bhikkhu (bhikkhu): A Buddhist monk; a man who has given up the householder's life to live a life of heightened virtue (see sila) in accordance with the Vinaya in general, and the Patimokkha rules in particular.

See sangha, parisa, upasampada.

 (See also: Bhikkhu, Buddhism, Body Mind and Soul)

bhikkhuni (bhikkhunii): A Buddhist nun; a man (woman) who has given up the householder's life to live a life of heightened virtue (see sila) in accordance with the Vinaya in general, and the Patimokkha rules in particular.

See sangha, parisa, upasampada.

 (See also: Bhikkhuni, Buddhism, Body Mind and Soul)

When a young man aspires to join the sangha of monks, a bhikkhu will first ordain him as a samanera (novice) either for a year or until the age of 20. If the samanera is deemed acceptable and able by the order, he will then receive a full ordination and will now live by the monastic rules of the patimokkha (227 rules for Theravada monks), which are stated in the Tripitaka. A young woman should be ordained, according to Theravada tradition, by both a monk and a nun, first as a samaneri. Then, after a year or at the age of 20, she will be ordained as a full bhikkhuni. The Theravada vinay ...

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Sangha, Sangha - Ordination process, Sangha - Women's role in the Sangha

Read more here: » Sangha: Encyclopedia II - Sangha - Ordination process

Because the bhikkhuni sangha (the order of ordained Buddhist nuns) was never established in Thailand, there has traditionally been no way for a female Buddhist to become an ordained member of the Buddhist clergy. Instead, for several centuries Thai women have chosen to live as Mae Jis, taking the eight precepts and living either in monasteries or in dedicated communities of female renunciants. Temporary Mae Jis (who typically do not shave their ...

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Mae Ji, Mae Ji - Overview, Mae Ji - History, Mae Ji - Other Female Buddhist Orders in Thailand, Mae Ji - Sources

Read more here: » Mae Ji: Encyclopedia II - Mae Ji - Overview

The order of Buddhist monks and nuns was founded by Gautama Buddha during his lifetime of over 2500 years ago. The Buddhist monastic lifestyle grew out of the lifestyle of earlier sects of wandering ascetics, some of whom the Buddha had studied under, and was initially fairly eremetic in nature. Individuals or small groups of monks- a teacher and his students, or several monks who were friends- would travel together, living on the outskirts of local communities and practicing meditation in the forests. Monks and nuns were expected to live wi ...

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Buddhist monasticism, Buddhist monasticism - History and Development, Buddhist monasticism - Monastic Life, Buddhist monasticism - Local Variations, Buddhist monasticism - Tibet, Buddhist monasticism - East Asia, Buddhist monasticism - Southeast Asia

Read more here: » Buddhist monasticism: Encyclopedia II - Buddhist monasticism - History and Development

Main article: Buddhist monasticism The order of Buddhist monks and nuns was founded by Gautama Buddha during his lifetime of over 2500 years ago. The Buddhist monastic lifestyle grew out of the lifestyle of earlier sects of wandering ascetics, some of whom the Buddha had studied under, and was initially fairly eremetic in nature. Monks and nuns were expected to live with a minimum of possessions, which were to be voluntarily provided by the lay community. Lay followers also provided the daily food that monks required, a ...

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Monasticism, Monasticism - Buddhist monasticism, Monasticism - Christian monasticism, Monasticism - Hindu monasticism, Monasticism - Islamic monasticism, Monasticism - Jain monasticism, Monasticism - Monasticism in other religions, Monasticism - External link

Read more here: » Monasticism: Encyclopedia II - Monasticism - Buddhist monasticism

The exact derivation of the term 'Mae Ji' is not known. Several possible etymologies have been suggested, relating 'Mae Ji' either to Sanskrit or Sinhala terms for renunciants, morality, or other positive qualities. The word ji is occasionally used in the Thai language to refer either to Buddhist monks, or to ordained followers of other traditions, such as Brahmanist priests or Jain monks. Historically, little is known about the status and lives of Mae Ji prior to Western contact with the kingdoms that preceded the modern state ...

