For a woman to become a bhikkhuni, she must meet several basic requirements. They are generally quite practical:  She must not be pregnant or nursing If she has a child, she must arrange other care for her dependent She must be of sound mind and body She must be free of debt and other obligation They vary in size (from very small to quite large) and can be found in rural areas in addition to in cities. Once you've found one that's right for you, express your interest in training there. Each community has different regulations, but most will have you training for a few weeks. If you enjoyed your time at the monastery and they, in turn, took a liking to you, you may be asked to return upon the completion of your initial training. It is during this time that you will undertake the eight Buddhist precepts. These are the 5 of lay practitioners, plus three more (known as the upasika vows).  You do not have to shave your head at this juncture. You will, however, be wearing white or white and black clothing. This stage normally takes a few weeks to a few months. The precepts (or Garudhammas) are the following: She must not harm any human or non-human life She must not steal She must abstain from all sexual activity She must not tell lies or deceive She must not drink alcohol or otherwise ingest intoxicants She must only eat at the appropriate times She must not sing, dance, or wear cosmetics or perfume She must not indulge in sleep or spend her time in luxurious places This literally means "homeless one," since you will have abandoned your home for the life of a nun. You are required to shave your head, wear white robes, and uphold the 8 precepts. This normally takes six months to several years, depending on your situation.  As of now, you are still technically a lay person. You are allowed to handle money and support yourself financially, though certain expenses will be shared with other women in the same position. Practice meditation. The "Brahma Viharas" of Loving Kindness (Metta), Joy of Appreciation (Mudita), Compassion (Karuna) & Equanimity (Upekkhā) are very important meditations to develop. This is where you fully enter the pabbajja, or monastic life. Different communities have different age requirements and traditions when it comes to this stage. Certain countries will place prospective members on a probationary period before the pabbajja commences. Now you must undertake the ten novice precepts, which includes not using money. You may also be prohibited from driving. You will also be given an elder member to become your personal teacher. This is known as higher ordination. With the permission of your teacher (after an agreed-upon period of time), you may request to become a full-fledged Bhikkhuni. 20 people will (must) witness the ceremony you will be ordained with a whopping 311 precepts. After 10 years or so, you will begin teaching and taking on your own proteges. Within that time, you may travel as much as you please, working with different mentors or staying all your life with your original teacher. After 20 years, you will be deemed a Mahatheri or Great Elder.

Summary: Meet the requirements. Find a training location. Enter the pre-postulancy stage. Become a candidate or Anagarika. Graduate to becoming a samanera, or novice. Take the Bhikkuni vows. Become a Theri or Elder.


For this method you will need a few extra supplies, but the pipe is easy to make and the result looks more neat.

Summary: Get an apple, a knife, a spoon and a pencil.


Our bodies get accustomed to diet and exercise routines very quickly. Keeping your body guessing by switching up your fitness plan will help you overcome plateaus and prevent weight gain.  Alternate between eating six small meals one day and three bigger meals the next. Switch off between cardio and strength training exercises throughout the week. Weight loss can often trigger the desire to binge, or overeat. The best way to avoid binging is to eat the things you crave in moderation. If you constantly deprive yourself, you will be much more likely to have binging episodes. If you have lost weight, then your stomach has probably shrunk, meaning you need less food to feel full. Listen to your body, and only eat as much as you need to feel full. If you go back to your old eating patterns after reaching your goal weight, you will definitely gain some, if not all, of the weight back. If you are constantly suffering, you will eventually give up on your diet and exercise plan--it's only natural. Find a lifestyle that you feel comfortable with. Choose an exercise that you enjoy. If you are having fun, you will be much more likely to stick with it in the long term.

Summary: Add variety to your diet and workout routine. Prevent binging. Don't go back to your old eating patterns. Find a doable eating and exercise pattern.


Part of the fun of having a pet is handling it and enjoying its company.  Handling your water dragon can be fun for both you and your pet, if done properly.  As always, be gentle whenever handling your dragon, in addition to these other steps:  Handle your dragon at a young age to ensure that it's accepting of being handled as an adult. Work slowly when trying to handle your water dragon at first.  It will need to get used to your presence before trusting you. Don't force any interaction with your water dragon.  Doing so will only cause your water dragon to distrust you. Try hand feeding your dragon first, inside the cage.  Once it accepts food from your hand, you can try to remove it from its container. Never pick up a water dragon by its tail. Your water dragon will need a diet that suits its nutritional needs and matches what it would eat in the wild.  The diet will consist mainly of insects, of various types, and some vegetables and fruit.  This diet will help keep it healthy, strong, and happy.  The main elements of the diet include crickets and mealworms. However, these tend to be low in calcium in captivity and need to be dusted with calcium powder immediately prior to feeding to the water dragon, to ensure that the dragon gets enough calcium in the diet for healthy bones. Waxworms are also an option, however, they are high in fat and should be offered sparsely. Dark green vegetables, such as kale, collard, mustard, and dandelion leaves can be a great addition to your dragon's diet. Some fruits can be included as well.  Try feeding your water dragon bananas, cantaloupe, or strawberries. Large adult water dragons can eat earthworms, pinkie mice, or small feeder fish. Young dragons should be fed daily. Adult water dragons should be fed once every three days. Your water dragon won't require much grooming, however, there are some things you can do to keep your water dragon clean and happy.  The two main areas of grooming that you will focus on involve the nails and bathing of your dragon.  Keep an eye on your water dragons nails.  If you notice the nails getting long, they can be trimmed.  Keeping them short will make handling the dragon more comfortable. Find someone who can show you how to trim your dragons nails in person, as it is difficult for a beginner to do without seriously harming the water dragon.  Allow your water dragon to soak in water regularly.  This can help prevent constipation as well as keep it clean. As with all pets, scheduling a regular exam with your veterinarian is a critical part of maintaining that pet's health.  Find a local veterinarian that works with reptiles and ask them about setting up appointments to examine your Chinese water dragon.  Young dragons, under the age of four, should be checked at least once annually. Older water dragons, over four years, should be examined twice yearly.
Summary: Learn how to handle your water dragon. Provide a proper diet. Groom your water dragon. Schedule regular exams with a veterinarian.