A monk (Greek: μοναχός, monachos), derived from Greek monos (alone), in modern parlance also referred to as a monastic, is a person who practices religious asceticism, the conditioning of mind and body in favor of the spirit, and does so living either alone or with any number of like-minded people, whilst always maintaining some degree of physical separation from those not sharing the same purpose. Greek (el ελληνική γλώσσα or simply el ελληνικά — "Hellenic" is an Indo-European language, spoken today by 15-22 million people mainly Ascetic redirects here You might also be looking for Acetic acid. The concept is ancient and can be seen in many religions and in philosophy.
In the Greek language the term can apply to men or women; but in modern English it is in use only for men, while nun is used for female monastics. A Nun is a Woman who has taken special vows committing her to a religious life
Although the term monachos-“monk” is of Christian origin, in the English language it tends to be used analogously or loosely also for ascetics from other religious or philosophical backgrounds.
The term monk is generic. In the GNU Compiler Collection, GENERIC is an intermediate representation common to all the front-ends of GCC In some religious or philosophical traditions it therefore may be considered interchangeable with other generic terms such as ascetic. In the GNU Compiler Collection, GENERIC is an intermediate representation common to all the front-ends of GCC Ascetic redirects here You might also be looking for Acetic acid. However, being generic, it is not interchangeable with terms that denote particular kinds of monk, such as cenobite, hermit, anchorite, hesychast, solitary. A hermit (from the Greek ἔρημος erēmos, signifying " Desert " "uninhabited" hence "desert-dweller" adjective "eremitic" Anchorite (male/ anchoress (female (adj anchoritic from the Greek anachōreō signifying "to withdraw" "to depart into the rural countryside" Hesychasm ( Greek hesychasmos, from hesychia, "stillness rest quiet silence" is an Eremitic tradition of Prayer in
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Etymology
A monk (Old English munuc < Latin monachus < Ancient Greek μοναχός - monachos, "single, solitary" < μόνος (monos) "alone") is a general term for a person who leads the "monastic life" in a "monastery". This article concerns the buildings occupied by monastics. For the life inside monasteries and its historical roots see Monasticism.
Nowadays it is often wrongly assumed that it signifies a monk living in community, who is merely one kind of monk, namely a cenobite (greek: κοινοβιακός).
From early Church times there has been a lively discussion of the meaning of the term monk (derived from Greek: monos, alone), namely whether it denotes someone living alone/away from the rest of society, or someone celibate/focused on God alone. The Western rule giver Benedict of Nursia understood it as meaning the latter, namely a celibate dedicated to God. This is evident from the fact that his list of the four kinds of monks includes hermits. A hermit (from the Greek ἔρημος erēmos, signifying " Desert " "uninhabited" hence "desert-dweller" adjective "eremitic"
The four kinds of monks identified by Benedict of Nursia in chapter 1 of his Rule for Monks as well as in the Rule of the Master are the following:
- The cenobites live in community in a monastery, serve God under a religious rule and do so under the leadership of an abbot (or in the case of a community of women, an abbess). "Saint Benedict" redirects here This article is about the founder of Western monasticism for other saints named Benedict see Benedict. The Rule of the Master is an anonymous Sixth-century collection of monastic Precepts It was used by Benedict of Nursia as source material for Benedict points out in ch. 1. 13 that they are the "strong kind", which by logic of the context must mean the larger number rather than the better kind.
- The hermits and anchorites have thorough experience as cenobites in a monastery. A hermit (from the Greek ἔρημος erēmos, signifying " Desert " "uninhabited" hence "desert-dweller" adjective "eremitic" Anchorite (male/ anchoress (female (adj anchoritic from the Greek anachōreō signifying "to withdraw" "to depart into the rural countryside" "They have built up their strength and go from the battle line in the ranks of their brothers to the single combat of the desert; self-reliant now, without the support of another, they are ready with God's help to grapple single-handed with the vices of body and mind". Benedict himself twice lived for prolonged periods as a hermit, which may account for the comparative length of the characteristics of their life in this list.
- The sarabaites, censured by Benedict as the most detestable kind of monks, are pretenders that have no cenobitic experience, follow no rule and have no superior. Sarabaites were a class of Catholic Monks widely spread before the time of St
- The gyrovagues, censured by Benedict as worse than loubski, are wandering monks without stability in a particular monastery. Gyrovagues (sometimes Gyrovagi or Gyruvagi) were wandering or Itinerant Monks without fixed residence or leadership who relied on charity and
In the English language, but not in German and French, a distinction is made between monks and friars, the latter being members of mendicant orders. A Friar is a member of one of the Mendicant orders. Friars and monks Friars differ from Monks in that they are called to a life of poverty in service The mendicant orders are religious orders which depend directly on the charity of the people for their livelihood A distinction is also made between monks and Canons Regular. Canons regular are members of certain bodies of Canons (priests living in community under the Augustinian Rule ("regula" in Latin and sharing their property
Monastery
- Main article: Monastery
A monastery is the dwelling of one or more monks. This article concerns the buildings occupied by monastics. For the life inside monasteries and its historical roots see Monasticism.
The term monastery is already used by the Jewish philosopher Philo (c. Philo (20 BC - 50 AD) known also as Philo of Alexandria (gr Φίλων ὁ Ἀλεξανδρεύς Philo Judaeus, Philo Judaeus of Alexandria 20 BC - 50 AD, resident in Alexandria, Egypt) in his description of the life of the Therapeutae and Therapeutides, people with common religious aspirations who then were dwelling on a low-lying hill above the Mareotic Lake near Alexandria in houses at a distance of each other that safeguarded both solitude and security (cf. Alexandria ( Egyptian Arabic: اسكندريه Eskendereyya; Standard Arabic: ar الإسكندرية Al-Iskandariyya; Ἀλεξάνδρεια This article is about the country of Egypt For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Egypt topics. The Therapeutae (male pl and Therapeutrides (female pl according to the account in De vita contemplativa by the Jewish philosopher Philo of Alexandria Lake Mariout (بحيرة مريوط (also spelled Maryut or Mariut) is a salt lake, or rather Brackish, with an area of about 250 square km Alexandria ( Egyptian Arabic: اسكندريه Eskendereyya; Standard Arabic: ar الإسكندرية Al-Iskandariyya; Ἀλεξάνδρεια On the Contemplative Life ch. III, in the Loeb Classical Library edition see §25).
In each house there is a consecrated room which is called a sanctuary or closet (monastērion), and closeted (monoumenoi) in this they are initiated into the mysteries of the sanctified life. They take nothing into it, either drink or food or any other of the things necessary for the needs of the body, but laws and oracles delivered through the mouth of prophets, and hymns and anything else which fosters and perfects knowledge and piety. They keep the memory of God alive and never forget it … Twice every day they pray, at dawn and at eventide … The interval between early morning and evening is spent entirely in spiritual exercise. They read the holy scriptures and seek wisdom from their ancestral philosophy … For six days they seek wisdom by themselves in solitude in the closets (monastēriois) mentioned above … But every seventh day they meet together as for a general assembly … (in a) common sanctuary … (Philo, On The Contemplative Life, ch. III).
