Proper way to address a bhikkhu?

Question

I have seen many ways to address a bhikkhu, and I'm wondering about the proper way to address a bhikkhu, in writing?

Answer 1

Bhante is the preferred mode of address if you are addressing the bhikkhu respectfully; note that it is masculine, so for bhikkhunis, Ayye is correct (mostly they use ayya, but I don't think that is technically correct). In English, Venerable x and Reverend x would also be suitable expressions of respect.

If you are addressing them as an equal or as an outsider to the religion, Venerable x and Reverend x would still be proper, I think, but even Brother x would be okay. In Pali, words like bho and ayasma were also used, meaning something like "good sir" or "friend" by those who didn't hold the bhikkhus in any special esteem.

In writing, using the nominative endings (e.g. o for -a stem names) is not technically correct when addressing the bhikkhu in the second person, e.g.:

Dear Venerable Yuttadhammo,

should really be:

Dear Venerable Yuttadhamma,

In Thailand this distinction has been pretty much lost, whereas in Burma and Sri Lanka they prefer the a endings for all references.

In Pali, when referring to someone in the third person, you would use the nominative endings, but in the case of corresponding in English, the dictionary stem form is certainly acceptable, as it is with 'buddha', nibbana', etc. Just as we don't say:

The Buddho was staying in Savatthi.

we really shouldn't be saying:

Venerable Yuttadhammo was staying in Florida.

As for regional honorifics, e.g. Ajaan (Ajarn, Ajahn) in Thai, Ashin in Burmese, Hamuduruvo in Sinhala, Lakhun in Khmer, etc., I would suggest they only be used by members of the specific ethnic community; I wouldn't think them appropriate for non-members to use to refer to members (e.g. Westerners calling Thai monks Ajaan) unless speaking in the language from which the word comes. In practical usage, however, Ajaan for example has become so widely used by Thai people (even for monks who clearly aren't their or anyone's teacher) that they often insist that non-Thais use it to refer to Thai monks, which of course would be the wise choice when among such people.

Answer 2

Ven. Yuttadhamma wrote:

"Bhante is the preferred mode of address if you are addressing the bhikkhu respectfully; note that it is masculine, so for bhikkhunis, Ayye is correct (mostly they use ayya, but I don't think that is technically correct)."

To comment briefly on this - i have learned of "Bhante" as the vocative contraction of "Bhadanta"--an "expositor" [of the Dhamma], used for "master" teachers. Buddhist historians say that early on, in the Buddhist monastic Sangha, only the Buddha was addressed as "Bhante". Later, after the Buddha's parinibbana, other monastic teachers came to be addressed as "Bhante" as well. But were they all men?

Epigraphically, in donative inscriptions from the Indian subcontinent, we find at least one reference to a bhikkhuni teacher with the title "Bhadanta". In the vocative, she should be addressed as "Bhadante", or by the contraction "Bhante". There are comparatively numerous donative inscriptions in which we find the honorific "Ayya" prefixing bhikkhus' names; in hypothetical example: "Ayya Yuttadhamma Bhikkhu". This could be translated as: "the noble bhikkhu Yuttadhamma".

When and how it happened that "Bhante" came to be used only for men and "Ayye" only for women, or at least generally so, as we find much of the time in the Pali texts is not known to me. We do several times find bhikkhus addressed as "Ayya" in the Pali-text canon. In example, in the bhikkhuni ordination proceedings from the Pali-text Vinaya, the new bhikkhuni when coming to the Bhikkhuni Sangha to request the confirmation and completion of her full ordination as a bhikkhuni is to address the Bhikkhu Sangha as "Ayya" (here in the masculine plural vocative).

Answer 3

If its Theravada you can never go wrong either just the name " yuttadhammo bhikku" or Bhante. In Thai you can say Ajahn, a word basically similar to bhante.

I personally just use Bhante(means teacher) , its quick, easy, and used from ancient times. In fact i am in email communication with a bhikkhu at the place im going to hopefully ordain, and i start emails with Bhante.

Bhante (Pali; Nepali; Burmese: [pronounce-ဘန္ေတ] [write-ဘေႏၲ] Burmese font used - Zawgyi-one font, pronounced: [bàɴtè], Sanskrit: vande and vandanā ) is the polite particle used to refer to Buddhist monks in the Theravada tradition. Bhante literally means "Venerable Sir."

Answer 4

I would say address them in the most respectful way in your culture and native language. "Sir" might be sufficient in English. To me, it is an attachment to rites and rituals (3rd fetter) if you use the most appropriate words expected by community but not sure why or even using them without true respect. But again, you want to have organization and harmony in the community, so once you find out what words are used, then use it with respect.

Answer 5

Things to consider in regard of the OP's Question, since a proper Question would be: "How do I address monastics, Brahmans and ascetics in a way that it is of most benefit for me?"

To understand the merit an demerit of paying respect a little, my person wrote a "wiki-like" articel, supported by members here: Respect and Veneration

In bodily regard:

Is you aspect being taught well by a Monk, you should consider that especial a Bhikkhu is not allowed to teach to someone:

• holding an umbrella (unless he is ill).
• holding a stick (unless he is ill).
• holding a cutting object (unless he is ill).
• holding a weapon (unless he is ill).

