@VisualLearningZone He did ordain in the end in March 2011....His name now is Nandiya Samanera (novice monk) and lives at Santi Forest Monastery in Bundanoon, Australia.
Better in thatcase become a Cistercian monk in that case, at least they are useful for the wider community while dedicating their life to a higher cause...
What is your status my friend? Did you join? How are you? I just stumbled onto this video. I thank you for it. I am on a different path, but a similar goal.
thank you for your insight into what is obviously a drastic and powerful shift in how you choose to exist. i appreciated your trying to somewhat quantify the joy/happiness/peace that you feel you will achieve in this new lifestyle. i applaud people that stand for peace, like Buddhist's have.
I love the Australian-ness of this video. I love to hear such dedication to the Dhamma in my own accent, the Australian accent. ^^ I wish you great success in your monkish endeavours.
I completely agree with you. I have been interested in Buddhism for a long while now particularly Theravadan Buddhism and I stumbled on Ajahn Brahm's youtube Dhamma talks about 6 months ago.
I would love to enter a monkish life but I only meet two problems:
1. I have a deep love for playing and listening to music.. would be very hard to give up..
2. I have not been fully convinced on the major concept of Anatta.
2) That's not really a problem. The reality of anatta is to be experienced and only experience is convincing. People can cause themselves a lot of grief trying to understand/accept things which are meant to be experienced and I think people use 'anatta' as a bit of a club to beat people over the head with. It's actually just a mark of conditioned phenomena, anatta is not a teaching/philosophy in and of itself. Take it with the dhamma as a whole.
2) That's not really a problem. The reality of anatta is to be experienced and only experience is convincing. People can cause themselves a lot of grief trying to understand/accept things which are meant to be experienced and I think people use 'anatta' as a bit of a club to beat people over the head with. It's actually just a mark of conditioned phenomena, anatta is not a teaching/philosophy in and of itself. Take it with the dhamma as a whole.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, I to have been thinking about doing the same and I beleive I will some day its just a matter of when. I know this video is old but if you get this how did you start becoming a monk?
I want to be content. So, I believe we can become" Buddhist monk like" by still working your regular job but just practicing Buddhist believes!. Any opinions much appreciated!
@Fersomling What is Right with Christianity? The Bible as we know it is a pack of Lies, the JEW living in the Holy Land! it was giving to them after WW2,, But yet Christianity is about Love and peace but yet we Kill, We Killed the JEW in the Middle Ages, King of England, allowed JEW to live in England but they couldnt have a Good job get paid well and what we know they were all Burned alive by Holy Men.
What is a Religious life. Once your Happy in what you do is all that matters
@Fersomling Religion is not about loyalty! Wtf?! Religion is what we believe?! I mean, our first ancestor were pagans! Why you are not loyal to their traditions then?!
Is good to hear that you want or wanted to become a Buddhist monk but not everybody can become a Buddhist monk and is really not easy to become a true Buddhist monk as what you think.If it is a temporary stay in the monastery its fine. Everyone of us has a so called Buddha Seed in us, just waiting to be ripen, may not be in this life time, could be several rebirth. I personally think that your time has not arrived yet to walk the path to enlightenment.
I'm interested in becoming a monk that has a career and is allowed to be married. I want to be a monk but improve the world as well. I'm majoring in psychology. Can somebody tell me what kind of Buddhist monks can do this?
I'm thinking about doing a seminary to become a Buddhist priest. There aren't many positions open for this, however, so I might have to continue my major while training from home.
There is a lot of interdisciplinary work being done these days involving Buddhism and western psychology. There are also lay meditation teachers. Those things might be more beneficial than becoming a Zen priest, it seems to me. Just a thought!
It is good to ordain as a Monk, and if you watch some of Ajahn Brahm's videos you'll know a Monk can do a lot to improve the world.
But please note that being a Monk comes part and parcel with Celibacy and not having a worldly livihood. There is no such thing as a Monk who is married and has a career - that would be a lay person.
The power and impact of a Monk, comes precisely from the fact that he has abandoned those things - to other people, it shows clearly that there is another way.
I want to be content. So, I believe we can become" Buddhist Monk like" by still working your regular job but just practicing Buddhist believes!. Any opinions much appreciated!
