What Is Required To Enter A Zen Monastary?

Question

I honestly want to join one.

Answer 1

I am not sure what is required but let me tell you a little secret, coming from someone who spent years "living zen".

Part of the great "Realization" that you are supposed to come to while at said monastery, is that you never needed to be at the monastery to begin with. Save yourself the trouble and stay home. This is the Buddhist truth: you ALREADY HAVE the Mind of Buddha.

As the zen buddhists would say,"Go where your feet take you" and, which is the same thing,"be where you are".

Answer 2

Check out the Mountains and Rivers Order (Zen Buddhist) in New York State
http://www.mro.org/mro.html

Becoming a student: http://www.mro.org/zmm/training/becomingstudent.php

"Becoming a formal MRO student is a process of making a conscious commitment to the teachers, the training, and the sangha. It involves noticing what is of fundamental importance in our lives and dedicating time and energy to break free of a lifetime of conditioning. The entry process involves passing through five barrier gates designed to help prospective students clarify their intent. Because the journey is a long and challenging one, it is best not to begin without a deep, personal sense of what it will demand.

The five barrier gates are:

Participation in an Introduction to Zen Training Weekend retreat.

Completion of a week-long meditation intensive (sesshin) at the Monastery.

Meeting with the Guardian Council, a group of senior MRO students, to articulate one's reasons for practicing Zen and wanting to become a formal student of the MRO.

Tangaryo, dawn to dusk sitting in solitary zazen.

Asking the teacher for the teachings. "

The Way of the Monastic: http://www.mro.org/zmm/training/monasticpractice.php

"To be ordained in the Mountains and Rivers order is to serve the teachers and sangha fulltime, making the monastic life one's vocation and livelihood. It is a lifelong commitment, providing a wonderful spectrum of opportunity within the context of spiritual life. Monastics in the Order are entirely dependent on the sangha while maintaining the Monastery for current practitioners and sustaining it for generations to come."

"Requirements for ordination include at least five years of practice as a formal student, with a minimum of three years of residency, prior to full ordination and subsequent residential monastic training. This graded approach allows students to find out through experience whether monastic life is right for them. It reveals the difference between the reality of committing one's life to the buddhadharma and any romantic notions about Zen training and monastic life."

In metta.

Answer 3

Feet

Answer 4

Ask them. There are Buddhist temples and meetup groups in almost every city. Go here:

http://www.buddhanet.net/

for resources in your area or for email addresses, forums, etc, where you can get a better answer to your question.

Answer 5

http://www.ask.com/web?q=requirements+to+enter+a+Zen+
monastery&qsrc=0&o=10461&l=dir

I think one of these links will lead you in the right direction...good luck♣

Answer 6

"Art of Zen" is a good start, good book, It will give you an idea before your great journey.....Ok, I'm being sarcastic.... Its still a good book to read

Answer 7

You must have The Force, young obiwan.

Answer 8

I think you have to have a pure spirit

Answer 9

www.adidam.org
check it out first