Being a Monk: Selfish or Selfless?
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- Опубликовано: 13 сен 2024
- Being a Monk: Selfish or Selfless?
Many people in the West may not be as familiar with Buddhist monks and may wonder what our function is in society. Today, I wanted to give some insight into our world so we can learn and share with one another. Some may see this path as abandoning society and others may see it as a noble path as the Buddha did the same thing. Through his enlightenment, he was able to share his wisdom with the world benefiting and liberating millions. I just wanted to dedicate some space to addressing this topic. I hope you enjoy!
#monks #buddhistmonks #monk
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Thanks for watching.
What do you think? Would you consider being a monk as selfish or selfless?
Selfless
Love from nepal 🇳🇵
You are a victim of Mara and dragging others into it too.
Enjoy the $$$$$$
To me, monks are in between, they are neither selfless nor selfish. Society offers them food, donations etc and they offer us knowledge, wisdom, inspiration. l am not a buddhist and l have never met a monk (they don't exist in my country) but l have studied a lot about them out of curiosity and through them l have learned how to detach from things and overcome depression, how to stop suffering and be happy, be kind to all life forms and avoid getting angry. l hope one day l get the chance to give back to them.
Selfishness did not even cross my mind.
Being a monk is actually selfless. What you offer the world is intangible.
✌🏻 Take care Nick
Selfless! The world needs more Buddhist monks and nuns to help ordinary laypeople break the cycle of samsara. Thank you for sharing your kindness, dharma, compassion and wisdom with us. 🙏📿
it reminded me of a teaching which Celaleddin Rumi has said “Yesterday i was clever, so i wanted to change the world. Today i am wise, so i am changing myself”
Sadhu ❤❤❤❤🙏
The person who left worldly life , started living a life of bhikku is certainly not selfish.
A monk has to fulfill 227 shilas/precepts to live a life of monk. It is very courageous. One may think they are not contributing towards society . Because they think they are not getting any contribution from monk in the form of material objects.
Why contribution should be in material form only..
Monks are teaching Dhamma , meditation & practising Metta towards world. They are helping people to take incharge of their mind & life in right manner. They are guiding us to walk on the path of purification. All the time they are in practice of directly or indirectly service to the society.. This is actually selffish-less act. They are not expecting anything in return but gives blessings which creates positive vibrations. Our earth needs positivity to live happily & peacefully.
So beautifully stated ❤❤❤❤🙏
I am not a religious person but I am looking for a calmer life. I am slowly getting through your videos and you have already taught me do much. Taught me to not overthink things, not stress out about everything and anything, to not be so obsessed with other people's lives. The most important one for me in all of this is to think about my own values in life before I try to change anything.
Thank you Nic I really am enjoying the calmness that you are giving me.
BEAUTIFUL! I'm glad you are utlizing the tools to improve your life. Keep up the great work Elizabeth :)
It's impossible to overthink things... most people don't think enough... go deep within and find out the truth... you will be amazed...😇😇
I think that it takes courage to work one self. Instead of giving in to a system that produces mental and physical illness and contributing to pollution and destruction of the environment we live in. I work a full time job and make alright money but find myself empty and struggling to find meaning in this. What you're doing is a act of living that provides peace and inner fulfillment. Something alot of people are missing in their lives.
🙏🙏🙏❤
Ak Beautifully said 👌🏻💖
Losing the egoic self is the most generous gift to the world.
:-)
The diciplne to be humbel&accept food offering- from the lay cmmunity-is again a symbiotic relationship.
I love that you mentioned respecting the wisdom of the elderly. This is something no one talks about in the West. You are giving back to your community and helping thousands who watch your RUclips videos. You make huge sacrifices to live a life full of merit. May you be blessed with courage to continue on a wholesome path.
Sadhu Sadhu 😊😊 thank you my friend.
Here in western culture i find the elderly to be unwise fully immersed in dogmatic institutions. Its hard to show respect and relate to others when you find the culture so abhorrent.
