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becoming a monk

Seeker567Seeker567 Explorer
edited February 2011 in Buddhism Basics
ok to start out, I'm sorry if this has been posted before. but I would like to know the real way to become an ordained Buddhist monk. I'm currently in high school, and my parents do NOT approve of my decision. how would I go about doing this and how would I explain it to my parents in a way they would understand? thanks

Comments

  • compassionate_warriorcompassionate_warrior Veteran
    What school or sect of Buddhism are you planning on?
  • Seeker567Seeker567 Explorer
    Really anything but Zen. Theravada or Tibetan would be my preference
  • compassionate_warriorcompassionate_warrior Veteran
    In your home country, or were you thinking of going to Asia?
  • Seeker567Seeker567 Explorer
    I'd go anywhere in the world. actually I'd prefer Asia
  • genkakugenkaku Northampton, Mass. U.S.A. Veteran
    Tell your parents that you love Buddhism so much that you plan to finish college before making your move.
  • compassionate_warriorcompassionate_warrior Veteran
    Good advice, genkaku. :thumbsup:
  • TheJourneyTheJourney
    edited February 2011
    How did you land on theravada or tibeten? They're quite different. And why is zen not an option??
  • DaltheJigsawDaltheJigsaw Mountain View Veteran
    Really anything but Zen. Theravada or Tibetan would be my preference
    Why not Zen?
  • CloudCloud Veteran
    edited February 2011
    Thai Forest Tradition is a simplified/streamlined, practice-oriented subschool of Theravada.

    http://www.forestsangha.org/
  • Seeker567Seeker567 Explorer
    hmmm forest tradition sounds very interesting. and I haven't really studied zen. and tibetan was the first practice I learned.
  • revkusalarevkusala
    Some small advice here; find a Monastery or temple with resident Monks. There are actually many here in the US, and talk with them about this.
  • compassionate_warriorcompassionate_warrior Veteran
    How would you support yourself in the monastery? Some monks find sponsors (or the monastery finds sponsors for them), but some pay up front to cover living expenses. Do you have the money to get to a monastery?
  • Seeker567Seeker567 Explorer
    I think I've found the perfect monastery for me :)
    http://www.watpahnanachat.org/

    thank you everyone
  • compassionate_warriorcompassionate_warrior Veteran
    It looks good, Seeker. Let us know how it all works out: with your parents, the monastery, everything.
  • Seeker567Seeker567 Explorer
    I probably won't be able to check this out for a few years (I'm only 15), but this site is very helpful :) I plan on staying here for as long as I can
  • compassionate_warriorcompassionate_warrior Veteran
    Great, we're happy to have you. So you decided not to run away, you're going to grit your teeth and finish highschool?
  • federicafederica Seeker of the clear blue sky... Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubt Moderator
    You do realise that one of the prerequisites of becoming a theravada monk is that you must have your parents' approval?
  • shanyinshanyin Novice Yogin Sault Ontario Veteran
    Federica, does it matter what age?
  • Seeker567Seeker567 Explorer
    Yeah I'm going to finish HS.
  • federicafederica Seeker of the clear blue sky... Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubt Moderator
    Federica, does it matter what age?
    I believe you have to be over 20, and still have permission from your parents.

    I found this:

    http://www.buddhamind.info/leftside/sumaries/q-a/life-is.htm

    and this:

    http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/buddhistworld/ordination1.htm

    More personal research is required, I'd imagine.
  • Seeker567Seeker567 Explorer
    edited February 2011
    I'm thinking of going for a degree in Buddhist chaplincay after high school...a possibility :scratch:
  • mugzymugzy Veteran
    I would start here: For Those Considering Monastic Ordination and Preparing for Ordination.

    It's not a decision to be taken lightly, as monastic vows are meant to be a lifelong commitment. It's a great goal and if it's something you really want to do, you should study the dharma seriously and start living as though you were actually in a monastic community. Follow a daily schedule: wake up at 5am, meditate, go to school, perform community service or help your parents around the house, meditate, do schoolwork, meditate, study the dharma, meditate, and sleep. See how it feels to follow a strict schedule and imagine that the rest of your life will be spent in this way.

    I wrote this and just realized you said anything BUT Zen, Theravada, or Tibetan, which doesn't leave too many options. Most Tibetan Buddhism is Mahayana, as is Zen, and Theravada comprises a large portion of Buddhist practitioners in Asia (Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Thailand, etc). So I'm a little confused as to what kind of practice you have in mind.
  • CloudCloud Veteran
    Nah he said anything but Zen, and that Theravada or Tibetan would be his preferences.
  • mugzymugzy Veteran
    Okay, the way it was phrased was confusing.
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