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monk
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monks A Benedictine monk restoring incunabula at the monastery of Monte Oliveto Maggiore, Tuscany, Italy. monk: Tibetan Buddhist monk Illustration of a medieval monk seated at a writing desk in a scriptorium, copying from an open manuscript with books and scrolls surrounding him. scriptorium
Quick Facts
Key People:
Peter Abelard
Thomas Merton
Related Topics:
monasticism
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monks
monks Monks at the monastery of Sera, Tibet.

monk

monasticism
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monk, man who separates himself from society and lives either alone (a hermit or anchorite) or in an organized community in order to devote himself full time to religious life. See monasticism.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.