Welcome home! Please contact lincoln@icrontic.com if you have any difficulty logging in or using the site. New registrations must be manually approved which may take several days. Can't log in? Try clearing your browser's cookies.
Becoming a monk
I think it's inevitable for me. I've gotten to a point where I really think it would hinder me if I were to get married and have kids. I've come a long way, and want to continue working towards, non-discrimination and not following after sensual pleasure. How can I pick a girl, if I don't discriminate and follow after sensual pleasures? And I certainly don't want to not be a monk and just be a lonely lay follower.
I know there's some monks on here. How do you do it? Like, I don't mean what is the process like, i've read about it on google. I mean. If I were to want to do it, what would I do? What steps would I take? I'm feeling pretty strongly about this. For some reason I have this assumption that it would be down the line, but...I feel like the longer I wait the more time i'm wasting. I feel like college is wasting my time. Why spend all this money on something i'm not going to use? I know my parents wouldn't like to hear I was thinking about not finishing college, but I think it would soften the blow if I told them I was seriously pursuing this instead of just being lazy. So yea, I just don't know where to start and also any advice you could give would be great and much appreciated.
Also I believe there's a period where I would just be a novice right? To make sure it's what I want. That would be great, so I wouldn't make a huge decision I would wind up regretting. Not saying I would, but anything like this should be tried before you jump in.
I know there's some monks on here. How do you do it? Like, I don't mean what is the process like, i've read about it on google. I mean. If I were to want to do it, what would I do? What steps would I take? I'm feeling pretty strongly about this. For some reason I have this assumption that it would be down the line, but...I feel like the longer I wait the more time i'm wasting. I feel like college is wasting my time. Why spend all this money on something i'm not going to use? I know my parents wouldn't like to hear I was thinking about not finishing college, but I think it would soften the blow if I told them I was seriously pursuing this instead of just being lazy. So yea, I just don't know where to start and also any advice you could give would be great and much appreciated.
Also I believe there's a period where I would just be a novice right? To make sure it's what I want. That would be great, so I wouldn't make a huge decision I would wind up regretting. Not saying I would, but anything like this should be tried before you jump in.
0
Comments
Of course finishing college would be a nice plus, but I can see it being a little possibility, if you have no motivation to do it. And it's not like you can't ever go back to study after becoming a monk.
And I don't believe Nirvana's statement. No-ones gonna ask you for any education to become a monk. This is far from important.
The first step would be to determine what type of Buddhist monk you want to be. There are many different types, Zen, Thai Forest etc. then find a community and go on a retreat. While there you should get to know the abbot of the monastery or a senior monk and inquire about their ordination procedures.
becoming a Monk is like getting a tattoo.
You have to know exactly what you want it to look like, where you want it, and why you want it. Because once it's there, it's the devil's own job to be rid of it.
If you want to become a monk, this passion has to be so deep within your heart and Mind that any other avenue is simply unthinkable.
many people on here are laypeople.
I believe the Dalai Lama said that being a layperson is tougher, because of the principles of detachment and vigilant practice.
For a Monk, in a Monastic community, it's a given.
For a layperson in a social community, it's a struggle.
That's when the commitment to practice is a real difficult one, because as laypeople, we're faced with choices every day, that monks simply don't have to make.
But please don't imagine for one moment that being a Monk is therefore an easy option.
There are huge personal sacrifices to be made, and it's a commitment.
This notion of the novice "trial period" is not a 'try before you buy' situation.
It's a preparation for the complete and total dedication of your life to the Dhamma.
I'm of the opinion that once a person commits to a certain path, any mental intention or notion that "well, I can always leave if I don't like it" is a hazardous one, and indicates that sufficient thought and consideration has not been given.
Baby steps, Journey.
You chose your forum name well, but you risk running so fast you'll miss the view....
That's what's unfortunate, it's an hour and a half long drive to any buddhist temple. I want to at least get involved in the buddhist community, as a more short-term goal, but there is no community to get involved with really.
Feel like going to Thailand? You even get robes and a shaved head!
Where exactly do you live in FL? It is not that unusual for people to drive 5+ hours, or fly across the country to attend a retreat, even a weekend one.
I live in a town called Port Charlotte, in south florida.(not way south like miami but kinda south). But yea I wouldn't mind driving hours for a retreat.
As for monksforamonth, I appreciate the link. It's something that I could potentially see myself doing at some point.
I'm a senior in college with a horrible GPA, no plans to have a wife or kids and a growing love for meditation.
HOWEVER, instead of being lazy.. question this laziness, your viewpoints, life in general and use this situation for your spiritual growth.
I'm slowly learning, intuitively, that wherever you go whether it be a monastery or a college your mind is still going to be with you and unless you see clearly it doesn't matter where you go.
My advice to you that's helped me is the following:
1. Meditate 15 minutes a day so you're stable and can see reality for what it is.
2. Slowly start changing your habits, maybe be a bit kinder to those around you each day. Pay a little more attention in class. Learn a little more, increase your thinking skills each day so you can serve in whatever job you may get later in life.
3. Use the insight you've gained to see how valuable a college degree is in this world. You need money to support yourself and a college degree can get you a well-paying job.
In response to your girlfriend issues, I have a girlfriend. Instead of viewing her as something to have sex with or use it's better to view her as a good friend who you can have a good relationship with. Sensual desires will come but they will go also. See the impermanence of these things and you will be fine. It can be a wonderful opportunity for growth and understanding instead of just plain lust and other sensory pleasures which come and go.
Things may seem really tough man, but it's up to you to slowly make progress down the path. Work with the mind, the external situation is not as important.
Remember the key word here is SLOWLY, we have time. We don't have to have everything figured out right now. The best habit we can cultivate however is meditation. Things get a bit clearer then. You'll see.
Seize this moment and take the plunge. What have you got to lose?
You will become proficient in meditation and buddhist scriptures.
You will learn to live a simple uncluttered life. I would recommend Theravada tradition. And yes, you begin as a novice.
But if you have a very strong desire to become a monk, I think I too would say seize the moment.
1. there are tons of monastic institutions and opportunities to take ordination. The opportunity is pretty much always there.
2. Many monks are not proficient in the meditation or the scriptures. Many also are though.
3. Many monks do not live simple and uncluttered lives. The business of running and maintaining a monastery is no easy task. This task is participated in by the monks. They dont just hang out all day meditating.
Being a monk or a nun is a lot of work and a very serious commitment.
I wouldnt recommend "seizing the moment" or "taking the plunge" unless one has taken a great deal of time to analyze the situation and make sure its the right decision for the individual.
Its not a decision to be taken lightly.
I know a lot of people who have taken ordination and then returned their vows because they went into the commitment with romantic ideas.
Who is this they?
Meanwhile, you are learning and practicing Buddhism under the guidance of the monk. It is up to the monk to decide if you are ready for any of these vows, and whether or not you ever become ready for ordination (the Samaya vows). It is a slow process. Here in the West, many have become monks/nuns only after they have retired, because there is no monastery to work & live within, and because the Samaya vows include not working for a living (so you are either independently wealthy or retired).
Don't be in too much a hurry ... it takes 5 or more years before one can be sure that their enthusiasm and commitment will last (those at our centre who last 5 years generally stay for a long, long time).