Monks are people who withdraw from society to focus on religious life. Some religions have monastic traditions, for example: Christianity and Buddhism. People who want to become monks must be educated, be devoted, undergo training, and complete a transitional period of several years. Monasticism is a way of devoting oneself by providing time and energy to serve others and live in simplicity. Therefore, monks had to live celibate lives and renounce worldly pleasures.
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Method 1 of 3: Preparing to Become a Monk
Step 1. Live a devout religious life
Becoming a monk means living your daily life by doing spiritual, physical and faith devotions according to your beliefs. If you want to become a monk, make a firm commitment to your spiritual journey from now on. Learn various knowledges, form the habit of praying several times a day, and manifest faith in every aspect of life.
Step 2. Do a study of the order that founded the monastery
While almost all monasteries do the same routine, there are some basic differences that you should be aware of.
- In contemplative monasteries, monks are in the monastery most of the day to pray, while in active monasteries, service activities are mostly carried out outside the monastery, even to locations that are very far away.
- Monks in communal monasteries spend most of their time working, praying, and eating together. In hermitage monasteries, monks were not allowed to interact with each other and were confined almost all the time.
- In general, monastic rules are determined by influential religious figures who are devoted to maintaining traditions and have a strong intention to realize the purpose of establishing a monastery.
Step 3. Make a commitment to celibacy
Almost all monastic communities lead a celibate life, regardless of religion or order. Begin the journey of monastic life by promising yourself to be celibate. Thus, you can consider whether this plan is realistic enough and can be executed. The ability to live a celibate life can be an indicator of how strong your intentions for devotion are when you decide to join a convent.
Step 4. Live everyday in the community
Apart from celibacy, an important aspect of monastic life is living in harmony with other monks, for example by sharing food or rooms. Under certain conditions, they borrow from each other things that are used daily. Test yourself to explore the ability to live a communal life by looking for homes that are acceptable for community members in your neighborhood.
Step 5. Leave everything you have
In addition to being able to live life in community, almost all orders will ask for the willingness of prospective monks to free themselves from the desire to have material possessions. Prior to entering a convent, prospective monks usually donate all their possessions to the church. If you want to experience for yourself what monastic life is like and solidify your steps towards a monastery, donate some of what you have and start living in simplicity.
Method 2 of 3: Becoming a Christian Monk
Step 1. Visit the monastery
Find information about life as a monk by visiting a monastery. In general, monasteries are allowed to be visited by people who want to become monks, there are even monasteries that allow visitors to stay for a few days. While visiting, take time to find out about the daily routine in the monastery and the duties of the monks.
- Some monasteries provide lodging for visitors who are willing to comply with certain rules, for example: curfews and periods of silence.
- Sign up for retreats organized by the monastery so that you have the opportunity to do regular activities inside the monastery.
Step 2. Prepare to be a novice
After visiting a convent and deciding that you want to live the life of a monk, communicate your desire to become a novice to the abbot. After following certain procedures, you will undergo an “observation period” or “probationary period” as the first step in becoming a Christian monk. As a novice, you will study all aspects of monastic life. At the same time, the monks will conduct observations to determine if you are suitable to be a monk.
- Depending on the provisions of each order, the novitiate may have to be lived in several stages.
- The novitiate may take up to a year.
Step 3. Prepare to become a brother
After completing the novitiate, you may be asked to become a brother or a future priest. In addition, you will have to fulfill certain responsibilities within the monastery so that the expectations of you are even higher. As a brother, you will gain more experience. Take this opportunity to consider whether you have made the right life choice and prove your worth to other monks.
Step 4. Say “temporary vows”
As a brother, you will be asked to take a temporary vow as a commitment to lead a monastic life by applying the Christian lifestyle and beliefs while you are a member of the monastic community. The vows required may differ in each order, but almost all express a deep devotion to God, a commitment to celibacy, and a rejection of material possessions.
Step 5. Make a commitment to monastic life by making an “eternal vow”
After completing your novitiate as a brother, you will be asked to live in a convent for life. At this time, you must take an “eternal vow” and be ordained a Christian priest.
Method 3 of 3: Becoming a Monk
Step 1. Study Buddhism
Before meeting a teacher who can help you realize your desire to become a monk, study the traditions that apply in Buddhism, understand well the teachings of Buddha, and form the mindset of a Buddhist. Begin your journey to become a monk by studying Buddhism.
Step 2. Find a teacher
This step will usually be more difficult if you have never practiced Buddhism. In order to become a monk, you must have a teacher authorized to give approval so that you can be ordained. Visit a nearby Buddhist temple or head to a predominantly Buddhist area. Open your heart so you can meet the right teacher.
You can find a teacher by sending a letter or email to a Buddhist teacher at a nearby temple to communicate
Step 3. Start meditating
One of the important aspects of the tradition carried out in Buddhist temples is the practice of deep and intensive meditation. Some schools of Buddhism prioritize the practice of meditation over studying Buddhism. Show that you are meditating as part of your daily routine as this is very much needed to prove that you are part of the temple.
Step 4. Spend time at the temple
If you have learned enough and find a teacher willing to accompany you throughout your studies, find a temple and stay for a while. If you can adjust, the abbot will ask you to make a vow to become a monk. You need to live in a monastery to make sure that wanting to become a monk is the most appropriate life choice.
Step 5. Take a vow to be a monk for life
After living with the monastic community for some time, you will be asked to stay in the monastery and make a vow to commit to a life of celibacy and to free yourself from attachment to material things when ordained as a monk.
Step 6. Remain in the monastery for five years
According to tradition, a newly ordained monk must remain in the monastery where he was ordained for five years. In Buddhism, being a monk means joining a religious community called the “Sangha”. With community members, you will learn, practice and spread the teachings of Buddha to others. As a monk, it's your job to strengthen the relationship between members while you're at the temple.
