Path: shell.portal.com!svc.portal.com!sdd.hp.com!swrinde!newsfeed.internetmci.com!mr.net!news.mr.net!CP.Duluth.MN.US!usenet From: Joe verville Newsgroups: talk.religion.buddhism Subject: Re: Monks and priests Date: Thu, 16 Nov 1995 15:35:26 -0600 Organization: ComputerPro, Duluth, MN (218) 722-4245 Lines: 24 Message-ID: <30ABAE9E.6DC@cp.duluth.mn.us> References: <48aicr$qd3@knot.queensu.ca> <48b883$do3@ixnews3.ix.netcom.com> <48dgs8$cb6@knot.queensu.ca> NNTP-Posting-Host: s20.cp.duluth.mn.us Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Mailer: Mozilla 2.0b2 (Windows; I; 32bit) Kocks Mika I wrote: > > Oops, should have made my question a bit clearer. I'm not so > concerned about the differences between monks and priests. I just want > to know what they are. For example, is a monk somebody who's taken vows > to save all sentient beings? Someone who isolates himself in a > monastery? What? > > Your answers will be much appreciated! > > Mika In Theravada, a Monk (Bhikkhu) is "one who has gone forth" from the home life into homelessness. He takes upon himself the vinaya rules (over 200) as dictated by the Blessed One for his training. Total celibacy and a strict moral code are observed to better realize the Buddha's teachings and therby put an end to suffering (Nibbana). I will reiterate from a previous post that there are no priests in Theravada Buddhism. This concept is totally foreign. Monks can be Dhamma teachers, or Pali scholars, they can also specialize in meditation and be complete hermits. It is a very respected and admired way of life. It has always been the special duty of the Sangha (monks) to preserve the Buddha Sasana and see that it is passed on to future generations for their help and benefit.