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Prospective Applicants
We ask those who may be interested in becoming a monk to first attend a Beginners Retreat and in general get to know what is involved in living at the Abbey. Then, if you still wish to consider becoming a monk, a longer introductory stay will be the next step.
At Shasta Abbey, there are prerequisites for becoming an applicant to the priesthood. These include:
- to be single and unmarried;
- to have received the Ten Precepts (Jukai)
and become a lay Buddhist;
- to have spent one year in the monastery as a lay resident;
- to be familiar with the Order of Buddhist Contemplatives and the practice of Serene Reflection Meditation.
Prospective applicants are encouraged but not required to have sufficient funds to meet incidental expenses prior to entering the priesthood.
The vocation to be a priest is a lifetime commitment. All postulants and priests of the Order are celibate.
Postulancy
When the applicant demonstrates the sincerity, willingness, and maturity necessary to pursue a monastic vocation, he or she may apply to enter the postulancy. A postulant wears monk's robes without taking formal monastic vows and participates fully in the life of the monastic community. Postulancy usually lasts one to two years. At the end of this time, if the postulant wishes to become a priest and has demonstrated that he or she is a suitable candidate for the priesthood, the postulant will be offered the opportunity to receive ordination at the Abbot's discretion.
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Shasta Abbey is a recognized seminary for the Buddhist priesthood. Sincere men and women who wish to devote their lives to the Buddhist Dharma as priests are welcome to apply for ordination in the Order of Buddhist Contemplatives. This is a lengthy process, described briefly here. |
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Priest-Trainee
Ordination is the beginning of the formal training of a Buddhist priest. A novice priest (priest-trainee) spends at least five years training with senior priests in the monastery, practicing meditation, learning ceremonial, studying the Dharma, doing manual work, and learning to embody the commitment to a life of selfless service.
Full Priest
When the priest-trainee has demonstrated an understanding of training which expresses itself through sincerity of purpose and constant, steady commitment, he or she is offered the opportunity to receive Dharma Transmission and continue training as a full priest.

Temple bell, a gift from Sangha in Japan, inscribed with
Rev. Master Jiyu-Kennett's verse
honoring becoming a monk.
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