Thanks for the well wishes
As far as what it entails - There's 227 rules for ordained monks to be followed, according to the Patimokkha. I will be donning the saffron robes and my head will be shaved. I can only take food, shelter, water that is offered. There are various suttas/sutras/chants that will be memorized. My days will be spent in quiet meditation and contemplation over the nature of existence and reality as well as working with mindfulness of all things.
I like the Theravadan tradition - because even though as mentioned before it can be construed as a somewhat bleak view of the nature of reality, but I think it is a pragmatic one. Within the Theravadan tradition you have your own philosophical schisms. In particular I am partial to the teachings of Ajahn Chah and Ajahn Mun, who took to the forests away from the bustle of cities to seek their own "blowing out of the flame" -a literal translation of nibbana/nirvana.
The recent Buddhist reformations in Theravadan Thailand and the West (by pioneering white monks in the vein of Ajahn Amaro & also the Dalai Lama deserves mention) in the last few decades have attempted to bring Buddhism back to it's roots. Cut out the superstitions and ornate practices and elaborate temples. Renounce yourself and take a life of simplicity, seek the nature of what it means to be human so you may pierce it's nature and find an end of suffering.
Buddhism is unique in that it is a "non-theist" religion, which is why it is often referred to as a philosophy instead. The Buddha grew up within Hinduism, and thus the old Buddhist tales passed down by word of mouth mentions Hindu Gods, tales, and superstitions. Buddhism is so open that everywhere it takes hold, people imbue it with their past paradigms. Thus you get fusion with Taoism/Confucianism/Shinto/Hippie/western romanticism/etc spiritualism wherever it goes. The Buddha's direct teachings, when pressed about whether there is a God or Gods, answered "The existence of God/gods is not important, because they have no power over your mind or your happiness unless you let them". Therefore within Buddhism, the concept of a god is simply unimportant. Tell that to some people and they'll freak out.
In the Theravadan tradition, the Buddha is respected as a teacher, but he is just a man who achieved enlightenment. There are those that regard the Buddha and bodhisattvas as gods and follow other rituals, and I think that's great too. It's just not my personal belief.
The heart of the Buddha's teachings -The Four Noble Truths - simply:
1. Life means suffering.
2. The origin of suffering is attachment/desire.
3. The cessation/ending of suffering is attainable.
4. There is a middle path that leads to the cessation of suffering.
That Eightfold path being:
1. Right View
2. Right Intention
3. Right Speech
4. Right Action
5. Right Livelihood
6. Right Effort
7. Right Mindfulness
8. Right Concentration
It's scientific to me; it's logical. I'm lucky to not at odds with my beliefs because of science or some vague moral ambiguities. It's more psychology than preaching. The Buddha also said, "Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense."
The labels, ultimately, are unimportant, whether you fancy yourself Buddhist or a particular brand of whatever. A reason why I believe what I do is that it teaches me not to follow blindly or depend on anyone else for salvation or my own personal happiness. I think that's pretty fascinating.
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Topic: Kael's going to be a wandering Buddhist monk: questions/discussion welcome! (Read 7019 times)