Before Ordaining

Discussion of ordination, the Vinaya and monastic life. How and where to ordain? Bhikkhuni ordination etc.
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Infiniteseeker
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Before Ordaining

Post by Infiniteseeker »

A friend of mine - a senior monk in the Theravada tradition, who wishes to stay anonymous - sent the following list to me. It is recommended that someone who is thinking about ordaining should consider these points before making the commitment.

---- BEGIN ----

Top questions to ask before Ordaining as a Buddhist monk (as you “Shop around” at different monasteries):

1. What is the “teacher’s fee” for the training? Sure, it might not be in money, but what do they feel they are entitled to, life-long, in return for having taught one? What level of service and loyalty does one owe one’s teacher, lifelong? Does a monk who does not render a satisfactory level of service axiomatically disqualify himself from having possibly attained to any particular level of attainment?

2. Is it true that if a student is not totally loyal to his teacher, then he completely lacks gratitude to the teacher?

3. Is there a “debt of gratitude” that is owed to the country that one has spent time living and practicing in? How is the “debt of gratitude” repaid?

4. Does the teacher teach with an “open hand” or a “closed hand”? Are certain deeper teachings kept a secret, and reserved only for students who make it into the “Inner Circle”?

5. What does a monk need to do to earn his “Independence”? At how many years of seniority does a monk typically earn his “Independence” in your tradition?

6. Are newly-ordained Bhikkhus entitled to seclusion, or is seclusion something they have to “earn” first? How is it earned?

7. Are acts of merit-making (such as group-chanting) optional, or mandatory? If mandatory, mandatory for whom? At what level of seniority do these activities become optional?

8. During the fortnightly confession, do both the Junior and Senior monks actually reveal their offenses, stating their particular offenses, or do they just recite a stock formula, which counts as confessing? Note: Offenses are “not removed” by one who does not state them specifically:

Vinaya Pitaka - Monastic Rules - Khandaka 2 - The Uposatha (Translated from the Pali by I.B. Horner.):

“Whatever monk remembering while it is being proclaimed up to the third time that there is an existent offense and should not reveal it, there comes to be conscious lying for him. Now, conscious lying, venerable ones, is a thing called a stumbling-block by the Lord. Therefore the existent offense should be revealed by a monk who remembers that he has fallen (into an offense) and who desires purity; for when it is revealed there comes to be comfort for him.’"
...
“There is an existent offense” means: either one comes to be committed or if fallen into is not removed.
...
“Should not reveal” means: should not tell, should not make clear, should not open up, should not make plain in the midst of an Order or in the midst of a group or to one individual.

9. When very-senior monks visits the monastery, traveling from a far distance, what level of fanfare and higher treatment do they deserve? “4 star” treatment? 5 stars? 6 stars? 7? How “all-out” does this monastery normally go for such an event? What would be an acceptable amount of money be, to be spent (out of the monastery coffers), per-day, on such a monk’s visit?

10. Does the community do all the formal community transactions (Sanghakamma) as explained in the Vinaya, or is it more simply the case that the abbot's will is "equivalent" to the will of the community (and he need not do formal community transactions, he can just make these sorts of decisions on behalf of the community without their input or approval, especially when it comes to having large sums of money spent, and the approval of plans which would cause the spending of money).

11. Do the monks in this tradition handle money? Accept money directly?

12. Do these monks give house blessings? Attend weddings? Attend other places and events to chant blessings?

13. Which specific lineage is this? Where are the headquarters? Who is the lineage-holding monk? How many monks total are in this lineage? Which other lineages are friendly enough that they will accept one as a guest at par, honoring all of one’s years of seniority (“Rains”) as a fully-ordained Bhikkhu? Which other lineages would not treat a monk from this lineage as an equal, as a Brother, giving them poor treatment?

14. Who does construction? Hired tradesmen, or monks?

15. In the history of this monastery, what was the longest period of time when there were no construction projects? How often do periods like that occur?

16. Is reading of the Suttas encouraged? Required? How about the commentaries? How about the Abhidhamma? Are the books freely accessible, or are the books under restrictions? When the Early Buddhist Texts (or Commentaries) say one thing, and the teacher says another, who is right? Are the Commentaries Authoritatively true, and must be taken as absolutely true?

---- END ----

I will not be able to, personally, provide any further commentary and/or clarifications on the above points.
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JamesTheGiant
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Re: Before Ordaining

Post by JamesTheGiant »

Yes, that's a good list of questions in my opinion.

