You are here:

Buddhists/Buddhism & Life

Advertisement

Expert: - 2/16/2010


Question

The Depths of Solitude
Hello,

I hope that all your endeavours are being met with success... (smile).

Ummm. Where do I begin.

Ok, I'm 23 and have for some 5 months or so been going through extremely intensive bouts of dukkha. Whereas the 10 months or so beforehand were by far the most extraordianrily happiest times of my (adult) life. So wonderful were these 10 months that I felt I had a good enough understanding of dhamma and vitally an ability to practice it that I was sure I would never be 'submerged' in dukkha again.

As a note. During this period I had not been practising any form of meditation. Nor had I any direct interaction with "official" Buddhist texts. However, for some 4 years or so, I had been reading and practising wisdom learnt from authors such as Eckhart Tolle and Anthony De Mello (New Age writers, influenced largely by Buddhist thinking, including mindfulness and detachment etc). During this period I was also exposed to a variety of forms of philosophy as I was studying for a Philosophy BA at an English University.

Having been so contented with life (though aware of inevitable suffering on a theoretical level)I was extremely shocked to find myself plunged into what has now been some 5 months of dukkha. For example, where previously I had been extremely sociable I have even gotten into a habbit where I often want to be totally alone. Nonetheless, I have been making great efforts to cultivate the one aspect of life that seems to me a way to come to terms with (the First Noble Truth - that existence is Dukkha), namely Buddhism.

As a result, I have been immersing myself in a variety of Buddhist teachings, have visited a monastery for a weekend retreat and at LONG LONG last kept up a routine of meditaion.

Apologies for the prelude for those who found it boring, however I hope there are those of you out there who might identify with and find refuge in my own experience, and the following answer.

So here is my question. Can you give me any advice on how to decide whether or not to search out the path of a bhikkhu and join a monastery?

I wonder to myself why I would want to do such a thing. And the answers I get are two-fold. On the one hand I think that joining a monastery would be an opportunity to be taught and practice Dhamma directly. That for me this is easily the most desirable thing I could ever hope for! Also, I think I would want to become a bhikkhu because I do not trust my self to interact with the lay world as a means to bring about wisdom. However, on the other hand I wonder to what extent I am merely running away from the lay world (which is after all part of Dhamma). That joining a monastery would be just one more form of craving and would result in more Dukkha.     

A very difficult topic I am sure. If you can shine any light on this, I would be eternally grateful.

thankyou so so much.
p.s. I think that just having been given the opportunity the write this has helped aswell. : )

Answer
Hi Richard,

Strangely, I very seldom receive visitors from your country.  Welcome.

As you already discovered, "p.s. I think that just having been given the opportunity the(to?) write this has helped aswell. : )"

Yes, indeed.  I think given sufficient time, alot of our seemingly unsolveable "problems" will come to naught.  As I always said, it's easy to provide "answers and solutions" to others.  Whether they work or not is another question.  So in this case, I shall refrain from being a "counsellor."  

Just a few comments.  Becoming a monk does not guarantee what you aspire.  Continue with your journey of life.  Do not yearn to arrive at your ultimate destination, for you don't know where it is or when you can arrive.  Life is more a journey than a destination.   When one has "arrived," one might find that it is the end, and too late to savour the journey's experience.

Take care.

Justin Choo  
    Questioner's Rating
    Rating(1-10)Knowledgeability = 8Clarity of Response = 8Politeness = 10
    CommentNo Comment


  • Ask a Question

Justin 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, and have been studying Buddhism for more than 40 years. Please view my profile for more details. I have answered more than 1500 questions since joining this category. You may like to give me the honor to answer your question.

Experience

I was brought up in the 50's as a Buddhist. For the past 40 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)

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.