Would you still go in Birma (myanmar) to become a renoncant (Monk)? Would you go in this day and age , to live among the Buddhist monks (theravada) I wish to renonce to this world and its the only place they really accept foreigners , also the population support the monk there , like old days. I do not know where else I could go , if you know monks , have contacts , information and so on , It would be greatly A plus would be a place where we collect food with the bowl , and all that Siddhartha accepted Because as a renoncant (monk) you cannot buy , cook , ask for food , it would be against the teachings and would encourage a critical eye on foods ( to decide , i like , i dislike. So people must cook and give food. you can never posses money , buy , sell , trade
Religion & Spirituality - 2 Answers
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1 :
I spoke to a western Therevada monk who travelled all over Asia learning and experiencing monkhood. His experience was suprisingly bleek; but then again Buddhism's about acknowledging truth and reality. He told me there are a few places that are good for learning, but most are far from the spiritual experience you'll be expecting. The vast majority of westerners who become Therevada monks quit within a few years with a very bitter taste in their mouth. He told me Thailand is the worst place to learn. He said they can be pretty arrogant and rude. Some Thais' first sexual experience is in the temple during their first time of temporary monkhood. I was told a story where a teenager went to live in a temple and his monk 'roommate' kept masterbating. He complained to the abbot and the abbot was so offended at the suggestion that the abbot couldn't run a monstery properly that the teenager had to leave the temple. This allowed the abbot to keep face. Ajahn Bram said in some temples in Thailand the monks would revere the books without ever reading them. What's the point? Thai Buddhism's strongly influenced by animism and local culture too; just as all Buddhist societies are. Don't get me wrong, there ARE great monasteries and monks out there. Ajahn Cha is one such Thai monk who's excellent. He founded a forest monastery in northern Thailand. Burmese monks were said to be similar to Thai monks. The two most respected monks in some place in Burma couldn't stand the sound of each other's name because they had different interepretations and jealousy. A suitable attitude in some religions where there can be only one 'right' view, but most unsuitable for a Buddhist monk. In general, Sri Lanka is the best place to learn Therevada Buddhism. Even most common Sri Lankans are aware of the basic concepts and Pali words and it's less superstitous than in other countries. If you're from a developed country then getting a visa isn't a problem. If you want to live like Siddharta then you can never ever touch money again; in this world it's just too impractical. Only in South East Asia do they still use the alms bowl to request food from people (oh another monk story- I was told of some monks who collected rice from villagers, brewed into alcohol and then sold it back to the villagers at a high cost). Buddhism's one of the few religions that recognises change is inevitable, and you're probably richer than most people in developing countries so I don't know why you'd want to have them donate food to you. So I'd go to a place based on recommendation from someone who's personally experienced it all.
2 :
I take it you wish to ordain in the Theravada tradition. In that case you can go to Thailand, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Australia, England, or California.
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