A life as a monk is very simple. They normally live in a temple, chanting, meditating and study. They do not go to work to earn money to live their life. These are some of the
basic facts that is misunderstood partly. Monk’s life is very hard. Once decided to become a monk, one has to go through proper procedures and systems. The applicant is required to
have consensus from parents or dependants and put application of willing to ordain as a monk (bhikkhu) or novice (samanera); Fully ordained nun (bhikkhuni) or novice nun (samaneri).
Once the application is accepted candidate has to leave family life and home. Make a vow to overcome sensual pleasures and live on other’s generosity. He trains to restrain
from any unwholesome activities. He needs to train to control his senses, physical parts; hand moving, feet moving and body moving. He controls his speech and abides with the
monastic rules and teachings. He learns not to despise nor envy other and live a contented life, cultivating mind and wisdom. Meanwhile, a monk need to work for the society, regardless of background and leading people to a path that cultivates happiness.
Responsibilities:
Therefore, there are three main responsibilities that a monk should consider regularly; personal development, service for relatives and responsibility for the society. A monk has to learn both moral values and teachings of the
Buddha. He has to practice in accordance with that and develop wisdom to follow the right path for the liberation. There are 227 rules that a monk should follow (311 rules for fully ordained nun, 10 rules for novice monk and nun). There is no meals after lunch (mid-day meal), no entertainments,
wear robes at all the time, perform ceremonies and teachings etc.
He has also got a responsible to preserve and protect the teachings of the Buddha. A monk has a responsibility to lead his relatives to live a happy life too. He needs to guide them to live a life that is free from any unwholesome actions.
Lastly, service for the society is the most hard and difficult for a monk. There are many different kinds of people; attached to their existence, views, concepts, philosophies, cultures and mentalities. Monks have to treat
equally to all and exercise loving-kindness and compassion towards them. As a monk we always have to consider the society before us and we rely on their generous support. Any
support should be appreciated and highly respected.
Monks in the West
Buddhist monks’ life in the West is different in many aspects; culture, religion and language. A monk has to learn to accept the existing culture, adapt into the society and learn their language. Learning other culture and language is not
easy job nor understanding people from different background. It takes a lot of patience, open minded and ability to learn to blend into the community. Some of the monastic rules are compromised such as cloth, shows and
foods; and new existing cultures adopted for example Sunday services, giving sermons in English or language of that country.
Benefit of a monk
A monk could receive these benefits. First of all, a monk does not go to work for earning but rely on people’s generous offering four requisites; food, accommodation, cloth and medicine. Secondly, a monk will have an opportunity to study teachings of the Buddha, practice in
accordance with the teachings and attainment of nibbana, a state of freedom from greed, hatred and delusion.
