1. Term

There are monasteries not only in Christianity but also in Buddhism, Taoism, Jainism, and Islamic Sufism.

The monastery separates monks and nuns from the world (Monasticism). After they have taken their vows, it opens up for them an ongoing, secluded monastic life of either contemplation or action within the rules of the order, the aim being a life that is holy and well-pleasing to God in fulfillment of the so-called counsels of perfection, or evangelical counsels (i.e., poverty, cha…