Should I become a Monk or Stay A Lay Person in This Day And Age?

Рет қаралды 1,262

Күн бұрын

If you are a somewhat serious Dhamma practitioner, there is one question that usually arises at some point: should I ordain?
Surely, the Buddha praised the Homeless life like few other things in the Suttas and it would make sense, right?
After all, the home life IS dusty and crowded while the homeless life as a monk or nun is wide and open...
Life as a monk was optimal for progress in the Suttas.
Those circumstances become difficult to come by.
Lay life can also work and it is often easier to create good enough circumstances.
There is no ``magic'' about practicing as a monk -- the training is the same for monastics and lay people alike.
Don't strive for perfection. Good enough is good enough. You can always reassess later.
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Here are a few resources you might find helpful:
Meditation - Science and Buddhism Aligned: drive.google.com/file/d/1d8VY...
The Self-Improvement Almanac: drive.google.com/file/d/1VzAw...
Amazon: www.amazon.com/-/de/Dr.-Flori...
Discord: / discord
If you want to support me, feel free to buy a book or visit my patreon profile:
Patreon: / thedhammahub
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0:00 Motivation
0:38 In-Depth
14:15 Action Points
#Dhamma #Dharma #DhammaHub #Buddhism #Sutta Buddhism #Early Buddhism

Пікірлер: 37

@Threetails Ай бұрын

I have made promises in this life that compassion compels me to keep as a householder. But I do try to keep the precepts and practice meditation as well as I am able.

@phatpurrly Ай бұрын

I am fortunate to have life circumstances that allow me to attend 10 day courses and serve on occasion. I realized that “seeking” reinforces the illusion that there is something to find. I am content in my imperfect practice and slow progress. A younger me would be in disbelief at what I’ve accomplished in dhamma. “Good enough Is good enough” sadhu, sadhu, sadhu.

@light1518 28 күн бұрын

11:57 “The true going forth happens on the level of the mind and is not about moving the body to a temple or moving the body through a forest. It’s about throwing away your attachments, relinquishing craving, inducing dispassion.” Exactly so, a wonderfully succinct summary! Thank-you brother. When you say, “The real going forth is about leaving behind the world on a mental level.” It reminds me quite strongly of a saying of Jesus Christ: “Fast from the world, See the Father.”

@wordscapes5690 Ай бұрын

You need to think it through carefully. If you are unhealthy, you could become a burden to other monks. I have given it some thought, but I know that if I were to pursue what I want, other people would have to take care of me while I do so, taking away time from them. I have several friends who have indeed become nuns and monks, but they are younger than me and much, much healthier. If you do want to do this, do it when you are relatively young. Don’t wait too long if you are serious. Besides, if you do it when you are young and healthy, you have many years to find out if you have it in you to succeed. I am very happy to pursue Dhamma as a layperson.

@kzantal 29 күн бұрын

🙏

@VeritableVagabond 27 күн бұрын

Learning the jhanas as taught by Ayya Khema are one of the best chances a layperson has at being transformed by nibanna.

@hardingtoplis6980 28 күн бұрын

Thank you for this well-rounded view of the monastic life, one that I had only sketchily considered before your video.

@ricklannis6244 Ай бұрын

It's just so hard to make any progress while living in modern society, it is possible but I think for most of us it is too much of an uphill battle. I have always dreamed of going away for a few years, building up a stable and strong foundation of skills and then incorporating that back into the your typical daily life. I don't want to abandon society but I don't think I can make any progress without leaving for a little while.

@birkmcclain6220 24 күн бұрын

What are some of the good places where monks and nuns are today? Pothgulgala Aranya, the former monastery of Ven Ñānananda, comes to mind

@TheDhammaHub 23 күн бұрын

I only know of a few, as I posted in another comment here to shelina. But as I see it, good places are very rare

@TheDhammaHub Ай бұрын

My Dhamma Book (also available on Paper): drive.google.com/file/d/1d8VYL5iOi76u1AEmyI7iGpgPP3T5FaNa/view?usp=sharing My Almanac (also available on Paper): drive.google.com/file/d/1VzAw8zHdhOsDDUzPEubTN64qhVmQhZ0m/view?usp=sharing True Dhamma Lecture: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/Y9ufjZZ6zNqplYU.html Dhamma Hub Discord: discord.gg/AcDwZ78ybn

@shelinahetherington4661 Ай бұрын

Thank you for this, Flaus, it is helpful for me. You mentioned there are just a handful of places where one can ordain practising the EBT without rituals etc. Please would you be kind enough to list those for me. 🙏🏽

