Buddhist Monks?

Question

What exactley are they?

Answer 1

Buddhist monks are part of a monastic tradition started by the Buddha that is is still alive today, thanks to the devotion, dedication and efforts of many thousands of monks and nuns in Asia over the last 2-1/5 millennia.

The vows of a Buddhist monk or nun are taken for life. Some monasteries in Asia (e.g. in Thailand) offer part-time ordination programs, usually for men, which allow one the possibility to live as a monastic for a few days, weeks, months, or years. The vows should be taken with the determination to keep them for the rest of one’s life.


Buddhist monks have a thorough understanding of the fundamental teachings of the Buddha, such as the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment (Lam Rim) and so forth. This normally requires several years of study and practice under the guidance of a qualified teacher inone of the Buddhist traditions (e.g. Theravada, Tibetan, etc.).

Becoming a Buddhist monastic means joining a community – the Sangha – the purpose of which is to study and practice the Buddha’s teachings in order to keep them alive, and whenever possible, to share them with others. Traditionally, one stays in a monastic community for at least 5 years after becoming ordained.

In some countries – e.g. Thailand, Burma, Taiwan – when someone joins a monastic community, all one’s needs such as food, clothing, accommodation, etc. are provided for.

For some interesting pictures, go to:
http://www.thaistudents.com/album/monks.html
cc

Answer 2

they are buddhist boys or men who spend 3 months to 1 year away from home (most of the time in Mecca) living a religious life. hope that helps!!

Answer 3

look here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhist_monk

carpe diem!