Famous Japanese monk leaves monkhood
He became a monk 38 years ago. At 61 the famous abbot returns to Japan, health reasons cited.
He became a monk 38 years ago. At 61 the famous abbot returns to Japan, health reasons cited.
Mitsuo: Ordained 38 years ago with children has helped educate with Dhamma books. (Source: Facebook)
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BUDDHISM
Phra Mitsuo Gavesako leaves monkhood
11/06/2013
Japanese monk Phra Mitsuo Gavesako, the abbot of Sunandavanaram forest monastery in Kanchanaburi, has quietly left the monkhood after 38 years.
The news has shocked many of his followers, most of whom did not expect the venerable 61-year-old monk to leave the monkhood after serving Buddhism for almost four decades.
He was still preaching last week and did not hint to anyone of his intention to leave.
An official at Maya Gotami Foundation, a charity organisation founded by the former monk, confirmed Phra Mitsuo left the monkhood at Wat Chanasongkram on Saturday, shortly after he gave his last sermon at Wat Benchamabophit.
The former monk, whose real name is Mitsuo Shibahashi, has also left Thailand, according to the official, who declined to be named.
His destination was unclear while the reason behind his decision to leave the monkhood was also not known.
Mr Mitsuo came from Iwate prefecture in Japan. He practised dhamma in India for two years before moving to Thailand in 1975. After serving as a novice at Wat Benchamabophit temple for three months, he travelled to Ubon Ratchathani where he entered the monkhood and studied dhamma and meditation with the revered monk Luang Por Cha Suphatto at Nong Pa Pong temple.
In 1990, Luang Por Cha assigned Phra Mitsuo to set up a forest monastery on 500 rai of land donated by one of his followers. The monastery was later upgraded to Sunandavanaram temple and the Japanese monk was appointed its abbot.
(Source: Bangkok Post, BUDDHISM, Phra Mitsuo Gavesako leaves monkhood, 11/06/2013, link)
Mitsuo to retain links with Buddhism
11/06/2013
Online news
Phra Nuphrom Suchato, deputy abbot to Sunandavanaram forest monastery in Kanchanaburi, issued a statement Tuesday confirming that renowned Japanese monk, Phra Mitsuo Gavesako, left the monkhood on Saturday and intends to contribute to Buddhism as a layman in his home country.
Mitsuo will continue contributing to Buddhism as a layman.
He said charity projects founded by the former monk, including the Maya Gotami Foundation, will continue without interruption because they were founded on strong fundamentals
After 38 years in monkhood, Phra Mitsuo, whose real name is Mitsuo Shibahashi, left the monkhood at Wat Chanasongkram in Bangkok on Saturday. Then he left Thailand.
There was no clear statement on the reason for his decision, but some followers cited health issues as one reason.
(Source: Bangkok Post, Mitsuo to retain links with Buddhism, 11/06/2013, Online news, link)
Buddhist Monk Vocabulary
Phra Mitsuo Gavesako - the Japanese monk and abbot who is the subject of this article, famous for promoting reading Dhamma books among young people (See Facebook & book project)
Ajahn Cha - a famous monk in the Thai Forest Tradition ชา สุภัทโท (See Wikipedia)
monastery - the place where monks live วัด, ที่อยู่ของพระ (See Wikipedia)
a forest monastery - a special kind of traditional Thai monastery located in the forest, a monastery in the Thai Forest Tradition (See Wikipedia)
ordain (verb) - when a person becomes a monk (enters the monkhood) in a special ordination ceremony บวช, ทำให้เป็นพระ
ordination (noun) - (See Wikipedia)
Mitsuo: Ordained 38 years ago
monkhood - being a monk, living as a monk, life as a monk, the community of monks or "Sangha" สงฆ์ (See Wikipedia)
enter monkhood - start living as a monk
leaves monkhood - stop living as a monk
Phra Mitsuo Gavesako leaves monkhood
quietly left the monkhood after 38 years
abbot - the head monk at a temple เจ้าอาวาส
the abbot of a forest monastery
Japanese monk Phra Mitsuo Gavesako, the abbot of Sunandavanaram forest monastery in Kanchanaburi, has quietly left the monkhood after 38 years.
shock - when some suddent event makes you very surprised ทำให้ตกใจ, ทำให้สะดุ้งตกใจ, ทำให้ช็อก
follower - a helper or person who supports you in some way (believing in you, giving money, etc) ผู้ติดตาม, ลูกศิษย์, พรรคพวก, บริวาร, สาวก, ลูกน้อง, ผู้สนับสนุน, ผู้รับใช้
the news shocked his followers
serving Buddhism
serving Buddhism for almost four decades
decades - periods of ten years เป็นสิบๆปี
serving Buddhism for almost four decades.
