On Chistian and Buddhist monk

[Dhammañāṇa Bhikkhu]

With respect I know Christian monks quite well and one thing that surprised me at first was that they do not give advice. They don’t hold themselves as good or virtuous or knowing more than other people. They have enough problems with their own lives.

When asked for advice they say: “You are welcome to come to our services, stay a while, and eat with us and pray with us.”

That way a person sees for himself the quiet way of monastic devotion.

They don’t give advice to householders, even when asked. Their advice to others is to pray. They see themselves as sinners, like other men.

I understand that Buddhism puts more emphasis on a person ‘achieving’ God in contrast perhaps to the Christian concept of ‘receiving’ God?

As it arose by good @RJM on other tread, maybe worthy an own topic.

Just in short, monastic disciples of the Buddha don't seek for a unification with what ever God nor do they strive to become what ever God (deity or Brahma), since even such archiving isn't for sure. Of cause it might be, that they gain such state, if not bringing it to highest release in this life. How ever, they are supposed to life the Brahmacariya, "conduct like a 'god'", holy life with ending of all suffering as aim.

Christian monks might similar take on such as Brahmacariya, yet with the focus of unification with their God.

 

[RJM]

As it arose by good @RJM on other tread, maybe worthy an own topic.

Just in short, monastic disciples of the Buddha don't seek for a unification with what ever God nor do they strive to become what ever God (deity or Brahma), since even such archiving isn't for sure. Of cause it might be, that they gain such state, if not bringing it to highest release in this life. How ever, they are supposed to life the Brahmacariya, "conduct like a 'god'", holy life with ending of all suffering as aim.

Christian monks might similar take on such as Brahmacariya, yet with the focus of unification with their God.

Yes. Sorry. It's good to have you on the forum. I'm sure it's not an easy life to be a monk of any religion.

I suppose monks of all religions seek to live a holy life to bring them close to God. Most of the monks I know are old guys who follow the Benedictine rule. A few younger ones have joined recently, but the monastic community is a small one.

There are a few different orders of Benedictine monks and nuns. Some are stricter than others. Then amongst western monastics there are also Carthusian monks who spend their lives in solitary cells. There are also Augustinians and Franciscans -- all with their own rituals.

Monks of the Orthodox Christian churches have their own communities in Greece and Russia and so on.

 

[Dhammañāṇa Bhikkhu]

One might wonder why soneone seek to leave home and become monk, as well might ask of what's the benefit of becoming a "beggar", go after a contemplative life: Samaññaphala Sutta: The Fruits of the Contemplative Life