@TheDhammaHub Ай бұрын

I have only spoken with a handful of monks, so please do not take this list as exhaustive. The first thing would be that you could practice in the Dhammayut tradition. They do not really stick to the EBT, but they allow you to do whatever you wish for the vast majority of the time. Then there are the 2 Hillside Hermitage-related places. And lastly, I think there is a place in Germany that is kinda nice called "Muttodaya". That said, oftentimes monasteries are full^^

@shelinahetherington4661 Ай бұрын

Thanks very much

@skrrskrr99 28 күн бұрын

People have a lot of weird ideas about monasteries and monks in general. In my experience, monasteries are noisy places with many distractions. You can find ones that will take you even if you're old to become an ordained monk. Wearing saffron robes and shaving your head will not make you an enlightened being. I dont think you need to be a monk. You need to be willing to do the work, though. "Mountains are mountains and rivers are rivers; later on, mountains are not mountains and rivers are not rivers; and still later, mountains are mountains and rivers are rivers.” You're already enlightened but you don't realize it.

@Daniel-xj4rh 22 күн бұрын

In today's society, you probably have to be a monk. As a monk in a good community, you have ideal conditions for development. Secular people often cannot afford to let go of attachments, or they develop them. For example, if you fully accept the four noble truths, you will not enter into a relationship with a woman (unless this relationship already existed). This would be striving for sense pleasure and creating an attachment that, with a full understanding of dhamma, has no point in developing. Most secular people who want to progress tend to develop further attachments. Another problem is the generally comfortable lifestyle. Of course, all this can be overcome by living a purely secular life. You can take, for example, the 8 precepts and stick to the intention to give up sensual desires, but usually most will not do this.

@franknewmannz553 Ай бұрын

Great video

@sorry-to-break-the-news 29 күн бұрын

Yes, I think it would be virtually impossible to find monks who are practicing original 'Buddhism' today (which wasn't even called Buddhism until a few hundred years ago). Well, you might find the odd place, but getting the chance to become a monk would likely be rare. In 1999 I almost became a monk at Samye Ling Monastery in Scotland. I am glad that it never happened. One, because after finally discovering the Pali cannon I realise that the Tibetan teachings are far removed from what the Buddha taught, or at least what was eventually written down. Two, because the head monk turned out to be...how can I put this? Erm, very much like certain Catholic Priests. I believe he left the monastery because it made the news, even though apparently it is common for the older monks to engage in intercourse with the younger monks 🤷‍♂. "All compounded things are subject to vanish. Strive with earnestness!"

@midooley543 27 күн бұрын

Every time I try non-activity, it feels like I am starting to lose my mind after after about 4 or 5 hours. Not with boredom, I mean actually going a little mad. What could be happening with that?

@midooley543 27 күн бұрын

Always scares me into stopping. So frustrating

@TheDhammaHub 27 күн бұрын

@@midooley543 Hey! I guess this would be kinda normal an at some point this wold happen to anyone depending on the strength of their virtue. It is a rather advanced exercise that we usually only recommend once many of the defilement have been weakened significantly. Based on that, you could swiftly recognize the Dhamma as you create circumstances in non-activity where it is almost impossible NOT to notice it. That said, we usually WANT to distract us from the Dhamma as there is a bit of a fear of the unknown. After all, you undermine the entirety of your being at that time. It is a bit like jumping into the void^^

@midooley543 27 күн бұрын

Thank you. I think I need to focus on purifying my virtue for now. I keep trying to jump in the deep end when I’m not prepared for it

@TheDhammaHub 27 күн бұрын

@@midooley543 It would be good to really clarify what the Buddha means by virtue! More often than not, people completely misunderstand that. Much success to you

@user-le6rx2zd2u Ай бұрын

Hello Flaus, I don’t know English well, so I’m writing through Google Translator (with some corrections). First of all, I will say that I respect you and find great benefit in your videos, but now I want to ask a few important questions in my opinion regarding this video, since I was a little disappointed with its content. Why didn’t you say that Sangha: 1) A huge field of merit for the world? (giving to the Sangha brings greater results than giving to the Buddha, this is said in many suttas) 2) Sangha is an institution that transmits and preserves the Teachings of the Buddha: daily recitations in Pali, teaching the laity, increasing the growth of faith in the laity through various kinds of rituals, an example of proper behavior monks? Although not ideal at the moment in Asia in almost all places despite the quality of observance of the rules in general, experienced monks who have seriously practiced and observed Vinaya since childhood, nevertheless do not criticize this approach and treat most ordinary monks with understanding, in my country in Russia, many Bikku also believe that it is better to observe as it turns out than not to observe Vinaya at all (in this climate here almost impossible to do it with purity) and remain Bikku rather than remain a layman if there is such an opportunity and desire. 3) Vinaya is the rules of training and assumes that a person is initially not ready to lead a holy life in purity, which means that even a monk who hardly practices and only follows the rules will already benefit and purify the mind? I apologize for wasting your time and if i did some mistakes in conclusion, I think this is an important topic regarding monasticism, with respect🙏.

