Are there female monks?

Women aren't allowed to be ordained as monks in Thailand - but some women have instead been ordained abroad, and have returned to the country to live as female monks. It began with the Venerable Dhammananda, the woman who founded this temple, who was the first woman in Thai history to be ordained as a female monk.

What is a female monk called?

The word nun is typically used for female monastics. Although the term monachos is of Christian origin, in the English language monk tends to be used loosely also for both male and female ascetics from other religious or philosophical backgrounds.

How many female monks are there?

There are roughly 300,000 monks in Thailand, home to one of the highest concentrations of Buddhists on the planet. Yet only 100 are women. They're scattered among small temples that the traditional order views as insolent.

Are there female Buddhas?

The appearance of female Buddhas can be found in the tantric iconography of the Vajrayana practice path of Buddhism. Sometimes they are the consorts of the main yidam of a meditation mandala but Buddhas such as Vajrayogini, Tara and Simhamukha appear as the central figures of tantric sadhana in their own right.

Do female monks have to be bald?

Most Buddhist nuns and monks today follow the Vinaya rules about hair. Practices do vary somewhat from one school to another, but the monastic ordination ceremonies of all schools of Buddhism include head shaving.

Renegade Female Monks Of Thailand | The Zainab Salbi Project Ep. 3

Why do monks wear orange?

It is a sacred color in many Eastern religions. Hindu and Buddhist monks wear orange robes, and in Hinduism, orange represents fire and therefore purity; impurities are burned in fire.

Can monks have kids?

Monks, for example, are not allowed to get married nor have children. They leave their family forever and get a new family in the monastery.

Why can't monks touch females?

Monks are forbidden from touching or coming close to women's bodies, because it is believed that a woman's body is contrary to a monk's vows. Thus, most temples in Thailand put an announcement which restricts women from entering.

Can a girl be a monk?

Women aren't allowed to be ordained as monks in Thailand - but some women have instead been ordained abroad, and have returned to the country to live as female monks. It began with the Venerable Dhammananda, the woman who founded this temple, who was the first woman in Thai history to be ordained as a female monk.

Can a woman be a Tibetan monk?

Women can be ordained as the equivalent of monks in China, South Korea, Taiwan and Vietnam, mostly dominated by the Mahayana school of Buddhism. Female ordination is not available in the Tibetan tradition nor in Cambodia, Laos or Myanmar.

Can a woman join a monastery?

1. Many monasteries accept women. It's a common belief that only men can stay in monasteries, especially those run by monks. That is not the case and even if it's not a women's monastery, you might be able to stay.

Can a woman be a Shaolin monk?

One commonly heard myth with regards to the Shaolin Temple is that only men can train there. While it's true that all the warrior monks teaching at the temple are men, both men and women are equally welcome to come and study there.

Can females become Buddhists?

Women can be ordained as the equivalent of monks in China, South Korea, Taiwan and Vietnam, mostly dominated by the Mahayana school of Buddhism. Female ordination is not available in the Tibetan tradition nor in Cambodia, Laos or Myanmar.

Are female monks called nuns?

The tradition of the ordained monastic community (sangha) began with the Buddha, who established an order of Bhikkhus (monks). According to the scriptures, later, after an initial reluctance, he also established an order of Bhikkhunis (nuns or women monks).

Do monks get paid?

Because of the whole vow of poverty thing, though, the nuns and monks don't actually get to keep whatever they earn. Their salaries go straight to their religious order. In return, the order often gives each nun or monk a small living stipend.

Why are monks bald?

In modern times, tonsure refers to cutting or shaving hair by monks or religious devotees. Ridding of your hair serves as a symbol of renunciation of worldly ego and fashion. In Buddhism, shaving your head (and face) is part of Pabbajja.

Who is the first female monk?

A Buddhist nun has become the first female monk ordained in Thailand, presenting a serious challenge to the nation's all-male clergy. Varanggana Vanavichayen, 55, was ordained Sunday by a female Sri Lankan monk in the presence of a male Thai monk.

Can a monk get married?

Buddhists monks choose not to marry and remain celibate while living in the monastic community. This is so that they can focus on achieving enlightenment .

What are monks not allowed to do?

Monks are not allowed to request anything from lay people; and lay people cannot demand anything from the monks. The spirit of it is more in the nature of open-hearted giving.

Can monks hug?

“In this culture, people like to give a hug in friendship, but monks don't do that. We don't even shake hands," said Bhante Kusala (photo 1), who is studying at the Divinity School.

Are monks celibate?

Until recently, it was common for some Tibetan families to send one of their young sons to the local monastery to become a lifelong, celibate monk. Historically, up to one in seven boys became monks. Families typically cited religious motives for having a monk in the family.

Can monks drink alcohol?

Whilst the forest monastery monks were allowed to drink alcohol, monks from other Buddhist sects were not allowed to drink alcohol.

Can monks have tattoos?

Yes, Buddhist monks can get tattoos! Perhaps the most famous example of this are the monks of Wat Bang Phra. The Buddhist monks of this Thailand based temple practice the sacred art of Sak Yant tattoos. But however, believe it or not, there are many different monks who are also tattooed.

What do monks do all day?

What do monks do all day? They do the things that make them communal — Mass, prayer, reflection, service. They also do the things that make them unique — exercise, collecting, composing, cooking. At Saint Meinrad, there's time to be by yourself, just you and God.

Are monks allowed to talk?

Early monastic communities evolved simple hand signing for essential communications. Spoken conversations between monks are permitted, but limited according to the norms established by the community and approved by the Order. "Silence is the mystery of the world to come. Speech is the organ of this present world.