Advice please - American seeking PR as Buddhist Monk

Hi All,

A little over two years ago I came to Canada to begin training at a Buddhist monastery in BC; I was not a monk at that time, and have been on a visitors record with the understanding from CIC and a lawyer that I do not need a work permit, even now that I am an ordained Buddhist monastic. My VR has been extended through Vegerville onece, currently good to March 2010.

I am looking into PR options, best bet seems to be skilled worker Skill Level A or B (clergy=A, monk=B; buddhist monks are clergy, but class B desc. fits the role I play better).

I have some questions around working status - since I have not needed a work permit, can my time at a monk in Canada (1+ years) count toward adaptability? Can I do arranged employment inside Canada if I do not have a work permit, even though I am not required to have one? Does my 'employer' (my monastery/abbot, I suppose) need to do the HRDC LMO thing - there are heaps of exemptions for religious/charitable work, and my monastery is a registered charitable society, etc. Finally, I was here as a postulant/novice for another year previous, would this count as 'work' for Canadian experience class? I ask all of this because 1) language on the CIC pages assume a 'valid work permit' for these cases and 2) my position is hardly work in the traditional sense - monks cannot own/use money, we do not get paid to live this life, though we do get fed and housed.

Any insights on this situation?

Thanks in advance,
Bhikkhu Suvaco