3 Refuges and Training in the Bhikkhu Life

This is a monastery that offers training for men that want to become Bhikkhus, and it’s also a residence for people like myself, as well as a place for Lay People to come and practice.

Why do you need a monastery?  Why not just have a retreat center?  Why do you need Bhikkhus?  Maybe in Sri Lanka you wouldn’t ask that question, but in Western cultures now, there are certainly many ways to practice Buddhism.  There are many Lay teachers, and there are many good retreat centers.  But here in North American culture, and European culture, it’s not taken for granted, the Bhikkhus, and there are many people who think the Bhikkhu Sangha isn’t necessary.