The ranks of male and female monastics are the same, and women “have this 'chutzpah' because when the tradition was introduced in Japan in the sixth century, women were the first to be fully ordained, Arai said. In Tibetan Buddhism, nuns have achieved many of the privileges historically reserved for monks.
The word 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.
Many monasteries accept women.
It's a common belief that only men can stay in monasteries, especially those run by monks. That is not the case and even if it's not a women's monastery, you might be able to stay. Do check before writing one off.
Modern Times. The guidelines set in the Khandhaka are used to discourage vanity. Most Buddhist monks and nuns follow these rules today. There is variation between schools, but the monastic ordination of Buddhism always includes a head shave.
The feminine form of a monk is 'Nun'.
Bhante is a gender-neutral term, and may be used to address both monks and nuns. It is the vocative form of the word bhadanta, which confers recognition of greatness and respect. In English, the term is often translated as Venerable.
To this day, Buddhist monks and nuns in almost every traditional Buddhist country are still expected to adhere to a monastic lifestyle and are enjoined from getting married and starting families.
In the Pali Vinaya-pitaka, in a section called the Khandhaka, the rules say that hair should be shaved at least every two months, or when the hair has grown to the length of two finger-widths.
Almost all Buddhist sects permitted monk's marriage as officially and it became usual one. On the other hand, until then, Jōdo Shinshū sect, which developed one of the largest Buddhism sects in cotemporary Japan was only one sect that was permitted monk's marriage by the government.
Theravada nuns wear light pink or white robes. Typically only seen during morning almsgiving rituals, alms bowls are worn around the neck. In Bhutan and Nepal, both monks and nuns generally wear only maroon robes, with some variation of red. Both countries practice Buddhism that is closely-related to Tibetan Buddhism.
The presence of Tara in the Buddhist pantheon over the centuries, both as a bodhisattva and as a female buddha, has offered a sense of inclusivity and hope of spiritual salvation to many female practitioners.
Priests, nuns, and monks take a vow of celibacy when they are initiated into the Church. Celibacy is often dictated in other religions as well. Most religions advise both the males and females to remain celibate until they take marital vows.
Monks are forbidden to divine either good fortune or future tragedy by observing heavenly omens, thereby deceiving both the tennō and the people. They are also forbidden to possess and study military tracts; to commit murder, rape, robbery or other crimes; and to feign enlightenment.
The Buddhist monastic community is divided into a fourfold system of novice monks, novice nuns, fully ordained monks and fully ordained nuns, each with a set of precepts, or vinaya, that they need to follow.
The typical day of a Buddhist monk, whether young or adult, follows a fixed schedule: wake-up call at 4:30 am (including Saturdays and Sundays); one-hour gathering in the temple to recite mantras; personal hygiene in one of the several fountains scattered around the monastery (there are no showers but they wash ...
Sexual Ethics and the Buddhist Precepts
The monastic code for all monks and nuns across all three Buddhist vehicles (Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana) is simple and straightforward – total celibacy.
A bhikkhunī (Pali: ????????) or bhikṣuṇī (Sanskrit: भिक्षुणी) is a fully ordained female in Buddhist monasticism. Male monastics are called bhikkhus. Both bhikkhunis and bhikkhus live by the Vinaya, a set of rules.
Buddhism much like Hinduism is not particularly restrictive when it comes to tattoos. Buddhists believe that the body is impermanent and so are tattoos. Because they are viewed as temporary, getting tattoos doesn't violate any Buddhist doctrines or beliefs.
Buddhism, the Thai state religion, teaches that use of intoxicants should be avoided.
Food is prepared as a spiritual exercise with attention to balance, harmony, and delicacy. Conscious eating is followed among all Buddhists. Buddha advised monks to avoid eating 10 kinds of meat for self-respect and protection: humans, elephants, horses, dogs, snakes, lions, tigers, boars and hyenas.
Even though the Buddhist texts are silent on the subject of monogamy or polygamy, the Buddhist laity is advised to limit themselves to one wife. The Buddha did not lay rules on married life but gave necessary advice on how to live a happy married life.
Monks, for example, are not allowed to get married nor have children. They leave their family forever and get a new family in the monastery.
Silence is a constant theme in the Rule of St Benedict, which states that 'monks should diligently cultivate silence at all times'. This strict regulation of speech – the prohibition on unnecessary verbal communication – was an expression of the ascetic life of monks and nuns.