Tibetan monasticism

Tibetan monasticism is the religious community of monks and nuns dedicated to practicing Buddhism, especially Vajrayana Buddhism, which is prominent in Tibet. Monks follow strict spiritual disciplines, study sacred texts, and engage in meditation and rituals. Monasteries serve as centers of learning, cultural preservation, and religious ceremony. Monastic life emphasizes: - Devotion and ethical conduct - Meditation practice - Study of texts like the Tibetan Buddhist canon - Rituals to accumulate merit and wisdom These institutions profoundly influence Tibetan culture, art, and social structure, functioning both as spiritual centers and community anchors.