Becoming a Monk

zen_world

Hi everybody,

What would be your advice for someone who wants to become a monk. I put the following alternatives. Can you please share your opinion ?

1- Go to Dharmsala and look for a temple...
2- Enroll into Monk for a Month program
3- Travel to Thailand and visit Wat Pah Nanachat Monastery
4- Back pack to Japan

Which option would be more feasible in terms of cost and chance of being accepted into the temple...
This is very important. please help!

I have Canadian passport and I only speak English!

Thanks in advance

taiyaki

I wanted to be a monk for a while then I decided not to.

You can probably find a monastery or center near you in Canada.
Try a retreat there and test it out.

You don't need to go to the other side of the world to find truth.
If you want to though, just go and don't worry about anything else.

Think about what kind of Buddhism you want to "partake" in.

aura

Your enthusiasm is admirable.
Becoming a monk isn't as much a matter of going anywhere as it is a matter of going within, with the aid of advanced study, which is generally best undertaken in your own native language (or at least undertaken in a language of which you have some understanding!)
I would advise you to contact Lama Surya Das "The Western Lama" and ask where you might begin a course of advanced study in your native English, with perhaps additional studies in the original language of the particular tradition that you most favor.
http://www.surya.org/category/ask-the-lama-2/

person

Here's a link to a lot of articles on ordaining, they're applicable to both genders:

http://www.thubtenchodron.org/BuddhistNunsMonasticLife/index.html

And Gampo Abbey, Pema Chodron's monastery in Nova Scotia. Maybe a good place to try an extended retreat out before making the big plunge.

http://www.gampoabbey.org/

MindGate

I was offered by a monk in Thailand to become a monk when I'm 18. They just said that I'd fly over, they'd shave my head and eyebrows, and I'd start.

Vincenzi

Japan... because of the language (in my case) and preference.

santhisouk

Number 3, but only if you are going all the way, don't mind spending some time living in a forest, eating once a day, meditating all day, lonliness, dangers of nature, and many other obstacles.

with metta

Tikal2012

I'd say if you really are serious about making the abrupt transition from the worldly life into the monastic life, and have the money, go to South-East Asia, and visit Wat Pah Monastery. However, a more soft and suitable option would be to enroll in a monthly ordination scheme that lets you get a good idea of what it's like to be a monk, and also so that you don't get yourself into something that you might not be fully committed to. Don't think too hard about taking up the robe. It's good to direct your mind in that direction, and you should always lean towards renunciation, but don't make it into a huge, heavy life changing decision. Let the renunciation come gently to you, when it is time for you to take up the robe, the opportunity will present it's self you to, and you will know 'It is time.' Good luck.

DhammaDhatu

3- Travel to Thailand and visit Wat Pah Nanachat Monastery

or easier, simply visit one of the monasteries at this link near your home

http://www.forestsangha.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=section&layout=blog&id=10&Itemid=9

andyZ

Here's a good approach, taken by MRO.org temple, that I think makes the most sense, especially if you haven't had any prolonged exposure to a rigorous Buddhist practice. Making sure you understand what you're getting into and your motivation behind it is vital. I also agree that you don't have to travel half of the world to find what you're looking for. If you live in Eastern Canada, NY is close and has many well established centers that may give you a sense of what is to be a monastic. http://mro.org/zmm/training/monasticpractice.php

The process leading to full ordination is long and demanding, designed to clarify what the life of a monastic is. Requirements for ordination include at least five years of practice as a formal student, with a minimum of three years of residency, prior to full ordination and subsequent residential monastic training. This graded approach allows students to find out through experience whether monastic life is right for them. It reveals the difference between the reality of committing one's life to the buddhadharma and any romantic notions about Zen training and monastic life.

genkaku

In New York City, I once heard tell of a young man who was determined to become a monk. So he quit his job, got rid of his possessions and traveled across the river to New Jersey where there was a Tibetan center of some sort. When the young man had knocked on the door and declared his intention to become a monk, the monk listening to him issued his first instruction: "Go get a job."

dharma

I would say spend some time at a monastery in Canada or enroll into Monk for a Month program before going to Sri Lanka. The monks there seems knowledgeable.

zen_world

You guys gave great ideas...Appreciate all the comments and links. I am doing my research.
So none of you think Dharmsala is a good place to start?
I want to attend this Tushuta center....Sounds like they have very comprehensive programmes and then they can also help me to get ordained in a monastray!

Sabre

Just find a teacher and school you are attracted to. If you think you'll find it in Dharamsala, then go there. If you think you find it in Thailand, then go there. If you think you can find it in a lonely cave nearby, then go and sit there.

monsieurantoine

If you look for Theravada teaching in Canada before you may try : http://www.tisarana.ca/ near Perth or http://www.arrowriver.ca/ near Thunder Bay in Ontario. In BC, http://birken.ca/ might also be another place.

person

There's also nothing wrong with traveling to these places and seeing whats up first before jumping in with both feet. At 24 I spent 4 months on pilgrimage through India and Nepal, seeing the holy sites, recieving teachings, attending retreats and the like, it was a great time. Living is cheap, the expensive part is the plane ticket there, though that was a while ago and prices have probably gone up with development.

aura

If your great wish is to visit or live in any foreign country (or study to become a monk in any foreign country)...
the very first place to start would be to study the basics of the language(s) of that country. If you have not endeavored to learn the basics of the language(s) before you arrive there, the likelihood that you will be regarded as a mere tourist is high, and the likelihood that you will be regarded as a serious student and be taken seriously is low.

NOTaGangsta

Dun goto Thailand homeboy! Get wid da Mahayana and join a chan/zen monstery.