How to Become a Monk

If you thinking of becoming a monk, this article will remove some misconceptions usually associated with the life of a monk and the process of becoming one. What I will be talking about here is the basics of becoming a monk in Christianity as well as Buddhism. You probably will have questions that why am I specifying the religion because invariably a monk is associated with Buddhism. Well, this is because, one can become a monk through different set of faith and beliefs. For example, there are monks in the Christianity, Hinduism, etc. too.

There is a difference between a monk, a sage, a sadhoo, a father or brother of the church and a priest. Monks are people who live secluded from the rest of the people and only be together with like-minded people, usually in a monastery. They do not preach anything. They are just devoted to one way of life following a strict regime and aimed towards self enlightenment rather than serving or taking charge of a church, etc.

Common Notion
Although there are not many who think on these lines as to how do I become a monk but there do exist people who are fascinated towards a monk's life and seriously think of becoming a monk. I would not be wrong if I say most of our notions or picture of a monk is associated with the Hollywood films and what they portray, this especially stands true for the one who is thinking how to become a shaolin monk, isn't it? What we see is the immensely disciplined life they lead, the renunciation of the luxury world and how they possess immense concentrating powers and control of mind.

Becoming a Monk

Knowing the Religion
Getting to the basics now, a monk is basically a person of the male gender, who has decided to devote himself to the respective religion, be it Christianity or Buddhism. He should know the religion well if not all the world religions. And by knowing it is implied that he has to practice it too. Leading a life following the teachings is the first and foremost thing one is supposed to do so as to first test himself if he can do it for the rest of his life.

Seclusion
He has to study the philosophy deeply and along with this, in order to show sincerity he has to pass the tough and secluded initial phase of the lifestyle. Something similar to nirvana, teaching of Lord Buddha, this is a test for seeing whether the person can successfully continue to lead a life of monk and thus has to be free of all responsibilities with respect to family, money in terms of debts, etc.

Novice Master
Apart from knowing the basic beliefs of Buddhism or Christianity the person has to be a Buddhist or follow Catholicism, as the case may be. He has to contact the Novice Master and visit the monastery for knowing the rituals and to gauge the level of his ability to adapt and be one amongst them. The novice master then keeps him under surveillance and sees if the candidate is fit and eligible to become a monk.

Trial Period
If you read the precepts, the four noble truths of Buddhism and the eight fold path, all of which are given in this particular link, you will understand the essence of the trial period. It is observed that few people surpass three days (postulant period in Buddhism) in this situation. In case of Roman Catholics the duration can be between a month to six months. Needless to say, they mistake the trial period as a daily affair. Fearing the seclusion and almost total interaction with others for all their lives and hence they quit and leave.

Training
On successful completion of the above-mentioned process, the training period begins. Lasting for a year, this is the period when the candidate is taught how to become a monk by voting for you to be allowed to give you the first degree out of the total three of becoming a monk i.e. the first robe. They are called the Rassaphore. Following this stage is the Stavrophore, known as the 'cross - bearer' and the last one being the Great Schema. The adaptation and acceptance of these two stages have no fixed duration and all the stages are to be accepted voluntarily.

The Study Course
Yes, there is a degree that you will be honored with and its duration is three years. After successful completion, the community of the monks votes for the candidate again, and this time it is to say whether he can become a permanent member alongside them or not. If voted for, the person has to then take three compulsory vows and those being... vow of obedience, stability and conversion of life.

After having completed all these stages, whether you become a Buddhist monk or a Catholic monk, the stages are not easy to adhere to and live this life. It takes tremendous determination, self-control, discipline and the non-attached mindset to be able to live through a life as a monk.