By sleeping on the floor, monks are reminded of their humility and that they are not above others. This is done as part of an effort to live a simple life and focus on things that are real important in life. It helps monks stay grounded and focused.
With the ninth precept, Buddhists refrain from lying in a high or luxurious sleeping place. Monks take that a step further and aim to sleep upright to reduce the need for sleep.
Sleeping Upright Benefits
The monks say that sleeping upright has its own benefits. They never have back ache or neck pain, it becomes impossible to snore and they seem to have high energy when they wake up. You might have seen monks sitting upright while meditating.
Monks are forbidden to divine either good fortune or future tragedy by observing heavenly omens, thereby deceiving both the tennō and the people. They are also forbidden to possess and study military tracts; to commit murder, rape, robbery or other crimes; and to feign enlightenment.
NO TOUCHING
Also, do not touch monks ever.
From what I gather by looking at schedules of different monasteries and sesshins and the few books I have read on Buddhism, it seems that monk sleep from 5 to 7 hours but very rarely did I see the usually recommended 8 hours.
The typical day of a Buddhist monk, whether young or adult, follows a fixed schedule: wake-up call at 4:30 am (including Saturdays and Sundays); one-hour gathering in the temple to recite mantras; personal hygiene in one of the several fountains scattered around the monastery (there are no showers but they wash ...
The buddhist monk's daily schedule consists of going on alms round in the village, doing our chores as a mindfulness practice, meditation, and chanting. The monk's life is small paced and we have time to reflect and contemplate.
4.00 am - The monks wake up and meditate for one hour, followed by one hour of chanting. 6.00 am - The monks walk barefoot around the neighbourhood while the local people make merit by offering them food. 8.00 am - Returning to the temple, the monks sit together to eat breakfast, then make a blessing for world peace.
The centrally placed dinner-table conversation about the “hospitable,” silent monks at Mount Melleray who “slept in their coffins” in order “to remind them of their last end” and “to make up for the sins committed by all the sinners in the outside world,” a conversation occasioned by Mrs.
When Luy presented his findings, monks often attributed their long lives to a regular daily routine. "Many also pointed to a smooth transition into old age," Luy comments. Ongoing responsibilities were often considered beneficial by elder monks.
For bedding the monks will need a mat, a woolen blanket and a light covering as well as a pillow.
Apart from certain schools in Japan and Tibet, most who choose to practice Buddhism as ordained monks and nuns, also choose to live in celibacy.
Part of the emphasis is on achieving spiritual ascent, but monastic silence also functions to avoid sin. Although speech is morally neutral per se, the Epistle of James (3:1–12) and writers of the monastic tradition see silence as the only effective means of neutralizing a tendency towards sins of the tongue.
We generally avoid hugging monks and nuns and lamas, especially if they are of the opposite gender. For greeting, it is common to put our hands together, with thumbs tucked inside, and bow our heads. The bow in the image (above) is a normal one, while for a very high lama, we would bow more deeply.
“There are no restrictions for the monks to use cell phones, but in the Buddha sanctuary there was no modern technology,” he said. “When the world develops, monks also have to adapt to society and modern world. But the thing is, when they adapt to the changing world, they should not change their main principles.
A number of monks have over the years given a variety of excuses why alcohol is not a problem, likening it to medicine or saying it is permissible if one drinks only 'just a little bit', or 'as long as you don't get drunk'. Many Buddhists would disagree, but the matter is not as clear-cut as we might suspect.
Traditionally, those alms are calorie-rich foods, either processed or homemade – with the Buddhist faithful wanting to offer something of high value and taste. The monks are also forbidden from eating anything after 12 p.m., having only one or two meals a day between the hours of 6 a.m. and noon.
From 6 am to 9 am His Holiness continues his morning meditation and prayers. From around 9 am he usually spends time studying various Buddhist texts and commentaries written by great Buddhist masters. Lunch is served from 11.30 am.
Yes, monks in Thailand are brilliantly photogenic, but snapping photos without asking isn't nice. You're in their home and place of work. Assuming they aren't busy or worshipping, some will be fine with you taking a photo. Be polite and ask first.
According to the Buddhist monastic code, monks and nuns are not allowed to accept money or even to engage in barter or trade with laypeople. They live entirely in an economy of gifts.
Because they are viewed as temporary, getting tattoos doesn't violate any Buddhist doctrines or beliefs. Some Buddhists say that tattoos are an unhealthy attachment to the body. However, even monks can have tattoos and some sects actually encourage them as a way to remember Buddhist teachings.