Dictionary of World Monasticism
Dictionary of World Monasticism
Editor/Author
Olderr, Steven
Publication Year: 2020
Publisher: McFarland
Price: Core Collection Only

ISBN: 978-1-4766-8309-6
Category: Religion & Theology
Book Status: Available
Table of Contents
A reference with historical and biographical focus -- fills the gap, with a worldwide scope covering not only Christianity, but all faiths that have monastic traditions, including but not limited to Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism.
This book is found in the following Credo Collections:
Table of Contents
- Preface
- The Dictionary
- A
- A.A.
- abba
- abbacy
- abbas laicus
- abbas miles
- abbatia nullius dioecesis
- abbatial
- abbatocomes
- Abbaye
- abbe; abbé
- abbess; mother superior; reverend mother; magistra; khenmo (Tibetan); upadhyayani (Tibetan)
- abbey
- abbey lubber
- abbey nullius
- abbey town; nun town; temple town
- abbeystead
- abbot; fangzhang (Chinese); zhuchi (Chinese); khenpo (Tibetan); chuji (Korean)
- abbot general
- abbot nullius
- abbot nullius dioeceseos
- Abbot of Russia
- abbot president
- abbot primate
- Abelard, Peter (1079–1142)
- Abhishiktananda
- Abrikosova, Anna Ivanovna; Sienskaya, Ekaterina (1882–1936)
- absconce
- acarya; precept master
- accedie
- accidie
- accusations
- acedia; accidie; accedie; akedia (Greek)
- acharya
- Acoemetae
- Acoemeti; Acoemetae; Akoimetoi
- Act for the Dissolution of the Greater Monasteries
- Act for the Dissolution of the Lesser Monasteries
- Act of Supremacy, 1534
- active community
- active/contemplative community
- ad succurrendum
- adelphaton
- administrator
- advocate; advocatus ecclesiae
- advocatus ecclesiae
- Aelred of Rievaulx, St. (ca. 1109–1167)
- affirmation
- agapetae
- agapetai
- Agrypnia
- Agwin of Clysma; Mar Agwin; Saint Eugenios (d. 363)
- A.H.C.
- ahimsa
- Aidan of Lindisfarne, St. (d. 651)
- ajahn
- ajirogasa
- akedia
- Akhara
- Akoimetoi
- akrodha
- Albert Avogadro
- Albert of Cologne
- Albert the Great, St. (1193?–1280); Albert of Cologne; Albertus Magnus
- Albertus Magnus
- Alcuin of York (ca. 735–804)
- Aleppians
- alien priory
- almoner; elemosinarius
- almonry; domus elemonaria
- almshouse; bedehouse; beadhouse
- ama
- amaniko
- ambulatory
- amma
- Ammon, St.
- Ammonas
- Ammonius the Hermit
- Amoun
- ampelikos
- Amun, St.; Ammon; Ammonas; Ammonias the Hermit; Amoun (fl. 4th century ce)
- an; hoan; soan
- anagarika; anagārika
- analavos
- Ananda Marga monasticism
- anchorage
- anchoress
- anchoret
- anchorhold; anchorage
- anchorite; anchoret; anchoress (female); eremite; westensetla (Anglo-Saxon)
- anchoritic; anchoretic; eremitic; eremitical
- anchoritism; anchoretish
- ancilla
- Ancrene Riwle
- Ancrene Wisse; Ancrene Riwle; Guide for Anchoresses; Rule for a Recluse
- angelica vestis
- Angelines
- Anglican monasticism
- ango; seichū
- angya
- angyaso
- anja
- anju
- Anselm of Aosta
- Anselm of Bec
- Anselm of Canterbury, St. (ca. 1033–1109); Anselm of Aosta; Anselm of Bec
- antaravsaka
- antarvasa; antarvāsa; antaravāsaka
- anteri
- Anthony of Egypt
- Anthony of the Desert
- Anthony of Thebes
- Anthony the Abbot
- Anthony the Anchorite
- Anthony the Great, St. (ca. 251–356); Antony the Great; Anthony of Egypt; Anthony the Abbot; Anthony of the Desert; Anthony the Anchorite; Anthony of Thebes
- antiphonary, antiphoner
- Antonian Order of St. Ormizda of the
- Antonians
- Antonin Maronite Order
- Antonines
- Antonins
- Antony the Great
- apegha
- apeuelogia
- aphoriosmos
- aphypnistes
- Apodeipnon
- Apophthegmata Patrum; Sayings of the Desert Fathers
- apostasia a religione
- apostasy; derainment
- apostatae
- apostates; apostatae; fugitive religious; fugitivi; vagabundi; vagantes; apostasia a religione
- Apostle of Northumbria
- Apostle of the Germans
- Apostoli
- Apostolic Brethren; Apostolics; Apostolici; Apostoli; Pseudo-Apostles
- Apostolic Clerks
- apostolic community; active community
- apostolic/contemplative community; active/contemplative community
- Apostolici
- Apostolics
- apostolnik; epimandylion
- apothekarios
- appamattakavissaajaka
- appropriation
- arama; ārāma
- aramika
- aramkiapesaka
- archabbey
- archabbot
- archimandrite
- archivist
- archontares
- armarium
- armarius
- Armenian monasticism
- arra
- arsenas
- aryika
- Asanga; Asaṅga (fl. 4th century ce)
- ashram
- Asketikon; Rule of St. Basil
- aspirant
- Assumptionists
- Athonite
- Athonite gerontikon
- Athos, Mount; Holy Mountain
- auditorium
- Augmentation Court
- Augustine of Canterbury, St. (d. 604)
- Augustine of Hippo, St. (354–430)
- Augustinians
- Augustinians of the Assumption
- Aum Shinrikyo
- Austin Canons
- Austin Friars
- avasa; avāsā
- avowess
- Ayres, Anne
- ayya
- B
- Bacon, Roger (ca. 1220–ca. 1292)
- bagenares
- Bahaism
- Bahtawiyan
- bailiwick
- Bairagis
- Baizhang Huaihai (720–814 ce)
- bakehouse; pristrinum
- Baker, Augustine (1575–1641); Baker, Austin
- Baker, Austin
- Baladites
- balcanifer
- balcanum
- banchung
- bandeau
- bangan
- bangjang
- Barah Panthi
- barb; barbe
- barbati
- barbati fratres
- barbe
- barber surgeon
- bard
- bardocucullus
- Barefoot Carmelites
- barefoot friars
- Barettini
- Basil of Caesarea
- Basil the Great, St. (ca. 330–379); Basil of Caesarea
- Basilian Chouerite Order of St. John the Baptist; Ordo Basilianus Sancti Iohannis Baptistae; Ordre Basilien Chouerite de St. Jean Baptiste
- Basilian Chouerite Sisters
- Basilian Fathers
- Basilian monks
- Basilian Order of St. Josaphat
- Basilian Order of the Most Holy Saviour; Ordo Basilianus Sanctissimi Salvatoris; Ordre Basilien Salvatorien; Basilian Salvatorian Order; Salvatorian Fathers
- Basilian Salvatorian Order
- bathhouse; balnearium
- battan
- bearded brothers
- beards
- Beatrice of Silva, St.
- Beauduin, Lambert (1873–1960)
- Bede, St. (ca. 673–735); Bede the Venerable; Venerable Bede
- Bede the Venerable
- Beghards; Beguini (Latin); Begardi (Latin); Beggarden (German); Bégards (French)
- beguinage
- beguinal
- Beguines; Beguinae (Italian); Begijnen (Dutch); Beginenen (German); Béguines (French) Pinzochera (Italian)
- Benai Qeima
- Benat Qeima
- Benedict of Aniane, St. (ca. 750–821)
- Benedict of Nursia, St. (ca. 480–ca. 547)
- Benedictine
- Benedictine Camaldolese
- Benedictine centuries
- Benedictine Confederation of the Order of St. Benedict; Confœderatio Benedictina Ordinis Sancti Benedicti
- Benedictine Reform
- Benedictines
- benefactor
- benji
- Benson, Charles Chapman
- beopdang
- Bernard of Clairvaux, St. (1090–1153)
- Berno, Abbot
- Beta Israel
- Bethlehem Brothers
- Bethlehemite Brothers
- bhandagarika
- bhante
- bhattuddesaka
- bhikkhu (Pali); bhikṣu (Sanskrit); gelong (Tibetan)
- bhikkhuni; bhikkhunī (Pali); bhikṣuṇī (Sanskrit); bǐqiūní (Chinese); bikuni (Japanese); ama (Japanese); biguni (Korean); tỉ-khâu-ni (Vietnamese); gelongma (Tibetan)
- bhikkuhunovaadaka
- bhiksha
- bhiksuni
- bibliotheca
- biguni
- bikuni
- bilo
- biqiuní
- Black Book
- Black Canons
- black fast
- Black Friars
- Black Monks
- Black Nuns
- bleeding
- Blessing of the Water
- bloodletting; bleeding; phlebotomy; seynies; seyny
- Blue Friars
- Bodhidharma (ca. 470–543); Daruma (Japan)
- Bojo Jinul (1158–1210); Jinul; Chinul
- Bon monasticism
- Bonaventure, St. (1221–1274)
- Boni Homines
- Boniface, St. (ca. 675–754)
- Bonshommes
- bonze
- bonzery
- book of hours
- Book of the First Monks; Decem Libri–Liber de Institutione Primorum Monacharum
- Book of the History of the Fathers and of Their Words
- Boots the Bishop
- bottlery
- bozu
- bracinium
- brebion
- Brethren of the Common Life; Fratres Vitae Communis; Broeders des Gemeenen Levens (Dutch)
- Brethren of the Holy Cross
- breviary
- breviator
- brewhouse; bracinium
- Bridget of Sweden, St.