So friend, how is the path to the monastic life? Have you gone yet? I just found this video and am intriqued to see if you are there? onthat path...with metta
At some point, I realized I was carrying around a lot more "baggage" in my mind than could possibly have been accumulated in one life time. I also felt a lot older than one lifetime. That point was when I was like 5 years old, so I've kind of accepted Rebirth for most my life.
It's either that, or to say that emotional pain (dukkha) is caused on the whim of crazy gods, or that it comes into being without cause.
No, it's not possible to get enlightened while MAINTAINING rational integrity, but the bouts of insanity (caused by realizing everything you believed your entire life to be important, is wrong) will pass.
I have to admit, I, too, have often entertained the idea of going into a monastery, going back to the time when I was in my early 20's. Recently I've developed an affinity for Ajahn Brahm, as well, but having listened to some of his talks, I'm a little intimidated by actually trying to live by monastic standards, especially only eating one meal a day. More power to you, and I really hope it's working out for you! Metta!
I have exhausted the internet's video's on buddhism. I began with podcasts called 'a quiet mind' before jumping to hyun gak sunim who sold buddism to me. Then the wonderful Ajahn Brahm who i have a lot to thank. I went to my local temple but it wasn't what i was expecting. I still hope to be a monk at some point in my life though.. keep us posted!
I wish you the best. I am trying to decide whether I want to live the monastic life. I am interested in Zen Mountain Monastery myself. I am going there in August for a retreat which will of course help me figure things out more. I have been coming back to it for quite some time but I need to immerse myself in that environment. I find that Zen resonates with me the most but I absolutely love listening/watching Ajahn Brahm. I would love to visit and stay at his monastery some day. Again best to u.
Some of the greatest Buddhist teachers alive are depressed and strict. Some of the happiest and joyous people I've met are drunkards. If I may say, you'll be heavily disappointed if you allow "happiness" to be the standard that determines which teacher and teaching is best.
When I hear stories about Ajahn Brahm and Ajahn Sumedho setting up western monasteries under extreme hardships, that makes me very happy, I hope I get to suffer like that for at least a bit of my life.
I don't really know what happiness is, but I do know it's something to do with understanding suffering, it makes me happy to suffer and learn something from that suffering. Suffering is okay when I'm learning from it.
By the way, I enjoyed that Burke Lecture you have favorited.
I actually agree that a depressed and strict teacher can be good, because the goal of a teacher is to force you to conquer your own demons. Negativity, can certainly cause those demons to rage.
However, I have already trained under such a teacher, they are quite common. I would rather a teacher who knows loving-kindness, they are very rare.
Good luck with it. Thanks for sharing your feeling...nice to see someone else on the path. Ajahn Brahm was actually my first, and very profound portal, to Buddhism too. Could do a lot worse in Buddhism.One challenge I've found, and you may find, is sustaining inspiration from a certain teacher, even the best teacher, even from Buddhism itself. In the end I've let go Brahm, Chah, Sumedho, Buddhism, the whole lot, and have enjoyed Dhamma practice ever since (although they all remain in my heart)
I have no interest in ordaining under Brahm. I actually don't really have much interest in ordaining under any Ajahn in particular...
I am my own teacher, the Ajahn is just to call me out on my crap ;-).
I figure I could easily go for 3 years without listening to another Dhamma talk, just meditating and working things out for myself :-P. Of course, enduring the Dhamma Talks once they are no longer inspiring, is no doubt half the challenge!
That's the way to do it...if you haven't already, also listen to both Ajahn Sujato and Ajahn Sumedho...somewhat diametrically opposed, but both within the same tradition and well worth a listen...Best Regards...
You know what, ever since i've watched Ajahn Brahms videos, ive been thinkin about doing the same thing! lol. I wish you the best in your future as a monk. But, i have just a few questions:
1) What was your "dream job" that you mentioned?
2) How long have you been visiting a monastary?
3) How old are you now and at what age did you start thinking about Buddhism?
2) Not much (I just live too far away). I just know there's nothing for me in the worldly world. Forest Sangha is good enough.
3) 26. I first started thinking Buddhist ideas at age 17 or so, I've basically cultivated universal-compassion my entire adult life. Only for the last year or so have I had real contact with Buddhism. But for a couple of years before that, I did start living according to karma.
ahhh interesting. Yeah, i feel the same way too. im 19 yrs old and in college now, and im wondering if my ideals will truly lead me to happiness. i doubt it tho. which region of the world are u in?
