Ordaining today

[Phra Chuntawongso]

Just a quick word to say that one of the lay meditators here,Ralf from Belgium will be ordaining this afternoon.
I wish him all the best as he starts his new life as a member of the monastic community.
Ralf once asked if being a monk made me more mindfull.
He will quickly learn about being more mindfull once he is in robes.
No buttons,no zips,no velcro.No mindfulness=no modesty.

[Ben]

Thank you Nanadhaja for the excellent news.
Please pass on our good wishes to Ralph!
I guess I speak for many of our members when I say, we wish him all the very best with his noble endeavours!
with Metta

Ben

[Ytrog]

Although I don't know Ralph I wish him well. This is a great day for him.

He will quickly learn about being more mindfull once he is in robes.
No buttons,no zips,no velcro.No mindfulness=no modesty.

Do they come off that easy?

[Phra Chuntawongso]

As of 15:23 this afternoon(Malaysian time),Ralf became Ven.Dhammaratana.
Ytrog,believe me it is a whole new experience learning how to put these robes on properly.
One problem that guys have is that they are not used to wearing what is essentially a skirt.
While there is a type of belt to hold this up if you wear it slightly too low then when you start climbing stairs the front can sometimes get caught under your foot.This can start to bring it down(so speaks the voice of experience)The top robe has nothing holding it place and you really have to get the hang of how to put it together.One robe makes three different types of robe.
I recall reading Phra Farang and he spoke of the first time he went to(I think)morning chanting.
When he got up from chanting his lower robe remained on the floor.He said that as casually as he could he picked up the robe and with as much dignity as he could find under the circumstances and made his way back to his room.

[Sobeh]

mahamudita

[Ytrog]

As of 15:23 this afternoon(Malaysian time),Ralf became Ven.Dhammaratana.
Ytrog,believe me it is a whole new experience learning how to put these robes on properly.
One problem that guys have is that they are not used to wearing what is essentially a skirt.
While there is a type of belt to hold this up if you wear it slightly too low then when you start climbing stairs the front can sometimes get caught under your foot.This can start to bring it down(so speaks the voice of experience)The top robe has nothing holding it place and you really have to get the hang of how to put it together.One robe makes three different types of robe.
I recall reading Phra Farang and he spoke of the first time he went to(I think)morning chanting.
When he got up from chanting his lower robe remained on the floor.He said that as casually as he could he picked up the robe and with as much dignity as he could find under the circumstances and made his way back to his room.

Bhante Nanadhaja, I didn't notice you're a bhikku until you mentioned it here.

Isn't the robe only made of rectangular pieces of cloth?

What do the name Dhammaratana and Nanadhaja mean exactly if I may ask?

[beeblebrox]

What do the name Dhammaratana and Nanadhaja mean exactly if I may ask?

I like Ven. Buddhadatta's Concise Pāli-English Dictionary (a free link). Here are the definitions:

Ñāṇadhaja:
Ñāṇa = wisdom; insight. (knowledge.)
Dhaja = flag; emblem; symbol.

Dhammaratana:
Dhamma = doctrine; nature; truth; the norm; morality; good conduct.
Ratana = 1. a gem; precious thing; 2. a cubit.

[Paññāsikhara]

Sadhu! Sadhu!

[retrofuturist]

Excellent news.



Metta,
Retro.

[pilgrim]

Great to know that my country also provides ordination opportunities for foreigners. By the way am I right to assume both you and Ralph have taken bhikkhu ordination? (as opposed to samanera).

[Phra Chuntawongso]

Hi Pilgrim.
Yes we have both taken full ordination as bhikus.
There are a few places around Malaysia that ordain foreigners.There are 4 of us here at the moment.The only problem is the visa issue.They can be a little reluctant to give us the full 90 day visa when it is time to renew.The have been known to give as little as 30 days and then we have to leave again for 1-2 weeks.It is up to the immigration officers discretion and being in robes does not have the same effect as some neighbouring countries.Still it is nice to be able to come here and ordain and although soon I will leave Malaysia and head up to Thailand,this country will always have a special place in my heart.

[Ytrog]

I saw that you ordained on 10 September this year, so you are still quite new to the robes. Did you and Ven.Dhammaratana spent some time as a samanera prior to this?

[Phra Chuntawongso]

I saw that you ordained on 10 September this year, so you are still quite new to the robes. Did you and Ven.Dhammaratana spent some time as a samanera prior to this?

To be perfectly honest,I was a samanera for about 1 hour.
At 14:00p.m I took my samanera vows in the meditation hall and at 15:00 I went to the sima and took full ordination.
This is not as unusual as it may seem.I know that there are many places where you would be expected to spend time as an anagarika,then a samenera before taking your Bhikku vows.I believe Wat Pa Nanacahat still does this,amonst others.However there are many places in Thailand that will ordain you in a day.I guess, but can not say for sure that Sri Lanka may be quite strict on the proceedures for ordination but will have to leave that up to any one who has ordained there to clarify.
With metta.

[fabianfred]

I have been coming to my temple for two years now, teaching guests of the MonkforaMonth project.
I ordained as novice on 9th May this year, then Full ordination on 21st. july.
We try to have our guests go into white as 8 precepts for a few days before they ordain as novices.
Usually in Thailand they do not do full ordination during the Pansa (Vassa).

[Phra Chuntawongso]

I was on 8 precepts for 6 days here,however I have spent a lot of time on retreats so that came as no surprise.I always took at least 5 precepts when I was working,sometimes 8,but have to admit not eaing after midday when you are doing manuel labour is not easy.
I did not know about Thailand not doing ordination over vassa.Is there a reason behind this?
With metta

[rowyourboat]

I have heard that ordination in Sri Lanka is not that quick. I have a friend who became a samanera and has been asking for ordination for quite a while and not getting it!