Monasticism Research Paper

The relationship between monastics and lay followers is vital in ensuring that the Buddhist community, the Sangha, is run smoothly. A lay follower may be viewed as someone who isn’t completely devoted to Buddhism because they aren’t living the monastic lifestyle, obeying all the strict rules set forth in the Sekhiya Dhamma, such as “with downcast eye will I take a seat amidst the houses” and “not with too large balls will I make (up my food)…” but the Sangha would not thrive without the vital help of lay followers who provide food and resources that monks need to even obey these rules as well as function and practice Buddhism. Even though lay followers are not nuns or monks, they are still Buddhists and strive to live by and understand the teachings and avoid doing things that are frowned upon in the Buddhist world. Being monastic is a serious role that takes an immense amount of commitment and dedication and not all people who practice Buddhism can do that, which is okay because lay followers are necessary in the Sangha. Along with supplying resources for the Buddhist community, they also spread teachings and knowledge to others.

7. Monasticism- The way of life characteristic of monks or nuns, in which they withdraw entirely or in part from society to devote themselves to prayer, solitude, and contemplation.

It was September the 10th, 1964 and World war 2 had only just come to a conclusion. Mother Teresa sat on a piping hot train, on a hot summers day in Calcutta. She tried taking up as little space as possible to avoid being crowded which she was to a great extent and deeply swelter. She was on a train from Calcutta to the Himalayan foothills for a retreat. On this train ride Christ spoke to Mother Teresa. She referred to this as 'her second calling' and in her words it was 'a vocation to give up, even at Loreto where I was very happy, to go out into the streets to serve'. "I want Indian Nuns, Missionaries of Charity, who would be my fire of love amongst the poor, the sick, the dying and the little children," she heard Christ say to her on the train in those very words. "You are I know the most incapable person - weak and sinful but just because you are that'- I want to use you for my glory. Wilt thou refuse?". A sensation of happiness rushed through her, even though she had been called weak she was honoured. She was very quick to share her vision with her supporters, friends and members of the Loreto sisters that she worked with. She was questioned about her call, and all the intentions and aims she had for doing it.

Being a monk uses up much work because being a monk is not a very easy line of work.

Which include the family relations of an individuals. There have been many stories of saints who have run away from homes as teenagers, a lot of the times on the eve of their wedding to take the vow of celibacy and follow in the the path of Jesus Christ, by committing to the monastic life. In esscence poeple who take the monastic vows trade in their biological and blood family in for a more spiritual family. Or in some peoples case they trade in a life of unimportance and lonliness for a spiritual family and a community. The family aspect of the monks is seen in the way they are addressed by the laymen and women, and they way they address themselves. Most monks are addresed as “brothers” while most nuns are “sisters” ,while the monks and nuns higher on the hierarchy are adressed as “mother” and “father”. The monastic vows could be taken by almost anyone as long as they are willing to leave all of their earthly belongings behind and dedicate themselves to rules and regulations that is laid inside the monasteries. The monks and nun of the monasteries come form many walks of life, from poor farmers to rich and powerful individuals. The reasons for people to join the monisitc life vary greatly. Many people take the vow, once their children have grown up, while other take it following the death of their loved ones or spouse. Others would do it for vocational purposes, but most who seek entrance into the

Monastics and lay followers are both essential in ensuring that the Buddhist community, the Sangha, is run smoothly. A lay follower may be looked at as someone who isn’t completely devoted to Buddhism because they aren’t living the monastic lifestyle, obeying all the strict rules set forth in the Sekhiya Dhamma, such as “with downcast eye will I take a seat amidst the houses” and “not with too large balls will I make (up my food)…” but the Sangha would not thrive without the vital help of lay followers who provide the actual food and resources that monks need to even obey these rules as well as function and practice Buddhism. Even though lay followers are not nuns or monks, they are still Buddhists and strive to live by and understand teachings and avoid doing major things that are frowned upon in the Buddhist world. Being a monastic is taking on a serious role that takes an immense amount of commitment and dedication and not all people who practice Buddhism can do that, which is okay because lay followers are necessary in the Sangha. Along with supplying resources for the Buddhist community, they also spread teachings and knowledge to others.

