Schizophrenia and ordination

Discussion of ordination, the Vinaya and monastic life. How and where to ordain? Bhikkhuni ordination etc.
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Sarakani
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Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2013 8:24 pm

Schizophrenia and ordination

Post by Sarakani »

Dear All,

My name is Jorge, and I'm 27. I'm thinking to becoming a buddhist monk after paying my student loan. I've schizophrenia which is well controled by proper medical treatment. Do you think that I can become a monk someday?

Sorry for my poor english.

With metta,
Jorge.
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Cittasanto
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Re: Schizophrenia and ordination

Post by Cittasanto »

I see this is your first post Welcome to Dhamma wheel!

You would need to speak to the preceptor wherever it is you wish to ordain.
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detrop
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Re: Schizophrenia and ordination

Post by detrop »

Sarakani wrote:Dear All,

My name is Jorge, and I'm 27. I'm thinking to becoming a buddhist monk after paying my student loan. I've schizophrenia which is well controled by proper medical treatment. Do you think that I can become a monk someday?

Sorry for my poor english.

With metta,
Jorge.
Dear Jorge,

I think schizophrenia is a broad field. But from my own experience with mental disorder I would say the following: If the illness doesn't hinder you to know and control your behaviour, i.e. to keep the precepts (sila), then that illness doesn't really matter, despite all the unpleasant feelings and perceptions that are connected with it. It might be different if medical treatment is needed to prevent one from becoming a "monster", but I think such cases are quite rare. ;)

Good luck!
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Modus.Ponens
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Re: Schizophrenia and ordination

Post by Modus.Ponens »

One thing you have to think about is that you can't go without medication and you'll be living out of dana. It can be counterproductive.
'This is peace, this is exquisite — the resolution of all fabrications; the relinquishment of all acquisitions; the ending of craving; dispassion; cessation; Unbinding.' - Jhana Sutta
befriend
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Re: Schizophrenia and ordination

Post by befriend »

what if you have health insurance?
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Sarakani
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Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2013 8:24 pm

Re: Schizophrenia and ordination

Post by Sarakani »

Thank you everyone for their answers. I think the best way to becoming a monk is waiting a Wat in my country (Chile) and get ordained there. I have family which can support me with meds if needed. I think the same must apply to everyone with chronic illness (diabetes, hypertension, OCD, heart disease and so on) which use meds.

Regards,
Jorge.
DJCT
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Re: Schizophrenia and ordination

Post by DJCT »

i'm in the same boat
Last edited by DJCT on Mon Jan 28, 2013 2:42 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Anagarika
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Re: Schizophrenia and ordination

Post by Anagarika »

My thoughts would be that on the path to preparing to become a monk, you would contact a Wat or temple, and begin to prepare as a lay person, and/or anagarika, and prepare for some period time in this capacity. Then, you might be in a position to request to be ordained as a samanera, or novice, and practice as a novice for, perhaps, one or two years. Thereafter, if all goes well, your abbot can advise whether your training, your preparation, and your health will allow you to ordain. It's a path you can take one day at a time, and see if over time it's the right path for you.
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