N. Thailand : through a future/present/past monk from America

**bustak** · 12-12-2008, 10:04 PM

For the past 13 years I've wanted to ordain as a Buddhist monk, well before the year is out, it'll become a reality. I would of hoped to do so for at least 1-month, but I can't swing that at the present moment.

So from 23 December to 1 January I'll be a monk at a mountain temple in Doi Saket (30 minutes outside of Chiang Mai's downtown).

Next Monday I'm going to meet w/ the abbot, and the Monday before I ordain I'm going to meet w/ the monk that'll tend to me while I'm at the temple. I think he'll mainly help me with the chanting part of the time I'm ordained.

I am studying the chants I need to do, then for it's not totally foreign to me:

Today the gf & I went shopping at the Buddhist stores in CM for my robe, bowl, and other monk stuff. The prices varied from store to store, but the fashion didn't.

^ who's the weirdo in the background?

finally I made my purchase, coming to roughly 1,700 baht. Notice the winter hat, socks, and somewhere in the bag is a pair of gloves. I grew up in Chicago, but never got use to the cold.

The gf & her mother are very proud & happy. My gf is calling everyone & after we bought the clothes & accessories she was taking me around to different people telling them I'm becoming a monk. I'm even more happy to do something I want to do, knowing it'll make other people happy.

More pictures & text coming. Early/mid next year I'll post some pictures taken during the ceremony & I'm 90% sure I'll bring my little Canon, so I should have some pictures taken while I'm a monk.

**mediamanbkk** · 12-12-2008, 10:12 PM

Good Luck, I don't imagine it's going to be easy for you, there again I think you know that. I'm interested in your follow up posts.

**Texpat** · 12-12-2008, 11:13 PM

Fair to say you're Buddhist, then?
I wonder if they would they let someone who wasn't Buddhist do that?
Good luck.

**ChiangMai noon** · 12-12-2008, 11:15 PM

A nun that I know says she spent a lot of temple time trying to look up the monks robes as they don't wear any underwear.

is that true bustak?

**bustak** · 12-12-2008, 11:40 PM

Originally Posted by ChiangMai noon

I've spent a lot of temple time trying to look up the monks robes as they don't wear any underwear.

Can I look up yours?

NO!

fm3

**Propagator** · 13-12-2008, 03:59 AM

Good luck to you Bustak. Will look forward to any reports that you make

**Rural Surin** · 13-12-2008, 05:32 AM

Good luck to you my friend. It would be an interesting ongoing thread.

**DrAndy** · 14-12-2008, 08:35 AM

Originally Posted by bustak

The gf & her mother are very proud & happy. My gf is calling everyone & after we bought the clothes & accessories she was taking me around to different people telling them I'm becoming a monk. I'm even more happy to do something I want to do, knowing it'll make other people happy.

More pictures & text coming. Early/mid next year I'll post some pictures taken during the ceremony & I'm 90% sure I'll bring my little Canon, so I should have some pictures taken while I'm a monk.

errrmm, why is your g/f happy? are monks allowed to see their partners at all??

anyway, it will be interesting to see some monk pics, I am sure there will be no schoolgirls involved (I do have a tale about that but....)

"CM through the eyes of a monk" type of thing

**bustak** · 14-12-2008, 12:15 PM

thanks for the kind words guys, it'll be interesting to say the least.

Originally Posted by DrAndy

errrmm, why is your g/f happy? are monks allowed to see their partners at all??

She can give me food in the morning, I can't touch her or be affectionate in anyway (of course).

Also my gf thinks it's good merit, and all that type of Thai stuff. Also her mother doesn't have a son, so her mother feels as if I'm a son of sorts ordaining.

**DrAndy** · 14-12-2008, 02:45 PM

Originally Posted by bustak

thanks for the kind words guys, it'll be interesting to say the least.

Originally Posted by DrAndy

errrmm, why is your g/f happy? are monks allowed to see their partners at all??

She can give me food in the morning, I can't touch her or be affectionate in anyway (of course).

whatever turns her on!

**bustak** · 03-01-2009, 10:40 PM

this was taken my 2nd to last day as Phra Ge Ra Ya No:

I'll start to go through the pictures in the next few days from my ordination & time as a short-time monk.

If some of the TD members who attended the ceremony want to post some pictures be my guest. I would be interested in seeing them too.

**DrB0b** · 03-01-2009, 11:15 PM

Originally Posted by Texpat

Fair to say you're Buddhist, then?
I wonder if they would they let someone who wasn't Buddhist do that?

