The monastic community in Buddhism is getting smaller, as opposed to the lay community which nowadays extends around the world. It is significant to understand how that is taking place.
Lay persons form the vast majority of the Buddhism culture. In all traditions the lay community is considered essential in that it gives material support to temples and by its daily work provides the economic foundation for the teaching and practice of Buddhism. Lay people also participate in such activities as festivals, ceremonies and pilgrimage.
The core pursuit of the Buddhist monastic community is to preserve and practise the teaching of the Buddha. They can use their learning and wisdom to help society as a whole.
Although the monks and nuns have renounced the worldly life, they still have an essential contribution to make to the welfare of the society. Because of their non-attachment to the worldly conditions such as happiness and pain, gain and loss, they are objective and farsighted in their outlook. |
Although the lay community is getting bigger and it is more meaningful, the monks and nuns are still revered and cannot be replaced, because their wisdom and understanding of the life as a whole is unique. They devote their Atman (individual soul) for Brahmar (world soul). Separateness is just an illusion. |
In support
ReplyDeleteLay community are the mainstay and the monastic community is dependent upon them.
Ruling authorities are lay. Lay support enables monasteries to exist. Today many
leading meditation / teachers are lay as well as monastic.
Other views
Monastic Sangha is distinctive of Buddhist culture. In some countries all men become
monks for some time in their lives. They uphold Buddhist values in an impressive way.
Their teaching of the dhamma and spiritual guidance ensure the moral calibre of
society.