monastics
Those in abbeys
Monastics are people who have taken religious vows and live in a monastery or convent—monks and nuns.
The term covers members of contemplative orders across traditions: Christian, Buddhist, Hindu.
As an adjective, monastic describes anything relating to this way of life: monastic vows, monastic discipline, a monastic cell.
The word often extends to any austere, secluded existence: He lived an almost monastic life in his cabin.
Person choosing total seclusion
- anchoriteReligious recluse in enclosure
- fastingDeliberate food avoidance
- abstinenceVoluntary forgoing of indulgences
- austerityEnforced economic stringency
renunciation · mortification · self-denial · penance · frugality · simplicity · celibacy · chastity
Focused attention practice
- prayerAddress to deity
- chantingRhythmic repetitive vocalization
- vespersEvening devotional service
- matinsLiturgical dawn devotions
compline · silence · mindfulness · reflection · introspection · contemplation · stillness · centering
Monastic house of worship
- conventReligious sisters' dwelling
- prioryLesser monastic house
- cloisterCovered monastic walkway
- friaryMendicant monks' residence
chapter · refectory · dormitory · scriptorium · sangha · ashram · order · congregation
Solemn binding promises
- ordinationClergy appointment ceremony
- tonsureRitual scalp shaving
- habitSettled regular tendency
- robeLong loose outer garment
cowl · scapular · cincture · novice · postulant · professed · oblate · calling
hermit
Person choosing total seclusion
- anchoriteReligious recluse in enclosure
- fastingDeliberate food avoidance
- abstinenceVoluntary forgoing of indulgences
austerity · renunciation · mortification · self-denial · penance · frugality · simplicity · celibacy · chastity · temperance
meditation
Focused attention practice
matins · compline · silence · mindfulness · reflection · introspection · contemplation · stillness · centering · rosary
abbey
Monastic house of worship
friary · chapter · refectory · dormitory · scriptorium · sangha · ashram · order · congregation · brotherhood
vows
Solemn binding promises
- ordinationClergy appointment ceremony
- tonsureRitual scalp shaving
- habitSettled regular tendency
robe · cowl · scapular · cincture · novice · postulant · professed · oblate · calling · renunciation
Benedictine
Monk following ancient rule
- TrappistMonk of austere order
- FranciscanMendicant order member
- DominicanPreaching order member
Carmelite · Augustinian · Jesuit · Buddhist · Theravada · Zen · Tibetan · Hindu · Jain · Taoist
- asceticsascetic, ascetics, hermit, hermits, recluse
- Catholic figurescardinals, archbishops, abbots, bishops, friars
- religious ordersBenedictines, Franciscans, Dominicans, Jesuits, Carmelites
- spiritual practitionersmeditators, practitioners, devotees, contemplatives, disciples
- recluseshermits, recluses, solitaries, loners, shut-ins
- Mindfulness Buddhismmindful breathing, walking meditation, present moment, deep listening, loving kindness
monasticsparish priests
Local church leaders
pastors · chaplains · vicars · missionaries · curates
monasticslaypeople
Those outside a profession
laity · materialists · householders · hedonists · seculars
monasticslibertines
Morally dissolute individuals
pleasure-seekers · bon vivants · sybarites · epicureans · free spirits
- monastic lifeReligious community living
- monastic orderOrganized community of monks
- monastic vowPledge binding one to austerity
- monastic retreatSecluded religious sanctuary
- monastic cellMonk's private chamber
- monastic lifestyleAustere religious seclusion