Since lay people follow the path to Nibbana with their worldly attachments, their journey is slow like a walk of a peacock. In fact, a monk’s progression is fast like a movement of a swan because his journey is free from any attachments. Thus, a person who would like to attain Nibbana promptly will give up all his attachments and becomes a monk. If the person who joined the monkhood is a male, then he will be called a Bhikkhu while a female be called a Bhikshuni. These Bhikkhu and Bhiksuni start to protect a higher set of percepts than the five percepts of a layperson (disciple who follows a lay life). From that point onward, they start to practice the path to Nibbana while teaching others of what Buddha said.

Anyone can become a Bhikkhu or Bhikshuni. However, it is not just enough being different from bodily but also need to become a monk from within. That person needs to fully commit bodily and as well as mentally to give up all his past life attachments. Anyone who is frank enough to give up worldly attachments can become a monk.

There are three stages of realizing Dhamma (Magaphala) before stepping to the fourth stage or the final stage, which is the attainment of Nibbana. All those three stages can be attained within being a layperson. If someone fully realized Dhamma and became an Arahant, he will not live the lay life anymore spending time on accumulating worldly pleasures and items. Thus, an Arahant cannot live as a layperson anymore. A person who became an Arahant in his lay life often joins the monkhood quickly. It is clear from this explanation that even a layperson can become an Arahant.

Our teacher, the Buddha, approved wearing red-brown colored robes. These types of colors made out of chips of trees emanate odors that would prevent flies or mosquitoes to come near or bother the monks. These colors also help the monks being seen from far in the forests. In fact, red-brown colored robes look simple. Having a robe worn with one simple color, makes the monks to think simply about their own beauty as well.

Buddha once told that the attachment of a person to the lay life is stronger than an unbreakable iron chain. Therefore, not everyone of this world has the strength to break those attachments and become a monk. It is impossible to see everyone in the world join the monkhood.

A true monkhood is based on protecting and practicing Buddha’s word as it is. It is monks’ great responsibility to practice Dhamma and teach others without distorting it. Inclusion of their own views is not necessary and should be regarded it as tainting the Buddha’s noble teachings. Then only the Dhamma would be prevailed for long time. Thus, the esteemed service a monk can do to the world is to practice and teach others Buddha’s teachings in its pure form.