How to Become a Zen Buddhist Reverend and Dharma Instructor in the Korean Buddhist Taego Order Lineage
One must study a two-year course at the Institute for Buddhist Studies USA (http://www.ibs-usa.org). I.B.S. USA is the official seminary (for those in the west) of the Taego Order where students can learn through an English based site. After completing the curriculum required by I.B.S. USA, if the student meets the requirements, they will be able to be ordained as a Taego Zen Buddhist Reverend and Dharma Teacher through the Ordination Council in California.
How to Become a Monk in the Korean Buddhist Taego Order
Before becoming a monk in the Korean Buddhist Taego Order, one needs to align with one of our existing temples and work with a Taego Monk, one on one. For a list of Taego temples and monks please see (link). The Sunim will advise, based on students experience, where to begin. Attending retreats (minimum once a year), is mandatory for monks in training. As we are a part of the Taego Order family of Korea, all overseas Parish monks in training are required to learn proper protocols, just as is taught in all Korean Taego Temples. When the Overseas council feels the student is ready and has met the requirements for ordination, they will have the opportunity to travel to Korea for training and ordination as Samanera (for male) or Samaneri (for female) under the Taego Order’s Ordination Counci in Korea.
IBS Allows you to gain a formal, non-sectarian Buddhist education through our online seminary program. Authentic monastic and lay ordinations recogized in Korea and around the world.
The I.B.S. Online Seminary was created to allow those interested to study while keeping their job and family life. Retreats offered regularly in North America, with opportunities to study abroad. Celibacy is optional.
