The Buddha's teachings tell us that desire* and attachment, including the desire / attachment to possesions is a major cause of suffering. Therefore Buddhists monks, who are dedicating their lives to reach enlightenment, own few posesions in order to help learn that they actually need very little to be happy and healthy.
*Note: The Buddha never told us that there can be no desire in our lives. He wanted us to be smart about what desires we crave. Otherwise, if we wiped-out all desires, where would the desire to become enlightened fit in? So when we desire something we need to evaluate whether this is an impulse to buy it, is it something we need or something we want and what do we expect something we want to do for us.
Benedictine monks were allowed only a few simple possessions to promote a life of humility, simplicity, and detachment from material wealth. This practice aligned with their vow of poverty, which emphasized reliance on God and community rather than personal belongings. By minimizing distractions and focusing on prayer, work, and communal living, they aimed to cultivate a deeper spiritual life and foster a sense of equality among the members of the monastic community.
Because giving up all distractions to pursue a non-religious life would be pointless.
Monks have the traditional shaved head haircut as a symbol of renunciation and humility. It represents their commitment to a simple and disciplined way of life, free from vanity and attachment to worldly possessions.
The Carolingian Monks were known for living on their own, not in groups. Carolingian Monks lived a life of solitary, traveling from one village to another to give wisdom and insight.
Monks and friars owned no property as part of their commitment to a life of poverty, which was central to their religious vocation. This practice allowed them to focus on spiritual matters and serve their communities without the distractions of material wealth. By renouncing personal possessions, they embodied ideals of humility and reliance on divine providence, fostering a deeper connection to their faith and the people they served. Additionally, it promoted a sense of solidarity among members of their communities, emphasizing shared resources and collective well-being.
Their entire life. They became a monk until the day they died.
Renounciation of wordly life and possessions supposely lets focus the mind on the things that are more important for the Buddhist pratitioner. The less things or concerns about these things one has, the more time is available for other tasks. However, giving up material possessions is not a requirement for a buddhist practice. This is a requirement for monks only. The Pattimokha, or the Code for Buddhist monks list 227 rules, and there are even more. However the main purpose of these rules is to maintain harmony in the monks community rather than to serve as a guarantee of spiritual attainments.
life is full with distractions. When you grow up, there will be even more distractions. Control your self.
Monks traditionally had a specific haircut as a symbol of their commitment to a life of simplicity and humility. The shaved head or tonsure represented their renunciation of worldly vanity and attachment to material possessions. It also served as a practical way to maintain cleanliness and hygiene in their monastic lifestyle.
Monks are supposed to be celibate (unmarried) so they rarely have children. A few monks are people who have had children in early life and then become monks in later life.
"The life of the spirit requires less, not more." This quote from the excerpt reflects the narrator's desire for a simple life by emphasizing that spiritual fulfillment can be achieved with less materialistic distractions and possessions.
The hairstyle of Christian monks, typically a shaved head or close-cropped hair, symbolizes humility, simplicity, and detachment from worldly concerns. It serves as a reminder of their commitment to a life of prayer, meditation, and service to God. This practice helps monks focus on their spiritual journey and minimize distractions, fostering a deeper connection to their faith and community.