Fourth reply to question about the worldly life

The answers are coming in thick and fast now! Thanks Shozen for your reply, and thanks Laurie for your opinion - it's all much appreciated, even if only to show me that different people have different interpretations and different ideas about renunciation, so it's really up to me to decide what I think, and what is best for me.

To read the question, click here.
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Dear Katy,

Firstly let me Apologise for the delay in answering your questions. I am always handy for a straight forward answer.

Quote:
"I'm 25, female, British and have been practicing Buddhist meditation for about a year as well as studying the Dharma and reading a lot about the topic."
The Buddha taught there are two kinds of teachings: (1) wrong teachings and (2) right teachings.
It the UK, monks such as Ajahn Sumedho who is also a westerner can generally offer the 'right teachings'

There are two kinds of renunciation: (1) renunciation based on an ideal or superstition; and (2) renunciation based on insight or dispassion.

When one decides to enter the monastery based on an ideal or superstition, the life of a renunciate is very difficult. But when one enters the monastery due to being dissatisfied with the options the world offers, the life of a renunciate is very easy. Concentration or meditation bliss comes easily.

You appear to have been drawn in by the popular Buddhist advertising. Unfortunately, this kind of Buddhist evangelism has grown in the world, contrary to the Lord Buddha's wisdom.

Quote:
"...just a few more lifetimes of misery. it's your choice!"
This is superstition. Rebirth was taught by the Buddha in a society that already held rebirth as a pre-existing belief to assist the worldly folks to do good and avoid self-harm. The Buddha did not teach people rebirth to motivate them to ordain. The Buddha taught the worldly person if they do good, they will be reborn in heaven or as a high human being. But to ordain because one believes in rebirth is wrong. Buddha taught faith in the higher Dhamma arises from the experience of suffering & unsatisfactoriness. If one ordains due to superstition, one will spend their monastic career teaching superstition because their mind will not penetrate that state which is free from suffering.

Quote:
"I'd appreciate any advice you have on these matters. I'm feeling really quite low about it all at the moment."
Sure Katie. My advice is to do two or three 10-day silent meditation retreats. If you realize this is not for you then the monastic life is not for you.

The Buddha offered so many beautiful & wise teachings for laypeople. If meditation does not bring your mind deep satisfaction & bliss, then I advise you study the Buddha's teachings for laypeople.

In brief, if you want a loving relationship, then that is the life for you, to pursue wisely & skilfully.

Kind regards
DDhatu
BuddhaForum.org

http://www.knowbuddhism.info/2009/11/renunciation-in-buddhism.html
Yours in Dhamma
Shozen

May you be filled with Loving Kindness,
May you be Well,
May you you be Peaceful and at Ease,
May you be Happy.