Questions tagged [monasticism]
Buddhist Monasticism is one of the earliest surviving forms of organized monasticism in the history of religion. It is also one of the most fundamental institutions of Buddhism. Monks and nuns are considered to be responsible for the preservation and dissemination of the Buddha's teaching and the guidance of Buddhist lay people.
18
questions
15
votes
14
answers
61k
views
What is the meaning behind different robe colors?
I have seen the same monk in two different color robes and am wondering why. They were dark red and of course orange. Ihave also seen brown, but that was zen, and if any other colors have relevance i ...
- 465
14
votes
15
answers
28k
views
What is the purpose of not eating after noon?
We all know this precept taken by the monks, but I would like to understand the reasons behind it. Currently the specialists claim that we should eat small portions every 3 hours or so, eating once a ...
- 9,857
3
votes
5
answers
1k
views
What are the consequences of a monk eating meat?
This is not a question about being a vegetarian. My question is since the Buddha didn't prohibit monks from eating meat, and since monks are supposed to be easy to maintain and take what is offered, ...
- 1,334
1
vote
2
answers
255
views
Do you need both parents' permission to become ordained?
Do you need both parents' permission to become ordained?
What if one of the parents refuses contact? Should you strive for it?
- 239
21
votes
4
answers
984
views
Strong desire to serve/ordain
every meditator at a point in his her life goes through a dilemma of whether to ordain or to live a lay life. Although it's a wholesome disposition, I wonder if its a lack of strength to face problems ...
- 1,191
11
votes
7
answers
39k
views
Is there any significance to shaving the head?
I have noticed when I look at Buddhists, or Buddhist monks, that they have shaved heads. Is there any significance to that? If so, then is it an obligation for Buddhists, or at least Buddhist monks ...
- 437
9
votes
7
answers
2k
views
What if there was no one to offer food to monastics?
This is a questions that often comes up when I visit study groups, particularly when the subject of everyone practicing like a monk/nun comes up. Wouldn't monastics be allowed to farm-just enough for ...
- 1,334
6
votes
7
answers
6k
views
What is the reason why Buddhist monks don't work to support themselves? Do the monastic rules prohibit them from working?
It may be hard to find a comparative monastic tradition in the west although there are some monastic in Christianity currently most are really assimilated and intertwine with the Church which bears ...
- 69
6
votes
5
answers
722
views
A question regarding the level of worldly participation for a buddhist monk
I noticed some buddhist monks spend a lot of their time teaching and giving dhamma talks, while other monks spend minimal time on these things.
I was wondering if there are any rules in the monastic ...
user2424
5
votes
2
answers
444
views
How do monastic rules differ in each tradition?
Theravada monks have to follow the 227 Patimokkha rules and the Vinaya Pitaka from the Pali Canon.
But how is it for monks from the other traditions like East Asian Mahayana, Zen and Vajrayana ...
- 37.4k
5
votes
1
answer
171
views
How is a Theravada Buddhist monastery established?
There is no Theravada monastery in the country I live in. I just read a short brief about lay people going together and forming a forest monastery in Norway, and was wondering about how a monastery is ...
- 1,870
4
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Do Buddhist monks live an ascetic life style?
Please note that my understanding of Buddhist principles may be very much influenced by popular depictions.
I have read that the eight-fold path teaches that you should strike a balance between ...
- 143
4
votes
1
answer
150
views
Role of food as an allowed monastic luxury
Whenever the Buddha and his retinue were invited to the palace of a great King or a big merchant, the suttas don't forget to mention the feast was delicious and rich.
Then King Prasenajit, for the ...
- 7,433
4
votes
3
answers
807
views
Can one with eczema become a monk?
According to this site, one of the questions asked at ordination is "do you have eczema?" to which the reply must be "No, Venerable" in order to ordain. Is this accurate? Is it the case the one with ...
- 2,651
4
votes
4
answers
830
views
What does a monk think on a day to day basis?
I go through my daily chores and it has become habituated to the extent that i do not need to concentrate on the action and my mind has some time to do thinking or just wander.
Now monks life is also ...
- 503
4
votes
4
answers
351
views
Are all non-monastic ways of life wrong livelihood?
Leading on from this answer - is it true that ultimately most or even all non-monastic lifestyles are wrong livelihood. Not being a monk I find this point of view quite challenging but just because I ...
- 21k
4
votes
6
answers
535
views
When Zen monks are completing a task, why are they doing it very quickly?
Recently, I watched a documentary about zen philosophy and what it is like to be zen monk on a daily basis and I noticed that in the documentary the zen monks always looked like they were in a hurry. ...
- 143
1
vote
1
answer
91
views
Did eating less cause dietary problems for ascetics like Buddha?
I have heard that Buddha was eating similar to one meal a day. Is this true? Would this not lead to severe constipation? Was it common for ascetics to take medicines to help purge the food waste ...
- 1