Na Uyana: Future Ordination Questions

[ccook2892]

Dear Friends,

I am planning to visit and ordain at Na Uyana in Sri Lanka in the future.
Venerable Sirs, or knowledgable laypersons, please answer the following questions, as listed:

• Environment: What is the general practice schedule for ordained Venerable Sirs? Is the schedule less structured or strict as say, Wat Pah Nanachat in Thailand? (The Thai Forest Tradition?)

• The Renewal of Vista Situations: How does one go about renewing the visas? I am particularily concerned as if the visa runs might cause too much stress for me. What is the approximate process like, and is it hard or difficut? At which point will the Monastery help me sort all this out?

• Saving money for the Journey: How much money should I have saved up, all things considered?

• I am planning to withdraw cash and pay for the entirety of the trip in cash money. Can I use US Dollars, or must I use the Sri Lankan national currency?

Thank you for your help, my friends in Dhamma.
With Sincerity and Reverence for Lord Buddha,
Corey

[ccook2892]

Also, the matter is this: Is there some sort of grant organization I can go to to get the financial means to ordain in Sri Lanka? As of now, I am poor and can't afford the travel expenses. Perhaps the monastery could fund my ordination?
Thanks!
Corey

[BKh]

Perhaps the monastery could fund my ordination?

I don't know specifically about Na Uyana, but generally monasteries never do that. Even having monasteries sponsor visas as Na Uyana does is somewhat rare in the world. Who knows, though. You may have a store of merit that will help you out.

Can I use US Dollars

Do you mean if the shops accept US currency? No. Unless things have changed because of the economic crisis. But I wouldn't risk it. Although you probably wouldn't want to convert all of you money when you enter the country as the currency is not so stable. So the rupees you get when you arrive may be worth half as much six months later when you try to use them.

Have you ever traveled outside of the US before? Sounds like you may want to spend some time reading Sri Lankan travel guides.

The monastery will have the best advice on all of these things. You should ask them first of all before asking on an internet forum.

Na Uyana probably has more experiece with getting foreigners visas than any other monastery on the island. I'm sure they will make everything as painless as possible. Probably because it is not as common for foreigners to ordain in SL compared to Thailand or Burma, the process seems to be much easier.

Good luck in your aspiration!

[JamesTheGiant]

If money is a problem, have you considered ordaining in your own country? It would be much cheaper. The USA has some excellent monasteries.

[Johann]

Dear Friends,

I am planning to visit and ordain at Na Uyana in Sri Lanka in the future.
Venerable Sirs, or knowledgable laypersons, please answer the following questions, as listed:

• Environment: What is the general practice schedule for ordained Venerable Sirs? Is the schedule less structured or strict as say, Wat Pah Nanachat in Thailand? (The Thai Forest Tradition?)

• The Renewal of Vista Situations: How does one go about renewing the visas? I am particularily concerned as if the visa runs might cause too much stress for me. What is the approximate process like, and is it hard or difficut? At which point will the Monastery help me sort all this out?

• Saving money for the Journey: How much money should I have saved up, all things considered?

• I am planning to withdraw cash and pay for the entirety of the trip in cash money. Can I use US Dollars, or must I use the Sri Lankan national currency?

Thank you for your help, my friends in Dhamma.
With Sincerity and Reverence for Lord Buddha,
Corey

Sadhu for proper approach and possible Noble undertaking, good householder.

Some years ago Atma managed to support the good arrival of a Ven. Thera there from here. Of course times and conditions change.

As far as seen at this time, the Venerables are very busy in assisting in Visa regards, yet it's actually not so proper to do such, not to speak for lay people. Naturally they then also fail in their "promises", what can't be looked over by other, not to speak of by monks, in such as visa stuff.

Good to manage thinks in worldly regards best oneself, maybe also good to build up possible relation with lay people at Sri Lanka, yet servants at monasteries are seldom secure places, as they mostly make there living on such.

Direct contact, at this time Venerable Chandaloka tried to assist the lay people, how managed all, there. They used to give much support and info via their web page.

