On a common, commercial place where Dhamma and generousity is practiced just for
exchange and worldly gain and entertainment in and of it self, boundage to the world, and not so much for upwardly and liberation, on a short visit, a young "annonymos" devoted asked:
What should a 11-17 years old buddhist do?
Can a 11-17 years old meditate and become arahant? Is Buddhism only for adults?
Since internet, for the most, is actually a very dangerousplace in regard of increasing unwholesome behavior, but also less protected by laws and integrity, it's an importand matter.
Like in "real" life, outside of this fine-material realm, it's much better to seek and guide others toward those of different kind and not running free around market places and in cities delightful and dark street. Facebook, google, twitter... my person dies not know the even more special places even by name, are dangerous for adults already, like large cities, now children and those under protection are really not very secure and gaining right ways, when running freely around in the cities and marked places, between disputes, deals and access to so many unskilfull things.
On this matter, for if young people don't wish to get orphans, without guidance, without parents, some words on this account.
It's not only for children, but also good for good parents looking after their children. Since old times, even at Buddhas times, devoted people use to send young people to monasteries, do certain services, learn, possible also ordain and wish for them to see the path to liberation.
So, like if informed devoted people go to monasteries and let the whole family take part, introduce their children to total different ways and not like thinking sometimes "that's just for adults", it's good to encourage them to spend online/free time better in Dhammic enviroments, in borderlands and not in outer lands, where good fastly get lost.
Venerable members of the Sangha,
walking in front Fellows in leading the holly life.
In Respect of the Triple Gems, Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha, in Respect of the Elders of the community
,
my person tries to answer this question. Please, may all knowledgeable Venerables and Dhammika, out of compassion, correct my person, if something is not correct and fill also graps, if something is missing.
Valued Upasaka, Upasika, Aramika(inis),
dear Readers and interested Visitors,
No, this path is not only for adults, but opposite or equal: wisdom and needed merits are not a matter of age. And a young tree can be bend easy, while an old is hard to change.
As a child, being provided by all needed to live on (all totally voluntary by others = much debts and required gratitude for it), one can easy life a holly life and attain Sainthood, if in good guidiance of what is good and listen to it.
Seeking out for good monks (keeping the original rules, do not act as lay-people servants and live with lay people), assosiate with them, rander service, listen and if having possibility seeking for being allowed to go forth by oneself: e.g. ordain.
If one is female, a girl, one should not go alone without ones parents, or other male protectors (allowed by father and mother) and approach monk/monks alone. Also should not join even groups of mixed gender and always look out for female groups, tend to mother and possible seek out for nuns our female practicing groups, if very trustfull male attendant can be not found or listen to the Dhamma on more public occations and events to be protected by the group.
In now ways a young person should accumulate debts or waste his merits/wealth for useless things. The sooner meeting and associating with noble people and with deed love listen and follow their advices, the more secure would a young persons path to highest gainings be.
If not accessible, such real friends yet, focus on right view, fulfill all duties toward parents, teacher, elders, stick firm to the basic precepts and practice generosity. Giving the causes, all effects come by it's own: patient is all what is required.
They should in no way lie without dependency and walk around thinking "i can get it somewhere else..." and act very strong bond to their "father", "mother" not violating there duties (which of cause does not include to act against the basic precepts).
Depending on parents and owing a lot of debt toward them, they should ask them whether the are allowing to associate with someone else and depend (also if particular) to them. This includes also asking parents if they allow to join a internet community. (it's totally improper how certain online communities act and protect themselves "against good moral" by just disclaimer, for example, acts careless in giving those under protection ways to act outward their relation. A child is not what is called "vested with legal capacity" and certain disclaimer do not protect especially a legal person of "full legal capacity".).
So possible start to ask your parents if they agree that you came here! And follow what they advice.
Seeing a young man acting according his known rituals, the Buddha explained him the detail meaning and gave him the lay-mans rules:
The Layperson's Code of Discipline. At the end here maybe a short story about "
The lucky young monk " and the
Arahat Novice Ven. Tissa .
There is the story of the son, my person thinks of Anāthapiṇḍikassa. The devoted rich father tried to get his son the hear and learn the Dhamma, and because his son was always up to gain, offered him money if he approaches the Buddha and learn one teaching form him to receit it later.
The story, after some tries without much success, goes, that he one time really listened the Dhamma and after coming back, refused to accept the bounty from his father, telling that he has gained something of much more value as the huge amount of money.
If my person remembers where to find this Dhammapada-Commentary story, it will be attached here later.
All of this here is just a quick shortcut and it's worthy to explain and ask much in this matter here. It is surly great if this was already enought to get more interested and if some, young or older, beginn to discover this huge topic for better introduction of old traditons to be understood rightly in right context, far away from "just folk-cultural usuals" but the costume of those desiring into the right direction.
Som Anumodana puñña kusala!