urban buddhist monk

[PadmaPhala]

possible within Theravada?

[cooran]

Hello PadmaPhala,

Could you put forward a paragraph or so on your thoughts on this to start the topic please? DhammaWheel is a discussion forum not a one-liner like twitter.

Kind regards,
Chris

[chownah]

I would classify Bangkok as being urban and it is chock full of monks so I guess the answer to your inquiry is "yes" emphatically!
chownah

[appicchato]

+1

[StephenR]

if this thread is still alive I would like to continue with it...

Stephen

[Mkoll]

if this thread is still alive I would like to continue with it...

Stephen

Looks like it died before it really got started over a year ago. You've rebirthed it and it looks like it might follow the same path yet again, unless someone posts something more substantial than two sentences...

[daverupa]

I think the main shape of this thread is probably going to be along the lines of what sort of effort can be made to make modern living more conducive to Dhamma.

Monastic living is taken as the summum bonum of this, and modern living is seen as better in some ways, worse in others, when compared with the lay lifestyles of yester-year. In any event, most layfolk strive to integrate the Dhamma into their livelihoods.

So! What sorts of shapes does an 'urban monastic livelihood' take? I would venture that it's a subtle shift of emphasis from the above, to wit:

"How do we integrate livelihood into our Dhamma practice?"

In this sense, Dhamma is the priority, just as it is for monastics, but for A-Z reasons ordination cannot occur.

[purist_andrew]

I live just feet outside New York City and there is a Theravada temple there with bhikkhus. I have even seen them riding the city bus numerous times in full robe dress. I imagine the noise could be disturbing but they are well versed in meditation practice nonetheless.

In fact, they hold many weekend retreats, events and teachings with monks from other centers. Also, not long ago, Bhikkhu Bodhi resided there for months, perhaps even years at a time working on various projects. He still visits to lead weekly services with the resident monks and laity from time to time.

[Feathers]

Wasn't there a story about Ajahn Chah visiting London, encountering some hostile / violent local, and declaring he would send all his monks to London for training - that it was a real test of equanimity? I may be remembering, I googled to try and find a source and couldn't, but it sticks in my head for some reason . . .

If there is a community to provide food, accommodation and transport, I don't see why monastics shouldn't thrive in cities - and be of service to a great many people, as it will probably make it easier for more people to get to talks and retreats, compared to having to go into the middle of the countryside (let along another country).

[TheNoBSBuddhist]

I read this differently;
I'm wondering whether what the OP intended was actually this:

Can an unordained man (as 'monk' is the operative word) live a life as closely to an ordained life as possible, but outside of a monastery, in an urban situation?

I would say yes, to a point, because in any urban situation, at one point or another, the handling of money will be both essential and vital....
However, in most other ways, I think there would be little difficulty in living an ascetic life....

[Mkoll]

Wasn't there a story about Ajahn Chah visiting London, encountering some hostile / violent local, and declaring he would send all his monks to London for training - that it was a real test of equanimity? I may be remembering, I googled to try and find a source and couldn't, but it sticks in my head for some reason . . .

Based on similar stories, it sounds like something Ajahn Chah would do to teach his pupils!

[No_Mind]

I read this differently;
I'm wondering whether what the OP intended was actually this:

Can an unordained man (as 'monk' is the operative word) live a life as closely to an ordained life as possible, but outside of a monastery, in an urban situation?

I would say yes, to a point, because in any urban situation, at one point or another, the handling of money will be both essential and vital....
However, in most other ways, I think there would be little difficulty in living an ascetic life....

I have toyed with the idea of living with ten precepts at my home. But eating once a day is quite impossible while working full time (except for few like General Stanley McChrystal).

Completely forsaking all entertainment is also difficult. I love Sinatra, Perry Como, Elvis, Bee Gees, Springsteen, Credence Clearwater Revival. Cannot imagine life without listening to their voice. Cannot imagine life without Breaking Bad and House MD also. Cannot imagine life without Blue Danube and Beethoven's Ode To Joy.

So no it is not possible to be an urban monk except in short spells of a month. Maybe a rare person here and there can. But over long time such a reclusive life while living amidst few million people will cause mental problems unless the person had schizoid, loner tendencies to begin with and was in some way mentally abnormal.

[StephenR]

Well, there are certainly many different views on this subject.

What I personally mean by being an urban monk, is that while I live in the city, partake of its various pleasures, I follow the dharma as it unfolds in my heart.
There are a few older practitioners in my neighborhood who live a similar lifestyle, none of us sit with any group now, we meet when it happens on the street,
rather like joining an online community and "connecting" with someone. The Buddha, I have heard, said that it would be better to travel and meditate alone than
to keep company with others who do not share one's view. So it seems that as I age there are fewer and fewer people whom I meet that I can talk with.

Perhaps that is being friendly without clinging...

There are so many ways to be involved with the dharma, so many views...I view my monastery as the city where I Iive, unattached to anyone, friendly to all.

Stephen

[Mkoll]

The Buddha, I have heard, said that it would be better to travel and meditate alone than to keep company with others who do not share one's view.

Yes, see the Rhinocerous Horn Sutta.

[TheNoBSBuddhist]

Quite by chance, I found this article.
I will immediately state that he concurs that not everyone can do as he has done... but it's very interesting....