What is a Nun?
A nun is a woman who has taken vows to dedicate her life to religious service and contemplation. Although many people associate the idea of nuns specifically with the Roman Catholic tradition, nuns can be found in a variety of Christian sects, and in other religions such as Taoism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Hinduism. Many people have great respect for nuns and their religious dedication, as becoming a nun often involves extensive commitment and sacrifice. There are a variety of different types of nuns, and many religions make a distinction between nuns and sisters. In religions which distinguish between the two, a nun is a woman who lives a cloistered life in the walls of a convent or monastery, dedicating herself to religious contemplation and prayer. A sister, on the other hand, lives an active life of service in the community, and some sisters have become very notable activists, famed for their commitment to social justice. Sisters typically live within the walls of a convent, but they