As far as personal informed, good and proper liberal in regard of the training, yet also in regard of the frames of Vinaya, and maybe not like "fabrics" of other popular western branches with certain market stress and much dependency from outside older tradition.

Money is and should be never any problem and what one really needs is good Saddha and a truthful heart, the rest is a matter of ones Uppanissaya, kamma and the guidance of the Devas along the way.

(and other then suggested here, better to leave house and home to be able to meet the Gems, then to seek such in ones used "security". Actually even very modern, western, frequented monasteries, will no more so good support as those not under certain influences of modern ideas and western/modern views.)

Much right effort for good success soon. Mudita

[ccook2892]

Thank you for all your responses, admirable friends.
I recently made an inquiry to the Khyentse Foundation, and they've indicated that I may be eligable for a Ashoka Grant. How much they'll give me I don't know. But at any rate, they might give me enough to survive in Sri Lanka.
Thank you, friends, for recommending to me that I should study some Sri Lankan travel guides.
I've had the good circumstance to have studied with Ven. Bhikku Bodhi over the internet for about the last decade.
What i've learned is this:

• To practice Buddhism is a means to transcend your humanity, and attain ultimate peace.

• Enlightenment, in a nutshell is this: To let go of all perspectives, views, opinions, and worldly ambitions and to see reality as it is, without biases or views: The embodyment of realizing Impermenance, Unsatisfactoriess, and Not-Self to it's greatest extent. Arhatship, indeed, is subtle and difficult to see.

• When we reach the Blessed Island, we must let go of all things, even Dhammas themselves

• "If you cannot ordain, ordain at heart." (The Wonderful Ven. Ajahn Chah)

Thank you, Dhamma Friends. All my friends, please continue to post advice for me. i am learning many things.

With Metta,
Corey

[ccook2892]

An added question:

• When it comes to getting permission from my parents to ordain, must I obtain a letter of permission, or is simply word of mouth adequate?

[Johann]

Thank you for all your responses, admirable friends.
I recently made an inquiry to the Khyentse Foundation, and they've indicated that I may be eligable for a Ashoka Grant. How much they'll give me I don't know. But at any rate, they might give me enough to survive in Sri Lanka.
Thank you, friends, for recommending to me that I should study some Sri Lankan travel guides.
I've had the good circumstance to have studied with Ven. Bhikku Bodhi over the internet for about the last decade.
What i've learned is this:

• To practice Buddhism is a means to transcend your humanity, and attain ultimate peace.

• Enlightenment, in a nutshell is this: To let go of all perspectives, views, opinions, and worldly ambitions and to see reality as it is, without biases or views: The embodyment of realizing Impermenance, Unsatisfactoriess, and Not-Self to it's greatest extent. Arhatship, indeed, is subtle and difficult to see.

• When we reach the Blessed Island, we must let go of all things, even Dhammas themselves

• "If you cannot ordain, ordain at heart." (The Wonderful Ven. Ajahn Chah)

Thank you, Dhamma Friends. All my friends, please continue to post advice for me. i am learning many things.

With Metta,
Corey

Mudita

Anyway, good householder. Step by step. First right view, the "very worldly", second, don't follow westernized and socialistic hybrids and never teachers on youtube teaching meditation even Abhidhamma.
And even if in debt by certain Khyentse founds, they might be a hindrance for ordination. Scholar are one way, another the quest for Nibbana, so may one not get trapped "inbetween".

Good to go after merits all along the way: Sila, service, generosity...

First things first and step by step, right in front.

(My person can good remember the days, once tried to reach out for householder Khyentse, once he was still a monk, thought to make a smooth walk over to him, and got quick deillusionated, told to fligh to here and there...)

An added question:

• When it comes to getting permission from my parents to ordain, must I obtain a letter of permission, or is simply word of mouth adequate?

Following the tradition, words are fine, nothing more required (for the monks. It's about their doing right there, to ask), goo householder, but today things can be very strange... as even monks carry identification documents and what ever...

