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 messBhikkhu Pesala wrote:Ajahn Chah even calls mosquitoes as “Ajahn Mosquito."
How to greet a Novice monk?
- Cittasanto
- Posts: 6646
- Joined: Tue Dec 30, 2008 10:31 pm
- Location: Ellan Vannin
- Contact:
Re: How to greet a Novice monk?
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
- AlaskanDhamma
- Posts: 52
- Joined: Mon Feb 16, 2009 8:28 pm
- Location: Alaska, USA
Re: How to greet a Novice monk?
Bhikkhu Pesala wrote:Ajahn Chah even calls mosquitoes as “Ajahn Mosquito."
What?
"Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace." -Buddha
- retrofuturist
- Posts: 27848
- Joined: Tue Dec 30, 2008 9:52 pm
- Location: Melbourne, Australia
- Contact:
Re: How to greet a Novice monk?
Greetings AlaskanDhamma,
Metta,
Retro.
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.AlaskanDhamma wrote:What?
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."
- Bhikkhu Pesala
- Posts: 4646
- Joined: Thu Jan 29, 2009 8:17 pm
Re: How to greet a Novice monk?
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.
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.
Blog • Pāli Fonts • In This Very Life • Buddhist Chronicles • Software (Upasampadā: 24th June, 1979)
- AlaskanDhamma
- Posts: 52
- Joined: Mon Feb 16, 2009 8:28 pm
- Location: Alaska, USA
Re: How to greet a Novice monk?
retrofuturist wrote:Greetings AlaskanDhamma,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.AlaskanDhamma wrote:What?
Metta,
Retro.
Ahhhh, I see now. Just was a little confuzzled at first.
"Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace." -Buddha
- AlaskanDhamma
- Posts: 52
- Joined: Mon Feb 16, 2009 8:28 pm
- Location: Alaska, USA
Re: How to greet a Novice monk?
As for respect, that was the purpose of asking my original question. I wanted to make sure they did receive a respectful greeting. After all, they will most likely continue to stay in the robes and become an "Ajahn" anyways.
"Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace." -Buddha