Documentary about a western monk in the Thai tradition

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Punya
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Documentary about a western monk in the Thai tradition

Post by Punya »

phpBB [video]


The documentary Act Normal is about Robert Edison who, at 18 years of age, left Britain for Thailand to become a Buddhist monk in the forest tradition. Five years after he moves to Iceland to form the first Buddhist sect in the country, he decides to disrobe and get married only to return later to Thailand to become a monk again.

It isn't a new film, having been released in 2005, and it doesn't tell a grand story. I just like its humaness. It might also be of interest to those thinking of ordaining.

It can also be watched on Vimeo https://vimeo.com/27590176.
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philji
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Re: Documentary about a western monk in the Thai tradition

Post by philji »

Just watched this, interesting account of one man's journey. I wonder if he has remained as a celibate monk?
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Losal Samten
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Re: Documentary about a western monk in the Thai tradition

Post by Losal Samten »

philji wrote:Just watched this, interesting account of one man's journey. I wonder if he has remained as a celibate monk?
Yes, Ven. Dhammanando has just had a retreat hut built by a sponsor in Huai Khrai and plans to remain there for the indefinite future.

He occasionally posts to Dhammawheel.
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philji
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Re: Documentary about a western monk in the Thai tradition

Post by philji »

Thanks for the info Losal Samten.
Punya
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Re: Documentary about a western monk in the Thai tradition

Post by Punya »

Thanks from me too. Ven Dhammanando did seem like someone headed for long term retreat.

A bit more information about the documentary, including the trailer:

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Interview with the director http://matadornetwork.com/bnt/interview ... ct-normal/
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dreambow
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Re: Documentary about a western monk in the Thai tradition

Post by dreambow »

Punya I saw the video a couple of years ago. I found it really interesting. I was not surprised when
he married the woman....one look and I thought this isn't going to last. Unfortunately even though the woman was hurt she will definitely never meet anyone like him again. Indeed he was a one-off, a gem.
Lucas Oliveira
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Re: Documentary about a western monk in the Thai tradition

Post by Lucas Oliveira »

I did not know this documentary, thanks for sharing.

Bhante Dhammanando helps many people in DhammaWheel.

In the Theravada tradition can one be a monk again?
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Mkoll
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Re: Documentary about a western monk in the Thai tradition

Post by Mkoll »

Lucas Oliveira wrote:I did not know this documentary, thanks for sharing.

Bhante Dhammanando helps many people in DhammaWheel.

In the Theravada tradition can one be a monk again?
I'm pretty sure that as long as one hasn't committed a parajika offense, one can. But there may be other ways to be expelled for life. Ven. Dhammanando on Dhamma Wheel is well-learned in the Vinaya and would almost certainly know.
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Fortyeightvows
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Re: Documentary about a western monk in the Thai tradition

Post by Fortyeightvows »

I think it is allowed for Mahayana monks too, but I've never heard of it happening...I think the limit for men leaving home is seven times
Punya
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Re: Documentary about a western monk in the Thai tradition

Post by Punya »

dreambow wrote:Punya I saw the video a couple of years ago. I found it really interesting. I was not surprised when
he married the woman....one look and I thought this isn't going to last. Unfortunately even though the woman was hurt she will definitely never meet anyone like him again.
I had to laugh when he said his idea of a relationship was meeting up once a fortnight. I think many dharma practitioners could relate to this - study and practice being the priorities.
Indeed he was a one-off, a gem.
Yes, exceptional but still very human. The difficulties of what he had done as a monk were very much underplayed. "The making of..." video gives a bit more insight.
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Lobsang Chojor
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Re: Documentary about a western monk in the Thai tradition

Post by Lobsang Chojor »

Fortyeightvows wrote:I think the limit for men leaving home is seven times
I have read that a man can give back and retake his vows 3 times where as a woman can only do this once.

Although I could be wrong
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Lucas Oliveira
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Re: Documentary about a western monk in the Thai tradition

Post by Lucas Oliveira »

I remembered the movie Samsara. In the film he returned to be a monk

phpBB [video]
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Fortyeightvows
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Re: Documentary about a western monk in the Thai tradition

Post by Fortyeightvows »

Lobsang Chojor wrote:
Fortyeightvows wrote:I think the limit for men leaving home is seven times
I have read that a man can give back and retake his vows 3 times where as a woman can only do this once.

Although I could be wrong
I know for a fact that in taiwan at least, a woman may only ordain once.
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Ayu
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Re: Documentary about a western monk in the Thai tradition

Post by Ayu »

Fortyeightvows wrote:
Lobsang Chojor wrote:
Fortyeightvows wrote:I think the limit for men leaving home is seven times
I have read that a man can give back and retake his vows 3 times where as a woman can only do this once.

Although I could be wrong
I know for a fact that in taiwan at least, a woman may only ordain once.
Yes, in our tradion (Gelug) there are those numbers. I know a man who disrobed two times. He doesn't seem to ordain a third time - but who knows.
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Lobsang Chojor
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Re: Documentary about a western monk in the Thai tradition

Post by Lobsang Chojor »

Ayu wrote:
Fortyeightvows wrote:
Lobsang Chojor wrote: I have read that a man can give back and retake his vows 3 times where as a woman can only do this once.

Although I could be wrong
I know for a fact that in taiwan at least, a woman may only ordain once.
Yes, in our tradion (Gelug) there are those numbers. I know a man who disrobed two times. He doesn't seem to ordain a third time - but who knows.
When Fortyeightvows said that I had a feeling that it was ordination lineage specific.
"Morality does not become pure unless darkness is dispelled by the light of wisdom"
  • Aryasura, Paramitasamasa 6.5
ༀ་ཨ་ར་པ་ཙ་ན་དྷཱི༔ Oṃ A Ra Pa Ca Na Dhīḥ
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Virgo
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Re: Documentary about a western monk in the Thai tradition

Post by Virgo »

i've met Dhammanando. He is a nice guy.

Virgo
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