How to greet a Novice monk?

[AlaskanDhamma]

Well I was walking in the local Sears today and came across two novice monks from the local Lao temple, I believe. While I simply said Sabai dee and wai'd I didn't know if there was any other way to greet a novice monk. Can you call them Ajahn? Or are they "not quite there yet"? Just wondering if someone could clear that up for me. Thanks.

[Individual]

Well I was walking in the local Sears today and came across two novice monks from the local Lao temple, I believe. While I simply said Sabai dee and wai'd I didn't know if there was any other way to greet a novice monk. Can you call them Ajahn? Or are they "not quite there yet"? Just wondering if someone could clear that up for me. Thanks.

"Hello. How are you?"

[jcsuperstar]

you can call anyone ajahn, i was ajahn james in thailand

i think the lao temple only has one novice now though, the nefew of the abbot

[gavesako]

The Lao people usually call only a monk with more than 10 Rains (vassa) an "Ajahn". You can greet a novice more informally, they are treated like boys wearing (temporarily) robes.

[jcsuperstar]

The Lao people usually call only a monk with more than 10 Rains (vassa) an "Ajahn". You can greet a novice more informally, they are treated like boys wearing (temporarily) robes.

wow
does ajahn have a different meaning in laos?

[gavesako]

Ajahn comes from Pali "acariya" who is normally a senior monk (Thera) who can give formal instruction to junior monks. Often laypeople don't know how senior a monk is, so they always call him Ajahn just to make sure. But I noticed this usage with lao people in particular.

[Cittasanto]

I believe the 10 year Rains is a standard to actually receive the title? I am sure I read that in a Ajahn Chah book or on the forest sangha site somewhere, in relation to Ajahn Sumedo I think?

[AlaskanDhamma]

Thank you Bhante, and everyone else for the replies.

JC, as for the novices there we're two, the abbots nephew I recognized, and a new one. They were both wearing the bright oragne robes and seemed about the same age. They had a layman with them to handle money and such.

Thanks for the clarification from everyone though!

[gavesako]

It is not a title, just a conventional designation of a monk or nun over 10 Rains.

Real titles are given by the King of Thailand, such "Chao Khun" etc. But these have nothing to do with the Vinaya.

[jcsuperstar]

Thank you Bhante, and everyone else for the replies.

JC, as for the novices there we're two, the abbots nephew I recognized, and a new one. They were both wearing the bright oragne robes and seemed about the same age. They had a layman with them to handle money and such.

Thanks for the clarification from everyone though!

the new one is the nefew, serena noi sponsered him

[jcsuperstar]

It is not a title, just a conventional designation of a monk or nun over 10 Rains.

Real titles are given by the King of Thailand, such "Chao Khun" etc. But these have nothing to do with the Vinaya.

when i taught at mahachula they listed me as ajahn.... they said it just meant teacher???

[mikenz66]

when i taught at mahachula they listed me as ajahn.... they said it just meant teacher???

Yes, it can be used as a teacher of anything in Thai. To a Thai I'm Ajahn Mike (but not an Ajahn of Dhamma...). At my Wat "Ajahn" is applied to monks with obviously more than 10 rains, otherwise they are simply "Phra".

Mike

[jcsuperstar]

you know i just dawned on me all the monks ive ever been friends with had been monks for a long long time, maybe thats why i just assumed all monks were ajahn....

[appicchato]

Not to belabor this (minor) point...with reference to Thailand...the Thai word for teacher is ajahn...(along with the word khru, although this word leans more toward instructor rather than teacher)...and having been to (most) every nook and cranny in the country, I can vouch that (many) Thais call all monks (not novices) ajahn, regardless of status...

Be well...

[Bhikkhu Pesala]

Ajahn Chah even calls mosquitoes as “Ajahn Mosquito."

[Cittasanto]

Ajahn Chah even calls mosquitoes as “Ajahn Mosquito."

I have met a dog called Ajahn Tommy because of his weak bladder at a disciple of Ajahn Chahs Monartery, and have heard Ajahn Chah(I believe it was although in the story no Ajahn was mentioned By name but I did miss the part of the talk just before the story) called a young boy Novice Ajahn because he told him his robes were a mess

[AlaskanDhamma]

Ajahn Chah even calls mosquitoes as “Ajahn Mosquito."

What?

[retrofuturist]

Greetings AlaskanDhamma,

What?

As Ajahn Chah would say "everything is teaching us"... therefore I assume it was intended in the context of the mosquito as a teacher. Or rather, that there is a lot to be learned from observing our reactions to irritation.

Metta,
Retro.

[Bhikkhu Pesala]

Right. Anyone can be our teacher if we have the right attitude, so we should not disregard the young novice or treat him like a child. I couldn't find the reference to check it, but if I recall correctly, the Buddha said that there are four things that should be treated with respect, in spite of their youth and small size:

1. A poisonous snake
2. A fire
3. A prince who is the son of a monarch
4. A novice monk.

Due to their youth, novices may like to play football or practice kung fu, but don't let such outward signs make you disregard them as childish. Some novices may have a good understanding of Dhamma. I remember one young novice at Wat Pah Nanachat who was short for his age, but he was wise way beyond his years. He probably had more insight than some of the senior bhikkhus.

[AlaskanDhamma]

Greetings AlaskanDhamma,

What?

As Ajahn Chah would say "everything is teaching us"... therefore I assume it was intended in the context of the mosquito as a teacher. Or rather, that there is a lot to be learned from observing our reactions to irritation.

Metta,
Retro.

Ahhhh, I see now. Just was a little confuzzled at first.