A monastery is a place where dedicated religious members study, work, and live together.Christianity, Buddhism, and Hinduism have monastic traditions.Each of the religions has its own path to becoming a member of a monastery, and there is a lot of variety between individual monasteries.Since joining a monastery requires a full-time commitment and a separation from society, it can be physically and psychologically demanding.After carefully selecting a monastery, look inside to make sure that this is the path for you.
Step 1: You can learn about the monastic traditions.
The 4 monastic traditions are poverty, chastity, obedience and stability.Christian monks hope to grow closer to God by living in these traditions.Christian monks spend a lot of time together at the monastery.Every day is spent in service to the monastic community at a Christian monastery.The structure and behavior of life in a monastery are guided by the 4 monastic traditions.Monks don't have money, engage in physically-intimate behavior, disobey their superiors, or do anything to disrupt the community.Christian monasteries are usually Catholic, Anglican, or Lutheran.There aren't many protestant monasteries.
Step 2: You can go to a few monasteries to see which one you connect to.
It is important that you find a monastery that fits you due to the fact that every monastery has different procedures and that monks spend every day together.If you are called to monastic life, you should visit monasteries as a lay person.Visitors are accepted at every Christian monastery.Inform the monastery that you are considering monastic life before you visit for a day or two.You should serve at a monastery.It is not right for you to fall in love with a monastery.You can ask questions about what life is like there.The monks won't mind answering your questions and most lay people are interested in monastic life.
Step 3: Ask the bishop or abbot what the requirements are to join.
Ask the abbot or bishop what the requirements are for joining their order once you feel drawn to a monastery.You must be a member of a church, free of debt, and under the age of 45 to be accepted into a monastery.People under the age of 21 are rarely accepted.If you are under 18, a monastery will let you join.There aren't many monasteries that allow women to join.If you are interested in monastic life, look for a convent or nunnery.The person in charge of the monastery is the abbot.If you are a Catholic, there may be a bishop in charge of the monastery.
Step 4: Take an interview with the abbot or bishop.
You need to fill out an application if there is a letter of recommendation.For your interview, sit down with the abbot.You will be asked questions about your experience with God, your beliefs, and your reasons for wanting to join a monastery.Your ability to follow directions should be considered in your letters of recommendation.It is possible that you will need to submit medical records.Papers are rarely used to complete applications to join a monastery.They interview the abbot or several monks.The process is referred to as an application.
Step 5: Discernment begins by praying and meditating.
You have some work to do if your application is accepted.You enter a period called discernment after being accepted.Discernment can last from a few days to a year.Every day, meditate on monastic life and pray for guidance.If you really want to dedicate yourself to a monastery, you should ask yourself every day if this lifestyle is right for you.Discernment can be done at the monastery or at home.Every monastery is different.You will have interviews with the abbot.As you determine whether or not this lifestyle is right for you, they will ask you about your prayers, thoughts, feelings, and journey in faith.
Step 6: You can enter observation to see if you fit in.
If you pass the interviews and are still interested in monastic life, the abbot may invite you for observation.You can join the monastery for 5 to 30 days in observation.The other monks will assess whether you fit there, can follow the rules, and are a good fit for the monastery.It is possible to shadow a school to see if it is a good fit.Don't break your lease yet, because you are not actually moving into the monastery.You will observe what the monks do.Follow directions, be honest, and participate in activities.
Step 7: Become a postulate for a few years.
If you observe well, you will become a postulate, which is a type of student.Postulates complete basic tasks for the monastery, like cleaning, cooking, and helping the abbot.A new monk in training will be promoted to a novitiate once you have served as a postulate for some time.Before starting as a postulate, you will be given a short period of time to give up your apartment, donate or give away your possessions, settle debts, and close any accounts.You can't bring anything with you to the monastery.Every person and monastery has their own time frame for going from a postulate to a monk.You can either be a postulate for 6 months or 5 years before becoming a novitiate.Some orders do not have a novitiate position and simply ordain you as a monk.
Step 8: Become a monk and live there permanently.
After a few years of studying, working, and praying, you will become a monk.You will get a job, be given more freedom, and become a permanent resident of the monastery.Continue to pray, engage in good works, and maintain the pillars of the monastic tradition.The sacrist is in charge of finances and relics at the monastery, as is the chamberlain, who looks after the housing.There are many different positions at the monastery.
Step 9: The major Buddhist paths and monasteries are explained.
There are 4 major types of Buddhism along with dozens of smaller sects and paths, each with their own monasteries, which are often called viharas.There are monasteries that do not follow a specific Buddhist path but work together to help each individual member grow closer to God.Some Buddhist monasteries focus on helping the lay community, while others completely shut themselves off from society.To understand the possible paths, study the traditions.Theravada focuses on the original teachings of Buddha and is the most orthodox form of Buddhism.Mahayana is a different form of Buddhism.Many of the Buddhist beliefs are treated as guides.Mahayana is a modernized version of Pure Land Buddhism.A smaller set of religious texts is emphasized.Many people think of Buddhist monks as being from Tibet and the Himalayas.The monasteries are the most private and isolated.
Step 10: You can visit and read about monasteries that are compatible with your beliefs.
If you want to join a monastery, you should visit monasteries that align with your path.Ask for literature about their traditions when you visit a monastery.If it is a good fit for you, read up on each monastery's practices.In Buddhism, the term monastery, temple, and vihara are interchangeable.Some Buddhist monasteries have missions, some have part-time monks, and some need vows of silence.Buddhist temples have a wide range of beliefs and requirements.
