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Expert: - 1/12/2011


Question
My son have been asked by his class teacher, as homework to...... "Find 6 or 8 things a Buddhist monk can own"

We have searched the internet and although we see precepts and many teachings they do not seem to be the answer to the question.

Please can you help?

Answer
Hi Jan,
No, I can't really answer. Strictly speaking there was a very small list - something like robe (may count as more than one part - upper and lower), begging bowl, needle and thread for repairing the robe, strainer for removing insects from water before boiling. But that became impractical many centuries ago. What rules are used in practice now would be something you would have to ask a monk, but you will get different answers according to the particular tradition.
No, it's not easy! Sorry I can't help more.
All the best
Alex W

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Alex Wilding

Expertise

I have practiced and studied Tibetan Buddhism in the Kagyu and Nyingma traditions since the early 1970s, and have a good knowledge of theory, history and of the struggles of trying to practice the teachings, including meditation, while leading a normal, modern life. I am also available to provide background information for journalists.

Experience

I have been a practitioner since the early 1970s; have run a small Buddhist centre in the English Midlands and was vice-president of Kagyu Benchen Ling e.V. in Germany, for whom I managed three large Buddhist summer-camps. More importantly, I maintain a habit of personal practice. I am the "owner" of the Kagyu list at Yahoo.

Education/Credentials
My first degree was an M.A. from Oxford. I later obtained a Master of Philosophy degree for a research thesis in "Initiation in Tibetan Buddhism" from Leicester University. I also have engineering and educational qualifications.

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