Well said. My compliment to you. Wish you all the best in your search for spiritual happiness. Something to add. Spiritual happiness vs. worldly happiness. One is a peaceful and calm happiness. One is not.
I am an Ajahn Brahm fan, also; that is how I came across your video. Go for it, Ratergray! I hope you will be able to continue to post videos once you get there - like you said, it would be a giving thing - nice for those of us "out here" in the big sangha to see how you are doing, learn what it's like, etc. An inspiration for others. But whatever you do, best wishes.
That's an interesting question; of whether I'll be able to post videos.
The anagarikas have some liberties which monks do not; it may be that if I want to do that, I'd be allowed to... but then again, I think that youtube really is one of those things I want to leave behind; but, the future is uncertain, hahah.
A monastic life isn't about being happy all the time, that's not human. Even HH The Dalai Lama gets upset and angry(there's plenty of quotes about it on the net). Buddhism is the middle way, it's an embracement of all states, not searching or seeking only one state.
A monastic life isn't about being happy all the time, that's not human. Even HH The Dalai Lama gets upset and angry(there's plenty of quotes about it on the net).
But I have to point out, this video isn't directed to buddhists. I'm trying to explain it in a way which kind of, makes a degree of sense to people who know nothing about buddhism.
And even though the monks do get upset and angry - and certainly there are many instances of that in Ajahn Brahm's stories, they still know how to laugh at the end of it...
A psychopath, after doing something horrible also laughs at the end of. To dismiss one state as inferior to another, is dualistic, to seek one form, or to put down one emotion to rush to another...I guess what I'm trying to point out is they don't seek happiness they are happiness. They don't care either way, everything passes.
I'm not actually seeking happiness though. I'm not seeking anything. That's why the monastic life appeals to me. If I seek anything, it is to renounce what I have. Once I've renounced what I have, I can't do that again; it's not a desire which will just arise again.
And it's stupid to say that some states aren't superior. If you want to walk the way, it's superior to not have worldly things... I need to renounce that crap.
"Nirvana and Samsara's world of life and death are aspects of the same thing, for there is no Nirvana except where is Samsara, and no Samsara except where is Nirvana. All duality is falsely imagined." D.T. Suzuki.
Also, I'm still interested in your current personal meditation practice, experiences of monastic life, and your relation with Triple Gem.
You have an intellectual understanding of buddhism, eh? I follow the disciple of Ajhan Chah; "only one book is worth reading. The heart"
I couldn't recite the four noble truths or the noble eight fold path.
"The heart of the path is easy, let go of love and hate and let things be. that is all I do in my own practice"
-- Ajhan Chah.
That is my practice. Along with simple stuff like doing that which I'd regret not doing and not doing that which I'd regret doing. So simple. Why think?
Thanks for in a round about way answering my questions. RE, eh; I have nothing.
It's a very big move to go from no meditation experience, with no experience of the daily monastic life to the life you talk about wanting. Ajhan Chah spent long time as an ascetic.
Ajhan Chah "was Thailand's best-known meditation teacher". He spent many years in intense meditation. His teachings involve meditation as a root, with dharma talks to fuel the insight of meditation. His path is beyond any words. Gassho
It's not really a big move. I have spent some time at a monastery.
Really, there's nothing in the world which appeals to me - no-ones life appeals to me. I want out, buddhism is the best bet.
I tire of living as a "guerrilla ascetic" and the buddhist way clearly works better (very clearly).
If I can't be satisfied with the triple gem as an environment for practice, there is truly nothing which can satisfy me. Then I'll be somewhat screwed. So I'm quite committed :O.
Also the video focuses "most of all" on happiness, including the comparisons between different events. As you know, once you 'get' the thing you're after, it no longer brings/makes you happy. The idea of something making you happy and the reality/normalization that takes place once you get it. Happiness exists in no thing. How are you going to work with that once your there, living in the after glow?
Early in the video you mention ordination, after finishing your job/work. Where are you going to be ordained so quickly? My understanding of ordination is that it's generally a very long process after many years of living as a student, to make sure that this is the 'right' choice for you. Thoughts/Ideas often mis-align. The process of Jukai and Ordination take a long time to protect the pre-postutlants.
Again, I'm keeping it simple for people who know nothing about buddhism. Yes, I'll spend a year as an Anagarika and then a year as a novice monk.