- Bridgettines
- brief
- Brigid of Ireland
- Brigid of Kildare, St. (ca. 451–525); Brigid of Ireland
- Broeders des Gemeenen Levens
- brooms
- brother; fra
- Brothers and Sisters of Penance
- Brothers Hospitallers of St. John of God
- Brothers of Mercy
- Brothers of Penitence
- Brothers of Saint Mary of Mount Carmel
- Brothers of the Poor Life
- Bruno of Cologne, St. (ca. 1030–1101)
- Buddhadasa Bhikkhu (1906–1993); Phra Dharmakosacarya; Nguam
- Buddhist monasticism
- budo
- budo sawaong
- bursar; hordarian; terrar
- bursary; spendement
- burying ceremony
- Bussho Dento Kokushi
- Butler, Cuthbert (1858–1934)
- Butler, William John
- buttery
- C
- Caesarius of Arles, St. (468/470–542)
- caitaya
- Cajetan, St.
- calced
- caldarium
- calefactorium
- calefactory
- caloyer
- Camaldolese
- Camaldolese Hermits of Monte Corona
- Camaldolese Order; Ordo Camaldulensium
- camera
- camerarius
- Candidus et Canonicus Ordo Praemonstratensis
- Cannon, Harriet Starr (1823–1896)
- canonesses
- Canonesses of St. Augustine of the Mercy of Jesus; Hospital Sisters; Hermit Sisters of St. Augustine
- canonesses regular
- Canonical Hours
- Canonici Regulares Ordinis S. Augustini Congregationis
- Canonici Regulares Ordinis S. Crucis
- Canonici Regulares Sancti Antonii
- Canonici Regulares Sanctissimae Crucis a Stella Rubea
- canonry
- canons
- Canons of St. Ambrose
- Canons of St. Mary of Reno
- Canons of the Order of St. Benedict
- canons regular
- Canons Regular of Fregionaia
- Canons Regular of St. Anthony of Vienne
- Canons Regular of St. Augustine; Augustinian Canons Regular; Canonici Regulares Ordinis S. Augustini Congregationis; Black Canons (UK); Austin Canons (UK)
- Canons Regular of St. Augustine of the Congregation of the Most Holy Savior at the Lateran
- Canons Regular of Santa Maria in Portu
- Canons Regular of the Holy Cross of Coimbra; Ordo Canonicorum Regularium Sanctae Crucis
- Canons Regular of the Lateran; Canons Regular of St. Augustine of the Congregation of the Most Holy Savior at the Lateran; Congregatio Sanctissimi Salvatoris Lateranensis
- Canons Regular of the Order of the Holy Cross; Canonici Regulares Ordinis S. Crucis; Crosiers; Brethren of the Holy Cross
- cantor; cantrix (female); provisor; custos
- cantrix
- capella ante portas
- capicerius
- capitular
- capitular definitor
- capitularly
- capitulary
- capitulum
- capoch
- cappa
- capuccio
- capuce
- capuche; capuce; capuccio
- Capuchin Poor Clares; Sisters of Suffering
- Capuchiness
- Capuchins
- caputium
- Carmelite Order of the Ancient Observance
- Carmelites
- carrels
- Carta Caritatis
- Carthusians; Ordo Cartusiensis; Order of St. Bruno
- cartulary
- Casel, Odo (1886–1948)
- Cassian, St. John
- Cassinese Congregation
- Cassino, Monte
- Cassiodorus (ca. 485–ca. 585); Flavius Magnus Aurelius Cassiodorus Senator
- cassock
- cassock coat
- cassock vest; kontorasson; amaniko; gileko
- caterer
- cathedral monastery; cathedral priory
- cathedral priory
- Catherine of Bologna, St. (1413–1463)
- Catubhummika Mahasatipaṭṭhana Nikaya
- Celestines; Hermits of St. Damiano; Morronites
- celibacy
- cell; monasterium; parivena (Buddhism); drashag (Tibetan)
- cellar; cellarium
- cellarer; cellaress (female); procurator; manciple; econome (Eastern Church); oikonomos (Eastern Church)
- cellaress
- cellarium
- Cells
- cena
- cenobite; mynstermon (Anglo-Saxon)
- cenobitic
- cenobitism
- cenobium
- census
- C.F.R.
- chamberlain; camerarius; vestiarius
- chanter; chantress (female)
- chantress
- chaplain
- Chapman, John (1865–1933)
- chapter
- chapter house; synodikon (Eastern Church)
- chapter of faults
- charism
- charistikarioi; charistikarios
- charistikarios
- charistike; charistikion
- charistikion
- Chariton the Confessor, St. (fl. 3rd century ce)
- Charter of Charity; Carta Caritatis
- charterhouse
- chartreuse
- Chatsumarn Kabilsingh
- chaturmas
- checker; chequer; saccarium
- Cheonggyu
- chequer
- chernichki
- chi phram
- Chih-i
- child oblate; puer oblatus
- Chinul
- Chishin
- Chittister, Joan (1936–)
- Choboq Ar-Rayès, Rafqa Pietra; St. Rafka, St. Rebecca
- choir; quire
- choir monastics; choir religious; choir monks; choir nuns
- choir monks
- choir nuns
- choir office
- choir religious
- choir stalls; stalls; quire stalls (UK)
- Christian Community
- Chrodegang, St.
- Chrysostom, St.
- Chu Hung
- chuji
- C.I.B.
- cincture
- cinctured
- circaria
- circary; circaria
- circas
- circator; circatore; circas; custodes ordinis
- circatore
- circumcelliones
- Cistercians of the Common Observance; Cistercians of the Original Observance; Ordo Cisterciensis; Bernardines; White Monks; White Nuns
- Cistercians of the Original Observance
- Citeaux Abbey; Abbaye de Cîteaux
- civarabhajaka
- civaranidahaka
- civarappatigahaka
- Clairvaux Abbey
- clapper
- Clare of Assisi, St. (1194–1253)
- claswyr
- claustral; cloistral
- claustral oblate
- claustral prior; prior claustralis; claustral prioress
- claustral prioress
- Clerici Regulari a Mater Dei
- clerics regular; clerks regular
- Clerics Regular of the Mother of God; Clerici Regulari a Mater Dei
- clerk of the works
- clerks regular
- Climacus, St. John
- cloistered
- cloistered communities; enclosed communities
- cloisterer
- cloistering; enclosure
- cloisters
- cloistral
- close
- clothing day
- Cluniac
- Cluniac Order
- Cluniac Reform; Benedictine Reform
- Cluny Abbey
- coarb; comharba
- coenobite
- coif
- Colettans
- Colette, St.
- Colettine Poor Clares
- collation
- Columba, St. (521–597)
- Columban, St.
- Columbanus, St. (543–615); Columban
- comharba
- commandery
- commendam
- commendator; administrator
- commendatory abbot; abbé commendataire (France)
- commensalis
- commissariat
- commissary
- commissi
- common house
- Common Observance
- Communio Internationalis Benedictinarum; C.I.B.
- communion window
- Community of St. Mary
- Community of St. Mary the Virgin
- Community of St. Michael and All Angels
- Community of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal
- Company of St. Ursula; Secular Institute of St. Angela Merici; Angelines; Federated Ursulines
- Compline; Apodeipnon (Orthodox)
- computation
- Conceptionists
- confederation
- confession temple
- confraternity; societa
- confraters
- Congregatio pro Institutis Vitae Consecratae et Societatibus Vitae Apostolicae
- Congregatio Sanctissimi Salvatoris
- congregation
- Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life; Congregatio pro Institutis Vitae
- Congregation for Religious
- Congregation for Religious and Secular Institutes
- Congregation of Clerics Regular of the Divine Providence
- Congregation of Fiore; Fiorensians
- Congregation of
- Congregation of St. Anthony
- Congregation of St. Basil; Basilian Fathers; Teaching Priests of the Arche
- Congregation of St. Maur; Maurists
- Congregation of Savigny
- Congregation of the Most Holy Savior
- consecrated virgin
- Constitutiones Hirsaugienses
- Constitutions of Theodore
- consuetudenary
- consultive definitor
- contemplative community
- contemporary religious order
- contemptus mundi
- continual prayer
- convent
- conventical prior
- conventual
- conventual builders
- conventual church; minster
- Conventual Franciscans
- conventual oblate; claustral oblate; regular oblate; intern oblate
- conventual prior; conventual prioress; conventical prior; prior conventualis
- conventual priory
- conventualis
- Conventuals
- conversae
- conversatio morum suorum
- conversi (men); conversae (women)
- conversion of life
- conversus
- Coptic monasticism
- coquinarius
- Cordelier
- cordon
- corrector
- corrodian
- corrody
- council
- Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious
- cowl; capoch; caputium; hood
- Cowley Fathers
- C.R.
