Looking for ordination

[reflection]

Dear friends,

In the coming year I will look for a place to ordain. Chances are I'll stick somewhere and be an anagarika and perhaps on to full ordination. I'm not quite sure where yet, but I'll travel round a bit to find the right place and teacher. This will probably be somewhere in the Thai Forest tradition, or perhaps Pa Auk's place or something like that, somewhere with an emphasis on samadhi.

I say this here because in the process I will already start to lessen my activity on this forum untill it comes to a full stop. This seems best for me, at least in the first years of training. Also I wanted to use this opportunity to say thanks for all I've learned here to everybody.

If anyone went through the same process and has some tips to share on whatever subject, feel free to do so.


With metta,
Reflection

[David2]

Good luck to you with your wholesome intentions.

[LonesomeYogurt]

If you're willing to travel out of the country, you should check out http://nauyana.org/

I've heard wonderful things about it. Good luck Dhamma friend.

[David N. Snyder]

Good luck and hope you find a suitable place. Have you taken care of any final household issues and requirements, such as debts, etc?

[reflection]

Thank you everybody!

I will start to finish some household things already, like giving up my appartment, but I won't cut all ties until I'm 100% sure.
I also need to work a bit to afford the travelling, but that should all be possible within the next year, I hope.

Thanks Yoghurt, I will check out the possibilities to visit Sri Lanka a bit more. I've heard most of my countryfolks (what's the word again? Other Dutch people) who ordain in Therevadin tradition, are ordaining there.

But I must say I have not yet done a lot of research in the Pa Auk tradition. For now I'd preferably ordain with Ajahn Brahmavamso, but his monastery is full and there is a waiting list, or so I understood.

So I'll see. Thanks again.

Lotsa metta,
Reflection

[LonesomeYogurt]

But I must say I have not yet done a lot of research in the Pa Auk tradition. For now I'd preferably ordain with Ajahn Brahmavamso, but his monastery is full and there is a waiting list, or so I understood.

Well, if you are interested in his style, here's a link to a concise overview of the method taught: http://www.paaukforestmonastery.org/boo ... aining.pdf. Maybe that'll help you know if it's for you.

(Just because you mentioned him in the OP, not trying to proselytize!)

Either way, good luck with your search! Make sure to check out some other TFT monasteries in the UK/Europe, it's surprising how many there are.

Wish you the best.

[Cittasanto]

Dear friends,

In the coming year I will look for a place to ordain. Chances are I'll stick somewhere and be an anagarika and perhaps on to full ordination. I'm not quite sure where yet, but I'll travel round a bit to find the right place and teacher. This will probably be somewhere in the Thai Forest tradition, or perhaps Pa Auk's place or something like that, somewhere with an emphasis on samadhi.

I say this here because in the process I will already start to lessen my activity on this forum untill it comes to a full stop. This seems best for me, at least in the first years of training. Also I wanted to use this opportunity to say thanks for all I've learned here to everybody.

If anyone went through the same process and has some tips to share on whatever subject, feel free to do so.


With metta,
Reflection

May you practice the Dhamma in line with the Dhamma!

remember, just because somewhere feels right doesn't mean it is right

[befriend]

good luck
puja

[reflection]

Thanks everybody!

[Sokehi]

I'll join you on that journey next year

will travel to Ratanagiri and then probably further on if everything goes well. Just have to become debtfree and stuff over here.

[reflection]

Hi Sokehi,

That's great!
I will probably visit Ratanagiri too.

Maybe I'll see you there or somewhere else one day.

With metta!

[retrofuturist]

Greetings reflection,

Congratulations on your meritorious plans!

If you get the opportunity, I'd recommend speaking to some experienced monks that you respect who would be happy to share their recommendations on what you might be well served to look for in a potential residency. This is particularly important in light of the tradition of nissaya. See page 32 and onwards in Thanissaro Bhikkhu's "Buddhist Monastic Code - Part 1" for more details of this important introduction to the monastic life.