But if I'm living a monastic life, have a shaved head and don't wear normal peoples clothes, then for enough intents and purposes I have "ordained as a monk" and I am a renunciate. It's pretty hard to explain to someone why an Anagarika is not a monk, do they live in a monastery? yes! then they must be a monk ;).
A very interesting video, thanks for sharing this with "us". It's raised quite a few questions :). Excuse the many comments to get the questions through. YouTube doesn't allow for long questions :)
I'm wondering about your current meditation practice, and current personal monastic experiences, that lead you to this point. You mentioned Ajahn Brahmavamso, but I'd like to know more about your personal relationship to the Triple Gem.
This was one of the most interesting videos I've watched in a while. You're absolutely right, life is much more than this hunt for money and sexual satisfaction. I admire you for taking the step toward becoming a Buddhist monk -- you're true to yourself.
I'll make another video on that topic and the whole darn process...
But in short I'll be uprooting and moving to be near the monastery before I actually join the monastery. Then I can bring food to the monks!!! Woohoo!!! :)
I like the graph thing with your fingers. It's funny to see that what you measured with your hands really differed enough compared to your other graph piles.
would love to hear about your experiences lately!
leviathan6 4 days ago
did you join a monastery and become a monk yet?
VisualLearningZone 1 month ago
@VisualLearningZone He did ordain in the end in March 2011....His name now is Nandiya Samanera (novice monk) and lives at Santi Forest Monastery in Bundanoon, Australia.
BuddhaZenMind 2 weeks ago in playlist Jediism & Buddhism
@BuddhaZenMind
cool thanks alot for letting me know :)
VisualLearningZone 2 weeks ago
post an update !
Dice3000 3 months ago
Better in thatcase become a Cistercian monk in that case, at least they are useful for the wider community while dedicating their life to a higher cause...
unapologeticmind 6 months ago
What is your status my friend? Did you join? How are you? I just stumbled onto this video. I thank you for it. I am on a different path, but a similar goal.
Geopati727 9 months ago
Im 12 and i wish i was born into monastery life. i really want to become a monk its such a beautiful simple life.
Bonersoup183 10 months ago
Hey this video was made a couple years ago, did you ever leave and fulfil your monk desires?
eLeMeNtsKaTeRgUy96 1 year ago
thank you for your insight into what is obviously a drastic and powerful shift in how you choose to exist. i appreciated your trying to somewhat quantify the joy/happiness/peace that you feel you will achieve in this new lifestyle. i applaud people that stand for peace, like Buddhist's have.
wpcghostdog 1 year ago
I love the Australian-ness of this video. I love to hear such dedication to the Dhamma in my own accent, the Australian accent. ^^ I wish you great success in your monkish endeavours.
tomorrowslunch 1 year ago
@tomorrowslunch hahah, this video was 100% New Zealand made :P. Thanks though :).
Ratergray 1 year ago
I completely agree with you. I have been interested in Buddhism for a long while now particularly Theravadan Buddhism and I stumbled on Ajahn Brahm's youtube Dhamma talks about 6 months ago.
I would love to enter a monkish life but I only meet two problems:
1. I have a deep love for playing and listening to music.. would be very hard to give up..
2. I have not been fully convinced on the major concept of Anatta.
davencarp1991 1 year ago
@davencarp1991
1) Sometimes hard is good...
2) That's not really a problem. The reality of anatta is to be experienced and only experience is convincing. People can cause themselves a lot of grief trying to understand/accept things which are meant to be experienced and I think people use 'anatta' as a bit of a club to beat people over the head with. It's actually just a mark of conditioned phenomena, anatta is not a teaching/philosophy in and of itself. Take it with the dhamma as a whole.
Ratergray 1 year ago
@davencarp1991
1) Sometimes hard is good...
2) That's not really a problem. The reality of anatta is to be experienced and only experience is convincing. People can cause themselves a lot of grief trying to understand/accept things which are meant to be experienced and I think people use 'anatta' as a bit of a club to beat people over the head with. It's actually just a mark of conditioned phenomena, anatta is not a teaching/philosophy in and of itself. Take it with the dhamma as a whole.
Ratergray 1 year ago
You certainly seem to have had your head screwed on right when you made this vid.
I think I missed the boat on the monastic life but I sure have thought about it. I wish you great success.
