I'm studying Buddhism through university correspondence. Eventually, I'm thinking of getting the qualification of a monk. However, since he isn't the son of the temple, I'm worried about whether I'll be able to live. Even if you ask someone who has graduated from a correspondence school, you won't get a good answer. If you can get money by speaking the teachings of the Jodo Sanbu Kyō, then there's no problem? How are you making money?
If you want to keep eating as a job, I think it will be difficult.
First, let's find a temple you belong to. To that end, they formed a relationship with a temple, obtained approval from the chief priest, and belonged to that temple. Otherwise, it is impossible to receive a good deal (monk registration).
If you're learning Buddhism through distance learning, ask the instructors as well.
How do you earn money? As for the question, I get my salary from a religious corporation (temple).
I became a monk of the Soto sect after leaving the company, and I think this is exactly the consultation for me.
You may have heard the term “funerary Buddhism,” but in order for a monk to live, it is necessary to become the chief priest or deputy chief priest of a temple, perform funeral services and memorial services for parishioners, and earn offerings as income.
As you know, Japanese temples have a hereditary system, and in order for someone from home who has no connection or connection with the temple to become the chief priest, marrying the temple's heir daughter (this does not apply to those of you who have a family).
In recent years, the number of young people who do not inherit temples has increased due to management difficulties at temples due to a decrease in the number of parishioners and the number of vacant temples has increased, but even if you have a relationship and can become the chief priest of such a vacant temple, of course, you cannot earn enough income to support your family (it is generally said that 300 or more parishioners are needed to make a living as the chief priest of a temple).
In other words, even if you are currently in your 50s and take the time and money to become a monk, it will realistically be difficult to use it as a source of livelihood.
I don't know why you want to qualify as a monk, but if you want to keep learning Buddhism for the rest of your life, you can do that without becoming a monk.
If I really want to become a monk, I have no choice but to save up enough savings to support my family even if I have no income, or wait for my pension to be paid (in my case, I'm living a part-time job with my retirement benefits revoked, shamefully).
It's a story without a dream, but I hope you find it at least somewhat helpful.
Originally, monks begin by throwing away all private property as if it were nothing.
If you really want to become a monk, you should do that first. But then
There will be no income at all. Monks are humans too, so they have to live. In order to do so, living expenses are required. It is necessary to be able to earn income from that money through Buddhist rituals (legal affairs/memorial services). If you belong to some denomination and people in the world need you as a monk, there will be requests for Buddhist rituals and memorial services, and that will be a source of income.
Being able to perform memorial services well, and being able to speak the Dharma that heals people's hearts. Please practice these two. I think I can become a monk who can earn living expenses while living quietly by doing daily work without fail. However, don't forget the original way of being a monk who is unique.
In rural areas, the chief priest of a neighboring temple often manages the chief priest of an uninhabited temple without an heir.
There is also a way of life where you inherit such an uninhabited temple, work as a monk even against a small number of parishioners, and earn living expenses from another job.
Even with a small number of parishioners, if there are parishioners who teach Buddhism and listen to it, it will be a very rewarding life's work.
It's not a “job” where you can live, but it's a luxurious hobby.
If you have given up on living on the income of monks alone and are willing to take on the management of an unmanned temple, there is a possibility that you too can become the chief priest.
In any case, in order to become a monk, you have to become an apprentice to a monk who will be your mentor, so let's start by searching for a monk who will be your apprentice and that you would like to become an apprentice.
Your income after becoming a monk depends on your luck. If you do this, nothing is certain.
You'll need to search while consulting with your teacher, the local temple, and the person in charge of employment for that sect. I think gathering information is important.
If you don't have enough income, you'll probably need to work part-time with other jobs.
That's because there are a lot of monks working part-time now.
There are a lot of problems, but I also feel like I can find a way if I make serious and active efforts. Above all, mental and physical health is paramount, so please do your best by exercising moderately without binge drinking and eating.