AboutLaurie McLauglin Expertise I can answer certain questions about the Tibetan Mahayana path as well as many questions about basic Buddhism. If I do not know the answer chances are I can find out very quickly as I live in a Buddhist retreat center.
Experience I have been practicing Buddhism for over seven years and have had teachings from many very qualified Mahayana teachers such as Jon Landaw, Tubten Pende and Venerable Robina Courtin
Publications I have written articles on Buddhism for the on line magazine, Suite 101
Education/Credentials I have a BA in theatre from The Unversity of South Florida
Question how do I answer an elderly man, who asks "why do monks do nothing but meditate yet expect the people to feed them".
I don't want to say the wrong thing and would appreciate your help. thx
Answer Thank you for letting me answer your question, Lee.
Perhaps the question your elderly friend should ask is not why should they eat when all they do is just meditate, but instead ask what are they meditating on? And why is that important enough to feed someone for?
Although a Buddhist monk can be meditating on any number of things, no matter what they are meditating on the goal of their meditation is (depending on which kind of Buddhism they follow) one of two things. Either they are meditating on how to end the suffering of living in this world and reach personal nirvana or they are meditating on how to help all other sentient beings end their suffering and reach nirvana and eventual Buddhahood, which is the highest form we can attain.
So, monks spend time meditating to hone their minds in order to reach nirvana, which is desirable, as it means they are no longer suffering in this world and have reached a state of peace and serenity.
Or, they are meditating to hone their minds to help others attain the goal of nirvana.
Both of these reasons seem worthy goals in trade for being fed.
No one wants to suffer, right? So, if you could feed someone knowing that by doing they will be able to escape the sufferings of this world and achieve lasting happines and maybe help others to do the same, you'd do it, right?
