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About JC Ball
Expertise
I have lived and studied as a lay monastic in all of the three major traditions/schools of Buddhism (Theravada, Mahayana and Tibetan/Vajrayana) practicing alongside Bhikku's and studying under Monks such as Ajahn Sumedho and H.E Lopon Tenzin Jigme Rinpoche III. A long-time lay practitioner and student of Buddhism for over 14 years. One must live and experience the Buddha's teachings directly. To understand the teachings only on an intellectual basis is not enough. I am happy to receive any question you have on the vast topic of Buddhism and will endeavor to give you a clear and honest response.

Experience
I am a long-time lay practitioner and student of Buddhism for over 14 years. I have lived as a lay monastic in many monasteries around the world studying and practicing alongside the Sangha.

Organizations
Amaravati Buddhist Monastery, UK (Theravada, Thai Forest Tradition), Know Buddhism Organization (http://www.knowbuddhism.info)

Education/Credentials
Director of the 'Know Buddhism' Organization (http://www.knowbuddhism.info)

You are here: Experts > Homework Help > Buddhism > Buddhists > Ordaining as a Buddhist Monk

Buddhists - Ordaining as a Buddhist Monk

Expert: JC Ball - 11/3/2009

Question
I have been a Buddhist for around 5 years and follow the four Noble Truths and Eight Fold Path. I feel metta for others (even those I would otherwise have problems with). I believe the most important learning is that the mind is the 6th sense and I am in control of the way i act and react. I meditate daily.
I am a Friend of the Western Buddhist Organisation and would like to be ordained as a Buddhist. However, I am losing my memory at 65 (an ex university graduate!) and recently visited a neurologist who advised that my brain was losing it's power due to constricted blood flow. It is now pointless studying for an academic qualification as I'll forget all!
I do have metta for all and feel that my Buddhist spiritualism would be acknowledged and of benefit to others if I could be ordained. Can you help.
With Metta, Chris

Answer
Dear Chris,

The aspiration to ordain is considered a highly noble one and I encourage this way of life to any Buddhist interested in a renunciates life who is able to live by the 8 precepts of a Samanera or novice Buddhist Monk. The fact that you are an academic who is losing your memory at the age of 65 may just be good Dhamma and therefore another opportunity for you to practice 'Asuba Bhavana' which is the transient nature of the body you currently inhabit. Maybe your just now starting to worry about 'getting old'? If it helps, I started losing my memory at about the age of 21!

As one who was once considering ordination myself I will try my best to point you in the right direction. As you are currently living in the UK, I would highly recommend visiting Amaravati Monastery in Hertfordshire which plays host to a large vibrant community of Buddhist Monks, Nuns and lay people of all ages from around the world. You should spend some time there as a lay person where you will be given the opportunity to follow the schedule and practice alongside the Sangha. This will certainly help you decide whether this way of life is suitable for you or not.

If you wish to stay you must send them a letter in writing with the proposed dates. I believe your first stay is limited to one week (they do make exceptions) the address and contact details are below:

Amaravati Buddhist Monastery
St. Margarets Lane
Great Gaddesden
Hemel Hempstead
Hertfordshire
HP1 3BZ
England

http://www.amaravati.org
Retreat Centre: retreats AT amaravati DOT org
Guest Monk: guestmonk AT amaravati DOT org
Guest Nun: guestnun AT amaravati DOT org

Please replace the 'DOT' with '.' and 'AT' with '@'.

I wish you the best in your vocation, please do not hesitate to ask any further questions.

Yours in Dhamma
JC Ball

http://www.knowbuddhism.info/2009/03/buddhist-monk.html

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