I've made the decision to ordain but am running into one barrier I can't overcome: my age. I am 58 and so far all monasteries I have either visited or spoke with the abbot have an age restriction. E.g. Wat Metta - 40, Abhayagiri - 50, Forrest Dhamma - Ajahn Dick did not say other than I don't qualify.
Does anyone know of any Theravada monasteries in the US that will ordain someone over 50 years old?
Age limit for ordination
Re: Age limit for ordination
There are few options in the US and the limited support restricts the number of persons they can ordain and support. But I think it can be done fairly easily in Asia, particularly Burma.
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dhammarelax
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Re: Age limit for ordination
Try Dhamma Suckha www.dhammasukha.org.dhammachanda wrote:I've made the decision to ordain but am running into one barrier I can't overcome: my age. I am 58 and so far all monasteries I have either visited or spoke with the abbot have an age restriction. E.g. Wat Metta - 40, Abhayagiri - 50, Forrest Dhamma - Ajahn Dick did not say other than I don't qualify.
Does anyone know of any Theravada monasteries in the US that will ordain someone over 50 years old?
Even if the flesh & blood in my body dry up, leaving just the skin, tendons, & bones, I will use all my human firmness, human persistence and human striving. There will be no relaxing my persistence until I am the first of my generation to attain full awakening in this lifetime. ed. AN 2.5
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dhammachanda
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Re: Age limit for ordination
Thank you for the kind and timely responses.
Regarding international travel/ordination (e.g. Burma, Thailand, Sri Lanka), I'm focusing on the US at this time primarily for the reason you stated - the "limited support". I currently live in California and have full medical coverage and a small, but guaranteed monthly income which could be transferred to other states. This would take any potential financial burden off the monastery - especially through the anagarika period where I can still handle money. After that, I have committed benefactors. In addition, I feel it would be best if I could establish my "home" monastery in the US as to eliminate potential language and cultural barriers so that I could focus more on the dhamma. Being in the US would also simplify relocation requirements (visas et al).
I will contact Dhamma Sukha and see what options they have.
With a deep bow...
Regarding international travel/ordination (e.g. Burma, Thailand, Sri Lanka), I'm focusing on the US at this time primarily for the reason you stated - the "limited support". I currently live in California and have full medical coverage and a small, but guaranteed monthly income which could be transferred to other states. This would take any potential financial burden off the monastery - especially through the anagarika period where I can still handle money. After that, I have committed benefactors. In addition, I feel it would be best if I could establish my "home" monastery in the US as to eliminate potential language and cultural barriers so that I could focus more on the dhamma. Being in the US would also simplify relocation requirements (visas et al).
I will contact Dhamma Sukha and see what options they have.
With a deep bow...
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dhammarelax
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Re: Age limit for ordination
To me another reason why to look in the US is that Americans who have done the work to become Buddhists are more likely to leave aside all the traditions and cultural baggage that do not lead to awakening and focus on the important and relevant issues.dhammachanda wrote:Thank you for the kind and timely responses.
Regarding international travel/ordination (e.g. Burma, Thailand, Sri Lanka), I'm focusing on the US at this time primarily for the reason you stated - the "limited support". I currently live in California and have full medical coverage and a small, but guaranteed monthly income which could be transferred to other states. This would take any potential financial burden off the monastery - especially through the anagarika period where I can still handle money. After that, I have committed benefactors. In addition, I feel it would be best if I could establish my "home" monastery in the US as to eliminate potential language and cultural barriers so that I could focus more on the dhamma. Being in the US would also simplify relocation requirements (visas et al).
I will contact Dhamma Sukha and see what options they have.
With a deep bow...
Even if the flesh & blood in my body dry up, leaving just the skin, tendons, & bones, I will use all my human firmness, human persistence and human striving. There will be no relaxing my persistence until I am the first of my generation to attain full awakening in this lifetime. ed. AN 2.5
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dhammachanda
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Re: Age limit for ordination
Very well put dhammarelax... I definitely agree. 
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dhammarelax
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Re: Age limit for ordination
If you like to see what are the teaching of the Abbot you can take a free online retreat: http://www.dhammasukha.org/online-retre ... ation.html
Even if the flesh & blood in my body dry up, leaving just the skin, tendons, & bones, I will use all my human firmness, human persistence and human striving. There will be no relaxing my persistence until I am the first of my generation to attain full awakening in this lifetime. ed. AN 2.5
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dhammachanda
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- Joined: Wed Dec 18, 2013 8:06 am
Re: Age limit for ordination
Thank you again... I will look into this.dhammarelax wrote:If you like to see what are the teaching of the Abbot you can take a free online retreat: http://www.dhammasukha.org/online-retre ... ation.html
Re: Age limit for ordination
Hello! I'm curious where you left off. Have you ordained?