Monk

A monk is a person who belongs to a religious order.

Most monks live in a community called a monastery. They focus their lives on prayer and contemplation. This practice is known as monasticism. This concept is ancient and appears in many different religions. It also appears in various philosophical traditions. Monks seek to step away from worldly life. They often do this to pursue spiritual goals.

Monasticism has deep historical roots in India. It began with the Sramana movements. These movements created structured ascetic orders. Jainism and Buddhism are two major results of this. In Jainism, monks follow the Mahavratas. These are known as the Five Great Vows. They also follow a strict rule of non-violence called ahimsa. In Buddhism, the followers belong to the Sangha. They follow a disciplinary code called the Vinaya. This code balances asceticism with communal living. In Hinduism, monasticism is seen in the Sannyasa stage. Practitioners are called sadhus. They renounce worldly ties to find spiritual liberation.

In the West, Christian monasticism emerged in the 3rd century. It began with the Desert Fathers. Later, it became organized communal living. These communities lived under a specific rule. This rule emphasized prayer, study, and manual labor. The Greek word monachos can refer to men or women. However, in English, monk usually means a man. The term nun is used for women. Different Christian groups have monastic traditions. These include Catholicism, Lutheranism, and Anglicanism. Eastern Orthodoxy and Methodism also have them. Even Reformed Christianity has these traditions.

Buddhist traditions vary by branch. In Theravada Buddhism, a monk is called a bhikkhu. They follow a code called the patimokkha. This is part of the larger Vinaya. Many bhikkhus practice mendicancy. This means they rely on others for food. They go on a morning almsround called pindapata. Local people give them food to eat. Monks cannot ask for things directly. They live in monasteries and serve society. Young boys can become novices called samaneras. Both bhikkhus and samaneras eat only in the morning. They are not supposed to live luxuriously. Most rules forbid the use of money.

In Vajrayana Buddhism, there are specific stages. A person first takes five vows called approaching virtue. Next, they enter the monastic way of life. They then become a novice, or getshül. The final step is becoming a fully ordained monk. This person is called a gelong. In Mahayana Buddhism, the Sangha has a different meaning. It refers to those with high understanding. These are called the community of the excellent ones. Some Mahayana orders treat female monks as equals.

Jainism offers some of the most intense asceticism. Jains seek Nirvana or Moksha. This is liberation from the cycle of rebirth. To reach this, a soul must have no attachment. Monks and nuns take the Five Great Vows. These are non-violence, truth, non-stealing, non-possession, and celibacy. Ahimsa is their most important vow. They do not want to hurt any living being. Some carry brooms to sweep insects away. Some wear cloths over their mouths. They do not use electricity or machines. They often travel barefoot from city to city.

Jain monks have different ranks. An Acharya is a leader of the order. An Upadhyaya is a learned monk who teaches. A Muni is an ordinary monk. In the Digambara tradition, junior monks have specific names. An Ailak uses one piece of cloth. A Kshullak uses two pieces. Digambara monks may wear no clothes at all. They carry a soft broom made of peacock feathers. They eat from their hands. Śvetāmbara monks wear unstitched white robes. They also use a bowl for food.

Western monasticism was shaped by Benedict of Nursia. He lived from approximately 480 to 543 AD. He is the originator of Western monasticism. He founded the Monte Cassino monastery in 529. He wrote the Rule of Saint Benedict. This rule is the foundation for many groups. It includes the Benedictines and the Cistercians. The rule emphasizes three main promises. These are stability, conversion of life, and obedience. Stability means staying at one monastery for life. Conversion of life means living for God. Obedience means following the monastery leader. This leader is called an abbot or a prior.