This article concerns the buildings occupied by monastics. MONK is a Monte Carlo software package for simulating nuclear processes particularly for the purpose of determining the neutron multiplication factor or k-effective

For the life inside monasteries and its historical roots see Monasticism. Monasticism (from Greek μοναχός, monachos, derived from Greek monos, alone is the religious practice in which one

For monastic communities see Religious orders. A religious order is a lineage of communities and organizations of people who live in some way set apart from society in accordance with their specific religious devotion usually

For the hamlet in the South-west of England see The Friary. The Friary is a small hamlet outside the English village of Freshford, about six miles south of Bath.

For the school in the Lichfield, Staffordshire see The Friary School. The Friary School (formerly Friary High School) is a community Secondary school located in Lichfield, Staffordshire, England

Monastery of St. Nilus on Stolbnyi Island in Lake Seliger near Ostashkov, ca. Stolobny Island is an island on Lake Seliger in the Tver Oblast of Russia, about 10 km north of the town of Ostashkov. Seliger (Селигер is a Lake in Tver Oblast and in the extreme northern part Novgorod Oblast of Russia, in the northwest of the Ostashkov (Оста́шков is a town in Tver Oblast, Russia, 199 km west of Tver. 1910.

Abbey of Monte Cassino, originally built by Saint Benedict, shown here as rebuilt after World War II. An abbey (from Latin abbatia derived from Syriac abba "father" is a Christian Monastery or For information about the World War II battle see the Battle of Monte Cassino. "Saint Benedict" redirects here This article is about the founder of Western monasticism for other saints named Benedict see Benedict.

The groundplan of the Abbey of St. Gall in Switzerland, providing for all of the needs of the monks within the confines of the monastery walls. Cladistics is the hierarchical classification of Species based on evolutionary ancestry The Abbey of St Gall (Sankt Gallen was for many centuries one of the chief Benedictine Abbeys in Europe

Monastery (plural: Monasteries), a term derived from the Greek word μοναστήριον (monastērion, from μόνος - monos "alone"), denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer (e. Greek (el ελληνική γλώσσα or simply el ελληνικά — "Hellenic" is an Indo-European language, spoken today by 15-22 million people mainly g. an oratory) as well as the domestic quarters and workplace(s) of monastics, whether monks or nuns, and whether living in community or alone (hermits). In Christianity, an oratory is a Room for Prayer, from the Latin orare, to pray MONK is a Monte Carlo software package for simulating nuclear processes particularly for the purpose of determining the neutron multiplication factor or k-effective MONK is a Monte Carlo software package for simulating nuclear processes particularly for the purpose of determining the neutron multiplication factor or k-effective A Nun is a Woman who has taken special vows committing her to a religious life A hermit (from the Greek ἔρημος erēmos, signifying " Desert " "uninhabited" hence "desert-dweller" adjective "eremitic"

Many religions and philosophies have monastic traditions, in which individuals commit themselves to a religious life and live apart from secular society in a monastery. MONK is a Monte Carlo software package for simulating nuclear processes particularly for the purpose of determining the neutron multiplication factor or k-effective Secularity ( adjective form secular) is the state of being separate from Religion.

The earliest extant use of the term monastērion is by the first century CE Jewish philosopher Philo (On The Contemplative Life, ch. III). Philo (20 BC - 50 AD) known also as Philo of Alexandria (gr Φίλων ὁ Ἀλεξανδρεύς Philo Judaeus, Philo Judaeus of Alexandria MONK is a Monte Carlo software package for simulating nuclear processes particularly for the purpose of determining the neutron multiplication factor or k-effective

Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only a hermit, or in the case of communities anything from a single building housing only a one senior and two or three junior monks or nuns, to vast complexes and estates housing tens or hundreds. A hermit (from the Greek ἔρημος erēmos, signifying " Desert " "uninhabited" hence "desert-dweller" adjective "eremitic" MONK is a Monte Carlo software package for simulating nuclear processes particularly for the purpose of determining the neutron multiplication factor or k-effective A Nun is a Woman who has taken special vows committing her to a religious life

In English usage, the term monastery is generally used to denote the buildings of a community of male monastics (monks), while convent tends to be used for the buildings accommodating female monastics (nuns). MONK is a Monte Carlo software package for simulating nuclear processes particularly for the purpose of determining the neutron multiplication factor or k-effective A convent is a community of Priests religious brothers religious sisters or Nuns or the building used by the community particularly in the Roman Catholic Church A Nun is a Woman who has taken special vows committing her to a religious life The term nunnery for the latter is outmoded. Various religions, however, use these terms, and a number of other terms as well, in rather technical and specific ways. Usage can vary extensively by language, as English speakers try to choose the most appropriate translation for foreign institutions and organizations.

In most religions the life inside monasteries is governed by community rules that stipulates the gender of the inhabitants and requires them to remain celibate and own little or no personal property. The degree to which life inside a particular monastery is socially separate from the surrounding populace can also vary widely; some religious traditions mandate isolation for purposes of contemplation removed from the everyday world, in which case members of the monastic community may spend most of their time isolated even from each other. Others are focused on interacting with the local communities in order to provide some service, such as teaching, medical care, or evangelism. Evangelism is the Christian practice of proselytisation. The intention of most evangelism is to effect Eternal salvation to those who do not follow the Some monastic communties are only occupied seasonally, depending both on the traditions involved and the local weather, and people may be part of a monastic community for periods ranging from a few days at a time to almost an entire lifetime.

The life within the walls of a monastery may be supported in several ways: by manufacturing and selling goods, often agricultural products such as cheese, wine, beer, liquor, and jellies; by donations or alms; by rental or investment incomes; and by funds from other organizations within the religion which in the past has formed the traditional support of Monasteries. Agriculture refers to the production of goods through the growing of plants and fungi and the raising of domesticated Animals The study of agriculture Cheese is a Food made from Milk, usually the milk of cows, Buffalo, Goats or sheep, by coagulation. Wine is an Alcoholic beverage made from the fermentation of Grape juice Beer is the world's oldest and most widely consumed Alcoholic beverage and the third most popular drink overall after water and tea Alms or almsgiving exists in a number of religions In general it involves giving materially to another as an act of religious virtue However, today Christian Monastics have updated and adapted themselves to modern society by offering computer services, accounting services, management as well as modern hospital administration in addition to running schools, colleges and universities.