Step 11: The requirements to join the monastery should be inquired about.
Once you have found a monastery that you want to join, contact the abbot, head monk, or spiritual leader and ask them what it takes to become a monk.You must be in good health and younger than 40 to be a male or female.Men and women are usually referred to as "monk" in Buddhism.
Step 12: Visit the temple for an extended visit and meet the novice master.
You will be asked to come for a formal visit for 5 to 10 days.A teacher will guide you through the process of ordination during this period.Meet with the other monks, meditate with them and talk to the novice master about your goals, motivation to join the monastery, and personal relationship with Buddhism.Ask about the guru.It can be hard to get a sense of what a guru is like without an inside view.
Step 13: Become a postulate for a while and study the monastic way of life.
You can become a postulate if the monastery thinks you are a good fit.You have to wear the robes by the temple and clip your hair.The next 5 years will be spent learning from the masters, meditating, and engaging with the other monks.Postulates and monks have different hair styles.Typically, monks clip their hair while shaving.Some postulates need to tie their hair up.A postulate is a student in Buddhism.You have to follow the principals of monkhood.Become celibate, give up worldly pleasures, and live a healthy lifestyle.
Step 14: If you want to become a Buddhist monk, you need to apply for ordination.
You can apply to become a monk after your period of postulation is over.This process is different at every monastery, but typically requires an interview and some kind of demonstration of faith (usually in the form of a test, testimony, or sermon).You can become a Buddhist monk once you have been approved by the spiritual leader.You will be required to give up your possessions and move to the monastery permanently, although there are some paths and traditions that allow monks to maintain possession of an apartment, car, or personal belongings.A monk that guides other postulates can be studied to become a novice master.
Step 15: The structure of Hindu monasteries can be studied.
Hinduism believes in multiple Gods and is a polytheistic religion.Hindus believe that all Gods help lead you to the path of oneness, despite the fact that each temple is dedicated to a specific God.There is a lot of variety in Hindu monasteries.Some focus on serving a lay community while others are isolated.Each monastery has its own requirements, beliefs, and practices.The term temple is often used in Hinduism.A mandir is the official name for a Hindu temple.Many Hindu monks don't live at the temple permanently.
Step 16: You can visit temples to find one that suits you.
You can research temples and monasteries.You can get a sense of the space during public hours.It may be a sign that you belong in that space if you feel drawn to a specific temple, order, or monastery.You should meditate at each temple for at least an hour to determine if you like it.Even if members of the monastery live there permanently, most temples and monasteries have public hours.Visitors can come and see the architecture, talk to religious leaders, and meditate during these hours.Follow the social rules of the monastery.The Hindu concept of dharma is complex.Maintaining the laws and regulations that dictate conduct ensures that you grow closer to God.Follow the monastery's rules to maintain dharma.Each temple and monastery has its own order.An order is a religious community.
Step 17: You can join the order of the temple.
There are organized prayers and rituals that are completed by the community.You can see the guru speak during the organized times.It may be a good fit for you if you are moved by the guru and feel at home in the temple.To become a member of the community, you need to fill out an application.A temple or monastery is run by a guru.The guru is referred to as a sant, monk, yogi, or spiritual leader by the sect.Before you can become a member of the community, you need to complete an interview with a sanys.
Step 18: You can write a letter to the temple's guru.
Write a letter to the guru to start the monastic process.You can express your interest in becoming a monk by explaining your journey to their order.Send the letter as an email.You will be invited to visit and meet with the other monastic members after you receive an email or letter.You have to wait at least five years before you can become a member of the order.
Step 19: Become an initiate by taking any classes or interviews.
You must sign up for classes after meeting with the monastic members.Interviews can be done with the guru or other members.You are an initiate once you have completed the temple's initial requirements and received a blessing from the guru.Christianity has one major religious text.There are 5 key texts and dozens of minor holy books in Hinduism.The classes will help you understand the major holy books.Key components of your Hindu path will be covered in the classes.There is a lot of variation in the material that these classes will cover.darshan, the concept of karma, and reincarnation will be topics in your classes.
Step 20: After 6 months to a year of studying, you should take your premonastic vows.
As an initiate, study, attend the temple regularly, and become engaged as a member of the monastery's community.If the guru thinks you are worthy, you will be approved as a premonastic.Become a premonastic student by taking the monastery's vows.Initiates don't live at the monastery.For a period of time, premonastics may live at the monastery.Depending on your order and brand of Hinduism, the vows are going to be different.If you want to follow dharma, you will need to shave part of your head, abstain from meat or alcohol, and be celibate.
Step 21: After 6-24 months at the monastery, you must complete your renewable vows.
Continue to work, study, pray, and meditate.Continue to be in contact with the other members of the community and attend every puja you can.You will be able to take the vows over the next two years.You can show your commitment to the spiritual path by renewing your vows in front of the guru.If you want to prove yourself to the guru and the other monks at the monastery, volunteer for as many opportunities as you can.
Step 22: Take your lifetime vow to become a sanys, Sdhu, or swami
You will earn the right to take your lifetime vows after you have taken your renewable vows repeatedly over the course of a few years.If you haven't already moved to the monastery, complete the lifetime vows in front of your brothers and sisters and then live there permanently.Do your best to grow in the community by following the guru.A sanys is a female monk.A monk is a teacher.A monk has mastered the practice of yoga.