If someone wants to go to be a monk for the rest of his life, is that a good thing?

Who is it good for? Is it a selfish thing?

Can someone please explain the Buddhist thought on this.

I'm going to stick my neck out here and say that maybe the concept of 'selfish' is one of those attachments that need to be given up to proceed towards enlightenment or whatever. Selfishness can only exist relative to the concept of self and the concept of self is an illusion and attachment which brings you back into the round of rebirth into pain and suffering or whatever....got to give up those attachments if you want to get anywhere....or should I say if you want to stop getting somewhere?...namely right here in the cycle of rebirth and illusion.

I'm going to stick my neck out here and say that maybe the concept of 'selfish' is one of those attachments that need to be given up to proceed towards enlightenment or whatever.  Selfishness can only exist relative to the concept of self and the concept of self is an illusion and attachment which brings you back into the round of rebirth into pain and suffering or whatever....got to give up those attachments if you want to get anywhere....or should I say if you want to stop getting somewhere?...namely right here in the cycle of rebirth and illusion.

Good answer.

If someone wants to go to be a monk for the rest of his life, is that a good thing?

Who is it good for? Is it a selfish thing?

Can someone please explain the Buddhist thought on this.

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Each person lives according to their own kamma, and that includes people who choose to live the remainder of their live as Sangha who practice by themselves as hermits or in caves, cliffs, or deep in the forest.

Why would we ponder if the kamma of an individual is "good" or "selfish"? The fact of the matter is one's kamma exists and one must live their life according to their own kamma and path, which is neither "good" nor "selfish" it simply IS.

Edited August 24, 200520 yr by Mr. Farang

If someone wants to go to be a monk for the rest of his life, is that a good thing?

Who is it good for? Is it a selfish thing?

Can someone please explain the Buddhist thought on this.

If the Buddha had not practiced alone like he did, he would have not achieved what he did. Similarily if he had not taught anybody anything, we would not be benefiting now, 2500 years later. I suppose this is a middle path approach between total isolation and deep involvement with society.

Living as a monk is not a "must" in order to practice the Dhamma, to meditate and or even to reach enlightenment.

It is however refered to as a way conductive to meditation. By being a monk a person follows more precepts (=keeps a higher level of morality), does not support a family, and can dedicate himself to the practice.

The Buddhist thought puts a focus on making personal progress as a way to contribute to both the practitioner himseld and, inevitably, to his enviornment, and therefore cannot really be perceived as selfishness.

If someone wants to go to be a monk for the rest of his life, is that a good thing?

Who is it good for? Is it a selfish thing?

Can someone please explain the Buddhist thought on this.

Why do you want to know?

you are not considering becoming a Monk are you?

Or are you just interested to know how the venerable of this Forum think ? ( and I mean that with the utmost respect) as you are already getting answers.. but I feel I know you (your background etc)and feel there is more to it than that

There are many reasons that Monks ordain... one of them is that they come from a poverty stricken background, so maybee in that instance it IS a selfish thing as it is the only way they can guarantee a roof over thier heads and food in thier bellies or to prevent themselves being sold into slavery.. so they run to the nearest Temple for sanctuary... nothing wrong with that.. self preservation rules the day!

You are not from that background... hence my question to yours

Sorry Paulie ... you don't have to ordain to escape poverty ... one can live a whole live at a Monastery without ever ordaining.

I've known severl women and 2 men that have been living at a temple in NST for a few years and never have ordained or become maechi

To the Op ... you don't have to make a decision to ordain for life! If you think you are ready or needing that for whatever reason find a monk that has been ordained for some time (at least 5 years) and spend some time talking to him.

Neeranam posted that in Aug 2005, haven't seen much of him here since then, so assume he made up his mind one way or the other.