Becoming A Bhikkhu [Archive]

Stefan

7th July 2006, 12:57 AM

Hi,

I thouroughly enjoyed the site, and well done to its creator!

I want to ordain as a Buddhist monk in Thailand, but I find it really hard to find any substantial information on Thai Wats and which one would be suitable for me. I am 18 years old, from Bulgaria, and I speak only English and Bulgarian. Could anyone point me to any "international" monastery, where English is spoken? Also, I'd like to know how much money I will need (excluding the trip to Thailand), and if there are any Visas needed.

Hope this is not the wrong place to ask such questions?

Any advice or links to helpful websites would be greatly appreciated,

Thank you.

Thomas Knierim

10th July 2006, 04:03 PM

Hello Stefan,

We had a similar discussion here: http://www.thebigview.com/discussion/index...ct=ST&f=4&t=669 (http://www.thebigview.com/discussion/index.php?act=ST&f=4&t=669). It is difficult to obtain information about Thai Wats and their meditation programs, even for me who lives in Thailand. The temples usually don't update their websites, if they have one at all. It is best to go there in person and talk to the Bikkhus on site, perhaps in combination with an offering. So, the best advice I can give you is to come to Thailand and see for yourself.

Tomorrow is "Khao Pansa", the traditional beginning of the rain retreats which lasts for the entire monsoon season. During this time the temples may be quite full with novices.

There are major Farang (=foreigner) sanghas with English sepaking teachers in Bangkok, in the Northeast, and here in Chiang Mai. If you are coming to Chiang Mai (where I currently live), I am willing to go to Doi Suthep with you and check out the International Buddhism Centre there (see: http://www.fivethousandyears.org/). They offer a 21-day retreat program in English, and they also have a number of resident Farang monks. Doi Suthep is ancient, famous, and very beautiful (http://www.doisuthep.com (http://www.doisuthep.com/english.html)). It's worth the journey. There is also another famous Wat in Chom Tong close to Chiang Mai where many foreigners go (http://watchomtong.sirimangalo.org (http://watchomtong.sirimangalo.org/)), but you need to speak Thai there. For an overview of other Thai temples, the following may be a good starting point, but keep in mind that much of the information is probably outdated: http://www.buddhanet.net/asia_dir/abc_t.htm.

You will probably have to learn a little bit of Thai, and as a monk you also have to study Pali, so the learning curve is quite steep. Never mind. You probably need a non-immigrant visa if you want to stay as a monk. I am not sure, for which type of NI-visa foreign monks are eligible, but this website may have the answer: http://www.thaivisa.com/. It is possible to travel on a tourist visa first, ordain, and later obtain a NI-visa, although you would probably have to leave the country, i.e. cross the border and come back. That is common practice in Thailand.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Cheers, Thomas