For a discussion of the history and development of the life inside monasteries see monasticism and abbey. Monasticism (from Greek μοναχός, monachos, derived from Greek monos, alone is the religious practice in which one An abbey (from Latin abbatia derived from Syriac abba "father" is a Christian Monastery or

Etymology

The word monastery comes from the Greek μοναστήριον "monasterion", from the root "monos" = alone (originally all Christian monks were hermits), and the suffix "-terion" = place for doing something. Greek (el ελληνική γλώσσα or simply el ελληνικά — "Hellenic" is an Indo-European language, spoken today by 15-22 million people mainly For early usage, contemporary with the birth of the Christian Church, see Philo, On the Contemplative Life III.25. Philo (20 BC - 50 AD) known also as Philo of Alexandria (gr Φίλων ὁ Ἀλεξανδρεύς Philo Judaeus, Philo Judaeus of Alexandria MONK is a Monte Carlo software package for simulating nuclear processes particularly for the purpose of determining the neutron multiplication factor or k-effective

In England the word monastery was also applied to the habitation of a bishop and the cathedral clergy who lived apart from the lay community. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight This article is about the history and organisation of the cathedral Clergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given Religion. Most cathedrals were not monasteries, and were served by canons secular, which were communal but not monastic. A canon (from the Latin canonicus, itself derived from the Greek κανωνικος 'relating to a rule' is a priest who is a member of certain bodies of the However some were run by monastic orders, such as York Minster. York Minster is a Gothic Cathedral in York, England and is the second largest of its kind in Northern Europe (largest is the Westminster Abbey was for a short time a cathedral, and was a Benedictine monastery until the Reformation, and its Chapter preserves elements of the Benedictine tradition. The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, which is almost always referred to by its original name of Westminster Abbey, is a large mainly Gothic church Benedictine refers to the Spirituality and Consecrated life in accordance with the Rule of St Benedict, written by Benedict of Nursia in The Protestant Reformation was a reform movement in Europe that began in 1517 though its roots lie further back in time Chapter ( Latin capitulum) designates certain corporate ecclesiastical bodies in the Roman Catholic, Anglican and Nordic Lutheran See the entry cathedral. This article is about the history and organisation of the cathedral They are also to be distinguished from collegiate churches, such as St George's Chapel, Windsor.

Terms for monasteries

In most of this article, the term monastery is used generically to refer to any of a number of types of religious community. In the Roman Catholic religion and to some extent in certain other branches of Christianity, there is a somewhat more specific definition of the term and many related terms. Christianity ( Greek Χριστιανισμός from the word Xριστός ( Christ)is a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings

Buddhist monasteries are generally called vihara (Pali language). Buddhism is a family of beliefs and practices A Vihara is an Indian Buddhist Monastery. In Sanskrit the word vihara means "a secluded place in which to walk" Pali ( ISO 15919 / ALA-LC: Pāḷi is a Middle Indo-Aryan language or Prakrit of India. Viharas may be occupied by males or females, and in keeping with common English usage, a vihara populated by females may often be called a nunnery or a convent. However, vihara can also refer to a temple. A temple (from the Latin word Templum) is a structure reserved for religious or spiritual activities such as prayer and sacrifice or analogous rites In Tibetan Buddhism, monasteries are often called gompa. Gompa and ling are ecclesiastical Fortifications of learning lineage and Sadhana (that may be understood as a conflation of a fortification a Monastery In Thailand, Laos and Cambodia, a monastery is called a wat. The Kingdom of Thailand (ˈtaɪlænd ราชอาณาจักรไทย, râːtɕʰa-ʔaːnaːtɕɑ̀k-tʰɑj Laos (ˈlɑːoʊs or /ˈlaʊs/ officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic, is a Landlocked country in Southeast Asia, bordered by Burma The Kingdom of Cambodia ( formerly known as Kampuchea (, transliterated: Preăh Réachéanachâkr Kâmpŭchea) is a country in South East WaT ( W entz a nd T eppei is a Japanese pop duo composed of singers/songwriters Eiji Wentz and Teppei Koike

A monastery may be an abbey (i. An abbey (from Latin abbatia derived from Syriac abba "father" is a Christian Monastery or e. , under the rule of an abbot), or a priory (under the rule of a prior), or conceivably a hermitage (the dwelling of a hermit). The word abbot, meaning Father, is a title given to the head of a Monastery in various traditions including Christianity. A priory is a House of men or women under religious vows headed by a Prior or prioress Prior is a Title, derived from the Latin adjective for 'earlier first' with several notable uses Although today's meaning is usually a place where a Hermit lives in seclusion from the world hermitage was more commonly used to mean a settlement where a person or a group A hermit (from the Greek ἔρημος erēmos, signifying " Desert " "uninhabited" hence "desert-dweller" adjective "eremitic" It may be a community of men (monks) or of women (nuns). MONK is a Monte Carlo software package for simulating nuclear processes particularly for the purpose of determining the neutron multiplication factor or k-effective A Nun is a Woman who has taken special vows committing her to a religious life A charterhouse is any monastery belonging to the Carthusian order. The Carthusian Order, also called the Order of St Bruno, is a Roman Catholic religious order of enclosed monastics. In Eastern Christianity a very small monastic community can be called a skete, and a very large or important monastery can be given the dignity of a lavra. Families of churches Eastern Christians have a shared tradition but they became divided ( Schism) during the early centuries of Christianity in disputes about A skete is a community of Christian Hermits following a monastic rule allowing them to Worship in comparative Solitude, while also In Orthodox Christianity and certain other Eastern Christian communities Lavra or Laura (Λαύρα Cyrillic: Ла́вра originally meant

The great communal life of a Christian monastery is called cenobitic, as opposed to the anchoretic (or anchoritic) life of an anchorite and the eremitic life of a hermit. Anchorite (male/ anchoress (female (adj anchoritic from the Greek anachōreō signifying "to withdraw" "to depart into the rural countryside" Anchorite (male/ anchoress (female (adj anchoritic from the Greek anachōreō signifying "to withdraw" "to depart into the rural countryside" A hermit (from the Greek ἔρημος erēmos, signifying " Desert " "uninhabited" hence "desert-dweller" adjective "eremitic" A hermit (from the Greek ἔρημος erēmos, signifying " Desert " "uninhabited" hence "desert-dweller" adjective "eremitic"

In Hinduism monasteries are called matha, mandir, koil, or most commonly an ashram. Hinduism is a religious tradition that originated in the Indian subcontinent. A maţha (also written math, matha or mutt) is a term for monastic and similar religious establishments of the Hindu and A Hindu temple or Mandir ( Sanskrit: मंदिर is a house of worship for Hindus followers of Hinduism. Koil is the Tamil name for a Hindu Temple. The word literally means "abode of the king" ( Ko = king il = residence An Ashram in ancient India was a Hindu hermitage where sages lived in Peace and tranquility amidst Nature.