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Mae Ji, Mae Ji - Overview, Mae Ji - History, Mae Ji - Other Female Buddhist Orders in Thailand, Mae Ji - Sources

Read more here: » Mae Ji: Encyclopedia II - Mae Ji - History

Three major forces have influenced the development of Buddhism in Thailand. The most visible influence is that of the Theravada school of Buddhism, imported from Sri Lanka. While there are significant local and regional variations, the Theravada school provides most of the major themes of Thai Buddhism. By tradition, Pāli is the language of religion in Thailand. Scriptures are recorded in Pāli, using either the modern Thai script or the older Khom and Tham scripts. Pāli is also used in religious liturgy, despite the fact that most Thais u ...

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Buddhism in Thailand, Buddhism in Thailand - Influences, Buddhism in Thailand - Ordination and clergy, Buddhism in Thailand - Position of women

Read more here: » Buddhism in Thailand: Encyclopedia II - Buddhism in Thailand - Influences

In Hinduism, monastic tradition varies somewhat from sect to sect. Historically this path has been open to males only, but some traditions now accept female renunciates as well. Hindu monks are called Sadhus and in most traditions are easily recognized by their saffron robes. Vaisnava monks shave their heads except for a small patch of hair on the back of the head, while Saivite monks in mos ...

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Monasticism, Monasticism - Buddhist monasticism, Monasticism - Christian monasticism, Monasticism - Hindu monasticism, Monasticism - Islamic monasticism, Monasticism - Jain monasticism, Monasticism - Monasticism in other religions, Monasticism - External link

Read more here: » Monasticism: Encyclopedia II - Monasticism - Hindu monasticism

The Buddhist monastic order is theoretically divided into two assemblies, the male bhikkhu assembley, and the female bhikkhuni assembly. Initially consisting only of males, the Buddhist monastic order grew to include females after the Buddha's step-mother, Mahaprajapati, asked for and received permission to live as an ordained practitioner. In modern practice, the bhikkhuni linneage died out in the Theravada communities, failed to be established in the Vajrayana communities of Tibet and Nepal, and cu ...

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Buddhist monasticism, Buddhist monasticism - History and Development, Buddhist monasticism - Monastic Life, Buddhist monasticism - Local Variations, Buddhist monasticism - Tibet, Buddhist monasticism - East Asia, Buddhist monasticism - Southeast Asia

Read more here: » Buddhist monasticism: Encyclopedia II - Buddhist monasticism - Monastic Life

Although Islam denounces monasticism and celibacy, today one may encounter some Muslim traditions with innovative practices that have absorbed monastic disciplines. According to a verse (57:27) in the Qur'an, a sacred text of Islam, Allah rebukes monasticism as a man-made invention and a practice which has never been "prescribe for them." Despite clear prohibitions from the Qur'an and Sunnah (a second source of Islamic law), monasticism has ironically found ...

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Monasticism, Monasticism - Buddhist monasticism, Monasticism - Christian monasticism, Monasticism - Hindu monasticism, Monasticism - Islamic monasticism, Monasticism - Jain monasticism, Monasticism - Monasticism in other religions, Monasticism - External link

Read more here: » Monasticism: Encyclopedia II - Monasticism - Islamic monasticism

Sikhism specifically forbids the practice of monasticism. Hence there are no Sikh monk conclaves or brotherhoods. Manichaeism had two types of followers, the auditors, and the elect. The elect lived apart from the auditors to concentrate on reducing the material influences of the world. They did this through strict celibacy, poverty, teaching, and preaching. Therefore the elect were probably at least partially monastic. Scientology maintains a "fraternal order" called the Sea Organization or just Sea Org. They work only for the ...