Metta
bbandon 1 year ago
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, I to have been thinking about doing the same and I beleive I will some day its just a matter of when. I know this video is old but if you get this how did you start becoming a monk?
MelloMiTch909 1 year ago
I see where your comming from. Once you tastew the true freedom of enlightenment, thru the 5 precepts, everything else pales in comparison.
1umbnonearth 1 year ago
I want to be content. So, I believe we can become" Buddhist monk like" by still working your regular job but just practicing Buddhist believes!. Any opinions much appreciated!
insider5454 1 year ago
Is there something about Christianity that is not quite your cup of tea?
Should we not be loyal to the religious traditions of our forefathers?
Fersomling 2 years ago
@Fersomling What is Right with Christianity? The Bible as we know it is a pack of Lies, the JEW living in the Holy Land! it was giving to them after WW2,, But yet Christianity is about Love and peace but yet we Kill, We Killed the JEW in the Middle Ages, King of England, allowed JEW to live in England but they couldnt have a Good job get paid well and what we know they were all Burned alive by Holy Men.
What is a Religious life. Once your Happy in what you do is all that matters
foleybarbarian 2 years ago
Well, what about the Amish?
Fersomling 2 years ago
@Fersomling Religion is not about loyalty! Wtf?! Religion is what we believe?! I mean, our first ancestor were pagans! Why you are not loyal to their traditions then?!
SciNonymous10 1 year ago
Haha. Sit around in a Robe and recite things. Sounds like the good life.
tooshortboi1 2 years ago
Is good to hear that you want or wanted to become a Buddhist monk but not everybody can become a Buddhist monk and is really not easy to become a true Buddhist monk as what you think.If it is a temporary stay in the monastery its fine. Everyone of us has a so called Buddha Seed in us, just waiting to be ripen, may not be in this life time, could be several rebirth. I personally think that your time has not arrived yet to walk the path to enlightenment.
Richyan38 2 years ago
I'm interested in becoming a monk that has a career and is allowed to be married. I want to be a monk but improve the world as well. I'm majoring in psychology. Can somebody tell me what kind of Buddhist monks can do this?
primitiveform 2 years ago
If you want to be engaged with the world in this way you should be a Buddhist layperson. Being a Buddhist layperson is also a spiritual path.
tevung64 2 years ago
I'm thinking about doing a seminary to become a Buddhist priest. There aren't many positions open for this, however, so I might have to continue my major while training from home.
primitiveform 2 years ago
There is a lot of interdisciplinary work being done these days involving Buddhism and western psychology. There are also lay meditation teachers. Those things might be more beneficial than becoming a Zen priest, it seems to me. Just a thought!
tevung64 2 years ago
Perhaps!
primitiveform 2 years ago
It is good to ordain as a Monk, and if you watch some of Ajahn Brahm's videos you'll know a Monk can do a lot to improve the world.
But please note that being a Monk comes part and parcel with Celibacy and not having a worldly livihood. There is no such thing as a Monk who is married and has a career - that would be a lay person.
The power and impact of a Monk, comes precisely from the fact that he has abandoned those things - to other people, it shows clearly that there is another way.
Ratergray 2 years ago
Thank you for the reply. I have since decided not to become a Monk, but your post has good information.
primitiveform 2 years ago
I want to be content. So, I believe we can become" Buddhist Monk like" by still working your regular job but just practicing Buddhist believes!. Any opinions much appreciated!
insider5454 1 year ago
So friend, how is the path to the monastic life? Have you gone yet? I just found this video and am intriqued to see if you are there? onthat path...with metta
pamsiepie 2 years ago
Rebirth is real and factual.
At some point, I realized I was carrying around a lot more "baggage" in my mind than could possibly have been accumulated in one life time. I also felt a lot older than one lifetime. That point was when I was like 5 years old, so I've kind of accepted Rebirth for most my life.
It's either that, or to say that emotional pain (dukkha) is caused on the whim of crazy gods, or that it comes into being without cause.
Ratergray 3 years ago
From experience I can say;
No, it's not possible to get enlightened while MAINTAINING rational integrity, but the bouts of insanity (caused by realizing everything you believed your entire life to be important, is wrong) will pass.
Ratergray 3 years ago
I have to admit, I, too, have often entertained the idea of going into a monastery, going back to the time when I was in my early 20's. Recently I've developed an affinity for Ajahn Brahm, as well, but having listened to some of his talks, I'm a little intimidated by actually trying to live by monastic standards, especially only eating one meal a day. More power to you, and I really hope it's working out for you! Metta!
