A nice hike led us to visit a monastery, and in the process we learned a bit more about monks. As with any other "education" system, monks go through successive cycles in their study of Buddhism. The last phase, dare I say the “PhD”, requires them to meditate for a period of 3 years, 3 months, 3 weeks and 3 days in total isolation in a very rustic cell. The monks arrive in their cell with books, completely shaved, and then they never cut hair and nails. They typically exercise each day and spend most of their time in meditation. Other "non PhD" monks deposit food on the cell doorway, but the "PhD" monks are not allowed to talk to or see any human being during this "PhD" period.
The surrounding population gives food for free as an offering, perhaps hoping for redemption of some sort.
After this "PhD" the monks, having reached wisdom and serenity, can go and teach in the 4 000 monasteries that exist in the country. (Note that 700 000 Bhutanese support 4 000 monasteries).
Guy & Pascale
1 comment:
You really think they stop 3 hours, 3 minutes and 3 seconds short of the proper moment? They should know better---if they seek enlightment (or even just a PhD.)
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