I can tell you that Thai monks and monasteries are dens of crimnality, drug-dealing, thieves, and greed and avariciousness. Don't expect the postcard stuff, although they may play up the "peaceful Thai buddhist kingdom" stuff to get more of your "donation" money.

Have heard good things about Korean monasteries having stays for foreigners, but it's really hardcore, like bootcamp, no BS.

Some Vietnamese monasteries in the US have stay/training programs; maybe also same wherever there are VN communities in Europe?

>>601582
Quick reply, nice!

Well I rather do it in Asia. It's more authentic and I really want to feel the lifestyle.

Korea sounds like the thing I seek, but it's one of the more expensive countries there.

>>601584

You'll be in a monastery. Who cares about expenses in the outside world.

Think freezing cold mountain hut, swimming in the icy stream at 5AM, two hours of prayers at 7AM, etc etc. Not sure about what accommodation is made for non-Korean-speakers, but I think you'll be ok. There are various levels of "intensity" and involvement you can do, depending on how into it you are.

There's no one Asian lifestyle. Inside a monastery, the "lifestyle" depends on the individual monastery and the people there, less on what country you're in.

Try India. Look into Vietnam and Taiwan. Stay away from Thailand, as the "monks" (in quote marks) there have turned Buddhism into a profitable tourist attraction.

Have you Googled? "monastery stay" and "monk training" and the country of choice. Tried some internet forums on Buddhism, rather than on travel? Talk with some Buddhist monks or community leaders who live near your current home?

Have you done much in the way of Buddhist practice up until now OP? I ask because it's a pretty intense lifestyle from what I understand, and they'll expect you to know at least a bit about what you're getting into.

Hey op. I've spent 6 months in Thai meditation monasteries. 4 months at Wat Suan Mokkh and a couple of months at a small Mahasi style meditation center. I was interested in becoming a monk, but didn't find the reality of the situation as inspiring as I had originally thought.

I was, and still am really inspired to practice meditation. This was my reason for considering ordination. However I didn't feel fully convinced by the monks giving the instruction, and felt that something was lacking. I returned to the west and have continued to pursue meditation here as a lay person. I have not regretted this decision.

That's enough of me. It's good to be clear of what you are wanting and expecting from your monastic experience. You talk about study, do you mean study of the suttas or abhidhamma? If this is the case Sri Lanka would be a good place to look, but in many cases the scholar monks are not into the practice of meditation at all. But maybe this isn't important to you.

Westerners who are interested in buddhism tend to be pretty eager. In general the Thais maybe a little sceptical of them, but I know a lot Asian meditation teachers appreciate the highly motivated western meditators. The language barrier wasn't a problem, but these were places where westerners come to practice often.

Good luck anyway.