By far the most common question I’m asked is “Why did you become a monk”
In some ways this is a tough question because there are so many reasons I chose this path. I remember wanting to become a monk while reading my very first Buddhist book. But for the next ten years I listen to the advice of others and put off my dream. Then one day I truly realized what the phrase ‘listen to your heart’ meant.

But the real reason for taking ordination and wearing robes is to practice renunciation, ethics and to practice the three higher training. Many students study, read and practice Buddhism but only monks and nuns undergo the Buddha’s strict training in discipline and virtue called “Vinaya” and the three higher trainings: vinaya (monk’s vows), sutra (teachings of the Buddha) and abhidharma (Wisdom).

Monks renounce ordinary living for a simple life geared towards personal development, study and training. Monks also renounce possessions, personal schedules, personal space; opinions, needs, and comforts. Moving away from the world of “I, me, and mine” and moving into a world of service to others.
The title of “Gelong” or fully ordained monk is translated as, “Ge” meaning “virtuous” and “Long” meaning “beggar” So Gelong means: “Virtuous Beggar”.

The vows of a monk are called pratimoksha vows or personal liberation vows. One takes the vows so he can be trained while developing an aspiration of becoming a Buddha in order to free all beings from their lives of suffering. Novice monks take 36 vows and within a few years when ready, will become fully ordained monks or Bikshu with 253 vows.

Some quotes I find inspiring

• “The robes seem to inspire trust in others and serve to remind people of their own spiritual dimension”
•  “For some, vows are a burden and a source of constraint. But for the sincere and renounced, the vows are the source of great happiness, joy and liberation”

Here are a just a few of the vows of a monk

A monk’s vows are training in ethics, mindfulness and dignified behavior.

Monk’s vows or Vinaya are 2,500 years old, so some vows may seem strange now, but at the time where needed.  There are 253 vows for a fully ordained monk and an additional 46 for a monk with bodhisattva vows.

• A monk cannot climb a tree above a man’s height
• A monk cannot dig in the ground…to avoiding hurting living things
• A monk cannot destroying seeds or growing plants
• A monk cannot destroying any town
• A monk cannot play in water
• A monk cannot touch weapons
• A monk cannot tickle another monk
• A monk cannot try to scare another monk
• A monk cannot sit in solitude with woman
• A monk cannot tell a lie…even a small one
• A monk cannot kill any living things…including small insects
• A monk cannot take any kind of intoxicant
• A monk cannot eat or drink standing up…he must be seated
• A monk cannot eat after midday lunch…Juice and most drinks are allowed
• A monk cannot snack…breakfast and lunch are the his only meals
• A monk cannot sleep on high or expensive beds
• A monk cannot show bad manners
• A monk cannot wear jewelry, ornaments, perfumes or scents
• A monk cannot participate in commerce or make profit from lay community
• A monk cannot steal
• A monk cannot belittle, insulting or teasing others
• A monk cannot return: insults, anger, violence, criticism
• A monk cannot act out thoughts of; anger, pride, hatred, envy, jealousy, greed
• A monk cannot strike or threatening
• A monk should be in his home by dark
• A monk has to respecting the wishes/feelings of others
• A monk has to return kindness
• A monk has to accept all apologies…he can not hold a grudge
• A monk has to accept invitations/offerings
• A monk has to abandon; desire, harmful thought, regret, doubt, self-pity, discouragement, laziness, procrastination, dullness, over sleeping, frivolously talking, and gossiping

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Vows

Some living in the west may find the idea of holding vows strange, but we have many vows in our everyday culture. In school we say the pledge (or vow) of allegiance, Doctors take the Hippocratic oath, when we marry we take vows, many groups and clubs ask for vows, we often make personal vows of achievement and goals. And many of us will take religious vows of some kind in our lives.

My family’s moral code

When I was a boy my father taught us the code for the men in our family; we didn’t steal, we didn’t lie, we always helped the less fortunate, you never hit a woman and never hit a man when he was down. My grandfather passed this down to my father and he to us, they where our family vows. This noble tradition of living a “code of conduct” sadly is vanishing in the world.

Vows serve a great purpose

When in a moment of clarity we see the right direction, path or decision for our lives, we decide to take-on or create a framework conducive to these objectives. So that behaviors and choices within this framework function effortlessly, effectively and efficiently. So when we are in difficult and unclear moments we can rely upon this framework of ethical boundaries. 

Simply said: Vows keep us headed in the right direction and make for easier lives

There are many levels of Buddhist vows

The common 5 precepts

·         No killing 

·         No stealing

·         No sexual misconduct – dealing with inappropriate sex

·         No lying

·         No intoxicants – no alcohol or drugs of any kind

Common types of vows

·         One day – 8 vows, the 5 common precepts plus, not eating after noon, not to use high or expensive beds or seats, not wearing jewelry, perfume, make-up, avoiding non-dharmic singing, dancing or playing music.

·         Householders – the 5 common precepts, Celibacy can be added

·         Novice monks and nuns – 36 vows

·         Fully ordained monks – 253 vows, there are a handful more vow for nuns, which where added for additional protection of nuns

Bodhisattva vows – 46 vows, the very highest level of vows

Tantric vows – 10 vows, of a very special and secret nature