Anagārika

This article is about the term anagārika in general. For the Sri Lankan Buddhist revivalist and writer, seeAnagarika Dharmapala.

InBuddhism,ananagārika(Pali,'homeless one',[əˈnəɡɑːrɪkə];f.anagārikā[əˈnəɡɑːrɪkɑː]) is a person who has given up most or all of their worldly possessions and responsibilities to commit full-time to Buddhist practice. It is a midway status between abhikkhuorbhikkhuni(fully ordained monastics) andlaypersons.An anagārika takes theEight Precepts,and might remain in this state for life.

Anagarika Dharmapala

Anagārikas usually wear white clothes or robes, depending on the tradition they follow. Some traditions have special ordination ceremonies for anagārikas, while others simply take the eight precepts with a special intention.

Given the lack of full ordination for women in mostTheravada-majoritycountriessince thelate modern period,women who wish to renounce live as anagārikās under names such asmaechiinThailand,thilashininMyanmar,anddasa sil matainSri Lanka.Women who are nonetheless intent on total renunciation may befully ordainedunder certainnikāyas,even in historically Theravada countries. InVajrayana Buddhism,many nuns are technically anagārikās orśrāmaṇerikās(novitiates).

History

In monastic settings, lay attendants for monks or nuns are needed. The monastic rules restrict monks and nuns from many tasks that might be needed, including the use of money, driving, cooking, digging and cutting plants, so lay attendants help bridge this gap. Anagārikas differ from laity by their commitment to Buddhism, to their precepts, and to monastics. There is usually a notable difference in their manner, appearance and attire. In many cases, they are full-time residents at theviharawhere they ordained. Anagārikas often have the intention of becoming a monk or nun at a later point, though not always. In some monasteries a period as an anagārika, often one year, is required in order to take novice ordination.

The main difference between the Eight Precepts of an anagārika and the Ten Precepts of a novitiate is the rule of not handling money. Therefore, anagārika ordinations usually take place inviharaswhere thevinaya(monastic rules), including the rules about not handling money, are strictly followed.

Notable Anagārikas

• Anagārika Dharmapāla
• Anagārika Govinda
• Anagārika Munindra
• Anagārika Prajñānanda
• Anagārika Dhammadinna

External links

• "Monastic: Training,"Archived2021-08-09 at theWayback Machinefrom "BuddhaMind Info".
• "Anagarika Life"from Abhayagiri Monastery Newsletter Spring 2007.
• Anagarika Ordination Questionsfrom DhammaWheel forum, 2014.
• A proper preparation for becoming an anagarikafrom DhammaWheel forum, 2011.
• Question about Anagarikasfrom DhammaWheel forum, 2014
• Anagarika is post-canonical inventionfrom DhammaWheel forum, 2017.