Western monks after Asian visas expire

[pilgrim]

Still, if you're a western monk, why stay in Asia? You might be more beneficial to people in the west.

Monks with Asian accents and bad English, while western people find them alluring, are not always as easily understood. And there are people like Gil Fronsdal, who are so brilliant, but they don't describe things with a rigorous adherence to the Pali text, or have any monastic authority, so people don't take them as seriously. Also, it seems like there are so many Buddhist temples in America that only (or mostly only) cater to Asian groups. But there is already a plethora of monastics in places like Thailand, isn't there?

Because of visa issues, most westerners at some point in time would need to return home. I get the impression that many western monks, other than the monks associated with the ajahn Chan monasteries and particularly those ordained in Sri Lanka or Burma often disrobe after some time in the west. They don't feel comfortable in ethnic monasteries and are unable to get sufficient support for western monasteries.

[Hanzze]

_/\_

[Luke]

It's not always easy for Theravada monks from Asia or North America to remain in Australia or New Zealand for a long time either.

--Or at all !

I met a Tibetan monk over the summer who had Indian citizenship, but was currently living in a monastery in Nepal. He could not get the US government to give him a visa to visit the US at all! They just didn't like the fact that he was living in Nepal. Maybe it was on one of their "terrorist countries" lists.

So those westerners who have been able to visit the Asian countries of their dreams for even a few months are already quite lucky, but I do admit that countries should revise their immigration laws to make things easier for ordained Buddhists to stay there, since they benefit the communities where they live.

[appicchato]

Just to throw a little more of a mix into this thread…I, personally, didn't ordain to teach (which seems to some here de rigueur)…and don't feel obligated to do so...I've given a few talks after reluctantly accepting an invite, but gritting my teeth all the way…maybe that will change, I don't know, and I'm always ready to share on a personal level…and the thought of living in a temple in the West is pretty much in the same class…once Asians get around Caucasians funny things start happening…monks included…many will not agree, I'm just relating a personal view and experience of an extended sojourn in Asia…kicking and screaming (metaphorically speaking) is the only way I'll go back…and with reference to the title…figure something else out (if you want to stay), there's always a way...

[Hanzze]

_/\_

[Phra Chuntawongso]

Just to throw a little more of a mix into this thread…I, personally, didn't ordain to teach (which seems to some here de rigueur)…and don't feel obligated to do so...I've given a few talks after reluctantly accepting an invite, but gritting my teeth all the way…maybe that will change, I don't know, and I'm always ready to share on a personal level…and the thought of living in a temple in the West is pretty much in the same class…once Asians get around Caucasians funny things start happening…monks included…many will not agree, I'm just relating a personal view and experience of an extended sojourn in Asia…kicking and screaming (metaphorically speaking) is the only way I'll go back…and with reference to the title…figure something else out (if you want to stay), there's always a way...

Greeting Bhante.The education visa is a way to go here in Thailand once the R visa option is up.No kicking and screaming required.

[appicchato]

Thank you Venerable, I'm aware of that…I'll cross that bridge (if and) when I get to it…Thailand has been very tolerant to allow me to remain here as long as I have and if it necessitates being a seventy (plus) year old student to carry on, well, stranger things have happened…

Be well...

[Hanzze]

_/\_