- crosier
- Crosiers
- Crossed Friars
- crossfigill
- Crouched Friars
- crozier; crosier; pastoral staff
- Croziers
- Crucigeri cum Rubea Stella
- Crucigeri Stellati
- Crutched Friars; Crossed Friars;
- C.S.M.
- C.S.M. and A.A.
- C.S.M.V.
- Ctistae
- cuculla
- Culdean
- Culdees; Céilí Dé (Irish); Kaledei
- cura monialium
- curia
- curiosis
- curtal friar
- Cusack, Margaret Anna (1829–1899); Cusack, Mary Frances
- custodes
- custodes ordinis
- custodian; warden
- custody
- customal
- customary; consuetudinary; costumal
- custos
- custos custodum; discretus discretorum
- custos general
- custos provinciae
- custos provincial
- custos regimens
- Cuthbert, St. (ca. 634–687)
- D
- Daily Office; Divine Office; Canonical Hours; Opus Dei; Liturgy of the Hours; Hours
- daishu
- dalai lama
- dame
- Damian, Peter
- Daniel, Metropolitan of Moscow (ca. 1492–1547)
- dansa chenpo
- Daruma
- dasa
- dasa sil mata
- Dashanami Sampradaya
- daughter house
- Daughters of St. Mary; Deir Banat Maryam
- Daughters of the Covenant
- David, St. (fl. 5th or 6th century)
- Day Hours
- day room
- day stairs
- Dayananda, Swami
- deace
- dean
- decana
- de Chantal, Jane Frances
- dedication
- deece
- definitor
- definitor general
- definitorium
- defrock
- deice
- Deir Banat Maryam
- de la Barrière, Jean
- demesne
- Dengyo Daishi
- denization
- densu
- Deo gratias
- deposition
- derainment
- de Rancé, Armand Jean le Bouthillier (1626–1700)
- Desert Fathers
- Desert Mothers
- Dhammananda Bhikkhuni (1944–); Chatsumarn Kabilsingh
- Dhammarakhita Samaneri (1946–); Varangghana Vanavichayen
- Dharma hall; beopdang
- Dharmaguptaka Vinaya
- Dharmapala (1864–1933); Dharmapāla
- Dhuni
- dhutanga
- diakonetes
- diakonia
- Digambara
- discalced
- Discalced Augustinians
- Discalced Carmelites
- Discalced Mercedarians; Ordo Frati Excalceatorum de B.M.V. de Mercede
- discarius
- discipline
- discretus discretorum
- Dissolution of Lesser Monasteries Act; Act for the Dissolution of the Lesser Monasteries
- dissolution of monasteries
- Dissolution of the Greater Monasteries Act; Act for the Dissolution of the Greater Monasteries
- diurnal
- Diurnum
- Divine Office
- Dix, Gregory (1901–1952)
- doan; dōan
- docheiarios
- Doctor Expertus
- Doctor Mirabilis
- Doctor of the Assumption
- Doctor Universalis
- doge
- Dogen Kigen
- Dogen Zenji
- dokusan
- Dolcino of Novara
- dom
- domestic bell
- Dominic, St. (ca. 1170–1221)
- Dominicans
- domus Converso rum
- domus fenstrae
- domus necessarium
- donai
- donati
- donchee
- dormitorium
- dormitory
- dorter; dormitorium; dormitory
- dosan; eka
- doso; hall monk
- double monastery; double house; mixed house
- dovecot; plumbarium
- dowry
- drashag
- dresser window
- drying room
- Dunstan, St.
- dzayraguyn vardapet
- E
- Early Mass; Morrow Mass; Missa Familiaris
- Eastern Christian monasticism
- ecclesiarch
- ecclesiastikos
- Eckhart, Meister (ca. 1260–ca. 1328); Eckhart von Hochheim
- Eckhart von Hochheim
- econome
- economus; oeconomus
- Eight Precepts
- Eihei Dogen
- Eisai (1114–1215); Yosai
- eka
- Ekadandisannyasi
- ekklesiarches
- ekklesiatikos
- elachary
- elder; gheronda (Greek monks); gerontas (Greek monks); gerontissa (Greek nuns); starets (Slavic)
- elect
- eleutheron, idiodespoton
- Elisabeth of Schonau, St. (ca. 1129–1164)
- embrimia
- emptiness monks
- emptor
- enclosed communities
- enclosure
- encowl
- English Benedictine Congregation
- English Benedictine Reform
- enkleistos
- enkleistra
- Ennin (793 or 794–864 ce); Jikaku Daishi (Japan)
- enpatsu
- enzu
- epanokalimafko
- epanokalimavkion; epanokalimafko;
- epanokamelavkion
- ephoros
- epistemonarches
- epiteretes
- E.R. Cam.
- eremite
- eremitic
- eremitical
- esorason
- Essaioi
- Essenes; Isiyim (Ancient Hebrew); Essēnoi (Greek); Essaioi (Greek); Ossaioi (Greek)
- Essenoi
- Ethelwold of Winchester, St.
- Ethiopian monasticism
- Ethiopic Collectio Monastica; Ethiopic Paternicon; Wisdom of the Elders of Ethiopia; Book of the History of the Fathers and of Their Words; Gannat
- Ethiopic Paternicon
- Eugenios, Saint
- Evagrius Ponticus (345–399)
- Evening Prayer
- exarch
- exclaustration
- excommunication
- exeant
- exeat; exeant
- executive council
- exemption
- exennia
- exorason
- extern sacristan
- extern sisters
- extra-claustral buildings
- F
- fakir
- Falconieri, St. Juliana
- familia
- familiars; familia
- fangzhang
- farmery
- Fatebenefratelli
- father
- father abbot
- father immediate
- Father of Eastern Monasticism
- Father of English History
- Father of Monks
- Father of Scholasticism
- Father of Western Christian Monasticism
- Federated Ursulines
- Felix of Valois, St.
- fenestra parvula
- feretrar
- fermerer
- fermery
- Feuillantine
- Feuillants; Congregation of Notre-Dame des Feuillants (France); Bernardoni (Italy); Reformed Bernardines
- filatio
- filiation
- Fiorensians
- First Hour
- first order
- first vows
- Five Bhikkhus
- forest monks
- Forest Tradition; Kammaṭṭhāna Forest Tradition
- formation guide
- formation master; formation mistress; formation guide
- formation mistress
- fornication
- Founder of Christian Monasticism
- Four
- Francis de Sales, St.
