Monastery – Definition, History & Impacts

A monastery is a complex structure of buildings that also contains living and working spaces for monks and nuns. The word “monastery” came from the Late Latin word monasterium. It means “to live alone”. The word “monastery” was first evolved in the 15th century in ancient Egypt.

In this article, we are going to discuss the history, impacts, and attached information about Monastery and its meaning.

What is a Monastery?

A monastery is a specific building where monks or nuns live together to practice their religion. A monastery generally includes a place for prayer purposes which can be a chapel, church, or temple. A monastery can also refer to the community of people living in such a place. There are two basic types of monasticism. They are eremitic or the hermit lifestyle and cenobitic which is known as the communal lifestyle.

Monastery Meaning

A monastery is a place where monks or nuns live, work, and worship together in a religious community. It is typically a secluded and dedicated space where individuals commit to a religious or contemplative lifestyle, often following a set of rules or guidelines established by their religious tradition.

History of Monastery (3rd To 21st Century)

The history of monasteries is closely related to the development of various religious traditions, particularly Christianity and Buddhism. Here are the historical details of the monastery as mentioned below.

Century	Related Details
Early Christian Monasticism (3rd-4th centuries)	A Christian monastery was started in the 3rd and 4th centuries in Egypt. St. Anthony of Egypt is considered as the father of Christian monasticism.
Spread of Monasticism in Europe (5th-11th centuries)	Monasticism became popular in Europe during the Middle Ages. Monasteries became the center of learning, education, and sharing of knowledge during this time. St. Benedict played a significant role in shaping Western monastic traditions.
Buddhist Monasticism (6th century BCE onward)	Buddhist monasticism happened before the Christian monasticism. Buddhist monasticism started when Buddha established the Sangha. A Sangha is a community of monks and nuns that was famous in the 6th century BCE. Monasteries or the Viharas became major centers of the Buddhism.
Monasteries in the Middle Ages (5th-15th centuries)	Monasteries in Europe played key roles in agricultural development, education, and healthcare developments. In the medieval period various monastic orders had their own rules and practices.
Monastic Decline and Reformation (16th century)	The Renaissance and Reformation brought so many changes in the religious landscape of Europe. Some monasteries faced criticism. Their wealth and influence were challenged. The Protestant Reformation led to the dissolution of monasteries in some areas. Others experienced reform at that time.
Monastic Revival (19th-20th centuries)	In the 19th and 20th centuries were the revival period monasticism. Some religious communities experienced growth. So many new forms of communities emerged. Monastic traditions from various religions attracted individuals seeking a contemplative and intentional way of life.
Modern Monasticism (21st century)	Monasteries continue to exist worldwide. They adapted the contemporary challenges and societal changes. Some monastic communities focus on social justice, environmental stewardship, and engagement with the broader community.

Impacts Of The Monastery

Here are the major impacts of the monasteries as mentioned below:

• Monasteries served as the centre of knowledge and preserves manuscripts and texts during times of political and social tensions.
• They played a major role in education.
• Monks and nuns worked as the educators in medieval Europe and other regions.
• Monasteries give a space for individuals to build a secular world.
• They focused on prayer, meditation, and spiritual contemplation.
• Monasteries contributed to agriculture by developing skills in farming.
• They also played a role in the development of local cultures.
• Monasteries were involved in charity.
• Some times monasteries offer hospitality, healthcare, and assistance to the needy in their communities.

Founder of Monastery

To understand the concept of monasteries, we need to go back to the ancient times. St. Anthony the Great who was also known as the Anthony of Egypt and one of the earliest Christian monks. In 270 AD, he started to live in the desert in Egypt to practice his religious vows. It was the first monastic community of the Christian tradition. After that between 329 AD to 379 AD, St. Basil the Great became a significant figure of the Eastern Orthodox Christian tradition. He formulated his guidelines to pursue the monastic life. In various monastic communities, it became popular as the “Rule of St. Basil”.

