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Buddhist Monastics

Why do some monastics practice martial arts?

Martial arts basically derived from the spontaneous movements in sitting meditation. Instead of practicing vigorous gongfu to keep fit, most moanastics today adopt yoga or other gentler exercises.

Is it proper for monastics to attend entertainment activities

Monastics should avoid places of entertainment. This not only helps them maintain their determination to seek the Path, but also prevents the laity from creating the karma of evil speech.

What are the prerequisites for becoming a monastic ?

Though parental consent is not imperative for a grown-up to become a monastic, it's important to talk it over with your parents so that, with their understanding, you can have peace as a monastic.

The surnames of monastic

Buddhist monks in China all use the surname Shi derived from Shakya—Shakyamuni Buddha's clan name—which shows that they are children of Shakyamuni Buddha. We should only ask monastics their Dharma name, not their surname.

How to address Buddhist clerics?

"Master," "venerable master" and "Dharma master" are all polite forms of address for Buddhist monks. It is improper to use overly respectful titles like "great master," an honorific title for the Buddha, for ordinary monastics.

The emotional life of monastics

Sentient beings are sentient because they have feelings, and monastics are no exception. However, the Buddha's teachings require that we become an awakened or enlightened sentient being, so as to dissolve our own vexations and help relieve others of affliction and suffering.

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Becoming a monastic and returning to lay life

There is nothing wrong with returning to lay life once becoming a Buddhist monk. If after making a sincere effort one finds that one's habits and mindset are not suited to monasticism, one can still be a good lay practitioner.

Why can't Buddhist monks and nuns wear regular clothes

Monastic attire helps monastics keep a dignified image and helps both monastics and laity remain mindful of their conduct. So it's absolutely not a good idea for monastics to wear lay clothes when they are not reciting sutras or performing rituals at the monasteries.

Why do monastics take on many duties to help people

Contrary to the stereotyped view of monastics as idle escapists, most of them are very active and vigorous in their efforts to benefit society, where so many people are in need of the help of Buddhism.

Should monastics stick to practicing asceticism

Although the Buddha encourages the ascetic practices of Buddhist monks, ascetic monks must go beg for alms among people, interacting with people and preaching the Dharma. In order for Buddhism to widely and deeply interact with people and merge into society, Buddhist practitioners should often be present in every corner of society.

Why do monks and nuns have to shave their heads?

In ancient India it was a custom for practitioners to shave their heads to show they'd renounced the five desires, for our hair adorns our body and so it can be said to stand for sensual desire. Hair also symbolizes our mental affliction as well as our attachment to worldly affairs and emotions and so shaving our heads symbolizes that we want to eradicate our afflictions and suffering.