What does it take to become a monk? How to become a monk in Russia?

How to become a monk is a question that every person asks himself, who has firmly decided to take tonsure. Having embarked on a path that implies farewell to life's goods and a departure from the world, it is impossible to pass it quickly. Priests are advised not to hurry, because life in the monastery is not suitable for everyone who dreams about it. What should I do to realize my desire?

How to become a monk: the beginning of the journey

How to start a person who has a desire to leave behind the bustle of worldly life and go to a monastery? Asking about how to become a monk, you first need to understand what this means. The one who makes such a decision must prepare for the cardinal changes in life. He will no longer be able to access the benefits of civilization, which all the inhabitants of the 21st century are accustomed to - cell phones, computers, televisions and other achievements of technological progress will remain in the past.

It is important to realize that the life of a monk is dedicated to God, passes in labor and prayers. People who took tonsure, will have to leave behind the walls of the monastery the usual entertainment. Refuse to have and contact with the opposite sex. Finally, not everyone is ready to accept the fact that he will rarely meet with close people - relatives and friends. It is separation from one's relatives that makes many change their decision.

Communion with the confessor

It's great if someone who plans to go to the monastery has his own confessor. It is up to him to ask the question of how to become a monk. In the absence of a confessor, you can visit any church, discuss with the local priest the decision taken. From him you can find out details about life in the monastery, which will help to consolidate in your desire or change your mind in advance.

As a rule, the priests recommend that people who wish to bid farewell to worldly life visit the church every day. In addition, they must follow the fasts, read the prayers and make changes in the life order. It's about the early rise (about 5-6 in the morning), lean food, the refusal of entertainment, including from the innocent like watching TV, using the Internet. Of course, the priest will advise to refuse in advance and from intimate relationships with the opposite sex.

In addition to all of the above, the future monk shows reading the Holy Scripture, acquaintance with the works of worthy fathers of the church.

Employee

The next stage for someone who with honor endures all the trials of the previous stage, which, as practice shows, is under the power of a few. Before becoming a monk, a candidate will have to go through a career path. This is the name of the person who serves as an assistant to the clergy. The worker needs constant residence in the monastery, it is also necessary to strictly follow all the rules adopted there. In particular, the future monks rise at five in the morning, observe fasts, spend days in work. They are forced to clean the premises, help in the kitchen or in the garden, are assigned other tasks. Of course, much time is devoted to prayers.

Workers live in the monastery for about three years, this is necessary in order to strengthen their decision. A person who wants to devote himself to serving God must understand that he will have to work hard physically. This is also true for those who in the worldly life engaged primarily in mental work, have a diploma of higher education, worked in a leadership position.

Novice

How to become a monk in Russia? You can not take a tonsure without going through the stage of the novice. If, during the three years spent as a laborer, the candidate becomes stronger in his intention, he becomes a novice. For this it is necessary to file a petition for the admission of the chosen monastery's brethren. The hegumen will certainly satisfy the request if the future monk was able to demonstrate diligence and patience during his life in the temple as a laborer.

The novice also permanently resides in the monastery, he is given a cassock. The length of the probationary period, during which the candidate for the monks will have to confirm his willingness to dedicate his life to God, is determined individually. It is worth knowing that the novice is free at any time to leave the monastery walls, realizing his mistake.

Vows

How to become a monk in Russia? Successfully passing the path of the novice, a person can finally say goodbye to worldly life. To do this, it will require the adoption of vows, implying renunciation of the benefits of civilization. Traditionally, people who want to go to an Orthodox monastery, give four ascetic vows.

• Celibacy. Monks are not available for sexual contact with the opposite sex, they knowingly reject the opportunity to marry, have children, thereby condemning themselves to a lonely life. However, the walls of the monastery are also open to widowers with adult heirs who no longer need to be cared for.
• Obedience. One should realize that, when leaving for a monastery, a person actually refuses his own will, the opportunity to dispose of his own life. It requires unconditional obedience to the confessor. On this path it is better not to become a freedom-loving and proud people who are not ready for humility and obedience.
• Intoxication. What does it take to become a monk, besides this? I'll have to give up my property, whether it's a flat, a dacha or a car. A person who goes to a monastery must necessarily make a donation in his favor. However, it can be symbolic, most of the property is allowed, if desired, to leave close to people.
• Constant prayer. Of course, for the ascension of prayers are given certain hours. However, the person who took the tonsure should pray constantly, even doing physical labor.

People who can not be in a monastery

Above is told how to become a monk in a monastery. However, not everyone can set foot on this path. Each confessor will say that people can not say goodbye to worldly life if they have obligations to relatives and friends. In other words, a person can go to a monastery only after he understands all obligations towards other people.

Say, a monk can not become, having elderly parents, of whom there is no one to take care of. The same applies to close relatives who are not able to self-service due to disability. It is also forbidden to abandon small children, to leave them in orphanages.

Finally, a person suffering from a serious illness can not leave the monastery, as there will not be quality medical care in its walls. The same rule applies to people with disabilities who are unable to look after themselves on their own. In such situations, priests recommend people to pray for their recovery.

Buddhism

Above is given the answer to the question of how to become an Orthodox monk. How can a person be attracted by Buddhism - an ancient religion that appeared more than two thousand years ago, the main postulate of which sounds like "here and now." Dreaming to join the number of Buddhist monks, it is necessary to realize that their lives are given to help other people, is in deprivation, they exist on donations, observe a dinner of celibacy.