Being a monk is selfless. To teach about true inner wisdom and enlightenment is one of the most beautiful contributions you could make. Love from New York.
sadhu sadhu. thank you so much 🙂🙂🙂
You are my hero!! Thank you for sharing your experience and inspiring us ♥️
Thank you samuel ❤❤
Greetings from Thailand 😊
Being a monk is not selfish at all. A monk always works on his own .By meditation he achieves a sacred experience and he also shares that sacred thoughts and sacred experience . He encourages the society . He becomes the inspiration of many people . He creates a sacred atmosphere and vibration around himself . So it is not at all selfish . One of my uncles is a hindu monk . He is a big devotee of Lord Krishna . He is my inspiration . And as Buddha is my inspiration , u are also my inspiration . Lots of love and respect for u Sir 🙏🙏🙏🙏.
This lifestyle, deep spiritual work, putting one's Highest Power at the center is self-less for me. In my world, It raises hopes, energy, and vibe of the whole planet....one step at a time. Greetings and love from Texas my friend!
Wow. That's awesome. I'm glad to hear ❤❤
Sending love and light from South Africa. Greatful for your wisdom and wellness talks. Thank you for your generosity of spirit.
Blessings🕯
Totally agree! We do need more wise people. Can we have a table session with you and the monks? I'm sure many people would be interested.
@@EnergiA854 okay
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Taking the time to learn, and as you do share this visdom is a gift, thanks 😊
Sadhu Sadhu 😊😊 thank you so much Tom.
I thank you once again. You truly speak Truth. Wisdom is the Key to Self Spiritually. Please take care. You Have and Are Making a Difference.
Thank you so much for sharing this RUclips Video.
It's a pleasure. Thank you :)
Excellent video. Really this is not selfish. Your have good karma. Please don't break. This way is not a easy. Thank you Nick.
Thank you so much. Yes its definitely not easy 😊😊
Wonderful, this is an important question to respond to, and I think you have explained the importance of what you do extremely well. I am so inspired by all your videos, you have made your wisdom so accessible and enjoyable.
Aww thank you so much Julie 😌😌
Very inspiring, this talk has certainly enriched my outlook on life. I can listen to this all day long. It just bring the dust up a do make me face the cleaning I need to do in my life. Thank you again for taking the time to teach the clean living we need to practice. Much appreciated,
Wondeful. Thank you so much Maggie ❤❤❤
Indeed another bless day to receive teaching from you. I always believe in spending time for yourself alone. I always enjoy doing it every single day. Some people ask me how why what r u doing if ur always in a hurry to go home. Why not bond with us talk to us spend time with us. Just right now what I need is to learn more about life to grow and be what I needed to be. If I spend a lot of time with distraction. I can never arrive at my destination. Buddha blesses you. By the way, I keep ur message to remind me. Thank you for the wonnderful content have a great day to you. 😃
Awww thank you so much 🙂🙂
Awesome as always!😇
Sadhu sadhu. thank you so much 🙂🙂🙂
In a Taoist perspective, "Inner peace is external peace", the light of wisdom will shine your path in the physical world. Keep up the videos, I can rely on them to keep me thinking.
❤❤❤ wondeful. Thank you my friend 😊
Buddha Dhamma and Sangha Bless Every Sentient Beings on the World
You are making my life more meaningful. I am looking for inner peace, inner silence and discovering your videos was the beautiful gift that the nature gave me. Thank you and be blessed .
