Easy Steps on How to Become A Buddhist Monk in 2023

When most people hear the word “monk,” they envision a person with a shaven head living in a faraway temple and performing countless chants and sacrifices.

Although this was true many years ago, it does not reflect modern Buddhist monk life.

As the world has changed, so have the practices of Buddha monks. They have, nevertheless, kept the practice’s intention.

Along with the picture of a monk mentioned previously, many people associate Buddhism with meditation. Buddhism is concerned with the spiritual growth of all beings.

To grow spiritually is to fully comprehend oneself.

As such, Buddha monks, like therapists, play the function of assisting laypeople. If you enjoy Buddhist practices, now is the time to learn how to become a Buddha monk or nun.

Who Is A Buddhist Monk?

A monk is a person who chooses to devote their life to religious austerity in a monastery, either alone or in community with other monks.

Buddhist monks and nuns are referred to as bhikkhu and bhikkhuni.

As a result, a Buddhist monk is a monk who is in charge of maintaining and distributing Buddha’s teachings, as well as instructing Buddhist laypeople.

Most men in Thailand will become monks at some time in their lives.

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Many Thai women are known to reject to marry a man who has not been a monk for at least three months, believing that they will be more trustworthy and loyal if they have been ordained and practiced for an extended period of time.

What Does A Buddhist Monk Do?

Buddhist monks and nuns are required to play a variety of duties in the Buddhist society. A monk can shape the mind through meditation.

For starters, they uphold Buddhist doctrine and discipline.

Second, they are living embodiments of the laity. Monks also serve as a source of merit for followers.

These followers might acquire merits by providing gifts and assistance to monks.

Monks and nuns must live an ascetic life centered on studying Buddhist philosophy, practicing meditation, and exhibiting high moral conduct in exchange.

Finally, Buddhist monks increase laypeople’s capacity through promoting their growth and spiritual development.

How To Become A Buddhist Monk

Buddhism is a religion that has been around for more than 200 years.

You will learn that being a monk is not difficult. Simply read through it.

The stages to becoming a Buddhist monk are detailed below.

1. Research Buddhism

You cannot claim to be a Buddhist if you do not comprehend the fundamentals of Buddhism. Begin by becoming acquainted with the religion.

You must first learn the Eightfold Path.

It contains the correct Path to livelihood and is the way to end all afflictions. Then, discover the four Noble Truths, which embody the essence of Buddhism.

2. Join a Temple or a Sangha

Because Buddhism is a worldwide religion, temples can be found in nearly every country.

Before becoming a Buddhist monk, you may desire to become a regular member for several years.

Some religious institutions, like others, are more conventional, while others have evolved with the times.

Find a community that shares your beliefs and appeals to you.

Get a spiritual mentor while you’re in the Sangha. His guidance will provide you with a thorough understanding of what it takes to be a monk.

3. Get Ready for Monastic Life

To begin entering the monastic life, you must first have become a lay Buddhist by learning about Buddhism and acquiring the Precepts (usually at the Ten Precepts Retreat).

You will spend time meditating in the abbey.

To become a Buddhist monk, daily meditation and a conscious effort to modify how the mind operates are required. When you live in an abbey, you will spend a large portion of your day in meditation. This requires practice.

Because you will be following the Vinaya, which states that monks do not work, make sure you have provisions to last you while in the abbey.

Prepare to take a chastity vow as well.

4. Obtain Monastic Ordination

An ordained monk will execute the ordination ceremony, which certifies your desire to become a Buddhist. During the ceremony, the monk will give you the three jewels and five precepts, as well as a Buddhist name.

After being ordained as a novice, you will be assigned an instructor, an ordained monk, who will provide you with special instructions for the monastery you are joining.

You will eventually become a full monk.

Finally, you’ll make the Bodhisattva vow.

A Bodhisattva is someone who dedicates their life to the Buddhist way of life.

How To Become A Buddhist Monk In America

Monasteries in the United States welcome monks and nuns from all walks of life.

People usually choose between samanera, a novice monk, and bhikkhu, a full-fledged monk.

Temporary ordinations are widespread in the United States. In Minneapolis, for example, eight- and nine-year-olds may become temporary summer monks to study the fundamentals of their tradition.

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Similarly, in Massachusetts, a young man displays his commitment to his Buddhist religion by taking novice monastic vows.

In addition, young boys in Long Beach or North Hollywood, California, can take monastic vows for the summer, reside in the temple, and receive teaching from the tradition’s elders.

Candidates for novice ordination must spend at least three months at the monastery to learn.

After the novice stage, full ordination as a monk (bhikkhu) or nun (bhikkuni) occurs.

All other procedures remain unchanged.

How To Become A Buddhist Monk In India

Buddha monks in India go through the same process of learning about Buddhism, joining a temple or Sangha, training for life in a monastery, and finally becoming ordained.

This is true for both nuns and monks.

How To Become A Buddhist Monk In the UK

Becoming a Buddha monk or nun in the United Kingdom follows the same steps as outlined above for becoming a monk.

How To Become A Zen Buddhist Monk

Zen refers to meditation. Zen Buddhism originated in India and has now spread to the Western world.

A Zen Buddhist Monk is a monk who is able to marry. Zen monks in Japan, like monks in other nations, can marry.

