is buddhism just another romantic escape?

[Plenum]

first up; the principles of buddhism I find to be the most compatible out of all the major 'faiths'. It has a cleanness and directness which appeals greatly to moi.

but just like the relationship of the Church to the man Jesus, there is the institution of 'Buddhism' and the man Siddhartha Gautama. They are not identical things.

I can remember when I was 19 and wanted to escape from my life. I felt trapped and locked in studying something I really didn't want to. I entertained the storyline of just packing up my stuff, and moving to a monestary in Thailand or Vietnam to find my 'truth'. I never followed through on it, but it was a fantasy for quite some time (then and a bit afterwards).

it seems that the process of 3d living (within societal constructs) offers the greatest catalyst in developing acceptance and love for the other.

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I'm sure the monastic life has ENORMOUS BENEFIT for thos that are truly ready for it. Ra offered this on certain christian saints Some of them were part of the 150 that were 4d harvestable, but chose to stick around:

"22.15 Questioner: Were any of these entities names that we know from our historical past? That have appeared as incarnated beings we find in our history?

Ra: I am Ra. The one known as sound vibration complex, Saint Augustine, is of such a nature. The one known as Saint Teresa of such a nature. The one known as Saint Francis of Assisi of such nature. These entities, being of monastic background, as you would call it, found incarnation in the same type of ambiance appropriate for further learning."

but I sort of wonder if most Westerner's (including myself) conception of buddhism/monastic life is just another way of reframing an escape fantasy from the current life path.

thoughts?

ever wanted to become a bald, saffron-robed monk yourself?