International Ordination Programme
Ordain as a novice at Sarnath, where the Buddha first taught — for men from outside India
An opportunity to train
The Ordination Programme for India is also open to men from other countries. You train as the Buddha taught, and practise the Dhamma correctly, under guidance.
You ordain as a novice at Sarnath. Training is held at the Chinese Temple, Sarnath, and the novice ordination takes place at the Dhamek Stupa. Training is led by a Thai monk of 24 rains, in the Theravāda tradition.
Places are limited: 50 per intake (Intake 1: 30 for now, while the team prepares — later applications go on its reserve list and may be taken in if the team is ready for more), shared with the participants from India. Book your place first — fill in the application form completely, with every document it asks for. Places go in the order complete applications arrive; once an intake is full, new applications go on its reserve list.
Taking part in the programme is free. Everything outside the programme — your travel, your visas and other arrangements — you organise and pay for yourself.
Two ways to take part
Come for a few days, or come to stay.
A few days in robes — any intake
Join any of the six intakes in 2027. Arrive about three days before the ordination and keep the eight precepts while you prepare (at the latest, the day before the ordination).
You spend three full days in robes, learning the precepts and how to meditate, and return to lay life on the morning of the fourth day.
People of any religion may join the short-term programme.
Apply — short-termFive years in Thailand — Intake 5 or 6
From outside India the long-term path starts with Intake 5 (arrive Monday 21 June 2027) or Intake 6 (arrive Sunday 11 July 2027), and stay at Sarnath until at least October. Once you have booked your place, we send you an invitation letter for an Indian X2 visa.
You ordain as a novice at Sarnath and learn Thai there. Only when your Thai is good enough do you go on to full ordination in Thailand in December 2027, and then five years of study and training there. The path step by step
Apply — long-termWho can apply
- Male by birth
- Aged 20 or over on the day of ordination
- For the long-term path: aged no more than 40
- For the long-term path: a Buddhist, able to stay the full five years in Thailand
- For the long-term path: living in one of the countries in Table 1
- For the long-term path: able to eat whatever food is offered, including meat — monks in Thailand eat what lay people offer
- No serious illness and no infectious disease
- Able to communicate in English
- Able to follow the rules and regulations of the programme
| Region | Countries |
|---|---|
| Asia | Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan |
| Oceania | Australia, New Zealand |
| Americas | Canada, United States |
| Africa | South Africa |
| Europe | All countries in Europe |
The short-term programme is open to every country. If your country is not in Table 1 and you hope to stay long-term, please write to us on WhatsApp before you apply.
2027 schedule
Six intakes, all at Sarnath, India. Short-term: any intake. Long-term from outside India: Intake 5 or 6.
| Intake | Dates | Novice ordination |
|---|---|---|
| Intake 1 | 11–19 Feb | Sun 14 Feb |
| Intake 2 | 11–18 Mar | Sun 14 Mar |
| Intake 3 | 12–19 Apr | Thu 15 Apr |
| Intake 4 | 12–19 May | Sat 15 May |
| Intake 5 | 21–28 Jun | Thu 24 Jun |
| Intake 6 | 11–19 Jul | Wed 14 Jul |
Intake 1 stays one day longer for the opening of a Dhamma chanting ceremony at Sarnath on Thursday 18 February. Intake 6 stays one day longer for Āsāḷha Pūjā on Sunday 18 July, the day the Buddha gave his first teaching, here at Sarnath.
All dates are in 2027 and are provisional; they may be adjusted as the programme develops. Places are shared with the programme for India — the live count of applications is on the main programme page.
The long-term path from outside India
For those who come to stay.
| Stage | When | Where | What happens |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | From 21 June or 11 July 2027 | Sarnath, India | Eight precepts at the Chinese Temple, then novice ordination (pabbajjā) at the Dhamek Stupa with Intake 5 (24 June) or Intake 6 (14 July) |
| 2 | Until at least October 2027 | Sarnath, India | Learning Thai as a novice — you need it, because all study in Thailand is taught in Thai. If your Indian visa ends before October, leave India, renew it and come back |
| 3 | Before you leave Sarnath | Sarnath, India | Assessment by the committee: conduct, keeping the precepts, living well with others, diligence, and your Thai. If your Thai does not pass, you do not go on to Thailand |
| 4 | October – November 2027 | Your own country | You go home and apply for your Thai visa with the documents the programme sends you — allow about a month. Then you fly to Thailand, at your own cost, on the date the programme sets |
| 5 | December 2027 | Thailand | Full ordination as a bhikkhu (upasampadā) |
| 6 | December 2027 – December 2032 | Thailand | Study of the Dhamma and Vinaya, with training in virtue and meditation, for five full calendar years |
Book first, then the visa. Fill in the application form completely, with your passport. Only once your place is booked do we issue any letter for your visa.
