How to live as a forest monk in North America?

A discussion on all aspects of Theravāda Buddhism
Post Reply
Strive4Karuna
Posts: 318
Joined: Sun Dec 30, 2012 9:38 am

How to live as a forest monk in North America?

Post by Strive4Karuna »

I would like to leave the home life. I want to practice by myself the way the Buddha did and think about ordaining after. The issue is I am from Toronto(Thornhill to be exact), Canada...and it is freezing. Is it possible to live the life of a forest monk anywhere in North America or do I need to move to Thailand or some other place for this?
culaavuso
Posts: 1363
Joined: Sat Jan 11, 2014 8:27 pm

Re: How to live as a forest monk in North America?

Post by culaavuso »

It might be worth contacting Abhayagiri or Wat Mettavanaram to see if they can provide guidance in this area.
User avatar
Bhikkhu_Jayasara
Posts: 294
Joined: Thu Dec 06, 2012 11:54 am
Contact:

Re: How to live as a forest monk in North America?

Post by Bhikkhu_Jayasara »

There is also http://bhavanasociety.org, but they don't accept just anyone without getting to know them first, for residency or ordination.

You'd be surprised how many people think they want to run away and become a monk(which is a two year process at bhavana), then they leave 3 months later. It is not a decision to take lightly. I wish you well in your practice.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Bhikkhu Jayasāra -http://www.youtube.com/studentofthepath and https://maggasekha.org/
Invincible_Summer
Posts: 26
Joined: Sun Jan 19, 2014 4:26 am

Re: How to live as a forest monk in North America?

Post by Invincible_Summer »

Strive4Karuna wrote:I would like to leave the home life. I want to practice by myself the way the Buddha did and think about ordaining after. The issue is I am from Toronto(Thornhill to be exact), Canada...and it is freezing. Is it possible to live the life of a forest monk anywhere in North America or do I need to move to Thailand or some other place for this?
Here are some Thai Forest monasteries in Canada:
In BC: http://birken.ca/

In Ontario:
http://www.arrowriver.ca/

http://tisarana.ca/
User avatar
JeffR
Posts: 269
Joined: Fri Nov 20, 2009 3:54 am
Location: Minnesota, Lakota Nation (Occupier)

Re: How to live as a forest monk in North America?

Post by JeffR »

Invincible_Summer wrote:
Strive4Karuna wrote:I would like to leave the home life. I want to practice by myself the way the Buddha did and think about ordaining after. The issue is I am from Toronto(Thornhill to be exact), Canada...and it is freezing. Is it possible to live the life of a forest monk anywhere in North America or do I need to move to Thailand or some other place for this?
Here are some Thai Forest monasteries in Canada:
In BC: http://birken.ca/

In Ontario:
http://www.arrowriver.ca/

http://tisarana.ca/
:goodpost:
Therein what are 'six (types of) disrespect'? One dwells without respect, without deference for the Teacher; one dwells without respect, without deference for the Teaching; one dwells without respect, without deference for the Order; one dwells without respect, without deference for the precepts; one dwells without respect, without deference for heedfulness; one dwells without respect, without deference for hospitality. These are six (types of) disrespect.
:Vibh 945
User avatar
tiltbillings
Posts: 23046
Joined: Wed Dec 31, 2008 9:25 am

Re: How to live as a forest monk in North America?

Post by tiltbillings »

Strive4Karuna wrote:I would like to leave the home life. I want to practice by myself the way the Buddha did and think about ordaining after. The issue is I am from Toronto(Thornhill to be exact), Canada...and it is freezing. Is it possible to live the life of a forest monk anywhere in North America or do I need to move to Thailand or some other place for this?
It is possible to live year round in a North American forest, though you need to choose your forest carefully.
http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/c ... dge/video/
>> Do you see a man wise [enlightened/ariya] in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.<< -- Proverbs 26:12

This being is bound to samsara, kamma is his means for going beyond. -- SN I, 38.

“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?” HPatDH p.723
User avatar
Bhikkhu Pesala
Posts: 4644
Joined: Thu Jan 29, 2009 8:17 pm

Re: How to live as a forest monk in North America?

Post by Bhikkhu Pesala »

Whether you live in a forest, a monastery, or just an apartment, the first thing that you need to live as a monk is a proper training in the Vinaya. When you have finished at least five years living in dependence on an experienced teacher, then it's time to think about living in the forest.

To ordain in the Saṅgha in the West is not that easy. There's a waiting list, and you may have to wait a few years just to get ordained. In Asia, you could get ordained sooner, but you will have other problems to overcome to get a proper training, such as learning the language.

A prolonged stay in one of the forest monasteries of N. America would be a good place to start, learning what being a monks entails.
BlogPāli FontsIn This Very LifeBuddhist ChroniclesSoftware (Upasampadā: 24th June, 1979)
santa100
Posts: 6799
Joined: Fri Jun 10, 2011 10:55 pm

Re: How to live as a forest monk in North America?

Post by santa100 »

Bhikkhu Pesala wrote:Whether you live in a forest, a monastery, or just an apartment, the first thing that you need to live as a monk is a proper training in the Vinaya. When you have finished at least five years living in dependence on an experienced teacher, then it's time to think about living in the forest.
+1
In MN 4, the Buddha described to a bradhmin the qualities required of a monk who wishes to live alone in the forest.
Ananda26
Posts: 171
Joined: Fri Apr 04, 2014 2:41 pm

Re: How to live as a forest monk in North America?

Post by Ananda26 »

Strive4Karuna wrote:I would like to leave the home life. I want to practice by myself the way the Buddha did and think about ordaining after. The issue is I am from Toronto(Thornhill to be exact), Canada...and it is freezing. Is it possible to live the life of a forest monk anywhere in North America or do I need to move to Thailand or some other place for this?
Bhavana Meditation Society in High View, West Virginia has been ordaining monks and nuns. The winter there is cold, but there are heating places to stay there.

I have also heard good things about Bhante Vimalla Ramses in Missouri. He likes to meditate for a long time each day, so be prepared to do plenty of meditation with him.
Post Reply