I'm done, I can't do this anymore! - Why I Am Giving up My Robes #BuddhismInTheWest #BuddhistMonk

Summary

In this deeply reflective video, the speaker shares their 15-year journey as a monk, grappling with the challenges of maintaining monastic life in a Western context. Despite their dedication, they express doubts about the future of Buddhism and monasticism in the West, citing the decline of monastic traditions globally. Ultimately, the speaker decides to leave monastic life, emphasizing that true spiritual practice is rooted in intention and mindset, not external appearances. They remain committed to supporting sincere practitioners and developing a retreat center, but in a way that encourages accessibility for laypeople and focuses on the heart of the Dharma.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker has been a monk for 15 years, but over the last 3 years has found it increasingly difficult to maintain the monastic vows alone, without a community or monastery support.
• 😀 Despite their dedication, the speaker feels that it's almost impossible for monasticism to thrive in the West due to cultural and social differences.
• 😀 Monasticism in both the East and West is on the decline, with even large monasteries in India losing senior monks and facing disrobing due to worldly pressures.
• 😀 Monastic traditions in the West are difficult to maintain, with very few true monasteries and a lack of substantial communities for monks and nuns.
• 😀 The speaker has been trying to help propagate the Dharma in the West but finds it increasingly difficult, especially in a society with such a small Buddhist population.
• 😀 There is a misconception that practicing Buddhism requires extreme renunciation or monasticism, which deters many people from engaging with the path.
• 😀 The speaker has concluded that they cannot continue as a monk in this culture and will return to lay life, though their commitment to the Dharma remains unchanged.
• 😀 The speaker’s primary goal now is to build a retreat center to support sincere practitioners, with an emphasis on non-monastic participation and development of insight.
• 😀 The speaker believes that the external attire and vows of a monastic are not as important as one's mindset and intention on the spiritual path.
• 😀 The speaker acknowledges the challenges of the West in supporting Buddhist monasticism and warns that unless new systems are found, Buddhism may struggle to remain pure and relevant in the West.
• 😀 Ultimately, the speaker wishes for others to achieve liberation and enlightenment, and stresses that transformation comes not from attire but from true inner awakening and intention.

Q & A

What led the speaker to question the effectiveness of being a monastic in the West?

The speaker struggled with being a monastic in a society where Buddhism is a minority belief system, with few people truly understanding or engaging with monastic life. Additionally, the lack of support from a traditional monastic community and the challenges of maintaining discipline on one's own made the experience difficult.

How does the speaker describe the state of monasticism in the East?

In the East, monasticism is in decline, with many senior monks disrobing and returning to worldly life. Even large monasteries in places like southern India are losing their significance, reflecting a broader trend of reduced interest in monastic practices.

Why does the speaker believe that Buddhism may struggle to spread in the West?

The speaker feels that without the strong foundation of monastic communities, the spread of authentic Buddhist practices is challenging. There is also a lack of understanding or integration of Buddhist monasticism in Western culture, and the conditions for supporting spiritual growth in the West are not ideal.

What is the speaker’s opinion about the current state of monastic communities in the West?

The speaker believes that while there are around 350 monasteries in the West, most are more like Dharma centers with only a few monks and nuns, rather than true monastic communities. These centers lack the structure and support necessary for genuine spiritual practice.

How does the speaker view their own role as a monk in the West?

Initially, the speaker tried to embody the role of a monk publicly, even wearing robes in public to represent Buddhism. However, they found that most people saw monasticism as something distant or unattainable, leading the speaker to reconsider their approach.

What is the significance of the speaker’s decision to give up monasticism?

The speaker decided to give up their monastic vows because they felt it was not sustainable in the West. Despite their deep faith in the Buddhist path, they could not see how monasticism could effectively propagate in the West without a proper community or support system.

What does the speaker hope to accomplish by establishing a retreat center in British Columbia?

The speaker aims to create a retreat center for sincere spiritual practitioners, offering a place where people can focus on their spiritual development, away from the distractions of daily life. The center would support lay practitioners, as they are more numerous and accessible than monastics.

What does the speaker emphasize as the most important aspect of spiritual practice?

The speaker emphasizes that the most important aspect of spiritual practice is not external symbols like clothing or lifestyle but the inner state of mind. A practitioner’s intention, outlook, and commitment to virtues like compassion and wisdom are what truly matter on the path to enlightenment.

How does the speaker reconcile their decision to return to lay life with their commitment to Buddhism?

The speaker plans to continue supporting Buddhist teachings and practitioners even though they are returning to lay life. They recognize that the outward appearance of monasticism is not necessary for spiritual progress, and their focus will now be on helping others achieve spiritual wisdom through a non-monastic approach.

What concerns does the speaker express about the future of Buddhism in the West?

The speaker is concerned that Buddhism in the West is at risk of becoming diluted or corrupted, as people cherry-pick teachings that resonate with them and discard others. Without a strong foundation of monasticism or a dedicated system for training sincere practitioners, the pure Dharma could be lost over time.