Editing Monk (section)

==Buddhism==
{{more citations needed|section|date=July 2019}}
{{Main|Bhikkhu}}
{{peoplepalicanon}}
[[File:Monks in Wat Phra Singh - Chiang Mai.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|Buddhist monks in [[Thailand]]]]

In [[Theravada]] Buddhism, ''[[bhikkhu]]'' is the term for monk. Their disciplinary code is called the ''[[patimokkha]]'', which is part of the larger ''[[Vinaya]]''. They live lives of [[mendicancy]], and go on a morning almsround ([[Pali]]: ''pindapata'') every day. The local people give food for the monks to eat, though the monks are not permitted to positively ask for anything. The monks live in monasteries, and have an important function in traditional Asian society. Young boys can be ordained as [[samanera]]s. Both bhikkhus and samaneras eat only in the morning, and are not supposed to lead a luxurious life. Their rules forbid the use of money, although this rule is nowadays not kept by all monks. The monks are part of the ''[[Sangha (Buddhism)|Sangha]]'', the third of the [[Triple Gem]] of [[Gautama Buddha|Buddha]], [[Dhamma]], Sangha.

In [[Mahayana]] Buddhism, the term 'Sangha' strictly speaking refers to those who have achieved certain levels of understanding. They are therefore called 'community of the excellent ones' ({{langx|bo|mchog kyi tshogs}}); however, these in turn need not be monks (i.e., hold such [[religious vows|vows]]). Several Mahayana orders accept female practitioners as monks, instead of using the normal title of "nun", and they are considered equal to male ascetics in all respects.

[[File:Monk resting outside Thag-Thok Gompa, Ladakh.jpg|thumb|Monk resting in [[Ladakh]]]]

The [[Bhikkhus]] are only allowed 4 items ''(other than their robes)'': a razor, a sewing needle, an alms bowl and a water strainer.{{citation needed|reason=Not found on Bhikkhu main page or this one|date=December 2015}}

In [[Vajrayana]] Buddhism, monkhood is part of the system of 'vows of individual liberation'; these vows are taken in order to develop one's own personal ethical discipline. The monks and nuns form the (ordinary) ''sangha''. As for the Vajrayana vows of individual liberation, there are four steps: A lay person may take the 5 vows called 'approaching virtue' (in Tibetan <nowiki>'</nowiki>''genyen''<nowiki>'</nowiki> < ''dge snyan''>). The next step is to enter the monastic way of life (Tib. ''rabjung'') which includes wearing monk's or nun's [[robes]]. After that, one can become a 'novice' (Pali ''[[samanera]]'', Tib. ''getshül''); the last and final step is to take all vows of the 'fully ordained monk' (''gelong''). This term 'gelong' (Tib. < ''dge long''>, in the female form ''gelongma'') is the translation of Skt. ''bikshu'' (for women ''bikshuni'') which is the equivalent of the Pali term ''[[bhikkhuni]]''; ''[[bhikkhu]]'' is the word used in Theravada Buddhism (Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand).

[[File:Chinese Buddhist Monks Ceremony Hangzhou.jpeg|thumb|upright=1.3|Buddhist monks performing ceremony in Hangzhou, China]]

[[China|Chinese]] Buddhist monks have been traditionally and stereotypically linked with the practice of the [[Chinese martial arts]] or ''Kung fu'', and monks are frequently important characters in [[martial arts film]]s. This association is focused around the [[Shaolin Monastery]]. The Buddhist monk [[Bodhidharma]], traditionally credited as the founder of [[Zen]] Buddhism in China, is also claimed to have introduced [[Kalaripayattu]] (which later evolved into Kung Fu) to the country. This latter claim has however been a source of much controversy (see [[Bodhidharma, the martial arts, and the disputed India connection]]). One more feature about the Chinese Buddhist monks is that they practice the burning marks on their scalp, finger or part of the skin on their anterior side of the forearm with incense as a sign of ordination.

In [[Thailand]] and [[Burma]], it is common for boys to spend some time living as a monk in a monastery. Most stay for only a few years and then leave, but a number continue on in the ascetic life for the rest of their lives.

In [[Mongolia]] during the 1920s, there were about 110,000 monks, including children, who made up about one-third of the male population,<ref>"[http://countrystudies.us/mongolia/47.htm Mongolia – Buddhism]". [[Library of Congress Country Studies]].</ref> many of whom were killed in the purges of [[Khorloogiin Choibalsan|Choibalsan]].