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Topic Summary

Posted by: Dhammañāṇa
« on: July 20, 2019, 07:01:49 PM »

related to this topic "Young Novices" another Question:

[Q&A] Do Buddhist children outside of Buddhist countries ever become monks?

Quote from: someone asked on BSE
Do Buddhist children from outside of Buddhist countries ever become monks temporarily?

In Buddhist countries, young or teenage boys, and sometime girls, sometimes (or often, depending on the country) become monks temporarily. Do any Buddhist children from other countries (e.g., Western countries) ever do this? Is there anywhere (e.g. a monastery) where this would happen?

Householder, interested,

my person "fears" no. The is neither really a Sangha nor enought right view that such would be seen benefical and soon it will disappear in the traditional countries as well. It's hard to even trace the Sangha in western countries and in accordance of general wrong view and not seeing that wise praise the going forth, there might be even strong social hindrances for acceptance.

It happens that certain groups organize "children hugging" and use affection to do their livelihood and increase worldly fame and gain. Such is not different if monks would look after the cattle of people for rewards. Some popular western "forest"-branches give currently into such market-strategies.

If having a child desiring after a life with the monks, a monks life, it's of great merits to support such and look after ways. Sure it would be hard to find, not at least because Monks in traditional countries would not easy take on responsibilities for a "prince" and fear wrong reactions of western minded parents. How ever, if there is Upanissaya (strong condition from the past) and if one really desires the going forth, Devas will open doors which are closed on the way.

As for what is the best time to ordain: Now! One should not wait since kusala intentions do not often arise.

Mudita
Posted by: Dhammañāṇa
« on: July 19, 2019, 09:54:40 PM »

The training advices to Ven Maha Kasapa by the Buddha show, even his virtue excels all, that it's very importand to be very careful in regard foward all kind of monks under the Buddha:

Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammā-sambuddhassa

...The Master said: "Sit down, Kassapa. I shall give you your heritage." He then gave the following three exhortations:

"You should train yourself thus, Kassapa: 'A keen sense of shame and fear of wrong-doing (hiri-ottappa) shall be present in me towards seniors, novices, and those of middle status in the Order....

Worthy also to quote a stories detail one which the reasoning for looking after most early odrination can be found:

Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammā-sambuddhassa

...”Ananda, look at this son of a very rich man; he had lived a useless life, an aimless life of pleasure. If he had learnt to look after his riches in the first stage of his life he would have been a top-ranking rich man; or if he had become a bhikkhu, he could have been an arahat, and his wife could have been an anagami. If he had learnt to look after his riches in the second stage of his life he would have been a second rank rich man, or if he had become a bhikkhu he could have been an anagami, and his wife could have been a sakadagami. If he had learnt to look after his riches in the third stage of his life he would have been a third rank rich man, or if he had become a bhikkhu he could have been a sakadagami, and his wife could have been a sotapanna. However, because he had done nothing in all the three stages of his life he had lost all his worldly riches, he had also lost all opportunities of attaining any of the Maggas and Phalas.“

Then the Buddha spoke in verse as follows:

Verse 155: They, who in youth have neither led the life of Purity nor have acquired wealth, waste away in dejection like decrepit herons on a drying pond deplete of fish.

Verse 156: They, who in youth have neither led the Life of Purity nor have acquired wealth, lie helplessly like arrows that have lost momentum, moaning and sighing after the past.
Posted by: Dhammañāṇa
« on: July 19, 2019, 09:34:48 PM »

[Q&A] Can someone explain about children monks? How to regard young Samaneras?

Quote from: by householder Robin on BSE
Can someone explain about children monks?

I've seen pictures online of young children dressed in monks robes in Buddhist countries. Does someone make the decision on behalf of the child that they will become a monk? Do they eat only one meal a day as adult monks do? Are very young monks also called Venerable Sir? Thanks for helping a western mind to understand this matter.

Venerable members of the Sangha,
walking in front Fellows in leading the holly life.

  _/\_  _/\_  _/\_

Venerable fellows,

In Respect of the Triple Gems, Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha, in Respect of the Elders of the community  _/\_ , my person to share a question and investigate it. Please, may all knowledgeable Venerables and Dhammika, out of compassion, correct my person, if something is not correct and fill also graps, if something is missing.

Valued Upasaka, Upasika, Aramika(inis),
dear Readers and Visitors,

Householder Konrad, interested,

 *sgift*

- Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammā-sambuddhassa -   


"Thanks for helping a western mind to understand this matter. is a good approach,"
Sadhu.

Thousands of gifted young people have anew ordained the last days in traditional countries and will enter their first Vassa, rains, tomorrow, dwelling good time near the tradition of the Noble Ones, take on follow the Arahats.

Today, sort entering a near monastery, my person was approached by a young Venerable who did many years as lay attendance service for the Venerable there, young and old, now himself most joyfull and proudly monk, here still as Upasaka, guiding to Venerables to the remote cave.