(for internet this means to people holding power while one would speak - moderators and others with tendency to delete or banning, willing to put Dhamma in that wsy under their power)

• who is wearing shoes (unless he is ill).
• who is wearing sandals (unless he is ill).

(appearings of not respecting the place of Dhamma talks and putting them selfs higher)

• who is inside a vehicle (unless he is ill).

(One in hurry, just passing by)

• who is lying down (unless he is ill).
• who is sitting with the knees raised and the arms around (unless he is ill).
• wearing a turban (unless he is ill).
• whose head {and sholders} is covered (unless he is ill).

(One with an improper Avatar, not showing his face.)

• sits on a seat while the teaching is sitting directly on the ground (unless he is ill).
• sitting at a higher level and the teaching on a lower (unless he is ill).
• who is sitting while one is standing (unless he is ill).
• is walking ahead (unless he is ill).
• who walks on a footpath while one is walking to the side of this footpath (unless he is ill).

(If situations and views are hold, monks are equal to others here)

All this things are not conductive in regard of peoples respect in reagard of the Dhamma. For Monks themselves also a personal protection.

In regard of demand and compensation:

Monks, keeping Vinaya, do not and never teach for rewards or let the taught be bound by any contacts or demands. Accepting gifts, rewards or other things as reward for teaching is not the way of the Noble Ones and there are rules to cut off possible corruption of the Dhamma in that way. So gifts as well as the gift of veneration is good placed in advanced to gain most benefit and make it acceptable.

Speech: What ever feel proper to one, thinking on someone who is not only high above one self but also could give one the highest gift possible to give. Usual ways are to express his worthy be calling him Ven. Sir, Lord, Lord of Compassion, Ven. Teacher and if in Pali, as usual, "Bante". For female likewise.

In third person, whether he is at place or not, its also good to do such in that way. If there are more Monks, put the name behind. Its not usual and polite to use the "Status/Profession" like Bhikkhu, Samanera, monk, Samana.

Consider always, that a ordained person has actualky no gains be receiving respect, and if he/she takes such not worthy of it, he/she just accumulte depts. Giving or not giving in this regard is the doers benefit or demerit, whether he/she knows or not. Not knowing does not eliminate causes.

Its also good to have mistrust is monks and laypeople associate like friends and address each other very familar.

Generally again, this topic is very large and it is good if one maybe takes the linked article and asks further questions in detail.

Modern people today must be aware that they are usuall taught and trained in a post-modern or "communistic" way, wrong view, empathizing all are equal.

In such an enviroment, under such believes, its never possible to gain anything, how much Dhamma ever one would read, be taught... gains in ways not in line of Dhamma.

Keeping precepts and being tended to virtue (of what veneration of what is worthy of verneration is on part) and to take Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha really as refuge, venerate by heart, are the signs of a faith follower, and stream-enter, both no more able to fall off the path of liberation.

If you are a person with long meditation practice or of much knowledge in Dhamma, if you are a virtuose person for your self and consider your self as experianced and still have problems and aversions in regard of Veneration, it is a good sign that such a practice was not based on Right View and the refuge is not really taken.

Its a really good working place to get ride of very raw defilements and at the same time also possible to drop down all clinging aggregats just by a poor cousin treaded single deed.

Asking Questions:

While it is not wrong for a Monk to teach even not invited, one does good when raising a question, to address an venerate possible present persons proper. That is also generally. While usuall everywhere is very rude and a sign of low education and virtue, to put just ones question into the "marked" without kind greatings. Even if a person of good contact enters a shop, here a costumer, he would great friendly and show signs of politeness.

So generally people incl. the moderators have a lot of work if wishing to be frequented by Monks aside of just short visits and those with certain improper aims, using such places like most here, for certain other gains outside good or no trade.

Those follow the tradition of the Noble Ones will never addopt certain social and timely usuals but hold on that others, being willing, are able to addopt those, step by step, leaving both improper ways of live in the world or even the eorld behind.

Like every teaching, this words are originated by compassion, and not made to demand anything. What ever one gives is the givers reward. So is it with taking.

Addition in regard of "warm" addressings :

In SEAsia is very common to use Ven. father, grandfather, oncle, great brother... Such is usual under uneducated people and not really proper, althought both might like it. One would address a lay priest of a village or his honored father or granduncle like wise. Such as brother or sister are merely usuals comming from commonist countries and, in setting even equal, totally improper. Its good to use respectful "cool", with proper distance, addresses. Such is very common in "Guru" paisas and put single individuals high and warm. While of course no problem for uninstructed people with raga- or saddha-charita, a good instructed person does not use such warm addressings.

(Note: This is a gift of Dhamma and not meant for any commercial purpose or other wordly gains.)

Answer 6

Whatever identifies that specific monk. That's the purpose of a name. I tend to use only their monastic name or, if they teach, I use 'teacher' in their local idiom. Keep things simple & respectable.

As for a "proper way", there are as many answers as there are people, I guess.