{"id":4460,"date":"2022-10-15T11:23:03","date_gmt":"2022-10-15T05:53:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rkmissionvijayawada.org\/?page_id=4460"},"modified":"2022-10-15T11:23:03","modified_gmt":"2022-10-15T05:53:03","slug":"become-a-monk","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.rkmissionvijayawada.org\/become-a-monk\/","title":{"rendered":"Become A Monk"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/center> <\/u><\/p>\n<\/div> Many youngsters when they come across the inspiring life and teachings of Swami Vivekananda, feel an urge to embrace monastic life in the Ramakrishna Order. For others, the urge to renounce the world may come as a result of their watching\/listening to inspiring talks on Spiritual aspects of Hinduism. Disillusionment with worldly attainments and relationships also drive quite a few to the doors of a monastery. Then there are \u201cBe good and Do Good\u201d youth who are impressed by the work of the Ramakrishna Mission and want to dedicate themselves to its service activities. Whatever may be the immediate inspiration, they need to carefully consider quite a few factors before joining the Ramakrishna Order. To help such would-be monks to arrive at the right decision, here is a set of Frequently asked Questions and Answers.<\/p>\n<\/div> It means to leave behind one\u2019s family and friends, profession and attainments, all worldly interests, pleasures and concerns, and embrace the monastic life. The person will henceforth live in a monastery of the Ramakrishna Order, usually known as Math or Ashrama, devoting his life exclusively to spiritual pursuits and selfless service. In course of his monastic life he has to take up vows of Brahmacharya (celibacy) and Sannyasa (monkhood) which will be the cornerstone of his monastic life. The Ramakrishna Order is a well-defined body of monks which owes its origin to Sri Ramakrishna and his eminent disciples headed by Swami Vivekananda.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> Interested young men within the age-group 18 to 30 (or 36 in case of Westerners) who are at least graduates, are eligible to join the Ramakrishna Order. The actual age limit, however, depends on the educational qualification of the candidate.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> The Ramakrishna Order is a monastic organization for men only. For women there is a parallel organization known as Sri Sarada Math which follows the same ideals as ours. Interested women may directly contact the Sarada Math at any of its branch centers or its headquarters in Dakshineshwar, Kolkata.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> No, only unmarried men are allowed to join the Ramakrishna Order. A person who had married but now divorced is not eligible either.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> It is strongly recommended that you continue your studies and finish the course which you have started. You may join the Order soon after that. Let not your studies be the first casualty of your spirit of renunciation!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> Here are a few reasons: Persons with a major physical or mental disorder are not allowed to join the Order. As part of the joining procedure, candidates need to compulsorily undergo a thorough medical test to prove their fitness.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> Candidates, in general, are expected to have finished their formal education before entering the monastery.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> It is not advisable for you to join immediately. Please make time to read at least a few important books of Ramakrishna\u2013Vivekananda literature. The life and teachings of Sri Ramakrishna, Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi and Swami Vivekananda are the foundation of the spiritual life of the entire Order. The joining of a person who has not read the basic literature is not advisable.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> That is not an issue. Ramakrishna Order is open for people of all religions, nationalities and ethnic groups. It is but necessary to accept Sri Ramakrishna as a divine incarnation and believe his grace to be of supreme importance in one\u2019s spiritual well-being and spiritual goal.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> You are welcome! If you have respectful regard for Sri Ramakrishna and his teachings and are convinced that he is the embodiment of all gods and goddesses, you can join the Order.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> Yes, you can join the Order provided you are willing to broaden your idea of service. Our organization is not just another NGO engaged in social service. Spirituality is the basis, guiding force and also the ultimate aim of this organization. Our monks consider service activities as another form of their spiritual discipline. So, this spiritual outlook (and not just a compassionate heart or patriotic spirit) is indispensable to be a part of the Order.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> You have to contact our authorities and freely discuss the matter if you feel it is going to affect your future life. The authorities will guide you further.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> Only in rare cases do parents encourage their son to become a monk. But most candidates need to face the opposition and even wrath of their parents for cherishing monastic aspiration. Monks by definition can\u2019t own personal properties. You need to dispose of your movable and immovable assets, including bank accounts, before joining or immediately after that.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> A monk is required to dissociate himself from all of his pre-monastic life. Since this is something that can\u2019t be achieved overnight, the spirit of detachment is to be cultivated by tapering off all worldly relationships. No salary is paid to monks. Monastic life is not like working at a job in expectation of salary. Here you give, voluntarily and entirely, your body and mind, your talents and capacities without expecting any material gain.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> The Order will take care of you and support you in every way. There is no need to worry on that account.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> The members of the Order usually wear a kurta-like shirt (loose & collarless), dhoti (cloth tied around waist extending up to the feet) and uttariya (cloth wrapped around the upper part). The colour of these garments would be either white (in case of novices or Brahmacharins) or ochre\/gerua (in case of Sannyasins).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> It will take a minimum of nine years. This is the period allowed for a candidate to prepare himself to receive the final monastic vows. Seeing his life and conduct the authorities will take the ultimate decision regarding his sannyasa.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> For the rest of your life, you will immerse yourself in japa, meditation, prayer, worship, chanting of hymns, singing of bhajans, study of sacred literature, work and other spiritual practices. Some of these you will do on your own, while others, in the company of monastic brothers in the ashrama. The nature, time and duration of work will be decided by the authorities and will have to be diligently followed with a worshipful outlook. The fundamental spiritual practices will be told to the aspirant by his Guru during his Initiation. He has to himself practise and struggle for spiritual perfection. In case of need, guidance by senior sadhus will always be available.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> FAQs on joining the Ramakrishna Order<\/h3>\n
\n(a) Embracing monastic life is a bold and far-reaching decision which needs maturity on the part of the aspirant. Formal education, apart from everything else, usually helps to develop this maturity.
\n(b) The monks of Ramakrishna Order need to run schools, colleges, hospitals and many other institutions serving people in various ways. Such activities need educational background.
\n(c) Spiritual studies for one\u2019s own spiritual development and preaching for the sake of spiritual development of others is a part and parcel of monastic life. These necessitate a sound educational background.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
\nA son with monastic inclination need to explain his stand to parents and try to win them over. He should also make, as far as possible, suitable arrangements to at least take care of their basic needs for the rest of their lives.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
\nDuring the initial years, a novice is allowed to talk to his parents occasionally and inquire about their well-being.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
\nThrough all these, you will strive to grow in the qualities of a Sadhu (monk) such as purity, devotion, detachment, unselfishness, truthfulness and Brahmacharya (celibacy), which are essential to realize God.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>