ORDINATION AS A MONK
                          ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Although one does not have to be ordained as a //bhikkhu// (monk) to 
follow the path of the Buddha, the monastic life can be most conducive 
to the practice of meditation. It is a life relatively free from the 
worry of worldly cares and distractions. One has the opportunity and 
environment in which to live a life-style that the layman cannot 
experience.

                             Thai Tradition

Monks receive the greatest respect in Thai society, for ordination 
implies that the person has turned away from worldly desires and 
ambitions in pursuit of the highest wisdom and purification. Ordination 
is considered by Thai Buddhists the most worthy act a man can perform. 
So worthy is it, in fact, that most every Thai male will at some time in 
his life, generally after completing his studies and before marriage, 
spend a period in monkhood. Ordination traditionally takes place with 
much celebration before the commencement of the rainy season and the 
newly ordained monk remains in the monastery for a period of a week to a 
few months. During that time he learns to chant some Pali scriptures, 
studies the Buddha's teachings, and receives instruction in meditation.  
Upon completion of his time in robes, he reenters society as a layman, 
wiser for the experience, "ripe," and ready to fulfill his 
responsibilities as an adult. Some boys receive novitiate ordination as 
a child and remain novices throughout their youth before receiving 
higher ordination as a monk. Some men spend their entire lives draped in 
the saffron robes of the Buddhist order.

                             The Ordination

The sight of a foreigner ordained as a monk brings pleasure to the 
Thais. It's a sign that the foreigner accepts and respects their beliefs 
and wishes to experience what they consider to be a very important 
aspect of their lives. To wear robes means to place oneself as a symbol 
of the Buddhist way of life, thus it's essential to learn the proper 
behavior for a monk beforehand. This may take more time and effort for 
the foreigner than for the Thai who is "born" into Buddhist culture. 
Usually one spends a period at a wat as an 8-precept layman to learn the 
rules and some chanting. Laymen in some monasteries wear the white robes 
of a pakow (anagarika). Novices wear orange robes, follow 10 precepts 
(basically the same as 8 precepts except no money can be possessed), and 
have 75 training rules. Prior to full ordination as a monk, one must 
meet the requirements of being a man at least 20 years old, free of debt 
and government/military obligations, and have consent of immediate 
family. The ordination ceremony uses Pali language, which must be 
memorized. In the first part one takes the going forth as a novice; the 
second part, which can be done immediately following the first, 
comprises the higher ordination of a monk. Monks follow 227 rules of 
discipline (//Patimokkha//).

                         Requesting Ordination

When one has made the decision to lead a monk's life and selected a wat, 
one approaches the abbot or his secretary for an interview. One is then 
accepted as a //naga//, an applicant for ordination and given training 
in rules, daily chanting, and the ordination procedure.  Some abbots 
feel that a short-term ordination is worthwhile and readily grant 
permission. Others believe that one should try to stay in robes as long 
as possible (1-5 years minimum). Length of training before ordination 
can be one month or even less at some wats; at other wats the abbot 
might expect an applicant to spend at least 9 months as a layman and 
novice before higher ordination. As the famous Ajahn Chah put it, "Easy 
to ordain, easy to disrobe." 

                            The Monk's Life

To become a monk requires conviction. To remain a monk requires patience 
and understanding. These attributes can be cultivated and will arise 
naturally with the development of meditation. The life of a monk has its 
highs and lows and requires constant effort. There are always periods of 
discouragement, but with the right attitude and a balanced view of one's 
emotional changes, one will learn from the difficulties that arise and 
gain understanding. Time spent as a monk will be a valuable and 
rewarding experience.


                           ON BECOMING A NUN
                           ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When the religious order was first established, women were excluded. 
After several requests, and after carefully considering the social 
values of the day, the Buddha agreed to allow women to be admitted to 
the order. The first woman accepted into the Sangha was Paccabadi 
Gotami, the Buddha's stepmother, who was ordained by the Buddha himself. 
In establishing the //Bhikkhuni Sangha//, the Buddha stipulated that 
future ordinations should be conducted with a fully ordained bhikkhuni 
present as a witness.

For over 1,400 years women sought and received ordination. In later 
years, however, the number of women seeking to live the holy life began 
to dwindle until the day came when there were no longer any fully- 
ordained bhikkhunis living in the world. Without a bhikkhuni present as 
a witness, ordination could not be given to female applicants and the 
Bhikkhuni Sangha ceased to exist. 

Women have not been deprived of the opportunity to live the holy life. 
White-robed maechees can be found following ascetic practices in many 
temples throughout Thailand. In fact, in some temples they outnumber 
monks. Ordination for women in Thailand means undertaking to live by the 
8 precepts, dressing in white, and shaving the head. A woman intending 
to stay for only a short period does not have to shave her head.

The life of a maechee in a wat or meditation centre follows much the 
same pattern as a monk's, but with a greater emphasis on service (i.e. 
cooking and cleaning). Maechees, although living and practicing in a 
separate area of the wat or centre, follow a daily routine which 
includes meditation and chanting sessions and interviews with the 
teacher. They usually do not go for alms rounds, however, and sometimes 
eat after the monks.

Maechees generally do not receive the same high degree of respect as 
monks, but as a foreigner, the reception will always be warm and 
welcoming wherever one goes. Women's liberationists may find plenty to 
support their cause, so to avoid conflicts, it's better to leave such 
thoughts at home.

Thailand offers a rare opportunity for women to experience and live the 
contemplative life. Foreign women have taken advantage of this 
opportunity to live the life of a Thai maechee, many quite successfully. 
Sometimes the struggle may become difficult, but with patience and 
understanding, and a sense of anatta (selflessness) and humor, all 
obstacles can be overcome.

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