Ordination

Both in Buddhism and the religions of the West, ‘ordination’ is the formal recognition by a religious authority that an individual has made a permanent commitment of unbounded service to the religion and the religious community.

The best-known form of Buddhist ordination is monastic. Monasticism is the institutional form which supports Sutrayana, the path of renunciation.

Less well-known is the Buddhist institution of Vajrayana ordination, which serves the path of transformation. Although Vajrayana ordination has existed for well over a millennium, it is no longer common even in Asia. The Aro gTér is one of the few lineages conferring Vajrayana ordination in the West.

Unlike monastic ordination, Vajrayana ordination does not entail vows of either celibacy, abstemiousness, or poverty. Ordained Tantrikas may marry and have children. They may have careers which are not religious. Vajrayana concerns the transformation of all experience, rather than retreating from the world. One’s family and career are therefore central to practice. This ordination is not inferior to monastic ordination — but parallel. Vajrayana vows are primarily perceptual – and therefore more subtle and difficult to maintain than monastic vows.

Vajrayana ordination, like monastic ordination, involves irrevocable vows to act for the benefit of others. Among these is the vow to teach – as and when appropriate. Biographies of ordained Aro gTér teachers appear elsewhere on this site.

Ordination in the Aro gTér lineage is possible only after at least five years of intensive practice and study as an apprentice. The practice requirements include consistent daily meditation, and at least nine weeks of solitary retreat. The programme of study culminates in examinations on the practice, theory, and history of Vajrayana Buddhism.

Simply fulfilling these formal prerequisites is insufficient for a candidate for ordination. A fiery determination to practise is the essential requirement.

You will see ordained Tantrikas at all Aro gTér events. They wear distinctive, traditional robes and yogic ornaments, of which the most obvious are their white skirts and uncut hair. They are always available to answer questions.