How to Join a Buddhist Monastery Today (Modern Paths, Challenges & Expectations)

Last Updated: October 01, 2025

Tweet

Joining a Buddhist monastery today isn’t about escaping to a hidden mountain cave or chasing a romantic vision of enlightenment. It’s a real-life decision, often challenging, sometimes humbling, but potentially life-changing. Whether you're seeking a short retreat or long-term ordination, this guide will help you understand the modern process, set realistic expectations, and take your first step.

Two Main Paths ,  Trying It Out vs. Formally Joining

Before diving in, it’s important to clarify what “joining a monastery” really means. For most people, it happens in one of two ways:

The Guest or Visitor Path

This is the path for short stays, retreats, or structured experiences. Most people take this route first to test the waters. No long-term commitment, but a valuable immersion.

The Novice or Monastic Path

This is for those seeking deeper transformation through formal ordination. It involves vows, discipline, and a long-term lifestyle change. This isn’t a casual decision, it’s a commitment.

Path 1 - Joining as a Guest or Retreat Participant

Many monasteries across Asia (and beyond) offer retreat programs or allow guests to live alongside monks temporarily. This is the most accessible and beginner-friendly entry point.

Research by Tradition

Not all monasteries are the same. Choose one based on what kind of Buddhism speaks to you:

• Theravada (Thailand, Sri Lanka, Myanmar): Focused on Vipassana meditation, simplicity, and strict monastic discipline.
• Vajrayana (Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan): Ritual-heavy with tantric practices, chants, and visualization. Popular among Western seekers.
• Mahayana (Japan, Korea, Vietnam): Includes Zen and Pure Land schools, emphasizing daily mindfulness and koans.

Find a Monastery That Accepts Foreigners

Use these resources:

• Google Search: “Thailand monastery retreat for foreigners”
• Search in Directory
• Review Platforms: Tripadvisor, Reddit, or X (Twitter) for real experiences
• Volunteer Platforms: Volunteer FDIP

Examples:

• Kopan Monastery - Nepal
• Wat Pah Nanachat - Thailand
• Na Uyana Aranya - Sri Lanka

Contacting the Monastery

Always send an email first. Don’t just show up. Here’s a simple approach:

“Dear Venerable, I’m a traveler from [your country], interested in experiencing monastic life. Do you accept foreign guests for short-term stays?”
Ask about:

• Available dates
• Rules or requirements
• Costs (donation or fixed)
• Visas or vaccination needs

What to Expect

• Daily Routine: Early mornings (4-5 AM), meditation, chanting, mindful work
• Accommodation: Basic room, shared bathrooms, mosquito net
• Precepts: No killing, stealing, lying, intoxicants, sexual activity, or luxury
• Silence: Most retreats observe periods of noble silence
• Meals: Typically two per day, with no food after noon (Theravada)

Path 2 - Becoming a Novice or Fully Ordained Monk

If your retreat deepens into a serious calling, the path to formal ordination opens. This is not something you enter casually.

Build a Relationship with the Monastery

Ordination requires trust. You’ll need to return to the same monastery, serve as a lay resident, and show long-term commitment.

Postulant or Anagarika Stage

Many monasteries have an intermediate phase. You shave your head, wear white robes, and follow the Eight Precepts. This is a test period, lasting from a few months to a year.

Novice Ordination

If accepted by the Abbot, you’ll take Ten Precepts and become a samanera (Theravada) or getsul/getsulma (Vajrayana). You’ll wear the saffron or maroon robes and join the monastic community.

Full Ordination

Full monk ordination (bhikkhu or bhikshuni) often requires:

• Age 20+
• Understanding of the Vinaya (monastic code)
• Approval by a qualified sangha

In Thailand, temporary ordination is common, even for just a few weeks. In Nepal and Sri Lanka, it’s more selective.

Realities & Challenges of Monastic Life Today

Visa and Legal Barriers

• Short stays: Tourist visas are fine.
• Long-term: Religious visas require sponsorship and paperwork from the monastery. Plan months in advance.

Language and Culture

Monks may speak English, but deeper teachings are in Thai, Sinhala, or Tibetan. Learning basic phrases shows respect and opens more doors.

Health & Hygiene

Monasteries are not retreats in luxury. Expect cold showers, basic food, insects, and simple bedding. Be in good mental and physical health before you arrive.

Spiritual Bypassing

Don’t come to escape a breakup or burnout. Monasteries magnify inner noise. Come with the intention to grow, not hide.

Finances

The teachings are free, but your travel is not. Budget for flights, insurance, basic donations ($10-50/day), and personal needs.

What to Expect Based on Your Background

Solo Adult Travelers

You have flexibility. Consider 1-3 month retreats. Forest monasteries in Thailand or structured programs in Nepal are ideal. Maturity helps in adapting.

Students

Use semester breaks for 2-4 week retreats. Some monasteries offer youth courses. Kopan Monastery and Wat Suan Mokkh often host international students.

Groups or Friends

Monastic life is personal. If your friends are aligned in purpose, great. Otherwise, it’s best to go solo, even in group-friendly monasteries, you’ll likely be separated during practice.

Western Passport Holders

You have travel flexibility. Use it wisely. Choose depth, not convenience. Enter humbly, and be aware of the privilege that allows you access to these traditions.

Daily Life Inside a Monastery

• Wake-up Time: 4-6 AM
• Activities: Meditation, chanting, Dhamma talks, chores
• Meals: Two per day, often before noon
• Rules: Follow the Vinaya, 227 rules for monks, more for nuns
• Community: You live simply, sharing space and tasks with others

Ordination demands discipline, mental clarity, and consistent ethical conduct. Even temporary vows require full commitment during your stay.

Gender-Specific Notes

• Women: Face more challenges. Full ordination for women is not widely recognized in Theravada countries. Alternatives like mae chi (Thailand) or getsulma (Nepal) exist.
• Tibetan Buddhism offers more structured paths for female practitioners, though full bhikshuni ordination may require travel to places like Taiwan.

How to Prepare

• Start meditating before you go
• Read key texts:
• What the Buddha Taught - Walpola Rahula
• Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind - Shunryu Suzuki
• The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching - Thich Nhat Hanh
• Budget $500-$2,000 depending on length and location
• Contact monasteries early, via official websites or Dharma forums

Final Thoughts - It’s a Real Journey, Not an Escape

Expectation: A peaceful retreat in the mountains.

Reality: Waking at dawn, silent meals, strict discipline, and deep inner work

But this is where real transformation begins.

Don’t worry about getting everything right at once. Just pick a destination, write that first email, and take one mindful step forward. The monastery won’t change your life overnight, but it can teach you how to change your mind, one breath at a time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can foreigners join a Buddhist monastery?

Yes. Many monasteries welcome foreigners for retreats and even ordination. Always contact them first.

Do I have to become a monk to stay in a monastery?

No. Most offer short-term guest or retreat programs.

Do I need to speak the local language?

No, but learning a few phrases is helpful. Many monasteries have English-speaking coordinators.

Can women ordain?

In Theravada countries, full ordination for women is limited. Alternative paths (like mae chi) are available. Tibetan monasteries offer more opportunities.

What’s the cost?

Most retreats are donation-based, but you’ll need funds for flights, visas, insurance, and personal items.

To share this link:

Copy Link >>