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Significance of Monastery

The text outlines the concept of a Monastery as a vital religious institution across various traditions, particularly in Buddhism. It serves as a residence for monks, providing a space for living, spiritual practice, and community interaction. In Buddhism, monasteries are significant, housing monks who engage in spiritual activities and follow specific guidelines. The varying interpretations from Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism, Vaishnavism, and historical accounts all emphasize the monastery's role as a sacred place essential for religious life and discipline.1
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Synonyms: Convent, Cloister, Hermitage, Nunnery, Religious community, Retreat

In Dutch: Klooster; In Finnish: Luostari; In Spanish: Monasterio; In German: Kloster

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Buddhist concept of 'Monastery'

Buddhism Books

In Buddhism, a monastery is a sacred residence for monks and nuns, serving as a space for spiritual training, meditation, communal living, and practice of their teachings, often fostering engagement with lay followers and adhering to specific conduct rules.

Significance in Theravada (major branch of Buddhism):
Theravada Books

From: Jataka tales [English], Volume 1-6

(1) The place where the discourse and the questions about love take place, indicating a backdrop of spiritual or religious significance.[1] (2) Refers to the residence or place of community for monks where they live and practice their teachings.[2] (3) A religious community or dwelling where monks or mendicants live and practice their faith.[3] (4) A sacred place where monks live and practice, where Elder Sariputta received the offerings from the landowner.[4] (5) Refers to the place where the Master resides and where Anatha-pindika went to share his experience, indicating a spiritual or religious context.[5]

From: Maha Buddhavamsa—The Great Chronicle of Buddhas

(1) The living space for bhikkhunis where they practiced Buddhism; the term is used in relation to the life and passing of Mahapajapati Gotami.[6] (2) A dwelling place for monks, where they live, meditate, and study.[7] (3) A place where monks live, practice the Dhamma, and engage in community activities.[8] (4) The place where the brahmin Candabha was taken to demonstrate the powers of the Buddha.[9]

From: Vinaya Pitaka (2): Bhikkhuni-vibhanga (the analysis of Nun� rules)

(1) The religious institution where nuns live and practice their faith, related to the rules and offences discussed.[10] (2) The residence where monks and nuns live and undergo their spiritual training and practice.[11] (3) A place where nuns reside and where seeing is permissible under certain conditions without incurring an offence.[12] (4) A location where certain allowances are made for the nuns regarding listening or observing performances without incurring offences.[13]

From: Vinaya Pitaka (1): Bhikkhu-vibhanga (the analysis of Monks� rules)

(1) The physical space where monks reside and engage in spiritual practices, which also includes guidelines and rules for conduct.[14] (2) A sacred space where monks reside and trained in a set of rules related to behavior, especially in relation to food consumption.[15] (3) A place where monks live and practice, where there is no offence if military actions are seen from there.[16]

From: Dhammapada (Illustrated)

(1) The place where the old brahmin sought refuge and advice from the Buddha.[17] (2) A place where monks reside and practice, as seen in the story of Bahubhandika, who brought many possessions into his new life as a monk.[18] (3) A dwelling place for monks, where they live, meditate, and practice their religious duties.[19]

From: Vinaya Pitaka (3): Khandhaka

(1) The residence where the monks are expected to stay and where Visakha's servant goes to announce the meal.[20] (2) A religious place where monks live, used for meditation and community life as described in the text.[21]

From: Patipada (path of practice)

(1) A monastery is a dwelling where Kammatthana Bhikkhus stay together, and they will normally eat together after returning from pindapata, and a place to practice.[22] (2) The monastery is an important place in the sphere of Buddhism, and it is a sacred place where the citta and all things sacred come together, arousing good and high aspirations.[23]

From: Visuddhimagga (the pah of purification)

(1) The residence or place of practice for a bhikkhu where meditation and community life takes place.[24]

From: Vinaya Pitaka (4): Parivara

(1) A religious residence for monks, where the eating practices are regulated.[25]

Theravada is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).

Significance in Buddhism (general):

From: Apadana commentary (Atthakatha)

(1) A residence for monks where they live, practice their religion, and engage with lay followers.[26] (2) The establishment built by Ratthapala for the clergy of bhikkhus, reflecting his acts of charity.[27] (3) The place associated with vihara, where monks reside, and from which Avopupphiya emerged.[28] (4) The place where Padumacchadaniya resided during his monastic life, characterized by being covered with lotus flowers.[29]

Significance in Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism):
Tibetan Buddhism Books

From: Blue Annals (deb-ther sngon-po)

(1) The central religious institution founded by stag lung thang pa, which has a long history of teachings and practices.[30] (2) A religious establishment founded by kun spangs where he taught and guided numerous disciples.[31] (3) The central setting for much of Master spyan snga's work, upbringing, and spiritual development, crucial for understanding his teachings and influence in Tibet.[32]

Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayana) are collected indepently.

Significance in Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism):
Mahayana Books

From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

(1) The place where Shariputra took Losaka-tishya to offer him food after realizing he was not receiving enough support.[33]

Mahayana is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sutras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajnaparamita sutras.

Hindu concept of 'Monastery'

Hinduism Books

In Hinduism, a monastery is a communal space for religious practice, highlighting social dynamics and hospitality, exemplified by figures like Mandarika and Vidushaka, while also serving as residences for monks, nuns, and prominent religious leaders.

Significance in Kavya (poetry):
Kavya Books

From: Kathasaritsagara (the Ocean of Story)

(1) A religious establishment where King Vikramaditya's drawing is displayed, aiding in his search for Malayavati.[34]

Kavya refers to Sanskrit poetry, a popular ancient Indian tradition of literature. There have been many Sanskrit poets over the ages, hailing from ancient India and beyond. This topic includes mahakavya, or ‘epic poetry� and natya, or ‘dramatic poetry�.

Significance in Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma):
Vaishnavism Books

From: Chaitanya Bhagavata

(1) The place where Shri Paramananda Puri resides and where the Lord went to visit.[35]

Vaishnava or vaishnavism (vaishnavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu�).

The concept of Monastery in local and regional sources

History Books

The keyphrase "Monastery" pertains to a residence for monks, functioning as a setting where both the monks and workers engage in their respective duties, highlighting its communal and labor-oriented aspects.

Significance in India history and geography:

From: Bede's Ecclesiastical History of England

(1) A monastery was a place where Abbot John taught the system of singing, and where writings were preserved, and the decision of the synod was transcribed.[36] (2) Trumwine withdrew with his people to the monastery of Aebbercurnig, and later chose his own place of abode in another monastery, indicating the importance of these religious communities.[37] (3) The monastery of Thrydwulf, a reverend abbot and priest, is where the stone altar, which survived the fire, is preserved, as mentioned in the text.[38] (4) A place built by Colman where monks lived, prayed, and followed the monastic life; it was established in Inisboufinde and Mageo.[39] (5) The text describes a place where a brother named Badudegn resided, and where the events of the story took place, involving various individuals and religious practices.[40]

From: Sanskrit Words In Southeast Asian Languages

(1) Monastery is a place where monks reside and it serves as the setting where workers perform their duties for the monks.[41]