Spiritual Mentorship

For Dedicated Lay Buddhist Practitioners

The Spiritual Mentorship Program for Dedicated Lay Buddhist Practitioners who are new to the Theravada tradition of the Liberation Path (Vimutta 解脱道) is to provide a formal training structure to practice and study under the mentorship of Bhante Mudita.

The central teaching theme of this Mentorship program is a systematic study and practice of The Buddha’s Noble Eightfold Path, using a core text by Bhikkhu Bodhi (“The Noble Eightfold Path: The Way to the End of Suffering”) and corresponding Dhamma talks by Bhante Mudita. Beyond this central theme, monthly assignments deal with the broad topics of meditation, sutta study, chanting, monastery etiquette, forms and conventions of the Theravada Tradition, and the symbiotic relationship between the monastic Sangha and lay practitioners. Meditation instruction highlights Bhante Mudita’s methods for various types of meditations.

After successful completion of the initial year of training, new graduates can renew their yearly commitment for continued study and spiritual guidance.

Program Objectives:

To provide dedicated lay practitioners with a formal spiritual training structure that will aid in the deepening of individual practice and self-discipline.
To cultivate lay practitioners’ conceptual and experiential understanding of the Teachings of the Buddha, as well as the forms and conventions of Bhante Mudita and the Theravada Tradition.
To strengthen the symbiotic relationship between the Sangha (Bhante Mudita) and affiliated lay practitioners.
To foster a supportive community of ‘kalyānamittas’ (spiritual friends) for like-minded lay people affiliated with Bhante Mudita.

The Spiritual Mentorship Commitment:
By committing to the Spiritual Mentorship Program, participants will inform themselves about:

The Three Refuges and the Five Precepts as a foundation for the spiritual life.
The Theravada Tradition (Bhante Mudita lineage) as the focus of their Buddhist practice.
Bhante Mudita’s teachings, modes of practice, and guidance for the duration of the program.
The practice of formal meditation daily.
Designate one ‘Day of Observance’ per week, on which a heightened importance is given to their spiritual practice (e.g. following the Eight Precepts (see below) and making more time for meditation on the weekly days and/or the selected ‘Day of Observance’).
Commit to actively engage with the monthly assignments (assigned chants, and readings).
Commit to complete and submit all four quarterly Program Completion Surveys.
Commit to complete the full one year of training.
After the successful completion of the first year of this training, participants will then have the opportunity to join established groups and renew their spiritual guidance commitment.