What is the difference between a Priest and a Monk?
Technically, there is no difference in the Boundless Mind Zen School. Ordained members of the Order of the Boundless Way are legally sanctioned to provide all of the services normally associated with this vocation. Some prefer to call themselves ministers instead of priests, but the roles are basically the same. Traditionally, a monk is an individual who has chosen to pursue a spiritual path independent of others. The word monk means “alone” and refers to the independent nature of following the path of self realization. This can mean becoming a hermit or moving into a monastery to become a member of a religious fraternity, but becoming a monk is more about inner “aloneness” than it is about living arrangements. One can live anywhere and with anyone and still be a monk. In the Boundless Mind Zen School these terms are not governed by gender; monks can be male or female. The term Nun is not used because of the history of sexism associated with this title.
