How to Be a Monk?

About once or twice a year, I get calls from strangers, directed from people who don’t know the answer, who ask me how to become a Buddhist monk. This is quite strange, as I am not a monk. Anyway, I kind of go through the same routine of advising, and the results are kind of the same. What happens? Here is a re-enacted dialogue:

Q: I was advised to call you on how to become a monk.
A: Do you frequent any temples?
Q: Not really. But I visit them once a while.
Q: Have you attended Dharma classes?
A: Not really. But I attend some Dharma talks and read some Dharma books.

Q: It is best to frequent a temple (or centre) to learn the Dharma systematically, and in the process get to know more monastics and what the monastic life entails, before becoming a monk. To be a monk, you will need to find a monastic master too, which doing the above will help. You should look out for short-term monkhood programs too, to taste the monastic life to see if you are ready for it.
A: (Sounds a bit disappointed) Okay. Thank you.
Q: Amituofo!

Well, if you need to ask how to instantly become a monk, you are almost always not ready yet! Many romanticise monasticism as a way to make a quantum leap to escape worldly life and responsibilities. However, in real life, to be able to be a monastic who can shake off all worldly concerns requires a lot of merits and wisdom! Without garnering enough of them through diligent Dharma study and practice, life is still going to be challenging and one will still be bogged by worldly frustrations. To be a monastic out of ignoble reasons creates demerits and is unwise!

(Interaction with Buddhist teachers and other students who live the Dharma is important too, to check one’s Dharma understanding, clarify doubts and inspire one’s Dharma learning and practice.)