Christian monks
History of Christian monasticism
Monasticism drew its origin from the examples of the Prophet Elias and John the Baptist who both lived alone in the desert, the desert having been regarded throughout Old Testament times as a place of spiritual renewal and return to God, whether for the benefit of the individual and as a representative of the community. Those living the monastic life are known by the generic terms Monks (men and Nuns (women Elijah or Elias ( was a Prophet in Israel in the 9th century BC Saint John the Baptist ( heb. Jochanan ben Sacharja, arab. يحيى Yaḥyā or يوحنا Yūḥanna, aram. The Wilderness of Zin / Desert of Zin ( Hebrew: מדבר צן Midbar Tzin) is a geographic area mentioned by the Torah as containing Kadesh-Barnea In Western Christianity, the Old Testament refers to the books that form the first of the two-part Christian Biblical canon. At the beginning of his public ministry Jesus of Nazareth subjected himself for forty days to physical and spiritual testing in the desert; and the Gospels record other times in which he retired for periods of solitary prayer. Jesus of Nazareth (7–2 BC / BCE —26–36 AD / CE) In the early church, individuals would live ascetic lives, though usually on the outskirts of civilization. Early Christianity is commonly defined as the Christianity of the three centuries between the Crucifixion of Jesus ( c Communities of virgins are also mentioned by early church authors, but again these communities were either located in towns, or near the edges of them.
The first famous Christian known to adopt the life in a desert was St. Anthony the Great (251-356), sometime in the latter part of the 3rd century. Saint Anthony the Great (c 251–356 also known as Anthony the Abbot, Anthony of Egypt, Anthony of the Desert, Anthony the Anchorite, He lived alone as an anchorite in the Egyptian desert until he attracted a circle of followers, after which he retired further into the desert to escape the adulation of men. Anchorite (male/ anchoress (female (adj anchoritic from the Greek anachōreō signifying "to withdraw" "to depart into the rural countryside" This article is about the country of Egypt For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Egypt topics. In the beginning, St. Anthony had an experienced ascetic who gave him advice, but he also lived near the town. St. Anthony was the first to go out into the desert for the sole purpose of pursuing God in solitude. As the idea of devoting one's entire life to God grew, more and more monks joined him, even in the far desert. Under St. Anthony's system, they each lived in isolation. Later, loose-knit communities began to be formed, coming together only on Sundays and major feast days for Holy Communion. The feast of the Resurrection of Jesus, called Pascha (Easter is the greatest of the feasts of the Eastern Orthodox Church. The Eucharist, also called Holy Communion or Lord's Supper and other names is a Christian Sacrament by which in a common interpretation those These are referred to as sketes, named after the location in Egypt where this system began. A skete is a community of Christian Hermits following a monastic rule allowing them to Worship in comparative Solitude, while also The concept of monks all living together under one roof and under the rule of a single abbot is attributed to St Pachomius (c. The word abbot, meaning Father, is a title given to the head of a Monastery in various traditions including Christianity. Saint Pachomius (ca 292-348 also known as Abba Pachomius and Pakhom in Arabic الأنبا باخوميوس, is generally recognized as the founder of 292-348), who lived in the beginning of the 4th century, and is referred to as coenobitic monasticism. At this same time, St. Pachomius' sister became the first abbess of a monastery of women (convent). An abbess ( Latin abbatissa fem form of abbas Abbot) is the female superior, or Mother Superior, of an Abbey 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 Christian monasticism spread throughout the Eastern Roman Empire. At its height it was not uncommon for coenobitic monasteries to house upwards of 30,000 monks.
As Christianity grew and diversified, so did the style of monasticism. In the East, monastic norms came to be regularized through the writings of St. Basil the Great (c. Basil of Caesarea, also called Saint Basil the Great (c 330 – January 1, 379) (Άγιος Βασίλειος ο Μέγας Latin 330-379) and St. Theodore the Studite (c. Theodore the Studite', also called St Theodore of Stoudios or St Theodore of Studium (759 - 826 was a Byzantine monk and abbot of 758-c. 826), coalescing more or less into the form in which it is still found today. In the West, there was initially some distrust of monasticism, due to fears of extremism previously observed in certain heretical groups, most notably Gnosticism. Extremism is a term used to describe the actions or ideologies of individuals or groups outside the perceived political center of a society or otherwise claimed to violate Heresy is an introduced change to some system of belief especially a religion that conflicts with the previously established canon of that belief Gnosticism (γνώσις gnōsis, Knowledge) refers to a diverse Syncretistic Religious movement consisting of various Belief systems Largely through the writings of St. John Cassian (c. Saint John Cassian (ca 360 – 435 ( Latin: Jo(hannes Eremita Cassianus, Joannus Cassianus, or Joannes Massiliensis) John the 360–433) monasticism came to be accepted in the West as well. St. Benedict of Nursia (c. "Saint Benedict" redirects here This article is about the founder of Western monasticism for other saints named Benedict see Benedict. 480–547) set forth the very first monastic rule in the west. This article concerns the buildings occupied by monastics. For the life inside monasteries and its historical roots see Monasticism. In the beginning, Western monasticism followed much the same pattern as its Eastern forebears, but over time the traditions diversified.
Monasticism in Eastern Christianity
In the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches, monasticism is a far more common lifestyle than in the Roman Catholic Church and holds a very special and important place. The Eastern Orthodox Church is the second largest single Christian Communion in the world Oriental Orthodoxy is the communion of Eastern Christian Churches that recognize only three Ecumenical councils — the First Council of Nicaea, the This article refers to Eastern Churches in full communion with the Holy See The Orthodox Church measures its health by the quality of its monks and nuns. Orthodox monastics separate themselves from the world in order to pray unceasingly for the world. World is a key concept in Theology. Christian views on the World In Christianity, the concept connotes the fallen and corrupt world They do not, in general, have as their primary purpose the running of social services, as is common in Western Christianity, but instead are concerned with attaining theosis, or union with God. In Eastern Orthodoxy, Oriental Orthodoxy and Eastern Catholic theology theosis (written also theiosis, theopoiesis, theōsis However, care for the poor and needy has always been an obligation of monasticism, so Orthodox monasteries are not normally "cloistered" like some contemplative Western houses are, though the level of contact will vary from community to community. Orthodox hermits, on the other hand, have little or no contact with the outside world.
