Are you a monk?
No, I am not a monk—if you consider a monk being a celibate male who is ordained.
Our tradition, Jodo Shinshu (Shin Buddhism), is the first sect/school of Buddhism to have a married clergy. Shin Buddhism came out of the Pure Land School of Mahayana Buddhism, which started in Japan.
Our founder, Shinran Shonin, considered himself as neither monk nor layman. He saw a path of “ordinary people” (who were considered “householders,” i.e., married, with family and jobs) without distinction of being male or female, monk or layman, rich or poor, educated or illiterate. Our temples are organized in a congregational style, with a minister (as teacher and religious leader); with members; and, here in America, we adopted the Sunday service format of gathering, and thus, we have “Sunday Family Services.”
Here in America, the early pioneers who brought Japanese Shin Buddhism to this country, facing racial and religious discrimination, translated Kaikyoshi (the title of ordination and certification that I hold) to be “minister” and started to use the title “Reverend” so as not to be controversial nor noticed. Thus, I am often just called “Rev. Ron.”
Gassho (with palms together), Rev. Ron