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A '''''bhikkhu''''' (from [[Pali]], [[Sanskrit]]: '''''bhikṣu''''') is an ordained male monastic ("[[monk]]") in [[Buddhism]].<ref name="buddhanet">[http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/buddhistworld/layguide.htm Lay Guide to the Monks' Rules]</ref> Male and female monastics ("[[nun]]", ''[[bhikkhuni]]'' (Sanskrit ''bhikṣuṇī'')) are members of the [[Sangha|Buddhist community]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Buswell|first=Robert E., ed.|title=Encyclopedia of Buddhism (Monasticism)|publisher=Macmillan Reference USA|year=2004||isbn=0-02-865718-7|page=556}}</ref>

The lives of all Buddhist monastics are governed by a set of rules called the [[prātimokṣa]] or [[Patimokkha in Theravada Buddhism|pātimokkha]].<ref name="buddhanet"/> Their lifestyles are shaped to support their spiritual practice: to live a simple and meditative life and attain [[Nirvana (Buddhism)|nirvana]].<ref>[http://en.dhammadana.org/sangha/monks.htm What is a bhikkhu?]</ref>

A person under the age of 20 cannot be ordained as a bhikkhu or bhikkhuni but can be ordained as a [[śrāmaṇera]] or [[Śrāmaṇerī|śrāmaṇērī]].

==Definition==
''Bhikkhu'' literally means "[[beggar]]" or "one who lives by [[dāna|alms]]".<ref>''Buddhist Dictionary, Manual of Buddhist Terms and Doctrines'' by [[Nyanatiloka]] Mahathera.</ref> The historical Buddha, Prince Siddhartha, having abandoned a life of pleasure and status, lived as an alms [[mendicant]] as part of his [[śramaṇa]] lifestyle. Those of his more serious students who abandoned their lives as householders and came to study full-time under his supervision also adopted this lifestyle. These full-time student members of the [[Sangha (Buddhism)|sangha]] became the community of ordained monastics who wandered from town to city throughout the year, living off alms and stopping in one place only for the [[Vassa]], the rainy months of the monsoon season.

In the ''[[Dhammapada]]'' commentary of [[Buddhaghosa]], a bhikkhu is defined as "the person who sees danger (in samsara or cycle of rebirth)" (Pāli: {{IAST|''Bhayaṃ''}} ''ikkhatīti: bhikkhu''). He therefore seeks [[ordination]] to obtain release from it.<ref name="vows">[http://www.palyul.org/eng_about_monasticvows.htm Resources: Monastic Vows]</ref> The ''[[Dhammapada]]'' states:<ref>{{cite web|last=Buddharakkhita|first=Acharya|title=Dhammapada XIX&nbsp;— Dhammatthavagga: The Just|url=http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/dhp/dhp.19.budd.html|publisher=Access To Insight|accessdate=18 December 2012}}</ref>
{{quote|[266-267] He is not a monk just because he lives on others' alms. Not by adopting outward form does one become a true monk.  Whoever here (in the Dispensation) lives a holy life, transcending both merit and demerit, and walks with understanding in this world&nbsp;— he is truly called a monk.}}
For historical reasons, the full [[ordination of women in Buddhism|ordination of women]] has been unavailable to [[Theravada]] and [[Vajrayana]] practitioners, although recently the full ordination for women has been reintroduced to many areas.

==Historical terms in Western literature==
In [[English language|English]] literature before the mid-20th century, Buddhist monks were often referred to by the term ''bonze'', particularly when describing monks from East Asia and French Indochina. This term is derived [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]] and [[French language|French]] {{etymology|ja|bonsō|priest, monk}}. It is rare in modern literature.<ref>[http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=bonze Dictionary.com: bonze]</ref>

Buddhist monks were once called'talapoy'' or ''talapoin'' {{etymology|fr|talapoin}}, itself {{etymology|pt|talapão}}, ultimately {{etymology|mnw|tala pōi|our lord}}.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.wordreference.com/definition/talapoin |title= talapoin |accessdate= June 23, 2013 |author=  |date=  June 23, 2013 |format=  |work= Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers |publisher= WordReference.com |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= Etymology: 16th Century: from French, literally: Buddhist monk, from Portuguese talapão, from Mon tala pōi our lord ...}}</ref>{{sfn|Roberts|1837|p=237}}{{quote|The Talapoys cannot be engaged in any of the temporal concerns of life; they must not trade or do any kind of manual labour, for the sake of a reward; they are not allowed to ''insult'' the earth by digging it. Having no tie, which unites their interests with those of the people, they are ready, at all times, with spiritual arms, to enforce obedience to the will of the sovereign.| [[Edmund Roberts (diplomat)|Edmund Roberts]], ''Embassy to the eastern courts of Cochin-China, Siam, and Muscat''{{sfn|Roberts|237}}}}

The [[talapoin]] is a monkey named after Buddhist monks just as the [[capuchin monkey]] is named after the [[Order of Friars Minor Capuchin]] (who also are the origin of the word [[cappuccino]]).

