Tag: monks

How to Become a Buddhist Monk in the USA

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Buddhist monk

Becoming a Buddhist monk or nun is a life-long commitment that should not be taken lightly, yet can be enormously fulfilling and transformative if this is what you seek. Benefits may include peace of mind, increased understanding of Dharma principles and greater empathy towards others. There are various pathways available to those looking to join monastic ranks.

As your first step toward monastic hood, will be becoming acquainted with Buddhism and its teachings.

  • Read as much as you can and find a teacher with whom to discuss your questions. Once familiar, begin researching monastic communities that resonate with your philosophy;
  • schedule an appointment with their abbot or leader to discuss becoming monk; this gives them an opportunity to see if you would fit well as an incumbent while learning more about them, their philosophies, and daily activities.

Once you feel connected with a community, the abbot may invite you to observe his monastery for several weeks or months as an assessment to see if you could live within its rules and follow them – similar to shadowing a school to see if you would enjoy being there.

The period of observation

During your period of observation, you will receive an aspirant’s robe and share a room with other aspirants. Furthermore, personal belongings should be surrendered along with any financial ties (some monasteries freeze bank accounts of their members). Training in mindfulness, concentration and insight will occur here while you also learn about Four Noble Truths, Eightfold Path and Lamrim which represent stages along the path toward enlightenment.

monastery

If monastic life is your vocation, the abbot will grant you novice vows and invite you into the sangha. Once there, you can practice meditation and chant with others while deepening your understanding of Dharma through interactions with members of your sangha and others outside. Even as a novice you can already start building community through helping bring happiness and peace.

Shaving your hair and taking off jewelry are necessary parts of the ceremony as they symbolize giving up one’s sense of identity and personal possessions. Steps can be difficult when it comes to letting go of attachment and the ego; but without these skills you won’t find happiness as a Buddhist monk.

Therefore it is imperative that you understand this and conduct research before making such a substantial commitment. Before taking lifelong vows, it’s wiser to join a monastery which allows for shorter terms of ordination to test out if monasticism is really for you. Many Asian monasteries offer part-time ordination programs so men can experience monastic life for days, weeks or even years at a time before making their decision final.

Can Buddhist Monks Marry?

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gold wedding bands

Popular belief holds that most Buddhist monks and nuns are celibate. While this may be true for most monastic traditions, there are exceptions such as when Japanese Emperor Admatsu abolished celibacy in 19th Century – since then Japanese monastics are more likely to marry than Korean counterparts; some Western schools even permit monastics to marry if desired.

However, can Buddhist monks marry? The answer to this question can vary widely and depends on a number of factors such as monastery disciplinary rules and lineage regulations as well as whether a monk has been ordained. Monks who are ordained must abide by certain stringent regulations which prohibit touching women and engaging in lewd speech, known as heavy rules; these restrictions aim to keep monks from falling into sexually corrupt behavior that leads to sinfulness; any violation could lead to disrobement by monastery authorities.

Did not advocate a life of celibacy

There have been reported instances of married monks and pregnant nuns in both China and Thailand in the past. Perhaps most infamously was Sudinna, a monk who committed adultery and fathered an offspring before eventually being decapitated for his crimes. Yet it should be remembered that Buddha himself did not advocate a life of celibacy for his followers – rather, he stressed living a balanced lifestyle with right livelihood practices as priorities.

monk sitting near ocean

Reasons that monks do not engage in sexual behavior today may include their belief that sexual encounters will impede their spiritual growth and lead to attachment or desire that could interfere with attaining enlightenment. Furthermore, some monks hold that their parents would be happier without marriage and children in the family unit.

Men who want to show their devotion and affection for their parents often enter monasteries as an act of filial piety, which can bring great benefits for the family unit. Others become monks to honor deceased loved ones with hopes that doing so will free them of any karmic debts that they have accrued during life.

Not Commonplace Though

Although these examples of married monks and pregnant nuns may not be commonplace, they serve to illustrate some of the challenges encountered by spiritual seekers living in modern society. Many find it challenging to renounce sex and other worldly desires for spiritual practice alone. Therefore, prospective monastics should carefully consider their intentions before committing themselves to ordaining.

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