There seems to be renewed interest in monasticism, from Shane Claiborne to the book Anathem which i liked so much. The Rule of St Benedict is perhaps the most successful attempt to put all the rules of monasticism together in a book. It's fascinating at times, sometimes predictable, sometimes surprising. A good read.
Quotes:
Listen!
The abbot must be led to understand that any lack of good in his monks will be held as his fault.
Whenever an important matter is to be undertaken in the monastery the abbot should call the entire community together.
Individual desires have no place in the monastery and neither inside nor outside the walls should anyone presume to argue with the abbot.
The first degree of humility is prompt obedience.
Our prayer must be heartfelt and to the point. Only a divine inspiration should lengthen it. The prayer of the assembled community should be short.
Above all, he must have humility. If he has nothing to give, his response (to the request) should be a good word for, “A good word is better than the best gift”
The vice of private ownership must be uprooted from the monastery. No one, without the abbot’s permission, shall dare give, receive or keep anything—not book, tablet or pen—nothing at all. Monks have neither free will nor free body, but must receive all they need from the abbot.
The sick should be permitted baths as often as necessary, but the healthy and especially all young are to bathe rarely.
We read that wine is not for monks, but in our times they cannot accept this. Let us therefore agree on this limit at least, lest we satiate ourselves with drink.
Idleness is an enemy of the soul. Therefore, the brothers should be occupied according to schedule in either manual labor or holy reading.
All guests to the monastery should be welcomed as Christ, because He will say, “I was a stranger, and you took me in” [...] with bowed head and a prostrate body all shall honor in the guests the person of Christ. For it is Christ who is really being received.
No one may associate or converse with guests unless ordered. If one meets or sees a guest, he is to greet him with humility as we have said, and ask a blessing. If the guest speaks, the brother is to pass on, telling the guest that he is not permitted to speak.
so that this vice of private ownership may be cut away at the roots, the abbot is to furnish all necessities: cowl, tunic, shoes, stockings, belt, knife, pen, needle, towel and writing tablet. With these, any excuse for need will be vanquished.
Admission to the religious life should not be made easy for newcomers.
[...]
Should the petitioner continue knocking [on the gate], and if he shows patience and persists in his petition for several days despite harsh treatment and reluctance to admit him, he shall be permitted lodging in a guest room.
We who are slothful, bad living and careless should be ashamed. Whoever you are, if you wish to follow the path to God, make use of this little Rule for beginners. Thus at length you will come to the heights of doctrine and virtue under God’s guidance. Amen!
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