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Message: <blockquote data-quote="sudunone" data-source="post: 6180165" data-attributes="member: 205934">A bhikkhu is a person who  has left a lay life-which means, he should not have an occupation, such as a post of MP, and if he is a fully ordained monk, should not touch money-so he cannot accept a salary. Do I make myself clear? The vinaya rules were introduced as and when required. Initially, those who became monks were those who were focused on finding a solution to dukkha, or focused on nirvana. But later on people joined the Sangha community for various gains. These people were not focused on spiritual development and various rules had to be implemented.As far as I know, monks of that day, didn't enter politics- India was ruled by kings, whose crown passed from one king to his child. So 'politics' as we have today, didn't exist. But Buddha has stated that monks should not engage in trades or handle money. But since the Buddhist monks depend on lay people for their needs (food, robes, dwellings, medication) they should repay by teaching dhamma to lay people, engaging them in good deeds and providing proper guidance to lay people.Since their main aim is to attain nirvana, in my opinion, they cannot engage in full-time politics.</blockquote>

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