Awww thank you. I’m glad it’s helpful and welcome to the channel 😊😊😊
Absolutely true.....we need more kind,genuine,good and wise people in this world.For one to help others you have to work on yourself which is not selfish.It is always important to invest in yourself❤️🙂. Always learning something new from you Nick.Thanks🤗🤗🤗
Thank you so much joy ❤❤❤🙏
You are talking in a very clam way...I have been listening your videos since 10.00 am, now it's 4.00 pm.....so you can imagine your words are really powerful, positive and spreading positive vibes 🙏🙏 lot's of love and respect from India
I love it. I'm really go glad to hear that you are enjoying it 🙂😌
@@nickkeomahavong01Sir ji, you are simply great !! I am still listening your videos by doing my office work (Work from Home)..... thank You so much for your valuable time and reply...God bless you 🙏🙏🙏🙏
Thank you for answering that, Ven. Nick, that question actually came to my mind at one point. I am 38 now, but even when I was a teenager, there were periods in my life when I was interested in Buddhism, and also read and pondered the Tao, i grew up Catholic and I am also Southeast Asian, but I do find myself struggle with my own religion sometimes. I did remember thinking that my only question about buddhism or i thought I may have found it being too “detached”. I hope i am not offending anyone with that. Just a thought that crossed my mind at some point in time. I was just wondering how one would balance things that are worth fighting for and requires action and things that you just have to let go or let be. I find myself listening and watching a lot of your videos lately and just today, realized how much it has helped me be calmer and more peaceful in my everyday life. So thank you, from the bottom of my heart. 💙
Thank you for taking the time to share Rhona and that was a very valid question. It's normal to ask that. But i'm glad these videos have been helpful for you. thank you :)
I am always love the monk teaching
Thank you so much 😊
I trust your wisdom. I thank you for publishing this.
Thank you for bringing this subject up. I think it’s very important to share your thoughts and experience. You do it in such a polite yet firm and confident way, it is very inspiring in itself. No pushing opinions, just spreading your wisdom and knowledge. And yes- we do need more kind and wise humans, because as much as we are all “hooked on” the mindfulness, we need that second wing- wisdom 🤲🏻 Mindfulness without wisdom is not very useful and that is potentially “selfish”. That’s why I have a huge respect to everyone who decides to take this lifestyle seriously and give up so much, because you might not gain luxuries, but what you “lose” in a process is just priceless. Thank you again 🙏
Thank you so much for your kind words ❤❤❤🙏
You definately have a place in society, we need more people like you in this world. Thankyou, I'm learning so much from you.. ❤️
Sadhu Sadhu 😊😊 thank you so much Susan
I was worried about your absence as you'll are so courageous to lead the peaceful life which is hard to begin May you all live long life stay blessed
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I felt hopeful hearing the idea that we are moving into an age of wisdom. You do service sharing wisdom. Thank you.
Sadhu Sadhu 😊😊 thank you so much
Thank you for sharing. Thank you very much.
Thank you very much for your videos. These videos are already helping the world as it seems you sharing them with love.
sadhu sadhu. thank you so much Harry. Appreciate your support 🙂🙂🙂
Thank you. Change starts with each and every one of us first. Change starts with me changing myself.
❤❤❤🙏
I love the honesty and straight-forwardness with which you speak to us. As someone who withdrew into a personal isolation eleven years ago to refind my center and examine (and reestablish) those things that are "good" to do in this lifetime, I can appreciate the simplicity and sacrifice of being a monk. Most people would not see the sacrifice, but learning to let go of those things and ideas one clings to in "regular" life can be difficult. The spiritual flow and stability that you add to a world in chaos is much appreciated. Thank you for your wonderful channel.
You are doing just fine and thank you for posting. All best regards.
Thank you so much 😊
You are giving back by making these videos! Thank you. Great information and discussion on this topic
Thank you so much 🙏🙏
I'm so happy I found this channel. Such a simple words, but so much wisdom. Thank you!
sadhu sadhu. thank you so much 🙂🙂🙂and welcome to the channel my friend.
For context, I will give to monks and will continue to do so because I revere their choice and respect them so much. Deepest respect and gratitude for your sacrifice.
Sadhu sadhu thank you so much 😊
Thank you so much. This was a great topic just right time arriving at my heart. My challenge this week is not to use "I", "me", and "mine" and will find out what to feel after. Beyond Me, Becoming We. Selfcare first to care for others to the World Peace.