Orthodox monasticism does not have religious orders as are found in the West, nor do they have Rules in the same sense as the Rule of St. Benedict. 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 Rather, Eastern monastics study and draw inspiration from the writings of the Desert Fathers as well as other Church Fathers; probably the most influential of which are the Greater Asketikon and Lesser Asketikon of St. Desert Fathers were Christian Hermits, Ascetics and Monks who lived mainly in the Scetes desert of Egypt, beginning around The Church Fathers, Early Church Fathers, or Fathers of the Church are the early and influential theologians and writers in the Christian Church Basil the Great and the Philokalia, which was compiled by St. The Philokalia ( Gk φιλοκαλείν "Love of the Beautiful" is a collection of texts by masters of the Eastern Orthodox, hesychast Nikodemos of the Holy Mountain and St. Makarios of Corinth. Hesychasm is of primary importance in the ascetical theology of the Orthodox Church. Hesychasm ( Greek hesychasmos, from hesychia, "stillness rest quiet silence" is an Eremitic tradition of Prayer in
Most communities are self-supporting, and the monastic’s daily life is usually divided into three parts: (a) communal worship in the catholicon (the monastery's main church); (b) hard manual labour; and (c) private prayer, spiritual study, and rest when necessary. Meals are usually taken in common in a sizable dining hall known as a trapeza (refectory), at elongated refectory tables. Trapeza redirects here for the prehistoric Greek settlement see Trapeza Crete. A refectory table is a highly elongated table used originally for Dining in monasteries in Medieval times Food is usually simple and is eaten in silence while one of the brethren reads aloud from the spiritual writings of the Holy Fathers. The Church Fathers, Early Church Fathers, or Fathers of the Church are the early and influential theologians and writers in the Christian Church The monastic lifestyle takes a great deal of serious commitment and hard work, it forces the person to overcome their own flaws and weaknesses; those newcomers with romantic notions about this sort of lifestyle usually do not last more than a few days. Within the coenobitic community, all monks conform to a common way of living based on the traditions of that particular monastery. In struggling to attain this conformity, the monastic comes to realize his own shortcomings and is guided by his spiritual father in how to deal honestly with them. A starets (стáрец fem стáреца is an elder of a Russian Orthodox monastery who functions as venerated adviser and teacher Attaining this level of self-discipline is perhaps the most difficult and painful accomplishment any human being can make; but the end goal, to become like an angel on earth (an "earthly angel and a heavenly man", as the church hymns put it), is the reason monastics are held in such high esteem. A hymn is a type of Song, usually religious specifically written for the purpose of praise adoration or Prayer, and typically addressed to a deity/deities For this same reason, Bishops are almost always chosen from the ranks of monks. A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight
Eastern monasticism is found in three distinct forms: anchoritic (a solitary living in isolation), coenobitic (a community living and worshiping together under the direct rule of an abbot or abbess), and the "middle way" between the two, known as the skete (a community of individuals living separately but in close proximity to one another, who come together only on Sundays and feast days, working and praying the rest of the time in solitude, but under the direction of an elder). Anchorite (male/ anchoress (female (adj anchoritic from the Greek anachōreō signifying "to withdraw" "to depart into the rural countryside" A skete is a community of Christian Hermits following a monastic rule allowing them to Worship in comparative Solitude, while also One normally enters a coenobitic community first, and only after testing and spiritual growth would one go on to the skete or, for the most advanced, become a solitary anchorite. However, one is not necessarily expected to join a skete or become a solitary; most monastics remain in the cenobuim the whole of their lives. The form of monastic life an individual embraces is considered to be his vocation; that is to say, it is dependent upon the will of God, and is revealed by grace. A vocation is an occupation for which a person is suited trained or qualified In Christianity, divine Grace refers to the sovereign favour of God for humankind — especially in regard to Salvation — irrespective of actions
In general, Orthodox monastics have little or no contact with the outside world, including their own families. The purpose of the monastic life is union with God, the means is through leaving the world (i. e. , the life of the passions). After tonsure, Orthodox monks and nuns are never permitted to cut their hair. The hair of the head and the beard remain uncut as a symbol of the vows they have taken, reminiscent of the Nazarites from the Old Testament. A nazirite or nazarite, (in Hebrew: נזיר nazir) refers to a Jew who took the Ascetic vow described in. In Western Christianity, the Old Testament refers to the books that form the first of the two-part Christian Biblical canon. The Tonsure of monks is the token of a consecrated life, and symbolizes the cutting off of their self-will. Tonsure is the practice of some Christian churches mystics Buddhist novices and Monks and some Hindu temples of cutting the Hair from the
Degrees of Christian Orthodox monasticism
The process of becoming a monk is intentionally slow, as the vows taken are considered to entail a life-long commitment to God, and are not to be entered into lightly. The Degrees of Eastern Orthodox monasticism are the stages an Eastern Orthodox Monk or Nun passes through in their religious vocation A vow ( Lat votum, vow promise see Vote) is a promise or Oath. In Orthodox monasticism after completing the novitiate, there are three ranks of monasticism. There is only one monastic habit in the Eastern Church (with certain slight regional variations), and it is the same for both monks and nuns. A religious habit is a distinctive set of garments worn by members of a Religious order. Each successive grade is given a portion of the habit, the full habit being worn only by those in the highest grade, known for that reason as the "Great Schema", or "Great Habit". One is free to enter any monastery of one's choice; but after being accepted by the abbot (or abbess) and making vows, one may not move from place to place without the blessing of one's ecclesiastical superior.
The various profession rites are normally performed by the Abbot, but if the abbot has not been ordained a priest, or if the monastic community is a convent, a hieromonk will perform the service. Hieromonk, or Hieroschemamonk, Eastern Orthodox Christianity, ( Greek: Ἱερομόναχος Ieromonachos; Slavonic: Ieromonakh The abbot or hieromonk who performs a tonsure must be of at least the rank he is tonsuring into. In other words, only a hieromonk who has been tonsured into the Great Schema may himself tonsure a Schemamonk. A bishop, however, may tonsure into any rank, regardless of his own.
Novice (Slavonic: Poslushnik), lit. "one under obedience"—Those wishing to join a monastery begin their lives as novices. After coming to the monastery and living as a guest for not less than three days, the abbot or abbess may bless the candidate to become a novice. There is no formal ceremony for the clothing of a novice, he or she simply receives permission to wear the clothing of a novice. In the Eastern monastic tradition, novices may or may not dress in the black inner cassock (Greek: Anterion, Eisorasson; Slavonic: Podriasnik) and wear the soft monastic hat (Greek: Skoufos, Slavonic: Skufia), depending on the tradition of the local community, and in accordance to the abbot’s directives. The cassock, an item of Clerical clothing, is a long close-fitting ankle-length Robe worn by clerics of the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church Slavonic (also Church Slavic, Old Bulgarian) is the Liturgical language of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, Macedonian Orthodox A skufia (also skufiya or skoufos) is an item of Clerical clothing worn by Orthodox Christian and Eastern Catholic Monastics The inner-cassock and the skoufos are the first part of the Orthodox monastic "habit. In some communities, the novice also wears the leather belt. He is also given a prayer rope and instructed in the use of the Jesus Prayer. A prayer rope ( Greek: komboskini, Russian: вервица, Romanian: mătănii, Serbian: бројаница The Jesus Prayer, also called the Prayer of the Heart, is a short formulaic prayer often uttered repeatedly If a novice chooses to leave during the period of the novitiate, no penalty is incurred. He may also be asked to leave at any time if his behaviour does not conform to the monastic life, or if the superior discerns that he is not called to monasticism. When the abbot or abbess deems the novice ready, he is asked if he wishes to join the monastery. Some, out of humility, will choose to remain novices all their lives. Every stage of the monastic life must be entered into voluntarily.
