Wednesday, September 15, 2010

The duration of the monastic experience

The duration of the monastic experience

Monastic life can be experienced in two ways: provisional or definitive. In any case, the bhikkhu can "return the robe" and take it on again at any time. This choice is perfectly free and can be done as many times as the need is felt. See "How to disrobe?"

The "temporary" bhikkhu

He takes the robe for a few days, a few weeks or a few months to dedicate one or more periods of his life to train into monastic life. He is still engaged in various activities, which he does not feel ready to renounce. However, he knows enough to distance himself from them in order to dedicate some time to a life of detachment. If he ascertains that this experience is beneficial to him, he could eventually envisage extending it until the end of his life.

The "definitive" bhikkhu

It is he who renounces; he renounces the world and all its pleasures. For this, he trains with vigilance and perseverance in observing the reality, in remaining mindful. He trains without respite in following the correct path leading to the final extinction of all suffering, he strives incessantly to improve himself, to maintain a noble behaviour in any situation, to help others with the dhamma in the most positive manner, and his conduct is irreproachable. Thus, he is worthy to represent the saµgha, which is the vehicle of the Buddha's word

more info at http://www.dhammadana.org/en/samgha/monks/become.htm

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