Let me ask you a question about the work of a monk.

Hello, nice to meet you.

I'm glad you're interested in monks.
The hobby “appreciating Buddha statues” is probably someone who has a very close relationship with Buddhism.

・Job description
What is commonly referred to as “work” is called legal affairs (work).
I am a member of the Jodo Shinshu sect, and I maintain the main hall, pray at the homes of my followers (sometimes called parishioners), do training, volunteer, and listen to this kind of life counseling.

・What should I do to get that job
In order to become a monk, you need a temple that can accept your identity. Visit the temple that undertakes this, attend puja sessions and participate in events on a daily basis, etc., and only after a relationship of trust has been established and approved by the chief priest, basic requirements for being a monk are in place. In addition to this, study training is required to become a monk. This is because in our denomination, there is distance education.

Central Buddhist Academy
http://www.chubutsu-tsukyo.jp/

・Things I keep in mind during work
When I wear clothes, I am particularly aware of myself being seen by the Buddha, and I am also aware that I am receiving attention from people around me. As a monk, I try to live and act in accordance with the teachings and manners of Buddhism, and as a Buddhist, I try to think and feel the teachings in my life.

・When you feel that work is rewarding
This is probably the same in any position, but I'm happy when people say thank you. Buddhist rituals such as funerals and memorial services are performed in the midst of grief after losing a close relative, even if you don't put it into words. Rituals called Buddhist rituals have a role in calming the mind against death, the sorrow that humans cannot avoid. Being able to play a part in that is unique to monks.

Also, I am particularly happy when I can enjoy Buddhism with my followers by speaking the Dharma ceremony. Speaking on the law requires a great deal of study and experience from my point of view. It is quite difficult to accurately understand the teachings of Buddhism, express them in your own words, and tell a puja where you can share your interests with others without being alone. But for that reason, I think the joy was great when we were able to share what we thought and felt about the same Buddhism.

Also, I am still amazed by Buddhism and its traditions, which have been passed down from generation to generation, are rooted in the community, and are deeply rooted in the way people think about everyday life.

If you like it, please continue to deepen your relationship with the Buddha.

Thank you for your question.
I think every monk has a different answer. In my case...
・Job description
We will hold memorial services with bereaved families for ancestors and deceased families through wake funerals, New Year's memorial services, and Obon and Higan prayers.
I think it's about supporting the lives of bereaved families through such things.
・How to get this job
The first thing to do is look for teachers and monks.
・Work-centered
Put the people in front of you first, and don't necessarily get attached to Buddhism or your own denomination.
・Rewarding
It's not there. You can't save someone who is sick right in front of you, and you can't bring back to life those who have passed away. They just listen to stories, tell what they know, and are often sad.
However, being able to interact with so many people may be a happy thing.

Namu Amida Buddha

As the questioner also said, your role as a so-called monk may change depending on the sect, temple form, region, history, etc.
My denomination is the “Soto sect”
There is no head temple; there are both Eihei-ji Temple in Fukui Prefecture and Soji-ji Temple in Yokohama City.
first,
① As for the job description as a monk... in a nutshell, it's “missionary activity.”
Originally, “monks” were not meant to work; they simply chose to live as monks.
However, in modern times, in many cases, the chief priest of a temple has a family, is born there, lives with his “father,” who is a monk, and his family is supported by his income. Therefore, if the means of earning income is called “work,” I think it is a business as a religious corporation that operates and manages graves, ossuaries, etc. of various memorial services, starting with funerals, monthly visits required of believers on a daily basis. That income goes into the “temple,” which is a corporation, and you receive salary and bonuses as a “chief priest” rather than a “monk,” just like a company employee.
➁ What to do to get a job? ... Become a “monk” in order to become a “chief priest.” In the Soto sect, when you turn 10, you can receive “tokudo (tokudo),” which is the first step towards becoming a “monk.” As a result, they received their name “monk name” as a monk, and were registered as a monk under a master who earned it. After that, they settled down at an ascetic dojo (anko = about 1 to 5 years for most people) and became a monk through stages. In order to work as a monk, the main thing is whether you succeed a temple you have a relationship with or go work at a large temple in terms of business.
➂ work? What I keep in mind... I'm in a relationship so that I can connect the temple, which will be my 30th generation, to future generations in a good way, so that there is no conflict with anyone. First of all, I think everyone feels comfortable when they are with someone who speaks well about themselves, and vice versa, they often feel uncomfortable. However, for me, the presence of both of them is very important, and I try to have good relationships with all the people I've met in my short life (although this isn't actually the case...).
④ When I feel rewarded... I have more opportunities to share my thoughts with others than the general public, and I feel that I am being given a place to share them. Also, they are often viewed as “monks,” and I feel very happy and rewarding when I notice that I am lacking, or when I am currently answering questions from consultants, if they are helpful.