledge—the nuances of Pāḷi grammar, the precision of robe-making, the depth of the Vinaya—is not easily found online. It requires practical, hands-on experience and oral transmission.
At SBS, we don’t just read the Dhamma; we equip ourselves with the skills to preserve it and pass it on to the next generation.
