Mayapur, India
A Book on Monks
I am thoroughly enjoying reading
Yadunandana Swami’s book, Sannyasis in
Modernity. Yadunandana is a monk
from Spain and has done a scholarly look at the history of monastics in the
Hare Krishna society. In Chapter One he
opens with the foundational elements of his research.
“A prominent characteristic of the early
twenty-first century is the rapid worldwide growth of secularization. Many accept humanistic values and material
development as top priorities in life.
Although many people identify with a religious community or
denomination, tendencies toward spirituality and religious practices are
decreasing in favour of more ‘tangible’ goals like economic development and
worldly pleasures. Then again,
practitioners and communities of religious and spiritual traditions are
endeavouring to maintain and promote their core values by expressing them in
ways adapted to the present socio-cultural context…
“In this study I examine how ISKCON members
live the ancient practice of sannyasa
in a social environment that promotes values opposing this practice. The etymological meaning of sannyasa is ‘complete
renunciation.’ Sannyasa is the last of four life stages followed by practitioners
of Hinduism. It was traditionally
practiced by mature elderly men with a lifelong monastic inclination…
“There are two types of ISKCON monks, brahmacaris (celibate students) and sannyasis (mature renouncers).”
Published by SANKIRTANA BOOKS. It’s a good
read.
May the Source be with you!
5 km
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