Monasticism: A Very Short Introduction

Description

Stephen J. Davis considers the phenomenon of monasticism from antiquity to the present day, addressing key questions about monastic spirituality and practice. Looking at Christian, Jainism, and Buddhist traditions of monasticism, Davis explores the life and beliefs of those in monasteries, and considers the role of monasticism in the modern world.

• Considers monasticism and monastic communities from ancient and medieval times right through to the 21st century
• Compares the different religious traditions of monasticism — especially Buddhism, Christianity, and Jainism — and also non-traditional communities
• Explores different settings, from East Asia to North America
• Discusses the realities of daily life for monks and nuns throughout history and across the globe
• Part of the Very Short Introductions series - over eight million copies sold worldwide

About the Author(s)

Stephen J. Davis, Professor of Religious Studies, History, and Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, Yale University

Stephen J. Davis is Professor of Religious Studies, History, and Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations at Yale University, specializing in the history of ancient and medieval Christianity, with a special focus on the eastern Mediterranean and the Near East. Since 2013, he has served as Head of Pierson College, one of the fourteen residential colleges at Yale. He is the author of several books, including The Cult of St. Thecla: A Tradition of Women's Piety in Late Antiquity (O UP, 2001), and Coptic Christology in Practice: Incarnation and Divine Participation in Late Antique and Medieval Egypt (OUP, 2008). His most recent book, Christ Child: Cultural Memories of a Young Jesus, was published by Yale University Press in 2014. For over a decade (since 2006), Stephen has directed the Yale Monastic Archaeology Project, sponsoring archaeological and archival work at several ancient and medieval monastic sites in Egypt.

Table of Contents

Introduction
1:Definitions
2:Differences
3:Rules, Social Organization, and Gender
4:Saints and Spirituality
5:Spaces Real and Imagined
6:A Global Phenomenon in the Contemporary World
References
Further Reading
Index

Reviews

"...excellent..." - Patricia Rumsey, Modern Believing

"... the book of Stephen J. Davis deserves to be read, understood and used not only by the curious people who want to find more about the approached topic, but also by the specialists in their future scientific enterprises." - Iuliu-Marius Morariu, Studia Monastica

"This pocket-size text is concise without sacrificing necessary illustrations, expert but free from pedantry, and skilfully arranged by significant themes." - Patrick Horn, Reading Religion