Really good and better to get simply with your future most trusted guides in contact. Things get steady more and more complicated and strange.

[Johann]

Maybe general, for many, in regard of support: Although it's today very usual to dwell on one place and being supported from another, outside. It's a total improper situation.

If one (or a hole Sangha) isn't really given and supported by those around, even the already very common cases where remote monasteries are often supported by city dweller, it will not be very supportive for each part.

So if one uses support, then good to gain such from there one desires to dwell, or better, dwell only there, where people are most happy to support noble undertakings.

In other ways it run always into trades and conflicts.

One going forth is actually a religious-refuge, and no, not one with rights, a real, living from the generosity of faithful, in not only, but mainly their trust. Something very heavy, but also needed, to fall not astray and do much proper effort.

[ccook2892]

Dear Friends in Dhamma,

I think at this point that my ordination will not become an issue or ambition for yeears to come. I am currently about 35 years old, and I believe if I'm not mistaken that the maximum age for ordination at Na Uyana is around 50 years of age or so. I have some health issues that need to be treated for a number of yeears, and after the death of my biological father, at that point I can consider ordination- which will be about the next ten or twelve years from this point in time.
Another option I've considered is to purchase an area of dense forest land and have a small kuti built- and a kuti is, essentially, a small shed to live in, I may consider living an exceedingly simple life in that regard- and visiting my hospital appointments when mandatory. As a matter of fact, even, Ven. Bhikku Bodhi has given me permission to wear robes in that context: as such, I might consider myself to be somewhere in between a householder and an ordained Monk, perhaps we could call this a sort of "hermit," or hermetic life, which, when not neccessarily a formal ordination situation, can reap many benefits for seclusion, practice, and peace of mind- away from the world, which is tained by greed, hatred, and delusion.
At any rate, my possible ordination at Na Uyana is not yet for a number of years in the future.
Thank you, dear friends and current Monastics, for your concern and wise advice.
I realize that I must take this journey: one step at a time. Blessings!

Within The Triple Gem and the Blessed Practice of Recluse Gotama's Teaching,
Corey

[Johann]

Dear Friends in Dhamma,

I think at this point that my ordination will not become an issue or ambition for yeears to come. I am currently about 35 years old, and I believe if I'm not mistaken that the maximum age for ordination at Na Uyana is around 50 years of age or so. I have some health issues that need to be treated for a number of yeears, and after the death of my biological father, at that point I can consider ordination- which will be about the next ten or twelve years from this point in time.
Another option I've considered is to purchase an area of dense forest land and have a small kuti built- and a kuti is, essentially, a small shed to live in, I may consider living an exceedingly simple life in that regard- and visiting my hospital appointments when mandatory. As a matter of fact, even, Ven. Bhikku Bodhi has given me permission to wear robes in that context: as such, I might consider myself to be somewhere in between a householder and an ordained Monk, perhaps we could call this a sort of "hermit," or hermetic life, which, when not neccessarily a formal ordination situation, can reap many benefits for seclusion, practice, and peace of mind- away from the world, which is tained by greed, hatred, and delusion.
At any rate, my possible ordination at Na Uyana is not yet for a number of years in the future.
Thank you, dear friends and current Monastics, for your concern and wise advice.
I realize that I must take this journey: one step at a time. Blessings!

Within The Triple Gem and the Blessed Practice of Recluse Gotama's Teaching,
Corey

It would be foolish to plan, good householder. Waiting, good mind decays. Once, at least gone forth, he could go back as well, if really needed, dwell near his father. It'[ total unhealthy to await death of parents, thinking such is reason for ones doubts. How ever, good to ask for going forth formal, and yes, he could do so also when approaching a proper suited Bhikkhu near. My person doubts, how ever, that Bhante Bodhi is currently able (qualified) to do such, but there might be others. And he also would not be given to tell somebody to wear robes (of the Buddhas monks) outside required formal ritual.
Don"t wait and stick to wise, lesser then "foolish compassionate".