On Becoming a Buddhist/Jainist

[valnik]

Hi,
I am a young guy from Central Europe. I would like to become a Jain/Buddhist monk-hermit. I am fed up with the modern society and it would be impossible to keep all the rules and focus of Buddhism or Jainism and stay here at the sime time. I would like to become a full-time monk-hermit.

So I need to move somewhere (The best for it is India I guess? Or other nearby Asian states.).

Do you have any tips and information how to do that? E.g. if it is possible to move to another country for religious-practicing reason? (Because I am afraid it would be hard since all the countries want you to "support the state's economy, not just sit around here all day, you can stay home with that". Or am I wrong?)

I like the whole Buddhism/Jainism idea. I would like to become an ascetic anyway, so I think some concept or philosophy is a good support of it. I won't be able to stay at this phase of my life for a longer period - I need to find something new, something else, something fulfilling. I know there are some differences between these two Paths and Buddhism isn't as much ascetic as Jainism, but I am trying to broaden my chances (and not to post two almost similar threads in two forum sections).

I know I still have a long journey ahead of me, but first I need to know if it is even possible. Then I can become fully dedicated to it.

I am looking forward to hearing from you.

valnik

 

[Vinayaka]

Not many versions of monasticism, especially of the eastern varieties, view it as a running away from the world. It's more the natural state of evolution of the soul. The last thing a Buddhist or Jain monastery needs is a person with baggage from the world .. 'hating the world'.

Given that, you can become a lone wandering ascetic, with nobody's permission. Maybe you could try that for awhile. Moving to India is only allowed for 6 months at a time normally. I'm not sure about Thailand or elsewhere. Good luck with it anyway.

 

[no-body]

There are many valid reasons to become a monk. But if your purpose is to escape reality you are kind of missing the forest for the trees.

 

[wmjbyatt]

The above have kind of hit the nail on the head. We do not escape the world, we learn to live freely in the world. Nirvana is not freedom from Samsara, it is freedom within Samsara.

That having been said, you'd probably be better served looking for a monastery in your country or elsewhere in Europe. A monastery is a monastery, and you'd be much better served in a Sangha and with a master with whom you share a common language. However, in the States at least, most monasteries have rather rigorous admissions criteria. You basically have to demonstrate your commitment to spiritual development, so you have to spend some serious time at the monastery in retreat or get a letter of recommendation from your Dharma teacher. The former usually costs money, time, and commitment, and the latter requires joining a local Sangha and studying for quite some time.

 

[apophenia]

Hi,
I am fed up with the modern society and it would be impossible to keep all the rules and focus of Buddhism or Jainism and stay here at the sime time. I would like to become a full-time monk-hermit.

First off, I endorse the sentiments expressed in the preceeding posts.

If you want a taste of ascetic monastic life, maybe you could approach the Vipassana organisation (organised by Mr S.N.Goenka). They run long retreats with the vinaya (monastic disciplines) pretty much as it was 2000 years ago. You will receive an excellent education in buddhist philosophy and meditation during ten-day retreats, during which noble silence is observed. You may then volunteer as a helper during retreats, which allows you to continue practice and service to others in that same monastic context.

The Vipassana organisation accept donations at the end of a completed ten-day retreat ( longer retreats also for experienced students ), but will not accept a donation unless you complete the retreat. Somehow it all works out ...

If you google vipassana retreat you will almost certainly find somewhere near where you live, the organisation is world-wide.

If you do this you will get the chance to taste monastic life and see if it really suits you, and also hear the dharma taught very clearly.

Good luck

 

[religion99]

Look at my posts and let me know if you agree with Jain assertions. You obviously have to choose betwen Jainism and Buddhism , because both can't be true simultaneously. In case you agree with the assertions, I get give you more information.

 

[Tathagata]

Look at my posts and let me know if you agree with Jain assertions. You obviously have to choose betwen Jainism and Buddhism , because both can't be true simultaneously. In case you agree with the assertions, I get give you more information.

Indeed. Gautama Buddha and Mahavira were competing philosophers of the time.


.

 

[anant]

I don't know about the Buddhist monks and how difficult their life is but I can surely tell you being a Jain monk is very difficult.

a) You have to follow the 5 Mahavratas.
b) You have to be aware in all your action, speech and thought so that you do not hurt anyone including plants. You are prohibited to walk on grass/moss.
c) There are big restrictions on how and what you can eat.
d) Abstinence is a must.
e) You have to beg (ask for alms) for food, cloth and water and you are prohibited to do the same in rains.
f) You have to bear the climate. The Shwetambar Jain monks only wear a thin cloth no matter what the winter temperature is and Digambaras wear none.

In my opinion the life of a Jain monk is very difficult, utterly devoid of any kind of entertainment and solely devoted to a path which leads to nowhere (unless you believe in Nirvana).

 

[religion99]

I don't know about the Buddhist monks and how difficult their life is but I can surely tell you being a Jain monk is very difficult.

a) You have to follow the 5 Mahavratas.
b) You have to be aware in all your action, speech and thought so that you do not hurt anyone including plants. You are prohibited to walk on grass/moss.
c) There are big restrictions on how and what you can eat.
d) Abstinence is a must.
e) You have to beg (ask for alms) for food, cloth and water and you are prohibited to do the same in rains.
f) You have to bear the climate. The Shwetambar Jain monks only wear a thin cloth no matter what the winter temperature is and Digambaras wear none.

In my opinion the life of a Jain monk is very difficult, utterly devoid of any kind of entertainment and solely devoted to a path which leads to nowhere (unless you believe in Nirvana).

It is common sense that:
1. Difficult doesn't imply Falsehood
2. Easy doesn't imply Truth.

Actually , it is often opposite, as expressed in this age-old saying:

"If it is too good to be true , then probabaly it is"

 

[Marble]

I found some Buddhist monasteries in EU here.

 

[Tathagata]

At the OP, I feel you are coming into this with the wrong attitude. It's an attitude of bitterness and it is not advisable to become a monk on this grounds. I'd suggest doing it from an attitude of humility, thirst for knowledge, devotion to dharma, and joy.

Im no expert on becoming a monk though, thats just what my intuition tells me.

 

[valnik]

I understood the arguments about bitterness, etc., which might not be the best reasons to become a monk. However, the year after, I grew even more disappointed of the society.

I didn't want to "abuse" any religion, I just seek some way out of today's common life.

So I would be very glad if you could show me a direction where I can get more insight about becoming a recluse and overall transition from the consumerist world.

Thanks.

 

[GURSIKH]

I understood the arguments about bitterness, etc., which might not be the best reasons to become a monk. However, the year after, I grew even more disappointed of the society.


Thanks.

Hello Valnik , why are you so disappointed from the society ?

 

[Andal]

Disappointment only happens when there is a mismatch between your own internal representation of what you think things should be and how they actually are. Give up your map, it's not the territory. Accept the world as it is. If there is not acceptance there will never be any transformation of either you or the world.

Aum Hari Aum!