Monasteries

Introduction

A Monastery is a place usually a collection of buildings where spiritual activities are performed. People who live in that place are called monks and in the case of females, it is called nun. The people residing in these monasteries are the ones who have chosen to keep themselves away from society.

These Monasteries are located in such a place where there is no disturbance. Here people lived in a group or alone. Monasteries are meant for recalling the universal power which involves the activities like prayers, chants, etc.

The structure and the culture of each Monastery is different from the other depending on the location and purpose of the Monastery. Monks present in the Monastery keep themselves away from social and political corruption. Sometimes, they isolate themselves inside the Monastery. Moreover, they also contribute to providing goods and services to the local people.

Classification of Monasteries

There are different types of Monasteries based on the duties of the monks. There are mainly four types of Monasteries found which are as follows −

• Solitary type of Monasteries − In the solitary type of Monastery a person lives alone. He keeps himself away from everything and tries to focus on his religion.

• The monastery with community system − It signifies the Monastery where two or more than two people lived in a group. Here strict rules and cultures are followed.

• Mendicant type of Monastery − This is the third type of Monastery. The monks living here have to go to the people on foot and beg alms. So this type of monastic life was quite difficult for monks..

• Combined Monastery − This is the last type of Monastery. In this type of Monastery, monks are expected to perform roles in social institutions like schools and hospitals.

Monasteries in Ancient India

There were different types of Monasteries based on the different religions. Among them, Buddhist Monasteries were the oldest monasteries from the ancient period. The Monasteries of different religions included −

• Monastery of Buddhism − The Monastery of Buddhism was established in the period about 400 BCE. Monks of this specific type of Monastery are advised to stay in a place for a certain period instead of roaming here and there. The Vassa retreats took place in parks, where wealthy followers used to donate to the sangha. Over the years, the custom of living in an area occupied by the whole sangha during the recess of the Vassa evolved from cenobitic monasticism, where monks and nuns lived for a year in Monasteries.

  The Monastery of Buddhism was an important centre in India for learning the lessons of life in the philosophic aspect. Many educational institutions were formed during the Buddhist period. It spread throughout the world and was very popular. Some of the popular Buddhist Monasteries in India are Hemis Monastery in Ladakh, Tawang Monastery in Arunachal Pradesh, Rumtek Monastery in Sikkim, etc.

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• Monastery of Christianity − The first Monastery of Christianity was developed in Egypt city. After that, Monasteries were founded in different places. Pachomius introduced a new type of Monastery which was a cenobitic Monastery. In this type of Monastery monks and nuns lived in the same place. Even more, they performed all the activities like praying, working, or other activities together. Another important monastery in christanity was the Skete Monastery where monks performed the spiritual activities in insolation but they used to provide community services and shared resources together. There were 2-3 rules in that place. The monk who used to live a solitary life but undertook all the responsibilities were called a Hermit. There was also the Easter orthodox type of church and the Catholic Church but the objectives of both the churches were the same.

• The Monastery of Hinduism − The existence of the Monastery of Hinduism can be found from the ancient period. During the Vedic period, Hindu Monasteries were established. The Monasteries are called Mathas. The popular Mathas present in India are Chatur-Amnaya, Kathia Baba ka Sthaan in Vrindavan, Kasi Matha, Gorkana Matha, Belur Matha, etc.

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• Monastery of Jainism Jainism was introduced by Mahavira during the 5th century BC. He developed his Monastery to practice spirituality. The monks used to follow the 5 aspects of life which were truth, non-possessiveness, non-stealing, non-violence, and sexual consistency. Jainism was known as one of the most famous religions in the world.

  While other religions accepted the monastic view, the holy book of Islam known as the Quran does not support the theory of Monastery. There is no Monastery in the case of the Muslim religion. They practice spiritual activities in a place called Masjid.

Importance of Monasteries

Monasteries create a great impact on the people from different religions, who follow the path of spirituality. These monasteries are not impactful only inside the bounded wall of the Monasteries but also have a great role in social life. There are different schools, colleges, and other educational institutions working under the Monastery. And it is also extended outside India. Not only the educational purpose but also the Monastery has played a great role in the field of medical services. The important features of the Monastery are as follows −

• Monasteries developed with the focus of serving universal power and in search of the facts related to universal power.

• One of the most important roles of a Monastery is to spread knowledge among ordinary people.

• Distribution of foods, clothes, and other accessories are also important features of Monasteries.

• Monks live in the Monastery and take care of the people without any price or any value. They also help poor families by providing some contribution to them.

Conclusion

The life of people inside the Monastery is spent following a daily routine where they have to practice their responsibility and duties regularly. A monastery is usually made away from the social and the political touch, in order to make monks and nuns concentrate in their spiritual life peacefully. Their hearts are pure and full of peace. The people living in the Monastery have the special skills of treating injured people to make them cured. They also have medical facilities like hospitals and medicines to help others. In addition, monasteries play a great role in the development of emotional, social, and cultural aspects of society. Nowadays, the Monasteries have changed and developed to a great extent. There are advanced technologies and different facilities are available now in these Monasteries. People nowadays visit the place and they provide the accommodation facility to them.

FAQs

Q1. Name oldest monasteries of the world.

Ans. St. Macarius (Deir Abu Makaria) and St. Anthony (Deir Mar Antonios) are two oldest monasteries of the world, located in Egypt.

Q2. Who was Pachomius?

Ans. Pachomius also known as St. Pachomius, was the founder of the christian communal monasticism, called cenobitic, in which he preached different ways through which thousands of chrtistian started living like ascetics.

Q3. Why did people join monasteries in ancient time?

Ans. People were unhappy about the superstitions and complexity of religion in ancient time. Therefore, to find escape, enjoy freedom and overcome the sufferings of the world,peple started joining monasteries to live a simple life.

Q4. Which is the oldest monastery in India and which religion it belong to?

Ans. The Hemis monastery in Ladakh is the oldest monastery of India and belonged to Buddhism.

Q5. Why did not Islam support the monastic culture?

Ans. The Islamic religion beileved that human beings have direct connection with god,so, they do not need a middleman like monk or nun to communicate with their god.