Q: Monks & Bank Accounts
Posted: Thu Oct 17, 2013 6:33 pm
Perhaps a few members of the Sangha can comment here or give advice/corrections to the following:
1) Can't remember who told me (could have been a monk himself a few years back when I stayed at Amaravati) that for someone considering joining the order, it's advisable that they don't shut down all avenues from their laylife for 5 years. I am presuming that this is because most monastics who disrobe do so in the first few years of mendicant life. (I don't know whether this is 5 years from higher ordination, or 5 years after starting the process in the West ie, 1 year Anagarika minimum, 1 year Samanera minimum).
2) This brings up another question about what the Western Sangha monks do in general about pensions or other assets or inheritance etc. that may come their way. If there's no bank account, how do they pass on these assets either to another relative or to a trust supporting any particular community?
3) On a more personal note. I am married (for 12 years) and considering my options. Slightly late in life perhaps for a Westerner, I don't know... I'm 41. I heard that in England they won't accept you into the order over the age of 45, or in WPN, Thailand after age 50.
But supposing I did ordain (with wife's approval) and kept my bank account (albeir empty and not in use) purely because I would wish her to receive the benefit of future state and private pensions. Is this allowed?
(By the way, I already gave her power of attorney a few years ago, because I was spending some time in Asia, and didn't want her to have any complications if I fell sick/injured etc about accessing any funds).
Thanks to anyone out there who can shed some light on this!
Piers
1) Can't remember who told me (could have been a monk himself a few years back when I stayed at Amaravati) that for someone considering joining the order, it's advisable that they don't shut down all avenues from their laylife for 5 years. I am presuming that this is because most monastics who disrobe do so in the first few years of mendicant life. (I don't know whether this is 5 years from higher ordination, or 5 years after starting the process in the West ie, 1 year Anagarika minimum, 1 year Samanera minimum).
2) This brings up another question about what the Western Sangha monks do in general about pensions or other assets or inheritance etc. that may come their way. If there's no bank account, how do they pass on these assets either to another relative or to a trust supporting any particular community?
3) On a more personal note. I am married (for 12 years) and considering my options. Slightly late in life perhaps for a Westerner, I don't know... I'm 41. I heard that in England they won't accept you into the order over the age of 45, or in WPN, Thailand after age 50.
But supposing I did ordain (with wife's approval) and kept my bank account (albeir empty and not in use) purely because I would wish her to receive the benefit of future state and private pensions. Is this allowed?
(By the way, I already gave her power of attorney a few years ago, because I was spending some time in Asia, and didn't want her to have any complications if I fell sick/injured etc about accessing any funds).
Thanks to anyone out there who can shed some light on this!
Piers