About monasticity

I read your question.
It's a hot topic, isn't it? I'm afraid to name the religious group, so I'll hide it, but I'll explain the definition of being a monk.
Being a monk refers to putting yourself in values that are different from the current situation. In the case of monks, they are placed in values that seek spiritual affluence from common worldly values that seek material affluence. This is the easiest example to understand, so it is thought that becoming a monk = becoming a monk, but apart from that, it is possible to become a monk.

For example, if you work with an emphasis on financial treatment, but you sacrifice that and change jobs with an emphasis on rewarding work and dreams, it can be called a monk.

I'm not familiar with the religious group that Mr. Shimizu belongs to, but I don't think it means becoming a monk. I think they are called monks because they have different values.
Becoming a monk itself depends on the denomination, but anyone can do it.

Himawari-sama

This is Kawaguchi Hidetoshi. This is my humble answer to the question.

I think “monk” in Buddhism is a word derived from the fact that Shakyamuni made a decision to seek the path of the Buddha and was separated from life in the world (a house where he spent time with his family as a representative, castle in the case of Shakyamuni) or position (in the case of Shakyamuni, position as a prince, parent).

Basically, I think it can be said that it is to concentrate as much as possible on the path of aiming for enlightenment through “becoming a monk,” that is, “career advancement.”

Then, moving away from the Eight Laws (gain, loss, praise, accusation, honor, slander, pleasure, suffering), which is a secular obsession, they revert to the Three Treasures of the Buddha, Buddhism, and the great priest monks, develop a bodhisattva heart (a heart that seeks enlightenment in order to save all people), and receive the corresponding precepts (restrictions) from those who are qualified as formal teachers (some sects do not handle discipline), and officially enter the Buddha's path.

Of course, in modern times, in a sense, monasticism is a form of mentality, and it is possible to enter the Buddha's path even at home with the spirit of becoming a monk.

The problem is not just about being a “monk,” but I want to work on Buddhism by studying Buddhism and developing wisdom and practicing good deeds (good deeds, convenient practices) with a firm goal of enlightenment.

As for Shimizu Fumika's case, I think it will be necessary in the future to carefully consider whether she is a monk in Buddhism, and if she is a “monk” in Buddhism, an assessment of the above matters will be necessary in the future.

The Three Treasures of Giving Up, and the Birth of a Bodhi Heart

By wishing to save all sentient beings
To Buddha, Buddhism, and Sangha
Until the heart of enlightenment
I will be devoting myself

Work hard with wisdom and mercy
For the benefit of all sentient beings
I am in front of the Buddha
It will give birth to a complete bodhicitta

As long as this void exists
As long as sentiments exist
I will continue to exist
May the suffering of compassion be destroyed

Kawaguchi Hidetoshi Gassho

Become a monk, run away from home, move, and protect.

It's easy to declare yourself that you will become a monk, but it's not easy to continue, so I think you'll need someone's backing...

Don't just think about monasticism itself,
What's the difference between becoming a monk and running away from home?
What's the difference between becoming a monk and moving?
I think it would be nice if you could compare and think things like that.

The meaning of “becoming a monk” that you and I and Shimizu Fumika probably have different meanings.

Even if they are Buddhists, the meaning of “monk” is quite different depending on their denomination and way of understanding their teachings.
This is one interpretation, but it does not mean that the Buddha was also able to gain enlightenment by “becoming a monk.”
It's the life of a very famous Buddha, but the boy who was born as a prince of the Shaka tribe, commonly known as Gautama Siddhartha, witnessed people's life, old age, illness, and death, made up his mind to “become a monk,” and went into penance. It is also said that due to his determination to become a monk, he named his newborn child “Rahula (child who gets in the way).”
In modern times, the city hall wouldn't accept it.
However, this person, who later became Buddha, was unable to endure so much penance, had doubts, and was frustrated by “becoming a monk.”

The fact that Buddha did not become a monk according to other teachings is very important.

I don't know the details about the emerging religion that Shimizu Fumika joined, but I have a feeling that only the word “monk” is not walking alone.

In any case, there is no point if the definition (teaching that is the source of) of the word is vague, and the cause (origin) of that motivation, the relationship leading up to “becoming a monk”, and the cause (origin) in the first place are not questioned.

One thing that hasn't changed is that you and I have all kinds of suffering, and we are unable to leave life, old age, illness, or death even for a moment.

Looking at mass media reports, I don't think it is Shimizu's own intention that only the word “monk,” which is unfamiliar to the world, is attracting attention rather than the suffering, worries, and awareness of issues that Mr. Shimizu had.

　Let's listen to the news a little more closely. It was reported that Shimizu Fumika's religion was not so easy to become a monk. It seems that in order to become a member of this religion, you have to pass an exam, which is 1 in 6000 people. So I think Mr. Shimizu is a pretty good person in that religion. I think she made that choice based on various considerations.
Becoming a monk with a light feeling should be a bit of a problem. I don't feel like denying people who become monks just because their home is a temple, but it may be a bit imprudent to become a monk just because they are heirs. Buddha abandoned the royal family and left the house with the intention of really throwing away everything. Since he ran away from home, he may have become a “monk.” While I'm answering this, me too. Once again, I had the opportunity to think again about why and for what reason I became a monk. Thank you very much.