Transcript How to become a buddhist monk

How to become a
buddhist monk
the life of a monk
a monk is a person who
practices religious
asceticism, living either
alone or with any number of
monks, often in a temple
complex. they must try to
always maintain some
degree of physical
separation from those not
sharing the same purpose.
the concept is ancient and
can be seen in many
religions.
According to the dalai lama:
“According to Buddhist
practice, there are three
stages or steps. The initial
stage is to reduce
attachment towards
life. The second stage is
the elimination of desire
and attachment to this
samsara. Then in the third
stage, self-cherishing is
eliminated.”
bhikkhus - aka: monks
A Buddhist monk is
disciplined and refined …
intended to be mindful and
wise to the truth of how to
end of suffering.
buddhist monks live lives of
mendicancy (religious
begging) and go on a
morning alms round every
day. the local people give
food for the monks to eat,
though the monks are not
allowed to actually ask for
anything.
They typically eat only in the
morning, and are not
allowed to live a luxurious
life.
food
a monk is allowed to collect,
receive and consume food
between dawn and 12 noon.
s/he is not allowed to
consume food outside of this
time. he must have all
eatables formally offered into
his hands or placed on
something in direct contact
with his hands. in order to
prevent contact with a
woman, he will set down a
cloth to receive food.
According to the Buddha, a
monk can and cannot do
certain things.
Having no personal means
of support is a very
practical means of
understanding the instinct
to seek security;
furthermore, the need to
seek alms gives a monk a
source of contemplation on
what things are really
necessary.
the 4 requisites
The four requisites, food,
clothing, shelter and
medicines, are what lay
people can offer as a
practical way of expressing
generosity and appreciation
of their faith in belonging to
the Buddhist Community.
The bhikkhus are only
allowed 4 items (other than
their robes):
a razor
a needle
an alms bowl
a water strainer
relationships
monks and nuns lead lives of
total celibacy in which any
kind of sexual behaviour is
forbidden.
as one’s intent may not
always be obvious (even to
oneself), it is a general
principle for monks and nuns
to refrain from any physical
contact with members of the
opposite sex.
inappropriate items
in general, luxurious items
are inappropriate for a
monk to accept. this is
because they are conducive
to attachment in her/his
own mind, and excite envy,
possibly even the intention
to steal, in the mind of
another person.