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Monk

A monk (/mʌŋk/; from Greek: μοναχός, monachos, "single, solitary" via Latin monachus)[1][2] is a man who is a member of a religious order and lives in a monastery.[3] A monk usually lives his life in prayer and contemplation. The concept is ancient and can be seen in many religions and in philosophy.

For other uses, see Monk (disambiguation) and Monks (disambiguation).

The Greek word for "monk" may be applied to men or women. In English, however, "monk" is applied mainly to men, while nun is typically used for female monastics.


Although the term monachos is of Christian origin, in the English language monk tends to be used loosely also for both male and female ascetics from other religious or philosophical backgrounds. However, being generic, it is not interchangeable with terms that denote particular kinds of monk, such as cenobite, hermit, anchorite, hesychast, or solitary.


Traditions of Christian monasticism exist in major Christian denominations, with religious orders being present in Catholicism, Lutheranism, Oriental Orthodoxy, Eastern Orthodoxy, Reformed Christianity (Calvinism), Anglicanism and Methodism. Indian religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, also have monastic traditions as well.

: leader of the order

Acharya

Upadhyaya: a learned monk, who both teaches and studies himself

Muni: an ordinary monk

— The award-winning documentary on the hermit monks of the Catholic Carthusian Order.

Into Great Silence

Jangam Monk

and Monahan, names of Gaelic origin, diminutive of Irish: Manach, Latin: Monachus, "a Monk".

Mainchín

Sadhu

Chadwick, Owen (1981). . Clarendon Press. pp. 211–252. ISBN 9780198269199. Also online

The Popes and European Revolution

Internet Directory

Orthodox Monasteries

Historyfish.net Texts and articles on Western Christian Monks, Monastics, and the Monastic Life.

and A hieromonk, Photos from Valaam Monastery, Russia

An Orthodox novice

at www.monachos.net

Monasticism Studies Area