About becoming a Monk

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Anchor Moy
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Re: About becoming a Monk

Post by Anchor Moy »

I saw a western/white skinned monk in the street going through Wat Ounalom a couple of weeks ago. He had a little Cambodian monklet with him.
Didn't take a selfie with him or ask what he's doing there, so no idea what nationality he is or what his story is.

At Wat Ounalom they have a library-book shop where I'm pretty sure they let women in, and there's also info available on where to go see Buddhist talks, discussions.
rick_o'shea
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Re: About becoming a Monk

Post by rick_o'shea »

If you go to The Place gym in bkk you will meet a western monk who goes there to work out. Friendly guy.

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Samana Johann
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Re: About becoming a Monk

Post by Samana Johann »

Bitte_Kein_Lexus wrote: Mon Apr 24, 2017 1:22 am About 6-7 years ago there was an older white guy Monking it in Daun Penh for about a year or so. Not sure which Pagoda he was attached to, but I haven't seen him since. I saw a white Monk near Phnom Aural (or used to be) last time I went (locals told me about him and I accidentally saw him on my way out). I actually bought a water bottle and juice for the the locals to give to him when he was doing alms, as he was the real deal in terms of religion/meditation. Barefoot and speechless in a tiny remote Cambodian village. Obviously out there to find himself in a good way and quite serious about it all. Totally absorbed in it.
Off-topic: Since it is in many regard a 1 under ten-thousand happening, it ssemed for person to be a reason to let probably others take part on the posters merits. ("accidently coming accross")

It's very seldom that someone comes across a monk and it even more seldom that a "western" or "modern" person get's aware. So my person can just remember one of this kind.

It was noisy these days. Dirt-bikers enjoyed the bad roads of the wood transports from the area. Once walking till the upper village for alm a group just crossed the village, and yes, jumping from one mud hole to the other of this village it's not easy to get part on that dirt when such a group crosses. Some villagers, after they had crossed asked, of course terrible exited: "Ven. Sir. Are you also able to do that? Have you done such cool stuff?", and my person just had the picture of children jumping into the dirt in the middle of people in my mind. Given oldage, sickness and death are quite near, especially when playing with it, there was less ground for any approve, but just "how 'lucky' some are". My person had to think on a good old friend, a "fanatic" dirt biker: "what if he would come accross on such a journey?"

How, ever, some days later, my person was again on his daily alms round, a single person, seemingly the/a leader of the group, seemed to take his leave, crossing, standing tall on the noisy maschine, having a mood if leaving something beloved behind.

Having crossed, this large person suddenly change his kind of mind state, seemingly touched of having become aware of a Samana, now not used and familiar of such at all. His stepping down form his bike was not only a physical thing, but short but deep release and stepping on the earth with the whole of his heart. Something that very seldom for people at large, even in the country of wonders.

Obiviously not able to break outwardly habits and signs, the large man, visible wounded in many regards did what he not easy was used to do and ordered the recluse to be given some drinks to a young villager. Before coming near, looking short back, he stepped back on his bike and drove down the road in the departing mood as before.

Es war ein sehr bewegendes Ereignis, Grund für Mitfreude an solch gewinnbringender Handlung des Geben.

Since all of this, incl. this here happening post is really something very seldom and auspicious, it was thought that it might "justify" a not so proper approach on a no so proper place, to give not only a "late" encouragement and approve for such a deed, but also to let all those who are able to rejoice with this and gladen their mind with it, let take part.

Much mudita again, with the blessed dirt biker, in the case my person is right in assuming meeting him again here.

On topic: Cambodia is not really a country where one could easily become monk so that it has aslo benefit, not only for western, but it is maybe one of the last places where the so called holly life" can be lived. It's all a matter of kamma (deeds), a matter of "upanissaya" (strong condition) which ways are possible for the individual. There are places and good monks, but very seldom to meet. So it's really not a matter that could be given in general. If interested, having questions, my person thinks it might be the best to look for possible satisfaction.here.

metta & mudita
Samana Johann
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Re: About becoming a Monk

Post by Samana Johann »

rozzieoz wrote: Mon Apr 24, 2017 3:14 am Is there such a thing as Buddhist classes for barang?
There might be even "classes", rozzieoz. As far as knowing, for organised an good teachings one might look for the Vipassana center in the large Wat at Udong.

If "luckily" came accross serious and educated monks, they would always teach if serious and respectful asked.
Better then to walk a unusuall modern way and look for such as organised classes, simply approaching a monk and ask. Or like it is usual since more the 2500 years, invite a monk or monks to teach at you home and let friends and family take part. That is actually the origin of what one might come accross as cultural events daily (which of course often do not have the original purpose any more).

Just take possible care of their good transport to you and back, althought it would (should) not be expected from them.

How ever one may feel inspired. And only someone who ask those who know can find (in this case very useful) knowledge.

(Since gender issues came up her: There is no problem to approach a monk for him as long as a woman is in company with a knowledgeable male person so that he could teach. Just do not adress a monk lonly in a secluded area. They have certain rules that woman are well protected, since being a monk, wearing a robe, does not mean that one is free of defilements and unwise thoughts. Generally there are no real barriers, neither from gender, brith, status, age, ... what ever, to become told the Dhamma. Certain respect, patient and hostility are of course conductive for best access.)
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