What is Monk?
[[File:Sofonisba_-_portrait_of_a_monk_c._1556.jpg|thumb|Sofonisba Anguissola: portrait of a monk (c. 1556)]] [[File:Tapisserie moines mannequins.jpg|thumb|220px|right|[[Medieval]] Christian monks]] [[File:Young monks of Drepung.jpg|thumb|220px|right|[[Buddhist]] monks in Tibet]] A '''monk''' is a man who devoted part or all of his life to a [[religion]]. The word comes from [[Ancient Greek language|Ancient Greek]], and can be translated as ''solitary''. In Greek, the word can apply to women, but in modern English it is mainly used for men. The word [[nun]] is usually used for female [[monastic]]s. Monks practice [[asceticism]]. They either live alone, or together with other monks who share the same ideals. Monks can be found in different religions, most often in [[Buddhism]], [[Christianity]], [[Hinduism]], [[Jainism]] and [[Taoism]]. The monks who live on their own are usually called [[hermit]]s, those living with other monks do so in [[Monastery|monasteries]]. Nuns living together do so in a [[convent]]. Some laws monks might choose to obey: # Poverty: the monk cannot own anything. # [[Chastity]]: the monk cannot have sex or a sexual relationship and cannot start a family or get married. # Solitude: the monk should always be alone. Some monks choose to not follow this law. # Silence: the monk shall not speak unless it is necessary. # Generosity: the monk should always help other people. # Stillness: the monk cannot travel far unless it is necessary. Sometimes this means that the monk must be ''cloistered'' which means that they must not leave their monastery. Sometimes they can be allowed to leave, but must not go very far. # Duty: The monk must do some things every day. For example, the monk must [[Prayer|pray]] or [[Meditation|meditate]] and must do some [[Labour (economics)|work]]. {{Catholic Church ranks}} [[Category:Monks| ]] [[Category:Religious occupations]]