6
votes
What is the reason why Buddhist monks don't work to support themselves? Do the monastic rules prohibit them from working?
I recommend you to read the Kasi Bharadvaja Sutta. Kasi Bharadvaja was a farmer who asked this exact question from the Buddha. Monks dedicate their lives to spiritual development. They do not have ...
- 25.7k
5
votes
Accepted
What are the consequences of a monk eating meat?
As far as the theory of monastics eating meat is concerned, here are two enlightening videos/articles on the subject:
Ask A Monk: Mark Zuckerberg, Vegetarianism and Killing
The Bhikkhus' Rules
A ...
- 645
5
votes
Monastics & Hygiene
Monks and nuns generally take good care of their bodies so they may be better able to continue to share the dharma with those who may benefit. They keep good hygiene of their robes and living quarters ...
- 51
4
votes
What is the purpose of not eating after noon?
Eating once or twice a day has been shown to be very healthy and is called "intermittent fasting". It is especially useful for mental clarity and promoting the body's use of fat for energy, actually ...
- 49
4
votes
What is the reason why Buddhist monks don't work to support themselves? Do the monastic rules prohibit them from working?
From this guide for laypersons interacting with monks:
The Buddha suggested that the basic source of food for bhikkhus
was that received on the morning alms round (pi.n.dapaata). This daily
...
- 37.5k
4
votes
Do any modern ("free-thinking") monks or monastic orders discard elements of the Vinaya?
CASE 16. UMMON'S SEVEN-FOLD ROBE
Ummon said, "The world is vast and wide; why do you put on
your seven-piece robe at the sound of the bell?"
Mumon's Comment: When one meditates and studies ...
- 41
4
votes
How does one decide whether one lives a lay married life or a celibate life?
If one is married, one can first understand that desire is more often asymmetrical than not. One can also observe resentment arising out of asymmetrical desire.
Asymmetrical desire therefore provides ...
- 9,477
3
votes
What is the reason why Buddhist monks don't work to support themselves? Do the monastic rules prohibit them from working?
Gharāvāsa (layman) = ghara (house) + vasa (living) = the person who live in the house with 5 kāmaguṇa, the cause of disturbance, such as color, sound, smell, taste, and touch. And if you even read M.N....
- 6,230
3
votes
Can a Bhikkhu yell at or beat a lay person under the vinaya?
Even torward a cat, insects or non-human, neither insulting nor even beating would be proper and allowable, in cases against humans it might be even seens as heavier then toward a fellow or novice.
It ...
- 195
3
votes
Accepted
Is there an established monastic order, with the beleifs and practices same as the Goenka school of meditation?
(a) 'An established monastic order' - This the Goenka school is not.
There is no Goenka School. Generally this is referred as the linage of Saya Gyi U Ba Khin and Ledi Sayadaw U Ñanadhaja. Also it is ...
3
votes
What is the purpose of not eating after noon?
I asked about this matter to my teacher before, a lot of thai monks have problems with their health because of eating once a day. Then i realised that a lot of them ate rice cakes and thai foods is ...
- 399
3
votes
Accepted
A question regarding the level of worldly participation for a buddhist monk
As a Zen Monk I can answer the question regarding worldly participation in the following way. There is no definitive suggestion or rule within the Monastic Code of a Mahayana Monk. A Monk or Nun has ...
- 184
3
votes
How would/should a perfect monk appear, act and possible serve you?
There is no perfection can be found in the realm of forms. Only Nibbana is perfect. Even an Arahant who attained Nibbana permanently and have great wisdom, higher goodness and intelligence still has ...
- 1,068
3
votes
Permission to ordain from absent father
I would speak to the preceptor you wish to ordain with.
There is no need to get a parent’s permission if he/she is no longer
alive or has abandoned the son. From this it can be argued that if ...
- 42.8k
3
votes
Most beneficial Buddhist organizations and monastic orders?
My understanding is that, in order to hear the correct dhamma, one must hear it from somebody who displays the outward marks of humility, generosity and selflessness. Otherwise, one cannot be sure one ...
- 42.8k
3
votes
Should any monastic be considered a noble one?
Should every monastic unconditionally be considered a noble one, and treated as such, to abstain from bad kamma at the very least? or are lay people, and other monastics, free to use personal ...
- 9,689
3
votes
Should any monastic be considered a noble one?
Should every monastic be considered a noble?
- I think no you should not always consider such just based on the clothes a person is wearing (ie: Monk Robes). It could be anyone in the guise of a monk.
...
3
votes
Are monks expected to accept life lessons from (time spent with) the laity?
In Ubon Ratchatani Luang Por Char talked about (translating from Isaan language) how "everything is teaching us."
Also, working with people was developing strength in him, he said.
3
votes
How does one decide whether one lives a lay married life or a celibate life?
Firstly, you should avoid having a romanticized view of either the lay married life or the celibate monastic life.
Being a married person, you may find that your spouse, children and in-laws may ...
- 37.5k
3
votes
Which sutta? The Buddha says monks missing out on pleasures of lay life and pleasures of holy life
You're probably thinking about Dhammapada 155-156 (translated by Ven. Thanissaro):
Neither living the chaste life
nor gaining wealth in their youth,
they waste away like old herons
in a dried-up lake
...
- 37.5k
3
votes
How should Buddhism be introduced to a country?
Good householder,
By generosity, respect and goodwill toward the Gems, through the carrier (or vehicle) which is the Sangha of Monks, this Dhamma-Vinaya would have foundation to get introduced and ...
- 31
3
votes
Can a monk choose to eat only an animal or plant that had died naturally?
This answer is based on the Theravada tradition.
Please read The Bhikkhus' Rules:
A Guide for Laypeople by Ven. Ariyesako, Bhikkhu Patimokkha by Ven. Thanissaro and DN 2 for details.
A bhikkhu is a ...
- 37.5k
3
votes
What are the prescription regarding a bhikkhu or a monastery having a lay-attendant?
Go on as a formal assistant to monks, even better as novice or monk, good householder, as it is good if you have ways to associate with the Venerables. The rest is all a matter of individual deeds (...
- 47
3
votes
How difficult is it to be a foreign monk in Asia?
Good householder,
one who went forth under the Gem is everywhere outside the Buddhaparisa a foreigner. One who went forth does not relay on 'rights' or demands, but has just the Gems as refuge and ...
- 59
3
votes
Were/are Zen monastery time schedules liberal with regard to meal and dharma talk timing?
Zen is definitely its own animal. Why the practices, monastic laws, daily schedules vary so vastly from even other East Asian instantiations of Buddhism could be a subject of a book of its own. You ...
- 231
2
votes
A question regarding the level of worldly participation for a buddhist monk
In Christianity, priests generally do not meditate. Often, the sole role of a Catholic priest is to preach the religion to devotees.
In Asian Buddhism, the role of many monks is similar, which is ...
- 42.8k
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