Questions tagged [monk]
A full time religious practitioner living in a dedicated community. Typically a follower of a monastic lifestyle undertakes an additional set of vows over and above those taken by lay followers. Monastic traditions vary greatly between Buddhist traditions. This tag refers to monks and nuns so is gender neutral.
117
questions
1
vote
1
answer
36
views
Where is the most knowledgeable Abhidhamma Community?
Who are the most knowledgeable Abhidhamma masters today? Where are the active Abhidhamma communities?
country
lineage
monastery
institute
teacher
group
website
forum
- 360
2
votes
4
answers
139
views
Becoming a monk and having to give up electronic devices
When becoming a monk one has to give up most worldly stuff. I have saved hundreds of Buddhist PDF files and on my Kindle app I have bought all of Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhis books (translations on the Pali ...
user24100
4
votes
3
answers
87
views
Need help with ordination questions
I'm a westerner, non-thai speaker, age 37. I want to ordain in Asia (not in the West) and then stay there for 5 years with a preceptor and then either continue to stay there or move back to Europe and ...
user24100
2
votes
1
answer
93
views
Ven. Ajahn Chah's Teachings on Meditation practice as a westerner
For a long time I have wanted to ordain and I might be able to do it in 2-3 years from now. I read that as a westerner one can ordain in the Ven. Ajahn Chah tradition in Thailand. He went to great ...
user24100
0
votes
1
answer
88
views
Buddhism Open Activities for all communities
I am not sure this post is appropriate.
Pindacāra, the practice of collecting alms-food, is observed by Theravada Buddhist monks who have gone forth from ‘home-life’ to ‘homelessness’. A Buddhist ...
- 155
-4
votes
1
answer
95
views
Using money and improper dependency of monks on householders?
If one reads this quote by a monk, who is referring to donations to SuttaCentral:
...For the past week or so, we’ve been actually losing money on Stripe: paying more in settlement fees than we get in ...
- 9
3
votes
4
answers
745
views
I've attained jhana literally once, should I try to pursue it further or just live a decent householder life?
Some background: I was born into a Buddhist family. I've always been intellectually interested in spiritual things like meditation and yoga, but I never really took it seriously until my early 20s, ...
- 558
1
vote
1
answer
90
views
Did eating less cause dietary problems for ascetics like Buddha?
I have heard that Buddha was eating similar to one meal a day. Is this true? Would this not lead to severe constipation? Was it common for ascetics to take medicines to help purge the food waste ...
- 1,159
3
votes
3
answers
99
views
Health Questions Regarding the Ordained
Below, I have questions regarding Buddhist monasticism. They are centered around topics of health.
May a monastic regulate their alms diet in order to focus on healthy foods and avoid unhealthy ones?
...
user20570
0
votes
2
answers
136
views
North American: Where Can I Ordain Under The Tradition of Mahasi Sayadaw?
I am a Theravada Buddhist living in North America practicing the Mahasi Sayadaw tradition. My queries (regarding Theravada monasticism) are the following:
1) Can anyone recommend a or more than one ...
user19880
1
vote
1
answer
58
views
Where can this story be found?
In the story the Buddha creates a golden lotus and gives it to a monk who soon after attains arahantship.
Story is in attached screenshot taken from the book "Fundamentals of Insight Meditation&...
user19771
1
vote
2
answers
186
views
Is it conventional to use third-person speech when conversing with a monk?
In this comment, Samana Johann wrote,
worthy to raise a question on it and it's perfect training to use only 3-person and no calling of names, adressing just proper positions
The topic is, using &...
- 46.3k
7
votes
8
answers
1k
views
Does being a lay Buddhist have any advantages over a Monk?
That's the question. Is there any advantage in being a lay Buddhist over being a Monk who has gone forth, that is in as far as following the Dhamma-Path to Nirvana is concerned?
- 2,221
1
vote
1
answer
69
views
Monk wanting to upgrade technology
If there have been donations for technology upgrades...
Is it possible for someone to ask an abbott exactly what he wants donated funds to be used for? To ask the what specific items he could use?
4
votes
6
answers
5k
views
How often do monks get nocturnal emissions?
I am practicing celibacy from last 6 months. I cannot control my nocturnal emissions. I have some control but not complete control. In the beginning I used to get wet dreams every 10-12 days and now I ...
- 141
1
vote
2
answers
58
views
Is all property communal for the monks?
