[Buddha-l] Gremium, Ordination and Vinaya

[Kdorje at aol.com]

In a message dated 7/23/2009 12:22:48 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
jkirk at spro.net writes:

If you  would like to be on such a board, then accept ordination
as a bhikkhu.  Otherwise, butt out of the beggars' business.
==========
Well put! One  wonders what substance he is on. 
J+K





Richard's response is on target. However, the original writer might be  
forgiven for his misunderstandings, which are quite common in the West,  where, 
it seems, most people, even practicing Buddhists, are of the opinion  that 
bikkshu/ni and shramanera perform much the same pastoral and other roles as  
do the clergy in their native Judeo-Christian religions. Thus in the  
Western religions everyone in the denomination or congregation might  have an 
opinion on issues regarding their clergy, such as should Roman  Catholic 
priests marry? Should women be admitted to the priesthood? Should a  priest face 
the congregation or have his back to it when celebrating mass?  Should 
Southern Baptist ministers be allowed to divorce? What about lesbian  rabbis? 
Homosexual bishops? etc. Not only do lay members have opinions,  sometimes 
deeply held, but often feel it is their responsibility to have one, or  several, 
as participants in their denomination and its business.  And in many 
denominations  it is the lay contingent who make  these decisions as to their 
clergy, with the clergy expected to do their  bidding, even in matters regarding 
their most private and intimate lives.
 
Things are different in Buddhism, of course. Traditionally very few "monks" 
 and "nuns" undertake pastoral duties. In fact several of what we  could 
characterize as pastoral activities are renounced along  with home-leaving. 
The path of the lay person is one way. The path of the  renunciant is another, 
different one that sets him/her apart from the lay world  in many regards.
 
Best wishes,
 
Konchog Dorje
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