Gyrovagues

Wandering monks are a well known from various religions form of monasticism. They are both from the early Christianity ( peregrinatio propter Deum / Christ ) also known as Buddhism and Hinduism. Are to be distinguished from wandering monk or itinerant missionaries, serve their local exchange rather the dissemination of ideas of their own faith as asceticism.

In Christianity

From the outset the location issue was discussed in monasticism. There were monks who studied the asceticism of homelessness and restlessly moved, while others rejected the free roving as unworthy and the sedentary ( stabilitas loci ) preferred.

For the Celtic Church was homelessness ( peregrinatio ) is an essential factor in their asceticism, the whole history of Europe affected: many European countries were Christianized by Irish monks traveling. Asceticism was that you confided in the providence of God, and gave up the security of social bonds. Following the example of Christ and his twelve apostles we went on tour. So Columban pulled the younger, driven by the ideal of Peregrination, in the territory of today's France.

In Catholicism, on the other hand the free wandering the wandering monks was "Feed -performing immorality " and regarded as the soon no longer practiced. Later leaving their monasteries the monks were forbidden, such as at the Synod of Agde in 507, the Benedictine rule criticized wandering monks clear: The fourth kind of monks is that called Gyrovagen. All her life she pull over the country and can accommodate three or four days in different monasteries. Always roving and never settled, they are slaves to the whims of their own will and desires of their appetite.

In Hinduism

Already around 1200 BC mentioned the Rig Veda in Book X of the keshi, a silent ascetic who is unkempt and unclothed. This ascetic is home from sea to sea, from east to west. These early monks were so at home everywhere and therefore of no fixed abode.

In Hinduism, the itinerant monks are also now on the agenda, are allowed to stay anywhere longer to build no social contacts. These wandering monks, the sadhus, some Christians have inspired such a wandering life.

See main article Sadhu

Known wandering monks

In Christianity

In Buddhism

  • Claude Thomas AnShin
Jesus Rule of Saint Benedict Saint Gall Saint Totnan Saint Colman (martyr) John Moschus Claude AnShin Thomas
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