(August 5, 2017 at 7:03 pm)Alex K Wrote: That's not how the catholic monasteries I know operate, though. They may own some land that supports them, but they usually produce and sell stuff, operate hotels and convention centers, and the members work. They are pretty independent from the Vatican as well.Yes and in fairness some Buddhist monks produce stuff to help support themselves. And pastors / priests do provide counseling (of varying quality) and visit the sick and housebound so it's not like they sit around all day navel-gazing (and many of them are not paid very well).
My basic point is just that there has to be a patron of some sort if you want to just sit around and think great thoughts or seek enlightenment.
