it's possible for an ordian to become lay again. not that it's not possible.Originally posted by so_what:is it possible to be a monk/nun and "huan su" after a few yrs? Do u need to hav a great knowledge abt buddhism?
I hav heard tat it's common for teen guys to be a monk for abt 2 yrs b4 they enter their adulthood ( jus lik sg guys must serve army when 18 )
Yes, that is possible. Although my master discourages such 'short term monkhood'... his view is that anyone who wants to enter monkhood should stay committed to it an entire life, not enter and then leave the sangha. So there are differing views.Originally posted by so_what:is it possible to be a monk/nun and "huan su" after a few yrs? Do u need to hav a great knowledge abt buddhism?
I hav heard tat it's common for teen guys to be a monk for abt 2 yrs b4 they enter their adulthood ( jus lik sg guys must serve army when 18 )
actually the short term monkhood "duan qi chu jia " is a convenient practiceOriginally posted by An Eternal Now:Yes, that is possible. Although my master discourages such 'short term monkhood'... his view is that anyone who wants to enter monkhood should stay committed to it an entire life, not enter and then leave the sangha. So there are differing views.
And Sinweiy is right, in fact most people in Thailand enter monkhood when they enter adulthood. There are some people in Singapore also go to Thailand to serve short term monkhood... one of my relatives has done that.
I do not think a monk necessarily needs to have great knowledge about Buddhism.. about what is required to be ordained you can ask a shi fu about that.
merriam webster dicitionary entryOriginally posted by An Eternal Now:Firstly monkhood is not to be mistaken as ascetism, ascetism is rejected by Buddha as not able to bring Enlightenment... on his spiritual search prior to his enlightenment. Instead he taught the Middle Way.
Anyway, of course, a person may wish to leave the Sangha if he really wishes so. However before entering monkhood one should consider it to be a life-time commitment... rather than something you can leave and enter. Buddha was compassionate to allow people to return to the Sangha, but such rules are not to be taken for granted... or entering monkhood with thoughts of leaving after some time. So.. commitment is quite important.
Glad you have went to lodge in Ven. Sheng Yen's monasterySo how was it like there? What do you all practise everyday?
Just wondering: are you following a particular Buddhist tradition?Originally posted by so_what:So where can experience monastic life? at least got a view b4 considering full commitment?
What a wonderful experienceOriginally posted by bohiruci:okie ,abt the lodging at taiwan , morning 4:30am i wake up ,becos qi ba(striking the wooden fish )
so i wake up lor , becos i wanted to experience monastic life
some simple exercise and at 5:15am is morning chanting
taiwan that time is still end of winter ,havent spring in march in taipei
nong chan monastery
of course quite alot of mosquitoes and very damp air
but i was quite relazed after the morning chanting,as we have to wear the
haiqin
okie wats in the content of morning chanting
leng yan mantra and 10 mantra
then 10 vows of samantabhadra
morning breakfast sit at the dinner table
no chatting
waiting for morning offering to finish and and all the monks and nuns comes in
i look at everyone very mindful at their own rice and food ,
so i dare not peek around
well ,that time was reallie kind of practising , i feel so serene and calm
daytime i spent my time in the room reading sutra and listening to sutra
evening fall was the time for evening chanting
which have amitabha sutra and transference of merits
then at 10:30 was an ban (in chinese means resting of the wood clock )
i went there for 2 days ,was so relieved i get 2 day of real practice
Yup I know it is the Ch'an (zen) tradition.. I was asking so_whatOriginally posted by bohiruci:nong chan monastery is on the chan lor
I oni started to have great interest in buddism recently, i'm not so sure but prefer Mahayana. i know tat Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery is popular in sg. Could i know abt the details by visiting them? Who r the best person to ask?Originally posted by An Eternal Now:Just wondering: are you following a particular Buddhist tradition?
I think it is important that you find the right Master first... and then take refuge in the Three Treasures (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha). As for KMSPKS, I do not frequent there, so I am not sure myself. Perhaps some others can give more advise.Originally posted by so_what:I oni started to have great interest in buddism recently, i'm not so sure but prefer Mahayana. i know tat Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery is popular in sg. Could i know abt the details by visiting them? Who r the best person to ask?
That is very good... personally I feel that I would like to attend such 'retreats' or 'monastery living'. I feel that it wld be a more condusive place for practise... and also a time to keep peace of mind.Originally posted by bohiruci:nong chan monastery is under the chan lineage of the master of ven sheng yen , dong chu lao ren on chan lineage
didnt have more time to stay there ,my cousin calling me back to taipei
i promise him to come back after 2 days of monastery life
I seconded that ! !!got a buddhist friend who keep on saying want to renounceOriginally posted by An Eternal Now:BTW, if you truly wish to renounce, you should not make a public statement. That will only cause you obstructions. Keep it to yourself for the time being.
go to awareness place to check with them or go directly to pksOriginally posted by An Eternal Now:I think it is important that you find the right Master first... and then take refuge in the Three Treasures (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha). As for KMSPKS, I do not frequent there, so I am not sure myself. Perhaps some others can give more advise.
BTW: do you seriously plan to renounce?