Jains use the Buddhist term vihara

Buddhist monasteries

Main article: Buddhist monasticism

The Tikse Buddhist monastery in Ladakh, India. Jainism, traditionally known as Jain Dharma / Shraman Dharma (जैन धर्म is an ancient religion of India. A Vihara is an Indian Buddhist Monastery. In Sanskrit the word vihara means "a secluded place in which to walk" Monasticism is one of the most fundamental institutions of Buddhism. Ladakh ( Ladakhi lad̪ɑks लदाख لدّاخ "land of high passes" is a region in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir between India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country

By the time Christian cenobites emerged in the 4th century AD, Buddhist monasteries had been in existence for seven hundred years or more, and had spread deep into the Persian empire. Thurman says "It is quite likely that (Buddhist monasticism) influenced West Asia, North Africa, and Europe through lending its institutional style to Manicheism and Aramaic and Egyptian Christianity. "

Buddhist monasteries, known as vihara, emerged sometime around the fourth century BC, from the practice of vassa, the retreat undertaken by Buddhist monks and nuns during the South Asian rainy season. Vihara (विहार is Sanskrit or Pali for ( Buddhist) Monastery. Vassa (from Pāli vasso, Sanskrit varṣaḥ, both "rain" พรรษา pansa or phansaa; ဝါဆိုး In order to prevent wandering monks from disturbing new plant growth or becoming stranded in inclement weather, Buddhist monks and nuns were instructed to remain in a fixed location for the roughly three month period typically beginning in mid-July. Outside of the vassa period, monks and nuns both lived a migratory existence, wandering from town to town begging for food. These early fixed vassa retreats were held in pavilions and parks that had been donated to the sangha by wealthy supporters. This article concerns the concept of Sangha in Buddhism. For information on other senses see Sangha (disambiguation. Over the years, the custom of staying on property held in common by the sangha as a whole during the vassa retreat evolved into a more cenobitic lifestyle, in which monks and nuns resided year round in monasteries.

In India, Buddhist monasteries gradually developed into centers of learning where philosophical principles were developed and debated; this tradition is currently preserved by monastic universities of Vajrayana Buddhists, as well as religious schools and universities founded by religious orders across the Buddhist world. India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country Vajrayana Buddhism is also known as Tantric Buddhism, Tantrayāna, Mantrayana, Mantranaya, Secret Mantra, Esoteric Buddhism and In modern times, living a settled life in a monastery setting has become the most common lifestyle for Buddhist monks and nuns across the globe.

Tengboche Buddhist monastery, Nepal. Tengboche (or Thyangboche is a village in the Khumbu region of eastern Nepal, located at. Buddhism is a family of beliefs and practices Nepal (नेपाल) is a Landlocked country in South Asia.

Whereas early monasteries are considered to have been held in common by the entire sangha, in later years this tradition diverged in a number of countries. Despite vinaya prohibitions on possessing wealth, many monasteries became large land owners, much like monasteries in medieval Christian Europe. The Vinaya (a word in Pāli as well as in Sanskrit, with literal meaning 'leading out' 'education' 'discipline' is the regulatory framework for the Buddhist In China, peasant families worked monastic-owned land in exchange for paying a portion of their yearly crop to the resident monks in the monastery, just as they would to a feudal landlord. China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National Feudalism, a term first used in the early modern period (17th century in its most classic sense refers to a Medieval Europe Political system composed In Sri Lanka and Tibet, the ownership of a monastery often became vested in a single monk, who would often keep the property within the family by passing it on to a nephew who ordained as a monk. Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka ( Sinhalese:, இலங்கை known as Ceylon before 1972 is an Island Definitions of Tibet See also Definitions of Tibet Name In English The English word Tibet, like the word for Tibet in most European In Japan, where civil authorities required Buddhist monks to marry, being the head of a temple or monastery sometimes became a hereditary position, passed from father to son over many generations. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics.

Forest monasteries – most commonly found in the Theravada traditions of Southeast Asia and Sri Lanka – are monasteries dedicated primarily to the study of Buddhist meditation, rather than scholarship or ceremonial duties. History Origin of the school The Theravāda school is ultimately derived from the Vibhajjavāda (or 'doctrine of analysis' grouping which was a continuation Meditation is a mental discipline by which one attempts to get beyond the conditioned "thinking" mind into a deeper state of relaxation or awareness Forest monasteries often function like early Christian monasteries, with small groups of monks living an essentially hermit-like life gathered loosely around a respected elder teacher. While the wandering lifestyle practiced by the Buddha and his disciples continues to be the ideal model for forest tradition monks in Thailand and elsewhere, practical concerns- including shrinking wilderness areas, lack of access to lay supporters, dangerous wildlife, and dangerous border conflicts- dictate that more and more 'meditation' monks live in monasteries, rather than wandering. The Kingdom of Thailand (ˈtaɪlænd ราชอาณาจักรไทย, râːtɕʰa-ʔaːnaːtɕɑ̀k-tʰɑj

Tibetan Buddhist monasteries are sometimes known as lamaseries and the monks are sometimes (mistakenly) known as lamas. Tibetan Buddhism is the body of Buddhist religious doctrine and institutions characteristic of Tibet and certain regions of the Himalayas, including Lama ( is a title for a Tibetan teacher

Some famous Buddhist monasteries include:

• Jetavana, Sravasti
• Nalanda, India
• Shaolin, China
• Donglin Temple, China
• Tengboche, Nepal

A further list of Buddhist monasteries is available at the list of Buddhist temples

Christian monasteries

Main article: Christian monasticism

Traditionally, it is often said Christian monasticism started in Egypt. Jetavana was one of the most famous of the Buddhist monasteries in India Srāvastī or Sāvatthī ( Hindi: श्रावस्ती a city of ancient India, was one of the six largest cities in India during Gautama Buddha Nālandā is the name of an ancient University in Bihar, India. India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country The Shaolin Monastery or Shaolin Temple ( is a Chan Buddhist temple at Song Shan in Zhengzhou City Henan Province China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National Donglin Temple ( is a Buddhist Monastery approximately 20km away from Jiujiang, Jiangxi, People's Republic of China. China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National Tengboche (or Thyangboche is a village in the Khumbu region of eastern Nepal, located at. Nepal (नेपाल) is a Landlocked country in South Asia. Buddhism is a family of beliefs and practices Buddhist Temples monasteries, Stupas and Pagodas sorted by location Those living the monastic life are known by the generic terms Monks (men and Nuns (women A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth This article is about the country of Egypt For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Egypt topics. However, St. John the Baptist may be said to have been the first Christian monk, albeit he was Jewish in a time when Christianity and Hebrewism were one and the same. Saint John the Baptist ( heb. Jochanan ben Sacharja, arab. يحيى Yaḥyā or يوحنا Yūḥanna, aram. MONK is a Monte Carlo software package for simulating nuclear processes particularly for the purpose of determining the neutron multiplication factor or k-effective PLEASE TAKE NOTE************ After St. Anthony founded his group the practice later continued on into Abyssinia (Ethiopia). NOTE This intro is the result of careful NPOV work Please do not make potentially controversial edits to it without first discussing on the talk page NOTE This intro is the result of careful NPOV work Please do not make potentially controversial edits to it without first discussing on the talk page According to tradition, in the 3rd century St. Anthony was the first Christian to adopt this lifestyle. Saint Anthony the Great (c 251–356 also known as Anthony the Abbot, Anthony of Egypt, Anthony of the Desert, Anthony the Anchorite, After a short while others followed. Originally, all Christian monks were hermits seldom encountering other people. A hermit (from the Greek ἔρημος erēmos, signifying " Desert " "uninhabited" hence "desert-dweller" adjective "eremitic" But because of the extreme difficulty of the solitary life, many monks failed, either returning to their previous lives, or becoming spiritually deluded.