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It is the most brave thing in the world; engaging in true renunciation in this lifetime. It is not selfish at all. It is brave in a way I will never have the opportunity to understand. Thank you for your service to the worldwide sangha!
Sadhu sadhu. Thank you so much Trevor. Greetings to you from Thailand 😊😊
Ive found Buddhist to be some of the strongest people. People of peace but full of strength. It is because of Buddhism that I am closer to God. 💕
I would love a monk life and whatever other think of your life is not important. Everyone needs to live a life that they love. I think you are contributing to a better world. You learn to live a better life and you teach others. I think that is wonderful. Much love. xx
Thank you so much 🙏🙏
I think everything has own role, time and rhythm
in this universe! Just focus on wisdom, focus deeply, to transform your mind and of course to benefit others! It's perfect time to do this! Best wishes, monk bro!
Thanks Nick for another inspiring message...We are so grateful that you always enlightened our soul and give nourishment for our thirsty mind and spirit...Watching from Canada..
Thank you so much ❤❤🙏
Once again Nick you presented a wonderful video. In my recovery of the last 38 years I was told, selfishness self-centeredness, that we think is the root of our problem. I have alway considered the monastic community as the gold standard of how to live my life in this fast paced greedy western life.. The role of the monastic community I have always considered to be simply the teacher or teachers. I know you can relate if I were to say the life of a monk is like working the steps on steroids.The monastic communities are equal to anyone. What I have learned that works best for me, is that each day I do something for someone and no-one is allowed to know, If anyone finds out then it doesn't count and I need to do something else that day. .Sometimes, that really sucks! Hope you are well, stay safe my friend.
Beautiful. Thank you for sharing that ❤❤🙏
Great video.
sadhu sadhu. thank you so much Rebecca 🙂🙂🙂
Thank you very much..
You are welcome Naven :)
You inspire me. I need your wisdom.
Thank you tim :)
Thank you for sharing Nick 🙏❤️ your wisdom become my inspiration now to be a better person !
Wonderful. Thank you Helen.
Such a wonderful message 💕
sadhu sadhu. thank you so much paula 🙂🙂🙂
Amazing video ,feeling inner peace as listening to your good words ,!
Yes people out there need your help in a spiritual way ,thank you very much 🙏!
Sadhu sadhu ❤❤❤🙏
Thank you, I have a severe anxiety disorder and your videos give me hope that I might one day reach enlightenment and be at peace.
I love your style of talking... I do not know, if it is your personality or your mindful mind, but in my opinion it is very soothing to hear you speak and teach and your messages are very clearly articulated... thank you so much for your videos... be peace with you.
Thank you so much my friend :-) greetings to you from Thailand
i hear you Nick. I sought you out and your message is accepted. My first message disappeared I think the universe felt it should not be said.
Thank you. It might have automatically gone into spam. It happens often.
Thanks again Nick. Always so inspiring to listen to your videos. You inform in such a brilliant way how it is to be a monk. The challenge for us is to keep on working on ourselves so that we also contribute in the best way to make a better world. 🙏❤️👍🏼❤️❤️🥰
🙏🙏🙏 thank you
Watching your videos helps me a lot. God bless..
Thank you so much 😊
Thank you Nick. I’m grateful that there are contemplatives in the world. There are Franciscan and Benedictine monks in the US and around the world as well as Buddhist monks. Anyone criticising your way of life clearly does not know this. It’s good to know that at any hour of the day there is someone who is in prayer and meditation that I can join in with, whenever I sit. Many blessings to you and your sangha
Sadhu Sadhu Jewel 😊
Thank you.
😊😊
This is the ultimate wisdom of all.
If there's any advice I can give anyone in a nutshell this would be it.
The only way to lead a true fulfilling and happy life is thro spiritual awakening plain and simple.