MrHOTCub08 3 years ago
Friend, have you ever heard of someone growing as a person by doing only easy things, always taking the path of least resistance?
Ratergray 3 years ago
i say truely i dun kniw what you talking about i dun know what the hell is this!
iamornot 3 years ago
terrific video, thanks!
epitaphz 3 years ago
Good Luck Mate! Keep posting your reflections.
kenopanishad 3 years ago
I rejoice in your wisdom!
Sivachelvi 3 years ago
☆LoVe & LiGhT☆
With Metta
NKT3505 3 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
instead of answering why `I am going to become a buddhist monk`,better find the one who wants to become a buddhist monk:)
jimanHK 3 years ago
right on!
moneymasterjet 3 years ago 5
This has been flagged as spam show
I'm BACK
Blake
BuddhaBlake 3 years ago
mate i enjoyed your video much, sometimes i think of the exact same thing.
the timeless richness/whole heartedness that you experience from deep meditation is something that just cannot be articulated by words!!
elevatedm 3 years ago 5
I have exhausted the internet's video's on buddhism. I began with podcasts called 'a quiet mind' before jumping to hyun gak sunim who sold buddism to me. Then the wonderful Ajahn Brahm who i have a lot to thank. I went to my local temple but it wasn't what i was expecting. I still hope to be a monk at some point in my life though.. keep us posted!
petersilk 3 years ago
Go for it, Please bring it back to the west we need our own monasteries and buddhism build into our culture.
OneSpotToContemplate 3 years ago
YES...I want to run away to, there is not a day that goes by that i don't think about the life of a simple Monk.
BuddhaJampel 3 years ago 14
This has been flagged as spam show
Just do it :)
indigoblue66 3 years ago 2
I wish you the best. I am trying to decide whether I want to live the monastic life. I am interested in Zen Mountain Monastery myself. I am going there in August for a retreat which will of course help me figure things out more. I have been coming back to it for quite some time but I need to immerse myself in that environment. I find that Zen resonates with me the most but I absolutely love listening/watching Ajahn Brahm. I would love to visit and stay at his monastery some day. Again best to u.
cwalwanis 3 years ago
Some of the greatest Buddhist teachers alive are depressed and strict. Some of the happiest and joyous people I've met are drunkards. If I may say, you'll be heavily disappointed if you allow "happiness" to be the standard that determines which teacher and teaching is best.
buddhasknowbest 3 years ago
When I hear stories about Ajahn Brahm and Ajahn Sumedho setting up western monasteries under extreme hardships, that makes me very happy, I hope I get to suffer like that for at least a bit of my life.
I don't really know what happiness is, but I do know it's something to do with understanding suffering, it makes me happy to suffer and learn something from that suffering. Suffering is okay when I'm learning from it.
By the way, I enjoyed that Burke Lecture you have favorited.
BuddhistBlake 3 years ago 2
I actually agree that a depressed and strict teacher can be good, because the goal of a teacher is to force you to conquer your own demons. Negativity, can certainly cause those demons to rage.
However, I have already trained under such a teacher, they are quite common. I would rather a teacher who knows loving-kindness, they are very rare.
BuddhistBlake 3 years ago
Good luck with it. Thanks for sharing your feeling...nice to see someone else on the path. Ajahn Brahm was actually my first, and very profound portal, to Buddhism too. Could do a lot worse in Buddhism.One challenge I've found, and you may find, is sustaining inspiration from a certain teacher, even the best teacher, even from Buddhism itself. In the end I've let go Brahm, Chah, Sumedho, Buddhism, the whole lot, and have enjoyed Dhamma practice ever since (although they all remain in my heart)
elzerinho 3 years ago
You're quite right about that kind of challenge.
I have no interest in ordaining under Brahm. I actually don't really have much interest in ordaining under any Ajahn in particular...
I am my own teacher, the Ajahn is just to call me out on my crap ;-).
I figure I could easily go for 3 years without listening to another Dhamma talk, just meditating and working things out for myself :-P. Of course, enduring the Dhamma Talks once they are no longer inspiring, is no doubt half the challenge!