But I don't really understand 2 and 3, and their relevance.
Infiniteseeker wrote: Thu Aug 30, 2018 2:57 am
2. Is it true that if a student is not totally loyal to his teacher, then he completely lacks gratitude to the teacher?

3. Is there a “debt of gratitude” that is owed to the country that one has spent time living and practicing in? How is the “debt of gratitude” repaid?
:anjali:
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DNS
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Re: Before Ordaining

Post by DNS »

JamesTheGiant wrote: Thu Aug 30, 2018 4:34 am Yes, that's a good list of questions in my opinion.

But I don't really understand 2 and 3, and their relevance.
Infiniteseeker wrote: Thu Aug 30, 2018 2:57 am
2. Is it true that if a student is not totally loyal to his teacher, then he completely lacks gratitude to the teacher?

3. Is there a “debt of gratitude” that is owed to the country that one has spent time living and practicing in? How is the “debt of gratitude” repaid?
Since the OP said he cannot provide any further commentary or clarification; I'll take a shot at possible explanation.

If the answer to #2 is 'yes' than that would be a place to avoid. Theravada is not guru-driven, full-devotion to a teacher no matter what. For example, what if the teacher asked the monk to do something immoral, violating Vinaya, etc.

If the answer to #3 is 'yes' than that might also be a red-flag as how would the monk re-pay his "debt"? It might entail getting his family members to make regular contributions to the temple, placing an inappropriate burden on the new monk, who should be focusing on spiritual-development not those worldly matters.
SarathW
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Re: Before Ordaining

Post by SarathW »

Can't you iron out those bugs while your are waiting in the temple before your ordination?
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
Faelig
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Re: Before Ordaining

Post by Faelig »

This a gem of a post, thank you :anjali:
fornoxe
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Re: Before Ordaining

Post by fornoxe »

Am I the only guy shock by that? :shock:
dharmacorps
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Re: Before Ordaining

Post by dharmacorps »

My guess is 1,2, and 3 are probably mentioned for the sake of warning the potential new monk about troublesome situations and teachers.
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JamesTheGiant
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Re: Before Ordaining

Post by JamesTheGiant »

fornoxe wrote: Sun Sep 02, 2018 11:43 am Am I the only guy shock by that? :shock:
What about it shocks you? :namaste:
fornoxe
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Re: Before Ordaining

Post by fornoxe »

JamesTheGiant wrote: Sun Sep 02, 2018 7:58 pm
fornoxe wrote: Sun Sep 02, 2018 11:43 am Am I the only guy shock by that? :shock:
What about it shocks you? :namaste:
Or maybe my english is too bad. But...

1. What is the “teacher’s fee” for the training? Sure, it might not be in money, but what do they feel they are entitled to, life-long, in return for having taught one? What level of service and loyalty does one owe one’s teacher, lifelong? Does a monk who does not render a satisfactory level of service axiomatically disqualify himself from having possibly attained to any particular level of attainment?


For me, and especially a monk teacher should not waiting something back from a teaching.


2. Is it true that if a student is not totally loyal to his teacher, then he completely lacks gratitude to the teacher?

Really, for everyone is normal? I am not loyal, I do research by myself. As taugh the bouddha. I see teacher as a spiritual friend. No more.

3. Is there a “debt of gratitude” that is owed to the country that one has spent time living and practicing in? How is the “debt of gratitude” repaid?

WTF




9. When very-senior monks visits the monastery, traveling from a far distance, what level of fanfare and higher treatment do they deserve? “4 star” treatment? 5 stars? 6 stars? 7? How “all-out” does this monastery normally go for such an event? What would be an acceptable amount of money be, to be spent (out of the monastery coffers), per-day, on such a monk’s visit?

Heuu, if monk want 4 star treatment, they should go in a hostel. :broke:



Like I said, maybe I misunderstood. I hope. :oops:
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JamesTheGiant
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Re: Before Ordaining

Post by JamesTheGiant »

fornoxe wrote: Sun Sep 02, 2018 9:00 pm
Like I said, maybe I misunderstood. I hope. :oops:
Unfortunately there are some bad monks, so it is wise to ask questions.
Well, maybe not "very bad" but instead lazy or just not perfect.
fornoxe
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Re: Before Ordaining

Post by fornoxe »

But everyone said its good if I read the topic :|
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