The Roles of Priests of Eastern Religions

             The organization of the eastern religions ranges from simple to complex. Many religions have spiritual leaders or priestly figures. These leaders have the responsibility to conduct religious services, ceremonies, and rituals, to advise or command believers, and to govern the religious organization at various levels.
             This document attempts to present the various roles, responsibilities, authorities and lifestyles of the spiritual leaders of five eastern religions. The eastern religions reviewed will be Buddhism, Confucianism, Hinduism, Sikhism, and Taoism.
             In the earliest centuries of Buddhism, monks were itinerant. They wandered from place to place during nine months of the year. During the other three months, the rainy season, they would gather together in a "rain retreat" for teaching, learning, and encouragement.
             Over the centuries, the wandering aspect has mostly died out. Monks are now usually located at monasteries, temples, and other religious sites. Not only do they meditate, they usually have other duties, as well. In the modern world, many attend university and study a range of subjects.
             There are 3 main types of buildings in Buddhism: Stupa, Temple and Monastery.
             · Stupa is the single most important monument, built to house relics of the Buddha or his disciples, or to commemorate a Buddhist event.
             · Temples (caitya), enshrines a stupa or an image of the Buddha.
             · Monasteries (sangha), started on the rainy seasons (wassa) during the 3 months of July to October, when the mendicants and beggars got together.
             At temples and stupas, monks have a number of tasks, from maintaining the complex to dealing with the pilgrims and visitors as well as participating and guiding worship. The main aim of the monks (bikkhus) and nuns (bikkhunis) of the sangha is to engage in meditation and concentration that will bring them to enlightenment and then nirvana.
             The word sangha sometimes refers to t...

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