Monks and nuns, called bhikkhu (Pali, Skt. bhikshu) and bhikkhuni (Skt. bhikshuni), are responsible for the preservation and dissemination of the Buddha's teaching and the guidance of Buddhist lay people.

Mar 25, 2025 · The monks, nuns and pilgrims have gathered in the stiflingly hot town of Lumbini, near the border with India, because this is the day when the Buddha’s birth is celebrated here in Nepal—and ...

Originally, bhikkus were the mendicant followers of the Buddha (6th century bc) who had left their families and worldly pursuits in order to meditate and to apply the Buddha’s teachings to their everyday life.

Jul 27, 2018 · Bhikkhus, or Buddhist monks, are a diverse religious order. Learn about the various regional practices of Buddhist monkhood.

A bhikkhu (Pali: भिक्खु, Sanskrit: भिक्षु, romanized: bhikṣu) is an ordained male in Buddhist monasticism. [1] . Male, and female monastics (bhikkhunī), are members of the Sangha (Buddhist community). [2] The lives of all Buddhist monastics are governed by a set of rules called the prātimokṣa or pātimokkha. [1] .

A Buddhist monk acts as a torchbearer, spreading the teachings of Buddha across various communities. Just like a seed sown in fertile soil must be nurtured and cared for, these monks ensure that the wisdom of the Dharma blossoms within those who listen.

Apr 30, 2019 · What was life like for the first Buddhist monks? How did these followers of the historical Buddha become ordained and what rules did they live by? Though the actual story is shrouded a bit by the passing of centuries, the story of these first monks is fascinating.

Monks respond by sharing merit, spreading good will and the teachings of the Buddha to all those who wish to hear, irrespective of personal feelings. A monk is allowed to collect, receive and consume food between dawn and midday (taken to be 12 noon).

Buddhism, far more than in other monastic traditions of the world—with the possible exception of Jainism—attaches central importance to the order, in part because the Buddha began every one of his sermons with the address bhikkhave (“O ye begging monks”).

Monastic life is about living ethically—refraining from harm and helping others. It’s living simply as the Buddha did, practicing in community to strengthen compassion and wisdom. It is a beautiful way of life. Why Be a Buddhist Monastic? The choice to become a Buddhist nun or monk comes from a deep spiritual longing.