I have been thinking about ordaining (in the Forest Tradition) but one thing that holds me back is a thought that i might not see my family again ( i always thought this is what happens), is this what happens or is one allowed to visit family (or visa versa) i have heard some stories of monks going home to visit their families
Any info would be great, thanks in advance
Monks and Family
Monks and Family
“Knowing that this body is just like foam,
understanding it has the nature of a mirage,
cutting off Māra’s flower-tipped arrows,
one should go beyond the King of Death’s sight.”
understanding it has the nature of a mirage,
cutting off Māra’s flower-tipped arrows,
one should go beyond the King of Death’s sight.”
- Cittasanto
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Re: Monks and Family
I have heard stories straight from the monks mouth about his parents and brother visiting him at the monestary, and him going to visit his family, and a story from a former monk who knows a monk (who is quite famous) who visited his parents at christmas
so I think that it is ok but I do think there is a length of time where you can't 2 years I have heard but that may of been Vajrayana and not specifically theravada.
so I think that it is ok but I do think there is a length of time where you can't 2 years I have heard but that may of been Vajrayana and not specifically theravada.
Blog, Suttas, Aj Chah, Facebook.
He who knows only his own side of the case knows little of that. His reasons may be good, and no one may have been able to refute them.
But if he is equally unable to refute the reasons on the opposite side, if he does not so much as know what they are, he has no ground for preferring either opinion …
...
He must be able to hear them from persons who actually believe them … he must know them in their most plausible and persuasive form.
John Stuart Mill
He who knows only his own side of the case knows little of that. His reasons may be good, and no one may have been able to refute them.
But if he is equally unable to refute the reasons on the opposite side, if he does not so much as know what they are, he has no ground for preferring either opinion …
...
He must be able to hear them from persons who actually believe them … he must know them in their most plausible and persuasive form.
John Stuart Mill
Re: Monks and Family
Thanks for that Manapa
Ive heard some stories like this as well, i imagine there is some sort of "probation" period so to speak, i wonder if the Vinaya has any rules about it
Ive heard some stories like this as well, i imagine there is some sort of "probation" period so to speak, i wonder if the Vinaya has any rules about it
“Knowing that this body is just like foam,
understanding it has the nature of a mirage,
cutting off Māra’s flower-tipped arrows,
one should go beyond the King of Death’s sight.”
understanding it has the nature of a mirage,
cutting off Māra’s flower-tipped arrows,
one should go beyond the King of Death’s sight.”
- retrofuturist
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Re: Monks and Family
Greetings Craig,
This is a good topic. I hope you don't mind if I move it from the Lounge to one of our Theravada forums.
Metta,
Retro.
This is a good topic. I hope you don't mind if I move it from the Lounge to one of our Theravada forums.
Metta,
Retro.
"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
Re: Monks and Family
No not at all
“Knowing that this body is just like foam,
understanding it has the nature of a mirage,
cutting off Māra’s flower-tipped arrows,
one should go beyond the King of Death’s sight.”
understanding it has the nature of a mirage,
cutting off Māra’s flower-tipped arrows,
one should go beyond the King of Death’s sight.”
- Dhammanando
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- Location: Mae Wang Huai Rin, Li District, Lamphun
Re: Monks and Family
Hi Craig,
Best wishes,
Dhammanando Bhikkhu
No, we're not the Moonies.clw_uk wrote:I have been thinking about ordaining (in the Forest Tradition) but one thing that holds me back is a thought that i might not see my family again ( i always thought this is what happens), is this what happens
Yes, though since this is a matter that is not covered in the Vinaya, in practice the frequency and length of visits will vary according to the in-house rules of a particular community or the views of a particular abbot.or is one allowed to visit family (or visa versa) i have heard some stories of monks going home to visit their families
Best wishes,
Dhammanando Bhikkhu
Yena yena hi maññanti,
tato taṃ hoti aññathā.
In whatever way they conceive it,
It turns out otherwise.
(Sn. 588)
tato taṃ hoti aññathā.
In whatever way they conceive it,
It turns out otherwise.
(Sn. 588)
Re: Monks and Family
Bhante Dhammanando
Thanks for clearing that up for me
Thanks for clearing that up for me
“Knowing that this body is just like foam,
understanding it has the nature of a mirage,
cutting off Māra’s flower-tipped arrows,
one should go beyond the King of Death’s sight.”
understanding it has the nature of a mirage,
cutting off Māra’s flower-tipped arrows,
one should go beyond the King of Death’s sight.”