What is the life of a Buddhist monk like?
When a person ordains as a Buddhist monk (or nun), they leave behind the world as they have known it – family, friends, possessions and livelihood. In trade for their old, self-centered way of living, they gain a life that centers around the well-being of others. Buddhist monks dedicate their lives to serving other people. The basic structure of the monastic life is set by the Vinaya – a teaching from the Buddha that governs nearly all aspects of daily affairs. The Vinaya has been adapted to the many countries in which Buddhism has taken root and, as a result, there is variation in monastic lifestyle from country to country. Becoming a fully-ordained monk generally takes some time. At first, a person might become a “postulant” – which means that they adopt the monastic life but don’t take the monastic precepts. Later, if they still wish (and their teacher agrees), they can take the novice monk precepts. Finally, after a period of time, they can ordain as a “bhikkhu” or fully-ordained m
