Is the life of an ascetic(like in the jatakas) still fully possible in today’s world? The idea of meditating alone in the forest in seclusion and attaining jhanas and psychic powers has fascinated me for a long time, but is that kind of life still possible because nowadays it’s hard to live without any contact with the world. Even in a Buddhist country like Myanmar, wars are happening so it’s hard to meditate alone in the forest unless one has physic powers to visit places that are inaccessible to most.
Go visit Na Uyana, then you can see that it’s actively possible.
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Na-Uyana has a good situation for many styles of living. They even have a learning center down the road. They used to have a recluse section with mud and civara kutis that took 1.5 hrs to walk to. Now that section is built up though.
Na-uyana has many choices within a single monastery since it is 6000 acres large. However, the meditation teachings can be sporadic at times with the teachers leaving for this or that.
Pa-Auk Pyin Oo Lwin has more reliable and consistent teachers but the teacher does leave every so often. Never the less, usually Ven Kumarabhivamsa is available by viber if urgent or in a middle of instructions (for his regular in person students)… Pa-auk has a more disciplined meditation program, but less freedoms in the other areas.
Thank you for this answer, Venerable Sir. I’ve decided to ordain at Pa-auk in 10-20 years from now. I think it will be possible as soon as I keep associating with monks and continue learning the Dhamma as best as I can. I have a couple more questions about the life of an ascetic/monk. What happens if a monk doesn’t like the name he was given? Is he allowed to ask his preceptor to give him a new name? Can we choose cool names that we like such as Tilokavijaya (Conqueror of the Three Worlds/Victory over the Three Worlds), Dipankara (illuminator), Lokanātha?
That is a long time away. Too much can happen between then
If you have a question about names, you can ask in a separate thread.
Unless you’re like 16 years old now, and you’re ok to ordain at 26, I think even 10 years is too long to plan ahead. Especially at that time window of 16 to 26 where the hormones are raging. Just go to a monastery, investigate them, and then if found suitable, ask for ordination.
If you lose a limb, or some form of disability in that time, you can’t ordain.
If you somehow got super bad incurable disease which disqualifies you, you can’t ordain.
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Yes, Venerable Sir. I’m 20 right now. I think the earliest I could ordain is 6 or 8 years later. I don’t think I can get my parents’ permission right now.
Bhante, what types of incurable diseases disqualify someone for ordination?
leprosy, abscesses, mild leprosy, tuberculosis, and epilepsy.
There maybe more. Read the whole thing.
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Bhante, are there experienced meditation instructors at Na Uyana who specialize in teaching the Pa Auk technique?
Edit: I forgot that you don’t currently live in Na Uyana. Maybe @bksubhuti would be a better person to ask, since he lived there for a long time.
Yes. More than one.
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Thank you very much for your response! It appears that Na Uyana is currently the most suitable place for those seeking to practice the Pa Auk meditation technique.
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Do these teachers speak English, right?
Yes. They all do. All that I know anyway.
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The proper answer is, “yes more than one”
Nevertheless, the teachers do travel a lot. So there are times when teachings are not available. It is also possible to practice other mindfulness techniques with a teacher there too.
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It is a pity that Myanmar is in such a difficult situation. Almost all the teachers of the method I know (through the internet) are from there, such as Ven. Kovida, Ven. Kumarabhivamsa, and Ven. Revata.
Situations and times are impermanent. I believe the situation in Myanmar will eventually improve and it will be safe again.
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I think times were worse when I went there in 2001. The fighting is a little stronger, but the hardships and isolation qualities for being on the embargo list (like North Korea) are not the same as in 2001. I had no problems. I would go back without any problems (If I wanted to). However, you do so under your own judgement and own risk.
I have little faith things will improve even if a new force wins. It is embedded in the culture.
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That is true, Venerable Sir. It’s best to ordain as soon as possible. However, if the worst case scenario does happen, I think it’s still possible for someone to take the ascetic’s vow and ordain as a hermit or ascetic. The ascetic’s life (life of renunciation) truly is amazing.
You’re right, Venerable Sir. 10 years is too long so I’ve decided to renounce the world and ordain in 6 years from now. I would be 26 by then.