First Monastery of India – Jetavana Vihara

Jetavana Vihara is the first Buddhist monastery in India. It is believed that this Buddhist monastery was establised by Lord Buddha himself.

• The first Buddhist monastery in India.
• It is believed that it was established by the Gautama Buddha himself.
• It was established around the 5th century BCE.
• It is located in the city of Shravasti (present-day Sahet-Mahet in Uttar Pradesh, India).

First Monestery of The World – St. Anthony Coptic Monastery

St. Anthony the Great who was also known as the Anthony of Egypt and one of the earliest Christian monks. In 270 AD, he started to live in the desert in Egypt to practice his religious vows. It was the first monastic community of the Christian tradition.

• In 323 St. Anthony founded the first true monastic cloister in Tabennisi,in Egypt.
• 30 to 40 monks joined together to build this monastery.
• Pachomius also created a monastic rule.
• Later it beacme the regulation of external monastic life than as spiritual guidance.

Architecture of Monastery

A monastery is a specific building where monks or nuns live together to practice their religion. The architecture of a monastery may vary depending on the religious traditions. It can be varied on some other factors like where it belongs and what is the cultural context.

• Cloister – It is covered walkway. Cloister is surrounded by a courtyard.
• Church – It is the central place of worship. People gather here for prayers, worship, and religious ceremonies.
• Chapter House – It is a meeting place or discussion center. The community gathers here for discussions, readings, and the daily chapter meeting.
• Dormitory – It is the place where monks or nuns have communal sleeping.
• Refectory – The refectory is the dining area to have meals. Monastic meals are often taken in silence.
• Library – Monasteries often have a library containing religious texts and manuscripts.
• Guest Quarters – Monasteries also provides accommodations for guests and many pilgrims.
• Gardens and Courtyards – Monasteries also have the gardens. The courtyards are the outdoor spaces for meditation, contemplation, and recreation.
• Abbot’s Quarters – The abbot is the spiritual leader’s quarter of the monastery.
• Workshops and Craft Areas – Some monasteries have these type areas. Here monks perform manual labor, crafting or other productive works.
• Boundary Walls – Monastery boundary wall provide a sense of separation from the secular world.

Types of Monastery

Monasteries have their structure and forms with different practices. As per the Indian subcontinent, the tradition of monasteries varies based on religion and culture. Here we have tried to mention some of them.

Christian Monasteries

• Benedictine Monastery – They follow the Rule of St. Benedict.
• Cistercian Monastery – It is a branch of Benedictine monasticism.
• Trappist Monastery – This is the stricter form of Cistercian monasticism.
• Franciscan Monastery – These monasteries are inspired by the teachings of St. Francis of Assisi.

Buddhist Monasteries

• Theravada Monastery – They follow the Theravada tradition. Their monasticism is based on the original teachings of Buddha. These monasteries are common in Southeast Asia.
• Mahayana Monastery – They are associated with the Mahayana tradition. It includes various schools such as Zen, Pure Land, and Tibetan Buddhism.
• Tibetan Buddhist Monastery – These monasteries are based on the Tibetan Buddhist practices. They often include large monastic complexes to elaborate their rituals.

Monasticism and Monasteric Life

Monasticism is a religious practice of living a communal life in a monastery. It is as similar as a religious community spends their life under vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. Here are some common aspects of monasteric life as mentioned below.

