Asking to Be a Nun

My very dear Jennifer,
Thank you very much for your kind letter. Sorry I didn't get to reply immediately. I still remember doing Lama Chöpa in the apartment in the living room with you and your friend. My memory is you were very alert and still, and you were able to stay sitting straight even very late at night. I was surprised, so I mentioned to you maybe you could become a nun, and you said this time it was difficult, maybe in the next life.

So I said, “You never know, life can change.” What I thought was maybe you had a fixed idea of a husband or boyfriend, but maybe you would get bored or something could happen, changes happen. So, as I was saying, life can change.

So, I accept you to become a nun, you can take ordination. You're most welcome. Next year seems bad, I don't know what the obstacle is, so that means you should take ordination at the end of this year. If you are in your country, then you can request it from the geshe. That came out as good in my observations. Or, maybe, if you are in India from December 16, that is another time to take ordination. It's good that you're making some money for your future.

My advice is if the geshe accepts, you can take ordination any time and still do your job. Of course, it may not be easy doing a job and being a nun, but this depends on the person.

If I have already given you a list of preliminary practices, then continue with those and meditate on the lamrim, on the suffering of samsara, from guru devotion and perfect human rebirth, up to karma, then on the general path of the middle capable being, the general sufferings and 12 links.

When you take ordination you have to think “Now I change from an ordinary life to a nun’s life, to a nun’s lifestyle.” According to the vinaya, women can only take ordination once in their life. There is no second chance.

Then, live your life in the lamrim, this is what keeps your life strong, supports you, gives you hope, encourages you, gives you all happiness, all temporary happiness, liberation from samsara, and enlightenment.

Try to have the realization of bodhicitta, as well as the realization of renunciation. Live in the lamrim practice, based on the vows. Continue with guru devotion, the preliminary practices, purifying and accumulating merits. On this basis, then you can do some tantric practice, whatever you can.

Then, do some retreat, all based on the lamrim—some deity retreat and lamrim retreat.

With much love and prayers...