sky brow Posted July 3, 2003 Report Share Posted July 3, 2003 I was talking to my g/f today and the subject of Monks came up.Out of curiosity I asked her if any of her family were Monks.Full time Monks devoted to the religion.Her answer was a short NO.G/F went on to say that her family had worked all there life in good jobs and there was no need to become a monk.I was suprised at this answer.This posed the question -Do people join the Monkhood because of their religious beliefs and to make a better life for themselves.ie. A major life decision or is it out of desperation and no jobs.G/f went on to say that she doesnt respect or trust Monks these days.From that I wonder if there would be as many monks in Thailand if the country had more jobs and prosperity. Fire away sky brow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khunsanuk Posted July 3, 2003 Report Share Posted July 3, 2003 Hi, From what I understand criminals do sometimes flee into monkhood to avoid the law / rivals. There have also been a fair amount of stories about monks 'living the good life' (ones I recall: a monk frequenting karaoke bars and one story of a monk shagging the soi dogs (literally!)). I think it is also fairly common for older men to turn to a life in a temple to unburden their children. I have no idea how many men chose a life as a monk from a young age, but I would expect that it is declining. I also do not think that men turn to monkhood because they cannot find a job, especially the young ones. Sanuk! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sky brow Posted July 3, 2003 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2003 KS, I can relate to your first few lines,I have heard similar stories too.Yeh ,it just suprised me that my g/f came out with that answer.I realise there are other avenues for men to opt for the Monkhood.I agree that I dont think your average guy would become a monk because he has no job. sky brow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legover Posted July 3, 2003 Report Share Posted July 3, 2003 For a select few it can be a route to riches and privilege. Some thais believe when the eldest son goes into the clergy the gates of Hell slam shut for the mother, when the second son goes in same for the father. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pharcyde Posted July 3, 2003 Report Share Posted July 3, 2003 Also, if someone from a family dies, then any male member of that family (even far out relatives) become monks for a period. The reason for this is, that the monk can take the soul of the deceased person "by the hand" and help him, or her find the right way to heaven. If the monk has a busy daily life, then even three days of monkhood are sufficient to fulfill that procedure. PC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markle Posted July 3, 2003 Report Share Posted July 3, 2003 There are still a number of young men who take the monkhood seriously (some females too). Poverty/ criminal past is still a common reason especially in rural areas, hence your GF's perception. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pescator Posted July 8, 2003 Report Share Posted July 8, 2003 Hi, Many thai guys join the monkhood for a shorter period of time to earn merit for their mother who doesnt have this option. cheers Hua Nguu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 8, 2003 Report Share Posted July 8, 2003 Says khunsanuk: Hi, From what I understand criminals do sometimes flee into monkhood to avoid the law / rivals. There have also been a fair amount of stories about monks 'living the good life' (ones I recall: a monk frequenting karaoke bars and one story of a monk shagging the soi dogs (literally!)). Oh man, that is the nastiest thing I have heard in ages, even worse than the miscreant activities of the Anglican and Catholic Churches in Australia. Think I need a stiff drink, I am never going to look at a Thai monk the same again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 8, 2003 Report Share Posted July 8, 2003 just the old problem with organised religion, not to confuse with the philosophy behind - it is just individuals. same here same there. abuses of monkhood have been known in any religion in all times. i have been for a while in a monastry boarding school up in the mountains. we had some real bastards there who posed as monks, a few who i suspect just escaped into the monkhood because they just could not face themselves and the real world. and then there were a few truly good men (who made life there a bit less difficult for me). many people expect from asia that just because they are "buddhists" or "hindu" that they all must be especially holy - pure escapism, but far from reality - they are just humans. what was always the dalai lama's answer to those kind of convertees? he discourages people from converting saying that whatever they are looking for can be much easier found in their own religions as they do not have to get used to a completely different culture first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pattaya127 Posted July 9, 2003 Report Share Posted July 9, 2003 My favourite Dalai Lama's quote is his answer to very learnt people asking him what the future holds and the state of his religion in 50 years: "how the hell do i know, i don't even know what i will eat tonight!". Pure Buddhist answer, Nirvana is NOW or never! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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