[thedaemon]

I've dreamed quite often about becoming a monk. It's not odd at all that if you limit your input your overall self is better for it. It's not really a reachable goal though, to remove all of my responsibilities and become so selfish as to become a monk. Here is the issue, you have a responsibility to the rest of the human race, to become self contained and not give back, is breaking the social contract don't you think?

[ionised]

Monks are some of the least selfish people alive.

They've traded a life of materialism and conflict for self-reflection, asceticism and charity. They don't just hide away and do nothing but take care of themselves.

> Here is the issue, you have a responsibility to the rest of the human race, to become self contained and not give back

This is not a truism and is open to philisophical debate.

[brianpgordon]

It depends on the type of monk. There are certainly plenty of groups which don't contribute back to society.