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Becoming a monk

rob_dntxrob_dntx
edited October 2010 in Buddhism Basics
what if I wanted to?

I have had passing thoughts about just selling all of my things, buying a ticket to Thailand and finding my way to a temple or monastery. Any thoughts on this or real life experience doing this? Would they accept me as a novice, or would I need to contact them beforehand and set something up?

Ideally I would just like to give everything up and re-learn my life and existence. Was just curious about this though, because I don't really know anything about the form or etiquette of becoming a monk in a place like Thailand(never been there).

Comments

  • SherabDorjeSherabDorje
    edited September 2010
    You could try it in the US first- or do a little traveling in the US to ask. If you Google "Buddhism Texas" you could probably find one within easy driving distance, and then just ask the monk you meet that way. No need to run away to Thailand for something you might find you're not into.

    Look here:


    http://www.dharmaweb.org/index.php/Texas
  • nanadhajananadhaja Veteran
    edited September 2010
    Hi Rob.
    A couple of things I would like to suggest.
    First you say that you have had passing thoughts.I would suggest not acting on impulse.
    If you want to see what it is like to be a monk and would also like to visit Thailand then perhaps I could suggest the monk for a month program.
    It is now free and allows foreigners to ordain as samaneras(novices)and you would be on 10 precepts while ordained.My understanding is you would be on 8 precepts for the first couple of weeks before ordaining.
    The monk for a month programme has a website so maybe you can check that out.
    If you feel that you would like to continue on and become a monk,it is my understanding that the abbot has helped others on the programme who have not wanted to disrobe to find a temple where they can do this.
    I wish you all the best as you investigate the path.
    I took about 2 years before finally deciding that I was going to ordain and so when I knew it was what I really wanted I gave away everything I owned and did i.
    With metta
  • GuyCGuyC Veteran
    edited September 2010
    Have you ever been on a meditation retreat? I recommend you give this a go before diving in the deep end.

    Are you new to Buddhism? You might ordain before you are ready, find the practice too difficult, then disrobe and lose interest in Dhamma altogether.

    It is better, in my opinion, to practice the Dhamma as a lay person for a while first. Take several meditation retreats, go and stay at a monastery as a lay person during the Rains Retreat so you have time to talk to monks and get a better understanding of monastic life.

    Once you have given the idea of ordination time to settle and you have been practicing for a while, then see if you still want to ordain. If you do, then I wish you all the best.

    But this is just my 2 cents...

    If you ignore this advice and go ahead and ordain tomorrow, then I also wish you all the best.

    May your Path to Nibbana be short and pleasant!
  • TheJourneyTheJourney
    edited September 2010
    I'm new, so i'm not going to rush into any thoughts like this, but it's certainly always something to consider. I could see it possibly happening at some point, though, but I would have to be sure it was what I wanted before pursuing it.
  • ThailandTomThailandTom Veteran
    edited September 2010
    You could head to thailand and down to surat thani as there are a few western ajahns there, they will accept you for sure. As long as yo are serious and dedicated to the transformation, you will be welcomed in most monasteries of thailand. Maybe come here and attend a retreat where you become a monk for a few weeks first, you still shave your head, wear robes, meditate, do charity work etc, but only for a few weeks.
  • FordbroncoFordbronco
    edited October 2010
    Hey Rob! I live near Denton just like you :D

    http://www.meditationintexas.org/

    Check this website and learn more, i plan to try and go to something soon, good luck!
  • PalzangPalzang Veteran
    edited October 2010
    Rob,

    I would urge you not to run off to some foreign country with the idea of becoming a monk. You were born (presumably) in the US, and the US is where you are needed as that is where your karma lies. I would urge you to follow the advice of others here who have suggested giving the lifestyle a try before proceeding any further. I have known too many people who rushed into ordination with all sorts of romantic ideas about what it would be like only to end up dropping the robes and incurring all sorts of negative karma that you really don't want. Much better to take a mature approach and do this gradually. I would even drop the idea of becoming a monk at all at this point and just concentrate on developing your practice. Without "finding your seat", as the Zennies put it, becoming a monk would be doomed from the get-go. In other words, don't put the cart before the horse. Becoming a monk, if done properly, is a lifetime commitment. If you're not prepared for that, it won't work, guaranteed. You don't make lifetime commitments (and mean them) based on "passing thoughts". Also there are multitudinous opportunities to become ordained in a wide variety of Buddhist traditions right here in the good ol' USA, so why go to Thailand, where you don't speak the language and would probably feel completely out of place? Remember those who are looking to you for liberation.

    Non sibi - Not for Self

    Palzang
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