i've just been reading Ven Nanadhaja's blogpost (http://nanadhaja.wordpress.com/2010/10/03/about-me/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) on his ordination and visa issues. I'm just wondering what are the options for western monks/nuns after their visa expires. Do they ;
1.get it renewed over and over again as long as life lasts.
2. return and live as a monk in their home country
Are these the only 2 options if one chooses to continue a monk? Is there possibility of Permanent Residency as a monk in any country?
Western monks after Asian visas expire
Re: Western monks after Asian visas expire
It's not just Western monks in Asia. It's not always easy for Theravada monks from Asia or North America to remain in Australia or New Zealand for a long time either.
A few of the Thai monks at my Wat manged to qualify for permanent residence some time ago, but I believe that Ajahn Tiradhammo, a Canadian currently residing at the Ajahn Chah monastery in Wellington, has not, despite a concerted campaign by various supporters. I attended a meeting with some members of our parliament a couple of years ago where the general issue was raised and it was clear that the concept of a monk applying for residence on the strength of having a job but no income was just too confusing for them...
Mike
A few of the Thai monks at my Wat manged to qualify for permanent residence some time ago, but I believe that Ajahn Tiradhammo, a Canadian currently residing at the Ajahn Chah monastery in Wellington, has not, despite a concerted campaign by various supporters. I attended a meeting with some members of our parliament a couple of years ago where the general issue was raised and it was clear that the concept of a monk applying for residence on the strength of having a job but no income was just too confusing for them...
Mike
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Re: Western monks after Asian visas expire
My understanding of the situation in Thaland is that you can get a 1 year non immigrant R visa for 9 years.(often referred to as a monks visa)after this I believe that you would have to get a non immigrant ED(studunt)visa if you wish to remain.
I am not sure of the situation in Sri Lanka but I think Bhikku Samahita may be able to answer this.
If I need to return to NZ thats fine.I just hope there is a temple in the Bay of islands somewhere.Too windy in Wellington.
Which Wat are you at Mike.Do you have a link to them so I can see whats happening back home.I left years ago and am well and truely out of the loop.
With metta
I am not sure of the situation in Sri Lanka but I think Bhikku Samahita may be able to answer this.
If I need to return to NZ thats fine.I just hope there is a temple in the Bay of islands somewhere.Too windy in Wellington.
Which Wat are you at Mike.Do you have a link to them so I can see whats happening back home.I left years ago and am well and truely out of the loop.
With metta
Last edited by Phra Chuntawongso on Sun Oct 10, 2010 8:01 am, edited 1 time in total.
And crawling on the planets face,some insects called the human race.
Lost in time
Lost in space
And meaning
Lost in time
Lost in space
And meaning
Re: Western monks after Asian visas expire
Hi Venerable,
Sure, as you probably know, there are various temples in the upper North Island.
I presume that if Wellington is too windy the South Island is too cold...
Mike
Sure, as you probably know, there are various temples in the upper North Island.
I presume that if Wellington is too windy the South Island is too cold...
Mike
- Phra Chuntawongso
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Re: Western monks after Asian visas expire
Oh yeah.I'm a north shore of auckland boy myself.Not the rich bit.
And crawling on the planets face,some insects called the human race.
Lost in time
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And meaning
Re: Western monks after Asian visas expire
_/\_
Last edited by Hanzze on Sun Oct 31, 2010 7:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Just that! *smile*
...We Buddhists must find the courage to leave our temples and enter the temples of human experience, temples that are filled with suffering. If we listen to Buddha, Christ, or Gandhi, we can do nothing else. The refugee camps, the prisons, the ghettos, and the battlefields will become our temples. We have so much work to do. ... Peace is Possible! Step by Step. - Samtach Preah Maha Ghosananda "Step by Step" http://www.ghosananda.org/bio_book.html
BUT! it is important to become a real Buddhist first. Like Punna did: Punna Sutta Nate sante baram sokham _()_
...We Buddhists must find the courage to leave our temples and enter the temples of human experience, temples that are filled with suffering. If we listen to Buddha, Christ, or Gandhi, we can do nothing else. The refugee camps, the prisons, the ghettos, and the battlefields will become our temples. We have so much work to do. ... Peace is Possible! Step by Step. - Samtach Preah Maha Ghosananda "Step by Step" http://www.ghosananda.org/bio_book.html
BUT! it is important to become a real Buddhist first. Like Punna did: Punna Sutta Nate sante baram sokham _()_
Re: Western monks after Asian visas expire
Hi Venerable,
kind regards
Ben
There's also a Cambodian temple on the southern entrance to Hamilton (approx 5km out of town). I didn't go in as we were late picking up my father-in-law.Nanadhaja wrote:Oh yeah.I'm a north shore of auckland boy myself.Not the rich bit.