Rassaphore, (Slavonic: Ryassophore), lit. "Robe-bearer"—If the novice continues on to become a monk, he is clothed in the first degree of monasticism at a formal service known as the Tonsure. Tonsure is the practice of some Christian churches mystics Buddhist novices and Monks and some Hindu temples of cutting the Hair from the Although there are no formal vows made at this point, the candidate is normally required to affirm his commitment to persevere in the monastic life. A vow ( Lat votum, vow promise see Vote) is a promise or Oath. The abbot will then perform the tonsure, cutting a small amount of hair from four spots on the head, forming a cross. He is then given the outer cassock (Greek: Rasson, Exorasson, or Mandorrason; Slavonic: Riassa)—an outer robe with wide sleeves, something like the cowl used in the West, but without a hood—from which the name of Rassaphore is derived. This article is about the garment used by monks For other uses see Cowl (disambiguation or Cowling (disambiguation. He is also given a brimless hat with a veil, known as a klobuk, and a leather belt is fastened around his waist. A klobuk is an item of Clerical clothing worn by Orthodox Christian and Eastern Catholic monastics and Bishops especially in the His habit is usually black, signifying that he is now dead to the world, and he receives a new name. Although the Rassaphore does not make formal vows, he is still morally obligated to continue in the monastic estate for the rest of his life. Some will remain Rassaphores permanently without going on to the higher degrees.
Stavrophore, (Slavonic: Krestonosets), lit. "Cross-bearer"—The next level for Eastern monastics takes place some years after the first tonsure when the abbot feels the monk has reached an appropriate level of discipline, dedication, and humility. This degree is also known as the Little Schema, and is considered to be a "betrothal" to the Great Schema. At this stage, the monk makes formal vows of stability, chastity, obedience and poverty. Then he is tonsured and clothed in the habit, which in addition to that worn by the Rassaphore, includes the paramandyas (Slavonic: paraman), a piece of square cloth worn on the back, embroidered with the instruments of the Passion, and connected by ties to a wooden cross worn over the heart. This article describes the Christian Passion For other meanings see Passion. The paramandyas represents the yoke of Christ. Because of this addition he is now called Stavrophore, or Cross-bearer. He is also given a wooden hand cross (or "profession cross"), which he should keep in his icon corner, and a beeswax candle, symbolic of monastic vigilance the sacrificing of himself for God. The Icon Corner (εικονοστάσι is a small worship space prepared in the homes of Eastern Orthodox or Greek-Catholic Christians. He will be buried holding the cross, and the candle will be burned at his funeral. In the Slavic practice, the Stavrophore also wears the monastic mantle. A mantle ( Greek: μανδύας mandyas; Church Slavonic: мантия mantiya) is an ecclesiastical garment in The rasson (outer robe) worn by the Stavrophore is more ample than that worn by the Rassaphore. The abbot increases the Stavrophore monk’s prayer rule, allows a more strict personal ascetic practice, and gives the monk more responsibility.
Great Schema (Greek: Megaloschemos, Slavonic: Skhimnik)—Monks whose abbot feels they have reached a high level of spiritual excellence reach the final stage, called the Great Schema. The Degrees of Eastern Orthodox monasticism are the stages an Eastern Orthodox Monk or Nun passes through in their religious vocation The tonsure of a Schemamonk follows the same format as the Stavrophore, and he makes the same vows and is tonsured in the same manner. But in addition to all the garments worn by the Stavrophore, he is given the Analavos (Slavonic: Analav) which is the article of monastic vesture emblematic of the Great Schema. For this reason, the analavos itself is sometimes called the "Great Schema" (see picture above). The analavos comes down in the front and the back, somewhat like the scapular in Western monasticism, although the two garments are probably not related. For the shoulder bone see the article Scapula. A scapular (from Latin scapula, shoulder is a length of It is often intricately embroidered with the instruments of the Passion and the Trisagion (the angelic hymn). The Trisagion ('Thrice Holy' is a standard hymn of the Divine Liturgy in most of the Eastern Orthodox Churches, Oriental Orthodox Churches and Eastern The Greek form does not have a hood, the Slavic form has a hood and lappets on the shoulders, so that the garment forms a large cross covering the monk's shoulders, chest, and back. Another piece added is the Polystavrion or "Many Crosses", which consists of a cord with a number of small crosses plaited into it. The polystavrion forms a yoke around the monk and serves to hold the analavos in place, and reminds the monastic that he is bound to Christ and that his arms are no longer fit for worldly activities, but that he must labor only for the Kingdom of Heaven. Among the Greeks, the mantle is added at this stage. The paramandyas of the Megaloschemos is larger than that of the Stavrophore, and if he wears the klobuk, it is of a distinctive thimble shape, called a koukoulion, the veil of which is usually embroidered with crosses. This article is about the garment used by monks For other uses see Cowl (disambiguation or Cowling (disambiguation. In some monastic traditions the Great Schema is only given to monks and nuns on their death bed, while in others they may be elevated after as little as 25 years of service.
Eastern Orthodox monks are addressed as "Father" even if they are not priests; but when conversing among themselves, monks will often address one another as "Brother. " Novices are always referred to as "Brother. " Among the Greeks, old monks are often called Gheronda, or "Elder", out of respect for their dedication. In the Slavic tradition, the title of Elder (Slavonic: Starets) is normally reserved for those who are of an advanced spiritual life, and who serve as guides to others. A starets (стáрец fem стáреца is an elder of a Russian Orthodox monastery who functions as venerated adviser and teacher
For the Orthodox, Mother is the correct term for nuns who have been tonsured Stavrophore or higher. Novices and Rassophores are addressed as "Sister". Nuns live identical ascetic lives to their male counterparts and are therefore also called monachai (the feminine plural of monachos), and their community is likewise called a monastery.
Many (but not all) Orthodox seminaries are attached to monasteries, combining academic preparation for ordination with participation in the community's life of prayer, and hopefully benefiting from the example and wise counsel of the monks. A seminary, theological college, or divinity school is a specialized and often live-in Higher education institution for the purpose of instructing students In general religious use ordination is the process by which individuals are consecrated, that is set apart as Clergy to perform various religious rites and ceremonies Bishops are required by the sacred canons of the Orthodox Church to be chosen from among the monastic clergy. Canon law is internal ecclesiastical law governing the Roman Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox churches and the Anglican Communion of churches It should be noted that the requirement is specifically that they be monastics, not simply celibate (see clerical celibacy). Clerical celibacy is the practice in various religious traditions, in which Clergy, Monastics and those (of either sex in religious orders adopt a Monks who have been ordained to the priesthood are called hieromonks (priest-monks); monks who have been ordained to the diaconate are called hierodeacons (deacon-monks). Hieromonk, or Hieroschemamonk, Eastern Orthodox Christianity, ( Greek: Ἱερομόναχος Ieromonachos; Slavonic: Ieromonakh Deacon is a role in the Christian Church that is generally associated with service of some kind but which varies among theological and denominational traditions In Eastern Orthodox Christianity, a Hierodeacon ( Greek: Ηεροδιάκονος Ierodiákonos; Slavonic: Ierodiakón) sometimes A Schemamonk who is a priest is called a Hieroschemamonk. Most monks are not ordained; a community will normally only present as many candidates for ordination to the bishop as the liturgical needs of the community require.
