Do you perceive that many buddhist monks actually have ego's BIGGER than the rest of us?

Question

When Buddhist teachings are actually all about taming one's ego?
Talked to someone today who used to go on Buddhist retreats. Even tho they like Buddhism,ect. it's the 'group' and/or monks [some of them] who he said have HUGE-O ego's
what cha think?

GOOD then, coz I'm really going to attend one of those *awesome* spiritual retreats!!
glad to see sooooo many positive answers.

Answer 1

Hi i am a theravada buddist monk who has just joined your group,(in Thailand for Vassa)and i find your question a valid one,but for the most part
concerning some western monk's who are newly ordained and do not understand the culture of bowing and respect given to a monk and can let it go to their head's.
Not to worry though!Life has a way of stepping on such a prideful ego eventulally,
and the choice will be to spiritually grow or go.There are those in the sangha well skilled
in the dealing with such silliness.Unchecked
it can become VERY silly!
Other than that being said,your friend might want to check his/her ego as well.It is implied at least that your friend was offended and or no longer goes on retreat's
because of this. That take's one's own prideful ego.

May the Buddha's, Deva,and Angel's bless
all of you!
venerable bhikkhu aggacitto

Answer 2

Absolutely not. I spent some time at a Buddhist monastery and the monks and nuns were very humble.

Jay K, the government in Burma is an oppressive military dictatorship. The monks are putting their own lives on the line standing up for all the people of Burma who want democracy.

FDJ1, Siddhartha, the man from India who was called the Buddha (Enlightened One) was not overweight. The Chinese statue of the "Fat Buddha" is Ho-Ti, who according to the legend is the Buddha who will return. He is depicted as a large man as this is a symbol of abundance.

Answer 3

It may look that way to Western eyes, but it is basically all about the teaching style differences.
Asian religious teachers are expected to sit and ramble on for hours about anything that pops into their head - pretty much like a Christian or Moslem sermon - while the 'students' are meant to sit there dutifully soaking it all up and thus becoming more enlightened.
This will definitely appear one-sided and non-interactive to those of us brought up to ask questions - but the highly respected monks are only passing on the style of apprenticeship that they themselves went through, and know no other way of delivering the content.

Answer 4

Yeah, an ex-Buddhist monk just healed my husband of what he claimed was bi-polar (or something like it) His aura needed to be manipulated and his circulation is bad...anyway, he is one bossy guy. Everything had to be done a certain way. What a pain in the @ss he is. Gotta love him tho'

Answer 5

Budhism is sacrificing ego.If monk is true budhist he will be humble and will no have ego.The present day monks worse than ordinary people.Monks like politicians live on public money(may be rare exceptions).

Answer 6

If you encounter someone that doesn't care about most of the things we all work so hard for, that might make you feel that he is belittling what you value. "He must think he is better than me." Thus the projection of a large ego on to him. Living the life of a humble person is far to difficult for most of us, so I guess it is easier to find fault with them, than face our own weakness.

Answer 7

thanks, (sorry not shouting at you) yet had to emphasis that thanks. nicely purely inspect most of the solutions speaks volumes, positioned Catholic in something and they're going to continuously hit upon a reason or thanks to discredit Catholic theology or Catholics.I actual have stated a similar component about Catholic Celibacy and Buddhist celibacy, there is not any enormous difference purely different faiths. And both opt for that route at the same time as they modify into clergymen or clergymen!.

Answer 8

No Sh't - They even tried to stage a coup of the government of Burma. They're pretty wiley.

Answer 9

Sadhu 3x to Bhante Aggacitto for the insightful answer.

Sukhihotu to all.

Answer 10

No. Monks are just seeking an inner peace and joy.