Six Summer Going-forths at Abhayagiri

On the evening of July 22, 2009, Abhayagiri’s three resident white-robed anagārikas donned brown robes and received the ten sāmanera (novice monk) precepts from Ajahn Pasanno. They then undertook dependence for one year on both co-abbots. This was the first-ever triple going forth of Abhayagiri residents. During the ceremony, the new sāmaneras received Pali names: Anagārika Ian became Sāmanera Kovilo (firm as the earth), Anagārika Louis became Sāmanera Ñāṇamedhi (a sage through knowledge), and Anagārika Carl became Sāmanera Pamutto (one who is liberated). After the ceremony, Ajahn Amaro urged the new sāmaneras to reflect upon their additional precepts and etiquette in regards to almsbowls and robes as a training in learning to live simply.

For a few days, the Abhayagiri monastic line contained only brown robed bhikkhus and novices. However, on July 26 (not coincidentally Ajahn Pasanno’s 60th birthday), white robes again graced the Abhayagiri Dhamma Hall when lay residents Sean and Scott left the “cramped and dusty” home life to undertake anagārika training. In his Dhamma talk after the ceremony, Ajahn Amaro reminded Anagārikas Sean and Scott to make the resolution to learn from both the blissful and the difficult times during their year as anagārikas. The final ordination this summer occurred on the full moon night of September 4, when lay resident Nate Bertram requested the anagārika precepts and donned the white robes.

With three sāmaneras and three anagārikas in residence, there are now more junior monastics training at Abhayagiri than at previous time in its 13-year history. We hope that the new ordainees find spiritual benefit in their monastic training and that this record level of interest bodes well for the future of Abhayagiri Monastery and Buddhist monasticism in the West.