DHAMMACHAI FOUNDATION

BUDDHIST ORDINATION PROGRAM AT BOROBUDUR INDONESIABUDDHIST ORDINATION OFFERS A SPIRITUAL PATH ROOTED IN THE TEACHINGS OF THE BUDDHA, PROVIDING A STRUCTURED ENVIRONMENT AND ESSENTIAL CONDITIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS TO DEDICATE THEMSELVES TO A LIFE OF DISCIPLINE, WISDOM, COMPASSION, MINDFULNESS, SELF-CONTROL, HUMILITY, AND RESPONSIBILITY. THROUGH MEDITATION AND ETHICAL LIVING, PARTICIPANTS IMMERSE THEMSELVES IN BUDDHIST PRACTICE. THIS ORDINATION PROGRAM NOT ONLY BENEFITS INDIVIDUALS BUT ALSO FOSTERS A STRONG SENSE OF COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY. IN PRACTICE, BUDDHIST MONKS AND NOVICES LEAD SIMPLE LIVES FOCUSED ON SPIRITUAL GROWTH. THEY SERVE AS ROLE MODELS, PROMOTING MORAL CONDUCT WHILE ENGAGING IN TEACHING, COUNSELING, AND SOCIAL WORK TO UPHOLD AND SPREAD THE BUDDHA'S TEACHINGS. THEIR PRESENCE HELPS CULTIVATE PEACE WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.PROGRAM OVERVIEWTHE ORDINATION PROGRAM LASTS FOR 18 DAYS AND IS OFFERED AT NO COST. THE SCHEDULE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING KEY COMPONENTS: PREPARATION PHASE: PARTICIPANTS ENGAGE IN ESSENTIAL CHANTING FOR THE ORDINATION CEREMONY AND UNDERGO A PHYSICAL CHECK-UP. PRE-ORDINATION TRAINING: ATTENDEES PREPARE FOR ORDINATION BY SHAVING THEIR HEADS, ADOPTING A SIMPLE BUDDHIST LIFESTYLE, AND OBSERVING THE EIGHT PRECEPTS, WHICH INCLUDE REFRAINING FROM EATING AFTER MIDDAY AND RESIDING IN DESIGNATED AREAS. THEY ALSO PRACTICE MEDITATION UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF EXPERIENCED TEACHERS, DEEPENING THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF BUDDHIST TEACHINGS. ORDINATION CEREMONY: ON THE ORDINATION DAY, PARTICIPANTS SEEK FORGIVENESS FROM THEIR FAMILIES, RELATIVES, AND LAYPEOPLE BEFORE OFFICIALLY ENTERING MONASTIC LIFE. NOVICES UNDERTAKE THE TEN PRECEPTS. MONASTIC LIFE & PRACTICE: DURING THE PROGRAM, NOVICES RECEIVE ONLY TWO MEALS PER DAY. ADDITIONALLY, THEY PARTICIPATE IN CANDLE LIGHTING AT BOROBUDUR AND DHAMMAYATRA OR DHUTANGHA, A 16-KILOMETER WALKING JOURNEY THROUGH VARIOUS COMMUNITIES, WHERE LAYPEOPLE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO WELCOME THEM, OFFER FOOD, PAY RESPECTS, AND RECEIVE BLESSINGS. REFLECTION & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: ON THE FINAL DAY, PARTICIPANTS REFLECT ON THEIR EXPERIENCES, SHARING INSIGHTS GAINED FROM THEIR TIME IN THE PROGRAM. THEY ALSO DISCUSS WAYS TO CONTRIBUTE TO THEIR COMMUNITIES AND FUTURE GENERATIONS BY PROMOTING THE BUDDHA'S TEACHINGS AND MEDITATION PRACTICES.PROGRAM RESOURCESTHIS ORDINATION PROGRAM IS SUPPORTED BY TEACHING MONKS AND STAFF FROM WAT PHRA DHAMMAKAYA, THAILAND. IT PROVIDES ALL ESSENTIAL MATERIALS, INCLUDING ALMS BOWLS, NOVICES' ROBES, CEREMONY TENT, INDIVIDUAL TENTS, SHAVING SUPPLIES, BASIC HEALTHCARE, AND DAILY SUSTENANCE (TWO MEALS AND ONE REFRESHMENT) FOR UP TO 500 PARTICIPANTS. ADDITIONALLY, ALL NECESSARY SUPPLIES FOR SIMPLE MONASTIC LIVING ARE MADE AVAILABLE TO ENSURE AN AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCE THROUGHOUT THE PROGRAM.

THE FULL MOON MEDITATION PROGRAM IS A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT BETWEEN DHAMMACHAI FOUNDATION AND THE MEDITATION CENTER OF CHICAGO, ALONG WITH OTHER AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS NORTH AMERICA. CONDUCTED PRIMARILY VIA THE ZOOM APPLICATION, THIS PROGRAM IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC NATIONWIDE, OFFERING INDIVIDUALS THE OPPORTUNITY TO BENEFIT FROM POSITIVE ENERGY WHILE ENGAGING IN MEDITATION. THE FULL MOON MEDITATION PROGRAM AIMS TO PROMOTE WELL-BEING ON PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, AND SPIRITUAL LEVELS FOR INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES, BOTH WITHIN THE UNITED STATES AND GLOBALLY. THE STRUCTURE OF THE FULL MOON MEDITATION PROGRAM TYPICALLY INCLUDES:INTRODUCTION: A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE SESSION.WISDOM TALK: INSIGHTS AND REFLECTIONS FROM THE MASTER'S TEACHINGS.CANDLE LIGHTING: SYMBOLIC OF ENLIGHTENING TO CREATE A SERENE ATMOSPHERE.GUIDED MEDITATION: A STRUCTURED MEDITATION SESSION LED BY AN EXPERIENCED MONK.LOVING-KINDNESS MEDITATION: FOSTERING COMPASSION AND GOOD WISHES TOWARD SELF AND OTHERS.Q&A SESSION: OPPORTUNITY FOR PARTICIPANTS TO SEEK FURTHER CLARIFICATION AND DEEPEN THEIR UNDERSTANDING.WITH THESE COMPONENTS, THE FULL MOON MEDITATION PROGRAM PROVIDES BENEFITS AND FOSTERS PERSONAL GROWTH AND COMMUNITY CONNECTION.