AboutJustin Choo Expertise When in doubt seek it out. All your questions will be answered, and you may not have to agree with the answers. Such is the beauty of Buddhism. You are free to decide. I follow the Theravada tradition. Please view my profile for more details. I have answered more than a thousand questions since joining this category. You are welcome to try me.
Experience I was brought up in the 50's as a Buddhist. For the past 30 years I have read numerous books on Buddhism and listened to numerous talks on Buddhism by well-respected and learned monks and lay teachers. I conduct Buddhist classes for parents of Sunday School children in a Theravada Buddhist Temple.
My teacher was the late Chief Reverend, The Ven. K Sri Dhammananda of The Brickfields Buddhist Mahavihara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. You can view the relevent website in memory of my revered late teacher @
http://www.ksridhammananda.com
Organizations I am a life member of the Buddhist Missionary Society Malaysia.
Publications YOU ARE INVITED TO VISIT MY BLOG @
http://lifeislikethat999.blogspot.com/
Published a book called "The Rainbow And The Treasure". It is a compilation of extracts from various sources to introduce Buddhism to beginners. (Currently out of print)
Education/Credentials Bachelor of Commerce And Administration, Victoria University Of Wellington, NZ.(1974)
Question Hello Mr. Choo, my name is Kris Wilson and I've been studying Theravada Buddhism for about two years now. I'm 14 and I've long thought if I fail out of highschool or end up leading a life I don't want to live I'll train to be a monk.
1. Do you have to be a certain age to join the Sangha(if I was say 21 would they let me join)
2. And why in the 10 precepts for novice monks can they not eat after midday?
Thank You
Answer Hi Kris,
At your age you would have a long and interesting life ahead. Take your time to live through and enjoy your youth. Whatever is going to happen is yet to come. Concentrate on your immediate goals.
1. Do you have to be a certain age to join the Sangha(if I was say 21 would they let me join)
It is more than age that one is accepted into the sangha. Of course you need to reach a certain level of maturity. 21 years old is good enough. You need not have to commit yourself right now. Certain temples have "novitiate programmes" where lay persons can become monks just for a short period to experience the life of a monk. You may start off by joining one. The duration is usually short, may be 14 days.
2. And why in the 10 precepts for novice monks can they not eat after midday?
It is a Buddhist tradition that monks only eat before noon.
Hope this helps.
Take care.
Justin Choo.
You are invited to visit my blog
and Rev. Dhammika's :
