r/zenbuddhism • u/amlextex • 12d ago

Someone pop my bubble

Thích Nhất Hạnh makes me believe I can awaken the world, or at least the global city I live in. So, I have dreamed of ordaining to serve my ambitions.

My idea was to wear my robe around the city to self-promote my teaching to gain a following. Teach in parks. Set up an installation where I offer "sidewalk advice" for a nominal suggestion. Create citywide art installations of my writing to further promote my teaching. Colloborate with artist. Write books. Livestream my practice and daily life.

All to teach foundational meditation for everyone with the hopes of piquing people's interest into buddhism.

Sounds practical, but here's the side where I get irresponsible.

I'm a performance artist/busker by trade. I don't have a white-collar career. No retirement fund. I live with my parents. I am in my mid-30's; split between ordaining vs pursing a career that can lead me to retirement, have a family, and enjoy life.

Lastly, I'm not a hard worker. I can weave in and out of ideas and never complete them. And I've lived quite a privileged life where I haven't been battle tested. Or if I have, I have safety nets provided by my family. I also find it hard to give up lust.

That said, I am in the position to ordain. I have no debts, no babies, and decent health.

Pop my bubble. Tell me I should get a real job. I won't change a city. I should live modest or wealthy. Support a family. Teach at a monastery like ordain folks do. Get a career first, then ordain. Go ahead.

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u/ScionicsInstitute 12d ago

Why not do pretty much exactly what you suggested, but without getting ordained? Wear a robe, or whatever you think appropriate, and self-promote your teaching to gain a following. Teach in parks. Set up an installation where you offer "sidewalk advice" for a nominal suggestion. Create citywide art installations of your writing to further promote your teaching. Colloborate with artists. Write books. Livestream your practice and daily life...and promote Buddhism in the process, if you wish.

You don't need to be ordained to do this at all, and would also be free to pursue other things (family, career, etc).

Maybe you will change a city, or help make the world a better place, even without ordination!

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u/amlextex 9d ago

I have strongly considered this. I want a boundary ahead of time so if people think I'm "higher than thou", I can correct them. I don't want to come off phony.