Howdy, Stranger!

It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!

Sign In Register
Examples: Monday, today, last week, Mar 26, 3/26/04
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.

Eczema and being a monk.

WujiWuji
edited December 2010 in Buddhism Basics
I was reading the ordination for becoming a monk and noticed the question, "Do you have Eczema?". About a fourth of my left hand has Eczema although it is not contagious, it is hereditary. Would that preclude me from ever being able to become a monk of I wanted to? Or, do different temples have different guidelines?

Also I'm curious if a monk was to get cancer would he have to become a lay person?

Comments

  • Rmurray1985Rmurray1985
    Seeing as how no one is going to tackle this question...

    The main reason this question is asked is because monks live in close quarters and share just about everything. So, they'd rather not take any chances of spreading any kind of infections. It may be a deal breaker in joining a monastery, but then it may also just mean that you have to bring your own linens. I would just have a nice conversation with the head of the monastery and explain your situation.

    As far as cancer is concerned? Who would know? Everyone shaves their head anyway! (sorry if anyone is offended by that, had to be said :))

    But seriously, I truly doubt cancer would be a factor in being a monk.
  • aHappyNihilistaHappyNihilist Veteran
    logically it would seem that the problem was in the contagiousness, although the ordination just says Eczema in general. maybe when those were written eczema was a huge contagious epidemic. if yours is non-contagious i can't see that it would be a problem, but i honestly don't know, just speculating.
  • CinorjerCinorjer Veteran
    My wife has bouts of eczema on one hand, and it precludes her from doing a lot. She can't handle certain cleaning products and has to use special soap, etc. When it does flare up, she has to use special cream and keep medical dressings on it and even take steriods to clear it up. It's not a contagious condition, but should certainly be included in pre-existing medical conditions that the temple might have to deal with.
Sign In or Register to comment.