Nun of That Monk-ey Business
Sunday
Many religious traditions have monks, including the Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Sikh, and Jain faiths, while nuns can be found in the Buddhist, Catholic and several other Christian traditions.
Monday
Catholic nuns wear veils to symbolize they are “brides of Christ.” This tradition began in early Christian communities by women who chose to dedicate their lives to emulating Jesus.
Tuesday
Monks of many religions also have a head-related tradition: shaving it. “Tonsure” means hair removal symbolic of a religious life beyond worldly pursuits. It is practiced by modern-day Buddhist, Hindu, and Jaina monks as it was by earlier Christian monks, except for that ring left around the edges of the head, known as the “monk’s fringe.”
Wednesday
Catholic nuns and sisters are not exactly the same, although both are called “sister.” Nuns stay in convents and wear habits, while sisters perform “ministries” in the community, often with the poor. Initially, all nuns remained in convents, but starting with Dublin’s Sisters of Mercy in 1830s, the tradition of “walking nuns,” who became known as sisters, grew worldwide.
Thursday
In the US, the number of nuns is in steep decline, down a whopping 76% from a peak in 1965, and fewer than 1% of American nuns are now under age 40. Among nations, India currently has the most nuns, with nearly 100,000.
Friday
Certain monasteries are now associated with martial arts, such as the ancient Shaolin Temple in Henan, China. Some of these centuries-old physical arts are now intertwined with spirituality, but began as monks’ practical self defense against bandits, warlords and wild animals, as well as being great exercise.
Saturday
Spending much of your day in meditation may profit you spiritually, but not financially. Most nuns and monks renounce personal ownership of things, and so are supported by charity or the sale of small items for the benefit of their convent or monastery.