Are There Any Monks Left? Exploring Monastic Life in the 21st Century
Yes, absolutely! Despite secularization trends in many parts of the world, monks not only still exist, but in some regions, their numbers are even growing. Monasticism, the practice of dedicating one’s life to religious devotion within a community, continues to thrive across various faiths, including Christianity, Buddhism, and others.
The Enduring Appeal of Monasticism
While the image of a solitary, silent figure might come to mind, monastic life is surprisingly diverse. It’s not a relic of the past but a living, breathing tradition adapting to the modern world. The allure of dedicating oneself to a higher purpose, finding solace in community, and pursuing spiritual growth remains strong for many individuals seeking a deeper meaning in life.
Christian Monasticism: A Global Presence
Benedictines, Franciscans, and More
The Benedictine, Dominican, and Franciscan orders of monks are still active today, preserving centuries-old traditions of prayer, work, and community life. Eastern Orthodox monks continue their vital role in spreading and maintaining the traditions of Orthodox Christianity, though they don’t typically form orders in the same way as their Catholic counterparts.
Anglican Monasticism: A Surprising Surge
Interestingly, Anglican monasticism has experienced significant growth in recent years, particularly in Melanesian countries like the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Papua New Guinea. There are several thousand Anglican monks worldwide, residing in approximately 200 communities.
Monasteries in America
In the United States, you can find Trappist monasteries of monks and nuns in about 15 abbeys scattered across twelve states. Many of these monasteries offer facilities for retreats and visits, providing an opportunity for laypeople to experience a taste of monastic life.
Buddhist Monasticism: A Path to Enlightenment
Buddhist monasticism is a cornerstone of the faith, offering a structured path towards enlightenment. Buddhist monks and nuns follow specific codes of conduct, including celibacy, and dedicate their lives to meditation, study, and service. They often play an important role in their communities, providing spiritual guidance and performing charitable works.
Daily Life of a Buddhist Monk
The daily routine of a Buddhist monk typically involves alms rounds, mindfulness practices, meditation, and chanting. The emphasis is on simplicity, contemplation, and cultivating inner peace.
Beyond Christianity and Buddhism
Monasticism is not exclusive to Christianity and Buddhism. While often called by different names, similar forms of religious communal living exist in other religions, reflecting the universal human desire for spiritual connection and purpose.
Adapting to the Modern World
Monks are not isolated from the world. While their lives are centered on spiritual practice, they often engage with the broader community. Some monasteries even embrace technology, using computers and the internet to communicate, study, and share their teachings. As one quote noted, “There are no restrictions for the monks to use cell phones, but in the Buddha sanctuary there was no modern technology… But the thing is, when they adapt to the changing world, they should not change their main principles.”
Learning and Growth in Monastic Settings
One can even draw parallels between the structured environment of a monastery and the principles of effective learning and engagement explored by organizations such as the Games Learning Society. Just as monks cultivate focus and discipline through ritual and practice, the Games Learning Society advocates for creating learning environments that foster intrinsic motivation and deep understanding through game-based principles. See more at GamesLearningSociety.org.
FAQs About Monks and Monastic Life
How Many Monks Are There?
Estimates vary, but there are likely tens of thousands of monks worldwide across various religious traditions. The number includes nearly 11,000 in the United States. By contrast, there were 22,000 monks and women religious worldwide, according to the 2014 and 2015 Catalogus Monasteriorum OSB.
Can Anyone Stay in a Monastery?
Yes, many monasteries welcome guests for short periods. Regardless of religion, anyone can stay in a monastery. Should you want to participate in religious activities (e.g. mass), simply ask one of the friendly brothers or sisters and they will be happy to guide you further.
What Do Monks Do All Day?
A monk’s day is structured around prayer, meditation, work, and study. The specific activities vary depending on the religious tradition and the particular monastery. Buddhist monk’s daily schedule consists of going on alms round in the village, doing our chores as a mindfulness practice, meditation, and chanting.
Are Monks Allowed to Talk?
While silence is often valued in monastic life, monks are generally allowed to talk. However, conversations are often limited and regulated according to the community’s rules.
What Are Monks Not Allowed to Do?
Monastic codes of conduct typically prohibit activities such as harming living beings, stealing, engaging in sexual misconduct, and lying.
Are Monks Celibate?
Yes, monks in most traditions, including Buddhist monks, take a vow of celibacy. The monastic code for all monks and nuns across all three Buddhist vehicles (Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana) is simple and straightforward – total celibacy.
Can Anyone Live With Monks?
In some monasteries, laypeople can live with monks for a certain period, often as volunteers. Yes, in some of the Buddhist monastery, you can help the monks as a volunteer and you can live in the monastery for certain period.
What Are the 4 Types of Monks?
According to Benedictine tradition, there are four types of monks: cenobites, anchorites, sarabaites, and gyrovagues. In Chapter 1 of his Rule, he also has four types of monks — cenobites, anchorites, sarabaites and gyrovagues.
Do Monks Believe in God?
The belief in God varies depending on the religion. Buddhists do not believe in any kind of deity or god, although there are supernatural figures who can help or hinder people on the path towards enlightenment.
Why Are Monks Bald?
Shaving the head is a symbolic act of renunciation, indicating a detachment from worldly concerns. It is one of the key indicators of renunciation showing that a person has given up ordinary life and will live outside of social conventions.
Do Monks Get Paid?
Monks generally do not receive a traditional salary. However, their religious order often provides them with a living stipend to cover basic needs.
How Many Hours Do Monks Sleep?
The amount of sleep monks get varies, but it is often less than the average person. Between praying up to seven times a day and working a medieval monk got little sleep. They averaged approximately five hours sleep between evening prayers and the 2am church service, and then snatched another half an hour before being up at 4am for more prayer.
Can Monks Drink Alcohol?
The consumption of alcohol is generally prohibited in monastic life, although this can depend on the specific religion. But the Catholic faith is inherently linked to the consumption and creation of alcohol. Buddhist monks condemn alcohol and its consumption.
Can Anyone Become a Monk?
The requirements for becoming a monk vary depending on the religious tradition and the specific monastery, but it is generally a rigorous process that involves a period of training and testing. To become a monk you need to be a confirmed and practising Catholic, a man over the age of 18, in good mental and physical health, if possible involved in the life of your parish or something similar, unmarried, with no dependents.
Can a Woman Be a Monk?
Yes, women can be monks in many traditions, although the opportunities and roles may differ from those of male monks. The ranks of male and female monastics are the same, and women “have this ‘chutzpah’ because when the tradition was introduced in Japan in the sixth century, women were the first to be fully ordained, Arai said.
The Future of Monasticism
Monasticism faces challenges in a rapidly changing world, including declining religious affiliation and increasing secularization. However, the enduring appeal of its core values – community, contemplation, and service – suggests that monastic life will continue to evolve and adapt, offering a meaningful path for those seeking a deeper connection to the spiritual realm.