Is it ok to become a monk?
Upvote:0
Doubt is the greatest hindrance towards doing skillful things, and it's wise not to leave any room for doubt, either inwardly or outwardly.
Nothing helps oneself and others more than to go after the holy life and seek freedom and release from suffering, good householder.
Don't waste your time.
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Actually you can still follow Buddha's path in your layman condition. I suggest you practice a weekend Vipassana or 10 day Vipassana. After that, apply what you learn in that retreat in everyday activities.
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You can become sottapanna in a household life.
The main point here in what this person said to you will refer to what type of family you have. If you have an elderly and unwell parent or have a wife/husband and/or children then becoming an ordained member of the sangha is inappropriate.
Upvote:1
He probably wants you to be absolutely certain that becoming a monk is what you really want, without any room for alternative options.
Otherwise, you would simply end up wasting precious time without achieving neither the goals of the monastic life nor the goals of the householder life.
Those who in youth have not led the holy life, or have failed to acquire wealth, languish like old cranes in the pond without fish.
Those who in youth have not lead the holy life, or have failed to acquire wealth, lie sighing over the past, like worn out arrows (shot from) a bow.
Dhp 155-156
... so by such a simile do I speak about this person: he has missed out on the enjoyments of a householder, yet he does not fulfil the purpose of recluseship.
Iti 91
I say that person is just like this. Theyβve missed out on the pleasures of the lay life, and havenβt fulfilled the goal of the ascetic life.
SN 22.80
If you haven't read it already, the book "Broken Buddha" by Ven. S. Dhammika would help you to avoid romanticizing life in Theravada monasteries, especially in Asia. However, at the same time, you should not let it discourage you, as there are bound to be a mix of good and bad experiences when it comes to monasteries and life in monasteries.
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