Expert: Justin Choo - 8/16/2008

Question
i would like to be a buddhist monk. i have been studing for some time now. i have a vietnamese temple by me in roseville mn and one time i went and asked the most venerable to be a monk. he said ok and i went to san diego. i stayed for 2 weeks and then left. i felt they had traditions that i did not see in the books i had read plus i have a problem with passing gas and a urin problem that i atribute to yeast overgrothe. they thoutht i was sick but its something that people who have it learn to live with as best they can. i left about a year ago and havent seen them since. since then i have learned a lot about theravad and mahayana and think that theravada is the correct path. i have read some on concousness people like eckhart tolle and believe they dont get to the end of all suffering like the buddha did. i can see in my mind were i think the buddha gets to. i believe it is at the point where nothingness and everything comes into being. i like the anapanasati sutra the best. i think its probably the best way to release eveything. i am 50 years old now and do not think i have much of a chance of being enlightened in this life. i do not have money and the job i have is hard and pays little. i feel very bad because i may go through many more lifetimes before hearing the truth again and probably will never see it so clear as i can at this moment. i whish you well and hope to be in nirvana with you sometime.

Answer
Hi Mike,

Thank you for communicating with me.


To disaapoint you, I don't think you will "see" me in Nibbana "sometime".  I am definitely not up to the stage yet, maybe many aeons to come!


Becoming a monk is a very serious commitment. The first thing one should do is to study thoroughly the teachings of the Buddha. With this knowledge, one should try to experiment by putting the teachings into practice. Assuming that you have already done this, and are convinced that monkhood is the path for you, then you can go ahead.  

As you would have already known, it requires great discipline and effort to be a monk. In the Theravada tradition monks are required to keep 227 precepts. It will take time to adjust to a monk's lifestyle. One must take time to contemplate and consider very seriously in order to decide.

The best way to find your bearing is to surf the internet. May I recommend the website below which will lead you to the worldwide Buddhist network:
http://www.buddhanet.net

In the meantime, just live a normal lifestyle, practise the Buddha's teachings, and participate in temple activities in a temple of your choice.  Since anapanasati appeals to you, you can practise this method of meditation in your free time.  If you practise the Buddha's teachings ardently you will most probably be associated with the Dhamma in your next life.

I wish you well and happy!

Justin Choo :-)