Cyber Monks

[sherubtse]

Here is something which I find interesting:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bhikkhu-B ... noscript=1

I think there are several other monks on Facebook, either directly or indirectly. Here is another example:

http://www.facebook.com/people/Bhante-S ... /504985696

What do others think of the modern "cyber monk"?

Best wishes,
Sherubtse

[retrofuturist]

Greetings sherubtse,

I can't access Facebook just at the moment in order to have a look at the links provided, but generally speaking I think it's a great blessing that monks are able to participate on the Internet.

Obviously, their first obligation comes to the lay community that supports them, but I think it's excellent that if they find spare time, they use this time to support and participate in online communities, be it on Facebook, through maintenance and devleopment of their own websites (ala Bhikkhus Pesala, Samahita, Gavesako etc.) or at forums such as Dhamma Wheel.

I also think their lay supporters would be pleased to know that not only are their offerings helping to support their local Dhamma community, but are also helping to support the growth of the Dhamma more globally.

Metta,
Retro.

[Ben]

Hi Sherubtse,

What do others think of the modern "cyber monk"?

As opposed to...the ancient cyber-monk?
Sorry, someone had to ask it!

They're just bhikkhus with an online presence that allows them to communicate with other monks and lay people from around the world. And I don't think that makes them intrinsically different to say, if they didn't have an online presence.
By the way, I think about 20 per cent of my facebook friends are monks.
Kind regards

Ben

[David N. Snyder]

What do others think of the modern "cyber monk"?

I think it's a good thing. It is an excellent way to reach more people, teach more, and explain the Dhamma to a very diverse group from around the world. And you can communicate at the speed of light with someone on the other side of the planet in a rural area who may not have access to teachers, viharas, etc.

The teachings they provide, the explanations, the Pali instructions, and clarifications, the "Daily Dhamma Drops" etc., all price-less.

[retrofuturist]

Greetings Ben,

By the way, I think about 20 per cent of my facebook friends are monks.

When I look at my Facebook "Recommendations" it's nearly full of monks I've never heard of! Against one of these recommendations Facebook even said we have 17 mutual friends!

Metta,
Retro.

[appicchato]

...their own websites (ala Bhikkhus Pesala, Samahita, Gavesako etc.)

Links?...

[Cittasanto]

The Matrix is everywhere you know!!!!!





I have loads of contacts who are monks on facebook

[retrofuturist]

Greetings bhante,

...their own websites (ala Bhikkhus Pesala, Samahita, Gavesako etc.)

Links?...

Bhikkhu Pesala's - http://www.aimwell.org/
Bhikkhu Samahita's - www.what-buddha-taught.net/
Bhikkhu Gavesako's - http://www.bodhi-vihara.org and http://www.youtube.com/user/dhammatube

Enjoy.

Metta,
Retro.

[Cittasanto]

Hi Retro

Bhikkhu Gavesako's - http://www.bodhi-vihara.org and http://www.youtube.com/user/dhammatube

I don't see Bhante Gavesako on the monestary link (in the english sections anyway) or is Venerable just dealing with the site admin?

[jcsuperstar]

im friends with like 50 gazillion monks on facebook, some i chat with others not so much, depends on their level on english.

[retrofuturist]

Greetings Manapa,

I don't see Bhante Gavesako on the monestary link (in the english sections anyway) or is Venerable just dealing with the site admin?

Hmm... I just followed the link and it looks different to how I remember it. Or maybe I'm thinking of another site? Either way, I took the URL from venerable Gavesako's profile.

Metta,
Retro.

[appicchato]

Greetings bhante,

...their own websites (ala Bhikkhus Pesala, Samahita, Gavesako etc.)

Links?...

Bhikkhu Pesala's - http://www.aimwell.org/
Bhikkhu Samahita's - http://www.what-buddha-taught.net/
Bhikkhu Gavesako's - http://www.bodhi-vihara.org and http://www.youtube.com/user/dhammatube

Enjoy.

Metta,
Retro.

Thank you Paul...

[gavesako]

Hello

I am entering "second Vassa" (i.e. one month later than the first Vassa) at the Bodhi Vihara in Freising, near Munich airport. The website is just being updated. There is an active Buddhist group in the Munich area and plenty of opportunities to share Dhamma. Also a nice forest nearby for meditation and the Alps on the horizon (I am going there first for some walking exercise). The funny thing is that Freising is literally the "heart of German catholicism" and the Vihara is about 100 meters from the church in which the current Pope was ordained as a priest! So it is understandable that the local church representatives are getting somewhat disturbed by the Buddhist dhammadutas ("missionaries") moving in so close to them... and walking on Pindapata every day in the old town as well. History is being reversed.

[Cittasanto]

Hello

I am entering "second Vassa" (i.e. one month later than the first Vassa) at the Bodhi Vihara in Freising, near Munich airport. The website is just being updated. There is an active Buddhist group in the Munich area and plenty of opportunities to share Dhamma. Also a nice forest nearby for meditation and the Alps on the horizon (I am going there first for some walking exercise). The funny thing is that Freising is literally the "heart of German catholicism" and the Vihara is about 100 meters from the church in which the current Pope was ordained as a priest! So it is understandable that the local church representatives are getting somewhat disturbed by the Buddhist dhammadutas ("missionaries") moving in so close to them... and walking on Pindapata every day in the old town as well. History is being reversed.

good times ahead I am sure Bhante!
hope you have a chance to take some video of the centre and surrounding area

[Ben]

Hi Bhante

I am entering "second Vassa"

I wish you the very best for your retrreat!
Metta

Ben

[sherubtse]

Hi Sherubtse,

What do others think of the modern "cyber monk"?

As opposed to...the ancient cyber-monk?
Sorry, someone had to ask it!

Ben

Cute, Ben. Cute.

Best wishes,
Sherubtse

[Individual]

Here is something which I find interesting:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bhikkhu-B ... noscript=1

I think there are several other monks on Facebook, either directly or indirectly. Here is another example:

http://www.facebook.com/people/Bhante-S ... /504985696

What do others think of the modern "cyber monk"?

Best wishes,
Sherubtse

For a while now, I've wished that traditional Theravadin monks would get together and do a Buddhist version of the Jewish site AskMoses.com.

AskMoses.com is a site where people can speak directly to experts in Jewish belief and law (usually Rabbis, although there are other teachers too, including women)... Questions can be about anything at all. They also have a compendium of commonly asked questions and their responses.

Well, I thought the same sort of thing for Buddhists, with Buddhist monks, would be neat. It could definitely help a lot of people, sort of as free spiritual counseling in a way that's more accessible than having to travel to a Sangha or directly find a monk and speak with him. Having a similar compendium of Q&As (although there's already lots of info on Accesstoinsight, Buddhanet, and Dhamma Wiki) would help dispel common misconceptions about Buddhism.

This facebook thing, though, seems pretty neat, though, too. I think modern frameworks for teaching dhamma, like "cyber monks", are great!

[Cittasanto]

For a while now, I've wished that traditional Theravadin monks would get together and do a Buddhist version of the Jewish site AskMoses.com.

ther is a ask a monk site by a zen monk, not exactly a cross school thing but defenetly a start

[gavesako]

I had some thoughts in the winter about the ancient cyber-monks!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbMVlZVOFjc

[BlackBird]

I had some thoughts in the winter about the ancient cyber-monks!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbMVlZVOFjc

Thank you Bhante for the talk. It was good.