>JJMC89 bot III at 08:07, 13 March 2021

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{{about|the term anagārika in general|the Sri Lankan Buddhist revivalist and writer|Anagarika Dharmapala}}

{{peoplepalicanon}}
[[File:Anagarika Dharmapala.jpg|alt=Anagarika the person who dedicated his life to practice Buddhism|thumb|Anagarika the person who dedicated his life to practice Buddhism]]
[[File:Praying monks and nuns in the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple of Singapore.jpg|alt=Praying monk and nun in Buddha tooth relics vihara|thumb|Praying monk and nun in Buddha tooth relics vihara ]]
In [[Buddhism]], an '''anagārika''' ([[Pali]], 'homeless one', {{IPA-all|əˈnəɡɑːrɪkə|}}; f. ''anagārikā'' {{IPA-all|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 a [[bhikkhu]] or [[bhikkhuni]] (fully ordained monastics) and [[Upāsaka and Upāsikā|laypersons]]. An anagārika takes the [[Eight Precepts]], and might remain in this state for life.

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 most [[Theravada]]-majority [[Westphalian state|countries]] since the [[late modern period]], women who wish to renounce live as anagārikās under names such as ''[[maechi]]'' in [[Buddhism in Thailand|Thailand]], ''[[thilashin]]'' in [[Buddhism in Myanmar|Myanmar]], and ''[[dasa sil mata]]'' in [[Buddhism in Sri Lanka|Sri Lanka]]. Women who are nonetheless intent on total renunciation may be [[Bhikkhunī|fully ordained]] under certain ''[[nikāya]]''s, even in historically Theravada countries. In [[Vajrayana|Vajrayana Buddhism]], many nuns are technically anagārikās or [[samanera|śrāmaṇerikā]]s (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 the [[vihara]] where 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 in [[vihara]]s where the [[vinaya]] (monastic rules), including the rules about not handling money, are strictly followed.

==Notable Anagārikas==
* [[Anagarika Dharmapala|Anagārika Dharmapāla]]
* [[Anagarika Govinda|Anagārika Govinda]]
* [[Anagarika Munindra|Anagārika Munindra]]

==External links==
* [http://www.buddhamind.info/leftside/monastic/train.htm "Monastic: Training,"] from "BuddhaMind Info".
* [https://www.abhayagiri.org/media/newsletters/abhayagiri_newsletter_2007_spring.pdf "Anagarika Life"] from Abhayagiri Monastery Newsletter Spring 2007.
* [https://dhammawheel.com/viewtopic.php?t=22438 Anagarika Ordination Questions] from DhammaWheel forum, 2014.
* [https://dhammawheel.com/viewtopic.php?t=10953 A proper preparation for becoming an anagarika] from DhammaWheel forum, 2011.
* [https://dhammawheel.com/viewtopic.php?t=19814 Question about Anagarikas] from DhammaWheel forum, 2014
* [https://dhammawheel.com/viewtopic.php?t=29606 Anagarika is post-canonical invention] from DhammaWheel forum, 2017.

{{Buddhism topics}}

[[Category:Anagārikas| ]]
[[Category:Buddhist ascetics]]
[[Category:Buddhist titles]]
[[Category:Buddhist religious occupations]]
[[Category:Buddhist monasticism]]

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Anagārika - Revision history

>JJMC89 bot III at 08:07, 13 March 2021