This term has other meanings, see Monk (meanings).
The word "nun" has other meanings: see Nun (meanings).
Monk
(Greek μοναχός -
single, single
), female.
a nun
is usually a member of a religious community, in accordance with a vow (oath) leading an ascetic life either within the monastic community (brotherhood [1]), or in solitude, as a hermit. Monks live in monasteries (monasteries), deserts, and laurels.
The institution of monasticism is characteristic of various areas of Christianity, Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism. Sometimes dervishes are also considered monks - but this is controversial, since there are formal differences - dervishes could marry, could live in their own houses and live their own lives[2]. Monks appeared in the middle of the 1st millennium BC. e. in Buddhism, from the 3rd century AD. e. monasticism also appeared in Christianity (only Protestantism does not have monks). It is important to note that monasticism is not biblical in essence K: Wikipedia: Articles without sources (type: not specified)[ source not specified 2986 days
] and was introduced into Christianity after the Bible was written.
Tradition considers the founders of Christian monasticism to be the Egyptian ascetic saints: Paul of Thebes (died c. 341), Anthony the Great and Pachomius in the East. Athanasius the Great and Martin of Tours - in the West. The founders of Russian monasticism are considered to be the Monks Anthony and Theodosius of Pechersk, who created in the 11th century. Kiev-Pechersk Monastery.
Nuns
A nun
is a member of a religious women's community, usually taking vows of poverty, chastity and obedience[3]. The term "nun" applies to Catholics (Eastern and Western traditions), Orthodox, Anglicans, Lutherans, Jains, Buddhists, Taoists and Hindus ("sannyasini"); according to D. Mead, similar institutions already existed in ancient Egypt, Peru and ancient Rome (Vestal Virgins)[4].
Joint monasteries and monasteries were banned in Rus' in 1504. However, the Orthodox Church does not make a fundamental distinction between a monastery for women and for men.
All Buddhist traditions have the institution of nuns, although their status differs in different Buddhist countries. The Buddha reportedly allowed the women of the sangha with great reluctance, predicting that this step would lead to the collapse of Buddhism not in 1000 years, as it would have been without it, but in 500. However, this prophecy is mentioned in the canons only once, moreover being the only prophecy with a time frame, suggesting that it is a later addition[5]. In 2012, Buddhist nuns acquired the right to receive the highest scientific degree, Doctor of Buddhist Philosophy (“Geshem”), previously available only to men (“Geshe”)[6].
Obediences in the monastery
The monastery is a big family. She lives not only a spiritual life (although this is the main thing), but also those without which life on earth cannot exist: farming, food, housing.
Obediences are those deeds and work that monks do in their free time from services and prayer.
Obedience combines two goals:
- Purely economic: the monastery needs to be kept in order, the monks need to be fed, someone needs to do this.
- Educational: praying day and night is not a skill, but a gift that only a few acquire. Time free from prayer will become idleness. And idleness is the worst enemy of a person and even worse for a monk.
The task of the abbot of the monastery is to see and understand: who is better to direct to what obedience: who can cope with carpentry and household work, who can take care of the site, who can handle cooking; who can be entrusted with organizational work, and who, perhaps, can be freed from obedience altogether.
This monk's obedience may be to look after the monastery's cattle.
Varieties of monks
- Abba
- ascetic
- acharya
- bonze
- brahmacharya
- bhikkhus ( bhikshuni
) - recluse
- abbot ( abbess
) - hieromonk (and hieroschemamonk)
- monk ( nun
) - cellarer
- lama
- resident of a monastery
- hermit
- novice
- Reverend
- prosphora book
- hermit ( desert dweller
) - Rasophorus
- stylite
- schemonk ( schemnik
)
Prayer in the monastery
Despite all the obligatory obligations that obedience has in a monastery, it is not the most important thing for monks. The main thing monks do is prayer.
Prayer in the monastery comes in three forms:
- Divine services
- Prayer in the cell
- Prayer during obediences and at all other times
In most monasteries, any obedience must stop at the beginning of the service - even if it is not completed. The monk must be present at the service. There may be exceptions for those in poor health.
