Ray Canada
Eng. 632
2-2-09
Monks are spiritual leaders that dedicate their lives to finding the truth. Unlike most religions, they
do not focus on God. They believe that individuals are responsible for their own lives. Monks do not
interact with the outside world so many live separately in monastery’s. They take a vow of
abstinence and their lives revolve around meditation and prayer. Chaucer portrays monks as a religious
group that failed to live up to their own expectations.
When you think of a monk, you should have a picture in your mind of a being that is spiritually
advanced. Unlike many people who follow religion, monks do not wish to do good because there is a
reward in the end. They follow truth because that is what they seek and they are always in search of a
higher reality. They have a reputation for staying secluded from society. They wish to stay amongst
themselves because they are more enlightened than those in the natural world. Monks do not wish to
become tainted with the evils that exist outside of monastary walls. According to Mayank Chhaya’s book
Dalai Lama, “…Buddha reasoned that all the world are essentially born out of selfish desires or thirst”
(42). Monks believe that no individual can reach nirvanna (ultimate truth) if they are controlled by their
own personal desires.
When analyzing various generations of monks, historically they gave up all of their worldly possessions
before they joined the monastery. So traditionally, monks have always been apart of societies lower
class or poor people. However, Chaucer viewed monks quite differently. He believed they were
priviledged. In the General Prologue Chaucer wrote, A monk ther was, a fair for the maistrie” (332). The
monks that he saw wore better clothing than the common people. Chaucer also pointed out
that the monks enjoyed hunting. However, this seems strange because these spiritual guides respect all
aspects...