Long-term: you come on an Indian X2 visa. This is the Indian visa for people coming to join a temple or a Buddhist organisation. Dhammacakka Foundation Trust is a registered organisation in India; once your place is booked, we send you an invitation letter, and you apply for the X2 visa yourself at the Indian embassy or Indian visa centre in your country, and pay its fee. Do not come on a tourist visa or an e-Visa for the long-term path.
Short-term: you come on an ordinary visa, as for any visit to India. First ask the Indian visa centre in your country (for example VFS) whether you need an invitation letter. If they say you do, tell us on WhatsApp and we will send you one. If they say you do not, no letter is needed.
If your visa will end before October 2027, you must leave India, renew it and come back, at your own cost.
Three months is enough only if you can learn Thai in that time. The best way is to start learning Thai before you come. If your Thai does not pass, you do not go on to Thailand.
Questions and answers
Answers from the Programme Director. Anything else — ask on WhatsApp.
Costs and visas
Do I have to pay anything?
Not to take part: the programme itself is free. Your travel, your visas and any other costs outside the programme are your own responsibility.
Which Indian visa do I need?
Book your place first. Everyone from outside India gives passport details in the form, short-term too.
Short-term: an ordinary visa that covers your intake — you are in India for about a week and then go home. Ask the Indian visa centre in your country (for example VFS) whether you need an invitation letter; only if they say yes, tell us on WhatsApp and we will send one.
Long-term: an X2 visa — the Indian visa for people coming to join a temple or a Buddhist organisation. Once your place is booked, we send you an invitation letter for it. You apply at the Indian embassy or Indian visa centre in your country and pay the fee yourself. It must let you stay at Sarnath until at least October 2027; if it ends earlier, leave India, renew it and come back.
Citizens of Nepal need no visa for India.
Long-term: who pays the flight to Thailand and the visa?
You do. After the assessment you go home, apply for the Thai visa yourself with the documents the programme sends you, and fly to Thailand on the date the programme sets. Allow about a month for the visa.
Why only Intake 5 or 6 for the long-term path?
You need to be at Sarnath until at least October 2027, and an Indian visa allows no more than 180 days in a calendar year. The June and July intakes fit that; earlier intakes do not.
Before you come
What should I bring?
- White clothes — please arrive dressed in white
- Your own personal things: toothpaste, toothbrush, towel and similar items
- Your own medicine, if you have a regular condition
- Your passport — we check it against your application on arrival
Anything more will be announced in December 2026, after the team has visited the venue.
How do I get to the temple, and when should I arrive?
Travel to the Chinese Temple, Sarnath (near Varanasi), by yourself, and arrive before 5 pm. After dark the gate is closed and it is hard to get in.
If your flight or train will make you late, tell us in advance. If you will arrive very late, stay in a hotel that night and come the next morning.
Should I shave my head before I come?
If you arrive at the start of the intake (about three days before the ordination), you may shave before coming, or not.
If you arrive only on the day before the ordination, you must arrive with your head and eyebrows already shaved.
Registration
When will I know if I have a place?
Applying gives you a place in the queue for your intake; it is not yet confirmed. The team checks every application.
About four weeks before your intake, our WhatsApp number +66 82 195 6535 sends you a message. Tap "Yes, I will come" within 7 days and your place is confirmed. Please save this number in your phone.
Long-term: is going to Thailand guaranteed?
No. Registering gives you a place at Sarnath. In November 2027 a committee assesses each long-term novice, including his Thai. Those found ready go on to Thailand. For those not selected, the committee decides whether they stay on at the Chinese Temple or return to lay life.
Daily life
What is a day like?
- About 4:30 am — wake up
- 5:00 — chanting and meditation
- About 6:00 — duties, including cleaning the grounds
- About 6:30 or 7:00 — morning meal
- Late morning and afternoon — Dhamma talk and meditation
- Evening — chanting and meditation practice
- About 9:30 pm — lights out
Where will I sleep?
In a shared dormitory — there are no separate rooms.
Can I use my phone?
Yes, during breaks. During talks, meditation and all activities, no phone use at all.
Questions? Ask on WhatsApp
Programme Director
Ven. Anusorn Saraṇaṅkaro
Dhammacakka Foundation Trust, Sarnath