Characteristics of a Monk

Characteristics of a Monk

Among the salient characteristics of a monk are purity, voluntary poverty, humility, simplicity, selfless service, self-control, patience, compassion and harmlessness. He is expected to observe the four kinds of Higher Morality—namely: 

Patimokkha Sila: The Fundamental Moral Code (major offences related to immoral, cruel, harmful and selfish activities).

Indriyasamvara Sila: Morality pertaining to sense-restraint. 

Ajivaparisuddhi Sila: Morality pertaining to purity of livelihood. 

Paccayasannissita Sila:   Morality pertaining to the use of requisites pertaining to life. 

These four kinds of morality are collectively called Sila-Visuddhi (Purity of Virtue). 

When a person enters the Order and receives his ordination he is called a Samanera — Novice Monk. 

He is bound to observe Ten Samanera Precepts with certain disciplinary codes for leading a monastic life until he receives his higher ordination — Upasampada and becomes a Bhikkhu or full fledged monk. A novice nun is called a samaneri, and a full fledged one is called a bhikkhuni. 

A bhikkhu or monk is bound to observe the above-mentioned four kinds of higher morality which comprise 227 Precepts apart from several other minor ones. 

The four major ones which deal with celibacy and abstinence from stealing, murder, and false claims to higher spirituality must strictly be observed. If he violates any one of these, a monk is regarded as a “defeated” person in the Sangha community. He will be deprived of certain religious rights by the Sangha community. In the case of other rules which he violates, he has to face many other consequences and make amends according to the gravity of the offence. There are no vows or laws for a bhikkhu. He becomes a bhikkhu of his own accord in order to lead a Holy Life for as long as he likes.

There is therefore no need for him to feel trapped by a vow he made earlier and to be hypocritical because he alone can decide whether or not he wishes to obey the rules. He is at liberty to leave the Order at any time and can lead a lay Buddhist way of life when he feels it is inconvenient. He can also return to the monastic life at any time he desires. The same general rules apply for bhikkhunis as well.