A transitional form of monasticism was later created by Saint Amun in which “solitary” monks lived close enough to one another to offer mutual support as well as gathering together on Sundays for common services. Ammon or Amun (294 – 357 was a Saint and Hermit of Egypt. He was one of the most venerated ascetics of the Nitrian Desert

It was St. Pachomios who developed the idea of having monks live together and worship together under the same roof (Coenobitic Monasticism). Saint Pachomius (ca 292-348 also known as Abba Pachomius and Pakhom in Arabic الأنبا باخوميوس, is generally recognized as the founder of Soon the Egyptian desert blossomed with monasteries, especially around Nitria, which was called the "Holy City”. Estimates are the upwards of 50,000 monks lived in this area at any one time.

Hermitism never died out though, but was reserved only for those advanced monks who had worked out their problems within a cenobitic monastery. The idea caught on, and other places followed:

• Saint Eugenios founded a monastery on Mt. Mar Awgin, also known as Saint Eugenios (died ca 379 founded the first Cenobitic Monastery of Asia. Izla above Nisibis in Mesopotamia (~350), and from this monastery the cenobitic tradition spread in Mesopotamia, Persia, Armenia, Georgia and even India and China. Nusaybin ancient Nisibis, Nisibia Nisibin is a city in Mardin Province, southeastern Turkey populated by Turks, Aramean-Syriacs Mesopotamia (from the Greek meaning "land between the rivers" is an area geographically located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers largely corresponding Mesopotamia (from the Greek meaning "land between the rivers" is an area geographically located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers largely corresponding The Persian Empire was a series of Iranian empires that ruled over the Iranian plateau, the original Persian homeland and beyond in Western Asia Armenia (Հայաստան transliterated: Hayastan,) officially the Republic of Armenia (Հայաստանի Հանրապետություն Hayastani

• Saint Saba organized the monks of the Judean Desert in a monastery close to Bethlehem (483), and this is considered the mother of all monasteries of the Eastern Orthodox churches. The Great Lavra of St Sabas, known in Arabic as Mar Saba ( is a Greek Orthodox Monastery overlooking the Kidron Valley Judea or Judæa ( Hebrew: יהודה Standard Yəhuda Tiberian Yəhûḏāh, "praised Bethlehem ( بيت لحم,, lit "House of Meat" Βηθλεέμ Bethleém בית לחם Beit Lehem, lit "House of Bread" is a The Eastern Orthodox Church is the second largest single Christian Communion in the world

• St. Benedict of Nursia founded the monastery of Monte Cassino in Italy (529), which was the seed of Roman Catholic monasticism in general, and of the order of Benedict in particular. "Saint Benedict" redirects here This article is about the founder of Western monasticism for other saints named Benedict see Benedict. For information about the World War II battle see the Battle of Monte Cassino.

• 'La Grande Chartreuse' the mother house of the Carthusian Order founded by Saint Bruno of Cologne was established in the 11th century as an eremitic community. The Grande Chartreuse is the head Monastery of the Carthusian order. The Carthusian Order, also called the Order of St Bruno, is a Roman Catholic religious order of enclosed monastics. Saint Bruno of Cologne ( Cologne, c 1030 &ndash Squillace, 6 October, 1101) the founder of the Carthusian Order personally A hermit (from the Greek ἔρημος erēmos, signifying " Desert " "uninhabited" hence "desert-dweller" adjective "eremitic" The documentary "Into Great Silence" allows viewers a sense of life within the Western Church's most austere religious order. Into Great Silence (Die Große Stille is a documentary Film directed by Philip Gröning that was first released in 2005. A religious order is a lineage of communities and organizations of people who live in some way set apart from society in accordance with their specific religious devotion usually

• Kecharis Monastery is a 13th century monastery, located 60 km from Yerevan. Kecharis (Կեչառիս is a 13th-century Monastery, located 60 km from Yerevan, in the ski resort town of Tsakhkadzor in Armenia Yerevan (Երևան Երեւան or Երեվան ˌjɛrəˈvɑːn sometimes written as Erevan, Iravan, Erewan, Ayrivan, and Erivan

Monastic life in Western Medieval Europe

At the monastery gate (Am Klostertor) by Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller. Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller ( 15 January 1793 in Vienna, † 23 August 1865 in Hinterbrühl, Austria) was

The life of prayer and communal living was one of rigorous schedules and self sacrifice. Prayer was their work, and the Office prayers took up much of a monk's waking hours - Matins, Lauds, Prime, Terce, daily Mass, Sext, None, Vespers, Compline. Matins (also known as Orthros or Oútrenya in Eastern Churches) is the early morning or night Prayer service in the Roman Catholic Lauds is one of the two "major hours" in the Roman Catholic Liturgy of the Hours. Prime, or the First Hour, is a fixed time of prayer of the traditional Divine Office (Canonical Hours said at the first hour of daylight (approximately 600 a Terce, or Third Hour, is a fixed time of prayer of the Divine Office of almost all the Christian liturgies Sext, or Sixth Hour, is a fixed time of prayer of the Divine Office of almost all the traditional Christian liturgies None, or the Ninth Hour, is a fixed time of prayer of the Divine Office of almost all the traditional Christian liturgies Vespers is the evening Prayer service in the Roman Catholic, Eastern (Byzantine Catholic, and Eastern Orthodox, liturgies of the Compline (ˈkɒmplɪn also Complin, Night Prayer, Prayers at the End of the Day) is the final church service (or Office) of the day in the In between prayers, monks were allowed to sit in the cloister and work on their projects of writing, copying, or decorating books. These would have been assigned based on a monk's abilities and interests. The non-scholastic types were assigned to physical labor of varying degrees.

The main meal of the day took place around noon, often taken at a refectory table, and consisted of the most simple and bland foods i. A refectory table is a highly elongated table used originally for Dining in monasteries in Medieval times e. poached fish, boiled oats. Anything tastier, which appeared on occasion, was criticised. While they ate, scripture would be read from a pulpit above them. Since no other words were allowed to be spoken, monks developed communicative gestures. Abbotts and notable guests were honored with a seat at the high table, while everyone else sat perpendicular to that in the order of seniority. This practice remained when monasteries became universities after the first millennium, and can still be seen at Oxford University and Cambridge University. The University of Oxford (informally "Oxford University" or simply "Oxford" located in the city of Oxford, Oxfordshire, England is the The University of Cambridge (often Cambridge University) located in Cambridge, England, is the second-oldest university in the

Monasteries were important contributors to the surrounding community. They were centers of intellectual progression and education. They welcomed aspiring priests to come study and learn, allowing them even to challenge doctrine in dialogue with superiors. The earliest forms of musical notation are attributed to a monk named Notker of St Gall, and was spread to musicians throughout Europe by way of the interconnected monasteries. See also Modern musical symbols Music notation or musical notation is any system which represents aurally perceived Music through the use Notker the Stammerer ( Notker Balbulus) also called Notker the Poet or Notker of Saint Gall ( c Since monasteries offered respite for weary pilgrim travelers, monks were obligated also to care for their injuries or emotional needs. A pilgrim is one who undertakes a Pilgrimage, literally 'far afield' Over time, lay people started to make pilgrimages to monasteries instead of just using them as a stop over. In Religion and Spirituality, a pilgrimage is a long journey or Search of great Moral significance By this time, they had sizable libraries which were sort of a tourist attraction. Families would also donate a son in return for blessings. During the plagues, monks helped to till the fields and provide food for the sick. Plague is a deadly Infectious disease caused by the enterobacteria Yersinia pestis (Pasteurella pestis.