The contradiction is that monks and nuns who have sworn chastity cannot marry.

The zen monk or nun strives to be an excellent practitioner and human being who cares deeply about others.

Here are the steps to follow if you want to become a Zenn Buddhist monk.

Step 1. Begin practicing Zen Buddhism as soon as possible.

Religion, beliefs, and practices are taught here.

Step 2: Discuss Ordination with the Buddhist Temple of your choice.

It is critical to understand that each Buddhist temple has slightly distinct standards. Check with the existing monks at your preferred temple.

Step 3: Take up residence in a monastery.

Spend at least one or two years in residence and receive the rigorous training required to become a zen Buddhist monk.

Step 4: Obtain Ordainment

Before you can be ordained as a zen Buddhist monk, you must first finish the postulate, which is a year of instruction. You will then be ordained as a novice monk.

Step 5: Advanced Ordination

A five-year training commitment is required to become a complete zen priest. Meditation and teacher consultation are essential in determining if you will become a full-fledged zen Buddhist priest.

How To Become A Tibetan Buddhist Monk

Tibetan Buddhism is the form of Buddhism practiced in Tibet.

A Tibetan Buddhist monk dedicates his life to the monastery.

His ordination is complete, and he will not be able to leave the monastery until he dies.

Although people have taken vows and then returned to lay life, this is not recommended.

The vows are taken with the intention of keeping them for the rest of one’s life.

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Furthermore, all of the stages outlined before on how to become a monk remain in effect, with the exception that the monk can only leave the monastery according to Tibetan custom.

Monks in Tibetan Buddhism can study in one of four major schools: Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya, or Gelug. Each school is self-contained, with its own monastic structures and leaders.

How to Become a Female Monk

Becoming a nun is an honorable way to devote your life to serving others.

To become a female monk known as a nun, you must follow the same stages as a monk.

Step 1: Understand the Buddhist Teaching

Before opting to pursue ordination, make sure you have a solid understanding of the Buddha’s teachings, such as the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, and the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment (lam-rim).

In essence, look for a place to learn under a skilled instructor to gain a knowledge of Buddhist teachings.

Traditionally, you must have completed several years of study and practice under a teacher before obtaining ordination.

Step 2: Hire a Spiritual Advisor

Your teacher explains the fundamentals of monastery life. He will also decode your readiness to take ordination vows. As a result, he signs authorization for you to be ordained.

Step 3: Start on the Buddhist Path

Meditation and other Buddhist practices are taught here. You also take lay vows because many people become celibate.

Step 4: Ordination

Because the vows are taken for life, it is critical to take your time and carefully consider your options.

Becoming a Buddhist Monastic entails becoming a member of a group known as the Sangha.

Traditionally, after ordaining, one must live in a monastic community for at least 5 years. However, this is not always the case.

Step 5: Take care of yourself.

Those monks are usually provided with the four fundamental necessities of food, clothing, shelter, and medicine.

Many monks and nuns, however, serve their local dharma groups in exchange for basic necessities. So, consult with your Sangha to ensure your stability once ordained.

How To Study To Become A Monk

Although no academic degree is required, Plum Village monks and nuns must complete a three-year novitiate before being ordained as a monk or nun (bhikshu or bhikshuni).

To make things even easier, these schools are Buddhist universities that you can attend anywhere in the world to study Buddhism and become a Buddhist monk.

• Naropa University
•  Dharma Realm Buddhist University
•  University of the West
•  Maitripa College in Portland, Oregon
•  Ryukoku University
•  Donguuk University
•  Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University
•  Nanhua University
•  Wonkwang University
•  Sanchi University of Buddhist-Indic Studies
•  Bikhsu University of Sri Lanka

These universities provide Buddhism Studies programs as either a certificate course or an advanced degree.

• University of Oxford
• University of South Wales MA Buddhist
• SOAS University of London
• University of California Berkeley
• Webster University
• Won Institute of Graduate Studies
• Boston University
• Harvard University

How To Become A Monk Quickly

The samanera, or novice monk ordination, is the simplest path to becoming a Buddhist monk.

This option is available in many nations and jurisdictions. With this, you can become a monk for the summer, until you elect to become a full-bhikkhu or leave the monastery.

How Long Does It Take To Become A Buddhist Monk?

You will devote three to five years to become a fully ordained monk or nun.

However, becoming a novice monk takes less than three years.

In particular, the training takes ten years to complete.

You have the authority to instruct laypeople who aspire to become monks or nuns.

How Old Do You Have To Be To Become A Monk?

You must be younger than 50 years old to become a monk.

If you are under the age of 18, you must obtain permission from your parents.

Furthermore, persons with terminal illnesses or severe disabilities are not eligible to become monks.

Plum Village monks and nuns remain celibate and make a life-long commitment to the community.

Can Anyone Become a Monk?

No, not everyone has the ability to become a monk. The requirements for becoming a monk vary depending on the monastery.

However, being a member of a church, being debt-free, male, and being between the ages of 35 and 45 are all typical requirements for becoming a monk.

If you are under the age of 18, you can only join the monastery with the permission of your parents.

Conclusion

Finally, these are the fundamental stages for becoming a Buddhist monk or nun.

Following them will make your wish come true. If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments section.

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