Monasticism in Western Christianity
Roman Catholic Monks
Within Roman Catholicism, a monk is a member of a religious order who lives a communal life in a monastery, abbey, or priory under a monastic rule of life (such as the Rule of St. Benedict) and under the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. 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 This article concerns the buildings occupied by monastics. For the life inside monasteries and its historical roots see Monasticism. An abbey (from Latin abbatia derived from Syriac abba "father" is a Christian Monastery or A priory is a House of men or women under religious vows headed by a Prior or prioress St. Benedict of Nursia is considered to be the founder of western monasticism. "Saint Benedict" redirects here This article is about the founder of Western monasticism for other saints named Benedict see Benedict. He established the first monastic community in the west and authored the Rule of St. Benedict, which is the foundation for the Order of St. Benedict and all of its reforms such as the Cistercians and the Trappists. This article concerns Roman Catholic Order of Saint Benedict see also Benedictine Confederation and Benedictine. Trappist redirects here This article is about the Cistercian order
The religious vows taken in the West were first developed by St. Benedict. A vow ( Lat votum, vow promise see Vote) is a promise or Oath. "Saint Benedict" redirects here This article is about the founder of Western monasticism for other saints named Benedict see Benedict. These vows were three in number: obedience, conversion of life, and stability. Among later Western religious orders, these developed into the solemn vows of obedience, poverty, and chastity. 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 In the Canon law of the Roman Catholic Church, public Vows are either simple vows or solemn vows. Obedience requires that monks are willing obey the Catholic Church, as represented by the superior. Chastity requires that since they were willing to dedicate their lives to God, they sacrificed the love between men and women and would not marry. Poverty requires they renounced any ownership of property or assets, to only those possess items that were allowed to them by their superior (such as a religious habit, shoes, a cloak, etc. A religious habit is a distinctive set of garments worn by members of a Religious order. A shoe is an item of Footwear. Shoes may vary from a simple Flip-flop to a complex Boot. A cloak is a type of loose Garment that is worn over indoor Clothing and serves the same purpose as an Overcoat &mdashit protects the wearer from the cold ), and to live meekly, sharing whatever they might have with the poor.
To become a monk, one first must become a postulant, during which time the man lives at the monastery to evaluate whether he is called to become a monk. A Postulant (from the Latin postulare, to ask was originally one who makes a request or demand hence a candidate As a postulant, the man is not bound by any vows, and is free to leave the monastery at any time. This article concerns the buildings occupied by monastics. For the life inside monasteries and its historical roots see Monasticism. If the postulant and the community agree that the postulant should become a monk, the man is received as a novice, at which time he is given his religious habit, and begins to participate more fully in the life of the monastery. For the city in Texas, see Novice Texas. Buddhism See also Buddhist Novitiate In many Buddhist A religious habit is a distinctive set of garments worn by members of a Religious order. Following a period as a novice, usually six months to a year, the novice is given the option to take the solemn vows, which can be renewed annually for a period of years. In the Canon law of the Roman Catholic Church, public Vows are either simple vows or solemn vows. After a few years, the monk can make permanent vows, which are binding for life.
The monastic life generally consists of prayer in the form of the Liturgy of the Hours (also known as the Divine Office) and divine reading (lectio divina) and manual labor. This article refers to the Liturgy of the Hours as a specific manifestation of public prayer in the Roman Catholic Church. Lectio Divina is Latin for divine reading, spiritual reading or "holy reading" and represents a traditional Christian practice of Prayer and Among most religious orders, monks live in simple, austere rooms called cells and come together daily to celebrate the Conventual Mass and to recite the Liturgy of the Hours. 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 As currently used the terms Chapter Mass (for chapters of canons and Conventual Mass (for most other houses of religious refer to the Mass celebrated by and for This article refers to the Liturgy of the Hours as a specific manifestation of public prayer in the Roman Catholic Church. In most communities, the monks take their meals together in the refectory. Trapeza redirects here for the prehistoric Greek settlement see Trapeza Crete. While there is no vow of silence, many communities have a period of silence lasting from evening until the next morning and some others restrict talking to only when it is necessary for the monks to perform their work and during weekly recreation.
Monks who have been or will be ordained into Holy Orders as priests or deacons, are referred to as choir monks, as they have the obligation to recite the entire Divine Office daily in choir. Munich (München; Minga is the capital city of Bavaria, Germany. Benedictine refers to the Spirituality and Consecrated life in accordance with the Rule of St Benedict, written by Benedict of Nursia in In general religious use ordination is the process by which individuals are consecrated, that is set apart as Clergy to perform various religious rites and ceremonies In a general sense the term Holy Orders refers to those in the Christian religion who have been ordained in Apostolic Succession. The ministerial orders of the Catholic Church includes both the orders of bishops and presbyters, which in Latin is sacerdos. Deacon is a role in the Christian Church that is generally associated with service of some kind but which varies among theological and denominational traditions This article refers to the Liturgy of the Hours as a specific manifestation of public prayer in the Roman Catholic Church. Those monks who are not ordained into Holy Orders are referred to as lay brothers. In general religious use ordination is the process by which individuals are consecrated, that is set apart as Clergy to perform various religious rites and ceremonies In a general sense the term Holy Orders refers to those in the Christian religion who have been ordained in Apostolic Succession. In the most common usage lay brothers are those members of Catholic Religious orders particularly of monastic orders occupied primarily with manual labor and with In most monastic communities today, little distinction exists between the lay brothers and the choir monks. However, historically, the roles of the two groups of monks within the monastery differed. The work of the choir monks was considered to be prayer, chanting the seven hours of the Divine Office and celebrating the Mass daily whereas the lay brothers provided for the material needs of the community by growing food, preparing meals, maintaining the monastery and the grounds. This article refers to the Liturgy of the Hours as a specific manifestation of public prayer in the Roman Catholic Church. The Mass is the Eucharistic celebration in the Latin liturgical rites of the Roman Catholic Church. This distinction arose historically because generally those monks who could read Latin typically became choir monks, while those monks who were illiterate or could not read Latin became lay brothers. Latin ( lingua Latīna, laˈtiːna is an Italic language, historically spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. Latin ( lingua Latīna, laˈtiːna is an Italic language, historically spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. In the most common usage lay brothers are those members of Catholic Religious orders particularly of monastic orders occupied primarily with manual labor and with Since the lay brothers could not recite the Divine Office in Latin, they would instead pray easily memorizable prayers such as the Our Father or the Hail Mary as many as 150 times per day. The Lord's Prayer, also known as the Our Father or Pater noster, is probably the best-known Prayer in Christianity. The Hail Mary or Ave Maria ( Latin) is a traditional Christian Prayer asking for the Intercession of the Virgin Mary, the Since the Second Vatican Council, the distinction between choir monks and lay brothers have become less important, as the council allowed the Divine Office to be said in the vernacular language, effectively opening participation to all of the monks. The Second Ecumenical Council of the Vatican, or Vatican II, was the twentieth century Ecumenical Council of the Roman Catholic Church.