If you haven't grasped this idea yet you'll waste years chasing superficial things until the end of your existence here where you'll die frustrated,sad and miserable.
Don't take this wisdom for granted .
But most importantly practice the teachings yourself and experience it first hand.
❤️❤️
Selfishness is not the way to go... what matters in life is how much you help others.. be nice... tell the truth... meditate constantly... study the scriptures... Buddha... dharma... sangha... 😇😇
Thank you so much for this very thoughtful video. We hear a lot of talk these days about “saving the planet,” but the solutions seem to have to have more to do with political parties and policies than they do with people. You have put your finger on what’s wrong, what’s missing from the current brand of activism. If one is not at peace, then when one tries to promote justice, it may result in the broken windows of innocent people, the opposite of justice. To save the planet, we first have to save ourselves-from suffering. Thank you again.🙏🙏🙏
Yesssss. Thank you so much for sharing your insight ❤❤❤❤🙏
@@nickkeomahavong01 Thank you! Looking forward to forthcoming videos. 😊
Thank you Nick-- for making these videos. I have many of these very questions. Thank you.
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Hola Nick, love your content. Thank you for the tidbits of help... always timely. Blessings to u 🌺
Awww wonderful. That makes me smile. Thank you for sharing ❤
Thank you, Nick! I appreciate all the knowledge you bring to the world!
You do help others. 🙏🐸
Thank you so much 😊
"You cannot pour from an empty cup" Thank you so much Nick
No, it is not selfish to care first for yourself. But it is very hard to realise that for example for a mother in daily life. But even in a plane they tell you first put the breathing masc on your own face, then help your child or other people. Because if there is no mother the child is not able to survive. Therefor it is not selfish that a buddhist monk first does his own work. That is a very hard work for a monk. And then help other persons that are suffering to find their peace and happyness. Thank you for your precious work!
❤🙏
Thank you so much for your kind words ❤❤🙏
I've heard this metaphor before.
I feel that it shows that you're not truly listening to those who raise the point.
i was wondering about something like this thanks again for another video
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Any person that dedicates their life to praying for the world an denying it temptation has my deepest respect. I wish I was so inclined to follow them.
Thank you so much 😊 sadhu sadhu
@@nickkeomahavong01 Deepest blessings to you brother, your sacrifice is amazing.
I think that what you guys do is beautiful. i see it as an opportunity for self development both in physical and spiritual discipline. A way to put away anger and hatred and bring forth love. Anyone who goes there with ulterior motivates will quickly learn that it's no walk in the park.
sadhu sadhu. thank you so much 🙂🙂🙂
Nick, thank you for your wonderful and compassionate video--for explaining your viewpoint without condescension or judgement of other viewpoints. I agree with other comments that even before you go out physically into the world as a monk, your positive vibrations created by your practice (and your RUclips videos!) elevate human consciousness as a whole.
I love what you said about Western cultures not valuing age and wisdom... valuing youth and superficial beauty over inner beauty is why people spend so much time and money trying to look young and miss out on the potential joys of the wisdom that comes with age... because it doesn't come automatically, it only comes when cultivated!
Awwwe thank you so much my friend for sharing your insight. I appreciate it. I hope you are doing well ❤❤🙏
Wow 🙏💗 this is helpful thank you
Thank you.
Thank you for your lecture. Bless.
😊😊
Love this vlog I hope many people are watching this kind of vlog if all people in this world are like this kind of thinking maybe this world much more peaceful to live ❤️❤️❤️
Dear Nick! Thank you for sharing these meaningful videos. I wonder if there is similar program like IDOP for women?
Thank you so much my friend. They have programs for women in Myramar and Sri Lanka. For lay people, they do have many women's program in Thailand :-)
You and others like you, Nick are some of the most, if not the most, selfless beings walking on the earth. We must without a doubt work on ourselves first before we can be of any real use to anyone else in this world. Thank you, thank you, thank you. 🙏🙏🙏
i liked how you answer the question very clear for me. i hope this vlog can sustain. thank you Bhante.