The bowl, the robes, the lodgings, the medicines - are these private property, or shared within a Sangha of monks?
- 2,026
2
votes
4
answers
121
views
Are monks expected to accept life lessons from (time spent with) the laity?
In general, the monks are expected to preach the Dhamma and the laity should listen. But "behind the scenes", so to say, should monks really be learning from at least some situations they run into ...
- 289
8
votes
10
answers
4k
views
Why do we need to work?
I am a software engineer. Is it shameful if I became a monk throwing away all the knowledge that I have accumulated all these years(more than a decade). In my previous years, I was amused by ...
- 349
1
vote
6
answers
169
views
Do Buddhists have a country or a religion to defend?
How is it that militant monks can justify waging war or violence? Is nonviolence not necessarily an absolute value for the Buddha? What scriptures are militant monks interpreting to justify war or ...
- 7,144
1
vote
2
answers
57
views
Sanghas of those who practice like monks but aren't officially monks?
Are there Sanghas(in the more broad meaning of the word) of those who practice like monks but aren't officially monks and have not been ordained as monks by monks? If they could call themselves "Bunks"...
- 7,144
3
votes
4
answers
788
views
How to disconnect family life & become monk?
I have a very strong pull towards becoming a full-time monk but being a family person (a son/husband/father) it seems really tough to take-up robe. How do I go about convincing or communicating this ...
- 103
4
votes
2
answers
78
views
Is discussing bad practices of monks a sin?
I've heard in several dhamma deshana that discussing the bad practices practiced by monks is a sin. But I feel that if we don't discuss such with our family & just continue giving, we won't have ...
- 313
1
vote
2
answers
808
views
How do monks transcend the desire for relationships & sex?
Being a 'genuine' monk means a certain kind of dispassion towards the world.
How is sexuality & 'relationship craving' effectively dealt within a monk?
I am pretty sure a lot of monks struggle ...
- 99
0
votes
2
answers
130
views
How do monks live with medical conditions that require regular meals?
Theravada monks are supposed to eat only one or two meals per day, only between dawn and noon. For the rest of the day, they can drink water or fruit juices. The exception to this rule is if they are ...
- 37.4k
4
votes
1
answer
496
views
can I become a monk with schizophrenia?
can I become a monk if i have schizophrenia?
I have to take a shot every two weeks and I do hear voices every once in a while
- 89
4
votes
1
answer
93
views
Looking for a Buddhist Monastery in UK, Ireland, Scotland or Australia - All traditions are welcome
I have a friend from Sri Lanka who is a Theravada Buddhist monk. He is 36 (soon 37) years old and have been a monk for 19 years.
He resides in SL and has just finished an english language course and ...
user2424
0
votes
5
answers
301
views
Do you have to become a Monk to attain enlightment?
It seems that the answer is no, but in this case, why would you want to become a monk instead of staying "normal" ?
- 1
3
votes
2
answers
748
views
What is the visa process for ordaining foreigner monks in Sri Lanka?
I heard that the monk candidates outside of Sri Lanka have to make two trips to Sri Lanka in order to get an extended visa. I would prefer just making one trip to Sri Lanka(in the future) being enough ...
- 1,058
0
votes
4
answers
123
views
According to the Dhamma monks have no rights?
There is the case where a monk is content with any old robe cloth at all. He speaks in praise of being content with any old robe cloth at all. He does not, for the sake of robe cloth, do anything ...
- 2,560
3
votes
5
answers
164
views
When is the best time for ordination?
When exactly is it worth considering to ordain as a monk?
Is it something that happens automatically during the path, that is, (a) special experience(s) or insight into the three characteristics?
Is ...
- 2,560
1
vote
3
answers
107
views
Do Buddhist children from outside of Buddhist countries ever become monks temporarily?
In Buddhist countries, young or teenage boys, and sometime girls, sometimes (or often, depending on the country) become monks temporarily. Do any Buddhist children from other countries (e.g., Western ...
- 111
1
vote
7
answers
1k
views
Buddhist monks give advice for lay life
Would you say that it is appropriate for a monk to give advice to the laity in how to live life/dealing with obstacles?
Now don't get me wrong, but monks certainly have "safer" environments. They are ...
- 2,560
-2
votes
4
answers
151
views
Contradictions from Monks regarding Precepts vs Commandments and punishment
Now this is often raised whenever a monk teaches and talks about the five precepts. They often say that these are not, like in the judeo christian faith, commandments and that no higher entity or ...
