Monasticism and the role of monks in the spread of Buddhism and Christianity

Monasticism and the role of monks in the spread of Buddhism and Christianity

Introduction

Monasticism (from Greek monachos, solitary person) is to adopt a lifestyle more or less ascetic devoted to a religion and subject to certain common rules. Several religions are forms of monastic life, but its characteristics vary greatly among them: Buddhism , Christianity , Taoism , Shintoism , Hinduism and Islam .

When a community member who leads a monastic life is called a monk or nun is governed by the rules characteristic of the religious order to which ...