Frequently Asked Questions

Many youngsters when they come across the inspiring life and teachings of Swami Vivekananda, feel an urge to embrace monastic life in the Ramakrishna Order. For others, the urge to renounce the world may come as a result of their watching/listening to inspiring talks on Spiritual aspects of Hinduism. Disillusionment with worldly attainments and relationships also drive quite a few to the doors of a monastery. Then there are “Be good and Do Good” youth who are impressed by the work of the Ramakrishna Mission and want to dedicate themselves to its service activities. Whatever may be the immediate inspiration, they need to carefully consider quite a few factors before joining the Ramakrishna Order. To help such would-be monks to arrive at the right decision, here is a set of Frequently asked Questions and Answers.

What Does It Mean To “Join The Ramakrishna Order”?

It means to leave behind one’s family and friends, profession and attainments, all worldly interests, pleasures and concerns, and embrace the monastic life. The person will henceforth live in a monastery of the Ramakrishna Order, usually known as Math or Ashrama, devoting his life exclusively to spiritual pursuits and selfless service. In course of his monastic life he has to take up vows of Brahmacharya (celibacy) and Sannyasa (monkhood) which will be the cornerstone of his monastic life. The Ramakrishna Order is a well-defined body of monks which owes its origin to Sri Ramakrishna and his eminent disciples headed by Swami Vivekananda.

 

1. What are the essential conditions for becoming a monk in the Ramakrishna order?

Ans: Interested young men (please note: not women) who are at least graduates and within the age-group of 18 to 28 are eligible to join the Ramakrishna Order. The upper age limit is 30 for engineering / medical graduates and post-graduates, and 36 for Westerners.

2. What are the options for young women who are interested in embracing monastic life?

Ans: Ramakrishna Order is a monastic organization for men only.  For women there is a parallel organization known as Sri Sarada Math which follows the same ideals as ours.  Interested women may directly contact the Sarada Math at its headquarters in Dakshineshwar, Kolkata.  Email address: saradamath.office@gmail.com

3. I’m married. Can I join the Ramakrishna order?

Ans: We are sorry!  Only unmarried men are allowed to join the Ramakrishna Order.  A person who was married but now divorced is not eligible either.

But you are welcome to get associated with us as a devotee or volunteer.  Please contact the head of our branch centre nearer to the place of your stay.

4. I’m a college/university student. Can I join the order now?

Ans: It is strongly recommended that you continue your studies and finish the course which you have started.  You may join the Order soon after that.  Let not your studies be the first casualty of your spirit of renunciation!

Until the completion of your studies, you may keep in touch with any of our branches and serve as a volunteer in your free time there.

5. Why is academic qualification insisted upon for a man who wants to renounce everything?

Ans: Although academic qualification is not a prerequisite for spiritual growth, it is nonetheless necessary for the following reasons:

• Embracing monastic life is a very significant decision and it needs a certain maturity of mind to arrive at this decision. Formal education, apart from everything else, usually helps to develop this maturity.
• The monks of Ramakrishna Order need to run schools, colleges, hospitals and many other institutions serving people in various ways. Also, they are invited to give talks in national or international forums and universities.  A good academic qualification helps to handle all these more effectively.
• Some young men seem to opt for monastic life as a last resort or in desperation.  Maybe they are afraid of studies and exams. Maybe they have failed in securing a job after their heart because of their poor academic performance or some other shortcoming.  By insisting on a good academic record and age limit, we hope to ensure that such people do not sneak into the Order!

6. I’ve some health issue. Will that be an obstacle to my joining the order?

Ans: A good health is important for joining, since a monk is expected to serve others rather than to be served by others. As part of the joining procedure, candidates, therefore, need to compulsorily undergo a thorough medical test to prove their fitness. Persons with chronic and debilitating illness (physical or mental) are not allowed to join the Order, lest they should fail to bear the hardship of monastic life and become liabilities to the Order.

7. Can I pursue my college or higher studies after joining the order?

Ans: Candidates, in general, are expected to have finished their formal education before entering the monastery.

8. I’ve not read books on Sri Ramakrishna or Swami Vivekananda. Can I join the order?

Ans: It is not advisable for you to join immediately.  Please make time to read at least a few important books of Ramakrishna–Vivekananda literature. 

9. I’m not a Hindu by birth. Can I join the order?

Ans: That is not an issue.  Ramakrishna Order is open for people of all religions, nationalities and ethnic groups, provided they are ready to lead a pure life of renunciation and accept Sri Ramakrishna’s ideals which say, among other things, that all religions lead to the same goal   and service to human beings is service to God.

10. I’m a devotee of Krishna (or Shiva, Kali, Christ or any other deity). Can I join the order?

Ans: You are welcome! If you have respectful regard for Sri Ramakrishna and are convinced about the truth of His teachings, you can join the Order.

11. Can I join the order to serve my country, especially the poor and helpless?

Ans: Yes, you can join the Order provided you are willing to broaden your idea of service. Our organization is not just another NGO engaged in social service. Our motto, given by Swami Vivekananda himself, is ātmano mokshārtham jagat hitāya cha (for the attainment of one’s own liberation, and for the welfare of the world).  Spirituality is the basis, guiding force and also the ultimate aim of this organization. Our monks consider service activities as another form of their spiritual discipline. So this spiritual outlook (and not just a compassionate heart or patriotic spirit) is indispensable to continue in the Order.

12. I’ve led rather a morally impure life. Am I eligible yo join the order?

Ans: You have to contact our authorities and freely discuss the matter if you feel it is going to affect your future life. The authorities will guide you further.

