Monks are men who dedicate their lives to religious service and contemplation. They can be found in various traditions and live in different types of communities, from active duty to isolated ascetics. To become a monk, one must apply to a monastery and go through a probationary period before taking vows of poverty, obedience, work, service, and chastity. Monks can live in communities dedicated to active service or a more focused religious environment. Some monks choose to live as hermits after serving in a monastery.
A monk is a man who has chosen to devote his life to religious service and contemplation. Such men can be found in Christian, Hindu, Buddhist and Taoist traditions, among others, and there are different types of monks, ranging from active duty brothers to anchorites who choose to isolate themselves from society to pursue a life of asceticism and contemplation. .
To become a monk, a man must generally first apply to a monastery, where he will be interviewed by the residents before being accepted on a probationary basis. If his trial is successful, he will be admitted as a novice, which means that at some point he will be offered the opportunity to take his vows. After a period as a novice, which may vary according to the rules of the community, he will be offered vows and accepted into the community in his own right.
Monks can live in a variety of communities. Some monasteries are dedicated to active service in the surrounding region, with residents working both within and outside the monastery. Others are more enclosed, favoring a more serious and focused environment that is dedicated specifically to religious activities, and residents are typically expected to work on the monastery grounds to produce food, clothing and other needs. In some cases, monks may even take a vow of silence to enhance the contemplative atmosphere.
Many religions also have a tradition of regarding hermit monks and other solitary religious ascetics. In most cases, people choose to pursue a period of hermitage or isolate asceticism after serving a specific period of time in a monastery. While living as a hermit, a man relies on the kindness of others and his own abilities to support himself, with some choosing to live in harsh and isolated environments to enhance the experience. In some cultures, such periods are said to be very important for personal growth and religious development.
Religious ascetics are generally required to take vows of poverty, obedience, work, service, and chastity. These vows are not to be taken lightly; the choice to become a monk should be considered a permanent life choice, although individuals are offered the opportunity to leave the monastery before taking their vows. Typically, those who join are expected to have no outstanding debts or obligations and must demonstrate a genuine commitment to religious life before being accepted into a monastery on a trial basis.
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