The news has shocked many of his followers, most of whom did not expect the venerable 61-year-old monk to leave the monkhood after serving Buddhism for almost four decades.
intention - a plan for what you are going to do in the future; a goal you wanted to achieve, a reason for action ความตั้งใจ เจตนา แผนการ ความตั้งใจ
intention to leave
hint - something that you say or do to show what you are thinking or feeling (without saying it directly); imply,give sign or signal มีนัย, มีความนัย, ใบ้, แสดงกิริยาท่าทางแทนถ้อยคำ, บอกเป็นนัย พูดเป็นนัย, พูดบอกใบ้, กล่าวให้รู้ชั้นเชิงอยู่ในที
he did not hint to anyone of his intention to leave
preach - when a religious person (monk, priest) gives a talk or lecture teaching religion เทศนา
He was still preaching last week and did not hint to anyone of his intention to leave.
foundation - an organization that provides money for activities such as charity or medical research, etc มูลนิธิ
an official at the foundation
charity - involving giving money or help to people who are poor or ill, or who need advice and support การกุศล
a charity organisation
found - to start and create an organization, company, etc
a charity organisation founded by the former monk
official - someone with power and authority in an organization (can make decisions, make public statements)
confirmed - said that a claim is true, verified
an official confirmed that he left the monkhood
sermon - a talk or speech by a monk or religious leader to lay people (usually with a lesson) บทเทศน์, การเทศนา, การให้โอวาท, บทสวด
he gave his last sermon
lay - not a monk or priest, not clerical ฆราวาส (ไม่ใช่สงฆ์)
lay people - members of a religion who are not priests or monks
layman - a person who is not a monk (same as "layperson")
Mitsuo will continue contributing to Buddhism as a layman
An official at Maya Gotami Foundation, a charity organisation founded by the former monk, confirmed Phra Mitsuo left the monkhood at Wat Chanasongkram on Saturday, shortly after he gave his last sermon at Wat Benchamabophit.
declined to be named - did not give name, anonymous
The former monk, whose real name is Mitsuo Shibahashi, has also left Thailand, according to the official, who declined to be named.
destination - the place where someone or something is going จุดหมายปลายทาง
reason - an explanation of an event, why an event happened เหตุ ; เหตุผล ; สาเหตุ
His destination was unclear while the reason behind his decision to leave the monkhood was also not known.
prefecture - one the many areas or districts that some countries are divided into, province
Mr Mitsuo came from Iwate prefecture in Japan.
dhamma - in Buddhism, the teaching of the Lord Buddha (See Wikipedia)
study dhamma - read religious books and listen to sermons to learn about the teachings of the Lord Buddha
practise dhamma - actually do what the Lord Buddha taught people to do in your own life
He practised dhamma in India for two years before moving to Thailand in 1975.
novice - 1. a young person under 20 training to be a monk (follows the Ten Precepts) สามเณร (See Wikipedia) 2. of someone with little experience doing something มือใหม่
serve as a novice
He served as a novice at Wat Benchamabophit temple for three months,
entered the monkhood
studied dhamma and meditation
the revered monk Luang Por Cha Suphatto
he travelled to Ubon Ratchathani where he entered the monkhood and studied dhamma and meditation with the revered monk Luang Por Cha Suphatto at Nong Pa Pong temple.
donate - to give something to people or some organization (without asking or expecting anything in return) บริจาค
fellows - friends or associates (people he does his work with)
In 1990, Luang Por Cha assigned Phra Mitsuo to set up a forestry monastery on 500 rai of land donated by one of his fellows.
upgrade - improve, make better
monastery upgraded to temple
appoint - give a position and job within an organization
monk appointed as abbot
The monastery was later upgraded to Sunandavanaram temple and the Japanese monk was appointed its abbot
links - connections ความเชื่อมโยงกัน
links with Buddhism
retain - to keep รักษา
retain links with Buddhism
Mitsuo to retain links with Buddhism
issue - make available to the public ออกใหม่
issue a statement
confirming - checking to make sure it really exists and is valid
issue a statement confirming that ...
renowned - famous and admired for a special skill or achievement ที่มีชื่อเสียง
the renowned Buddhist monk
Phra Nuphrom Suchato, deputy abbot to Sunandavanaram forest monastery in Kanchanaburi, issued a statement Tuesday confirming that renowned Japanese monk, Phra Mitsuo Gavesako, left the monkhood on Saturday
contribute - to do something to make something happen or be successful
contribute to Buddhism
contribute to Buddhism as a layman
intend - have a plan to do something in the future
he intends to contribute to Buddhism as a layman
home country - the country where you come from (where you were born and stayed until you moved to another country)
he intends to contribute to Buddhism as a layman in his home country.
fundamentals - basic capabilities that make something possible; the underlying health of a company or economy organisation (that will determine whether it is profitable, successful and survives in the long-run) ที่สำคัญ ที่เป็นตัวกำหนดความมั่นคงของบริษัท
He said charity projects founded by the former monk, including the Maya Gotami Foundation, will continue without interruption because they were founded on strong fundamentals.
After 38 years in monkhood, Phra Mitsuo, whose real name is Mitsuo Shibahashi, left the monkhood at Wat Chanasongkram in Bangkok on Saturday. Then he left Thailand.
clear - easy to understand
clear statement
issues - subjects that need to be considered ประเด็น
health issues
cited - mentioned (to support a point you are making or arguing) กล่าวถึง
cited health issues as one reason
There was no clear statement on the reason for his decision, but some followers cited health issues as one reason.