How do monks live safely in the forest? I want to meditate under a tree when I ordain but there might be snakes in the forest so how do monks protect themselves? Are there any preliminary tasks a monk has to do before sitting under a tree like looking for any snakes or maybe cleaning up the area a bit and then sitting down and meditating? What if one wants to use the bathroom but there’s no bathroom nearby? What should one do in such cases?
Most monks who live outside use at least a mosquito net. That will keep snakes and bugs out of the way (mostly).
Actually, I bet you didn’t know this, but most of the outdoor scenic meditation pictures you see are simply “posed”. If they are outside and don’t have a net, it is unlikely they are meditating longer than the time it takes to take a photo.
All that said, I did know one monk who didn’t use a net. He was known as the walking monk in Australia (long before the walking monk in the USA). He is very rare. But even so, he will put his robe over his head completely to keep the bugs out.
As for staying safe, we have a chant called Khandha Paritta.
This is required for monks who live in the forest to chant every day.
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Forest monks in well supported monasteries can just stay in well done huts in the forest, some has even attached toilets or toilet is nearby, or can just use pee jar.
Then it’s basically can live in a room, without danger from wildlife, but can get the fresh air and seclusion.
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The majority of monks live in kutis.
Living under a tree is rare. It should be known it is prohibited during the official rainy season, unless you can make it into room with a door. You can read about that in bmc2.
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Not to mention ants for one sitting under a tree. Ants crawling and biting is not conducive for meditation.
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Practicing loving kindness is a must for monks that live in the forest. It helps protect you from such harms. When i had an ant problem at my house, i noticed they would never bite me if i practiced loving kindness the night before.
Practical things like mosquito nets and such are also the norm.
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