Dhamma Wheel Buddhist Forum

Hi all,

I thought about leaving the household life after finishing military service but I don't plan to become a monk yet but rather travel around the world for some time living life in a way quite similar to the way of a bhikkhu. This may include going for alms in certain circumstances. My question is whether that may become a problem later if I decide to become ordained afterwards? I think I remember hardly that this is in conflict with the vinaya and may become a hindrance for ordination but I'm not sure...

best wishes, acinteyyo

acinteyyo : This may include going for alms in certain circumstances.

I'm not sure about the Vinaya, but why would you do this anyway?

Why not save up before you go - like other backpackers, or get temporary jobs to cover expenses as you tour about?

There are legal restrictions against begging in many countries.

with metta
Chris

cooran wrote:

acinteyyo : This may include going for alms in certain circumstances.

I'm not sure about the Vinaya, but why would you do this anyway?

Why not save up before you go - like other backpackers, or get temporary jobs to cover expenses as you tour about?

There are legal restrictions against begging in many countries.

with metta
Chris

Hi Chris,

if I really go I wouldn't use any money. I may work for food but I would go for alms if I need to get food and couldn't gather it in any other way.
I know there are legal restrictions but I wouldn't beg like asking people for money or food but just stand somewhere in the background and wait with a bowl or something. If someone asks what I'm doing here I would answer that I'm waiting here for food. Nothing more... However I don't fear any consequences by law my actions may cause.
I'm not talking about a journey like backpacking tours or something like that but rather like a hermit. The focus is on meditation, seclusion, loneliness, wandering. Contact to society is limited in order to get food and water.
best wishes, acinteyyo

As long as you're not impersonating a Buddhist monk, there's no problem with begging, but you won't get much if anything, and you might get arrested.

There was a time when the FST monks stopped going for alms because of uncertainty over the begging laws in the UK.

Bhikkhu Pesala wrote:As long as you're not impersonating a Buddhist monk, there's no problem with begging, but you won't get much if anything, and you might get arrested.

There was a time when the FST monks stopped going for alms because of uncertainty over the begging laws in the UK.

Thank you Bhante. I probably won't look like a buddhist monk and I don't want to appear like being one. If I don't get anything that's the way it will be as well as if I might get arrested. Society and its laws can't harm me in any way at all.
I just wanted to know whether it may become a hindrance for ordination later on.

best wishes, acinteyyo

You can join monk or a group of monks going on pindapat with them.
I had such experience ,)

What you do - is help them carrying their bag/bags. After that they can share with you the food collected ,)

Good idea Zom, maybe I give it a try...


best wishes, acinteyyo

As far as i know, you should be fine waiting for food in Germany.

I talked to a beggar about this kind of stuff a while back. He told me he got into trouble for shaking his mug with coins inside because of the rattling-sound ("just" an oral warning, no fine or arrest though). After he stopped that, he could sit all day at a market, just quiet and waiting.

I'd be glad if you could tell us at some point about the experience you had there.

Best Wishes,
Alobha

acinteyyo wrote:Good idea Zom, maybe I give it a try...


best wishes, acinteyyo

If you dont mind travelling to Asia, I can recommend a
meditation centre. It is run by a burmese monk who was
a doctor. he speaks english.
You dont have to be a monk to live at the centre, but you
do have to keep 8 precepts.

cheers.

Thank you all for your posts. Thing is I finish military service at the earliest in 2016. I try to prepare things by then...

best wishes, acinteyyo

acinteyyo wrote:Thank you all for your posts. Thing is I finish military service at the earliest in 2016. I try to prepare things by then...

best wishes, acinteyyo

I'm just curious, but are you conscripted?

Ytrog wrote:

acinteyyo wrote:Thank you all for your posts. Thing is I finish military service at the earliest in 2016. I try to prepare things by then...

best wishes, acinteyyo

I'm just curious, but are you conscripted?

No I'm not. Six years ago I decided to join the german air-force voluntarily. Things have changed since then... naturally...

best wishes, acinteyyo