Changes to lay life

[rowyourboat]

I have heard that some monks before they ordained 'lived like monks' living a lay life. I would like to ask the Bhikkus here (and Bhikkunis as well), what changes to lay life would you suggest before getting ordained, in preparation?

With metta

Matheesha

[daverupa]

[rowyourboat]

Hi Daverupa,

All that popcorn..

How about practicing these things:?

modesty
contentment
seclusion
non-entanglement
arousing persistence
virtue
concentration
discernment
release
knowledge & vision of release


Metta

[retrofuturist]

Greetings RYB,

Having narrowed your list of potential respondees to the presently ordained, there may well be a lot of popcorn required to tide us over until there is a response.



Metta,
Retro.

[rowyourboat]

Hi Retro,

Really? How about this practice:

Live in concord, with mutual appreciation, without disputing, blending like milk and water, viewing each other with kindly eyes

Metta

[retrofuturist]

Greetings RYB,

So when you say you're interested in hearing from Bhikkhus and Bhikkhunis, you're also interested in hearing from the Buddha (by way of sutta), then that opens things up a bit more.

Metta,
Retro.

[bodom]

While I am not ordained, I think following the 8 precepts full time would be a good start:

The Eight Precepts:

1. Panatipata veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
I undertake the precept to refrain from destroying living creatures.
2. Adinnadana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
I undertake the precept to refrain from taking that which is not given.
3. Abrahmacariya veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
I undertake the precept to refrain from sexual activity.
4. Musavada veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
I undertake the precept to refrain from incorrect speech.
5. Suramerayamajja pamadatthana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
I undertake the precept to refrain from intoxicating drinks and drugs which lead to carelessness.
6. Vikalabhojana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
I undertake the precept to refrain from eating at the forbidden time (i.e., after noon).
7. Nacca-gita-vadita-visukkadassana mala-gandha-vilepana-dharana-mandana-vibhusanathana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
I undertake the precept to refrain from dancing, singing, music, going to see entertainments, wearing garlands, using perfumes, and beautifying the body with cosmetics.
8. Uccasayana-mahasayana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
I undertake the precept to refrain from lying on a high or luxurious sleeping place.

[ground]

While I am not ordained, I think following the 8 precepts full time would be a good start:

The Eight Precepts:
...

Thanks for directing my mind to the most appropriate response to the OP's question when it has been on the verge of being distracted in its monkey-like fashion by exactly this question.


Kind regards

[rowyourboat]

Thank you Bodom- your posts are often spot on. I wondered if there should be a thread here about what the Buddha said about being ordained, in the sutta pitaka- if someone else is interested in starting one, I will contribute.

Bodom, what do you think - nacca Gita vadita seems to about sensual pleasure- would it be enough to remove craving to these? Probably not..

With metta

Matheesha

[bodom]

Bodom, what do you think - nacca Gita vadita seems to about sensual pleasure- would it be enough to remove craving to these? Probably not..

Hi Matheesha

To be honest and speak from experience, I don't know. I have never undertaken the eights precepts for longer than a day and night, and with my current life situation, probably wont be undertaking them anytime soon. I have to conclude though that following these precepts intently and for long amount's of time would significantly reduce desire for these objects of attachment, though not to the point of reaching Arahantship. So the question is, how much so? If the eight precepts were all that were needed to eradicate clinging and reach Nibanna, the Buddha wouldn't have added an additional 219 precepts

[ground]

- nacca Gita vadita seems to about sensual pleasure- would it be enough to remove craving to these? Probably not..

It also enhances seclusion. I consider 3 and 8 to cover sensual pleasures too.

IMO since this craving needs to be abandoned anyway it does not make much sense to ask the question you are asking.
E.g. if I want to walk from where I am to location B which will take 10 steps then asking whether the first stept will be enough to reach B does not make much sense.

kind regards

[mlswe]

what i can think of now:

if you have time off and want to travel, choose a monastary over the beach

try to keep the eight precepts as many days as possible and to reflect on renounciation even while keeping 5

minimize exposure to foolish and negligent people and maximise with wise and good

minimize superflous time and energy stealing activities to open up your days for meditation, contemplation and study


as i see it the extent of preparation is very dependant on how one has to make a living

[rowyourboat]

Hi mlswe, Thank you. - a breath of fresh air+great advice