A Warming House is a common part of a medieval monastery, where monks went to warm themselves. It was often the only room in the monastery where a fire was lit.

Orthodox Christian monasteries

Main articles: Eastern Christian Monasticism and Degrees of Eastern Orthodox monasticism

In the Eastern Orthodox Church, both monks and nuns follow a similar ascetic discipline, and even their religious habit is the same (though nuns wear an extra veil, called the apostolnik). Eastern Christian Monasticism is the life followed by Monks and Nuns of Eastern Orthodoxy, Oriental Orthodoxy and Eastern Catholicism The Degrees of Eastern Orthodox monasticism are the stages an Eastern Orthodox Monk or Nun passes through in their religious vocation The Eastern Orthodox Church is the second largest single Christian Communion in the world Ascetic redirects here You might also be looking for Acetic acid. A religious habit is a distinctive set of garments worn by members of a Religious order. Unlike Roman Catholic monasticism, the Orthodox do not have separate religious orders, but there is one form of monasticism throughout the Orthodox Church. Monastics, male or female, live lives away from the world, in order to pray for the world. They do not normally run hospitals and orphanages, they do not consider teaching or caring for the sick a part of their vocation, though they are obligated by Christian charity to provide help when needed.

Monasteries can be very large or very small. There are three types of monastic houses in the Orthodox Church:

• When monks live together, work together, and pray together, following the directions of an abbot and the elder monks, this is called a cenobium. The concept of the cenobitic life is that when many men (or women) live together in a monastic context, like rocks with sharp edges, their “sharpness” becomes worn away and they become smooth and polished. The largest monasteries can hold many thousands of monks and are called lavras. In Orthodox Christianity and certain other Eastern Christian communities Lavra or Laura (Λαύρα Cyrillic: Ла́вра originally meant In the cenobium the daily office, work and meals are all done in common. Canonical hours are divisions of time developed by the Christian Church, serving as increments between the prescribed Prayers of the daily round
• Sketes are small monastic establishments which usually consist of one elder and 2 or 3 disciples. A skete is a community of Christian Hermits following a monastic rule allowing them to Worship in comparative Solitude, while also In the skete most prayer and work are done in private, coming together on Sundays and feast days. The Calendar of saints is a traditional Christian method of organizing a Liturgical year on the level of days by associating each day with one or more Saints Thus, skete life has elements of both solitude and community, and for this reason is called the "middle way".
• The highest level of asceticism is practiced by monks who do not live in monastic communities, but in solitude, as hermits. A hermit (from the Greek ἔρημος erēmos, signifying " Desert " "uninhabited" hence "desert-dweller" adjective "eremitic"

Sanaxar monastery (Russia).

One of the great centers of Orthodox monasticism is the Holy Mountain (also called Mt. Mount Athos (Όρος Άθως is a mountain on the Peninsula of the same name in Macedonia, of northern Greece, called in Greek Άγιον Athos) in Greece, an isolated, self-governing peninsula approximately 20 miles (32 km) long and 5 miles (8. Greece (Ελλάδα transliterated: Elláda, historically, Ellás,) officially the Hellenic Republic (Ελληνική Δημοκρατία 0 km) wide (similar to the Vatican, being a separate government), administered by the heads of the 20 major monasteries, and dotted with hundreds of smaller monasteries, sketes, and hesicaterons. Even today the population of the Holy Mountain numbers in the tens of thousands of monastics (men only) and cannot be visited except by men with special permission granted by both the Greek government and the government of the Holy Mountain itself.

The leading monasteries of the Holy Mountain are:

• Great Lavra
• Vatopedi
• Iviron (Georgian)
• Dionysiou
• Koutloumousiou
• Cheropotamou
• Zograf (Bulgarian)
• Dochiariou
• Simonos Petra
• Stavronikita
• Xenophontos
• Gregoriou
• St. Panteleimon (Russian)
• Esphigmenou
• Philotheou
• Konstamonitou
• Chilandariou (Serbian)

Statue of the Theotokos "Hegumenia" (the "Abbess") at the Svyato-Uspensky Svyatogorsky Monastery, one of the main Orthodox houses in eastern Ukraine. The Monastery of Great Lavra (Μονή Μεγίστης Λαύρας is the first monastery built on Mount Athos. The Holy and Great Monastery of Vatopedi (Βατοπέδι or Βατοπαίδι on the Mount Athos was built during the second half of the 10th century by three monks Athanasius Iviron monastery ( Greek: Μονή Ιβήρων Georgian: ივერთა მონასტერი is an Eastern Orthodox Monastery Christianity in ancient and feudal Georgia According to tradition when the Apostles were sent out to preach the Gospel to the nations of the world the Apostle Dionysiou monastery (Μονή Διονυσίου is an Eastern Orthodox Monastery at the monastic state of Mount Athos in Greece in southwest Koutloumousiou monastery (Μονή Κουτλουμουσίου is an Eastern Orthodox Monastery at the monastic state of Mount Athos in Greece Xeropotamou monastery (Μονή Ξηροποτάμου is an Eastern Orthodox Monastery at the monastic state of Mount Athos in Greece, in the The Saint George the Zograf or Zograf Monastery (Зографски манастир Zografski manastir; Μονή Ζωγράφου Moní Zográphou) is The Bulgarian Orthodox Church (Българска православна църква Bălgarska pravoslavna cărkva) is an Autocephalous Eastern Orthodox Church Dochiariou monastery (Μονή Δοχειαρείου is an Eastern Orthodox Monastery at the monastic state of Mount Athos in Greece. Simonopetra Monastery ( Greek: Σιμωνόπετρα literally "Simon's Rock" Stavronikita monastery ( Greek: Μονή Σταυρονικήτα is an Eastern Orthodox Monastery at the monastic state of Mount Athos Ksenofondos monastery (Μονή Ξενοφώντος is an Orthodox Christian Monastery at the monastic state of Osiou Grigoriou monastery (Μονή Οσίου Γρηγορίου is an Orthodox Christian Monastery in the monastic state of Mount Athos in Greece See also Eastern Orthodox Church Structure and organization The Slavic Orthodox Church is organized in a hierarchical structure Esphigmenou monastery (Μονή Εσφιγμένου is an Eastern Orthodox Monastery at the monastic state of Mount Athos in Greece Filotheou monastery (Μονή Φιλοθέου is an Eastern Orthodox Monastery at the monastic state of Mount Athos in Greece. Konstamonitou monastery (Μονή Κοσταμονίτου is an orthodox christian Monastery at the monastic state of Mount Athos in Greece Hilandar (Хиландар - Hilandar Χιλανδαρίου Хилендар Hilendar) is a Serbian Orthodox Monastery on Mount The Serbian Orthodox Church ( Serbian: Српска Православна Црква / Srpska Pravoslavna Crkva; СПЦ / SPC) or the Theotokos (Θεοτόκος translit Theotókos) is a title of Mary the mother of Jesus used especially in the Eastern Orthodox, Hegumen, hegumenos, or ihumen ( Greek: ἡγούμενος; Macedonian, Bulgarian and Russian: игумен The Sviatohirsk Lavra or the Sviatohirsk Cave Monastery (Свято-Успенська Святогорська Лавра Свято-Успенская Святогорская Ukraine (Україна Ukrayina, /ukrɑˈjinɑ/ is a country in Eastern Europe. (sculptor Nicolai Shmatko).

