Why Did You Choose To Become A Buddhist Monk?

[rockyysdt]

It's a delicate question, and perhaps for many, should remain private.

But I've been interested in what motivates individuals to take up the cloth.

What are some personal reasons for ordaining as a Buddhist Monk?

[transam]

I had a chat with a yank monk in LOS, nice guy, even shook is hand, l asked first , but it seems he was fed up with the farang stuff and wanted to search his head for something else. I salute the guy, and also salute him for remembering l am from a different world to him now.

[Several]

I always had an interest in Buddhism, Taoism, spirituality and the like. Came to Thailand to meet a friend. Wound up teaching English for a year. Saw many monks and Wats in various travels and was fascinated. Then another farang told me over a beer it was fairly easy yo become a monk here. I thought about it for six months until i realised that I'd been making the same mistakes in samsara over and over again, and that Buddha was absolutely right about the Four Noble Truths. So it was an opportunity to break the cycle and seek an end to the suffering of my own making.

[Xangsamhua]

I've never ordained and never will (too old for a start), but I salute the western guys who do give it a try, whether they stay in for a short or long time.

I doubt many westerners ordain just as a cop-out, and whether the decision is a wise one or not in terms of the man's maturity, I think it's a decision worth taking and wish them well in their pursuit of Dhamma insight.

Western Buddhism would be nothing like as rich if it weren't for the Jack Kornfields, Stephen Batchelors, Robert Thurmanns, Ajarn Brahms, and so on who've gained so much in knowledge, wisdom, compassion and insight from their monastic experience.

Edited July 19, 2012 by Xangsamhua

[sabaijai]

I've never ordained and never will (too old for a start), but I salute the western guys who do give it a try, whether they stay in for a short or long time.

I doubt many westerners ordain just as a cop-out, and whether the decision is a wise one or not in terms of the man's maturity, I think it's a decision worth taking and wish them well in their pursuit of Dhamma insight.

Western Buddhism would be nothing like as rich if it weren't for the Jack Kornfields, Stephen Batchelors, Robert Thurmanns, Ajarn Brahms, and so on who've gained so much in knowledge, wisdom, compassion and insight from their monastic experience.

Well said.

[rockyysdt]

If one feels that one knows enough about the correct way to practice and can continue to do it as a lay person then disrobing is OK, but the conditions for practice will be less easy.

Thanks Fred.

Is it possible that conditions for practice may not be ideal in many communities as a Monk?

I was thinking in terms of ones teacher and environment.

I know nothing of life as a Monk, but I've listened to a number of excellent teaching Monks during retreats as well as online as a lay person.

There are also excellent Dharma podcasts featuring experienced Monks and practitioners, which can inspire and inform.

In todays environment, do you still think conditions as a Monk make it easier to practice given the environment?

There have been a considerable number of posts highlighting the lack of quality of many Monastic groups.

Is it a bit of a lottery whether you'll end up with an unqualified teacher and/or a community conditioned in poor culture?

Can ego get in the way in a Teacher Monk relationship?

Edited July 19, 2012 by rockyysdt

[leolibby]

I have not chosen to be a Buddhist. But I almost did. I was going to join a South African seminary in which for a few years you live like a monk, and at the end, you can give it up or stick with it.

Much of the reason was to get some direction in myy life. Also because I have a disease that causes the coordination cennts of my brain to slowly die off-- so I can't run or jump or ride a bike, and eventually I wont be able to walk, but my memory and thinking will never be affected.

I've always admired Buddhism... I'm an athiest... but I do believe in an impersonal God, not a supreme being.. but an intelligence or creativity that's not a living organism... for my dad, it's nature. being in nature for him is a religious experience. I don't know what mine is--but I woul like to form a relationship with it.

[leolibby]

Also because I have a disease that causes the coordination centers of my brain to slowly die off-- so I can't run or jump or ride a bike, and eventually I wont be able to walk, but my memory and thinking will never be affected.

I mention that because I can't do regular, physical work. Is it true that monastic life can be relatively sendentary? maybe not

secondly, my life will be shorter.... as I age, more and more of my brain will die (but nothing that affects intellect or memory). Its hard to accept-- once I was in the military. But it means I have a hightened awareness of suffering.