What 8 possessions do a Buddhist monk or nun takes with them to the monastary?
Answers
In Buddhism, there are three schools: Mahayana (Greater School), Hinayana (Lesser School), and Vajrayana (Diamond Vehicle). The word “yana” is most commonly referred to as vehicle, or what transmits / carrys, but is also used as school.
The Theravada are what Mahayana refer to as the Hinayana.
Since your question did not say “What kind of possessions are Buddhist monks supposed to have”, then I’m to assume you mean exactly what you asked. To say what kind of possessions ALL Buddhist monks have is not possible. I can say that putting on the robes does not remove a person from the human race. That is, they do not suddenly attain enlightenment once the robes are donned.
The Theravada tradition does dictate in the Monastic Code of Discipline (pali: Vinaya) how many robes a monk are allowed to carry. What they wear below the waste is considered an inner robe, and a rain’s/bathing cloth, or just plain waist cloth (pali: antaravasaka). The upper robe which is the robe that covers the entire body (pali: uttarasanga), and the outer robe, usually worn over the left shoulder (pali: sanghati).
Along with the robe, a monk is only allowed to have or own one alms bowl (pali: pata) which is the monks requisite for food, the alms round (pali: pindapata).
Also the monk is allowed to carry medicines, but the rules stipulate medicines made from fermented urine. Whether that urine is human or animal is not mentioned. Both have been used. The fermentation of urine is to use the alcohol to leech the medicinal properties from various plants. But the monk will need to be familiar with each plants unique properties used for what ailments.
What 8 possessions do a Buddhist monk or nun takes with them to the monastary?
❱ According to the Pali Canon of the Theravada School of Buddhism, a monk is allowed.