BuddhistBlake 3 years ago
That's the way to do it...if you haven't already, also listen to both Ajahn Sujato and Ajahn Sumedho...somewhat diametrically opposed, but both within the same tradition and well worth a listen...Best Regards...
elzerinho 3 years ago
You know what, ever since i've watched Ajahn Brahms videos, ive been thinkin about doing the same thing! lol. I wish you the best in your future as a monk. But, i have just a few questions:
1) What was your "dream job" that you mentioned?
2) How long have you been visiting a monastary?
3) How old are you now and at what age did you start thinking about Buddhism?
FireBaller1234 3 years ago
1) Video game programmer.
2) Not much (I just live too far away). I just know there's nothing for me in the worldly world. Forest Sangha is good enough.
3) 26. I first started thinking Buddhist ideas at age 17 or so, I've basically cultivated universal-compassion my entire adult life. Only for the last year or so have I had real contact with Buddhism. But for a couple of years before that, I did start living according to karma.
BuddhistBlake 3 years ago
ahhh interesting. Yeah, i feel the same way too. im 19 yrs old and in college now, and im wondering if my ideals will truly lead me to happiness. i doubt it tho. which region of the world are u in?
FireBaller1234 3 years ago
Well said. My compliment to you. Wish you all the best in your search for spiritual happiness. Something to add. Spiritual happiness vs. worldly happiness. One is a peaceful and calm happiness. One is not.
edmondtm 3 years ago
hi i was just wondering haw you join a monastery im 17 and no 1 knows thats what i want to do so if you cud reply on my channel plz thanx
DanielTrethewey8 4 years ago
I am an Ajahn Brahm fan, also; that is how I came across your video. Go for it, Ratergray! I hope you will be able to continue to post videos once you get there - like you said, it would be a giving thing - nice for those of us "out here" in the big sangha to see how you are doing, learn what it's like, etc. An inspiration for others. But whatever you do, best wishes.
varico1041 4 years ago
That's an interesting question; of whether I'll be able to post videos.
The anagarikas have some liberties which monks do not; it may be that if I want to do that, I'd be allowed to... but then again, I think that youtube really is one of those things I want to leave behind; but, the future is uncertain, hahah.
Ratergray 4 years ago
A monastic life isn't about being happy all the time, that's not human. Even HH The Dalai Lama gets upset and angry(there's plenty of quotes about it on the net). Buddhism is the middle way, it's an embracement of all states, not searching or seeking only one state.
A monastic life isn't about being happy all the time, that's not human. Even HH The Dalai Lama gets upset and angry(there's plenty of quotes about it on the net).
wadetubeyou 4 years ago
Thank you for taking the time.
But I have to point out, this video isn't directed to buddhists. I'm trying to explain it in a way which kind of, makes a degree of sense to people who know nothing about buddhism.
And even though the monks do get upset and angry - and certainly there are many instances of that in Ajahn Brahm's stories, they still know how to laugh at the end of it...
Ratergray 4 years ago
A psychopath, after doing something horrible also laughs at the end of. To dismiss one state as inferior to another, is dualistic, to seek one form, or to put down one emotion to rush to another...I guess what I'm trying to point out is they don't seek happiness they are happiness. They don't care either way, everything passes.
wadetubeyou 4 years ago
I'm not actually seeking happiness though. I'm not seeking anything. That's why the monastic life appeals to me. If I seek anything, it is to renounce what I have. Once I've renounced what I have, I can't do that again; it's not a desire which will just arise again.
And it's stupid to say that some states aren't superior. If you want to walk the way, it's superior to not have worldly things... I need to renounce that crap.
Ratergray 4 years ago
"Nirvana and Samsara's world of life and death are aspects of the same thing, for there is no Nirvana except where is Samsara, and no Samsara except where is Nirvana. All duality is falsely imagined." D.T. Suzuki.
Also, I'm still interested in your current personal meditation practice, experiences of monastic life, and your relation with Triple Gem.
Gassho,
Wade
wadetubeyou 4 years ago
You have an intellectual understanding of buddhism, eh? I follow the disciple of Ajhan Chah; "only one book is worth reading. The heart"
I couldn't recite the four noble truths or the noble eight fold path.
"The heart of the path is easy, let go of love and hate and let things be. that is all I do in my own practice"
-- Ajhan Chah.
That is my practice. Along with simple stuff like doing that which I'd regret not doing and not doing that which I'd regret doing. So simple. Why think?