13. I want to become a monk. But my parents are against it. What should I do? (or) I am the only son of my parents. Who will look after them if I become a monk?

Ans: Only in rare cases do parents encourage their son to become a monk. But most candidates need to face the opposition and even wrath of their parents for cherishing monastic aspiration.

A son with monastic inclination need to explain his stand to parents and try to win them over. He should also make, as far as possible, suitable arrangements to at least take care of their basic needs for the rest of their lives.

14. I’ve some property in my name. What will happen to it if I join?

Ans: Monks by definition can’t own personal properties. You need to dispose of your movable and immovable assets, including bank accounts, before joining or immediately after that.

15. Can I remain in touch with my parents and relatives after joining?

Ans: A monk is required to dissociate himself from all of his pre-monastic life. Since this is something that can’t be achieved overnight, the spirit of detachment is to be cultivated by tapering off all worldly relationships.

During the initial years, a novice is allowed to talk to his parents occasionally and inquire about their well-being.

16. Will I be paid salary in the order?

Ans: No salary is paid to monks. Monastic life is not like working at a job in expectation of salary. Here you give, voluntarily and entirely, your body and mind, your talents and capacities without expecting any material gain.

17. If I join the order, who will take care of my personal needs? Who will look after me when I become old?

Ans: The Order will take care of you and support you in every way. There is no need to worry on that account.

18. How should I dress after joining the order?

Ans: The members of the Order usually wear a kurta-like shirt (loose & collarless), dhoti (cloth tied around waist extending up to the feet) and uttariya (cloth wrapped around the upper part). The colour of these garments would be either white (in case of novices or Brahmacharins) or ochre/gerua (in case of Sannyasins).

19. If I join tomorrow, How long will it take to become a monk in the full sense of the term?

Ans: It will take a minimum of nine years. This is the period allowed for a candidate to prepare himself to receive the final monastic vows. Seeing his life and conduct the authorities will take the ultimate decision regarding his sannyasa.

20. What am I expected to do after joining the order?

Ans: For the rest of your life, you will immerse yourself in japa, meditation, prayer, worship, chanting of hymns, singing of bhajans, study of sacred literature, work and other spiritual practices. Some of these you will do on your own, while others, in the company of monastic brothers in the Ashrama. The nature, time and duration of work will be decided by the authorities and will have to be diligently followed with a worshipful outlook.

Through all these, you will strive to grow in the qualities of a Sadhu (monk) such as purity, devotion, detachment, unselfishness, truthfulness and Brahmacharya (celibacy), which are essential to realize God.

21. Are there any spiritual teachers (Gurus) who can help me?

Ans: The fundamental spiritual practices will be told to the aspirant by his Guru during his Initiation. He has to himself practise and struggle for spiritual perfection. In case of need, guidance by senior sadhus will always be available.

22. I’minterested in Pranayama or Raja Yoga. Can I learn and practise them in the order?

Ans: The essence of spiritual life in the Ramakrishna Order is love and devotion to the spiritual ideal which is Sri Ramakrishna, and worshipful service to Him. The combination of the four yoga’s- Jnana (Knowledge), Bhakti (Devotion), Karma (Detached work) and Raja (Meditative Practices) yoga- find ample expression in this ideal. Pursuing any one yoga to the exclusion of others is not encouraged in our Order.

23. I’m interested in studying Vedanta in depth. Can I do that after joining the order?

Ans: Yes, a number of opportunities are available in the Order to study Vedantic scriptures such as the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita etc. Every novice, after about three years of joining, is made to undergo a two-year rigorous course at our seminary – the Probationers’ Training Center (TC for short) in Belur Math – where a number of subjects are taught.

24. Can I join at any branch of the order?

Ans: With the exception of a few, all our branches admit novices. Ramakrishna Mission Ramharipur is a traditional joining center with many novices joining each year.

25. Can I join at Belur Math?

Ans: Belur Math is the heart of the Ramakrishna Order where the central monastery is located. Because of its sacred associations, some wish to begin their monastic life here. For such people, there is the Pre-Probationers’ Training Center (PPTC) in Belur Math. After keeping the new entrants in PPTC for six to twelve months, they are posted to different branch centers.

26. There is a Ramakrishna Ashrama in my neighbourhood. Can I join there?

Ans: Not all Ashramas bearing the name of Sri Ramakrishna or Swami Vivekananda are our branches. So please check if the particular Ashrama you are referring to is a recognized branch of ours. The list of our official branches can be had from our website https://belurmath.org/branch-centres

27. I like one particular branch of yours. Can I spend the rest of my life there as a monk?

Ans: You may join the Order at that center and continue there for about three years at the most. After that, it is up to the Belur Math Headquarters to decide your place of stay and work.

28. Will I be posted in foreign countries?

Ans: You may or may not. The authorities at the Headquarters decide on whom to send to foreign countries, and they do so after considering a number of factors. It is best to join the Order in a spirit of self-surrender to the Lord giving up expectations.

29. Suppose I’m unable to continue in the order, Can I quit?

Ans: Yes, you can quit at any point in your monastic life. People enter this life of their own accord and can also step out of their own accord. No legal obligations on either side!

30. Fine. My questions are all answered. But I’m still not sure whether to join the order or get married. Can you help me?

Ans: This is a matter which you alone have to decide. Study your own mind to understand where your real interest lies. You may consult wise people and seek their advice in the matter, but the final decision should come from within YOU. If you are still interested in joining, please email us at ramharipur@rkmm.org