They would. Buddhists don't require you to be a Buddhist to become a monk.

**bustak** · 03-01-2009, 11:18 PM

^ I'm a Buddhist though.

**jandajoy** · 03-01-2009, 11:20 PM

Originally Posted by DrB0b

Buddhists don't require you to be a Buddhist to become a monk.

How's that work then?

**DrB0b** · 03-01-2009, 11:53 PM

Originally Posted by jandajoy

Originally Posted by DrB0b

Buddhists don't require you to be a Buddhist to become a monk.

How's that work then?

Buddhism isn't a religion in the way that Islam, Judaism, or Christianity are religions. There's no God to either accept or reject. Buddhism is a philosophy and a way of life, if you believe in a God or Gods you can do that and still be a Buddhist, all gods are just beings on the wheel. If you can accept the vows required of a monk (none of which have anything to do with Gods) you can be a Buddhist monk. You can be a Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Sikh, Hindu, or whatever Buddhist monk without Buddhism requiring you to give up your religion (although, realistically, approximately 100% of Buddhist monks are Buddhist), sadly if you are part of a theistic religion your own priests will probably consign you to hell for becoming a monk

**bustak** · 12-01-2009, 11:52 PM

post monk.

pictures from ordination & time as a monk coming soon. House hunting at the moment, so not much time to sort through the photos, sorry for the delay.

**daveboy** · 12-01-2009, 11:58 PM

Congratulations on your Ordainment looking forward to viewing the forthcoming pics

**Loy Toy** · 13-01-2009, 12:40 AM

I really respect a person who has the passion and personal commitment such as yourself.

To be honest your travel in life is far removed to where I see myself going but I wish you every happiness and personal fulfillment!

I always enjoy seeing your excellent photos!

**Happyman** · 13-01-2009, 02:34 AM

Not into this sort of thing but, if that is where life wants to lead you - follow it - because if you don't you will never be content .
Best of luck to you.

**joker1973** · 13-01-2009, 03:17 AM

Why is it that westerners have to make a mockery of a foreign religeon and tradition to massage their own egos?
Can you not just observe from afar? I guess you would not get any bragging rights then.
Religeon should be a life time decision not a holiday theme park ride or a photo opportunity. I did not realise that there was room for ego in Buddhism.
I would say the gf and mother were so happy to be rid of the farang for a few days and liking the comedy you provided for them and their neighbours.
Sorry if I have offended you but I never understand why travellers like yourself feel you have to be a part of other cultures and make it all about yourself instead of just observing and respecting.
There are no real western buddhists as our culture and upbringing make it impossible to follow the rules.

**dirtydog** · 13-01-2009, 03:47 AM

Buddhism is not a religion, it was also a foreign idea to the Thais as it came from India originally.

**hillbilly** · 13-01-2009, 06:48 AM

Congrats, Bustak!

I have also wanted to do something similar but always had an excuse.

Can't wait for the entire report.

**luangpohbill** · 13-01-2009, 07:26 AM

Originally Posted by ChiangMai noon

A nun that I know says she spent a lot of temple time trying to look up the monks robes as they don't wear any underwear.

is that true bustak?

Yes, it's true, monks don't wear underwear. You have to be careful when your sitting down, that someone can't see up your lower robe.

**luangpohbill** · 13-01-2009, 07:29 AM

Originally Posted by Texpat

Fair to say you're Buddhist, then?
I wonder if they would they let someone who wasn't Buddhist do that?
Good luck.

As long as your maintain your self in a holy manner and follow the 227 monk rules, it's not required that you be a Buddhist, all though it helps.

**luangpohbill** · 13-01-2009, 07:33 AM

Originally Posted by bustak

thanks for the kind words guys, it'll be interesting to say the least.

Originally Posted by DrAndy

errrmm, why is your g/f happy? are monks allowed to see their partners at all??

She can give me food in the morning, I can't touch her or be affectionate in anyway (of course).

Also my gf thinks it's good merit, and all that type of Thai stuff. Also her mother doesn't have a son, so her mother feels as if I'm a son of sorts ordaining.

Plus, you can't be alone with her or any woman. There must always be a man present. It will be a real honor for her mother if she doesn't have any sons. I had a Thai woman come all the way from Los Angeles to Phoenix to offer me the robes. She didn't have any sons either and she cried when she offered me the robes.

Thread: N. Thailand : through a future/present/past monk from America

Thread Tools

Display

N. Thailand : through a future/present/past monk from America

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

Posting Permissions