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Monasticism, Monasticism - Buddhist monasticism, Monasticism - Christian monasticism, Monasticism - Hindu monasticism, Monasticism - Islamic monasticism, Monasticism - Jain monasticism, Monasticism - Monasticism in other religions, Monasticism - External link

Read more here: » Monasticism: Encyclopedia II - Monasticism - Monasticism in other religions

Throughout history, many cultures have regarded the left hand and left-handedness as evil. This tendency can be seen in the dual meaning of the word left, in the etymology of words such as sinister, which in Latin means both left and unlucky. Consequently, the left hand has often been used as a symbol for the rejection of traditional religion. The word right as used with hand in the Old Testament is generally the Hebrew word yamin meaning stronger, more dextrous. The word for left is smowl meaning dark. God gives ...

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Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path, Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path - Origins, Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path - Usage in Tantra, Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path - Adoption by Western occultism, Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path - Usage in modern occultism, Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path - Left-hand path religions, Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path - Criticism, Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path - Usage

Read more here: » Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path: Encyclopedia II - Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path - Origins

Main article: Christian monasticism Monasticism in Christianity is a family of similar traditions that began to develop early in the history of the Christian Church, modelled upon Scriptural examples and ideals, but not mandated as an institution by the Scriptures. While most people think of Christian or Catholic monks or nuns as "something to do with living in a monastery", from the Church's point of view the definition of a monk/nun is one who lives under a rule and an abbot/abbess, the focus of the particulars of the ...

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Monasticism, Monasticism - Buddhist monasticism, Monasticism - Christian monasticism, Monasticism - Hindu monasticism, Monasticism - Islamic monasticism, Monasticism - Jain monasticism, Monasticism - Monasticism in other religions, Monasticism - External link

Read more here: » Monasticism: Encyclopedia II - Monasticism - Christian monasticism

Like in most other Theravada nations, Buddhism in Thailand is represented primarily by the presence of Buddhist monks, who serve as officiants on ceremonial occasions, as well as being responsible for preserving and conveying the teachings of the Buddha. Up until the latter half of the 20th century, most monks in Thailand began their careers by serving as dek wat (litteraly 'temple kid'). Dek wat are traditionally no younger than eight, and do minor housework around the temple. The primary reason for becoming a dek wa ...

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Buddhism in Thailand, Buddhism in Thailand - Influences, Buddhism in Thailand - Ordination and clergy, Buddhism in Thailand - Position of women

Read more here: » Buddhism in Thailand: Encyclopedia II - Buddhism in Thailand - Ordination and clergy

Today, the terms Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path are almost exclusively used by self-proclaimed followers of the Left-Hand Path, who hold varying opinions of the Right-Hand Path; some see the two Paths as equally valid approaches to truth, whose relationship is akin to the balance between Yin and Yang, while others criticize the Right-Hand Path for being too restrictive. According to the latter view, the Right-Hand Path's imposition of formal dogmas and codes of behaviour upon an individual takes away one's ability to be tru ...

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Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path, Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path - Origins, Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path - Usage in Tantra, Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path - Adoption by Western occultism, Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path - Usage in modern occultism, Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path - Left-hand path religions, Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path - Criticism, Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path - Usage

Read more here: » Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path: Encyclopedia II - Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path - Usage in modern occultism

In ancient Judaism there was a formal priestly tribe known as the Kohanim; each member of the tribe, a Kohen had priestly duties, many of which centered around the Temple in Jerusalem. Since the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 CE, their role has largely been rendered superfluous. Since that time the religious leaders and clergy of Judaism have been the rabbis. Rabbis are not an intermediary between God and man: the word "rabbi" means "teacher". The rabbi is not an occupation found in the Torah (Five books of ...

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Clergy, Clergy - Christian clergy, Clergy - Catholic clergy, Clergy - Orthodox clergy, Clergy - Anglican clergy, Clergy - Protestant clergy, Clergy - Latter-day Saints clergy, Clergy - Judaism, Clergy - Buddhism, Clergy - Islam

Read more here: » Clergy: Encyclopedia II - Clergy - Judaism

The prevalence of these terms within the New Age movement, particularly occultism and Satanism, is often attributed to the influence of Helena Blavatsky, who first used the term Left-Hand Path to describe "immoral" religions. This usage was popularized in a variant form by Aleister Crowley. He does not use the term 'Left-Hand Path' in isolation; it is only used in the phrase 'Brother of the Left-Hand ...

