What is the "real" purpose of joining a monastery? It's like they're hiding out from reality? I guess I don't understand why people would choose to hide themselves away from the rest of the world? They sing, chant, hide themselves, eat, sleep, work to what purpose? Do they help anyone? Or are they moochers?
2006-11-12 14:49:40 · 21 answers · asked by Kooties 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
My question was not to "judge" Monks or Nuns.
2006-11-12 15:04:31 · update #1
you have to define mooch.
2006-11-12 14:51:44 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The monastic tradition is practiced by Christians, Buddhists and Hindus. Those (Christians) who are called upon to enter a monastery are said to have a vocation. The purpose of living a monastic life is to attain perfection (as closely as it can be attained by a human being) to do that, one must be physically away from the noise and bustle of the world.
It is said that if you live in a very noisy environment your sanity is impaired. Also it is a scientific fact that if you spend some of your time in prayer, meditation and chanting your nervous system is strenghtened and your mind, body and spirit is transformed. Because this transformation is so personal it is nearly impossible to verbalise it. It needs to be experienced.
2006-11-12 23:04:35 · answer #2 · answered by Imogen Sue 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
These are people who feel a special call to worship and prayer. They typically don't live easy lives. Many of them support themselves through farming or other such activities. The Monks of the Weston Priory do so through their music. John Michael Talbot has made many Christian recordings.
Some monestaries do not hide themselves away, but serve as teachers, nurses, or other ministries.
2006-11-12 23:11:17 · answer #3 · answered by Deirdre H 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Would you ask the same of a nun? Call her a "moocher"??
Monastery's have their own practices and traditions. The people in them are their to be spiritually closer to god. Their purpose, mainly to serve god.
2006-11-12 22:55:59 · answer #4 · answered by exaluva 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is supposed to be like a spiritual "cleansing" of sorts, to become closer to God, to take away any distractions of the outside world, with it's noise and chaos, and to just focus on one's relationship with the Creator.
I suppose there may be some who use it for their own purpose, or to "mooch" as you call it, but when it is done for the right reasons, then no, they are not moochers, they are seekers, or God chasers.
2006-11-12 22:55:38 · answer #5 · answered by simone 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A monastery is a Retreat which is, actually, quite different and rather more profound in purpose than, evidently, is within the grasp of your intellectual abilities.
Since you choose to be the judge, jury and executioner of your own Question, there isn't any point in discussing this with you, is there?
Pax Vobiscum, Pax Dominic.
2006-11-12 22:55:34 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't think joining a monastery and spending the rest of our lives there is right, God has told us to help other people and be a light to them by being amongst them. then if we separate ourselves physically from the world, then we can't share our love and truth to other people, but I agree that if a monastery is involved in social work and for helping people then thats great, but I would not agree monasterys in which people sometimes just torture themselves by living in extremely difficult conditions and believe that they are serving God and getting close to him. Jesus never separated himself from the world, he lived amongst sinful people and always was compassionate to them. I believe thats what followers of christ must also do. to spread his love by acts of kindness and love.
2006-11-12 23:10:00 · answer #7 · answered by smashingdon 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
much like the amish they have set their selfs apart from the world. They have chosen to live a life that is focused and loyal to their beliefs. They are far from hiding out or being moochers. It takes dedication and hard work to accomplish what they are doing.
2006-11-12 23:17:15 · answer #8 · answered by maybe 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They're secluding themselves from the material world to improve their spiritual condition, and strengthen their faith. Do they help anyone? Yes, most monasteries and convents take in people seeking refuge.
2006-11-12 23:00:03 · answer #9 · answered by Nowhere Man 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it's a great but costly way personally to escape the challenges of life. I mean just working an ordinary job for a living can be difficult, they don't even have to do that.
2006-11-13 00:14:47 · answer #10 · answered by Annmaree 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't tell us to physically separate ourselves from the world.
You are to be in the world but not of it. (I suppose they took that and said, we will build a building where no-one can pollute us.)
Unless they are really good intercessor's I don't see the point, or like for a period of time for them to sit and soak in God's presence.
2006-11-12 23:00:36 · answer #11 · answered by Abbasangel 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