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A monastery is a sacred space where devoted religious individuals live, work, and study in community. Three major world religions—Christianity, Buddhism, and Hinduism—each have their unique monastic paths. These faiths offer distinct approaches to monastic life, and individual monasteries within each tradition vary greatly. It’s essential to recognize that joining a monastery is not an easy endeavor; it demands full-time commitment and a departure from conventional society. Therefore, it's crucial to carefully select a monastery and reflect on whether this lifestyle aligns with your personal calling before taking this significant step.
Steps
Becoming a Christian Monk
Understand the 4 key monastic principles. Catholic and Anglican monasteries commonly follow the four essential monastic vows: poverty, chastity, obedience, and stability. By embracing these vows, Christian monks aim to deepen their relationship with God. Monks in these traditions engage in daily labor at the monastery, Bible study, prayer, and communal activities. Solitude is avoided in favor of shared spiritual and physical work, with each day dedicated to service within the monastic community.
- The four monastic principles form the foundation of daily life in the monastery: monks renounce material possessions (poverty), refrain from intimate relationships (chastity), obey their superiors and God (obedience), and maintain harmony within the community (stability).
- Christian monasteries are generally affiliated with Catholic, Anglican, or Lutheran traditions, with very few Protestant monasteries in existence.
Tip: The purpose of a monastery is not to cater to the general public. The essence of monastic life is to draw closer to God by immersing oneself in a community from which one cannot easily depart.
Explore different monasteries to find one that aligns with you. Given that monks live together daily and each monastery follows distinct customs, it’s crucial to find the one that truly resonates with your spirit. If you feel called to monastic life, begin visiting monasteries as a lay visitor. Every Christian monastery welcomes guests. Before you go for a visit, let them know you're contemplating monastic life.
- It’s important that you feel a genuine calling to serve within the monastery. Don't force yourself to fall in love with one that doesn't feel right.
- When you visit, don’t hesitate to ask questions about the daily life of the monks. Most laypeople are fascinated by monasticism, and monks will likely be happy to share their experiences.
Consult the abbot or bishop about the requirements for joining. Once you find a monastery that speaks to you, ask the abbot or bishop about the process of becoming a member. While each monastery has its own set of rules, most require applicants to be members of a church, male, free from financial obligations, and usually under a certain age (typically 35 or 45). Applicants under 21 are rarely accepted, and minors under 18 must have parental consent.
- Unfortunately, most monasteries do not allow women. If you are a woman seeking monastic life, explore convents or nunneries.
- The abbot leads the monastery, although in Catholic traditions, a bishop may oversee the monastery.
Schedule an interview with the abbot or bishop and submit your necessary documents. If an application process is required, fill it out and provide your letters of recommendation and any other supporting materials. During the interview, you'll discuss your faith, beliefs, and motivations for wanting to join the monastery.
- Your recommendation letters should attest to your devotion and your ability to follow instructions.
- You might also need to provide medical records or employment history.
- Applications to monasteries are typically conducted through personal interviews rather than a formal paper process. These interviews are often regarded as part of the application, despite the informal nature.
Start the discernment process with prayer and meditation. Once your application is accepted, you begin a phase called discernment, which can last anywhere from a few days to up to a year. During discernment, engage in daily prayer and meditation to seek guidance on whether this monastic lifestyle is your true calling. The goal of discernment is to decide whether you are truly ready to dedicate yourself to monastic life.
- Discernment can take place at the monastery, at home, or a combination of both. Each monastery has its own approach.
- Throughout discernment, you will have meetings with the abbot, who will ask about your prayers, thoughts, feelings, and spiritual journey to help you determine if monastic life is right for you.
Participate in observation to assess your fit for the monastery. After completing discernment, passing interviews, and expressing continued interest in monastic life, the abbot might invite you for a trial period called observation. This period, lasting from 5 to 30 days, allows you to experience the monastery life while fellow monks evaluate if you align with their lifestyle, follow their rules, comprehend the gospel, and truly belong in the monastery.
- Think of observation as a chance to shadow a school to determine if it’s a good match. However, you’re not yet moving in permanently, so don’t end your lease just yet.
- During observation, you’ll engage in the same activities as the monks. It’s crucial to be diligent, follow instructions, remain honest, and participate in the communal tasks.
Become a postulate or novitiate for 1-5 years. If the observation phase is successful, you will be ordained as a postulate, a form of student. Postulates learn the ways of monastic life while performing basic tasks for the monastery, such as cleaning, cooking, and assisting the abbot. After some time as a postulate, you will be promoted to novitiate, an official monk in training.
