Was it difficult leaving family and friends to become a monk?

Answer:

by: Venerable Nicolas Thanissaro

For me it was not difficult - but for some of my friends, it was so hard, they didn't even dare to drive past their family home for up to ten years after becoming a monk. If you ask why they should want to leave home at all, I guess it is because, although we appreciate the convenience and special treatment we get in our own homes, because we have chosen to train ourselves on the Buddhist path, we forgo these things, so that we can train ourselves. If we are able to attain progress in our studies or our meditation, as a result of our 'renunciation' next time we visit our homes we will have true wisdom we can share with all the people we love there, making up for all the years of our absence.