Questions about Buddhist Priests aka "monks"

[Still Searching]

1. Male monks cannot touch women or women monks (Buddhist nuns) cannot touch men. If a man or woman was in danger, can they be allowed to perform CPR? If a monk's mother came to the monastery to visit & missed them, can they hug? If a monk's friend was depressed, can they hug them out of comfort?

2. If a monk suffers from illnesses like allergies, asthma, arthritis or anything else, does the monastery provide or assist medication or are they against it?

3. If a group of monks are traveling and have no food or water and but a farm nearby, would they make an exception for food from the farmer despite it possibly being milk, eggs or meat?

4. If someone just recently converted to Buddhism and wanted to become a monk but had already lost their virginity in the past but promises to stay pure for the rest of their life, will they still be accepted by the monastery despite these conditions?

[David N. Snyder]

1. Male monks cannot touch women or women monks (Buddhist nuns) cannot touch men. If a man or woman was in danger, can they be allowed to perform CPR? If a monk's mother came to the monastery to visit & missed them, can they hug? If a monk's friend was depressed, can they hug them out of comfort?

Giving CPR would be out of compassion, so I am pretty sure would be okay. But the other touching is for affection and not normally done.

2. If a monk suffers from illnesses like allergies, asthma, arthritis or anything else, does the monastery provide or assist medication or are they against it?

Medicine is okay to take, for both lay and monastics.

3. If a group of monks are traveling and have no food or water and but a farm nearby, would they make an exception for food from the farmer despite it possibly being milk, eggs or meat?

Not all Buddhists are vegetarian. Monks eat whatever is offered to them.

4. If someone just recently converted to Buddhism and wanted to become a monk but had already lost their virginity in the past but promises to stay pure for the rest of their life, will they still be accepted by the monastery despite these conditions?

Yes. Many monks were married and even had children, including the Buddha before becoming a monk.

[Cittasanto]

1. Male monks cannot touch women or women monks (Buddhist nuns) cannot touch men. If a man or woman was in danger, can they be allowed to perform CPR? If a monk's mother came to the monastery to visit & missed them, can they hug? If a monk's friend was depressed, can they hug them out of comfort?

they can not touch with a lustful mind, this does not mean they can not touch at all. however they are advised not to within the rule.

2. If a monk suffers from illnesses like allergies, asthma, arthritis or anything else, does the monastery provide or assist medication or are they against it?

medical needs are allowed and it is upto the individual monastic what treatment they have. monasteries would in general pay for any expense. however this may also be covered by a lay supporter of the monk.

3. If a group of monks are traveling and have no food or water and but a farm nearby, would they make an exception for food from the farmer despite it possibly being milk, eggs or meat?

They eat whatever is offered. there are a few exceptions but in general they are offered it at the right time/situation they can make use of it.

4. If someone just recently converted to Buddhism and wanted to become a monk but had already lost their virginity in the past but promises to stay pure for the rest of their life, will they still be accepted by the monastery despite these conditions?

monks are not necessarily virgins.

[Still Searching]

5. Both monks & lay Buddhists are forbidden from lying. But what if someone was being chased by dangerous people who wanted to hurt them and the monk decided to help hide the person from danger for their safety. Of course they should call the police, but whilst waiting for the police, if those evil, violent thugs asked for the person's whereabouts, is it okay to lie and say "I don't know where they went, I think they went that way" and point in the opposite direction? Or would that still be wrong?

6. Killing is wrong on all levels murder is still murder. If someone innocent was about to be killed by a thug and a monk was nearby and spotted a gun on the floor. Would it be okay to shoot the bad guy so the leg or something so the good person can break free?

[LonesomeYogurt]

5. Both monks & lay Buddhists are forbidden from lying. But what if someone was being chased by dangerous people who wanted to hurt them and the monk decided to help hide the person from danger for their safety. Of course they should call the police, but whilst waiting for the police, if those evil, violent thugs asked for the person's whereabouts, is it okay to lie and say "I don't know where they went, I think they went that way" and point in the opposite direction? Or would that still be wrong?

Why wouldn't he just say, "I don't want to tell you" or "Go away?"

6. Killing is wrong on all levels murder is still murder. If someone innocent was about to be killed by a thug and a monk was nearby and spotted a gun on the floor. Would it be okay to shoot the bad guy so the leg or something so the good person can break free?

Monks are allowed to use force in order to save their lives or the lives of others, but they can never attempt to kill anyone. So they could try and injure the assailant just enough to escape, but attempting to kill them would be a huge breach of their vows.

[Still Searching]

A mild injury is good at least.
I honestly don't like violence at all.
I apologize if my questions offend anyone on here, I'm just curious about the answers.

The first answer is a good point.
They definitely could just ask them to clear off or just warn them that the police will be coming.

Thank you for your answers.

[James the Giant]

I apologize if my questions offend anyone on here, I'm just curious about the answers.

Your questions are excellent, and nobody is offended by them. Buddhism isn't one of those religions where you are discouraged from questioning things, like I was in my church as a kid.

[Cittasanto]

I apologize if my questions offend anyone on here, I'm just curious about the answers.

Your questions are excellent, and nobody is offended by them. Buddhism isn't one of those religions where you are discouraged from questioning things, like I was in my church as a kid.

Do ask other things

[hermitwin]

i really enjoyed your questions.
reminds me of the time when i first started learning about buddhism.
it may be very confusing in the beginning.
but if you continue to read, it will become clear as you learn more.

[hermitwin]

there is a good collection here if you wish to read.
http://www.budsas.org/ebud/ebidx.htm

i will recommend 'good questions, good answers' by dhammika.
cheers.

[Still Searching]

Thank you everyone
I was really interested by your answers as well

I really do enjoy studying and learning from the Monk lifestyle as well as general Buddhism.
It really does interest me a lot.

[Cittasanto]

There are members here with various amounts of understanding and learning of the monastic life & precepts so ask away.

Thank you everyone
I was really interested by your answers as well

I really do enjoy studying and learning from the Monk lifestyle as well as general Buddhism.
It really does interest me a lot.