- You will have a short window to finalize personal matters—such as giving up your apartment, donating possessions, settling debts, and closing accounts—before officially becoming a postulate. Typically, you are not allowed to bring anything with you to the monastery.
- The duration between being a postulate and a full monk varies by individual and monastery. Some may spend six months as a postulate, while others could take up to five years before transitioning into a novitiate.
- Some monastic orders bypass the novitiate phase and directly ordain you as a monk.
Get ordained as a monk and become a permanent member of the monastery. After dedicating 1-5 years to study, work, and prayer, you will be ordained as a monk. This grants you a permanent position within the monastery, providing more freedom and responsibility. Continue to focus on prayer, good deeds, and uphold the four pillars of monastic tradition.
- Various positions at the monastery are available, such as chamberlain (responsible for housing), hosteller (who cares for guests), and sacrist (overseeing finances and relics). Monasteries offer a wide range of roles.
Joining a Buddhist Vihara
Explore the 4 major Buddhist paths and their monasteries. There are four primary types of Buddhism, along with numerous smaller sects, each having its own monasteries, often referred to as viharas. There are also 'spiritual' monasteries that don’t follow a specific Buddhist path but focus on helping individuals grow closer to God. Some Buddhist monasteries work closely with the lay community, while others remain isolated from society. Study the different traditions to better understand the paths available.
- Theravada is the most traditional form of Buddhism, focused on the original teachings of Buddha.
- Mahayana is a more adaptable form of Buddhism, where its doctrines are viewed as guidelines rather than strict rules.
- Pure Land Buddhism is a modernized version of Mahayana, emphasizing a smaller set of religious texts and the concept of rebirth.
- Vajrayana Buddhism, developed in Tibet and the Himalayas, is often associated with secluded and private monasteries, which is what many envision when they think of Buddhist monks.
Visit and read about monasteries that align with your Buddhist beliefs. If you want to explore joining a Buddhist monastery, start by visiting monasteries in your area that align with your path. When visiting each monastery, ask for literature about their tradition and temple. Read up on each specific monastery’s practices to see if it’s a good fit for you.
- The term monastery, temple, and vihara are interchangeable in Buddhism.
- Some Buddhist monasteries have missions, some have part-time monks, and some require vows of silence. There is a wide range of beliefs and requirements when it comes to Buddhist temples.
Tip: Since there is so much variation between temples, most Buddhist monasteries have their own presses to publish their teachings and beliefs. These texts are usually free to the public.
Ask about the requirements to join the monastery. Once you’ve found a monastery that you want to join, contact the abbot, head monk, or spiritual leader and ask them what it takes to join their order. Typically, you can be male or female, but must be in good health and younger than 40.
- In Buddhism, the term “monk” is usually used to refer to both men and women.
Visit the temple for an extended visit and meet with a novice master. To start the process, the monastery will ask you to come for a formal visit, usually for 5-10 days. During this period, you will be assigned a novice master—a teacher that will guide you through the process of ordination. Meet with the other monks, meditate with them, and talk to the novice master about your goals, motivation to join the monastery, and personal relationship with Buddhism.
- Ask the novice master about the guru. Since gurus are typically sheltered from the daily interactions with visitors, it can be difficult to get a sense for what they’re like without an insider’s perspective.
Become a postulate for 1-5 years and study the monastic way of life. If the monastery thinks you may be a good fit, you can become a postulate. Start wearing the robes required by the temple and clip your hair short. Spend the next 1 month to 5 years learning from the masters, meditating, and engaging with the other monks.
- Postulates and monks wear different hairstyles to indicate their rank and position. Typically, monks shave their head while postulates clip their hair short. Some postulates are required to tie their hair up as well.
- In Buddhism, a postulate is basically a student. You will have to follow all of the principals of monkhood. You must become celibate, give up worldly pleasures, and live a healthy lifestyle.
Apply for ordination to become a Buddhist monk. After completing your postulancy, you may apply for ordination as a monk. While the process varies from one monastery to another, it typically involves an interview and a demonstration of your faith—often through a test, testimony, or sermon. Upon approval from the abbot or spiritual leader, you will begin your life as a Buddhist monk.
- You will need to relinquish your personal possessions and move to the monastery permanently, as they are seen as sources of attachment, which Buddhism teaches leads to suffering. However, certain traditions may permit monks to retain personal belongings such as an apartment or car.
- Once ordained, you may study to become a novice master, a monk who guides other postulants.
