Can a foreigner become a monk in Thailand ?

[Bonobojt 312]

well I'm sort of lost in life, so just curious about if its still possible these days for an English guy to go to Thailand and find a temple that would take him in and train him to become a monk ? to be honest I'm not much of a religious bloke but I think being a Monk would do me a lot of good.

[BEVUP 1,706]

Yes they can

There is actually one who is lower to medium level ranked ( been on the news )

[Denim 13,311]

Sri Lanka probably a better place to become a sincere Buddhist monk.

[poanoi 2,409]

take it to the next level right away and become monk in bhutan

http://badassoftheweek.com/index.cgi?id=176117624362

[Ulysses G. 26,188]

Yes. I have known quite a few. One Israeli Monk has been in Northern Thailand for over 30 years.

 

I wonder if Fred the Buddhist monk still plying his trade in Chiang Mai. He has been there for about 30 years, but a monk for considerably less.

[manarak 5,964]

 

[Ulysses G. 26,188]

I've met Phra Peter Pannapadipo numerous times. A nice guy. I always thought the monks he is talking about - begging for money and food - are usually Chinese.

[DDBKK 123]

Who is the guy that I've seen on TV very early mornings sometimes? 

 

Mrs DDBKK was very impressed by his command of the "old" language and thought his intent to be gen.

 

Must be a known guy? 

[swissie 4,763]

Judging from other threads and posts by the OP, I would think that he is in "trouble" and needing help.

Unless a deep interest in Buddhism is already in place, doubtful, if his troubles can be cured in a temple, unless the cure would consist of Monotony and Boredom. If stifeling boredom is the cure, why not head for an isolated island and howl at the moon. OP has not explained why he thinks that such a temple environement would do him good. Just to "get away from it all"? Better option: see "isolated island" above.

- Yes there are temples offering residency to Farangs in search of their "inner-self". For a modest fee, well understood.

Instead of above mentioned options, I recommend to the OP to take residence at "Lulu's Bar and Grill & Soapy Massage" for 2 weeks. No doubt, during his stay at this place, he will be surrounded by good looking female therapists. They are trained to bring foreward the essence of modern psychology in cases like this:

YOU THINK TOO MUCH.

OP should try it.
Cheers.

[KhunFred 1,738]

14 hours ago, poanoi said:

take it to the next level right away and become monk in bhutan

http://badassoftheweek.com/index.cgi?id=176117624362

Gee, I could have sworn that I read somewhere that Bhutan discourages or bans tourism. I could be wrong. Any info appreciated. Looks like an interesting country to visit for cultural pursuits.

[dotpoom 8,185]

17 hours ago, Bonobojt said:

but I think being a Monk would do me a lot of good.

I understand where you're at and sincerely wish you every success in finding your true calling.

  Just a little something I have learned over the years in my own very problematic life that might be worth.considering. I have achieved my best results when I approached life with the attitude "What can I contribute/add to a situation.....rather than "what's in it for me".

[AlQaholic 2,526]

I would recommend this: http://www.dhamma.org/en/

 

It's a non-religious organization that teaches real vipassana meditation at 10-day retreats, and that only. Nothing else but that. They have centers all over the world and it's all for free (including free food and accommodation).

I have done it here multiple times in Thailand, they have many centers in Europe. It is not for the weak minded.

The first question of course is; if it is free, why don't every homeless and other destitute people go there? well, the answer is, you have to work really really hard on meditation.

 

[Ks45672 2,078]

16 hours ago, Denim said:

Sri Lanka probably a better place to become a sincere Buddhist monk.

But Thai monks get better wages... 

[Estrada 2,583]

Before you rush to Thailand to become a monk, I suggest that you visit one of the Thai Temples in the UK and talk to Phra Maha Lao. Phra Peter and myself both studied under Phra Maha Lao Panyasiri at Wat Mahatat Wimbledon with the aim of taking up the monkhood here. We arrived in Thailand at the same time in 1994, however by that time I had met my now Thai Wife in Wimbledon so I did not take up the monkhood.  Abbot Phra Maha Lao is currently based at Wat Mahatat Temple in Staffordshire. The Wat Mahatat temples are basically outreaches of Wat Mahatat Temple near the Grand Palace Bangkok next to the Buddhist University.

 

Wat Mahathat Temple...
Eastfield House, Alrewas Road, Kings Bromley, Burton on Trent, Staffordshire, DE13 7HR
Abbot e-mail : [email protected] Tel: +44 (0) 154 347 2315. Facebook: วัดมหาธาตุ สหราชอาณาจักร
WWW.WATMAHATHAT.ORG , Facebook: Wat Mahathat Kings Bromley, [Thai – British Buddhist Trust ; Charity No. 1082096 ]

[freebyrd 1,922]

11 hours ago, Ulysses G. said:

Yes. I have known quite a few. One Israeli Monk has been in Northern Thailand for over 30 years.

 

I wonder if Fred the Buddhist monk still plying his trade in Chiang Mai. He has been there for about 30 years, but a monk for considerably less.

The same guy who was nabbed for possesion of child pornography in 2016, what a great example he is!