Ratergray 4 years ago
Thanks for in a round about way answering my questions. RE, eh; I have nothing.
It's a very big move to go from no meditation experience, with no experience of the daily monastic life to the life you talk about wanting. Ajhan Chah spent long time as an ascetic.
Ajhan Chah "was Thailand's best-known meditation teacher". He spent many years in intense meditation. His teachings involve meditation as a root, with dharma talks to fuel the insight of meditation. His path is beyond any words. Gassho
wadetubeyou 4 years ago
It's not really a big move. I have spent some time at a monastery.
Really, there's nothing in the world which appeals to me - no-ones life appeals to me. I want out, buddhism is the best bet.
I tire of living as a "guerrilla ascetic" and the buddhist way clearly works better (very clearly).
If I can't be satisfied with the triple gem as an environment for practice, there is truly nothing which can satisfy me. Then I'll be somewhat screwed. So I'm quite committed :O.
Ratergray 4 years ago
Also the video focuses "most of all" on happiness, including the comparisons between different events. As you know, once you 'get' the thing you're after, it no longer brings/makes you happy. The idea of something making you happy and the reality/normalization that takes place once you get it. Happiness exists in no thing. How are you going to work with that once your there, living in the after glow?
wadetubeyou 4 years ago
Early in the video you mention ordination, after finishing your job/work. Where are you going to be ordained so quickly? My understanding of ordination is that it's generally a very long process after many years of living as a student, to make sure that this is the 'right' choice for you. Thoughts/Ideas often mis-align. The process of Jukai and Ordination take a long time to protect the pre-postutlants.
wadetubeyou 4 years ago
Again, I'm keeping it simple for people who know nothing about buddhism. Yes, I'll spend a year as an Anagarika and then a year as a novice monk.
But if I'm living a monastic life, have a shaved head and don't wear normal peoples clothes, then for enough intents and purposes I have "ordained as a monk" and I am a renunciate. It's pretty hard to explain to someone why an Anagarika is not a monk, do they live in a monastery? yes! then they must be a monk ;).
Ratergray 4 years ago
Hi There,
A very interesting video, thanks for sharing this with "us". It's raised quite a few questions :). Excuse the many comments to get the questions through. YouTube doesn't allow for long questions :)
I'm wondering about your current meditation practice, and current personal monastic experiences, that lead you to this point. You mentioned Ajahn Brahmavamso, but I'd like to know more about your personal relationship to the Triple Gem.
wadetubeyou 4 years ago
I respect very much what you're doing, Blake.
Buddhism has much truth to teach.
It has crossed my mind many times to be a monk. I'm sure you will have much peace in your decision.
ariestheramone 4 years ago
Out of interest, what stopped you?
Ratergray 4 years ago
This was one of the most interesting videos I've watched in a while. You're absolutely right, life is much more than this hunt for money and sexual satisfaction. I admire you for taking the step toward becoming a Buddhist monk -- you're true to yourself.
Best of luck, --Barbara
BasiaMik 4 years ago
You could make videos about life at the monastery! :)
DanielGardner 4 years ago
So, when do you move to the monastery?
Shmilli 4 years ago
I'll make another video on that topic and the whole darn process...
But in short I'll be uprooting and moving to be near the monastery before I actually join the monastery. Then I can bring food to the monks!!! Woohoo!!! :)
Ratergray 4 years ago
I like the graph thing with your fingers. It's funny to see that what you measured with your hands really differed enough compared to your other graph piles.
HKurck 4 years ago
The power and awe of Buddhism (of the mind), are quite different to worldly things. Not on the same scale.
Ratergray 4 years ago
Really good video. Interesting :D and I'd love to die still giggling too. Thats a nice way of putting it.
Wait, this cracks me up! You had no views, no ratings, nothing; but still!
#32 - Most Discussed (Today) - People & Blogs - New Zealand
#29 - Top Favorites (Today) - People & Blogs - New Zealand
#36 - Top Rated (Today) - People & Blogs - New Zealand
HAHA!
eenish 4 years ago
Yeah, the same counts for Dutch videos. There are just too few to fill the charts :D :P
HKurck 4 years ago
Thanks Ena. If you ever forget how to giggle like an idiot, you know you're doing something wrong with your life, hahha.
NZ YouChoob is pretty funny like that ^^. You can also easily get to #1, but no-one cares :S.
Ratergray 4 years ago