I’ve always loved monks
From very young, I always remember being attracted to monks, and wanting to be in their company. I have always been very comfortable in their presence. From young I have always wanted to be a monk.
Even when I see one monk walking on the street, my heart jumps for joy. I enjoy making offerings of food, dharma books, robes, umbrellas, drinks, medical fees to monks very much.
May the holy sangha increase, hold their morality and pass the Dharma to all that come in contact with them.
Om Mani Peme Hung,
Tsem Rinpoche
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Sanghas committed themselves to Buddha and the Dharma. We should respect them because monks renounce samsara to focus on dharma studies, practices, Buddha’s teachings to benefit others. Because of the monks’ effort and diligent practice, Dharma is alive for our future generations. I wish that Kechara Forest Retreat will have Sangha communities someday in the future to preserve our Guru and Lama Tsongkhapa precious lineages.
We are fortunate to have monks or sangha members as they are the one who uphold the lineage teaching and guide practitioners to the right path to enlightenment.
Thank you Rinpoche having set up Kechara Forest Retreat .
I have found myself searching for something in life ever since I reached the level of awareness and understanding in my life.I am glad i found Kechara website to know more of Buddhism.
I always respect any monks or Sangha i came across as to me personally they are the wonderful ones that spread Buddhism to others. I admired how simple, pure and efficient their lives were. But now i know much better and understand their roles. They are doing more than that for the benefits all sentient beings for furture generation with universal positive values such as kindness and compassion.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing .May Rinpoche be healthy always to continue turning the Dharma wheel to benefit all sentient beings.
Monks are the preservers of the Buddhist tradition, they help maintain the Buddhist tradition for future generations.
Thank you Rinpoche for you sharing on Monks.When I was young,even though I did not know much about buddhism, I have a repeated wish to be a monk.
I am always fascinated and respect the Sangha when I was young.This thought was ringing in my mind till I was 17.After finishing my further studies ,I was caught up in the rat race of samsara.
IT was rather strange that I was able to actually able to really get to know real buddhism after the age of 40.Before that we were actually practicing buddhism( a mixture of taoism ,ancestor worship,wealth gods,and anything which should benefit us within samsara).
All I could say now is,Thank you Rinpoche for establishing Kechara here in Malaysia in order for more Malaysian to be educated the true meaning of Buddhism and the ultimate purpose of Buddhism.
Yes, everybody always love monks! If everyone understands the sphere of cause and effect – that simple law which says that one reaps what one sows – and that we learn to avoid planting causes for either the heavens or hells! If we are not able to plant the seed for our future contact with the Dharma, the monks would be in a better position in their wholesome actions to show us how to do that. Although many of the practices may not be the direct instant cause of buddhahood, but, such seeds as nurtured by the wholesome conduct and cultivation way of the monks will lead to the way of enlightenment. That is why, all people do always love and have deep respects for monks, especially our Bodhisattva-Guru, Rinpoche since his early childhood days, as revealed in his famous “The Promise” book. Om Mani Padme Hung.
This post is quite interesting in a way that most of us have similar feelings towards the Sangha. It also bought back memory of how I wanted to be a nun at age 16. At that time its the life as a Christian nun that had my interest. Of course that din happen and now being sangha member is out of the question with family to take care of. That is why Sangha members have my utmost respect.
I have noticed Rinpoche always seem happier when in company of Sangha members. It is really a blessing to see Keihara having a growing number of aspiring sanqha and definitely in the future a full fledge sanqha community just like Gaden. And this is all due to the blessings of Rinpoche. Thank you Rinpoche for bringing the dharma to us selflessly.
My utmost respect to the Sangha who not only renounce but also spread the Dharma . As an object of refuge I prostrate . May Kechara produce more & more Sangha members in the future
Me too love seeing monks
I have great reverence and love for the monastic order. They are the element of our refuge. They renounce and study and preserve the Dharma so that the Dharma can be taught to sentients for the last 2600 years and more eons to come.
My greatest respect to all Sangha, the vows they hold for the supremacy and perfection of Lord Buddha’s teachings.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing on this post. I also love to see monks and always want to receive blessings from monks and Sangha community. They are objects for refuge and blessings as they have renounced all the worldly concerns and affair to focus on Dharma practice 24/7. May all the Sangha communities continue to grow and live long for the benefits of all sentient beings.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing with us the important of sangha community . I always curious what is the role of a monk or nun after knowing Kechara from all these teaching I now really appreciate the sangha community because without them there will be no dharma.
Sangha renounce all the enjoyment in life to preserve dharma, it is something that we have to be grateful for. They are the object of reference for us to learn what is the correct conduct to practice dharma and renunciation. Hopefully one day Kechara will have her own monastery and we will not have to go far to be a sangha.
Thank you Rinpoche for this post.
