Wow, didn't realize this was so interesting to people, neat.

I'd like to hear peoples stories about becoming a monk, what it meant to them and their reasons for doing it, how it changed them as a person

I'm an ordinand (will be ordained in 3 months) so I guess I could give some feedback.

I grew up Buddhist (Nyingma, Vajrayana) but strayed away from it in my mid 20's, got a great job and a fun band, was even dating girls from tv, living in the middle of Hollywood, CA. I was leading a very eventful life when I met a girl who was really into Buddhism and spirituality. I think this, along with other signs helped me root back to who I was, although she was pissed when I left. Everything started to come back to me, had some dreams that inspired and then went on a 30 day retreat. After retreat I felt like many signs were pointing me to dig deeper, I had my own sangha going in CA but decided to leave to deepen my practice. After a few months in Oregon, I went to Washington DC and met with one of my Tibetan teachers, I asked him if I could become ordained and after many questions/examination, he agreed. He knew me since I was young and knew I lived with some monks as a teen. That was about 1.5 years ago. I went on another retreat and received great support from the ordained and sangha, all while helping build a Stupa. One of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche's closest monks passed me his robes and I'm still in amazement about it.

I've been doing preliminary work, living under vows, studying, language learning and things like that so right about now I'd be ready as long as conditions allow. I'll be on another retreat, then some language schooling followed by Shedra in India plus extended retreats, as long as conditions allow.

My main reason is that I've studied a lot of history, philosophy and religion and this practice is special. The path that I'm on works 100%, especially after casting aside doubt and over-intellectualization after thorough inquiry. I've read many, many critiques, learned about the abuse at monasteries and many other innocence-shattering revelations but remain confident.

I feel very lucky to be in my early 30's and introduced to some of the most advanced Buddhist practices.

It feels totally strange talking this much about myself so I'm sorry if it comes across bland or anything like that. I thought this could maybe inspire others and let them know it's possible.

Tashi Delek