Talk:Cenobitic Monasticism

Unification Aspects:

From a comparative perspective, the existence of monks in different cultures provides an intriguing window into the spiritual life. Monastics play an important role in most of the world’s religions and are remarkably notable for their single-minded devotion to the Divine. Unlike many other religious adherents, the primary role of medicants is to pursue spiritual realization and they forsake other aspects of the conventional life. In this way, their very existence reminds one of the ultimate role of God in all human undertakings.

According to the Unification Church, a person should aspire to form a relationship of heart with God. The Divine Principle alludes to many men and women who, through devotion to God, have prepared the world for greater things:

"The merit of the age has increased in proportion to the foundation of heart laid by the prophets, sages and righteous people who came before us. Therefore, resurrection is carried out based on the merit of the age."

As such, the lives of monks can be seen to represent a component of the Divine Plan, regardless of the social, economic, or material benefits that they may bring to their respective societies.

While Unificationism teaches that the purpose of creation is fulfilled by accomplishing the "Three Blessings," including the establishment of the "Four Position Foundation" of holy matrimony, monks and nuns are part of the gradual spiritual growth required as a base for God's Providence to advance to higher and higher levels, eventually creating a base for the Second Coming. Most monks and their communities are committed to good works beneficial to their communities.

Unification Aspects is designed to relate the subject of this article to Unification Thought and to aid
teachers and researchers who wish to further pursue these topics from a unification perspective.