How to become a Buddhist monk? First and foremost, you need to get acquainted with the teachings of religion, find a spiritual mentor and do preparation for leaving the monastery. For example, with the help of a mentor you need to master the art of meditation. Buddhist temples are scattered all over the world, they are also in the cities of Russia. A person who wants to accept this religion should become a regular at such a monastery.

Buddhist monk

How to become a Buddhist monk in Russia? A person who has firmly decided to become a monk of a certain monastery must know his requirements. It is better to ask them in advance, because they are different. The person, whose candidature is approved, is trained in the temple, the duration of which depends on the rules of the concrete monastery, the degree of the candidate's readiness. Then follows the initiation ceremony, which only the initiated monk has the right to conduct. At this stage, the transfer of the Five Commandments and the Three Jewels is carried out, a Buddhist name is chosen.

The initiate has a teacher, usually the person who conducted the ceremony. He is allowed to settle permanently in the monastery. Also, the newly-made monk takes the vow of the Bodhisattva - the legendary hero who laid down his life for the development of Buddhist teachings, helped the suffering. Taking a vow, people promise to carry good and seek enlightenment throughout their lifetime.

Wishing to devote himself to Buddhism, the monk will have to reject worldly pleasures, luxuries. Of course, relations with the opposite sex, the creation of a family and the birth of children will become inaccessible to him. However, there is also the opportunity to become a monk temporarily, having given several months or years to develop their own spirituality, to search for the meaning of life.

Road to Tibet

How to become a monk in a Tibetan monastery? Theoretically, this way can pass a person who lives in any country in the world, if it does not frighten numerous difficulties. Training in the temple is available for everyone who has reached the age of eight. Candidates who do not speak the language need to be allocated a year or two to a special school. If desired, you can also find monasteries with the Russian community, without wasting time on acquaintance with the Tibetan language. For example, residents of the Russian Federation can be advised by the communities of Goman, Namgyel, who accept Russian-speaking novices.

How to become a Tibetan monk? Having mastered the language, it is necessary to find a teacher at the monastery (lama), who will agree to become a mentor. It should be understood that the number of applicants exceeds the number of places in the temples, therefore, searches can take a lot of time. After attending the Lama, it will be necessary to pass a difficult examination in Buddhism. Having mastered this task, a person acquires the status of a monk-pupil.

On average, the novices are trained for five years, the duration of the classes may differ depending on which monastery is chosen, and also on the success of the student. During this time, the future monks will have to exist on their own money, so the availability of the necessary amount should be taken in advance.

Tibetan monk

The path from a student monk to a certified lama teacher can not be sustained in the state by far not every applicant. It's hard to study in a monastery. Students have to give up any activities that are entertaining. For example, to drive a monk-student can even play football. Monks lead a life of ascetics, they are allowed to have a minimum of personal belongings.

The main subject is philosophy, and students learn logic, concepts of Buddhism, metaphysics, and so on. There is always a danger to stay in the second year, as the requirements for academic achievement are extremely tough, any manifestations of laziness are severely punished. Some monks are forced to study for twenty or more years, if they wish to become doctors of philosophy. In addition to studying in the monk's life, monastic labor is also present. He can be entrusted with kitchen work, washing of premises and other tasks. Personal time for the novices is very little.

It is interesting that a person whose training is completed does not have to say goodbye to worldly life. Many monks become administrators, teachers of the temple, where they were trained. Some turn into hermits, voluntarily leaving for the mountains.

The way to Shaolin

Shaolin is a famous Buddhist temple located in central China. How to become a Shaolin monk? Perhaps this is also if a person is not afraid of the difficulties that are inevitable. First of all, the challenger should learn to understand Buddhism, the philosophy of Shaolin. Followers of the teachings comprehend the methods of kung fu not for the sake of battle, as it may seem to those who are familiar with art only through feature films, television series. The goal they set for themselves is the development of self-discipline, the achievement of harmony with the surrounding world.

How to become a monk of the Shaolin Monastery? People who have such a desire, it is useful for some time to visit the section of kung fu or do it yourself, finding the appropriate video courses. Also worth visiting is the Shaolin Temple, which can be seen as a tourist. In addition to China, such monasteries can be found in the US, several European countries.

Shaolin Monk

What to do to someone who not only wants to acquire kung fu skills, but also to undergo serious training? How to become a monk? Shaolin is theoretically ready to accept everyone who shares the Buddhist doctrine. The age limit is from six years. However, this person requires permanent residence in China. In addition, the candidate must be single-minded, hardworking and virtuous, demonstrate readiness for the way of life of the ascetic, manifestation of obedience. Less stringent requirements are imposed on those who wish to engage in martial arts schools operating at the monastery.

Becoming a novice, the applicant undergoes training, during which the mentors observe him, assessing his readiness. Some have the opportunity to take monastic vows a few months later, others wait for it for several years.

Reflecting on how to become a Shaolin monk, one must assess one's readiness. People who have been trained in the monastery acquire fantastic endurance, which develops through exhausting training. This is physical exercise, martial arts, meditation. All the years of training are devoted to the improvement of mind and body, there is no time for rest and entertainment. It is worth knowing that monks do not consume meat, their diet consists of vegetables, fruits, cereals. This life path is strictly not suitable for the owners of poor health.

Instead of conclusions

A person who thinks about becoming a monk must understand that this is not a profession, but a way of life. It is not necessary to take an impulsive decision under the influence of problems that seem insoluble, failures in personal life or professional activity.