Within western monasticism, it is important to differentiate between monks and friars. A Friar is a member of one of the Mendicant orders. Friars and monks Friars differ from Monks in that they are called to a life of poverty in service Monks generally live a contemplative life of prayer confined within a cloistered monastery while friars usually engage in an active ministry of service to the outside community. A cloister (from Latin claustrum) is a part of Cathedral, Monastic and Abbey architecture A Friar is a member of one of the Mendicant orders. Friars and monks Friars differ from Monks in that they are called to a life of poverty in service The monastic orders include all Benedictines, the Order of Saint Benedict and its later reforms including the Cistercians, and the Trappists. Benedictine refers to the Spirituality and Consecrated life in accordance with the Rule of St Benedict, written by Benedict of Nursia in This article concerns Roman Catholic Order of Saint Benedict see also Benedictine Confederation and Benedictine. Trappist redirects here This article is about the Cistercian order The Carthusians are also a monastic order, although they do not follow the Rule of St. Benedict. The Carthusian Order, also called the Order of St Bruno, is a Roman Catholic religious order of enclosed monastics. Orders of friars include the Franciscans, Dominicans, Carmelites, and Augustinians. A Friar is a member of one of the Mendicant orders. Friars and monks Friars differ from Monks in that they are called to a life of poverty in service The term Franciscan is commonly used to refer to members of Catholic The Order of the Brothers of Our Lady of Mount Carmel or Carmelites (sometimes simply Carmel by Synecdoche; Latin: Ordo fratrum Beatæ The Augustinians, named after Saint Augustine of Hippo (died AD 430) are several Catholic Monastic orders and congregations Although the Canons Regular, such as the Norbertines, live in community, they are neither monks nor friars as they are characterized by their clerical state and not by any monastic vows. Canons regular are members of certain bodies of Canons (priests living in community under the Augustinian Rule ("regula" in Latin and sharing their property The Norbertines, also known as the Premonstratensians (OPraem and in Britain and Ireland as the White Canons (from the colour of A cleric ( Ancient Greek κληρικός - klērikos clergyman (pl
Anglican Monks
Monastic life in England came to an abrupt end when King Henry VIII broke from the Roman Catholic Church establishing the Church of England. 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 Henry VIII (28 June 1491 &ndash 28 January 1547 was King of England and Lord of Ireland, later King of Ireland and claimant to the Kingdom of The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England, the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican He initiated the Dissolution of the Monasteries, during which all of the monasteries within England were destroyed. 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 This article concerns the buildings occupied by monastics. For the life inside monasteries and its historical roots see Monasticism. 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 While many monks were executed, many fled to continental European monasteries where they were able to continue their monastic life.
Shortly after the beginning of the revival of the Catholic Movement in the Church of England, there was felt to be a need for a restoration of the monastic life. The terms Anglo-Catholic and Anglo-Catholicism (or sometimes possibly incorrectly High Church &mdashsee below describe people In the 1840s, Anglican priest John Henry Newman established a community of men at Littlemore near Oxford. Family John Henry Newman was born in London and was the eldest son of John Newman (d Littlemore is an Oxfordshire village with a parish council that also represents parts of Rose Hill. Oxford is currently bidding for the 2010 Wikimania Conference Oxford () is a city, and the County town of Oxfordshire, From then on, there have been (re-)established many communities of monks, friars and other religious communities for men in the Anglican Communion. A Friar is a member of one of the Mendicant orders. Friars and monks Friars differ from Monks in that they are called to a life of poverty in service See also Anglicanism The Anglican Communion is an international association of national Anglican churches There are Anglican Benedictines, Franciscans, Cistercians, and in the Episcopal Church in the USA, Dominicans), as well as other monastic orders such as the Society of Saint John the Evangelist. 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 The Order of Preachers ( Latin: Ordo Praedicatorum) after the 15th century more commonly known as the Dominican Order or Dominicans, is The Society of St John the Evangelist (SSJE is an Anglican religious order for men
Some Anglican religious communities are contemplative, some active, but a distinguishing feature of the monastic life among Anglicans is that most practice the so-called "mixed life. " Anglican monks recite the Divine Office in choir daily, either the full eight services of the Breviary or the four offices found in the Book of Common Prayer and celebrate the Eucharist daily. A breviary (from Latin brevis, 'short' or 'concise' is a Liturgical book of the Latin liturgical rites of the Catholic Church The Book of Common Prayer is the common title of a number of prayer books of the Church of England and used throughout the Anglican Communion. The Eucharist, also called Holy Communion or Lord's Supper and other names is a Christian Sacrament by which in a common interpretation those Many orders take on external works such as service to the poor, giving religious retreats, or other active ministries within their immediate communities. Like Roman Catholic monks, Anglican monks also take the monastic vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.
In the early 20th century when the Catholic Movement was at its height, the Anglican Communion had hundreds of orders and communities, and thousands of religious followers. The twentieth century of the Common Era began on The terms Anglo-Catholic and Anglo-Catholicism (or sometimes possibly incorrectly High Church &mdashsee below describe people See also Anglicanism The Anglican Communion is an international association of national Anglican churches However, since the 1960s there has been a sharp falling off in the numbers of religious in many parts of the Anglican Communion. Many, once large and international communities have been reduced to a single convent or monastery comprised of elderly men or women. In the last few decades of the 20th century, novices have for most communities been few and far between. Some orders and communities have already become extinct.