[img]
user:johann:gallery:archiv2018:20180625_209-640x481.jpg

Does someone make the decision on behalf of the child that they will become a monk?

A young person, "child", may develope such desire for himself and ask his parents for allowing leaving home and join the near of the Sangha.

Parents may encourage their children to live a life in the near of the Sangha and renounce. How ever, althoght not always the way, the child himself, at least formal verbal, has to ask a Bhikkhu for going forth under the Tripple Gems.

The cases of allowance by the Buddha to accept younger are often related to devoted followers children, also cases where those became orphans and tended to seek refuge under their parents near monastic teacher.

There have been also cases, at the Buddhas time, today as well, where parents seeked for a pleasing, secure life for their children and such use, for just educational purpose and later good conditions for lay-life are often the reason why children are send to train as novices. Some also dedicate one child for the religion, some take it as way out of poorness. There are as many ways and reasons as there a Novices.

In traditional countries, at least till some years ago, it was usus to get a while ordained as monk in the youth, at least to prevent the tradition and gain good behaviour in speech and body, learn the broad ways of good respect and conduct.

Some origin stories related to ordain younger people, children, from the Mahavagga:
Do they eat only one meal a day as adult monks do?

Technical they could eat from sun-rise till noon. Meal in the morning and short before noon are usual provided and prepeared. There are such as "medicine" allowed nourishments and it would not be of disadvantage bodily in most cases.

Are very young monks also called Venerable Sir?

Yes! Venerable Sir, Bhante,... One sould be clear that such even young person could be a holy men, even an Arahat. Even parents, family, friends... would never be dare to not, at least by speech and body gesture, regard the young as sublime and worthy of reverance person. Even the King would sit lower and bow down (of course if not just behaviour like village children). Other monks would adress them as well proper and diverent to lay people.

Only the meditation focusing branch within the Mahanikaya Bhikkhus (incl. the western famous Ajahn Chah groups), those not well informed in Vinaya, tradition and dangers, would not highly regard homeless under the Tripple Gems, just regard them as kind of slaves, good branches of the Mahavihara branch as well as the Dhammayut branch act very careful and Dhamma-Vinaya regarding. For lay-people there is no difference in regarding at all, and even in the times of the Buddha lay people criticized those Bhikkhus not looking after their "sons" in proper ways, not to speak about the Buddhas rebukes toward them.

- Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammā-sambuddhassa -

from the Dahara Sutta: Young

..."There are these four things, great king, that shouldn't be despised & disparaged for being young. Which four? A noble warrior, great king, shouldn't be despised & disparaged for being young. A snake... A fire... And a monk shouldn't be despised & disparaged for being young. These are the four things that shouldn't be despised & disparaged for being young."

That is what the Blessed One said. Having said that, the One Well-Gone, the Teacher, said further:

You shouldn't look down on
      — for being young —
  a noble warrior of consummate birth,
  a high-born prince of great status.
  A person shouldn't disparage him.

For it's possible
  that this lord of human beings,
  this noble warrior,
  will gain the throne
  and, angered at that disparagement,
  come down harshly
  with his royal might.
  So, guarding your life,
      avoid him.

You shouldn't look down on
      — for being young —
  a serpent you meet
  in village or wilderness:
  A person shouldn't disparage it.

As that potent snake slithers along
      with vibrant colors,
  it may someday burn the fool,
  whether woman or man.
  So, guarding your life,
      avoid it.

You shouldn't look down on
      — for being young —
  a blaze that feeds on many things,
  a flame with its blackened trail:
  A person shouldn't disparage it.

For if it gains sustenance,
  becoming a great mass of flame,
  it may someday burn the fool,
  whether woman or man.
  So, guarding your life,
      avoid it.

When a fire burns down a forest
  — that flame with its blackened trail —
      the shoots there
      take birth once more
  with the passage of days & nights.
      But if a monk,
  his virtue consummate,
  burns you with his potency,[1]
  you won't acquire sons or cattle
  nor will your heirs enjoy wealth.
  They become     barren,
              heir-less,
  like palm tree stumps.

So a person who's wise,
  out of regard for his own good,
  should always show due respect
  for     a serpent,
      a fire,
      a noble warrior with high status,
  &   a monk, his virtue consummate.

At least a inspiring, living, Khmer folk tale "The story of Bhikkhu Sok "

Some stories possible inspire rejoicing with merits:
Maha Mangala Sutta - មង្គលសូត្រ khmer Rezitation , blessing for you from Ven. fellows, for their ancestors dwelling in modern world in the internet (2014).



- Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammā-sambuddhassa -

...9. "Patience, obedience, meeting the Samanas (holy men), and timely discussions on the Dhamma — this is the highest blessing....

Anumodana!