The Byzantine Greek word monachós , which can be translated as "alone" , derived in late Latin monăchus , which in ancient Occitan became monge . However, we must not overlook that, in turn, this word emanates from Greek. Specifically, it derives from "monakhos", which can be translated as "solitary" or "unique".
In our language, a monk is an individual who resides in a monastery and who belongs to a religious order .
Monks are subjects who can live alone or in community with other monks. These are people who choose asceticism , distancing themselves from worldly life and material objects to focus on prayer.
Among the words that can function as synonyms for monk we find brother, anchorite, religious, friar, hermit and even cenobite.
Monks are generally linked to Christianity . However, the concept can also be used with respect to ascetics who profess other religions and creeds.
The first Christian monks were religious who, especially from the 3rd century onwards, made the decision to move away from the most populated areas to consecrate themselves to God . Thus they settled in caves and desert regions to pray and meditate, adopting vows of poverty and chastity.
There are monks who never leave the monastery and who have no contact with anyone from the outside: these are the so-called cloistered monks . Once they enter the order and join monastic life, they accept the obligation not to leave the building. Those who are not part of the order , meanwhile, are prohibited from entering the place where these monks are located.
It should be noted that, beyond Christianity, we can find Buddhist monks , Hindu monks and Taoist monks , among many others. Each group assumes its own obligations and mandates according to its beliefs.
In the same way, we cannot ignore the existence of what is known as monk's fruit. It is a perennial herbaceous vine that is native to China and is part of the family called Cucurbitaceae. An extract is extracted from its fruit that is considered to be much sweeter than sugar itself.
Furthermore, despite everything indicated, we must not forget that one of the best-selling books in recent years has the word in question in its title. We are referring to the work "The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari: A Spiritual Fable." This work is written by Robin Sharma and tells the story of a successful lawyer who, after suffering a heart attack, faces an existential crisis.
Specifically, this health problem makes him rethink the life he has and he decides to take a trip to the Himalayas to rediscover himself. That trip and what he will discover at his destination will lead him to make a decision: leave his wife, sell his Ferrari and the spectacular vacation home he has and embark on another life path.