are buddhism monastaries open to anybody? like if I wanted to give up the wordly life and devote myself to buddhism could I stay there to study buddhism and meditate?
yes, I suppose it might be harder for some lineages than others. Some may ask you to study a lot before they let you enter the order. I'd imagine you'd have to be a member of the order to live there.
Not necessairly. I have been studying Tibetan (Mahayana) Buddhism for the past two years and just this past week attended a Theravada (Hinayana) Buddhist meditation retreat. While there I was asked to come stay there and take the ordination as a Monk in their order. They fully understood that my only training to that point was all Tibetan. And ... I accepted ... I will be leaving the forums within two months to take on the monastic life in the Theravada tradition. This particular study is from the South Asia region, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand. Darrell PS: Photos of taking the Samenera vows (temporary ordination): http://www.hipgallery.com/photopost2/showphoto.php/photo/48195/password/b9318aa9b0ed03935906db0be710d407/sort/2/cat/500/page/1 http://www.hipgallery.com/photopost2/showphoto.php/photo/48194/password/b9318aa9b0ed03935906db0be710d407/sort/2/cat/500/page/1 http://www.hipgallery.com/photopost2/showphoto.php/photo/48193/password/b9318aa9b0ed03935906db0be710d407/sort/2/cat/500/page/1 http://www.hipgallery.com/photopost2/showphoto.php/photo/48192/password/b9318aa9b0ed03935906db0be710d407/sort/2/cat/500/page/1 http://www.hipgallery.com/photopost2/showphoto.php/photo/48191/password/b9318aa9b0ed03935906db0be710d407/sort/2/cat/500/page/1 http://www.hipgallery.com/photopost2/showphoto.php/photo/48190/password/b9318aa9b0ed03935906db0be710d407/sort/2/cat/500/page/1
taking the three refuges... congratulations, friend... may your life within the sangha be the way for you... but do not forget (as if you could) the bodhisattva's vow... namaste
I plan on going on such a retreat this summer, I dont feel as though I'm ready to enter the order, but I know that someday, I will. I have to.
A lot of monasteries do work programmes, where you work in their fields, kitchen &c. for x hours a day, and get teaching and board in return. There's a paticularly splendid one in Yorkshire, set in an old castle. Very cool.
Yes, open to anyone. I recommend HH Penor Rinpoche's monestaries because they have two extremely knowledgeable khenpos who speak perfect English and so can train one with clarity. His program is called "Liberation in the Palm of Your Hand" Email them at retreat@palyul.org and their webpage is http://retreat.palyul.org
as do I!!! I don't suppose the government offers any type of grants or anything to people that want to do this....I have acquired some school debts that are keeping me stuck here....
