Is there an age limit for joining a monastery?

There is no hard and fast rule, which is why every religious community is different in setting age limits.

Can you be too old to become a monk?

As early as next year, the Jogye Order of Buddhism will be making it possible for older people to join the monastic life. Currently, the maximum age for ordination is 50 years old.

How old do you have to be to join a monastery?

Every monastery has unique requirements, but generally speaking, you must be a member of a church, male, free of debt, and under a certain age (usually 35 or 45). Applicants younger than 21 are rarely accepted. If you're under 18 and a monastery will let you join, it requires parental permission.

Is there an age limit to become a Buddhist monk?

There is also a wide variety of ages, from age 15 to 79, though most of the monastics are in their 20s and 30s. Though our monastic Sangha represents many countries, we are predominantly a Vietnamese community from a Vietnamese Buddhist tradition.

Can I just go live in a monastery?

Anyone can stay in a monastery, regardless of religion. Should you want to participate in religious activities (e.g. mass), simply ask one of the friendly brothers or sisters and they will be happy to guide you further.

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Can females stay in monastery?

1. Many monasteries accept women. It's a common belief that only men can stay in monasteries, especially those run by monks. That is not the case and even if it's not a women's monastery, you might be able to stay.

How much does it cost to stay in a monastery?

- WebsitesThough most convents and religious hospices charge a modest fee of $20 or so (and are often found in places of pilgrimage, Rome being the biggest example), many monasteries will take in travelers absolutely free of charge.

Do monks stay celibate?

Monastic Buddhism. Apart from certain schools in Japan and Tibet, most who choose to practice Buddhism as ordained monks and nuns, also choose to live in celibacy.

Can I go live with monks?

Yes, in some of the Buddhist monastery, you can help the monks as a volunteer and you can live in the monastery for certain period.

Are monks always celibate?

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In fact, the Buddha instituted the celibacy rule for monks and nuns—a fundamental practice for dissolving sensual passion—in direct response to a monk whose family persuaded him to sleep with his former wife.

Can you join a monastery at 50?

Some monasteries have found that older candidates are able to readily adjust to their monastic life and community, whilst others find that older vocations experience a particular hardship and do not adapt well at all.

Can you join a Buddhist monastery for a year?

Whether you join monastic life through the 5-Years Program or the lifelong commitment, after one year as an aspirant, you will be ordained as a novice monk or nun for around 3 years. Once ordained as a novice, you will be invited to move into the monastic residence to live with the other monks or nuns.

Can anyone join a Buddhist monastery?

You will find out by living here to what extent you would like to commit yourself to monastic life in our community. For becoming a pah-kow, there are no specific requirements, other than showing the community that generally you are in good physical and mental health.

What is a monks life expectancy?

There are many accounts of Japanese and Chinese monks living for more than 100 years, and even those who died at 122 years old. ascribe it to rigorous lifestyles. Also, there have been a number of accounts of people living long past 100 years old due to their meditation practices.

Do monks live longer than average?

At the time, a typical 25-year-old woman and a nun of the same age could look forward to 51 more years of life. In comparison, a 25-year-old male could only expect 45-46 more years on average. However, monks could expect up to five more years than the general male population.

What is forbidden for monks?

Monks are forbidden to divine either good fortune or future tragedy by observing heavenly omens, thereby deceiving both the tennō and the people. They are also forbidden to possess and study military tracts; to commit murder, rape, robbery or other crimes; and to feign enlightenment.

Why are monks not allowed to talk?

Part of the emphasis is on achieving spiritual ascent, but monastic silence also functions to avoid sin. Although speech is morally neutral per se, the Epistle of James (3:1–12) and writers of the monastic tradition see silence as the only effective means of neutralizing a tendency towards sins of the tongue.

Can a monk leave the monastery?

As a postulant, the man is not bound by any vows, and is free to leave the monastery at any time.

Why dont monks sleep on beds?

The precepts are commitments to abstain from killing living beings, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, and intoxication. With the ninth precept, Buddhists refrain from lying in a high or luxurious sleeping place. Monks take that a step further and aim to sleep upright to reduce the need for sleep.

How many hours do monks sleep?

Between praying up to seven times a day and working a medieval monk got little sleep. They averaged approximately five hours sleep between evening prayers and the 2am church service, and then snatched another half an hour before being up at 4am for more prayer.

What time did monks go to bed?

Bedtime – the monks went to bed at 8pm in the winter and 9pm in the summer. They had to sleep in dormitories of 10 or 20. They slept fully clothed except that they had to remove their knives in case they cut themselves when they were asleep.

Can you spend the night at a monastery?

Many monasteries offer guest rooms at reasonable rates and some even let you choose how much to give. Before you decide to stay at a monastery, be sure to read all of the available information, since these are not traditional bed and breakfasts.

Can you talk in a monastery?

However, most monasteries have specific times (magnum silentium, work silence, times of prayer, etc.) and places (the chapel, the refectory, etc.) where speaking is prohibited unless absolutely necessary. Even outside of these times and places, useless and idle words are forbidden.

Are there any monasteries in the United States?

In the United States, Trappist monasteries of monks and nuns can be found in 15 abbeys across twelve states. Many offer facilities and beautiful natural grounds for visits, retreats and other events.