Can Anagarika Manage Business?

Q & A
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Hi all, I have been looking for resources to understand more about Anagarika lifestyle.

I have read that Anagarika maintain 8 precepts and can manage money, but does that mean they cannot be employed or run/maintain a businesses which requires minimal bandwidth?

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Sure. If you would like ot keep the 8 precepts while employed or otherwise earning money that is fine.

If you mean living as an anagarika in a monastery, it’s not super practical and would be something you would need to work out with your senior monastics

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Thanks for the info Venerable Pasanna Ji.

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FWIW, I did about 3 years of anagarika life after I completed a temporary ordination in Thailand as a samanera. I kept the 8 precepts, shaved my head, but also reported to work so as to be able to earn a living. I found it to be good training and a very mindful 3 years. I probably dove deeper into the texts (Sutta Central), and balanced a more quiet and studious life with my regular work. I only ate before midday, etc. and tried to be on hand to help at the local wat. It was interesting to me as well as the Pali name when I ordained as a samanera was “Dhammapala,” which of course is the name of a well known and respected Anagarika. His life and path is an interesting study as well.

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Thank you for sharing Venerable Michael.

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Thanks, @arihantp …nice of you to say, but I’m far from “venerable.” Just a knucklehead householder these days trying to learn from Bhante Sujato, Ajahn Brahmali, and good people like you. Cheers!

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