The Rule of Saint Benedict Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

The Rule of Saint Benedict - Essay ExampleOne of the reasons why it was and remains so popular is its objectivity, which makes it much more(prenominal) sustainable than related precepts especially because it allows for a moderate line amongst the zeal of individual devotion and institutionalism1. The dominion was essentially designed to create an env agitatement in which the unavoidably of monks in communities could be provided to foster a deeper understanding into human nature, providing spiritual mentorship, support the monks ascetic endeavors and develop spiritual growth. This paper result endeavor to analyze the text by primarily focusing on the historical context in which the Rule emerged, the factors that drove Saint Benedict to bring through it, his secondary sources of information and the role the rules played and continue to play in religious and non-religious discourse. For as grand as it has existed, the rule has been used by Benedictine monks and to numerous scho lars, saint Benedict is considered to be the brainiac of western monasticism although historians had suggested that he probably had no outward intention of starting a religious order. Among the many advantages of these rules is that they allow of communities of monks to be autonomous and thus operate without outside influence or direct co-operation. Consequently, communities that defy these rules have enjoyed a variety of benefits from the accruing independence such as the development of close internal bonds and more contemplative lifestyles without outside distraction. While the book is quite explicit on some of it withdrawments, it is not iron clad and it allows the Abbott to use his discretion when circumstances demand it.2 The lessons, according to Benedict were not meant to dictate provided provide a guide of those wishing to spend their blend ins in holy contemplation especially beginners. Overview The rule has seventy-three chapters and these ar divided into edicts abou t the duties of the abbot, regulation of worshiping God, chastisement and consequences for breaking rules, the core management of the monastery and dissimilar rules. It prologues with a hortary preface through which Saint Benedict lays down the basic tenets of the religious life and the desertion of an individuals will to take up a life of Christ In his summation, the rules will serve as the foundation for the formation of a school in which salvation shall the taught as a science. Through their perseverance in the monastery for the duration of their natural lives, monks will be deemed as qualified to be partakers of the kingdom of Christ Owing to the scope of the rules, it is not possible to summarize it explicitly by the chapter since that would require an entire paper of considerable length. Nevertheless, several of the rules, which have a bearing on the historical context to the text, will be briefly discussed herein. Benedict makes it clear that the rule is only relevant to tw o classes of monks, those are the Cenobites, Hermits, and it precludes the Gyrovagi and Sarabites who did not follow any specific code and were, in Benedicts opinion a disgrace to the monastic profession. He emphasizes on the authority of the abbot who all the monks must obey without interrogative sentence and in the selfsame way requires the abbot is an honorable and godly individual. Concerning the personal lives of the monk, the rules demand that they must live frugally and what little they have such as extra clothes should be