The Svirsky monasteries are an example of twin monasteries that face each other. Alexander-Svirsky Monastery is a Russian Orthodox Monastery situated deep in the woods of the Leningrad Oblast, just south from its border with the

Other famous Orthodox monasteries include:

• Meteora, Greece
• St Catherine's Monastery, Mount Sinai
• The Trinity-Sergius Lavra, Russia
• Kiev Monastery of the Caves, Ukraine
• Rila Monastery, Bulgaria
• Putna Monastery, Romania
• Solovetsky Monastery, Russia
• Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery, Russia
• Alexander Nevsky Lavra, St Petersburg, Russia
• Novodevichy Convent, Moscow
• Pochayiv Lavra, Ukraine
• Valaam Monastery, Russia
• Studenica Monastery, Serbia
• Sopocani Monastery, Serbia
• Visoki Decani Monastery, Serbia
• Gračanica Monastery, Serbia
• Ostrog Monastery, Montenegro
• Kykkos Monastery, Cyprus
• Monastery of the Cross, Jerusalem
• Mar Saba, Kidron Valley
• Curtea de Argeş Monastery, Romania
• Voroneţ Monastery, Romania
• Horezu Monastery, Romania
• Neamţ Monastery, Romania
• Monastery of Saint John the Theologian and the Cave of the Apocalypse on the Island of Pátmos, Greece

Eastern (Oriental Orthodox) monasteries

Noravank Monastery in Armenia. The Metéora (Μετέωρα "suspended rocks" "suspended in the air" or "in the heavens above" is one of the largest and most important complexes Greece (Ελλάδα transliterated: Elláda, historically, Ellás,) officially the Hellenic Republic (Ελληνική Δημοκρατία Saint Catherine's Monastery ( Greek:) on the Sinai Peninsula, at the mouth of an inaccessible gorge at the foot of Mount Sinai in Egypt is one For other places named Mount Sinai see Mount Sinai (disambiguation Mount Sinai (Arabic طور سيناء, Hebrew הר סיני also The Trinity Lavra of St Sergius (Тро́ице-Се́ргиева Ла́вра is the most important Russian Monastery and the spiritual Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending Kiev Pechersk Lavra (Києво-Печерська лавра Kyievo-Pechers’ka lavra; Киево-Печерская лавра Kievo-Pecherskaya lavra) Ukraine (Україна Ukrayina, /ukrɑˈjinɑ/ is a country in Eastern Europe. The Monastery of Saint John of Rila, better known as the Rila Monastery (Рилски манастир Rilski manastir) is the largest and most famous Eastern The state of Bulgaria (България transliterated bg-Latn ''Balgaria'' The country preserves the traditions (in ethnic name language and alphabet of the First Bulgarian The Putna monastery ( Romanian: Mănăstirea Putna) is a Romanian Orthodox Monastery, one of the most important cultural religious and artistic Romania ( dated: Rumania, Roumania Solovetsky Monastery (Соловецкий монастырь was the greatest Citadel of Christianity in the Russian North before being turned into a special Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery (Кирилло-Белозерский монастырь loosely translated in English as the St Alexander Nevsky Lavra or Alexander Nevsky Monastery was founded by Peter the Great in 1710 at the eastern end of the Nevsky Prospekt in Saint Petersburg ( tr: Sankt-Peterburg,) is a city and a federal subject of Russia located on the Neva River Novodevichy Convent, also known as Bogoroditse-Smolensky Monastery (Новоде́вичий монасты́рь Богоро́дице-Смоле́нский Moscow (Москва́ romanised: Moskvá, IPA: see also other names) is the Capital and the largest city of Pochayiv Lavra of the Assumption of the Theotokos (Почаївська Свято-Успенська Лавра Свято-Успенская Почаевская Лавра has for The Valaam Monastery, or Valamo Monastery is a Stauropegic Orthodox monastery in Russian Karelia, located on Valaam, the largest island The Studenica monastery ( Serbian: Манастир Студеница / Manastir Studenica) is a Serbian Orthodox Monastery situated 39 Serbia (Србија Srbija) officially the Republic of Serbia (Република Србија Republika Srbija) is a Landlocked Country The Sopoćani monastery ( Serbian Cyrillic: Сопоћани an endowment of King Stefan Uroš I of Serbia Visoki Dečani ( Serbian: Манастир Високи Дечани or Manastir Visoki Dečani) is a major Serb Orthodox Christian monastery located in Gračanica ( Serbian: Манастир Грачаница or Manastir Gračanica, Albanian: Manastiri i Graçanicës) is a Serbian Orthodox The Monastery of Ostrog ( Serbian Cyrillic: Манастир Острог Tr Montenegro ( British English) Montenegrin / Serbian: PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE THE LANGUAGES WITHOUT CONSENSUS ON THE TALK PAGE! The Kykkos Monastery (GreekΙερά Μονή Κύκκου which lies 20 km west of Pedoulas, one of the wealthiest and best-known monasteries in Cyprus (Κύπρος transliterated: Kýpros,; Kıbrıs officially the Republic of Cyprus (Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία Kypriakī́ Dīmokratía May refer to either of the twin Georgian monasteries (one in Mtskheta, Georgia, and the other in Jerusalem. Jerusalem (יְרוּשָׁלַיִם, he-Latn Yerushaláyim; Arabic: ar القُدس, ar-Latn al-Quds) is the The Great Lavra of St Sabas, known in Arabic as Mar Saba ( is a Greek Orthodox Monastery overlooking the Kidron Valley The Kidron Valley (נחל קדרון Naḥal Qidron; also Qidron Valley; وادي الجز Wadi al-Joz) is valley on the eastern side of The Old The Cathedral of Curtea de Argeş (early 16th century is one of the most famous buildings in Romania, and stands in the grounds of a monastery 1 1/2 m north of Curtea Romania ( dated: Rumania, Roumania Voroneţ is a Monastery in Romania, located in the town of Gura Humorului, Moldavia. Romania ( dated: Rumania, Roumania The Monastery of Horezu was founded in 1690 by Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu in the town of Horezu, Wallachia, Romania. Romania ( dated: Rumania, Roumania The Neamţ Monastery (Mănăstirea Neamţ is a Romanian Orthodox one religious settlement one of the oldest and most important of its kind in Romania. Romania ( dated: Rumania, Roumania The Monastery of Saint John the Theologian (also called Monastery of Saint John the Divine) is a Greek Orthodox Monastery founded in 1088 in The Cave of the Apocalypse is situated about halfway up the mountain on the Greek island of Patmos, along the road between the villages of Chora Patmos ( Greek, Πάτμος; Italian: Patmo) is a small Greek island in the Aegean Sea. Greece (Ελλάδα transliterated: Elláda, historically, Ellás,) officially the Hellenic Republic (Ελληνική Δημοκρατία Noravank ( Նորավանք meaning new monastery is a 13th century Armenian Apostolic Church Monastery, located 122 km from Yerevan in a narrow Armenia (Հայաստան transliterated: Hayastan,) officially the Republic of Armenia (Հայաստանի Հանրապետություն Hayastani