Some monasteries do not have such strictness. For example, if the brethren in the monastery are small and too much falls on each monk during the week. In this case, the monk, with the blessing of the abbot, can skip this or that service. But only in order to pray in a different form: while doing something or privately.
The cell prayer rule for each monk is determined individually by the abbot or confessor.
As for prayer during obediences and at all other times, this means that the monk tries not to spend a second of his life in empty contemplation or idle thought. And constantly, while working or at any moment of wakefulness, he reads to himself some kind of prayer - most often, the Jesus Prayer (Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner).
Monasticism on Holy Mount Athos is distinguished by strict rules. Little sleep, strict fasting, incessant prayer.
Sources
- Brethren // Encyclopedic Dictionary of Brockhaus and Efron: in 86 volumes (82 volumes and 4 additional). - St. Petersburg, 1890-1907.
- [www.atamanhotel.com/rs/dervishes.html Ataman Hotel – WHIRKING DERVISHES]
- The Oxford English Dictionary, vol X, page 599.
- D. Mead. Theosophical Dictionary.
- Hellmuth Hecker, [www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/hecker/wheel273.html#n-30].
- [www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpoO8denVYM Geshema Degree Passes CTA Approval]. VOAKunleng. Retrieved March 4, 2013.
Cloth
The clothing of the monks also arouses keen interest among the public. A cassock is a long robe that reaches to the heels. It has narrow sleeves and the collar is buttoned tightly. The cassock is an undergarment. If worn by a monk, the item should be black. Cassocks of other colors (gray, brown, white, dark blue) can only be afforded by family clergy. Traditionally, they are made from wool, cloth, satin, and linen.
Of course, the clothing of monks is not only a cassock. The outer garment of a person who has dedicated himself to God is called a cassock. Traditionally, it has long and wide sleeves. Black cassocks are most widespread, but you can also find white, cream, gray, and brown versions.
It is impossible not to mention the monastic headdress - the hood. It appeared in the church environment a long time ago, initially it looked like a soft cap made of simple matter. The modern cap is covered with a black veil that extends below the shoulders. Most often you can find black hoods, but there are also products made in other colors.
Excerpt characterizing the Monk
“Go, Annette, you’ll catch a cold,” said the little princess, saying goodbye to Anna Pavlovna. “C’est arrete, [It’s decided],” she added quietly. Anna Pavlovna had already managed to talk with Lisa about the matchmaking that she had started between Anatole and the little princess’s sister-in-law. “I hope for you, dear friend,” said Anna Pavlovna, also quietly, “you will write to her and tell me, comment le pere envisagera la chose.” Au revoir, [How the father will look at the matter. Goodbye] - and she left the hall. Prince Hippolyte approached the little princess and, tilting his face close to her, began to tell her something in a half-whisper. Two footmen, one the princess, the other his, waiting for them to finish speaking, stood with a shawl and a riding coat and listened to their incomprehensible French conversation with such faces as if they understood what was being said, but did not want to show it. The princess, as always, spoke smiling and listened laughing. “I’m very glad that I didn’t go to the envoy,” said Prince Ippolit: “boredom... It’s a wonderful evening, isn’t it, wonderful?” “They say that the ball will be very good,” answered the princess, raising her mustache-covered sponge. “All the beautiful women of society will be there.” – Not everything, because you won’t be there; not all,” said Prince Hippolyte, laughing joyfully, and, grabbing the shawl from the footman, even pushed him and began to put it on the princess. Out of awkwardness or deliberately (no one could make out this) he did not lower his arms for a long time when the shawl was already put on, and seemed to be hugging a young woman. She gracefully, but still smiling, pulled away, turned and looked at her husband. Prince Andrei's eyes were closed: he seemed so tired and sleepy. - You are ready? – he asked his wife, looking around her. Prince Hippolyte hastily put on his coat, which, in his new way, was longer than his heels, and, getting tangled in it, ran to the porch after the princess, whom the footman was lifting