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Thursday, July 2, 2009
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
How (my) monkhood has changed my life?
Some of my friends kindly read the last note about my monkhood. A few of them asked me a very interesting question: what changes have I effected since my monkhood? I guess I need to develop the benefits of being a monk in this note.
1- Disciplines
Have you ever eaten while standing? A monk can’t. Have ever watched TV? A monk can’t. Have you ever kept money with you? A monk supposedly can’t. (I said “supposedly” because this discipline tends to get obsolete over time, especially when monks need it for transport or trips.) No matter what discipline, it’s all meant to refrain them from getting attached to worldly interests. The only interest they should focus on is otherworldly for themselves and laypeople. With the influence of the materialism, monks tend to loosen up some codes of conduct. Yet, these are still stricter than those of laypeople.
So I learn that, in order to change, we need (self-) disciplines. Furthermore, if I were Primer Minister, I would bring up monkhood or military service as the option of mandatory service that a Cambodian adult must go through.
2- Simplicity
Most of laypeople pursue their “wants”. But monks just maintain their needs. There are only four kinds of offerings they live on: monkish clothes, food, shelter and a set of medicine, drinks and tools. In our daily life, these suffice for us to live our life properly and protect us from any harm or danger. If we notice carefully the biography of most successful people – be it financially or spiritually – they live on these simple needs or end up with this simplicity. Can you call yourself successful or happy when you still want more for your life? In a sense, rich or poor, I can call myself a human being as long as I have what I need, not necessarily what I want. This latter is bottomless! Funnily enough, I spend less than twenty bucks during my religious period.
3- Kindness/Compassion
Monks are taught to be gentle, calm, kind and compassionate with their fellows and laypeople. Although not all monks are so, I was surprised to get surrounded by those who were willing to share their knowledge and time and help me out unconditionally. What’s more, I hardly met a self-centered or heartless monk in the pagoda I stayed in!
4- Leadership
As I learn from my fellows, different pagodas, different codes of conduct, different leaderships. But I call it my luck to follow a monk leader who genuinely and peacefully uses the “carrot and stick” principle. We were made to do some physical work whenever we’re free. Some would say the monk leader exploits us. But I believe they forget, in the evening, they would receive a portion of tasty Milo in return for their day-time effort! Besides, he even delegates each monk under his supervision for blessing tasks in a very fair and equal monk so jealousy hardly arises. He’s for sure my role model of true leadership.
5- Humility/Supremacy
In Buddhism, monks are called supreme human beings because even Kings join hands to respect them! Yet, this supremacy doesn’t result from their authority or arrogance. The very crucial pointer I can’t deny is their humility and care for all sentient beings. Monks can even intervene in laypeople’s works if need be. This teaches me that, no matter what my position is, I must stay humble enough as to be worth respecting or following.
In short, these are the main changes I have adopted from my one-month religious life. Despite the scandals of a bunch of (individual) monks, I must admit the real Buddhist way of life brings us peace, harmony and growth. I even thought I’d be a monk for the rest of my life if I understood Buddhism earlier and better! The truth is, I keep learning … and changing.
Quote: “Tell me and I forget. Show me and I remember. Involve me and I understand”
1- Disciplines
Have you ever eaten while standing? A monk can’t. Have ever watched TV? A monk can’t. Have you ever kept money with you? A monk supposedly can’t. (I said “supposedly” because this discipline tends to get obsolete over time, especially when monks need it for transport or trips.) No matter what discipline, it’s all meant to refrain them from getting attached to worldly interests. The only interest they should focus on is otherworldly for themselves and laypeople. With the influence of the materialism, monks tend to loosen up some codes of conduct. Yet, these are still stricter than those of laypeople.
So I learn that, in order to change, we need (self-) disciplines. Furthermore, if I were Primer Minister, I would bring up monkhood or military service as the option of mandatory service that a Cambodian adult must go through.
2- Simplicity
Most of laypeople pursue their “wants”. But monks just maintain their needs. There are only four kinds of offerings they live on: monkish clothes, food, shelter and a set of medicine, drinks and tools. In our daily life, these suffice for us to live our life properly and protect us from any harm or danger. If we notice carefully the biography of most successful people – be it financially or spiritually – they live on these simple needs or end up with this simplicity. Can you call yourself successful or happy when you still want more for your life? In a sense, rich or poor, I can call myself a human being as long as I have what I need, not necessarily what I want. This latter is bottomless! Funnily enough, I spend less than twenty bucks during my religious period.
3- Kindness/Compassion
Monks are taught to be gentle, calm, kind and compassionate with their fellows and laypeople. Although not all monks are so, I was surprised to get surrounded by those who were willing to share their knowledge and time and help me out unconditionally. What’s more, I hardly met a self-centered or heartless monk in the pagoda I stayed in!
4- Leadership
As I learn from my fellows, different pagodas, different codes of conduct, different leaderships. But I call it my luck to follow a monk leader who genuinely and peacefully uses the “carrot and stick” principle. We were made to do some physical work whenever we’re free. Some would say the monk leader exploits us. But I believe they forget, in the evening, they would receive a portion of tasty Milo in return for their day-time effort! Besides, he even delegates each monk under his supervision for blessing tasks in a very fair and equal monk so jealousy hardly arises. He’s for sure my role model of true leadership.
5- Humility/Supremacy
In Buddhism, monks are called supreme human beings because even Kings join hands to respect them! Yet, this supremacy doesn’t result from their authority or arrogance. The very crucial pointer I can’t deny is their humility and care for all sentient beings. Monks can even intervene in laypeople’s works if need be. This teaches me that, no matter what my position is, I must stay humble enough as to be worth respecting or following.
In short, these are the main changes I have adopted from my one-month religious life. Despite the scandals of a bunch of (individual) monks, I must admit the real Buddhist way of life brings us peace, harmony and growth. I even thought I’d be a monk for the rest of my life if I understood Buddhism earlier and better! The truth is, I keep learning … and changing.
Quote: “Tell me and I forget. Show me and I remember. Involve me and I understand”
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