The Oriental Orthodox Churches, distinguished by their Myaphisite beliefs consist of the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria (whose Patriarch, is considered first among equals for the following churches), as well as the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, the Eritrean Orthodox Church, the Indian Orthodox Church, and the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch. Oriental Orthodoxy is the communion of Eastern Christian Churches that recognize only three Ecumenical councils — the First Council of Nicaea, the Miaphysitism (sometimes called henophysitism) is the Christology of the Oriental Orthodox Churches The Armenian Apostolic Church (Հայաստանեայց Առաքելական Եկեղեցի Hayasdaneaytz Arakelagan History of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria Apostolic foundation Egypt is identified in the Bible as the place of refuge that the The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (in transliterated Amharic: Yäityop'ya ortodoks täwahedo bétäkrestyan) is an Oriental The Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church is an Oriental Orthodox church. The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church (also known as the Malankara Orthodox Church, Orthodox Church of the East, Orthodox Syrian Church of the East, The Syriac Orthodox Church is an autocephalous Oriental Orthodox church based in the Middle East with members spread throughout the world The now extinct Caucasian Albanian Church also fell under this group. This region should not be confused with modern-day Albania in south-eastern Europe.

St. Anthony's (Deir Mar Antonios) is the oldest monastery in the world and under the patronage of the Patriarch of the Coptic Orthodox Church.

Latin Catholic and Eastern Catholic monasticism

Santa María de El Paular Benedictine Monastery near Madrid (Spain). Benedictine refers to the Spirituality and Consecrated life in accordance with the Rule of St Benedict, written by Benedict of Nursia in Madrid (pronounced in English in Spanish and colloquially in Spain) is the Capital and largest city of Spain. Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula.

A number of distinct monastic orders developed within Roman Catholicism (Eastern Orthodoxy does not have a system of individual Orders, per se). Monasticism (from Greek μοναχός, monachos, derived from Greek monos, alone is the religious practice in which one The Eastern Orthodox Church is the second largest single Christian Communion in the world

• Augustinian canons ('The Black Canons'), which evolved from the Priests Canon who would normally work with the Bishop: now living together with him as monks under St. Augustine's rule
• Benedictine monks ('The Black Monks'), founded by St. Benedict, stresses manual labor in a self-subsistent monastery. The Augustinians, named after Saint Augustine of Hippo (died AD 430) are several Catholic Monastic orders and congregations A canon (from the Latin canonicus, itself derived from the Greek κανωνικος 'relating to a rule' is a priest who is a member of certain bodies of the Benedictine refers to the Spirituality and Consecrated life in accordance with the Rule of St Benedict, written by Benedict of Nursia in "Saint Benedict" redirects here This article is about the founder of Western monasticism for other saints named Benedict see Benedict. See Cluniac Reforms. The Cluniac (Clunian Reform was a series of changes within medieval monasticism, focused on restoring the traditional Monastic life encouraging art and caring for
• Cistercian monks ('The White Monks') / *Trappist
• Camaldolese
• Bridgettine sisters
• Carthusian monks
• Gilbertine
• Poor Clares
• Byzantine Discalced Carmelites
• Premonstratensian canons ('The White Canons')
• Tironensian monks ('The Grey Monks')
• Valliscaulian monks

Famous Christian monasteries include:

• Monte Cassino
• El Escorial
• Melk Abbey
• Pannonhalma Archabbey
• Buckfast Abbey
• Monastery of Santo Domingo de Silos
• Taizé Community

Dissolved Communities and Famous Dissolved Monasteries:

• Fountains Abbey
• Cluny Abbey
• Lindisfarne
• Whitby Abbey
• Rievaulx Abbey
• Glastonbury Abbey
• Westminster Abbey
• St Michael's Mount
• Glendalough
• St Andrews Abbey
• Cluniac monks
• Celestines

The last years of the 18th century marked in the Christian Church the beginnings of growth of monasticism among Protestant denominations. Trappist redirects here This article is about the Cistercian order The Camaldolese are part of the Benedictine family of Monastic communities which follow the way of life outlined in the Rule of St The Bridgettine or Briggittine order is a monastic Religious order of Augustinian Canonesses founded by Saint Birgitta (Saint The Carthusian Order, also called the Order of St Bruno, is a Roman Catholic religious order of enclosed monastics. The Gilbertine Order of Canons Regular was founded around 1130 by St The Order of Poor Ladies, also known as the Order of St Clare, the Poor Clares, the Poor Clare Sisters, the Clarisse, the Minoresses The Byzantine Discalced Carmelites are a community of Cloistered nuns of the Byzantine Ruthenian Catholic Church living committed to a life of prayer according to The Norbertines, also known as the Premonstratensians (OPraem and in Britain and Ireland as the White Canons (from the colour of The Tironensian Order or the Order of Tiron was a monastic order named after the location of the mother abbey (established in 1109 in the woods of Tiron (sometimes The Valliscaulian Order was a Religious order within the Roman Catholic Church so named after "Vallis Caulium" or "Val-des-Choux" its first For information about the World War II battle see the Battle of Monte Cassino. El Escorial is one of the Spanish royal sites and functions as a monastery royal palace museum and school Melk Abbey or Stift Melk is an Austrian Benedictine Abbey, and one of the world's most famous monastic sites Pannonhalma 's most notable landmark the Benedictine Pannonhalma Archabbey, one of the oldest historical monuments in Hungary, can be found next to History Buckfast Abbey was founded by Earl Aylward in the reign of King Cnut in 1018 Santo Domingo de Silos Abbey ( Spanish: Monasterio de Santo Domingo de Silos) is a Benedictine Monastery The Dissolution of the Monasteries, sometimes referred to as the Suppression of the Monasteries, was the formal process between 1536 and 1541 by which Henry VIII disbanded Fountains Abbey in North Yorkshire, England, is a Ruined Cistercian Monastery, founded in 1132 The Abbey of Cluny (or Cluni, or Clugny, pronunciation klyˈni is an abbey in France. Lindisfarne () (variant spelling Lindesfarne is a Tidal island off the north-east coast of England. Whitby Abbey is a ruined Benedictine Abbey sited on Whitby 's East Cliff in North Yorkshire on the north-east coast of England Rievaulx Abbey is a former Cistercian Abbey, headed by the Abbot of Rievaulx, located in the small village of Rievaulx (pronounced 'Ree-voh' Glastonbury Abbey, founded in the seventh century was a rich and powerful monastery in Glastonbury, Somerset, England. The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, which is almost always referred to by its original name of Westminster Abbey, is a large mainly Gothic church St Michael's Mount (Carrack Looz en Cooz is a Tidal island located off the Mount's Bay coast of Cornwall, United Kingdom. Glendalough ( is a glacial valley located in County Wicklow, Ireland, renowned for its Early Medieval monastic settlement founded The Abbey of Cluny (or Cluni, or Clugny, pronunciation klyˈni is an abbey in France. Celestines, a branch of the great Benedictine monastic order, founded in 1244 Protestantism refers to the forms of Christian faith and practice that originated in the 16th century Protestant Reformation. The centrus of the this movement was in the United States and Canada beginning with the Shaker Church, which was founded in England and then moved to the United States. The United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing, known as the Shakers, was a Protestant religious denomination that originated in Manchester In the 19th century many of these monastic societies were founded as Utopian communities based on the monastic model in many cases. Aside from the Shakers, there were the Amanna, the Anabaptists et al. Anabaptists ( Greek ανα (again twice + βαπτιζω (baptize thus "re-baptizers" are Christians of the Radical Reformation Many did allow marriage but most had a policy of celibacy and communal life in which members shared all things communally and disavowed personal ownership. Celibacy refers to the lack of participation in Sexual intercourse.

