Announcing “What Is a Monk?” Project

“What Is a Monk?” is a research project for an upcoming book exploring the changing role of monastics in Tibetan Buddhist culture as it spreads to a wider audience.

Tibetan culture has been changing rapidly over the past half a century.  Perhaps the greatest part of that change is occurring within the framework of the monastic institutions.

In 1965, the first western dharma students began studying with Lama Yeshe on the outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal. Since then Tibetan Buddhism has increased in popularity and spread worldwide, with monasteries and retreat centers opening in almost every country.

My project delves into the changing role of those who teach and study in these institutions. I will interview monastics, both male and female, from various levels within the institutions, from “child” up to respected teachers. I will look at how their exposure to western society has changed them personally, record their views on how it has changed the institution of Buddhism, and speak to western dharma teachers regarding the difference between traditions in the original framework and the modern western centers.

This project is important to help clarify for those outside or new to these traditions what it means to be a monk (or nun). It addresses issues which westerners unfamiliar with Buddhism face when traveling to the Tibetan settlements as volunteers or studying at dharma centers anywhere in the world. As with all my projects for publication, this book is intended for an audience which might not otherwise have access to the information.

I will live in monastery guesthouses and become as involved as possible in the local community while completing the research.
In addition, I will resume teaching conversational English, computer skills, and doing other needed volunteer work in the communities where I stay. My English students are also my Tibetan language and dharma teachers, so there is a great cultural exchange.

If you have an interest in Tibetan Buddhism and in preserving these unique cultural traditions, please support this work! The official “What Is a Monk?” Kickstarter campaign is now live. There are more details on how funds will be used, and some really great sponsor rewards that you don’t want to miss!

Thank you!

2012-12-04 20:02:57

Source: http://everydayexile.blogspot.com/2012/12/announcing-what-is-monk-project.html