Encyclopaedia of Monasticism

Monasticism is the religious practice in which one renounces wordly pursuits in order to fully devote one's life to spiritual work. This book traces the various aspects of monasticism,from the basic concept of monasticism to the practice of monasticism in different religions. The book starts with an introduction of monasticism, which includes the brief analysis of monaticism in various religions.The book has these following important chapters after introduction.Hinduism:rituals,Practices and monastic ways, Becoming a monk and way of monasticism in Hinduism, Christian monasticism,Philosophical development of christian monasticism,Asceticism,Celibacy of the clergy,Orthodox christian monasticism,Buddhist monasticism,Monks and monasticism,Religion and monastic life in India,History of monastic discipline, and Monks in different religions.It has been tried to define monasticism in a very meticulous and pragmatic manner and I Think that my sincere work will be truly appreciated by readers.

Dr Rana Purushottam Kumar Singh has spent his early life and received his schooling in Bihar, the place of Buddha s activities. He did his B.A. in Philosophy (Hons.) from Allahabad University, Uttar Pradesh and M.A., M.Phil and PhD. In Buddhist Studies from Delhi University. Since the day of registration into Ph.D in the Department of Buddhist Studies, he has been taking classes of Post Graduate and Certificate courses. He is an expert of Pali Language and Literature along with Abhidhamma based Buddhist Philosophy, After completing PhD. Degree, he has been awarded with Guest Lecturer and also Ad hoc Lecturer post in the same Department from where he has completed his higher education. He has also worked as Project Fellow under the DSA Programme of the UGC. He has presented many research articles at the national and international conferences in India and abroad and few of them have been published in different journals of repute. Currently he is associated Department as a Lecturer of ICHR