Thank you so much. Greetings from Thailand 😊😊
Thank you for your wisdom. It moves me
Its very helpful sir, thank you so much
Wondeful. Thank you so much Alexander 😊😊😊
A comparison one could draw is to look at their own faith (Franciscan friars, Priest, Minister, Rabbi, etc)
Love your fellow human as you love yourself. The more you invest in self care and self development the more you have to share and to give to others.
"Seek the way of selfless service and all shall be well..." Djwhal Khul
thank you,all the best
🙏🙏🙏
I think it’s so admirable because getting silent is a very difficult skill to master.It takes years of practice and austerity.Also all the meditation and chanting is dedicated to healing the world and the planet.How can that be selfish? I think it’s quite the opposite.Thanks for sharing Ven.Nick🙏🙏🙏
Thank you so much charmaine 😊😊
thank you for this video and answering my comments/ questions from your past video !! i appreciate your effort into this channel.
if in the end we are all one, part of this cosmic consciousness, found within ourselves and every being...
perhaps working on ourselves is working on the world in that sense too.
and working on the world will also perform work with in yourself.
you are doing the walk not just the talk.
follow up question(s):
is suffering something you can really escape from ? is it not inevitable ? problems and things will arise no matter how you approach life. is this idea of being free from suffering truly obtainable or just idealistic ?
perhaps it’s the way you see problems that changes? to the point where problems are just situations, neither negative or positive ? problems just become things at some point i guess ?
Great question. Yes suffering is innate in our world. But where we have issues is when we don't have the wisdom or see things as they are, we will create additional suffering. Also the mere fact of not seeing things clearly will cause us suffering. When one can develop wisdom and his mind, with the accurate perspective...he will accept things as they are.
Good job, Nick ,😍😍😍
Thank you so much vee ❤❤❤🙏
Thank you for this video
Saaatu phra Ajan Nick 🙇🏻♀️
This is just my opinion and my belief. I don’t think monk are selfish or selfless. I believe that monk can help us find peace and happiness. Monks achieve their goals of enlightenment, therefore they have this healing energy force, light flow within them and can ward off negative energy and calm the spiritual energy. I highly respect all monks! Saaatu Saaatu Saaatu from Texas, USA 🙏😇🙇🏻♀️🙇🏻♀️🙇🏻♀️
Sadhu sadhu P. Nang. Thank you for your insight 🙏🙏🙏 sadhu
I think the inside work is so significant
Yes definitely 😊😊
น้อมกราบอนุโมทนาสาธุครับ
Sadhu 😊😊😊
You are a brilliant speaker.You seem very contented.My goodness to be able to speak so clearly like you do.What would it feel like without you going on u tube?I don't understand meditation. I am an old lady and have been trying all my life to meditate but can't seem to get it.I eat properly, I sleep properly, I live quietly. I read properly. Could you explain in simple terms how I meditate. Do I pray first ?Do I fast first? I think part of me is stopping me because I don't think I would like the feeling after.I think I would feel like I have cheated.
Thank you so much rita for your kind words. And great questions. I'll be doing more videos on meditation soon to explain it in detail. Also writing a book about it also.
Thank you for sharing Nick. I wonder, if you might return to lay practice at some point. Or, you are committed to monastic life for life.
I'm taking it day by day. I have no current plans :-)
@@nickkeomahavong01 I admire your courage and your confidence in the Dharma. Thank you Nick.
I needed this!
Wonderful. Glad it was helpful ❤❤
Excellent.
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Nick, thank you so much for providing these videos. As I consider this path, they are most helpful. I want to know what you may have answered: do you plan to return to your daily life as before? Did you leave encumbering relationships behind? Peace and love.
Thank you paul. For now, I have no plans to return. I'm taking it day by day 🙂
Thank you ❤️
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"There is no path to happiness... happiness is the path..." The Buddha
😊😊