- Francis of Assisi, St. (1181 or 1182–1226)
- Francis of Paola, St. (1416–1507)
- Franciscan Clarist Order
- Franciscans
- frater
- frateries
- fraticelli
- Fraticelli
- Fraticelli de Paupere Vita
- fratres barbati; barbati fratres; bearded brothers; conventual builders
- Fratres Conventuales
- Fratres Cruciferi
- Fratres Minores Conventuales
- Fratres Saccati
- Fratres Vitae Communis
- friar
- Friars de Domina
- Friars Minor Conventual
- Friars of Our Lady
- Friars of St. Mary of Vauvert
- Friars of the Blessed Mary; Pied Friars; Friars of our Lady; Friars De Domina; Friars of St. Mary of Vauvert; Friars of the Mother of Christ
- Friars of the Mother of Christ
- Friars of the Penance of Jesus Christ
- Friars of the Sack; Friars of the Penance of Jesus Christ; Blue Friars; Brothers of Penitence; Order of the Penance of Jesus Christ; Fratres Saccati
- Friars of the Strict Observance
- Friars Preacher
- friary
- fuga mundi; flight from the world
- fugitive religious
- fugitivi
- Fujii, Nichidatsu (1885–1985)
- fukuten
- fusu; fūsu
- fuzui
- G
- gahapati
- gahattha
- Gahusan
- galilee
- Gampopa (1079–1153); Sönam Rinchen
- ganini aryika
- ganini aryika pramukha
- Gannat
- garth
- Gaston of Valloire
- gatekeeper
- geku
- gelong
- gelongma
- general
- general chapter
- general superior
- German Order
- gerontas
- gerontikon
- gerontissa
- getsul
- getsulma
- gheronda
- gidan
- gihin
- Gilbertines
- gileko
- Gioacchino da Fiore
- Giovanni Pietro Carafa
- goannai
- godo; godō
- goenpa
- going forth
- gomai
- Gosains
- gozan bungaku
- Gozzolini, St. Sylvester
- granarias
- granator
- granatorius; granarias; granator
- grand master
- grand mistress
- Grandmontines; Order of Grandmont; Boni Homines; Bonshommes
- grange
- Great Lavra
- great schema; megaloschemos (Greek); schima (Church Slavonic)
- great silence; greater silence; night silence
- greater prior
- greater silence
- Greco-Buddhist monks
- Gregory the Great, St. (ca. 540–604)
- Grey Friars
- Grey Monks
- grhapati; grhin; grihastha
- Griffiths, Bede (1906–1993); Dayananda, Swami
- Groote, Gerard
- grwa phrug
- grwa tshogs
- Gualbert, John
- Gualberto, Giovanni (ca. 985–1073), St.; Gualberto, John
- Gualberto Visdomini
- guardian
- guardian of the cloister
- Gueranger, Prosper Louis Pascal (1805–1875)
- guesthouse; hospice; hospitium
- guestmaster
- guestmistress
- Guide for Anchoresses
- Guigo I (1083–1136)
- Guigo II (fl. 12th century)
- guimpe
- guru
- guruma
- Gutoku
- Gyatso, Tenzin
- gyodo
- gyrovagi
- gyrovagues; gyrovagi; circumcelliones; widscrithul (Anglo-Saxon)
- H
- habit
- hagioscope; squint; leper window; lychnoscope
- Haid, Leo (1849–1924)
- Hakuin Ekaku (1686–1768)
- Halabites
- halios
- hall monk
- han
- Harding, Stephen
- Harriet, Mother
- hashin kyuji
- he shang
- hebdomadarian
- hebdomadary; hebdomadarian
- hegumen; hegumenos; igumen; hegumenia (female); ihumenia (female)
- hegumenate
- hegumene
- hegumenia
- hegumenos
- helle
- Heloise (ca. 1100–1164)
- hemina
- herb garden; herbarium
- herbarium
- hermit; eremite; recluse; solitary; westensetla (Anglo-Saxon)
- Hermit Sisters of St. Augustine
- hermitage; hermitary
- hermitary
- Hermits of St. Augustine
- Hermits of St. Damiano
- Hermits of St. Francis of Assisi
- Hermits of St. Jerome
- Hermits of the Order of the Minims
- Hesperinon
- hesychasm; hesychia
- hesychast
- hesychasterion
- hesychia
- hierodeacon
- hieromonachos
- hieromonk; hieromonachos
- Hieronymites
- hieroschemamonk
- Hilarion, St. (291–371)
- Hilda of Whitby, St. (ca. 614–680)
- Hildebrand of Sovana
- Hildegard of Bingen, St. (ca. 1098–1179); Hildegard von Bingen
- Hildegard von Bingen
- Hindu monasticism
- Hindu warrior monks; Gosains; Bairagis
- Hirsau Reforms
- Hngettwin Nikaya; Catubhummika Ma-hāsatipaṭṭhana Nikāya
- hoan
- hojo
- Holy Lavra of Saint Sabbas
- Holy Man of Renunciation
- Holy Mountain
- Honen
- hood
- horarium
- hordarian
- horo
- horologion
- hospice
- Hospital Brothers of St. Anthony
- Hospital Sisters
- Hospitaller
- Hospitallers
- Hospitallers of the Observance
- hospitarius
- hospitium
- hosteler
- hostillar
- hostler; hosteler; hospitarius; hostillar; guestmaster; guestmistress
- Hours
- householder; gihin (Pali); gahattha
- Hrabanus
- Hrothswitha of Gandersheim (ca. 932–1000); Roswitha
- Huaihai
- Hubbard, L. Ron
- Hugues de Payens
- Huineng (638–713 ce); Dajian
- Huiyuan (334–416 ce)
- Hume, Basil (1923–1999)
- Humiliati; Barettini
- Humilitas
- Humility, St. (ca. 1226–1310); Humilitas
- Huntington, James
- hyaku-nichi kaihogyo
- hyoseki
- hypertimos
- hyphantes
- I
- idiodespoton
- idiorhythmia
- idiorhythmism; idiorhythmia
- iera kinotis
- Ignatius of Jesus, Father
- igumen
- ihumenia
- Ildebrando di Soana
- immixtio manuum
- imposed guest;
- impropriation
- infirmarer
- infirmarian; infirmarer; infirmarius;
- infirmarius
- infirmary; farmery; fermery
- inji
- inner cassock; inner rason; esórason
- inner enclosure
- inner parlor
- inner rason
- ino
- inryo
- institutes of consecrated life
- Institutione Inclusarum de Institutione Inclusarum
- intentionarius
- intern oblate
- Iona Abbey
- Ippen Shonin (1239–1289); Zuien
- Isaac of Nineveh, St. (ca. 613–ca. 700); Isaac the Syrian
- Isaac the Syrian
- Isiyim
- iskeem
- Islam
- J
- Jacobins
- Jain
- jata
- Jerome, St. (ca. 345–420)
- Jeronymites
- Jesuit's drops
- Jewish monasticism
- jihatsu
- Jikaku Daishi
- jikido; jikidō
- jikijitsu
- jingren
- jinju; jinjū
- Jinul
- jisha
- Joachim of Fiore (ca. 1135–1202); Gioacchino da Fiore
- Joachimites; Joachites
- Joachites
- John Cassian, St. (ca. 360–ca. 435)
- John Chrysostom, St. (ca. 349–407)
- John Climacus, St. (fl. 6th-7th centuries); John of the Ladder
- John Damascene
- John
- John of Damascus, St. (ca. 675–749);
- John of God, St.
- John of the Cross, St. (1542–1591)
- John of the Ladder
- joju
- jokei
- josaku
- Joseph of Volokolamsk, St. (1439 or 1440–1515); Joseph Volotsky
- Joseph
- Josephinians
- Josephite monasticism
- Josephites
- jubilarian
- Judaism
- Julian of Norwich (ca. 1342–ca. 1413)
- junior
- juniorate
- K
- kaapiya-karaka
- kafu
- kaichin
- kaihan
- kaihogyo
- kaijo
- kaisando; kaisandō
- kaiyoku
- kalimavkion; kalymafki; kalymmavchi; kamilavka
- kalymafki
- kalymmavchi
- kamandalu
- kamilavka
- kammatthana; kammaṭṭhāna
- Kammatthana Forest Tradition of Thailand
- kanban bukuro
- kancho; kanchō
- kandelarios
- kanonarches
- kansho; kanshō
- Kapalika; Kāpālika
- karmapa
- kasava
- kasaya; kāṣāya (Sanskrit); kasāva (Pali); kesa (Japanese); gasa (Korean); jiāshā (Chinese); cà-sa (Vietnamese)
- kashaku; kato
- kashiwabuton
- katapemptos
- kathegumen; katheoumenos
- katheoumenos
- Kathina
- kathisma
- kathismata
- katholikon
- kato
- Keating, Thomas (1923–)
- keisaku
- kellarios; kellarites
- kellarites
- kellia
- Kellia; Cells
- kellion
- kelliotes
- kenchen
- kentan
- kesa
- kesa bunko
- khajjabhajaka
- khatvanga
- khenchung
- khenmo
- khenpo
- khenrab
- khyim-pa
- kiku
- kilrosi
- King's Book
- kitan ryushaku
- kitchener; coquinarius; kitchenmaster
- kitchenmaster
- klepalo
- klobuk
- Knights Hospitaller; Hospitallers; Knights of St. John; Order of Knights of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem; Order of St. John; Order of Hospitallers; Sovereign Military Order of Malta
- Knights of St. John
- Knights of St. Julian
- Knights of the Cross with the Red Star; Military Order of the Crusaders of the Red Star; Ordo Militaris Crucigerorum cum Rubea Stella; Canonici Regulares Sanctissimae Crucis a Stella Rubea; Crucigeri cum Rubea Stella; Crucigeri Stellati; Stelliferi
