Why Do People Become Monks?
People have different motives behind this ancient choice of living!
A few years back, whenever my phone used to buzz with notifications and deadline emails, I used to think of renouncing it all to become a Monk! Though as a joke only, my idea of being a monk used to be someone who sits in the mountains with no deadlines, no phones, and no attraction for worldly possessions.
It is when I met them and understood their world, I learned that being a Monk is not this, but living in solitude, simplicity, and harmony. They don’t do this because they want to run from the complexities of everyday life and embrace monastic living. Instead, the reasons vary at individual levels. While the specifics may differ, it all narrows down to — the desire for inner peace, to know themselves better, to find their purpose on earth and the pursuit of believing in something greater than self.
And talking to a few of them, here is what I learned about them-
To Have A Sense Of Calm
Many monks are seeking relief from the emotional turbulence they have been through. They want to learn detachment and simple living. The silence during meditation becomes their powerful antidote to the constant chatter of the mind.
Thich Nhat Hanh, a revered Vietnamese Zen Buddhist Monk, once said-
