Are monks allowed to talk?

Spoken conversations between monks are permitted, but limited according to the norms established by the community and approved by the Order. "Silence is the mystery of the world to come. Speech is the organ of this present world. More than all things love silence: it brings you a fruit that the tongue cannot describe.

When can monks talk?

They are allowed to meet with them only two days each year. After taking the vow of silence they are only allowed a brief conversation once a week in the courtyard. Beyond that, only prayer is permitted.

What are monks not allowed to do?

Monks are not allowed to request anything from lay people; and lay people cannot demand anything from the monks. The spirit of it is more in the nature of open-hearted giving.

Why are monks not allowed to speak?

Why do monks take a vow of silence? In the Buddhist tradition, a monk's vow of silence is a way to practice proper speech. Monks feel that they would avoid saying something negative by avoiding revealing anything that comes to mind. For them, speaking with silence is a way to practice nonviolence.

What monks can't talk?

Buddhist monks who take a vow of silence often carry an iron staff called khakkhara, which makes a metallic noise to frighten away animals. Since they cannot speak, the rattle of the staff also announces their arrival when they start begging for alms.

I'm a Buddhist Priest. Ask Me Anything.

Do silent monks still exist?

Cistercian. Cistercian monastics have remained active in the promotion of contemplative meditation. Part of the emphasis is on achieving spiritual ascent, but monastic silence also functions to avoid sin.

Do monks get paid?

The salaries of Buddhist Monks in the US range from $18,280 to $65,150 , with a median salary of $28,750 . The middle 50% of Buddhist Monks makes $28,750, with the top 75% making $65,150.

Why can't monks touch females?

Monks are forbidden from touching or coming close to women's bodies, because it is believed that a woman's body is contrary to a monk's vows. Thus, most temples in Thailand put an announcement which restricts women from entering.

Can females be monks?

Women can be ordained as the equivalent of monks in China, South Korea, Taiwan and Vietnam, mostly dominated by the Mahayana school of Buddhism. Female ordination is not available in the Tibetan tradition nor in Cambodia, Laos or Myanmar.

Can monks have kids?

Monks, for example, are not allowed to get married nor have children. They leave their family forever and get a new family in the monastery.

What do monks do for fun?

They do the things that make them communal — Mass, prayer, reflection, service. They also do the things that make them unique — exercise, collecting, composing, cooking. At Saint Meinrad, there's time to be by yourself, just you and God.

Can a monk have a relationship?

Buddhists monks choose not to marry and remain celibate while living in the monastic community. This is so that they can focus on achieving enlightenment .

What happens if monks broke the rules?

If a monk breaks any one of the rules he is automatically "defeated" in the holy life and falls from monkhood immediately. He is not allowed to become a monk again in his lifetime. Intention is necessary in all these four cases to constitute an offence.

Can monks drink alcohol?

Whilst the forest monastery monks were allowed to drink alcohol, monks from other Buddhist sects were not allowed to drink alcohol.

Why are monks bald?

In modern times, tonsure refers to cutting or shaving hair by monks or religious devotees. Ridding of your hair serves as a symbol of renunciation of worldly ego and fashion. In Buddhism, shaving your head (and face) is part of Pabbajja.

What are monks rules?

Monks must remain busy, either with manual work, or in study and prayer. Monks must remain silent, unless they have to speak. The Abbot must be a father to his community. The Abbot must hold meetings with all the monks to decide monastery business.

Why do monks wear orange?

The saffron (for a more appropriate name for the color) robes monk wear dates back centuries. Orange was chosen mainly because of the dye available at the time. The tradition stuck and orange is now the color of choice for Theravada Buddhist followers in Southeast Asia, as opposed to a maroon color for Tibetan monks.

What do monks eat?

The diet of Tibetan monks is based on Tsampa (made of Tibetan barley), Yak butter tea, and some other dairy products, which can provide them with the necessary energy to survive in the high altitude environment. Also, Tibetan monks eat beans, noodle soups, and stir-fried or steamed vegetable dishes.

How can I be a monk?

To become a monk, one first must become a postulant, during which time the man lives at the monastery to evaluate whether he is called to become a monk. As a postulant, the man is not bound by any vows, and is free to leave the monastery at any time.

Can monks hug?

“In this culture, people like to give a hug in friendship, but monks don't do that. We don't even shake hands," said Bhante Kusala (photo 1), who is studying at the Divinity School.

Can a monk defend themselves?

The Buddhist code that governs the life of monks permits them to defend themselves, but it forbids them to kill, even in self-defence.

Are monks celibate?

Until recently, it was common for some Tibetan families to send one of their young sons to the local monastery to become a lifelong, celibate monk. Historically, up to one in seven boys became monks. Families typically cited religious motives for having a monk in the family.

Can monks have cell phones?

“There are no restrictions for the monks to use cell phones, but in the Buddha sanctuary there was no modern technology,” he said. “When the world develops, monks also have to adapt to society and modern world. But the thing is, when they adapt to the changing world, they should not change their main principles.

Are there rich monks?

Rich Monks in Thailand

After the Asian financial crisis in 1997, the monk Phra Luang that Maya Bua Yanasampanno of Wat Pa Ban Tad in Udon Thani province donated a ton of gold, worth $8.8 million at the time, and $1 million cash to the national treasury to help out the Thai economy in a time of crisis.

Can monks play video games?

Shaolin Monks Own Smartphones, Are Not Allowed To Play Video Games.