Theravada Buddhism emphasizes monastic life as a path to enlightenment. Monks and nuns follow strict rules, dedicating their lives to spiritual practice, study, and service. Their daily routines revolve around meditation, alms rounds, and scriptural study.

The Sangha plays a crucial role in preserving Buddhist teachings and guiding lay followers. Monastics and laypeople have a symbiotic relationship, with the laity providing material support and the Sangha offering spiritual guidance. This dynamic strengthens the Buddhist community.

Monastic Life in Theravada Buddhism

Daily life of Theravada monastics

• Monks and nuns adhere to a rigorous daily schedule that begins before sunrise with morning chanting and meditation to cultivate mindfulness and spiritual growth
• Engage in the alms round (pindapata) each morning, walking silently through the village or town to collect food offerings from lay devotees, fostering a spirit of humility and gratitude
• Consume one or two meals per day, usually before noon, eating in silence and with mindfulness to practice self-restraint and appreciate the generosity of the laity
• Dedicate time to studying Buddhist scriptures (suttas) and teachings (Dhamma) to deepen their understanding of the Buddha's wisdom and its application to daily life
• Practice various forms of meditation throughout the day, including sitting meditation (bhavana) and walking meditation (cankama), to develop concentration, insight, and equanimity
• Participate in evening chanting and meditation sessions to reinforce their commitment to the spiritual path and maintain a consistent practice
• Observe periods of solitude and silence to facilitate introspection, self-reflection, and the cultivation of inner peace and clarity
• Engage in communal activities and ceremonies, such as Uposatha days (observance days) held twice a month and the annual Kathina ceremony (offering of robes), to strengthen the bonds of the monastic community and uphold traditional practices

Role of Sangha in Theravada

• The Sangha, one of the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha), represents the monastic community of ordained monks and nuns who have dedicated their lives to the Buddhist path
• Plays a vital role in preserving and transmitting the Buddha's teachings, ensuring the continuity of the Dhamma through the oral transmission of the Pali Canon (Tipitaka) for centuries and the memorization and recitation of suttas (discourses)
• Offers spiritual guidance and support to the lay community, teaching the Dhamma through sermons, discourses, and counsel on spiritual matters, helping lay followers navigate the challenges of daily life and progress on the path to enlightenment
• Serves as a living example of the Buddhist path, embodying the virtues of renunciation, simplicity, and mindfulness, inspiring lay followers to deepen their own practice and commitment to the Dhamma
• Maintains the continuity of the Buddhist tradition through ordination lineages that ensure the unbroken transmission of the Dhamma and by upholding the Vinaya (monastic code of discipline) to preserve the integrity and purity of the monastic way of life

Monastic-lay relationship in Theravada

• Monks and nuns share an interdependent relationship with the laity based on mutual support and respect, with monastics relying on the laity for material support (food, robes, shelter) and the laity relying on the Sangha for spiritual guidance and teachings
• Lay followers gain merit (punna) by supporting the Sangha through offering alms food, providing financial support for the construction and maintenance of monasteries (viharas), and engaging in acts of generosity and service
• Monks and nuns offer blessings and perform rituals for the laity, such as chanting protective verses (paritta), conducting funeral rites and memorial services, and sharing the Dhamma to help lay followers navigate life's challenges
• Lay followers attend teachings and meditation sessions at monasteries to deepen their understanding of the Buddha's teachings and to receive guidance and inspiration from the monastic community
• Collaboration between the Sangha and the laity in organizing religious festivals and events, such as Vesak (celebration of the Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and passing) and the Kathina ceremony (offering of robes to the Sangha), strengthens the bonds between the two communities and reinforces the shared commitment to the Dhamma

Monastic Discipline in Theravada Buddhism

Rules for Theravada monastic life

• Monks and nuns adhere to the Vinaya (monastic code of discipline), which contains 227 rules for monks (bhikkhus) and 311 rules for nuns (bhikkhunis), governing all aspects of their daily life and conduct
• The Four Parajikas (defeats) are the most serious offenses, resulting in permanent expulsion from the Sangha: engaging in sexual intercourse, theft, killing a human being, and falsely claiming superhuman states or abilities
• The 13 Sanghadisesas are offenses requiring a formal meeting of the Sangha and a period of probation and rehabilitation, such as intentionally causing emission of semen, falsely accusing another monk, and digging the ground
• The Nissaggiya Pacittiya rules regulate the possession and use of items, prohibiting actions such as accepting money, engaging in trade, and possessing excess robes beyond what is necessary for daily use
• The Pacittiya rules cover various aspects of daily conduct, such as refraining from eating after midday, not sleeping in the same dwelling as a layperson, and avoiding the use of luxurious beds and seats that promote attachment and indulgence
• The Patidesaniya rules require confession of offenses to another monk or nun, such as accepting and consuming food from an unrelated bhikkhuni, promoting transparency and accountability within the monastic community
• The Sekhiya rules govern etiquette and proper behavior, emphasizing mindfulness, respect, and self-discipline in daily activities, such as wearing robes properly, not making loud noises while eating, and not teaching the Dhamma to someone holding a weapon
• Monks and nuns observe strict celibacy and refrain from any form of sexual activity to maintain the purity of their spiritual practice and avoid the distractions and entanglements of worldly desires
• Monastics are prohibited from possessing money and engaging in trade or business activities to maintain a life of simplicity, renunciation, and dependence on the lay community for their basic needs
• Monks and nuns live a life of simplicity and renunciation, possessing only essential items such as robes, an alms bowl, a razor, and a few personal necessities, while refraining from entertainment, luxuries, and adornments that may hinder their spiritual progress