Humbly and sincerely,
Stella
Monks are part of the Three Jewels. Without the Sangha, Dharma will not flourish. Therefore, as Rinpoche shared during the dana offering in Bangkok, it will be very meritorious to make offerings to the Sangha as it is a perfect balance – we, as lay people cannot do what the Sangha does and the Sangha can’t do what we as secular people do.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this and reminding us again of your wonderful teaching in Bangkok.
Yours humbly
_/\_
Lum Kok Luen
It’s definitely an imprint from Rinpoche’s previous life for having such an affectionate towards monks.
The monks renounce to focus on their spiritual path and go all the way on Buddha’s teaching in return just want to benefits the people that still stuck in the samsara. It’s rare to see monk in this country and i believe it’s getting lesser now days due to the delusion from the samsara. For us that have the opportunity to meet one we should take this good opportunity to make offering to the ordained person for us to collect merits and inspire to leave our attachment for real eternal happiness.
It’s a great practice and I thank Rinpoche for showing us and explain on why we need to respect and make offering to the holy monks.
I did not know much about the three jewels had it not been for this blog. Although my knowledge is not deep and real, this blog has still given me an awareness and that’s good enough for me. Thank you Rinpoche and students. I like the diversity of topics covered here too. Thumbs up.
谢谢仁波切分享，想要成为出家人不容易，想要成为有名出家人更不容易。所谓的出家人就是要六根清净，没有三昧耶，放下所有的执着和贪，憎，痴。所以想成为出家人一点也不容易。但我们看到出家人我们应该尊敬他们或者可以供养他们三宝，累积功德。
Namo Guru Beh , Namo Buddha Ya, Namo Dharma Ya , Namo Shangha Ya. Grateful to Buddha created a spiritual community to let those who wanted to practice dharma can stay together so that they can all shared and practiced together. Most importantly this was created so that the practitioners can stay in an environment that they can enjoy their Buddhist way of lives.
Every time when I see monks, I folded my hands. I loved seeing many monks meditating together. I find it very peaceful and very compassion energy. Just like seeing someone that I know will never harm me.
I read this post sometime last year, and was a little envious that so many had the opportunity to give dana to the monks in Bangkok with Rinpoche. Its something that I have always wanted to do, but did not have the chance to back in Kuala Lumpur. So I was really happy to be able to give dana offerings to the monks this time around in Bangkok, with a teaching and commentary by Rinpoche.
As Rinpoche says:
” It is a chance for the lay people to participate in the spiritual practice of the monks. You support the monks to do their studies, practice, meditations and teachings. You gain the merit for sponsoring their activities, in this case through food to put it simply. They do what you cannot and you do what they do not do..it is a perfect balance. Every activity a monk does for the community, you contributed to it…the merit comes from supporting the sangha and continuance of the Dharma. The sangha renounces samsara to focus on study, practice, teaching and serving others. They don’t waste time on wordly activities and do Dharma part time, they do it full time so they can put their full energies into their practice and in this way keep the Dharma alive due to their full attention given to it. Hence you are supporting their 100% commitment towards the Dharma. They do you a great service because without them putting their full energy into the Dharma, who will learn, practice, teach and keep the Dharma alive? ”
Read more about the latest dana offering in Bangkok here: http://blog.tsemtulku.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/students-friends/bangkok-monks-and-why-make-offerings.html
During my very young days I too have that sort of feeling towards Spirituality. But also towards Buddhist monks and nuns. And even Christian nuns and monks too. I was educated in the Convent School. During my school days I did not know about Buddhism except reading the Bible. And I thought I could become one ofthe Catholic nuns when I grow up. I like going to church. But today I end up not as a Catholic Ordained nun but as a Buddhist Nun. That also tells me that all things and wishes can change and are impermanent. I know as a nun I have not lived up to Rinpoche’s expectations. But will make an effort to learn.
Anila, I felt exactly the same as you did. As a child living in Dallas, I saw Catholic nuns and was so attracted to them. I was not catholic but was attracted to them anyway. When I finally saw Buddhist monks and nuns, something very powerful moved within me. I want to be a nun more than anything in the world, and that yearning has followed me throughout this current life. I still yearn to be ordained, even now I live the life of a nun even though no one has yet heard my vows. Yesterday, I was traveling with a secular friend and she was very concerned about me. She wanted me to give up my aspiration and go out and get a full time job and stop practicing Dharma so much. She is afraid my husband will die and I will starve to death if I didn’t abandon my aspirations now. I cannot do that. And death doesn’t frighten me so much. Patrul Rinpoche once said that the best death was one in a lonely cave. I don’t care, as long as I can see the stars.