- Knights Templar; Templars; Poor Knights
- Knowles, M. David (1896–1974)
- Kobo-Daishi
- koinobion
- kokuho
- kolonsowa
- Komuso; Komusō
- komvoshinion
- kontorasson
- koromo
- korwat
- Koso Joyo Daishi
- kotai
- kotan
- kotsu
- koukoulion; kukol (Church Slavonic)
- koun ryusui
- koza
- Kozłowska, Feliksa Magdalena (1862–1921); Sr. Maria Franciszka; Mateczka
- krestonets
- kshullak
- kshullika
- Ktistai; Ctistae
- kufu; kufū
- Kukai (774–835); Kūkai;
- Kumbh Mela
- Kunga Gyeltsen (1182–1251)
- kuri
- kushalaka
- kuti; kuṭī (Pali, Thai)
- kyosaku; kyōsaku; keisaku (Rinzai)
- kyozo
- kyriakon
- L
- lagan
- lama
- Lament, Bolesława Maria (1862–1946)
- Lanfranc (ca. 1005–1089)
- laosynaktes
- larderer
- Latin Rule
- Lauds
- laura
- laus perennis
- lavatorium
- laver; lavatorium
- lavra
- lavritic
- lay abbot, abbas laicus; abbas miles;
- lay brothers
- Lay Carmelites
- lay monastics; lay brothers; lay sisters; extern sisters diakonetes (Greek Orthodox Church)
- lay sisters
- Leadership
- leaning staff
- Lebanese Antonin Order; Antonin Maronite Order; Antonins; Mar Chaya Monks
- Lebanese Maronite Order; Baladites; Valadites; Ordre Libanais Maronite
- LeClercq, Jean (1911–1993)
- lectio divina
- lecture hall
- legenda
- Lent
- Leonardi, St. Giovanni
- leper
- leprosarium
- LeSaux, Henri (1910–1973); Abhishiktananda
- lesser schema
- lesser silence
- libellikon
- libellos
- liber vitae
- librarian; armarius; bibliophylax (Eastern Church); bibliothekarios (Eastern Church)
- library; bibliotheca; armarium
- licentiate
- Liciac, Stephen
- life vows
- limitation
- limiter; limitour
- limitour
- liti
- Little Flower of Jesus
- Little Gidding
- little habit
- Little Hours
- little schema
- little silence; lesser silence; simple silence
- Liturgy of the Hours
- Lives of the Fathers; Lives of the Desert Fathers; Vitae Patrum
- locutorium
- locutory
- lodge
- Longo, Maria
- luang phi
- luang por; luang pho
- luang pu
- luang ta
- Luther, Martin (1483–1546)
- Lutheran
- lychnoscope
- Lyne, Joseph Leycester (1837–1908); Ignatius of Jesus, Father
- lynghouse
- M
- Macarius of Egypt, St. (ca. 300–391); Macarius the Elder; Macarius the Great
- Macarius the Elder
- Macarius the Great
- Macrina the Younger, St. (ca. 330–379)
- mae chee
- mae jis
- maechi (Thailand); mae chee (Thailand); mae jis (Thailand); dasa sil mata (Sri Lanka); donchee (Cambodia); thilashin (Myanmar, Nepal); guruma (Nepal, Laos), sayalay (Myanmar); siladhara (England); ten precept mother
- Mael Ruain, St. (d. 792); Máel Ruain
- mageiras
- magistra
- magna fenestra versatilis
- magoulikion; phakiolion; skepe
- Maha Dwara Nikaya; Maha Dwaya
- Maha Dwaya Nikaya
- Mahadvara Nikaya
- mahant
- Mahapajapati Gotami; Mahāpajāpatī Gotamī (Pali); Mahāprajāpatī Gautamī (Sanskrit)
- Mahasthabir Nikaya
- mahathera; mahāthera
- mahavihara
- Main, John (1926–1982)
- majjhima
- Major Hours
- major superior
- manciple
- mandias
- mandorasson
- mandriarch
- mandyas
- Manichaeism
- manistan
- Mantellatae
- mantiya
- mantle; mandias (Greek); mandyas (Greek); mantíya (Church Slavonic)
- Mar Chaya Monks
- Mar Saba; Holy Lavra of Saint Sabbas; Great Lavra
- marathon monks
- Mariamite Maronite Order; Aleppians; Halabites; Ordo Maronita Mariamita; Ordo Maronita Beatae Mariae Virginis Aleppians
- Marie, Mother
- Marmion, Columba (1858–1923)
- marriage
- martha
- Martin of Tours, St. (ca. 316 or 336–397)
- martyrdom
- martyrology
- Mary of the Gaels
- master general
- master of children; mistress of children
- master of work
- matha
- Mathurins
- Matins; Night Office; Orthros (Orthodox)
- matricularius; master of work; maître d'oeuvre; clerk of the works
- Maturins
- Maurists
- Maximos the Greek
- Maximos the Hagiorite
- Maximus the Greek, St. (1475–1556); Maximos the Greek; Maximos the Hagiorite;
- Maximus the Philosopher
- Mechitarists
- mediocre
- megaloschemos
- Mekhitar of Sebaste
- Mekhitarists; Mechitarists
- Mellifluous Doctor
- melote; pera
- Members of the Covenant; Sons of the Covenant; Benai Qeima (men); Daughters of the Covenant; Benat Qeima (women)
- mendicant
- Mendicant Century
- mendicant orders
- mensa
- Mercedarians
- Merciful Brothers
- Merici, St Angela
- Merton, Thomas (1915–1968)
- Mesonyktikon
- metanoia
- Meteora
- Methodist monasticism
- metochion
- Michaelites
- Milarepa (ca. 1052–ca. 1135 ce)
- military order
- Military Order of the Crusaders of the Red Star
- Milleret, St. Marie Eugénie
- Minimi
- Minims
- minister general; general minister; minister generalis
- minister generalis
- minister provincial
- Minor Hours, Little Hours
- Minoresses
- Minorites
- minuti
- minutor
- mircoschema
- misericord; misericordia
- misericordia
- Missa
- Missionaries
- Missionary Sisters of the Holy Family
- mistress; martha
- mistress of children
- miter
- mixed house
- mixed rule
- mixtum
- mnemosyna
- monachae
- monachise
- monachism
- monasterial
- monastery; cenobium; matha (Hinduism); goenpa (Dzongkha); lamasery (Tibet & Mongolia)
- Monastery of St. Anthony
- Monastery of St. John the Forerunner
- Monastery of Stoudios
- monastic
- Monastic Family of Bethlehem, of the Assumption of the Virgin, and of St. Bruno; Monks and Sisters of Bethlehem
- monastic fraternities
- monastic Lent
- Monastic State of the Teutonic Knights; State of the Teutonic Order; Staat des Deutschen Ordens; Deutschordensstaat
- monastical
- monasticism; monachism
- monasticon
- Mongkut (1804–1868); Rama IV
- monk
- monkery
- monkhood
- monkish
- Monks
- Monte Cassino
- monydrion
- More, Gertrude (1606–1633)
- Morning Prayer
- Moronites
- Morrow Mass
- mother
- mother general
- mother house
- mother prior
- mother superior
- Mount Athos
- Mula Sangha
- Mulasarvastivada Vinaya
- Mun Bhuridatta Thera (1870–1949)
- muni; nirgrantha
- murmuring
- mustardarius
- mynstermon
- N
- Naga sadhus; Naga sādhus
- naginata
- nakatan
- nap; siesta
- narashimono
- Nath;
- Nath Siddhas
- Natha
- navaka
- navakammika
- Nazirite
- necessarium
- necrology
- nen
- neophyte
- Nestorian monasticism
- nestyazhateli
- New
- Nguam Phanit
- Nguyen Xuan Bao
- Nhat Hanh, Thich
- Night Hours
- Night Office
- night silence
- night stairs
- nikayas; nikāyas; monastic fraternities; frateries
- Nil Sorsky
- Nilus of Sora, St. (ca. 1433–1508); Nil Sorsky
- Ninth Hour
- nirgrantha; muni
- nissaya-muttaka
- nisshitsu
- Nitria
- nitten soji; nitten sōji
- niwazume; tangaryo; tangazume
- niya sanjitsu
- nocturnes
- Nolasco, St. Peter
- None; Ninth Hour (Orthodox)
- nonnae
- non-possessors; nestyazhateli
- Noon Prayer; Diurnam
- Norbert, St.
- Norbertines
- noso; nōsō
- novice; neophyte; poslushnik (Russian)
- novice guardian; novice master; novice mistress
- novice master
- novice mistress
- novitiate
- nun town
- nunnery
- nuns; sisters; sanctimoniales; monachae; nonnae; tasooni (Coptic)
- Nuns of the Third Order of Servites; Mantellatae
- nuntius
- nutritae
- nutriti (male); nutritae (female)
- O
- O. Camald.; O.S.B. Cam.
- O. Cart.
- O. Cist.
- O. de M.
- Oath of Supremacy
- obedience (noun)
- obedience (verb)
- obedientiary
- obedientiary prior
- obedientiary priory; simple priory
- obedientiary system
- oblates
- oblation
- Observantines
- Observants
- O.C.D.
- O.C.S.O.
- oeconomus
- Oengus the Culdee
- office hymn
- officiant
- O.F.M. Cap.; O.M. Cap.; O.S.F.C.
- ogho
- O.H.C.
- oikonomos
- Olivetans;
- O.M.
- O.M. Cap.; O.F.M. Cap.; O.S.F.C
- O.M.C.R.S.
