Bhikkhu

A Buddhist Monk in Sri Lanka

A Bhikṣu (Sanskrit) or Bhikkhu (Pāli) is a fully ordained Buddhist monk.

Bhikṣu may be literally translated as "beggar" or more broadly as "one who lives by alms". It is philologically analysed in the Pāli commentary of Buddhaghosa as "the person who sees danger (in samsara or cycle of rebirth)" (Pāli = Bhayaṃ ikkhatīti: bhikkhu.) He therefore seeks ordination in order to release from it. A bhikkhu has taken a vow to enter the Sangha (Buddhist monastic community) and is expected to obey rules of conduct (typically around 253 for a male) as set out in the Vinaya, although there are considerable local variations in the interpretations of these rules. A novice monk or nun in the Tibetan tradition takes 36 vows of conduct. The minimum age to take bhikkhu vows is 21 years.

Bhikkhu engaging in a traditional Tibetan monastic debate. They employ stylized movements- hand claps, finger thrusts, and posture- to emphasize their points.

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