There are however, still several thousand Anglican monks working today in approximately 200 communities around the world. The most surprising growth has been in the Melanesian countries of the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea. Melanesia (from Greek: μέλας black, νῆσος island) means "islands of the black-skinned people" The Solomon Islands is a country in Melanesia, east of Papua New Guinea, consisting of nearly one thousand islands Vanuatu, officially the Republic of Vanuatu ( French: République de Vanuatu, Bislama: Ripablik blong Vanuatu) is an Island Papua New Guinea (or ˈpæpjuːə in Tok Pisin: Papua Niugini) officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is a country in Oceania The Melanesian Brotherhood, founded at Tabalia, Guadalcanal, in 1925 by Ini Kopuria, is now the largest Anglican Community in the world with over 450 brothers in the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines and the United Kingdom. The Melanesian Brotherhood is an Anglican religious community of men in simple vows based primarily in the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Papua New Tabalia is the name of the Mother House of the Melanesian Brotherhood (MBH on northeastern Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. Guadalcanal (local name Isatabu) is a 2510- Square mile (6500- km²) Island in the Pacific Ocean and a province of the Solomon Ini Kopuria (died 1945 a police officer from Maravovo Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands formed the Melanesian Brotherhood in 1925. The Philippines ( Filipino: Pilipinas, officially known as the Republic of the Philippines (fil ''Republika ng Pilipinas'' RP The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located
Buddhist monks
- Main article at Bhikkhu
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People of the Pali canon |
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Monk, Nun |
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Upāsaka, Upāsikā |
Lay devotee (m. In religious organizations the laity comprises all persons who are not Clergy. Precepts The five vows to be held by upāsakas are referred to as the " Five Precepts " (Pāli pañcasīla) I will not take In English translations of Buddhist literature, householder denotes a variety of terms In English translations of Buddhist literature, householder denotes a variety of terms , f. ) |
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Related Religions |
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Although the European term "monk" is often applied to Buddhism, the situation of Buddhist asceticism is different. Buddhism is a family of beliefs and practices
There is often a trial period prior to ordination, to see if a candidate wishes to become a Buddhist monk. If he does, he remains in the monastery; otherwise, he is free to leave.
In Theravada Buddhism, bhikkhu is the term for monk. History Origin of the school The Theravāda school is ultimately derived from the Vibhajjavāda (or 'doctrine of analysis' grouping which was a continuation A Bhikkhu ( Pāli) or Bhiksu ( Sanskrit) is a fully ordained male Buddhist Monastic. Their disciplinary code is called the patimokkha, which is part of the larger Vinaya. In Buddhism, the Patimokkha is the basic Theravada code of monastic discipline consisting of 227 rules for fully ordained monks ( Bhikkhus and 311 for nuns ( Bhikkhunis 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 They live lives of mendicancy, and go on a morning almsround (Pali: pindapata) every day. "Beggar" redirects here Distinguish from Begga and Bega. Pali ( ISO 15919 / ALA-LC: Pāḷi is a Middle Indo-Aryan language or Prakrit of India. The local people give food for the monks to eat, though the monks are not permitted to positively ask for anything. The monks live in monasteries, and have an important function in traditional Asian society. Young boys can be ordained as samaneras. In Buddhist context a samanera ( Pali: sāmaṇera, Sanskrit: śrāmaṇera) can be translated as novice monk Both bhikkhus and samaneras eat only in the morning, and are not supposed to lead a luxurious life. Their rules forbid the use of money, although this rule is nowadays not kept by all monks. The monks are part of the Sangha, the third of the Triple Gem of Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha. This article concerns the concept of Sangha in Buddhism. For information on other senses see Sangha (disambiguation. The Three Jewels, also called the Three Treasures, the Three Refuges, or the Triple Gem, are the three things that Buddhists take refuge Siddhārtha Gautama ( Sanskrit; Pali: Siddhattha Gotama) was a spiritual Teacher from Ancient India and the founder Dhamma ( Pāli: धम्म or Dharma (धर्म in Buddhism has two primary meanings the teachings of the Buddha which lead to enlightenment
In Mahayana Buddhism, the term 'Sangha' is in principle restricted to those who have achieved certain levels of understanding. Mahayana ( Sanskrit: mahāyāna, Devanagari: महायान 'Great Vehicle' is one of the two main existing schools of Buddhism and a term for They are therefore called 'community of the excellent ones' (Tibetan: mchog kyi tshogs); however, these in turn need not be monks (i. Tibetan refers to a group of languages spoken primarily by Tibetan peoples who live across a wide area of eastern Central Asia bordering South Asia as well as by overseas e. , hold such vows). Religious vows are the public Vows made by the members of the religious life – cenobitic and eremitic – of the Roman Catholic,
Several Mahayana orders accept female practitioners as monks, instead of using the normal title of "nun", and they are considered equal to male ascetics in all respects.
The Bhikkhus are only allowed 4 items: a razor, a needle, an alms bowl and a water strainer. A Bhikkhu ( Pāli) or Bhiksu ( Sanskrit) is a fully ordained male Buddhist Monastic. A razor is a Bladed Tool primarily used in the Shaving off of unwanted Body hair. In Vajrayana Buddhism, monkhood is part of the system of 'vows of individual liberation'; these vows are taken in order to develop one's own personal ethical discipline. Vajrayana Buddhism is also known as Tantric Buddhism, Tantrayāna, Mantrayana, Mantranaya, Secret Mantra, Esoteric Buddhism and The monks and nuns form the (ordinary) sangha. As for the Vajrayana vows of individual liberation, there are four steps: A lay person may take the 5 vows called 'approaching virtue' (in Tibetan 'genyen' <dge snyan>). The next step is to enter the monastic way of life (Tib. rabjung) which includes wearing monk's or nun's robes. A robe is a loose-fitting outer garment. A robe is distinguished from a Cape or Cloak by the fact that it usually has Sleeves The English After that, one can become a 'novice' (Pali samanera, Tib. In Buddhist context a samanera ( Pali: sāmaṇera, Sanskrit: śrāmaṇera) can be translated as novice monk getshül); the last and final step is to take all vows of the 'fully ordained monk' (gelong). This term 'gelong' (Tib. <dge long>, in the female form gelongma) is the translation of Skt. bikshu (for women bikshuni) which is the equivalent of the Pali term bhikkhuni; bhikkhu is the word used in Theravada Buddhism (Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand). A Bhikkhuni ( Bhikṣuṇī ( Sanskrit), Bhikkhuṇī ( Pāli) or 比丘尼 ( Chinese characters, ภิกษุณี A Bhikkhu ( Pāli) or Bhiksu ( Sanskrit) is a fully ordained male Buddhist Monastic.
Chinese Buddhist monks have been traditionally and stereotypically linked with the practice of the Chinese martial arts or Kung fu, and monks are frequently important characters in martial arts films. China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National Kung fu and wushu are popular terms that have become synonymous with Chinese Martial arts. For other uses see Martial arts (disambiguation Martial arts film is a Film genre that originated in the Pacific Rim. This association is focused around the Shaolin Monastery. The Shaolin Monastery or Shaolin Temple ( is a Chan Buddhist temple at Song Shan in Zhengzhou City Henan Province The Buddhist monk Bodhidharma, traditionally credited as the founder of Zen Buddhism in China, is also claimed to have introduced Kung fu to the country. Biography Contemporary accounts There are two known extant accounts written by contemporaries of Bodhidharma Zen is a school of Mahāyāna Buddhism, referred to in Chinese as Chan. This latter claim has however been a source of much controversy (see Bodhidharma, the martial arts, and the disputed India connection). Theories of the origins of Asian martial arts range from the highly Diffusionist to models which show greater recognition of independent invention
In Thailand, it is common for boys to spend some time living as a monk in a monastery. The Kingdom of Thailand (ˈtaɪlænd ราชอาณาจักรไทย, râːtɕʰa-ʔaːnaːtɕɑ̀k-tʰɑj Most stay for only a few years and then leave, but a number continue on in the ascetic life for the rest of their lives.
