Thai Forest Tradition ordination

[Vincenzi]

are Thai Forest Tradition bikkhus allowed to marry?

[Ben]

No

[Vincenzi]

can a layman, that is "nominally zen", acompany them on their retreets?

{i}'m thinking of doing a 3-month retreat that pretty much resembles what i have read about them.

[Ben]

Well, why don't you ask them? Contact a monastery in the Thai Forest Tradition and ask about three month retreats.
kind regards

Ben

[Vincenzi]

thanks,

"Vassa (in Thai, phansa), is a period of retreat for monastics during the rainy season (from July to October in Thailand). Many young Thai men traditionally ordain for this period, before disrobing and returning to lay life."

nifty

[Goofaholix]

"Vassa (in Thai, phansa), is a period of retreat for monastics during the rainy season (from July to October in Thailand). Many young Thai men traditionally ordain for this period, before disrobing and returning to lay life."

Yes you can do that, either as a layman or a monk. Doesn't matter if you are married or would normally follow other traditions as long as you find a monastery that is happy to have you and you follow the rules while you are there. You don't necessarily have to do it during the vassa period, some monasteries run like retreat centres for lay people and have retreat conditions all year round.

[Vincenzi]

"Vassa (in Thai, phansa), is a period of retreat for monastics during the rainy season (from July to October in Thailand). Many young Thai men traditionally ordain for this period, before disrobing and returning to lay life."

Yes you can do that, either as a layman or a monk. Doesn't matter if you are married or would normally follow other traditions as long as you find a monastery that is happy to have you and you follow the rules while you are there. You don't necessarily have to do it during the vassa period, some monasteries run like retreat centres for lay people and have retreat conditions all year round.

grazie ^^

[tesator12]

[mikenz66]

Here's some comments from Ven Dhammanando (and others) about various Thai institutions:
http://www.dhammawheel.com/viewtopic.ph ... 014#p54700
http://www.dhammawheel.com/viewtopic.ph ... 984#p43600
http://www.dhammawheel.com/viewtopic.ph ... 898#p11132


Mike

[Goofaholix]

You are right that in Ajahn Chah monesteries the emphasis is on teaching the vinaya and there isn't much emphasis on teaching meditation or any expectation you'll follow a specific technique, if you want this you are better off practising Burmese style. However you'll still have access to experienced meditators and will be able to ask questions whenebver you need to, Wat Pah Nanachaat will likely be better for this than manyThai monasteries.

[gavesako]

Becoming a monk in Thailand can even make headlines: Apparently this star actor, who was going to marry after 1 month in the robes, then changed his mind and decided to stay a monk for life:

http://www.dailynews.co.th/entertainment/121721

http://www.khaosod.co.th/view_newsonlin ... &subcatid=

http://www.manager.co.th/Entertainment/ ... 0000078319


Interview with LP Viriyang who is going to take him to Canada:
"ดวงตาเห็นธรรม"
หลวงพ่อวิริยังค์ให้สัมภาษณ์นักข่าวที่มาทำข่าวพระเจสัน และพลังของการทำสมาธิ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yrUXqH1MHg


It sends a good message to Thai society that someone obviously successful in the worldly life, and even in family life (about to get married), can still choose the life of a monk instead. This is not typical these days, and Ajahn Jayasaro used to point it out to the parents who send their sons to study abroad: after they come back, they want them to ordain, but only for a few weeks and then they must disrobe, start a job, etc. But if the parents really believed in Buddhism and that Nibbana is the highest happiness in this life, they would want them to stay in the robes of a monk!


* * *

Sadhu with Phra Jason. I knew he would get something (dhamma) since I read about him taking LP Viriyang's 'Meditation Teacher course' some time ago and also went on tudong in Doi Inthanon with LP Viriyang (and my friend) in March. I knew it wasn't pretentious because the meditation teacher course takes 6 months (200 hours). It needs commitment on the student part. It became a headline because he was a celebrity. Regular monks won't get this kind of attention