Becoming a Buddhist monk can be viewed through various lenses. While it involves renouncing worldly possessions, it also aims at personal enlightenment and liberation from suffering. Thus, it might be seen as self-interest in seeking spiritual fulfillment. However, monks often dedicate their lives to helping others, suggesting altruism. The motivation can vary, blending self-interest with selfless intentions.
Yes, it can. Choosing monkhood often offers personal benefits—freedom from worldly duties, inner peace, or spiritual fulfillment—that are self-directed. Yet such a decision can also reflect deep compassion: alleviating suffering by reducing personal consumption, serving others through mindfulness, or preserving Dharma. Self-interest and altruism may coexist.
The choice to become a Buddhist monk can appear self-interested on the surface, as it often involves seeking personal peace, enlightenment, or liberation from suffering. However, in Buddhism, true spiritual progress requires transcending self-attachment. Monastic life emphasizes renunciation, compassion, and service to others. While the initial motivation may include personal goals, the path itself aims to dissolve ego and cultivate altruism. Thus, while it may begin with self-interest, the practice ultimately seeks to transcend it.
Yes, it can be viewed as "enlightened self-interest." The primary goal is to liberate oneself from suffering. One must cultivate personal wisdom and peace before effectively helping others, akin to securing one's own oxygen mask first. However, the practice ultimately aims to dissolve the ego (Anatta) and cultivate compassion. In the Mahayana tradition specifically, monks vow to help all beings, transforming personal liberation into a selfless act.
Yes, in a nuanced way. Many choose monastic life to end suffering, gain peace, or seek enlightenment—aims that can be seen as “self-interest.” But Buddhist practice also trains letting go of ego and attachment. So it’s often described as wise or enlightened self-interest: seeking one’s good by transcending the narrow self.
Yes, but it depends on perspective. While Buddhist monasticism emphasizes renunciation and selflessness, the choice can still reflect self-interest—such as seeking liberation (nirvana), inner peace, or escape from suffering. However, Buddhism frames this as "enlightened self-interest," where personal benefit aligns with compassion for all beings. The key difference lies in intention: is the act rooted in ego or wisdom? (499 chars)
Yes, it can be seen that way. The primary goal is to end personal suffering (dukkha) and attain enlightenment (Nirvana). This is a profound form of self-interest aimed at ultimate liberation, not worldly gain. The path, however, inherently cultivates compassion and benefits all beings.
Yes. It can be seen as pursuing ultimate liberation and freedom from suffering, which is a profound form of self-interest aimed at ending one's own dissatisfaction.
Yes. If “self‑interest” means seeking peace, freedom from suffering, merit, or a better rebirth, ordination can be self‑interested. Buddhism also frames it as wisely caring for mind and reducing harm, with the aim of letting go of ego and benefiting others, so motives can be mixed.
Yes. From a Buddhist perspective, it is "enlightened self-interest": the primary goal is to end one's own suffering (dukkha). One cannot effectively lead others to liberation without first achieving it themselves.
However, critics may view it as an escape from social and familial duties. Conversely, the Mahayana tradition frames monkhood as a selfless vow to save all beings. Ultimately, it is self-interested in its method, but often altruistic in its ultimate intent.
Yes, in the sense that one seeks personal liberation from suffering. However, this differs from selfishness. The path requires dismantling the ego and material attachment. In many traditions, the ultimate goal is altruistic—attaining enlightenment to save all beings. Thus, it is a "self-interest" paradoxically aimed at transcending the self to serve others.
Yes, it can be seen as self-interested in that the monk seeks personal liberation from suffering, inner peace, and enlightenment. Even renouncing worldly pleasures serves one's deeper well-being. However, this depends on how "self-interest" is defined. If narrowly material, monkhood seems selfless. If broadly including spiritual fulfillment, it's self-interested. Paradoxically, Buddhism teaches the no-self doctrine, complicating the very notion of a "self" that could benefit.
Yes, initially. Monks seek liberation from suffering—enlightened self-interest. Yet Mahayana tradition emphasizes the bodhisattva path: awakening for all beings' benefit. Since Buddhism denies a permanent "self," true self-interest becomes paradoxical. The choice ultimately transcends selfishness while serving spiritual growth.
Yes and no. The decision is often motivated by a desire for liberation from suffering, which can be seen as a kind of self‑interest—but the ultimate aim is to eradicate the self‑illusion, benefit others, and realize nibbāna, a goal that transcends ordinary self‑interest.
Yes. Initially, becoming a monk is often driven by self-interest: the personal desire to escape suffering and attain peace or Nirvana. Psychologically, it fulfills an individual's search for meaning.
However, Buddhist philosophy ultimately transcends this. As a monk practices, they cultivate universal compassion and seek to realize "no-self" (Anatta). Therefore, what begins as a self-interested quest is designed to completely dissolve the very illusion of the "self" altogether.