- 2,560
5
votes
4
answers
248
views
How is forgiveness defined in Buddhism?
I am new to this topic so I may be asking a silly question. I have watched a lot of monk movies and after watching those movies to me it appears that forgiveness means if anybody does some harm to you ...
- 173
2
votes
2
answers
170
views
How does a forest-dwelling dhutanga practitioner get food?
According to "The Bhikkhus' Rules: A Guide for Laypeople" by Bhikkhu Ariyesako:
The Buddha suggested that the basic source of food for bhikkhus was
that received on the morning alms round (pi.n....
- 37.4k
0
votes
2
answers
227
views
Studying in nepal
A friend of mine has decided to move to Nepal,to study there.
In his country there are no Nepali embassy should He contact them online? Links would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
user13064
0
votes
2
answers
211
views
Need more information about samanera or sramanera in India(Theravada tradition)?
I am planning to be samanera or sramanera for now. Later, would like to be a buddhist monk. I am interested in Theravada tradition. I live in India. But I have no idea what is the procedure to be one ...
- 101
2
votes
1
answer
153
views
How to focus on one thing like a monk?
Question : How to focus on one thing like a monk ( ideal one )?
Is there a well defined meaning of word " focus " in buddhism? I want to learn the technique through which I can focus on one thing at ...
- 173
1
vote
1
answer
53
views
Does Vinaya allow monks to do priestly rituals for the laity?
In some other religions like Hinduism and Catholicism, the role of monks and the role of priests are clearly separated. However, in Buddhism, this is not clearly separated.
It is clear what the monks ...
- 37.4k
5
votes
11
answers
1k
views
How are there good overweight monks?
If you are mindful you don't eat for taste - so chances are you over eat are smaller.
There are a few monks I know and I truly believe are advanced practitioners (meaning I won't be surprised if ...
- 1,482
4
votes
5
answers
295
views
Mountain Monk Diets
When I read poems like this...
... I think of how long-lived such mountain monks tended to be on such a minimal diet (and of course whatever spiritual cultivation they gained) and focused they were ...
- 5,151
1
vote
0
answers
25
views
Why the first of the additional rules, put forward by lord Buddha, on Bikkhunis? [duplicate]
I've learned that Lord Buddha has put forward 7 rules on Bikkhunies when female were given the permission to enter the shasana as Bikkhunies. Maha Prajapathee devi & the other princesses were ...
- 313
1
vote
1
answer
101
views
Sutta References on Future Monks
I have heard that the Buddha has told that in the future the monks will have a wife and kids, will wear no cloths except for a puuna nula and he would be engaging in hunting and etc.
Where can I find ...
- 1,233
9
votes
4
answers
526
views
How should a lay person respond if they see a monk teaching something contrary to Dhamma?
Let's say if a lay person sees fault of a monk (something against the monastic code, or against the Dhamma). Should the lay person just stay silent (thinking it would create bad karma), or should they ...
- 1,233
4
votes
4
answers
597
views
How to memorize suttas?
I was watching a video about the oral tradition in relation to how the suttas was first communicated and conveyed to monastics and lay people.
I was wondering what techniques buddhist monastics and ...
user2424
2
votes
3
answers
824
views
Must Lay Arahants become Buddhist Monks?
A lay person who becomes an Arahant must become a monk or they will die?
Can anyone explain what this teaching means?
Do they have to become a Buddhist Monk?
Can they just leave the world and ...
- 7,144
0
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Why do Buddhism monk hits people in the head?
i saw this video on facebook and youtube ,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHDp1GbzE4o
and they're writing on it in arabic
"الرقية الشرعية عند البوذيين "
witch means "the buddhism's Exorcism"
i ...
- 103
2
votes
6
answers
3k
views
How to know if someone has achieved nirvana?
A monk in Sri Lanka publicly says that he has achieved nirvana.If that's true we can follow the (practical) path he teaches . But how can we make sure whether that is true or not ?
- 558
1
vote
2
answers
4k
views
What's the difference between monks and priests?
One hears of Buddhist monks and of priests. What is the difference?
- 415
1
vote
3
answers
413
views
Does a monk wearing a samue break a prātimokṣa vow?
Monks and nuns take the vow of not wearing lay clothes. Zen monks sometimes wear a casual "working clothing" called a samue. It looks like a regular kimono, without the belt. Since lay people also ...
- 5,206