Entering a Hindu Temple
Explore the diversity and structure of Hindu monasteries. Hinduism is a polytheistic religion, meaning followers worship multiple deities. Each temple is dedicated to a specific God, but Hindus believe all deities lead one toward unity with the divine. Due to the individualized nature of Hinduism, each monastery can vary greatly. Some are secluded, while others focus on serving a lay community. Every monastery has its own practices, beliefs, and rules.
- In Hinduism, the terms 'temple' and 'monastery' are often used interchangeably, with 'mandir' being the official term for both.
- Many Hindu monks do not live permanently at the temples to which they belong.
Tip: Hinduism views all paths as valid since each person must follow their unique inner beliefs to draw closer to God.
Visit temples and meditate at each one to find your ideal space. Research the temples and monasteries in your area. Attend during public hours to get a feel for the environment. If a specific temple or monastery resonates with you, it could be a sign that it is where you are meant to be. Meditate at each location for at least one hour to determine whether you feel spiritually connected to it.
- Many temples and monasteries have public visiting hours, even if the community resides there permanently. During these hours, you can admire the architecture, speak with religious leaders, and meditate with mantras.
- Follow the dharma of each temple by respecting the monastery's social rules. Dharma represents the laws and guidelines of conduct, and maintaining it helps you grow closer to God. Respect the monastery's rules to stay in alignment with dharma.
- Each temple and monastery has its own order, which is a unique religious community with its own structure.
Join the temple community by participating in pujas. Pujas are communal prayers and rituals held at designated times. Attend these sessions to witness the guru's teachings. If the guru's words resonate with you and you feel a deep connection to the temple, it may be the right place for you. After attending a puja, you can fill out an application to become part of the temple's community.
- A guru is a spiritual master leading the temple or monastery. Depending on the tradition, the guru might also be known as a sant, monk, yogi, or spiritual guide.
- You may need to have an interview with a sanyāsī, sādhu, or swami (different types of Hindu monks and priests) before being accepted into the community.
Write a letter to the temple’s guru to express your intentions. To begin the process of joining the monastic community, send a letter to the guru introducing yourself. Share your spiritual journey and your desire to become a monk. You can either drop off the letter in person or send it via email. The guru will respond with an invitation to visit and meet with the other monastic members.
- You may be informed that you will need to wait anywhere from 1 to 5 years before officially becoming a member of the monastic order.
Complete any necessary classes or interviews to become an initiate. After your meeting with the monastic members, enroll in any required classes. Participate in any interviews with the guru or other senior members of the community. Once you have fulfilled the temple’s prerequisites and received the guru’s blessing, you will officially be considered an initiate.
- Hinduism has five key sacred texts, unlike Buddhism's three or Christianity's one. These classes will often focus on these holy texts to help you deepen your understanding.
- The curriculum will vary depending on the specific Hindu tradition, covering different aspects of the faith based on the beliefs of the community.
- You will also study concepts like darshan, karma, and reincarnation in your classes.
Take your premonastic vows after studying for 6 months to a year. As an initiate, attend the temple regularly and become active within the monastery’s community. After six to twelve months, if the guru believes you are ready, you will be approved as a premonastic. At this stage, you will take the premonastic vows, marking your formal step toward becoming a full member of the monastic order.
- Premonastics may either live at the monastery temporarily or be required to relocate permanently, depending on their order.
- The vows you take will vary based on your specific order. Typically, they involve shaving part of your head, abstaining from meat and alcohol, practicing celibacy, and remaining committed to dharma.
Complete your renewable vows after 6-24 months of monastic life. Continue your studies, work, prayers, and meditation at the temple. Maintain an active presence in the community by socializing with fellow members and participating in pujas whenever possible. After six to twenty-four months, you will be given the opportunity to take the renewable vows. Recite your vows in front of the guru as a demonstration of your continued dedication to the spiritual journey.
- Take part in various volunteer opportunities to prove your commitment to both the guru and the other monks at the monastery.
Take your lifelong vows to become a sanyāsī, sādhu, or swami. After taking your vows multiple times over a few years, you will earn the opportunity to take your permanent vows and become a sanyāsī, sādhu, or swami—types of Hindu monks. Declare your lifetime vows in front of your fellow monks and, if you haven’t already, move to the monastery for a permanent residence. Dedicate yourself to following the guru and strive to deepen your growth within the community.
- A sanyāsī is a female monk, while a sādhu is a male monk. A swami is a male monk who serves as a teacher. A yogi is a monk who has mastered the spiritual discipline of yoga.