• Vows
• Community Living
• Prayer and Worship
• Manual Labor
• Asceticism
• Study and Learning
• Detachment from Material Possessions
• Hospitality

Buddhist Monasteries In India

Here are the top 10 Buddhist Monasteries of India as mentioned below:

Buddhist Monasteries In India
Monastery Name	Location	Significance
Mahabodhi Temple	Bodh Gaya, Bihar	UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bodhi Tree
Sarnath	Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh	Buddha gave his first sermon
Dhamek Stupa	Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh	Ancient stupa with intricate carvings
Nalanda University Ruins	Nalanda, Bihar	Ancient learning center for Buddhism
Tawang Monastery	Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh	Largest monastery in India
Hemis Monastery	Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir	Famous for the Hemis Festival
Rumtek Monastery	Gangtok, Sikkim	Seat of the Karmapa in exile
Tabo Monastery	Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh	Oldest continuously operating monastery
Ghum Monastery	Darjeeling, West Bengal	Home to a 15-feet high statue of Maitreya
Drepung Monastery	Lhasa, Tibet (administered by China)	Founded in 1416, one of the great three Gelug university monasteries

Buddhist Monasteries Around The World

Here are the top 10 Buddhist Monasteries around the world as mentioned below:

Buddhist Monasteries Around The World
Monasteries Name	Location	Significance
Mahabodhi Temple	Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India	UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bodhi Tree
Sarnath	Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, India	Buddha gave his first sermon
Shwedagon Pagoda	Yangon, Myanmar	Gilded stupa, one of the holiest sites
Borobudur	Java, Indonesia	World’s largest Buddhist temple
Tawang Monastery	Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, India	Largest monastery in India
Hemis Monastery	Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, India	Famous for the Hemis Festival
Haeinsa Temple	Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea	Home to the Tripitaka Koreana
Wat Arun	Bangkok, Thailand	Iconic riverside temple with a spire
Drepung Monastery	Lhasa, Tibet (administered by China)	Founded in 1416, one of the great three Gelug university monasteries
Byodo-In Temple	O’ahu, Hawaii, USA	Japanese-style temple with stunning surroundings

Christian Monasteries Around The World

Here are the major Christian Monasteries around the world as mentioned below:

Christian Monasteries Around The World
Christian Monasteries Name	Location	Affiliation	Significance
Monte Cassino Abbey	Italy	Benedictine	Oldest Benedictine monastery in the world
Saint Catherine’s Monastery	Sinai Peninsula, Egypt	Greek Orthodox	UNESCO World Heritage Site, oldest monastery
Meteora Monasteries	Thessaly, Greece	Eastern Orthodox	Built on towering rock pillars
Iona Abbey	Scotland, United Kingdom	Celtic Christianity	Historic center for Christian monasticism
Mont Saint-Michel	Normandy, France	Various	Island commune with a medieval abbey
St. John’s Monastery	Patmos, Greece	Greek Orthodox	Associated with the Book of Revelation
Novodevichy Convent	Moscow, Russia	Russian Orthodox	UNESCO World Heritage Site, historic convent
Abbey of Saint Victor	Marseille, France	Catholic (Cistercian)	Ancient abbey with a rich theological history
Mount Athos	Mount Athos, Greece	Eastern Orthodox	Autonomous monastic republic, UNESCO site
Einsiedeln Abbey	Switzerland	Benedictine	Home to the Black Madonna of Einsiedeln

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FAQs on Monastery – Definition, History & Impacts

Is monastery a Temple?

No, a monastery is not a temple. A temple is where they get together for chanting and rituals. A monastery is where the monks live.

What is a monk and monastery?

A monk is a member of a religious order who lives in a monastery. A monastery is a complex structure of buildings that also contains living and working spaces for monks and nuns.

What is monastery in Catholic?

A monastery is the building where monks live while they’re practicing their religion. A monastery is a specific building where monks or nuns live together to practice their religion. A monastery generally includes a place for prayer purpose which can be a chapel, church, or temple.

What religion is monks?

Monasticism, or the practice of living as a monk, exists in several religions of the world, including Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism, Jainism, and Buddhism.

Which is the first monastery of India?

Jetavana Vihara is the first monastery of India. Jetavana Vihara is located in the city of Sravasti, in present-day Uttar Pradesh, India. Sravasti was a major city during the time of the Buddha.

Which are the first monastery of World?

Macarius (Deir Abu Makaria) and St. Anthony (Deir Mar Antonios) are the oldest monasteries in the world.