For what it's worth, rather than intending to ease away from Dhamma Wheel, you do have the option of utilising this community as a sounding board for your thoughts and plans. Reading what you're thinking, and what you're intending, people have the opportunity to say something to you which might be immensely valuable, or even life changing. If you opt to close down such channels, you close down that opportunity - however, do not feel obliged to, as it's perfectly OK to keep things personal too. Either way, you have options...

Metta,
Retro.

[reflection]

Thank you! I will look into that.

Yes, I will use Dhammawheel still in the coming period, but I meant that I will mainly shy away from all discussion a bit. But I may still use it to keep in touch and ask about monasteries and ordinations and the like, that I find very useful. And perhaps it can be inspiring to others as well.

Metta,
Reflection

[Ytrog]

Very meritious plans indeed. I hope you do well

[pilgrim]

Putting of the merits of the tradition aside for the moment, my perception is that the Thai Forest traditions have a better infrastructure for the long term support of western monastics. I observe that western monks who leave the Burmese monasteries (either Mahasi or Pa auk) tend to wander on their own through various monasteries and have difficulty in "finding a home" or supportive community. This may add greater weight to thoughts of disrobing. Non-Burmese Asians who trained in the Pa-Auk traditions are beginning to form a loose affiliation of monasteries in Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Taiwan but these may not be acessible to westerners because of language and visa issues. Do others share this perception?

[Sokehi]

Putting of the merits of the tradition aside for the moment, my perception is that the Thai Forest traditions have a better infrastructure for the long term support of western monastics. I observe that western monks who leave the Burmese monasteries (either Mahasi or Pa auk) tend to wander on their own through various monasteries and have difficulty in "finding a home" or supportive community. This may add greater weight to thoughts of disrobing. Non-Burmese Asians who trained in the Pa-Auk traditions are beginning to form a loose affiliation of monasteries in Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Taiwan but these may not be acessible to westerners because of language and visa issues. Do others share this perception?

Indeed, I have the same feeling about it.

But disrobing ... I think it might be different for every "disrober", what brought or forced him to this conclusion. But I guess generally speaking it might be easier for the interested practitioner and his family if one ordains as close as possible to them. The can meet him, see his practice and maybe/eventually gain more benefit out of this close contact. It's good to show ones own family some dhamma, and I think it's good to not go to far away from them. This in return can be supportive for the ordained as well. But just gueswork out of my own experiences.

[Ytrog]

Indeed, I have the same feeling about it.

But disrobing ... I think it might be different for every "disrober", what brought or forced him to this conclusion. But I guess generally speaking it might be easier for the interested practitioner and his family if one ordains as close as possible to them. The can meet him, see his practice and maybe/eventually gain more benefit out of this close contact. It's good to show ones own family some dhamma, and I think it's good to not go to far away from them. This in return can be supportive for the ordained as well. But just gueswork out of my own experiences.

That is exactly why I would recommend the UK instead of Asia if you want to follow the Thai Forest Tradition and are from Europe.

[Goofaholix]

But I guess generally speaking it might be easier for the interested practitioner and his family if one ordains as close as possible to them. The can meet him, see his practice and maybe/eventually gain more benefit out of this close contact. It's good to show ones own family some dhamma, and I think it's good to not go to far away from them. This in return can be supportive for the ordained as well. But just gueswork out of my own experiences.

I think for a junior monk being close to home would be more a source of distraction and restlessness. Once you've been a monk a few years I'd think you'd be better equipped to share the dhamma with family and friends, that would be a better time to be closer to home.

[reflection]

Thanks for the replies.

I think one should ordain with a teacher they can learn from, be inspired by and can agree with the dhamma they teach. If that teacher happens to be far away, so beit. Also, I want to find a teacher who I think is as close to enlightenment as possible. If (s)he's far away, well, than I'll go to there anyway.

[retrofuturist]

Greetings Reflection,

As for near or far, there's many factors involved.

If you don't mind me asking, how old are you?

Metta,
Retro.