Disrobing

[Buckwheat]

Its a very personal decision...

[retrofuturist]

Greetings bhante,

As always, thank you for sharing your insights with us.

Metta,
Retro.

[Gena1480]

if you know the reason for putting on robes.
you will know the reason for taking robes off.
if you don't know the reason for putting on robes.
you will not know reason for taking robes off.

[daverupa]

if you know the reason for putting on robes.
you will know the reason for taking robes off.
if you don't know the reason for putting on robes.
you will not know reason for taking robes off.

Sadhu!

[Buckwheat]

if you know the reason for putting on robes.
you will know the reason for taking robes off.
if you don't know the reason for putting on robes.
you will not know reason for taking robes off.

Good point, except I already know I'm ignorant. That's what I'm trying to fix.

[BuddhaSoup]

I had the opportunity to temporarily ordain, in Thailand, as a samanera.

Most everyone on this honorable board understands that in Thailand, temporary novice ordination is a Thai Sangha custom and practice.

In the case of my novice ordination at Wat Sri Boen Ruang, I was expected as a lay person at the temple to study Dhamma, to study Pali, to meditate, to chant with the monks, to maintain precepts and to otherwise do all necessary to earn the right to request permission of the Abbott to ordain as a samanera.

I was given permission of the Abbot to ordain, and the date was set. More serious study ensued. I was told that the preceptor was a very serious senior Abbot, and that he would not ordain anyone unless they met his standards. So, I was on notice that I needed, as a farang, to be serious, focused, and humble in all of the preparation.

Despite my failings during the ordination procedure, I was ordained. My Pail was poor, and I am surprised that this Ven. Abbot allowed me to ordain.

Once ordained, I went on morning alms rounds. I lived as a novice monk, and meditated and chanted with the other novices and the Bhikkhus.

To get back onto the subject topic, when the time came for me to disrobe and re-enter lay life in street clothes, the day was one of the most heartfelt, sad, and joyous days of my life. I was deeply grateful for the experience, and have the sense that I will re-ordain when I am able, even to the point of completing my life on this planet as a monk.

There is a well known saying of, I believe, Ajahn Chah, easy to ordain, easy to disrobe. I can say for my part that the opportunity to ordain as a samanera in Thailand was extraordinary, and deeply and humbly appreciated . As Bhante pointed out on this forum, so much of the question of ordaining and disrobing lies with intention. I would wish this experience on anyone on this forum.

[abhishek_laser]

a

[Bankei]

I've spoken to a lot of monks and former monks, mainly Thai and foreigners associated with Thailand.

It seems a major time for those long term monks disrobing is when they reach the ages 30 to 35 as this is when they start thinking of whether to leave and start a family find a job etc or not. If they reach any further then it may become harder to leave.

bankei