What kind of monk do you think a good monk is?

I read your question.

I'm still in the middle of training, and I can't say anything bossy, but I'll just state what I thought.

In the first place, when you think about what temples and monks are there for in Japan, they are there to pass on the Dharma to many people and lead them to attaining Buddhism.
This is because Mahayana is a teaching that is meant to save many people.
There's no point in not being able to save people or not trying to save them.

There are probably many ways to lead. There are probably monks who try to save by directly involving believers and many people. There are probably monks who thoroughly learn and research teaching and do their best for the development of the cult. Also, there are probably monks who use various conveniences and try to save people from various directions.

Monks are humans too, so they have strengths and weaknesses. However, whatever the method, that feeling is directed in the direction of “saving many people,” and if they are making an effort, I think it is a “good monk.”

The foundation of Buddhism is a “heart of mercy.” It is a great heart of mercy that tries to save all living things from a world of suffering.
I think it would be nice if there were more wonderful monks like that who don't get caught up in the mold and try to save people using their own special skills and methods.

Mr. Lewis

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

The definition of a “good monk” is quite difficult, but as Seikai also said, I think it is necessary to have a high level of “compassion” and “bodhicitta” (a strong determination aimed at enlightenment to try to save all sentient beings).

In particular, it is also important not to “identify” the object to be saved.

No matter what, it's easy to unknowingly create places where people prioritize their point of view, such as temples, temple families, religious families, believers, sects, monks, Buddhism... but whether it's the most important person, whether it's someone who harms oneself, or a single ant crawling under your feet, it's about whether you can treat them with a sense of equality aimed at salvation.

Of course, even if I know it in my head, I still have a long way to go...

I want them to become monks who can apply equal mercy and kindness to anything.

When it comes to ascetic practices, whether you become a monk, or take over a temple, you will always be disillusioned with reality, but I would be grateful if you could say, “Be a kind monk who can treat even one ant with pity and care.”

Kawaguchi Hidetoshi Gassho

I read your question.
This is something I think about once in a while.
Originally, monks are “monks,” so they live with values that are different from the world.
Labor and productivity are even commanded in principle.
Even today, it is said that in Myanmar, monks basically do not clean, etc., and only meditate.
Seen from the side, it looks like they haven't done anything, but that “futility” is appreciated by the public.

Meanwhile, in the case of Japan, monks are also part of the world.
Therefore, there is a tendency that monks who contribute to the community are more likely to be evaluated than monks who genuinely work hard on their path as monks.
An acquaintance of mine also passed away a few years ago, but there was a monk who did not have a wife at a temple where there were no parishioners, and made a living only from pure alms.
Seen from a modern day monk, this is something very precious and shameful, but that monk was never appreciated by the public.
There is definitely a difference between a “good monk” seen by a monk and a “good monk” from the public's point of view.

Of course, this does not mean that community contributions are bad, but that is not the primary meaning.
Even if you don't save anyone else, you are walking the Buddha path with all your heart.
This is more important than anything else, and everything else is a plus.

Certainly, in the case of a monk being raised by a parishioner, you cannot ignore a parishioner.
However, it's cramped to only be aware of that, and I feel that it's not what it was meant to be.

A long time ago, a monk named Genshin gave a lecture to the emperor and was given a reward and official rank.
So, I told my hometown mother about it in an attempt to make her happy, and sent a reward, but after a while, the mother sent back the reward, and the next poem was attached.

“It's sad that you'll be a bridge to pass on to future generations and a monk who will pass through generations with all your heart”

Please keep an eye on your son in this kind of attitude.

What is a good monk? It's “What is Buddhism?” It's the same as the question.
If that's the case, it's probably lonely, but it's not something you teach from your mother; it's something you should discover in your ascetic practice.
It's no good to tell them what destination they should aim for and let them go there. What is a destination in the first place? Asking that question is important in ascetic practice.

However, it may be your job to correct your son when he is on the wrong path. If there is a time when you think, “Is this OK for my son...”, please ask again. Until then, trust what your son will find out for himself, and let him get him out of the house. I think so.

It's late, but first of all, the certificate issuance ceremony will be held from February 7 to 8 next year (Heisei 31), not January.
Each senior monk told me about “good monks,” so I hope they all keep their orders in mind.
Also, the person's ambition is paramount. If you want to become a monk by getting married, you need to be prepared to do so. What's more, I think the coming era will be difficult.
Also, in order to become a monk, various procedures are necessary. Naturally, you also need a mentor in order to receive an order. Your mentor will also teach you the procedure, so it would be quicker to ask directly.