Looking for Possible Temples to Receive Ordination and Long-term Resid

Brendan Shanahan, modified 13 Years ago at 4/29/10 9:55 PM
Created 13 Years ago at 4/29/10 9:55 PM

Looking for Possible Temples to Receive Ordination and Long-term Resid

Posts: 2 Join Date: 4/29/10 Recent Posts
I would like to begin by expressing my gratitude for this site and the many diligent members that continue to keep it alive. I feel someone parasitic jumping on here for my own interests then, likely, not paying the site much heed, but my intention behind this post is not only for my own benefit, but also so that others who share the same interests as me might have a record and some guidance as they begin on a similar journey.

With that rather lengthy introduction being said, I would like to begin with another lengthy introduction! (I would also like to note that I'm adding all of this information so that others can have a clearer picture so that they can give appropriate, helpful advie) I'll be heading to Japan to practice at Antaiji (http://antaiji.dogen-zen.de/eng/index.shtml) and Tenryuji (http://tenryuji.org/) when I graduate from college this May. With an Irish visa, I can stay and practice for 6 months in Japanbefore leaving. I am going with no long term plans save for practicing at Antaiji and Tenryuji for several months, and I have no clue what will arise and how I will respond and rather like this open and inclusive attitude towards the experience.

What will happen when those 6 months end? Where will I go? There is a lot of ra-ra-ra for Mahasi Sayadaw, but right now I would like to exercise some caution placing too much faith in a certain contemplative mode before having explored and wholeheartedly practiced others. I have some thoughts of either backpacking or flying to Southeast Asia after my Visa expires and finding practice centers there to experience directly the Theravadan tradition which emphasizes seated meditation over manifested meditation, or working meditation.

I have looked into several centers suggested by this site and am also in contact with Gil Fronsdal about monasteries and centers to practice at. I am currently interested in the following practice centers:

Wat Pah Nanachat in the tradition of Ajahn Chah (http://www.watpahnanachat.org/index.php)
Suan Mokh in the tradition of Buddhadhasa (http://www.suanmokkh.org/)
Chom Tong in the tradition of Mahasi Sayadaw
Kanduboda in the tradition of Mahasi Sayadaw (http://www.metta.lk/temples/kandubodha/#Us)
Panditara Lumbini in the tradition of Mahasi Sayadaw (http://www.panditarama-lumbini.info/)
Kanduboda in the tradition of Mahasi Sayadaw (http://www.metta.lk/temples/kandubodha/#Us)

Depending, again, on what arises from these retreats, I am also looking to receive ordination and to study with a particular teacher for the traditional five-year period before being allowed to live as an itinerant monk. Few of these websites, however, explicitly mention the possibility of receiving ordination under any of the teachers and the possibilities of longer stays secured through a religious worker Visa.

Does anyone have any other places of practice that they would encourage me to look at? Does anyone have any comments or criticisms about the centers I've selected? What location would be most practical and easiest to navigate the bureaucracy without blowing a lot of cash on travel, bribes, or other fees? Are many teachers reluctant to ordain Americans visiting on retreat? What are some possible problems that I should be aware of in seeking a longer stay in these countries? Are any of these countries notoriously difficult or reluctant to grant long-term visas?

Thailand seems the best place to practice right now because it appears to offer the richest variety of teachers and styles, but this perception comes only as a result of the narrow scope of the internet. Countries like Nepal and Sri Lanka might also have equally rich traditions and be relatively easy places to live and practice for long periods of time without settling down with a teacher, but I am clueless as to what the lived conditions are like.

Thank you for any insights that you're willing to share with me and others who might have the same intentions.

-Brendan
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Florian, modified 13 Years ago at 5/1/10 1:19 AM
Created 13 Years ago at 5/1/10 1:19 AM

RE: Looking for Possible Temples to Receive Ordination and Long-term R

Posts: 1028 Join Date: 4/28/09 Recent Posts
Wat Paa Baan Taad - Ven. Ajahn Maha Boowa's monastery.

Disclaimer: I've never been there. It's just a place I'd visit if I had the opportunity.

Cheers,
Florian

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