What do monks do for society?

A monk may be a person who decides to dedicate his life to serving all other living beings, or to be an ascetic who voluntarily chooses to leave mainstream society and live his or her life in prayer and contemplation. The concept is ancient and can be seen in many religions and in philosophy.

What are the roles of a Buddhist monk?

Monks and nuns are expected to fulfill a variety of roles in the Buddhist community. They are also expected to provide a living example for the laity, and to serve as a “field of merit” for lay followers, providing laymen and women with the opportunity to earn merit by giving gifts and support to the monks.

How do monks serve God?

So the main purpose of the life of monks and nuns was to serve God through prayer and praise. This meant getting up at midnight for the first service of the day (called Matins) which could last until nearly dawn. The monks and nuns might stand and sing as many as fifty psalms from memory.

What does the monk do that monks are not supposed to do?

The Monk is nothing like the usual monk many people imagine. He hunts hares and rides horses instead of studying, praying, and working. He does not follow the rules of the monastery which say that monks should not hunt, be reckless, nor leave the monastery. Instead,they should study and perform manual labor.

Why do monks do chores?

After morning meditation and chanting, monks spend a few hours every morning doing typical household chores. Essentially, the daily chores are designed to maintain the monastery and support one another’s health.

What does the monk enjoy doing?

The monk seems to love the good life outside his cell. Besides riding horses and hunting hares, he loves feasting and is given to finery. He also has many dainty horses and well-bred greyhounds “as swifte as fowel “.

What level of society is a monk?

The social class of the Monk, which should be more as a member of the Clergy than a member of the gentry, mimics that of a noble. The Monk will admit, and does to the other pilgrims, that he does not believe in the old-fashioned view that the members of the Church should live a life apart.