Who are the monks? Origin and types of monasticism

In most religious teachings and beliefs, there is a category of initiates who spend their days fully devoting time to religious practice. For this, they refuse marriage, a secular career and ordinary amusements for the lay people. They call such people monks from the Greek word "monos", which means "one". They will be discussed further on.

The Origin of Monasticism

It's hard to say when and where monasticism first appeared. And first of all, this difficulty is connected with the question of who such monks are? Are they ordinary hermits who devote themselves to questions of spirituality that have always existed in human society? Or can a monk become, only having passed a certain initiation, connected with the bringing of specific vows? Is it possible to call a religious fanatic a monk who has lived his whole life in the desert at his own will, without the sanction of spiritual teachers? Depending on how to approach this issue, there will also be an answer to the question of who such monks are.

As an institutional form, monasticism was already known four thousand years ago and was associated with the cult of the god Shiva, whose admirers left the world and led a wandering lifestyle, practicing meditation and preaching, living on alms. Thus, it can be stated that the most ancient forms of this model of spirituality are associated with the religion of the tribes of the Indo-European. But was monasticism born within them or was it borrowed from someone else? Was there something similar with other peoples? When did this phenomenon first appear? There are no answers to these questions. If we look at monasticism more widely as a behavioral model, that is, as a psychological type of the dispensation of a human being, then it probably exists as much as humanity itself.

Monasticism in Hinduism

The cult of Shiva, which was mentioned above, became the cradle from which the modern, diverse face of Hinduism developed. It includes many directions and schools, most of which suggest some form of monasticism. Who are the monks in Hinduism? They are called sannyasins. The vows they bring are different in different Hindu directions. And they can live as lone outcasts or in organized communities in monasteries called ashrams. Their dress is saffron color. And, like any monks, they are forbidden to have property and enter into intimate relationships with women. The meaning of such life is the attainment of moksha, that is, liberation from the chain of rebirth and dissolution in the absolute.

Monasticism in Buddhism

Buddhist monasticism grew out of the depths of Hinduism and by and large nothing is different from it. It should be said that, unlike Hinduism, in most Buddhist denominations only unmarried monks can be clergymen, therefore their role is somewhat more important. In addition, it is believed that only in this capacity a person can achieve nirvana, the highest religious goal in the teachings of Gautama. It is quite easy to learn them, although they differ considerably from each other with vestments. However, every Buddhist monk shaves his head. The way of life again depends on the specific school. In some of them, monks bring several hundred vows. Another interesting point is that sometimes in Buddhist schools monasticism can be temporary.

Christian monasticism

As for Christian monasticism, it arose in the 2nd century in the deserts of Egypt. Since then, it has developed and acquired its characteristics in the East and the West. But before we elucidate this question, we will clarify who are the monks in Christianity. Obviously, their role differs somewhat from their Hindu and Buddhist "colleagues", since, unlike these beliefs in Christianity, monasticism is not a prerequisite for the ultimate religious goal of salvation. Nevertheless, there were always people who refused everything to devote themselves fully to the church. Initially, their motivation was the desire to fully fulfill the gospel and to improve in accordance with it their soul and life. Initially, the monks really left the world and spent days and nights in prayer. Over time, things have become more complicated, but as before, they all make three vows - celibacy, poverty and obedience to the church.

Western monasticism

In the countries of Europe, where the Roman system of law dominates, everyone has always tried to differentiate. Therefore, monasticism over time divided into separate orders, which are based on different ideals and set themselves various tasks. There are two main categories - active orders and orders of contemplation. The first of them try to show their faith in service and active social activities - preaching, charity and so on. Contemplators, on the contrary, retire to their cells and devote time to prayer. On the ratio of these two vectors of spiritual life and on their particular organization, in the rhythm of the day, on the degree of ascetic rigor, various forms of Western monasticism are built.

Therefore, it is very easy to answer the question of who such a monk in the western church is if he knows what order he belongs to. In the Middle Ages there were even monastic orders of knights, who, as monks, waged wars and took part in battles. For today, only memories remain of who is a warrior monk.

Eastern monasticism

Historically, the monastic movement in the eastern church has always tried to unify. Therefore, they all wear the same clothes and live by the same statute in all parts of the world. Under one roof, both "activists" and hermits-recluses co-exist. What does a monk in Orthodoxy mean? This is primarily a person who seeks to live in an angelic way. Therefore, the monastic vows are called - the acceptance of the angelic rank. Why and how they become monks in modern Orthodoxy, it is unequivocally difficult to say. Some go to the monastery from religious maximalism, others from failures in personal life, others flee from their problems in the world, the fourth - for the sake of a career, because only monks can occupy the highest posts in the church. There are ideological monks for whom monasticism is the most acceptable and comfortable way of life. In any case, this phenomenon is rather complicated and, worst of all, very poorly studied.