Can monks actually work?

[BUCKY]

Isn't he supposed to sever all ties with his family when he is still in the monkhood?

Anyway I heard some Thai choose to become monks because of the money he can make during monkhood. Serve a few years, resign, boom, money in bank, happily ever after. Oh yes, monks have savings accounts and most of them have huge amount of money.

[dot]

Well, I dont know many details about the Vinaya (code of monk's discipline) but stay at monesteries for retreat once in a while. As Curt mentioned, its a form of meditation being mindful when cleaning the house and even working on it. To give a better understanding, imagin cleaning leaves it gives you a great example to reflect on the impermanence of life. Interestingly, there are some prominent cases of people becoming enlightened while doing such work mindfully or in walking meditation.

In general, monks are not allowed to do farming as that inlcudes harvesting and therefore eradication life. At the temple where I stayed it was my part of the working period to mow the lawn whereas the monks did the raking part.

Officially, lay people can invite monks at their homes but that should be primarily for giving teachings and blessing. So, the speculations we have here about the 'brother' are just nosy assumptions. We don't know the background of the situation but monks are also allowed to leave the temple when there are urgent affairs such as sick family members etc.

Concerning the money thing, it depends on the tradition as the Sangha split into Theravada and Mahayana over questions like that. In any case, Theravada monks are not allowed to handle money and I assume that in the Thammayud they are not even allowed to touch it. Collecting it and saving it for times after disrobing is definitly a severe breach of the Vinaya rules.

Bucky: May I ask you for a fav. Would you be so kind as to edit your generalisation since it insults the Sangha and may upset people. Thanks in advance!

[BUCKY]

Bucky: May I ask you for a fav. Would you be so kind as to edit your generalisation since it insults the Sangha and may upset people. Thanks in advance!

Only moderators can edit overdue posts now I think. Anyway, I am not sure which part are you refering to that I am generalising. I did say "some" and that is a fact. Maybe the savings accounts part? Ok then, "monks can have savings accounts and some of them have huge amount of money.".

Is that ok for you?

[Sved]

Officially, lay people can invite monks at their homes but that should be primarily for giving teachings and blessing. So, the speculations we have here about the 'brother' are just nosy assumptions.

I know for a fact the monk and the owner of the house are brothers. My family have knowned this family for forty years

[Betti]

In any case, Theravada monks are not allowed to handle money and I assume that in the Thammayud they are not even allowed to touch it.

that is kind of bad luck if the Buddhist University happens to collect tuition fees....
monks also pay for public transport.

[yeows]

Monks who follow the monastic code strictly would not be able to touch money and need a luuk sit or follower to help with financial matters.

[Betti]

in that case, I don't think I have ever seen a properly behaved monk on public transport. I am always watching because it is interesting how they hand over money to a female.

[dot]

Bucky > It should be ok for you in first place as it does not affect my veneration of monastics.

Personally, I don't see any benefit in this discussion besides airing 'I saw a monk who did this and that'.

A monastic once told me that it is a freedom to be able to easily carry all his belongings with him wherever he goes that he wouldn't like to miss. That's what blew my mind, not a Thai friend telling me that he sneaks into the monastery at night to bring his brother food so that he doesn't have to starve until the morning meal.

Sure such things are damaging but thats why the Buddha set those rules to make sure that his monks have a clearcut relationship to the lay community. By the end, Buddhist precepts are no Shari'a law so I missed the buzz completely.

PS: For those who want to get a qualified idea about the concept of the Sangha I recommend this lecture by ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi which is part of the series The Buddha's Teaching As It Is.

[billk]

Monks who follow the monastic code strictly would not be able to touch money and need a luuk sit or follower to help with financial matters.

When I stay at a wat, I am usually asked to help with the banking. I think that many monks try to avoid handling money whenever practicable. Often, though, they don't have a luuk sit to help them. Also, for things like taking the bus, strictly following all the rules would be nearly impossible.

[Marie]

Personally, I don't see any benefit in this discussion besides airing 'I saw a monk who did this and that'.

As for me, I find this discussion interesting and quite informative. When I saw monks walking around, collecting foods-and last time I even saw two in the airport about to take a flight- I often wondered about their finances. But now some of my questions have been answered.