Expert: Joe McSorley - 2/3/2005

Question
I currently work self employed as a business and IT consultant. for over 20 years (I am 45 and happily separed from my wife, no kids, two cats!) I have thought about becoming a Buddhist monk. Within the next 18 months or so I would like to take that step. I do not belong to any Buddhist group. My intention is to sell my home and use the money to enter a Buddhist retreat in the Uk, or, ideally in Australia, South Africa, where ever ... but somewhere with some space, wildlife, fresh air! I have no idea where to start ... any thoughts welcome about what one 'does' when a monk, how one pays ones way. Maybe these are dumb questions, but that's ok ;-)

Thank you.

Answer
Dear David,
     From what you describe it sounds like you are looking for more of a refuge from society then a relief from some religious dilemma that might be resolved from some time in a monastery.   Traditionally those who came to Zen monasteries were there because of an existential crisis and wanted to resolve it.  I don't know what your motivation is for wanting to become a monk or why you would choose Buddhism over another religion since you are not affiliated with any school of Buddhism now.  What is it that draws you to Buddhism and what type of Buddhism.  There are many sects of Buddhism and many different types of monasteries.  Traditionally if you are accepted into a monastery you work to support the monastery and pay is not involved.  There are some places in the US where you do contribute money for fixed amounts of time there.  I am sure there are many places everywhere in the world that would accept payment for staying there.  My concern would be whether you would get legitimate training at some of these places.  Those I know who are in Zen monasteries went there as referrals from my teachers so I don't know the process if you are not already involved in some kind of training.
  I don't know what you expect to find in the walls of a monastery that is not in front of you here and now; reality is not confined to any one place.  When my teacher left his life behind to enter a monastery he says the first thing he saw printed over the temple door was this “To seek awakening itself is its own hell creating karma”.  This threw him into a deep despair because it meant that seeking enlightenment itself creates the crisis of self.  Someone wanting to overcome this crisis is not concerned about idyllic surroundings and nature.
  It would be helpful for you to state exactly why you want to go to a monastery and what you expect to find there.  From here you could pick a group that suits your needs.  What are you going to do about the cats?
  Take care,
        Joe