into the carriage. “Princesse, au revoir, [Princess, goodbye," he shouted, tangling with his tongue as well as with his feet. The princess, picking up her dress, sat down in the darkness of the carriage; her husband was straightening his saber; Prince Ippolit, under the pretext of serving, interfered with everyone. “Excuse me, sir,” Prince Andrei said dryly and unpleasantly in Russian to Prince Ippolit, who was preventing him from passing. “I’m waiting for you, Pierre,” said the same voice of Prince Andrei affectionately and tenderly. The postilion set off, and the carriage rattled its wheels. Prince Hippolyte laughed abruptly, standing on the porch and waiting for the Viscount, whom he promised to take home. “Eh bien, mon cher, votre petite princesse est tres bien, tres bien,” said the Viscount, getting into the carriage with Hippolyte. – Mais très bien. - He kissed the tips of his fingers. - Et tout a fait francaise. [Well, my dear, your little princess is very sweet! Very sweet and perfect Frenchwoman.] Hippolyte snorted and laughed. “Et savez vous que vous etes terrible avec votre petit air innocent,” continued the Viscount. – Je plains le pauvre Mariei, ce petit officier, qui se donne des airs de prince regnant.. [Do you know, you are a terrible person, despite your innocent appearance. I feel sorry for the poor husband, this officer, who poses as a sovereign person.] Hippolyte snorted and said through laughter: “Et vous disiez, que les dames russes ne valaient pas les dames francaises.” Il faut savoir s'y prendre. [And you said that Russian ladies are worse than French ones. You have to be able to take it up.] Pierre, having arrived ahead, like a homely man, went into Prince Andrei’s office and immediately, out of habit, lay down on the sofa, took the first book he came across from the shelf (it was Caesar’s Notes) and began, leaning on his elbow, reading it from middle. -What did you do with m lle Scherer? “She’s going to be completely ill now,” said Prince Andrei, entering the office and rubbing his small, white hands. Pierre turned his whole body so that the sofa creaked, turned his animated face to Prince Andrei, smiled and waved his hand. - No, this abbot is very interesting, but he just doesn’t understand the matter well... In my opinion, eternal peace is possible, but I don’t know how to say it... But not political balance... Prince Andrey was apparently not interested in these abstract conversations. - You can’t, mon cher, [my dear,] say everything you think everywhere. Well, have you finally decided to do something? Will you be a cavalry guard or a diplomat? – asked Prince Andrei after a moment of silence. Pierre sat down on the sofa, tucking his legs under him. – You can imagine, I still don’t know. I don't like either one. - But you have to decide on something? Your father is waiting. From the age of ten, Pierre was sent abroad with his tutor, the abbot, where he stayed until he was twenty. When he returned to Moscow, his father released the abbot and said to the young man: “Now you go to St. Petersburg, look around and choose. I agree to everything. Here is a letter for you to Prince Vasily, and here is money for you. Write about everything, I will help you with everything.” Pierre had been choosing a career for three months and had done nothing. Prince Andrey told him about this choice. Pierre rubbed his forehead. “But he must be a Mason,” he said, meaning the abbot whom he saw at the evening.
Vows
It's no secret that monks take vows. What is the monastic vow of celibacy? A person who makes such a promise not only gives up the opportunity to get married. This vow implies that gender no longer matters to him. The bodily shell remained in the world that the monk left; from now on, only souls are important to him.
Also, a servant of God must take a vow of non-covetousness. By saying goodbye to the world, the monk also renounces the right to personal property. This implies that he cannot own anything, even a ballpoint pen. A person gives up property because he no longer needs it. Everything that the monks use, such as books, is the property of the monastery.
What is the monastic vow of obedience? This means that a person completely rejects his desires. His only goal from now on is unity with the Lord, to whom he offers prayers hourly. However, willpower remains with him. In addition, the monk is required to unquestioningly follow the orders of the abbot. This is not a sign of submission and servility, but rather helps to find peace and joy in the soul.