kind regards
Ben
“No lists of things to be done. The day providential to itself. The hour. There is no later. This is later. All things of grace and beauty such that one holds them to one's heart have a common provenance in pain. Their birth in grief and ashes.”
- Cormac McCarthy, The Road
Learn this from the waters:
in mountain clefts and chasms,
loud gush the streamlets,
but great rivers flow silently.
- Sutta Nipata 3.725
Compassionate Hands Foundation (Buddhist aid in Myanmar) • Buddhist Global Relief • UNHCR
e: [email protected]..
- Cormac McCarthy, The Road
Learn this from the waters:
in mountain clefts and chasms,
loud gush the streamlets,
but great rivers flow silently.
- Sutta Nipata 3.725
Compassionate Hands Foundation (Buddhist aid in Myanmar) • Buddhist Global Relief • UNHCR
e: [email protected]..
Re: Western monks after Asian visas expire
There's always Australia...Nanadhaja wrote:Oh yeah.I'm a north shore of auckland boy myself.Not the rich bit.
Mike
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Re: Western monks after Asian visas expire
West Island got too many crawly bitey things.But seriously if I headed back that way I guess I would probably head to NZ.Sometimes I think it might be good to take what I may learn from my teachers here in asia and maybe in some small way give some help in a temple to spread the dhamma amongst my own countrymen.And from a few reports I have had from visitors to NZ they need it.
Ben thankyou for the info on the Cambodian temple near Hamilton.It seems that buddhism really is getting a foothold back home.
Ben thankyou for the info on the Cambodian temple near Hamilton.It seems that buddhism really is getting a foothold back home.
And crawling on the planets face,some insects called the human race.
Lost in time
Lost in space
And meaning
Lost in time
Lost in space
And meaning
Re: Western monks after Asian visas expire
Yes. Most of the Theravada monasteries are Thai, Sri Lankan, or Cambodian (we have Thai and Sri Lankan here), which are not so easy for locals to feel comfortable in, but there are the Ajahn Chah monasteries in the North Island:Nanadhaja wrote:West Island got too many crawly bitey things.But seriously if I headed back that way I guess I would probably head to NZ.Sometimes I think it might be good to take what I may learn from my teachers here in asia and maybe in some small way give some help in a temple to spread the dhamma amongst my own countrymen.And from a few reports I have had from visitors to NZ they need it.
Ben thankyou for the info on the Cambodian temple near Hamilton.It seems that buddhism really is getting a foothold back home.
http://www.bodhinyanarama.net.nz/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.vimutti.org.nz/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Mike
Re: Western monks after Asian visas expire
No problem, Bhante!
Yes, I did a long-course three years ago at the same meditation centre James recently spent six months at.
I would have thought SE Asia would have had more crawly bighty things than Australia!
kind regards
Ben
Yes, I did a long-course three years ago at the same meditation centre James recently spent six months at.
I would have thought SE Asia would have had more crawly bighty things than Australia!
kind regards
Ben
“No lists of things to be done. The day providential to itself. The hour. There is no later. This is later. All things of grace and beauty such that one holds them to one's heart have a common provenance in pain. Their birth in grief and ashes.”
- Cormac McCarthy, The Road
Learn this from the waters:
in mountain clefts and chasms,
loud gush the streamlets,
but great rivers flow silently.