In the 19th century monasticism was revived in the Church of England, leading to the foundation of such institutions as the House of the Resurrection, Mirfield (Community of the Resurrection), Nashdom Abbey (Benedictine), Cleeve Priory (Community of the Glorious Ascension) and Ewell Monastery (Cistercian), Benedictine orders,Franciscan orders and the Orders of the Holy Cross, Order of St. The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England, the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Mirfield is a small town and Civil parish within the Metropolitan Borough of Kirklees, in West Yorkshire, England. The Community of the Resurrection is an Anglican religious community for men Benedictine refers to the Spirituality and Consecrated life in accordance with the Rule of St Benedict, written by Benedict of Nursia in The Community of the Glorious Ascension is an Anglican monastic community in the United Kingdom, co-founded in 1960 by Brothers (later the Benedictine refers to the Spirituality and Consecrated life in accordance with the Rule of St Benedict, written by Benedict of Nursia in The term Franciscan is commonly used to refer to members of Catholic Helena. Other Prostestant Christian denominations also engage in Monastacism. In the 1960s, expermental monastic groups were formed in which both men and women were members of the same house and also were permitted to be married and have children--these were operated on a communal form. The Jewish Kibutz is a form of monasticsm operating on a communal basis. A kibbutz ( Hebrew: קיבוץ קִבּוּץ lit "gathering clustering" plural kibbutzim) is a collective community in

Hindu monasteries

In Hinduism, monks have existed for a long time, and with them, their respective monasteries, called mathas. A maţha (also written math, matha or mutt) is a term for monastic and similar religious establishments of the Hindu and Most famous among them are the chatur-amnaya mathas established by Adi Shankara, Ashta matha (Eight monasteries) of Udupi founded by Madhvacharya (Madhwa acharya) a dwaitha philosopher. Adi Shankara ( Malayalam: ആദി ശങ്കരന്‍ Devanāgarī: आदि शङ्कर Ādi Śaṅkara, aːd̪i ɕaŋkərə (see below The Ashta Mathas of Udupi are a group of eight mathas or monasteries established by Sri Madhvacharya the preceptor of the Dvaita school of Udupi ( Kannada, Tulu: ಉಡುಪಿ Odipu, Konkani - उडुपी) is a city and the headquarters of the Udupi District in For Madhavacharya the Advaita saint see Madhava Vidyaranya. Shri Madhvacharya (ಶ್ರೀ ಮಧ್ವಾಚಾರ್ಯರು Dvaita ( Kannada: ದ್ವೈತ Devanagari:द्बैत is a dualist school of Vedanta Hindu philosophy.

krishnapura matha

Recent trends

In the second half of the twentieth century, Fr. The Krishnapura Matha ( Kannada, Tulu: ಕೃಷ್ಣಾಪುರ ಮಠ) belongs to the Madhwa sect of Vaishnavism. Thomas Merton, a Trappist Monk from the Abbey of Gethsemani, in Trappist, Kentucky, tried to reform Catholic monasticism. Thomas Merton ( 31 January 1915 – 10 December 1968) was one of the most influential Catholic writers of the 20th century Abbey of Gethsemani is located at 3642 Monks Road in Trappist, Kentucky, ten miles south of Bardstown. Father Merton saw the monastic as little more than a slave of the Church and its orders, requiring Monastics to do back-breaking work with no pay other than the food they ate and the clothing on their back.

The number of dedicated monastics in any religion has waxed and waned due to many factors. There have been Christian monasteries such as "The Cappadocian Caves" that used to shelter upwards of 50,000 monks, or St Pantelaimon's on the "Holy Mountain" in Greece, which had 30,000 in its heyday. Mount Athos (Όρος Άθως is a mountain on the Peninsula of the same name in Macedonia, of northern Greece, called in Greek Άγιον Today those numbers have dwindled considerably. Currently the monasteries containing the largest numbers are Buddhist: Drepung Monastery in Tibet housed around 15,000 monks prior to the Chinese invasion. Drepung Monastery (literally “Rice Heap” monastery) located at the foot of Mount Gephel, is one of the "great three" Gelukpa university monasteries Today its relocated monastery in India houses around 8,000 - nearly four times the current monastic population of the entire Holy Mountain.

On the other hand, there are those among monastic leaders that are critical of monasteries that are too large. Such become institutions and lose that intensity of spiritual training that can better be handled when an elder has only 2 or 3 disciples. There are on the Holy Mountain areas such as the Skete of St Anne, which could be considered one entity but is in fact many small "Sketes" (monastic houses containing one elder and 2 or 3 disciples) who come together in one church for services.

Additionally, there is a growing Christian neo-monasticism, particularly among evangelical Christians. Established upon at least some of the customary monastic principles, they have attracted many who seek to live in relationship with other, or who seek to live in an intentionally-focused lifestyle, such as a focus upon simplicity or pacifism. Some include rites, novitiate-periods which a newly interested person can test out living, sharing of resources, while others are more pragmatic, providing a sense of family in addition to a place to live.

See also

• Dissolution of the Monasteries
• List of abbeys and priories
• List of Buddhist temples
• Krishnapura matha
• Monasticism
• New Monasticism
• Pilgrimage
• Shivalli
• Taoism
• Thomas Merton
• Vihara
• Wudangshan

External links

• Photographs of Catholic Monasteries in Spain
• Discalced Carmelite Monastery in Seremban, Malaysia
• Monastery and Abbeys of Provence in France
• Christian Monasteries and Abbeys
• Zoon Blauw Monastery, Mojave Desert
• Links to Coptic Orthodox Monasteries of Egypt and the world
• Byzantine Ruthenian Discalced Carmelite Monastery
• Public Domain photographs and texts, and information regarding medieval monasteries.