It is a serious question and I'm not having a dig at the religion. I just want to know why they exist, and what is their function?
2007-04-24 05:41:16 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Monks and nuns have a lot of different "functions." But largely they feel "called" into service. they are just people who have wholeheartedly dedicated their lives and themselves to their faith and have created communities of like minded people based on that faith. They are spiritual advisors and guides, counsellors, theologians, scholars, nurses, caregivers, gardeners, governors...the list drones on.
They exist within the world, but apart from it. They seek the truly Christlike community.
2007-04-24 05:54:14 · answer #1 · answered by lystrayel 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The treatment of female practitioners and nuns varied greatly among the different sects of Buddhism. ************* The Hinayana School, the only school left for this Yana is the Theravada School or the School of the Elders. The definition of the Elder means, they have to be in the monkhood for at least twenty plus years or so, (I could be off by few years, because it is written very clearly in Vinaya, but since I am not of that school, some Vinaya texts are not allowed to be read by the layman.) They have a very strict Ranking progression, the junior monks must pay respect to the Senior Monks, and in term, the Senior Monks will give teachings to the Junior Monks. In this school, a man with full 6 months of Monkhood by the terms of the moon, out rank 82 years old nun after thirty years of services. Moreover, as one of the Answerer has said according to this school the women cannot be Enlighten as Buddha, because they need to reincarnate as men before they can achieve Sammasambuddhas. ************ Where as in Tibetan sects, they said men and women’s Buddha Nature is the same, and they can both become Enlightened as Buddhas, because the chance of become Enlightened are the same whether you are a woman or a man. In Tibetan Buddhism, it is all about realization, if you are Enlightened, they do not care if you are a woman, a Handicapped, a Child or whatever, they will get down on their knees to bow to you to show respect. However, accordingly they have lost their Nunnery vows, therefore in Tibetan system of Monkhood Sangha consists of fully ordained monks; student monks and student nuns, there is no fully ordained Nuns. However, in this system, when you have the right achievement, Nuns and Female practitioners have been given the rights to teach Dharma as Lama (Dharma Teacher). ************* For Mahayana Buddhism, Nuns with great knowledge and accomplishment can be the Abbot of a Temple, and allow to accept students just the same as Monks. If they are accomplished, they can even command a full respect of male monks. That is the reason why Mahayana Buddhism treat the Nuns the best and give them the most respect they deserved.
2016-05-17 21:32:13 · answer #2 · answered by stephanie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Throughout history, some men and women have felt a calling to serve God in very specific ways. Many of them grouped together and founded religious communities. Over time, many of these communities took up vows that they felt would help them focus on loving and serving God. (Prayer, abstinence from sex, poverty, etc.) Some of these orders are not part of the ordained priesthood. All female religious orders (for obvious reasons) are not allowed to perform sacraments. As humans are apt to do, they came up with titles of their own, such as "nun" "sister" "monk" brother" etc.
Each religious order has a specific focus. Some work directly with the poor, some are educators, some are most monastic and focus on prayer. They live and work as a group, supporting each other in a common purpose.
2007-04-24 05:53:16 · answer #3 · answered by Church Music Girl 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
technically they don't have a role or function. The category they fall under would be 'lifestyle': they are called by God to follow Jesus and live as one of his disciples (as all Christians are) in a specific way.
Their role or function, while it might be significant, is secondary to that. Religious orders often serve local needs - education, health care, etc.
2007-04-24 05:52:12 · answer #4 · answered by a 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It is a call to serve God fully. Their sacrifice helps in the conversion of others
2007-04-24 05:49:42 · answer #5 · answered by Gods child 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
im Methodist but I have a friend who went to Catholic school
Nuns teach kids
2007-04-24 05:44:45 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Their function is to serve God.
2007-04-24 05:44:20 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
They have dedicated to their lives for the service of God.
2007-04-25 01:08:22 · answer #8 · answered by Joolz of Salopia 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