- Sutta Nipata 3.725
Compassionate Hands Foundation (Buddhist aid in Myanmar) • Buddhist Global Relief • UNHCR
e: [email protected]..
- Cormac McCarthy, The Road
Learn this from the waters:
in mountain clefts and chasms,
loud gush the streamlets,
but great rivers flow silently.
- Sutta Nipata 3.725
Compassionate Hands Foundation (Buddhist aid in Myanmar) • Buddhist Global Relief • UNHCR
e: [email protected]..
- Phra Chuntawongso
- Posts: 274
- Joined: Sun May 02, 2010 11:05 am
- Location: Wat SriBoenRuang,Fang,Chiang Mai
- Contact:
Re: Western monks after Asian visas expire
You would think so,but to be honest I have seen less here than I did in Aussie,and I have never actually been stung or bitten by anything apart from a few mozzies.Ben wrote:No problem, Bhante!
Yes, I did a long-course three years ago at the same meditation centre James recently spent six months at.
I would have thought SE Asia would have had more crawly bighty things than Australia!
kind regards
Ben
I lived on a hippy commune outside of Cairns years ago and was stung by a scorpion.I thought I was going to die and for a while with the pain I was in I wanted to die .I suggested going to hospital might be a good plan and got told"Ah no man you don't like want a hospital man,you like huh wanna fight it man" :cookoo: I was crook for a week.No fun.
And crawling on the planets face,some insects called the human race.
Lost in time
Lost in space
And meaning
Lost in time
Lost in space
And meaning
Re: Western monks after Asian visas expire
I think that's a great idea. Many senior western monks settle down in Asia or otherwise disrobe and become lay-teachers in the west. But I read elsewhere in the forum that many western monasteries are filled to capacity. That doesn't seem to be the case in NZ.Nanadhaja wrote:West Island got too many crawly bitey things.But seriously if I headed back that way I guess I would probably head to NZ.Sometimes I think it might be good to take what I may learn from my teachers here in asia and maybe in some small way give some help in a temple to spread the dhamma amongst my own countrymen.And from a few reports I have had from visitors to NZ they need it.
Ben thankyou for the info on the Cambodian temple near Hamilton.It seems that buddhism really is getting a foothold back home.
- Phra Chuntawongso
- Posts: 274
- Joined: Sun May 02, 2010 11:05 am
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Re: Western monks after Asian visas expire
A Tibetan nun once told me she found it difficult to get people to come to meetings in NZ.
When I asked why, she told me that they would point at the scenery around them and state they had happiness and did not need religion.Tough crowd huh.
When I asked why, she told me that they would point at the scenery around them and state they had happiness and did not need religion.Tough crowd huh.
And crawling on the planets face,some insects called the human race.
Lost in time
Lost in space
And meaning
Lost in time
Lost in space
And meaning
Re: Western monks after Asian visas expire
_/\_
Last edited by Hanzze on Sun Oct 31, 2010 7:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Just that! *smile*
...We Buddhists must find the courage to leave our temples and enter the temples of human experience, temples that are filled with suffering. If we listen to Buddha, Christ, or Gandhi, we can do nothing else. The refugee camps, the prisons, the ghettos, and the battlefields will become our temples. We have so much work to do. ... Peace is Possible! Step by Step. - Samtach Preah Maha Ghosananda "Step by Step" http://www.ghosananda.org/bio_book.html
BUT! it is important to become a real Buddhist first. Like Punna did: Punna Sutta Nate sante baram sokham _()_
...We Buddhists must find the courage to leave our temples and enter the temples of human experience, temples that are filled with suffering. If we listen to Buddha, Christ, or Gandhi, we can do nothing else. The refugee camps, the prisons, the ghettos, and the battlefields will become our temples. We have so much work to do. ... Peace is Possible! Step by Step. - Samtach Preah Maha Ghosananda "Step by Step" http://www.ghosananda.org/bio_book.html
BUT! it is important to become a real Buddhist first. Like Punna did: Punna Sutta Nate sante baram sokham _()_