Hi, I am a Buddhist monk; and now dont’t think that internet is not for monks...monks are supposed to be meditating somewhere in a forest. Well, here I am, a monk waiting to meet you online and answer every such inquisition. Just Ask & Know.
Hereafter, I would be addressing myself as The Monk and I would prefer to be addressed likewise.
Apart from his long years of monastic training, the Monk holds a Bachelor Degree in Buddhist Philosophy and a Master Degree in Pali and Buddhist Studies. The other fields which the Monk is pretty well versed in are (contemporary) religious and political history of South and Southeast Asia, Buddhist psychology, sociology and anthropology. Though he himself is not a professional meditation master, he has been an ardent meditator and a staunch practicing Buddhist monk (albeit in his own way) since the age of twelve. His in-depth analytical study of the Early Buddhist Scriptures and his intimate and insightful meetings and contacts with Buddhist monks of diverse nationalities make him pretty much worthy for a ‘meeting’ with you to share his knowledge and experiences online.
If you haven’t met a monk in person or online, here is ‘the monk’ you can ask questions of your inquisitions. Send your questions to askthemonk@hotmail.com
Since this is a personal blog, the Monk strictly preserves the right to do whatever he wishes and however he pleases with this blog and he reserves the right to delete or edit comments deemed not conformity with his vision. However, by and large, the Monk promises to abide by the following policy lines:
1. Emails sent to askthemonk@hotmail.com for Buddhist questions and information on any topic or enquiries would be replied back within two weeks at the most. The Monk reserves the right to publish any email together with his reply if the issue in question seems worthwhile to share in public. Questions that need longer and contemplative answers may take the Monk a bit longer to reply you. Readers wanting a Buddhist explanation or a Buddhist answer to a certain issue or topic are hereby requested to send their question/s to the Monk’s email. Questions asked on the blog board would be ignored right away.
2. The Monk would not reveal any sensitive personal data of proper names that may appear in his blog posts. The Monk wouldn’t care whether you provide your real name at the end of your mail and comment posts or not but don’t forget to provide at least a pseudo name; otherwise, you like it or not, the Monk would be forced to give you a name of his choice.
3. The Monk may not reply to mails if he thinks they are unworthy of replies but mostly, he would reply to each and every mail received providing you with the best possible answers to your question/s.
4. The Monk’s priority in this blog is to provide answers to non-Buddhists’ inquisitions and providing Buddhist commentary to contemporary issues related to Buddhism and monks.
Things to be Avoided With a Monk
Based on his personal experiences, the Monk lists the following things to be avoided with monks:
[Ladies]: Avoid any physical contact with a monk: Don’t think that shaking hand is the only way to greet a person. Know the local customs first before you shake hands with a monk or posing a picture holding the monk.
[Ladies]: Avoid sitting together with a monk e.g. in a bus or a taxi: Be polite enough and ask a monk before you take your seat beside him.
Avoid questioning the (food) menu of a monk: If you are a Mahayana Buddhist, don’t try to be smart and scorn at the Theravada monks whom you see taking non-vegetarian food at a public restaurant. Likewise, if you are a Theravada Buddhist, don’t try to be over smart and scorn at the Mahayana monks if you see them taking dinner. Know that Buddhism is not all about taking vegetarian food or not taking dinner (for monks).
Avoid thinking every monk you meet and see as a Tibetan Lama: Please know that Tibetans are NOT the only Buddhists of the world.
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