Vaishnava monks
Similar in appearance to Buddhist monks, monks from the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), or Hare Krishnas as they are popularly known, are the best known Vaishnava monks outside India. The Hare Krishna Mantra, also referred to reverentially as the Maha Mantra ("Great Mantra" is a sixteen-word Vaishnava mantra made well The International Society for Krishna Consciousness ( ISKCON) also known as 'the Hare Krishna ' movement is one of several Vaishnava groups The International Society for Krishna Consciousness ( ISKCON) also known as 'the Hare Krishna ' movement is one of several Vaishnava groups The Hare Krishna Mantra, also referred to reverentially as the Maha Mantra ("Great Mantra" is a sixteen-word Vaishnava mantra made well Vaishnavism is a tradition of Hinduism, distinguished from other schools by its worship of Vishnu or its associated avatars principally as Rama and They are a common sight in many places around the world. Their appearance—simple saffron dhoti, shaved head with sikha, Tulasi neckbeads and tilaka markings—and social customs (sadhana) date back many thousands of years to the Vedic era with its varnasrama society. Saffron ( Kurdish/Persian زَعْفَرَان is a Spice derived from the dried Stigma of the Flower of the saffron crocus ( Crocus sativus The pancha in Telugu, called dhoti or doti in Hindi, Laacha in Punjabi, Mundu in Malayalam The sikha or shikha is a Sanskrit word that refers to a long tuft or Lock of hair left on top or on the back of the shaven head of a male Orthodox Ocimum tenuiflorum (also known as Ocimum sanctum, Tulsi, Tulasī (तुलसी in Sanskrit and Hindi, ( Tilak redirects here For the Indian nationalist leader see Bal Gangadhar Tilak. For Sadhana the actress see Sadhana (actress Sadhana (Sanskrit sādhanam) is a Sanskrit term for "a means of accomplishing something" The Vedic Period (or Vedic Age) is the period in the History of India during which the Vedas, the oldest sacred texts of Hinduism, were being Varna (sa वर्ण varṇa) is a Sanskrit term derived from the root meaning "to enclose" This social scheme includes both monastic and lay stages meant for various persons in various stages of life as per their characteristics (guna) and work (karma). The Sanskrit word guṇa has the basic meaning of "string" or "a single thread or strand of a cord or twine" Karma ( Sanskrit: कर्म, kárman - "act action performance" Pali: kamma) is the concept of "action"
ISKCON started as a predominantly monastic group but nowadays the majority of members live as lay persons. Many of them, however, spent some time as monks. New persons joining ISKCON as full-time members (living in its centers) first undergo a three-month Bhakta training, which includes learning the basics of brahmacari (monastic) life. Brahmacharya (brʌmatʃərɪə Devanagari: ब्रह्मचर्य is the first ashram in Vedic culture in which a person is dedicated to the quest for self realization After that they can decide if they prefer to continue as monks or as married Grihasthas. Grihasthya refers to the second phase of an individual's life in the Vedic ashram system.
Brahmacari older than fifty years can become sannyasi. "Sanyasi" redirects here For the motion picture see Sanyasi (1975 film Sannyasa, ( Devanagari: संन्यास Sannyasa, a life of full dedication to spiritual pursuits, is the highest stage of life in the varnasrama society. "Sanyasi" redirects here For the motion picture see Sanyasi (1975 film Sannyasa, ( Devanagari: संन्यास It is permanent and one cannot give it up. A Sannyasi is given the title Swami. Swami (Sw (स्वामी Svāmi, IPA:) is primarily a Hindu honorific title for either males or females Older grihastha with grown-up children are traditionally expected to accept vanaprastha (celibate retired) life. A Vanaprastha ( Sanskrit वनप्रस्थ is a person who is living in the forest as a Hermit after partially giving up material desires
The role of monastic orders in Indian and now also Western society has to some extent been adapted over the years in accordance with ever-changing social structures. India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country The term Western world, the West or the Occident ( Latin: occidens -sunset -west as distinct from the Orient) can have multiple meanings
Madhvaacharya (Madhvacharya), the Dwaita philosopher, established ashta matha (Eight Monasteries). 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. The Ashta Mathas of Udupi are a group of eight mathas or monasteries established by Sri Madhvacharya the preceptor of the Dvaita school of He appointed a monk (called swamiji or swamigalu in local parlance) for each matha or monastery who has the right to worship Lord Krishna by rotation. Krishna (कृष्ण in Devanagari kṛṣṇa in IAST, ˈkr̩ʂɳə in classical Sanskrit is a deity worshiped across many traditions of Hinduism Each matha's swamiji gets a chance to worship after fourteen years. This ritual is called Paryaya. "Paryaya" in both Sanskrit and Kannada means "alternative"
See also
- Hermit
- Lay brothers
- Monasticism
- Nun
- "Into Great Silence" — The award winning documentary on the hermit monks of the Roman Catholic Carthusian Order. A hermit (from the Greek ἔρημος erēmos, signifying " Desert " "uninhabited" hence "desert-dweller" adjective "eremitic" In the most common usage lay brothers are those members of Catholic Religious orders particularly of monastic orders occupied primarily with manual labor and with Monasticism (from Greek μοναχός, monachos, derived from Greek monos, alone is the religious practice in which one A Nun is a Woman who has taken special vows committing her to a religious life Into Great Silence (Die Große Stille is a documentary Film directed by Philip Gröning that was first released in 2005. A hermit (from the Greek ἔρημος erēmos, signifying " Desert " "uninhabited" hence "desert-dweller" adjective "eremitic" The Carthusian Order, also called the Order of St Bruno, is a Roman Catholic religious order of enclosed monastics.
- Religious order
- Rule of St Benedict
- Sannyasi
- Sangha
External links
- Monastic life and Monastery of Provence in France
- "Monk" article in Catholic Encyclopedia (1911)
- Monasticism Synopsis on Orthodox Church in America's Website (www. 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 "Sanyasi" redirects here For the motion picture see Sanyasi (1975 film Sannyasa, ( Devanagari: संन्यास This article concerns the concept of Sangha in Buddhism. For information on other senses see Sangha (disambiguation. The Catholic Encyclopedia, also referred to today as the Old Catholic Encyclopedia, is an English-language Encyclopedia published by The Encyclopedia The Orthodox Church in America ( OCA) is an autocephalous Eastern Orthodox Church in North America. oca. org)
- An Orthodox novice Photo from Valaam Monastery, Russia
- A monk praying in his cell Photo from Valaam Monastery, Russia
- Tonsure to Stavrophore Photo from Valaam Monastery, Russia
- Hieroschemamonk Photo from Valaam Monastery, Russia
- A hermit in the wilderness Photo from Valaam Monastery, Russia
- Contemplative spirituality in the tradition of the medieval hermits who settled on Mount Carmel.
- Immaculate Heart of Mary's Hermitage - Website of a Hermit of Saint Bruno
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