- Opus
- Ora et Labora
- oratory
- order
- Order of Alcantara; Knights of St. Julian; Orde de Alcántara (Leonese); Orden de Alcántara (Spanish)
- Order of Aubrac
- Order of Augustinian Recollects; Augustinian Recollects; Ordo Augustinianorum Recollectorum
- Order of Bethlehemite Brothers; Ordo Fratrum Bethlemitarum; Bethlehemite Brothers; Bethlehem Brothers; Order of the Brothers of Our Lady of Bethlehem
- Order of Brothers of the German House of St. Mary in Jerusalem; Ordo Fratrum Domus Hospitalis Sanctae Mariae Teutonicorum in Jerusalem; Teutonic Knights; Teutonic Order; German Order
- Order of Calatrava
- Order of Canons Regular of Prémontré; Candidus et Canonicus Ordo Praemonstratensis; Norbertines; Premonstratensians; Premonstratensian Order; White Canons; White Canonesses
- Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance; Ordo Cisterciensis Strictioris Observantiae; Trappists (men); Trappistines (women)
- Order of Contemporary Benedictines
- Order of Discalced Augustinians; Discalced Augustinians; Ordo Augustiniensium Discalceatorum
- Order of Discalced Carmelites; Ordo Carmelitarum Discalceatorum; Discalced Carmelites; Barefoot Carmelites; Teresians
- Order of Friars Minor; Ordo Fratrum Minorum; Friars of the Strict Observance; Observants; Observantines
- Order of Friars Minor Capuchin; Ordo Fratrum Minorum Capuccinorum; Capuchins
- Order of Friars Minor Conventual; Friars Minor Conventual; Ordo Fratrum Minorum Conventualium; Conventual Franciscans; Minorites; Grey Friars; Friars of the Community; Fratres Conventuales; Fratres Minores Conventuales; Relaxati
- Order of Friars Servants
- Order of Grandmont
- Order of Hermits of St. Augustine
- Order of Hospitallers
- Order of Interbeing
- Order of Knights of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem
- Order of Merced
- Order of Minims; Minims; Minimi; Hermits of the Order of the Minims; Hermits of St. Francis of Assisi
- Order of Our Lady of Mount Olivet
- Order of
- Order of Preachers; Dominicans; Ordo Praedicatorum; Preaching Friars; Friars Preacher; Black Friars; Jacobins (pejorative)
- Order of St. Anthony; Canons Regular of St. Anthony of Vienne; Canonici Regulares Sancti Antonii; Antonines
- Order of St. Augustine; Ordo Fratrum Sancti Augustini; Austin Friars (UK); Augustinian Friars; Augustinian Hermits; Order of Hermits of St. Augustine; Hermits of St. Augustine
- Order of St. Basil the Great; Basilian Order of St. Josaphat; Ordo Sancti Basilii Magni
- Order of St. Benedict; Ordo Sancti Benedicti; Benedictines; Black Monks (UK); Black Nuns (UK)
- Order of St. Benedict (Orthodox)
- Order of St. Bruno
- Order of St. Clare
- Order of St. Damiano
- Order of St. Jerome; Hieronymites; Jeronymites; Order of St. Jerome, Ordo Sancti Hieronymi; Hermits of St. Jerome
- Order of St. John
- Order of St. Lazarus; Order of St. Lazarus
- Order of St. Paul the First Hermit; Ordo Fratrum Sancti Pauli Primi Eremitae; Pauline Order
- Order of St. Ursula
- Order of Solomon's Temple
- Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy; Mercedarians; Order of Merced; Order of Our Lady of Ransom; Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy; Ordo Beatae Mariae de Mercede Redemptionis Captivorum; Royal, Celestial and Military Order of Our Lady of Mercy and the Redemption of the Captives
- Order of the Brothers of Our Lady of Bethlehem
- Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel; White Friars
- Order of the Holy Cross
- Order of the Immaculate Conception; Conceptionists; Ordo Inmaculatae
- Order of the Most Holy Savior; Bridgettines; Bridgettine Order; Ordo Sanctissimi Salvatoris
- Order of the Most Holy Trinity; Order of the Most Holy Trinity and of the Captives; Ordo Sanctissimae Trinitatis et Captivorum; Redemptionists; Mathurins; Maturins; Red Friars
- Order of the Most Holy Trinity and of the Captives
- Order of the Penance of Jesus Christ
- Order of the Service of Mary; Servites; Ordo Servorum Beatae Mariae Virginis; Order of Friars Servants of Mary
- Order of the Visitation
- Order of Tiron; Tironensian Order; Grey Monks
- Order of Watchers; Ordre des Veilleurs
- ordifex
- ordination
- Ordo Augustinianorum Recollectorum
- Ordo Augustiniensium Discalceatorum
- Ordo Basilianus Sancti Iohannis Baptistae
- Ordo Basilianus Sanctissimi Salvatoris
- Ordo Beatae Mariae de Mercede Redemptionis Captivorum
- Ordo Camaldulensium
- Ordo Canonicorum Regularium Sanctae Crucis
- Ordo Carmelitarum Discalceatorum
- Ordo Carmelitarum Discalceatorum
- Ordo Carmelitarum Discalceatorum Saecularis Ordo Cartusiensis
- Ordo
- Ordo Cisterciensis
- Ordo Cisterciensis Strictioris Observantiae
- Ordo Franciscanus Saecularis
- Ordo Fratrum Bethlemitarum
- Ordo Fratrum Minorum
- Ordo Fratrum Minorum Capuccinorum
- Ordo Fratrum Minorum Conventualium
- Ordo Fratrum Sancti Augustini
- Ordo Fratrum Sancti Pauli Primi Eremitae
- Ordo Hospitalarius S. Ioannis de Deo
- Ordo Inmaculatae Conceptionis
- Ordo Maronita Beatae Mariae Virginis Aleppians
- Ordo Maronita Mariamita
- Ordo Militaris Crucigerorum cum Rubea
- Ordo Praedicatorum
- Ordo Sancti Basilii Magni
- Ordo Sancti Benedicti
- Ordo Sancti Hieronymi
- Ordo Sanctissimae Trinitatis et Captivorum
- Ordo Sanctissimi Salvatoris
- Ordo Servorum Beatae Mariae Virginis
- Ordo Visitationis Beatissimae Mariae Virginis
- Ordre Basilien Chouerite de St. Jean
- Ordre Basilien Salvatorien
- Ordre des Veilleurs
- Ordre Libanais Maronite
- Orthodox Community of St. Benedict;
- Orthros
- oryoki; ōryōki; patra (Sanskrit)
- O.S.A.
- O.S.B.
- O.S.B. Cam.; O. Camald.
- O.S.B. Cel.
- O.S.B. Cn
- O.S.C.
- O.S.C. Cap.
- O.S.F.C.; O.M. Cap.; O.F.M. Cap.
- O.S.H.
- oshiku
- osho; oshō (Japanese), he shang (Chinese)
- O.S.M.
- O.S.P.P.E.
- Ossaioi
- O.Ss.S.
- O.SS.T.
- ostiarios
- O.T.
- outer cassock; rasson (Greek); exorason (Greek); mandorrason (Greek); riasa (Russian); ryasa (Russian, Ukrainian); raso (Byzantine)
- outer enclosure
- outer parlor
- P
- pabbajja; pabbajjā (Pali); pravrajya (Sanskrit); shinbyu (Burmese); shinpyu (Burmese); going forth
- pabbijjaniya-kamma
- Pachomius the Great, St. (292–348)
- padre
- Paisius Velichkovsky, St.
- Palamas, Gregory, St. (ca. 1296–1357 or 1359)
- panchen bogd
- panchen lama
- Paolo Consiglieri
- paradise
- parakellarios
- parakellarites
- paraman
- paramand; paramandyas (Greek); paraman (Church Slavonic)
- paramandyas
- parchmenter; percaminarius
- parlor; locutorium; locutory; auditorium; day room; common house; speke house
- parlor window
- paroikonomos
- paruchia
- Patimokkha; Prātimokṣa (Sanskrit)
- patisaraniya kamma
- patra
- Paul of Thebes, St. (ca. 227–ca. 341); Paul the Anchorite
- Paul the Anchorite
- Pauline Order
- peculiar
- peculium
- penitentiary
- pera
- percaminarius
- perpetual
- perpetual prayer; continual prayer; laus perrenis
- perpetual vows
- Peter Damian, St. (ca. 1007–ca. 1072)
- Peter of Alcantara, St. (1499–1562)
- Peter of St. Joseph Betancur
- phakiolion
- phalabhajaka
- Philokalia
- phlebotomy
- phongyibyan; phongyibyan pwe;
- phra
- Phra Dharmakosacarya
- picchi
- pidryasnyk
- Pied Friars
- Pilgrimage of Grace
- pindapat
- Pinzochera
- Pirmin, St.
