Page 1 of 1

Buddhist Monk Pen-pals

Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2014 4:16 am
by texastea
Being that I am in college, I am interested in becoming pen-pals via the internet with buddhist monks around my age (19-25). I am age 19. I'm willing to help with their english through Facebook, email, or even Skype. I've always been curious what it was life growing up as a teen in a monastery. I also speak basic Mandarin Chinese if that helps. If anyone could offer some knowledge on this, that would be great!

Re: Buddhist Monk Pen-pals

Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2014 10:27 am
by TheNoBSBuddhist
Contacting pertinent monasteries directly may be more fruitful.

Some monasteries also offer retreats for those curious about monastic life & ordination.

Re: Buddhist Monk Pen-pals

Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2014 4:24 pm
by texastea
Do you know of any pertinent monestaries? Are there any in china?

Re: Buddhist Monk Pen-pals

Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2014 7:14 pm
by TheNoBSBuddhist
Is that where you are?
Be mindful of how the Chinese view Buddhism.....

Re: Buddhist Monk Pen-pals

Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2014 7:30 pm
by texastea
I am in California studying Mandarin Chinese. I assume that it would be mutually beneficial if the monks were trying to learn English and I am trying to learn Chinese.

Re: Buddhist Monk Pen-pals

Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2014 8:41 pm
by TheNoBSBuddhist
By all means go to China to teach those wishing to learn English, English. And learn whichever dialect of chinese would be appropriate or useful to you....

But examine, research and scrutinise the attitude, in general, to Buddhism, and Buddhist Monasteries/Communities there.

Not all Chinese condemn or persecute Buddhists, but Buddhists have been persecuted by the Chinese....

Re: Buddhist Monk Pen-pals

Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2014 9:30 pm
by texastea
Would it be possible to set up something through the internet in the interim?

Re: Buddhist Monk Pen-pals

Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2014 7:15 am
by TheNoBSBuddhist
That is a good question, given that (faceless) Chinese authorities are guilty of heavy censoring and monitoring of the internet there.....

I recommend thorough investigative research.

http://www.thestar.com.my/News/World/20 ... -to-blame/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_c ... c_of_China

This is just scratching the surface, of scratching the surface, of research.