@TheDhammaHub Ай бұрын

Hey! Concerning the Sangha: It is true that giving to the _noble_ Sangha that is practicing the good Dhamma is a worthy field of merit. And there lies the problem. Most people cannot really judge that and if you pick a place at random to give to, chances are that they are _not_ practicing the Good Dhamma. The same kinda applies to the second statement. The _noble Sangha_ does this but not every Sangha. It _is_ great to keep the moral rules and precepts for sure, but this is not tied to the title of a monk at all. You can do that Just as much as a lay person! This keep of rules is the very first step of the holy life as the Buddha said in several Suttas. But that alone will not get the job done! _Just_ the keeping of rules even falls short of the virtue that the Buddha mentioned. In _addition_ to that you _must_ also understand craving as the _proximate_ cause of suffering before you can understand _ignorance_ as its ultimate cause! I am not sure if this answers your questions though, so feel very free to post a follow up. I guess the language barrier also makes it a bit difficult. Using ChatGPT for the translation can also make things a bit more smooth!

@user-le6rx2zd2u Ай бұрын

@@TheDhammaHub Good answer, thank you. In general, you answered, but I still want to know what you think about weak monasticism, when a person practices weakly and has many kilesas, but at the same time he does even worse in the world than in the monastery. And also about the scholarly monks who only study the texts but know them perfectly and teach others (only the Suttas and Vinaya without their comments), and the priestly monks who, despite all their shortcomings, bring many people through rituals and events to the Dhamma and to whom they also bring donations people benefit in any case. After all, the more monks there are in the world, the greater the chances of encountering the Teachings of the Buddha (i think that way).

@TheDhammaHub Ай бұрын

@@user-le6rx2zd2u If those people have the opportunity, then it would be very good for them to become monks. I very much encourage that! What I mainly pointed out is that many _very serious_ practitioners would not benefit very much from those places. For them, it would be often more beneficial to stay at home than "waste time" on a constant search for something that is so hard to get. What I encourage is to look for "good enough" circumstances. And concerning the last part, I would only partially agree... the Buddha very much said that "one who is himself sinking in the mud, that he could pull out another person - that is impossible. But if you are NOT sinking in the mud, then you _could_ pull out another. To use a simile... if you want to teach others how to repair a car, then you have to know that yourself. And the same is true for the Dhamma.... you need the Right View, otherwise the best you can do is "advertise" a bit and send people to someone else who you think "knows better". I would say that Buddhism is available world-wide to those who _seek_ for it!

@user-le6rx2zd2u Ай бұрын

@@TheDhammaHub ok, thanks for sharing your time and answering me, i hope it will be useful for others too.😌👆

@JackFrost008 22 күн бұрын

I medidated a few times in my life so far.. One day I saw the Universe. I wonder if that is the meaning of Enlightenment or if that is something else...

@TheDhammaHub 22 күн бұрын

It is something else^^ The Buddha explained enlightenment as "finding the way out of suffering".

@JackFrost008 22 күн бұрын

@@TheDhammaHub is that possible? I dont see it wth all the noise machines and war...

@TheDhammaHub 22 күн бұрын

@@JackFrost008 It is possible on a personal level. You will not free the world from suffering but you can free individuals - that is still a pretty big impact

@JackFrost008 22 күн бұрын

@@TheDhammaHub that would be good

@FlyOnTheMoon. 3 күн бұрын

Is it possible for a married couple to engage in sex and still attain liberation?

@TheDhammaHub 3 күн бұрын

That depends on what you mean by this. There are cases of lay sekhas in the Suttas where they engaged in sexuality up until Sakadagami. But after that, people were usually living celibate. And even before that, the overall interest was very low likely. Marriage back in the days was not really about "love". Most people lived in arranged marriages to continue a family etc^^ Anyway... once you reach Sotapatti or likely way before that, you will realize that sexuality might be not as good and inviting as you have previously thought it was... it is more akin to being forced by your primal urges^^

@cariyaputta 13 күн бұрын

In my places monks actively engage in facebook, instagram, tiktok, etc. and actively fishing for monetary donation, another strange observation is that 99% of their close supporters are always women, which is absolutely not inspiring to say the least. An estimated by bhikkhu Subhuti from the americanmomnk site that there are now only around 4% of monks who don't accept nor use money, i.e. monks who still respect and practice in line with the Vinaya.