- Pirminius
- pisalis
- piscina
- pittance
- pittancer
- plumbarium
- podriasnik; podryásnik
- podryasnik
- polystavrion
- Poor Clares; Order of St. Clare; Poor Ladies; Poor Enclosed Nuns; Order of St. Damiano, Minoresses; Franciscan Clarist Order; Second Order of St. Francis; Urbanist Poor Clares
- Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration
- Poor Enclosed Nuns
- Poor
- Poor Knights of Christ
- Poor Ladies
- Poresigh, Abram Atar
- porter; gatekeeper; doorkeeper; ostiarios (Greek Orthodox); pyloros (Greek Orthodox); thyroros (Greek Orthodox)
- posadha
- poslushnik
- possessors
- post-nominal
- postulancy; probation
- postulant
- poulter
- poustinia
- poustinik
- Praeceptor Germaniae
- praepositus
- prandium
- Pratimoksa
- pratyekabuddha
- pravarana (Pali); jishi (Japanese)
- pravrajya
- Preaching Friars
- precentor
- precept master
- preceptor
- preceptory
- precinct
- prelate
- Premonstratensians
- Presbyterian Church monasticism
- president-general
- Prime; First Hour
- Primitives
- prior
- prior claustralis
- prior conventualis
- prior general
- prior major; greater prior
- prior of the cloisters
- prior provincial
- prioral
- priorate; priorship
- prioress; sister prior
- priorship
- priory; cell; obedience
- prisons
- pristrinum
- privy
- probation
- procession
- procuration
- professed
- profession
- profession ring
- prohegumen
- pronoetes
- proprietary
- proprietary church
- protohegumen
- protopresbyteros
- protos
- province
- provincial
- provisor
- provost; praepositus (Latin)
- Pseudo-Apostles
- pseudomonastic
- psychika
- pudding house
- pudding wife
- puer oblatus
- puja; pūjā
- pulpitum
- Pure Rules; Cheonggyu
- pyloros
- Q
- quasimonastic
- questarius
- quire
- R
- Rabanus Maurus Magnentius
- Radha Charan Mahasthabir
- rajoharan
- rakusu
- Rama IV
- Ramakrishna Order
- Rancé, Armand Jean le Bouthillier
- raso
- rasophoros
- rasso
- rassophore; rasophoros (Church Slavonic)
- rasura
- Raymond of Fitero, St.
- RB
- reader in frater
- reclinatoria
- recluse
- Recollects
- rector
- rector general
- Red Friars
- Redemptionists
- refectorer; refectorian; refectorias; fraterer
- refectorian
- refectorias
- refectorium
- refectory; refectorium; frater; fratery; trapeza (Eastern Church); aristeterion (Greek)
- refectory pulpit; frater pulpit
- reformado
- Reformed Bernardines
- regula
- Regula Bullata
- Regula Canonicorum
- Regula Magistri
- Regula Non Bullata
- Regula Prima
- Regula Secunda
- Regula Virginum
- regular canon
- regular canonesses
- regular clergy; regulars
- Regular Clerks of the Community
- Regular Clerks of the Divine Providence
- regular oblate
- Regularis Concordia
- regulars
- Relaxati
- religious
- religious house
- religious
- Religious of the Assumption; Religious Sisters of the Assumption; Sisters of the Assumption
- Religious of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis
- religious order; order
- Religious Sisters of the Assumption
- remoboths
- Rennyo (1415–1499)
- renunciate
- renunciation
- rere-dorter; necessarium; domus necessaria
- retro-choir; retro-quire (UK)
- retro-quire
- reverend father
- reverend mother
- revestiarius
- Rhabanus
- riasa
- Riepp, Benedicta (1825–1862)
- rinpoche
- rintan
- RM
- Robert of Molesme, St. (ca. 1028–1111)
- rochet
- rohatsu; rōhatsu
- Romuald, St. (ca. 950–ca. 1025–1027)
- roshi; rōshi
- Roswitha
- rota
- rotularius
- rotulus
- Royal, Celestial and Military Order of Our Lady of Mercy and the Redemption of the Captives
- Rule for a Recluse
- Rule for Virgins; Regula Virginum
- Rule of Ceili De; Rule of
- Rule of Grandmont
- rule of life; regula
- Rule of St. Albert
- Rule of St. Augustine
- Rule of St. Basil
- Rule of St. Benedict; Regula Benedicti
- Rule of St. Chrodegang; Regula Canonicorum
- Rule of St. Clare
- Rule of St. Columba
- Rule of St. Columbanus
- Rule of St. Francis
- Rule of St. Stephen
- Rule of the Knights Templar
- Rule of the Master; Regula Magistri
- ryasa
- S
- sa di
- Sabaite
- Sabbas the Sanctified, St. (439–532)
- Sacred Congregation for Consultations about Regulars
- Sacred Monastery of the
- sacristan; ecclesiarch (Eastern church); skeuophylax (male, Eastern Orthodox Church); skeuophylakiss (females, Eastern Orthodox church)
- sacristy; skeuophylakion (Eastern Orthodox)
- sadhu, sādhu; sannyāsī; swami; vairagi
- sadhvi; sādhvī; sanyāsini; swamini;
- Saicho (767–822 ce); Dengyō Daishi
- St. Catherine's Monastery; Sacred Monastery of the God-Trodden Mount Sinai
- St. Peter's Abbey, Solesmes
- saiza
- Sakya Pandita
- sakya-putta; sākya-putta
- Salesian Sisters
- sallekhana; santhara
- salter; mustardarius
- Salvatorian Fathers
- samakaccka
- samakaksika
- samana
- samanen
- samaner
- samanera; sāmaṇera (Pali); samanen (Thai); samaner (Khmer); sa di (Vietnamese); śrāmaṇera (Sanskrit); shāmí (Chinese); getsül (Tibetan); shin thamanei (Burmese)
- samanerapsaka
- samaneri; sāmaṇerī (Pali); śrāmaṇerī (Sanskrit); śrāmaṇerikā (Sanskrit); shāmíní (Chinese); śikṣamāṇā (Sans-krit); sikkhamānā (Pali); shìchāmónà (Chinese); getsulma (Tibetan)
- samgha
- samghati; saṃghāti
- samnyasa
- samu
- samue
- samvegi
- sanctinomiales
- sando
- sangha; saṃgha (Sanskrit); sēngjiā (Chinese)
- sangha-bheda
- sangha sammuti
- sanghadisesa
- sangharaja
- Sangharaja
- Sangharaja Saramedha Mahasthabira
- sanguinati
- sanno
- sannyasa; sannyāsa; saṃnyāsa
- sannyasi
- sannyasini
- santhara
- sanzen
- sarabaites; remoboths; sylfdemas (Anglo-Saxon)
- sarozium
- sarvabhutahita
- Savignac Order; Congregation of Savigny
- Savonarola, Girolamo (1452–1498)
- sayadaw
- sayalay
- S.C.
- scapular
- scedula
- scetis
- Scetis; Sketis; Wadi El Natrun
- schema
- schema monk
- schema nun
- Schenoudi
- schima
- Scholastica, St. (ca. 480–543)
- Schutz, Roger (1915–2005)
- Scientology monasticism
- scriptorarius
- scriptorium
- Sea Organization
- Second Benedict
- second order
- Second Order of St. Francis
- secular abbot
- Secular Carmelites
- Secular Franciscan Order
- Secular Institute
- Secular Institute of St. Angela Merici
- secular oblates
- Secular
- Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel and of the Holy Mother St. Teresa of Jesus
- secularization
- secularize
- Segarelli, Gerard
- seichu
- self-immolation
- semandron
- semantarion
- semantron; semandron; semantarion; xylon; xulon; toaca (Romanian); bilo (Russian); klepalo (Bulgarian, Macedonian, Serbian)
- semi-monastic
- senasanagghahapaka
- senasanapannapaka
- sengjia
- senich kaihogyo
- senmon dojo
- sennichi kaihogyo
- senpectae
- Senuti
- septimanarian
- Seraphic
- Seraphim of Sarov, St. (1754 or 1759–1833)
- Serge of Radonezh
- Sergey Radonezhsky
- Sergius of Radonezh, St. (ca. 1314–1392); Sergey Radonezhsky; Serge of Radonezh
- Servites
- servitors; sizars
- sesshin
- setsu ango
- Seven Holy Founders
- Sext; Sixth Hour (Orthodox)
- seynies; seyny
- Shakers; United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing
- shakuhachi
- shamarpa
- shamí
- shamini
- shaucha
- shaveling
- shaving; rasura
- Shen-hsiu
- Shenouda
- Shenoute of Atripe
- Shenoute the Archimandrite
- Shenoute the Great, St. (ca. 350–ca. 466); Shenoute the Archimandrite; Shenoute of Atripe; Shenouda; Schenoudi; Senuti
- Shenxiu
- shichamona
- shichido garan
- shika
- shike
- shikunichi
- shin thamanei
- shin'igi
- shinkin
- shinpyu
- Shinran (1173–1263)
- shinto
- shippei
- shokan
- shripujya
- shukin
- shuto
- shuya
- Shwegyin Nikaya; Shwekyin Nikāya
- Shwekyin Nikaya
- Sibyl of the Rhine
- siesta
- Sikhism
- sikkhamana
- siksamana
- siladhara
- sima; sīma
- simple priory
- simple silence
- simple vows; first vows
- singnad janeu
- sister prior
- Sisterhood of the Holy Communion
- sisters
- Sisters for Christian Community
- Sisters of Charity
- Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace
- Sisters of Suffering
- Sisters of the Assumption
- sisya
- Sixth Hour
- sizars
- skepe
- skete
- Sketis
- skeuophylakion
- skeuophylakissa
- skeuophylax
- skoufos
- skufia; skufiya; skoufos
- skufiya
- slype
- small schema
- snaghati
- soan
- societa
- society of apostolic life
- Society of St. Augustine; Societas Sancti Augustini; Augustinians of Kansas
- Society of St. John the Evangelist; Cowley Fathers
- socius
- sodo; sōdō; sorin, senmon dōjō
- sohei; sōhei; shuto
- Soldiers of St. Antony
- solemn vows; life vows; perpetual vows
- Solesmes Abbey; Abbaye Saint-Pierre de Solesmes; St. Peter's Abbey, Solesmes
- Sons
- sosan; sōsan
- sostikon
- Sovereign Military Order of Malta
- sozarei
- spatiamentum
- Specific Behavior for the Templar Order; Latin Rule; Rule of the Knights Templar
- speke house
- spendement
- Spiritual Franciscans; Spirituals; Fraticelli; Spiritual Franciscans; Zelanti; Michaelites; Fraticelli de Paupere Vita; Brothers of the Poor Life
- Spirituals
- squint
- sramanera
- sramaneri
- sramanerika
- S.S.J.E.
