ex-monk
Left the order
An ex-monk is someone who was formerly a monk but has left monastic life.
The person may have been released from vows, expelled, or simply departed: After twenty years in the monastery, the ex-monk struggled to adjust to secular life.
The term applies across religious traditions—Buddhist, Christian, or otherwise.
Formal surrender of claim
- vowsSolemn binding promises
- celibacyAbstaining from intimate relations
- meditationFocused attention practice
- contemplationSustained reflective attention
retreat · dharma · sangha · habit · tonsure · ascetic · prayer · chanting
Religion losing social significance
- departureAct of going away
- disrobingRemoving one's garments
- reintegrationRestoration to a group
- adjustmentAlteration to improve fit
identity · crisis · worldly · civilian · dating · career · freedom · struggle
Follower of Gautama's teachings
- BenedictineMonk following ancient rule
- FranciscanMendicant order member
- TibetanOf a Himalayan region
- TrappistMonk of austere order
Zen · Dominican · Theravada · Shaolin · Augustinian · Jesuit · Carmelite · mendicant
Self-penned life narrative
- testimonySworn statement as evidence
- confessionAdmission of wrongdoing
- disillusionmentBitter loss of faith
- scandalDisgraceful public affair
abuse · healing · whistleblower · tell-all · bestseller · speaking · podcast · documentary
renunciation
Formal surrender of claim
- vowsSolemn binding promises
- celibacyAbstaining from intimate relations
- meditationFocused attention practice
contemplation · retreat · dharma · sangha · habit · tonsure · ascetic · prayer · chanting · silence
secularization
Religion losing social significance
- departureAct of going away
- disrobingRemoving one's garments
- reintegrationRestoration to a group
adjustment · identity · crisis · worldly · civilian · dating · career · freedom · struggle · doubt
Buddhist
Follower of Gautama's teachings
- BenedictineMonk following ancient rule
- FranciscanMendicant order member
- TibetanOf a Himalayan region
Trappist · Zen · Dominican · Theravada · Shaolin · Augustinian · Jesuit · Carmelite · mendicant
autobiography
Self-penned life narrative
- testimonySworn statement as evidence
- confessionAdmission of wrongdoing
- disillusionmentBitter loss of faith
scandal · abuse · healing · whistleblower · tell-all · bestseller · speaking · podcast · documentary · interview
- ex-believersapostate, former believer, lapsed, deconvert, backslider