==Ordination==

===Theravada===
[[File:Galduwa.JPG|thumb|250px|[[Theravada]] Buddhist monks in [[Ambalangoda]], Sri Lanka]]
Theravada monasticism is organized around the guidelines found within a division of the [[Pāli Canon]] called the ''[[Vinaya Pitaka]]''. Laypeople undergo ordination as a novitiate (śrāmaṇera or sāmanera) in a rite known as the "going forth" (Pali: ''[[pabbajja]]''). Sāmaneras are subject to the [[Five Precepts#Ten Precepts|Ten Precepts]]. From there full ordination (Pali: ''[[upasampada]]'') may take place. Bhikkhus are subject to a much longer set of rules known, the [[Patimokkha in Theravada Buddhism|Pātimokkha]] (Theravada) or [[Prātimokṣa]] (Mahayana and [[Vajrayana]]).

===Mahayana===
[[File:Young monks of Drepung.jpg|thumbnail|250px|Tibetan monks engaging in a traditional monastic debate.]]
In the Mahayana monasticism is part of the system of "vows of individual liberation".<ref name="vows"/> These vows are taken by monks and nuns from the ordinary [[Sangha (Buddhism)|sangha]], in order to develop personal ethical discipline.<ref name="vows"/>  In [[Mahayana]] and [[Vajrayana]] Buddhism, the term "sangha" is, in principle, often understood to refer particularly to the ''aryasangha'' (Tib. ''mchog kyi tshogs''), the "community of the noble ones who have reached the first [[Bhūmi (Buddhism)|bhūmi]]". These, however, need not be monks and nuns.

The vows of individual liberation are taken in four steps. A lay person may take the five [[Upāsaka and Upāsikā]] vows (Tibetan ''dge snyan'', ''dge snyan ma'' "approaching virtue"). The next step is to enter the [[pabbajja]] or monastic way of life (Srt: ''pravrajya'', Tib. ''rab byung'' pronounced ''rabjung''), which includes wearing monk's or nun's robes. After that, one can become a samanera or samaneri "novice" (Skt. śrāmaṇera, śrāmaṇeri, Tib. ''dge tshul, dge tshul ma''). The last and final step is to take all the vows of a bhikkhu or bhukkhuni "fully ordained monastic" (Sanskrit: ''bhikṣu, bhikṣuṇī'', Tib. ''dge long'', ''dge long ma'').

Monastics take their vows for life but can renounce them and return to non-monastic life<ref name="howto">[http://en.dhammadana.org/sangha/monks/become.htm how to become a monk?]</ref> and even take the vows again later.<ref name="howto"/> A person can take them up to three times or seven times in one life, depending on the particular practices of each school of discipline; after that, the sangha should not accept them again.<ref>[http://ddc.shengyen.org/cgi-bin/ccdd/show.py?s=05-05p0064 05-05《律制生活》p. 0064]</ref> In this way, Buddhism keeps the vows "clean". It is possible to keep them or to leave this lifestyle, but it is considered extremely negative to break these vows.

In [[Tibet]], the upāsaka, pravrajya and bhikṣu ordinations are usually taken at ages six, fourteen and twenty-one or older, respectively.

===Robes===
{{main|Kasaya (clothing)}}
[[File:Ta Prohm Monk - Siem Reap.jpg|thumb|250px|A [[Cambodia]]n monk in his robes]]
[[File:Jardin des Plantes May 2009.jpg|thumb|250px|Two monks in reddish yellow  robes]]

The special dress of ordained people, referred to in English as [[robe]]s, comes from the idea of wearing a simple durable form of protection for the body from weather and climate. In each tradition there is uniformity in the colour and style of dress. Colour is often chosen due to the wider availability of certain pigments in a given geographical region. In Tibet and the Himalayan regions (Kashmir, Nepal and Bhutan) red is the preferred pigment used in the dying of robes. In Burma, reddish brown; In India, Sri Lanka and South-East Asia various shades of yellow, ochre and orange prevail. In China, Korea, Japan and Vietnam grey or black is common. Monks often make their own robes from cloth that is donated to them.<ref name="buddhanet"/>

The robes of Tibetan novices and monks differ in various aspects, especially in the application of "holes" in the dress of monks. Some monks tear their robes into pieces and then mend these pieces together again. Upasakas cannot wear the "chö-göö", a yellow tissue worn during teachings by both novices and full monks.

In observance of the [[Kathina|Kathina Puja]], a special Kathina robe is made in 24 hours from donations by lay supporters of a temple. The robe is donated to the temple or monastery, and the resident monks then select from their own number a single monk to receive this special robe.<ref>[http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/kariyawasam/wheel402.html#ch6 Buddhist Ceremonies and Rituals of Sri Lanka], A.G.S. Kariyawasam</ref>

===Additional vows in the Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions===
In Mahayana traditions, a Bhikṣu may take additional vows not related to ordination, including the [[Bodhisattva vow]]s, [[samaya]] vows, and others, which are also open to laypersons in most instances.