- stabilitas
- stability; stabilitas
- stall
- staple
- starets
- staritsa
- startsy; starets (men); staritsa (women)
- statio
- stationaries
- stauropegial monastery
- stauropegion
- stavropegial monastery; stavropegic monastery; stauropegial monastery
- stavropegic monastery
- stavrophore; stavrophoros (Greek); little schema; lesser schema; microschema; small schema; krestonosets (Church Slavonic)
- stavrophoros
- Stein, Edith (1891–1942); Teresa Benedicta of the Cross; Teresa Benedicta a Cruce (Latin)
- Stelliferi
- Stephen of Muret, St.
- Stephen of Perm, St. (1340–1396)
- stew pond; stew
- Stockdale, Henrietta (1847–1911)
- Stoudion
- Stoudios
- Stoudite
- Strict Observance of the Order of Grand-mont
- Studion
- Studios; Stoudios; Stoudion; Studion; Monastery of Stoudios; Monastery of St. John the Forerunner
- Studite; Stoudite
- stupa
- stylite
- subalmoner
- subcantor
- subcellarer; parakellarios (Eastern Church); parakellarites (Eastern
- subdean
- Subiaco Abbey; Abbey of St. Scholastica; Abbazia di Santa Scolastica
- Subiaco Cassinese Congregation
- Subiaco Congregation
- subordinate prior
- subordinate prioress
- subprior; subprioress
- subprioress
- subsacrist; undersacristan; paraecclesiarch (Eastern church)
- succentor; subcantor
- Sudhamma Nikaya
- Suger
- suikai
- suizen
- superior
- superior general;
- supper; cena
- supreme moderator
- suzu
- Svetambara; Śvētāmbara
- swami
- swamini
- sylfdemas
- Sylvestrine Congregation
- Symeon the New Theologian, St. (949–1022)
- synaxis
- synodikon
- T
- Ta Tao Fa Tzu
- tabula
- T'ai-hsu
- Taixu (1890–1947); T'ai-hsu
- Taize
- taking the veil
- taku
- takuhatsu
- talapoin; talapoy
- talapoy
- tan
- tanbuton
- tangaryo
- tangazume
- tanto; tantō
- Taoist monasticism
- taphiotes
- tashi-lama
- tasooni
- taylery
- Teacher of Germany
- Teaching Priests of the Ardèche
- teihatsu
- Templars
- temple town
- tempora minutionis
- ten precept mother
- Ten Precepts
- Tendai monks
- tengai
- tenjin
- Tenzin
- tenzo
- Terce; Third Hour (Orthodox)
- Teresa Benedicta a Cruce
- Teresa Benedicta of the Cross
- Teresa of Avila, St. (1515–1582); Teresa of Jesus
- Teresa of Calcutta, Mother (1910–1997)
- Teresa of Jesus
- Teresians
- terrar
- territorial abbey; abbey nullius; abbatia nullius dioecesis
- territorial abbot; abbot nullius; abbot nullius dioeceseos
- tertianship
- tertiary
- Tertius Ordo Regularis S. Francisci
- tesho-lama
- teshu-lama
- Teutonic Knights
- Thai Forest Tradition
- thathanabaing; thathanapaing; thatha-napyu
- thathanapaing
- Theatines; Congregation of Clerics Regular of the Divine Providence; Regular Clerks of the Community; Pauline Monks; Apostolic Clerks; Regular Clerks of the Divine Providence
- Theodore of Stoudios
- Theodore of Studium
- Theodore the Studite, St. (ca. 758–ca. 826); Theodorus Studit; Theodore of Stoudios; Theodore of Studium
- Theodorus Studit
- Theodosius
- thera
- Therapeutae
- Therese of Lisieux, St. (1873–1897)
- theri
- Thich
- thilashin
- Third Hour
- third order; third order secular
- Third Order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel; Lay Carmelites
- Third Order Regular of St. Francis of Penance
- Third Order Regular of St. Francis; Third Order Regular of St. Francis of Penance; Religious of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis; Tertius Ordo Regularis S. Francisci
- third order secular
- Third
- third prior; third prioress
- Thomas Aquinas, St. (1225–1274)
- thudong
- thyroros
- ti-khau-ni
- time of lessening
- Tironensian Order
- Tironensians; Tironians
- Tironian
- Tironians
- tithing
- titivil
- titular abbot
- titulus
- toaca
- tokudo
- Tolomei, Bernardo
- tonsure
- T.O.R.
- Transcendental Meditation Movement
- trapeza
- trapezarios
- trapezopoios
- Trappistines
- Trappists
- Traveling Saint
- treasuress
- Trinitarians
- tudong; thudong
- tulka
- tungshag hakang; confession temple
- tunic
- turn
- turnbroach
- turning window; turn; turntable; rota; magna fenestra versatilis
- turntable
- typicon
- typikon; typicon; hypotyposis
- U
- ubhato-sangha
- Ugolino's Rule
- uncloister
- uncowl, defrock, uncloister
- undaka-satika
- undercroft
- United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing
- unpan
- unsui; kōun ryūsui
- upadhyay
- upadhyayani
- upajjhaaya
- upasampada; upasampadā
- uposatha (Sanskrit); posadha (Pali)
- uposathagara
- Ursulines
- Ursulines of the Roman Union
- Usages; Usus Conversorum
- uttarasanga; uttarāsaṅga
- V
- vagabundi; vagantes
- vairagi
- Valadites
- Vallombrosan Congregation; Vallombrosians
- Valor Ecclesiasticus; King's Book
- vandan
- Varangghana Vanavichayen
- vardapet
- Vassa
- veghar
- veil
- Vespers; Evening Prayer; Evensong;
- vestarium
- vestiarius
- vestivarius
- vicar
- vicarage
- Vigils; Mesonyktikon (Orthodox)
- vihara (Sanskrit, Pali); biara (Malay); wihan (Thai); kyaung (Burmese); wihara (Burmese); vihear (Khmer)
- vihara-civara
- vihear
- villegiatura
- Vinaya
- virgins’
- visitation
- Visitation of Holy Mary
- Visitation Order
- Visitation Sisters
- visitor
- Vistandines
- Vitalis of Mortain
- vocation director
- Volotsky, Joseph
- Voramai Kabilsingh (1908–2003); Ta Tao Fa Tzu
- vowess; avowess
- W
- Wadi El Natrun
- Walafrid Strabo (ca. 808–849)
- Waldensian
- Waldo, Peter
- walking place
- waraji
- warden
- warden of the order
- warden of the shrine; feretrar
- warming house; calefactory; calefactorium; pisalis
- warrior monks
- watching loft
- westensetla
- Westminster Abbey
- White Canonesses
- White Canons
- White Friars
- White Ladies
- white martyrs
- White Monks
- White Nuns
- Wilfrid, St. (634–709)
- Wilhelm von Hirschau
- William of Hirsau (ca. 1030–1091); Wilhelm von Hirschau
- Willibrord, St. (ca. 658–739)
- Wimmer, Boniface (1809–1887)
- wimple
- windows
- Wisdom of the Elders of Ethiopia
- Wolter, Maurus (1825–1890)
- Wolter, Placidus (1828–1908)
- Wonder Worker of Britain
- Wonhyo (617–686)
- X
- xenodocheion
- xenodochios
- xenodochium; xenodocheion
- xulon
- xylon
- Y
- yagubhajaka
- yakuseki
- yati
- yogism
- yokuju
- yokushitsu
- yokusu
- Yosai
- yugyoso; yugyōsō
- Yuquan Shenxiu
- Z
- zagu
- zanka
- zazen
- Zelanti
- zelator; geku (Tibetan)
- zelatrix
- zendo; zendō
- Zhiyi (539–597 ce); Chih-i
- Zhu
- zhuchi
- Zoroastrianism
- zostiko
- Zuien
- zutabukuro