The visit to the Abbey really opened my eyes to some of the traditions in my own religion. I knew that there were Catholic Monks, but I knew very little about the different varieties of Monks and about their ways of life. Learning about the Trappist monks was especially interesting because of their drastic way of studying and practicing my very own religion. The idea that they don’t talk because they believe that people talk too much and that can increase you chances of sinning really makes me reflect on the things I say and when I say them. It makes me realize that maybe sometimes instead of my talking, silence could be the better option. A lot of times I talk just to fill the silence and now with my experience with the Trappist Monks make

Mother Teresa quickly translated this somewhat vague calling into concrete actions to help the city's poor because her heart was open to them when no one elses was. She began an open-air school and established a home for the dying destitute in a dilapidated building she convinced the city government to donate to her cause which was a very big risk for them because some people would have might not wanted to donate to her because of her religious figure. By 1979 Mother Teresa's groups had more than two hundred different operations in over twenty-five countries around the world, with dozens more ventures on the horizon by her faith and love of God that allowed her to have these many

European and Japanese Monks were both so faithful to their religion and God that they devoted their entire lives to it. These Monks shared a similar level in the social hierarchy however, their daily responsibilities and rights were very different. This essay will discuss some of these differences and similarities between the two. A European catholic monk did not have a higher quality of life as compared to a Japanese Shinto monk because they had stricter rights and responsibilities which hindered their ability to have freedom in their day to day activities. Some of the responsibilities these monks had to follow included supporting the community, providing religious services. Their rights revolved around marriage, family, freedom and praying.

Monks took a vow of poverty, obedience, and chastity to their leaders. They had to do physical work, could not leave the monastery, could not own land, or engage in the rest of society. Nuns and monks gave help to the poor people of the community. Not to forget, monks went to the monastery church eight times a day to worship. The first service started at two in the afternoon, and the rest came in intervals in the evening. They were very literate, and their whole lives were focused on reading and writing. Between prayers the monks wrote down scripture and

There are many organizations that could surprise anyone who has had a wrong or a superficial concept about their functions and wants to know the primary role of them. One of these organizations is the Catholic Church that is considered the oldest one, and it started with the first Pope, Saint Peter. Since the first century till these present days, the Catholic Church has continued its mission and expanded where it almost exists in every country in all continents. Its mission has varied among the missionary priests, volunteer works, and the humanitarian aids. In order to better understand and appreciate the Catholic Church mission its importance to the local community and world web of culture, one must examine

The nature of Cluny lay in the circumstances of it’s foundation. It was endowed with a measure of independence by it’s founder, Duke William, allowing the monks to elect their own abbot, placing the abbey directly under the guardianship of St Peter and the Apostolic See. As a house dedicated to reviving strict Benedictine observance Cluny was not unique, but it was this indepencence, the succesion of talented abbots and it’s organisation set up by Abbot Berno that laid the foundations of the abbey’s later greatness.

Oh no, no! We are neither a bunch of old saints nor a new brand of Indian rum (pardon the pun). We are a group of regular Indian guys with some monk(ish) sort of characteristics in us.

One of the most important contributors of this time was Saint Benedict of Nursia. To guide Christians pursuing such a life, St. Benedict wrote Regula Benedicti, The Rule of Saint Benedict. This book was composed of precepts for monks to follow as they lived in communal monasteries under an abbot. Ideally, poverty, chastity, and obedience were the most sought after traits that one should follow. Saint Benedict instructed monks to participate daily in written prayers, devotionals, manual labor, and commanded a pledge of poverty, chastity, and obedience (Benedict).

The Monastic movement during the middle ages is one of the most tremendous movements in Christianity. They were referred to as intermediaries which is a glorious way to be connected to God in heaven through a monastery or abbey on earth. Overtime they had become great learning and spiritually growing places which supported not only their monastic community but also the broader society. Cluny Abbey had a significant influence on social, cultural, economic and spiritual aspects on the middle Ages society starting in the 10th century. Each aspect of monastic life gave them a strong connection to the kingdom of heaven and parallels with Jesus’ life.