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Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path, Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path - Origins, Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path - Usage in Tantra, Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path - Adoption by Western occultism, Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path - Usage in modern occultism, Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path - Left-hand path religions, Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path - Criticism, Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path - Usage

Read more here: » Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path: Encyclopedia II - Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path - Adoption by Western occultism

Buddhism has evolved into myriad schools that can be roughly grouped into three types: Nikaya, Mahayana, and Vajrayana. Of the Nikaya schools, only the Theravada survives. Each branch sees itself as representing the true, original teachings of the Buddha, and some schools believe that the dialectic nature of Buddhism allows its format, terminology, and techniques to adapt over time in response to changing circ ...

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Buddhism, Buddhism - What is a Buddha?, Buddhism - Origins, Buddhism - Principles of Buddhism, Buddhism - The Three Marks of Existence, Buddhism - The Four Noble Truths, Buddhism - The Noble Eightfold Path, Buddhism - Practices of Buddhism, Buddhism - Refuge in The Three Jewels, Buddhism - The Five Precepts, Buddhism - Meditation, Buddhism - Buddha-dhatu Buddha-Principle Buddha-nature, Buddhism - Other principles and practices, Buddhism - Vegetarianism, Buddhism - Buddhist religious philosophy and branches, Buddhism - Buddhism after the Buddha, Buddhism - Principal schools of Buddhist philosophy, Buddhism - Scriptures, Buddhism - Relations with other Eastern faiths, Buddhism - Buddhism in the modern world, Buddhism - Buddhism and the West, Buddhism - Buddhism, Buddhism - Related systems and religions, Buddhism - References and Links, Buddhism - References, Buddhism - Footnotes, Buddhism - External links

Read more here: » Buddhism: Encyclopedia II - Buddhism - Buddhist religious philosophy and branches

Estimates of the number of Buddhists vary between 230 and 500 million, with 350 million as the most commonly cited figure. [5] In northern Asia, Mahāyāna remains the most common form of Buddhism in China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, (parts of) Indonesia and Singapore. Theravāda predominates in most of Southeast Asia, including Burma, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand, as well as Sri Lanka. It has seats in Malaysia and Singapore. Vajrayāna is predominant in Tibet, Mongolia, portions of Siberia and portions of India, especially those ...

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Buddhism, Buddhism - What is a Buddha?, Buddhism - Origins, Buddhism - Principles of Buddhism, Buddhism - The Three Marks of Existence, Buddhism - The Four Noble Truths, Buddhism - The Noble Eightfold Path, Buddhism - Practices of Buddhism, Buddhism - Refuge in The Three Jewels, Buddhism - The Five Precepts, Buddhism - Meditation, Buddhism - Buddha-dhatu Buddha-Principle Buddha-nature, Buddhism - Other principles and practices, Buddhism - Vegetarianism, Buddhism - Buddhist religious philosophy and branches, Buddhism - Buddhism after the Buddha, Buddhism - Principal schools of Buddhist philosophy, Buddhism - Scriptures, Buddhism - Relations with other Eastern faiths, Buddhism - Buddhism in the modern world, Buddhism - Buddhism and the West, Buddhism - Buddhism, Buddhism - Related systems and religions, Buddhism - References and Links, Buddhism - References, Buddhism - Footnotes, Buddhism - External links

Read more here: » Buddhism: Encyclopedia II - Buddhism - Buddhism in the modern world

In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, there is no professional clergy. Most clergy are part-time volunteers. The rest, including missionaries and upper level leaders, give full-time service by living off their personal savings. Traditional clergy functions such as leading meetings, giving sermons, teaching classes, and ministering in the home and at hospitals are done by ordinary church members called of God to those responsibilities. These roles are generally open to all regardless of theological training or sex. Boys and girl ...

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Clergy, Clergy - Christian clergy, Clergy - Catholic clergy, Clergy - Orthodox clergy, Clergy - Anglican clergy, Clergy - Protestant clergy, Clergy - Latter-day Saints clergy, Clergy - Judaism, Clergy - Buddhism, Clergy - Islam

Read more here: » Clergy: Encyclopedia II - Clergy - Latter-day Saints clergy