<p>When I think of Western ordination, I only think of the Ajahn Chah tradition because it is highly disciplined.</p>
<p>If you are European, it may be convenient to be a novice &amp; take ordination in Europe, so you can undertake the transition in a familiar language &amp; possibly a less challenging environment.</p>
<p>However, once you settle into the life of a bhikkhu (say after two or three years), I think living the Holy Life in Asia is more advantageous because you will live in what is historically a Buddhist society &amp; culture; which is based in the relationship between monks &amp; laypeople and the cultural norms of both benefaction &amp; social morality.</p>
<p>The strongest impressions I had when I lived in Thailand was the traditional culture.</p>
<p>To the contrary, in my opinion, what has become &quot;Western Buddhism&quot;, particularly in the USA, has little relationship to orthodox Buddhism.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-12-16T22:19:50.817Z
Thank you very much Dhammadhatu for your answer.
Aliocha Karamazov
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-12-14T11:08:41.910Z
2020-12-14T19:56:51.133Z
2020-12-14T19:56:51.133Z
Dhamma Dhatu
<p>Dhamma greetings to you,</p>
<p>Considering the possible advantages and disadvantages of where one is being ordained, I wish to have your understanding on whether it'd be more conducive to ordain in Asia or in Europe ?</p>
<p>Thank you for reading me,
May you be well,
With metta.</p>

<theravada><ordination><thai>
To ordain in the west or in Asia?
# To ordain in the west or in Asia?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-12-14)

Dhamma greetings to you,

Considering the possible advantages and disadvantages of where one is being ordained, I wish to have your understanding on whether it'd be more conducive to ordain in Asia or in Europe ?

Thank you for reading me,
May you be well,
With metta.

**Tags:** theravada, ordination, thai


---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2020-12-14. Score: 3

When I think of Western ordination, I only think of the Ajahn Chah tradition because it is highly disciplined.

If you are European, it may be convenient to be a novice & take ordination in Europe, so you can undertake the transition in a familiar language & possibly a less challenging environment.

However, once you settle into the life of a bhikkhu (say after two or three years), I think living the Holy Life in Asia is more advantageous because you will live in what is historically a Buddhist society & culture; which is based in the relationship between monks & laypeople and the cultural norms of both benefaction & social morality.

The strongest impressions I had when I lived in Thailand was the traditional culture.

To the contrary, in my opinion, what has become "Western Buddhism", particularly in the USA, has little relationship to orthodox Buddhism.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Thank you very much Dhammadhatu for your answer.  

---

