# How to choose a good preceptor? **URL:** \ **Category:** General Theravada topics\ **Created:** [February 11, 2026, 3:27am UTC](https://classicaltheravada.org/t/how-to-choose-a-good-preceptor/2195 "2026-02-11T03:27:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![HappinessSeeker](https://classicaltheravada.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/h/67e7ee/32.png) [@HappinessSeeker](https://classicaltheravada.org/u/HappinessSeeker)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2026, 3:27am UTC](https://classicaltheravada.org/t/how-to-choose-a-good-preceptor/2195/1 "2026-02-11T03:27:09Z")
How do I find a good preceptor? If someone ordains at Pa Auk, who would normally be the preceptor? Will the preceptor be the one who teaches us meditation or will there be a different teacher? Could someone explain the ordination process at Pa Auk? Does the preceptor give you like a list of names and you have to choose which name you want to have as your monk name and which monk you want as your preceptor? ---
**Author:** ![bksubhuti](https://classicaltheravada.org/user_avatar/classicaltheravada.org/bksubhuti/32/19_2.png) [@bksubhuti](https://classicaltheravada.org/u/bksubhuti)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2026, 8:31am UTC](https://classicaltheravada.org/t/how-to-choose-a-good-preceptor/2195/2 "2026-02-11T08:31:45Z")
It depends on where you ordain within Pa-Auk, who will be your preceptor. As for names: The ordaining monk usually picks a name according to what comes to mind at the time, usually a name starting with the day of the week you were born (Monday, Tuesday, etc.). I think that if you really want to choose a name yourself, you can talk with the monk in charge and pick from a list he gives. If you want to choose 100%, you can ask him too. I think we have discussed this before already, no? ---
**Author:** ![HappinessSeeker](https://classicaltheravada.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/h/67e7ee/32.png) [@HappinessSeeker](https://classicaltheravada.org/u/HappinessSeeker)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2026, 12:45pm UTC](https://classicaltheravada.org/t/how-to-choose-a-good-preceptor/2195/3 "2026-02-11T12:45:39Z")
Thank you for answering, Venerable Sir. Yes, we have discussed names before. I just wanted to make sure about how names are given at Pa-Auk Pyin Oo Lwin specifically. ---
**Author:** ![HappinessSeeker](https://classicaltheravada.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/h/67e7ee/32.png) [@HappinessSeeker](https://classicaltheravada.org/u/HappinessSeeker)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2026, 2:48am UTC](https://classicaltheravada.org/t/how-to-choose-a-good-preceptor/2195/4 "2026-02-12T02:48:44Z")
If I could choose, I would choose this name: Muni which means Sage. I would be okay if the Preceptor gives something similar like Sage of Truth or Sage of Wisdom or even if he gives a totally different name that’s okay as well. ---
**Author:** ![Paññādhammika](https://classicaltheravada.org/user_avatar/classicaltheravada.org/pa%C3%B1%C3%B1%C4%81dhammika/32/972_2.png) [@Paññādhammika](https://classicaltheravada.org/u/Pa%C3%B1%C3%B1%C4%81dhammika)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2026, 1:47am UTC](https://classicaltheravada.org/t/how-to-choose-a-good-preceptor/2195/5 "2026-02-16T01:47:52Z")
Vinaya good, both in theory and in practice, knowledgeable in dhamma, good in meditation, both in theory and in practice. Can do many other monk related things but which is not needed for enlightenment, eg, sewing, etc, but this one seems more of an optional thing. Check their view on what’s parinibbāna, avoid if they think parinibbāna is something, not nothing. ---
**Author:** ![HappinessSeeker](https://classicaltheravada.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/h/67e7ee/32.png) [@HappinessSeeker](https://classicaltheravada.org/u/HappinessSeeker)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2026, 2:50pm UTC](https://classicaltheravada.org/t/how-to-choose-a-good-preceptor/2195/6 "2026-02-21T14:50:32Z")
> [@bksubhuti](#): > > think that if you really want to choose a name yourself, you can talk with the monk in charge and pick from a list he gives. If you want to choose 100%, you can ask him too. I hope I can get the name Temiya when I ordain in the future. I feel inspired after reading the Mūgapakkha Jataka.