Thierry, what a lovely heartfelt sharing… 🙂 i’m sure someone who feels exactly as you did will be moved by your openness… thank you.
love
Sharon
I grew up with the same feeling, and looking back now, I feel like I have missed many opportunities to engage in Dharma earlier in my life. As a child, I wanted to be a monk, I wanted to do retreat, I was longing for it. Many a time I saw monks, and even asian monks back in Belgium where I grew up. But I have this huge downfall up to this day: I never ask for things (help, assistance, etc…), I always wait for people to ask me.
Many a time have I seen monks and I’d still be attracted, even way in my thirties, but never approached them, when I would see a caucasian wearing the robes of a buddhist monk, I would want to go to him and ask many questions, yet I never did, I never acted. Out of sheer arrogance.
I am not saying this here to talk about my self, I am saying this because, there might be someone like me reading this, someone younger that feels the same and is yet to act; please don’t wait until someone presents spirituality to you on a silver plater, you might not be as lucky as I was eventually. Don’t wait for something you can’t be sure will happen to you in this life, create the causes for you to engage in a spiritual life, do it now. You’ll be doing yourself a huge favor!
Monks are so beneficial because they are they are 100 percent commited to the Dharma 24 seven. It is this level of commitment that Dharma can grow in a any place based upon their sacred commitment. What makes them commit is their motivation and the amazing vows that they uphold. Hence, a monk who holds onto his vows purely is a worthy object of offerings and a source of spiritual inspiration and their robes become a powerful protection from interferences.
In this post, Rinpoche talks of joy of making offerings to monks and joy in seeing them and so forth probably reflects a deep imprint of numerous lifetimes of being pure monks. It takes one with tremendous amount of merit to see monks as a source of joy unlike what many modern people think. If anybody makes the resolution to become a monk or nun, it is generally frowned upon and thought of as escaping social responsibility or having failed in worldly affairs. It is sad because there is so little support for the Sangha.
People generally don’t see the courage of those wishing to pursue monasticism and the incredible merit to do so and how much it will benefit the family, which usually is the source of critcism. Hence, we must support our members of Sangha and especially our Guru who works so hard to perpetuate the Dharma.
I am happy to share Rinpoche’s respect and love for monks since when I was young. I can’t even explain because in my time during the 60’s there were lots of Chinese movies that portray monks in bad light,there were also some scandals involving monks etc but it did not reduce my reverence for them.
I remembered Rinpoche’s very meaningful explanation to us during a book club talk that we should respect monks for their courage to wear the robes even if they have faults.
Of course its not only about the attire ,actors wear it , no problem. Wearing robes come with holding vows.The more than two hundred over vows that a fully ordained monk holds to entitle him to don the robes is not what an ordinary person would have courage to do.In all humility, that is enough reason for me to respect them.
I had the immense luck and merit to be with Rinpoche once on a trip to Bangkok… one morning, he dug us up at 5am to go make dana offerings to the monks in Khao San Road. We were none to chuffed about waking up that early in the morning but the experience, once we got there, was incredible. I loved it so much that I’ve made a point of digging myself up at 5am again every other time that I’ve been to Bangkok from then on, to go make offerings to the monks again.
Rinpoche’s huge heartfelt respect and love of the sangha was so clear – though he stands so tall at 6foot2, and most of the Thai monks are but half his height, Rinpoche would bow down low enough to be “below” their height. He had to almost fold himself in half to do this, but his humility evoked so much awe in us. Even Rinpoche, such a highly-esteemed Lama, who receives so much praise, offerings and respect himself, offers his own deepest respect, love and humility to other Sangha, all of whom he doesn’t even know. That morning, we spent thousands and thousands of baht making offerings, all sponsored by Rinpoche himself, with some contributions by those of us who were there.
It was a most humbling lesson and most of all, an apt reminder that this how much reverence, humility and respect we should have for the three jewels and all that they represent: our own spiritual journey and enlightened potential.
I can vouch for the fact Rinpoche loves making offerings to the sangha…in fact, 63 people can! Four years ago, in 2006, Rinpoche took 63 pilgrims to Gaden where they made offerings of robes and Manjushri statues to both Gaden Shartse and Jangtse…that’s 3000 monks in total! It isn’t the first time Rinpoche has made offerings to the sangha – he previously also offered large statues to both monasteries, including a 4-armed Chenrezig and a statue of the 5th Dalai Lama.
In fact!, offerings to the sangha is what led Rinpoche to first come to Malaysia. Lati Rinpoche (who sadly recently passed into clear light) asked Rinpoche to come to Malaysia to teach, to raise funds for living quarters for 35 monks in Phukjang Khamtsen. Although Rinpoche didn’t want to leave Gaden and preferred to stay in retreat, he recognised the importance of coming here…and he knew it would be a great honour to make such significant offerings to the sangha so he came 🙂
So yeah, offerings to the sangha (and guru devotion!) is the reason why we have Rinpoche here with us today. See, from giving and making offerings, many great things can arise! 🙂