==Japan and Korea==
[[Saichō]] petitioned for a [[Mahayana]] ordination platform to be built in Japan. Permission was granted seven days after his death.<ref name="ReferenceA">Soka Gakkai Dictionary of Buddhism, Soka Gakkai, 'Dengyo'</ref> and the platform was completed in 827 by his disciple, Gishin.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

Saichō believed the 250 precepts were for the [[Śrāvakayāna]] and that ordination should use the [[Bodhisattva Precepts#Brahma Net Sutra|Mahayana precepts]] of the ''[[Brahmajala Sutra (Mahayana)|Brahmajala Sutra]]''. He stipulated that monastics remain on [[Mount Hiei]] for twelve years of isolated training and follow the major themes of the 250 precepts: celibacy, non-harming, no intoxicants, vegetarian eating and reducing labor for gain. After twelve years, monastics would then use the Vinaya precepts as a provisional, or supplemental, guideline to conduct themselves by when serving in non-monastic communities.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> [[Tendai]] monastics followed this practice.

During Japan's [[Meiji Restoration]] during the 1870s, the government abolished celibacy and vegetarianism for Buddhist monastics in an effort to secularise them and promote the newly created [[State Shinto]].<ref>http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/shinto/history/history_1.shtml#section_4</ref><ref>http://www.buddhanet.net/nippon/nippon_partII.html</ref> [[Buddhism in Japan|Japanese Buddhists]] won the right to proselytize inside cities, ending a five-hundred year ban on clergy members entering cities.<ref name="clark">{{cite book|last=Clark|first=Donald N.|title=Culture and customs of Korea|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|year=2000|isbn=978-0-313-30456-9}}</ref>{{Page needed|date=September 2016}}

Currently, priests (lay religious leaders) in Japan choose to observe vows as appropriate to their family situation. Celibacy and other forms of abstaining are generally "at will" for varying periods of time.

After the [[Japan–Korea Treaty of 1910]], when Japan annexed Korea, Korean Buddhism underwent many changes. [[Jōdo Shinshū]] and [[Nichiren Buddhism|Nichiren schools]] began sending missionaries to [[Korea under Japanese rule]], and new sects formed there such as [[Won Buddhism]]. The Temple Ordinance of 1911 ({{korean|hanja=寺刹令|hangul=사찰령}}) changed the traditional system whereby temples were run as a collective enterprise by the Sangha, replacing this system with Japanese-style management practices in which temple abbots appointed by the [[Governor-General of Korea]] were given private ownership of temple property and given the rights of inheritance to such property.<ref name="soren">{{cite book|last=Sorensen|first=Henrik Hjort|title=Asian perceptions of nature|editor=Ole Bruun |editor2=Arne Kalland |editor3=Henrik Hjort Sorensen|publisher=Nordic Institute of Asian Studies|year=1992|isbn=978-87-87062-12-1}}</ref> More importantly, monks from pro-Japanese factions began to adopt Japanese practices, by marrying and having children.<ref name="soren"/>

In Korea, the practice of celibacy varies. The two sects of [[Korean Seon]] divided in 1970 over this issue; the [[Jogye Order]] is fully celibate while the [[Taego Order]] has both celibate monastics and non-celibate Japanese-style priests.

==Gallery==
<gallery widths="145px">
File:Young Indian Buddhist monk in Indian monastery.png|Young Indian Buddhist monk in India.
File:Sayadaw sri lanka.jpg|Burmese Theravada monks with Sri Lankan Theravada monks in Sri Lanka
File:Ajahn Outhai.jpg|A Theravada Buddhist monk in Laos
File:Tianjin Chinese Buddhist Monk.jpeg|A Buddhist monk in China
File:心培和尚.JPG|A Buddhist monk in Taiwan
File:Hengsure.jpg|A Buddhist monk in the U.S. ([[Chinese Buddhism]])
File:Buddhist Monk in Drepung Monastery near Lhasa Tibet Luca Galuzzi 2006.jpg|A Buddhist monk in Tibet
File:Luang Prabang Takuhatsu ルアンパバーン 托鉢僧 DSCF6990.JPG|Monks in [[Luang Prabang]]
File:Watpailom 07.jpg|Monks in Thailand

</gallery>

==See also==
{{peoplepalicanon}}
{{Portal|Buddhism}}
* [[Anagarika]]
* [[Bhikkhuni]]
* [[Unsui]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

===Sources===
* {{cite book|ref=harv|last=Roberts|first=Edmund|authorlink=Edmund Roberts (diplomat)|title=Embassy to the eastern courts of Cochin-China, Siam, and Muscat: in the U. S. sloop-of-war Peacock ... during the years 1832-3-4|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aSgPAAAAYAAJ|year=1837|publisher=Harper & brothers}}

==Further reading==
* Inwood, Kristiaan. ''Bhikkhu, Disciple of the Buddha''. Bangkok, Thailand: Thai Watana Panich, 1981.  Revised edition. Bangkok: Orchid Press, 2005. {{ISBN|978-974-524-059-9}}.

==External links==
{{commons category|Buddhist monks|<br/>Buddhist monks}}
* [http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/khantipalo/wheel130.html The Buddhist Monk's Discipline Some Points Explained for Laypeople]
* [http://www.urbandharma.org/udharma9/pasanno.html Thirty Years as a Western Buddhist Monk]


[[Category:Buddhist monks| ]]
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[[Category:Buddhist sangha]]
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