The Principles and Resources of Benedict's Monasticism

Benedict, one of the important monastic personalities of Catholic Christianity, is called the father of Christian monasticism. Nowadays, the followers of Benedict constitute an important monastic sect and are thought by the instructions of Benedict's book of rules. The present paper presents his biography and discusses the cultural-social conditions of his time. He wrote his book which owes its inspiration to the previous books of principles. Benedict's instructions have exerted crucial influence on the progress of western civilization and mystical life of Christians. In his book of principles, he introduces a brief account of the principles of monastic theology, instructions for spiritual progress, and commands of monastery management. Benedict's principles of monasticism are divided into epistemological, ontological, theological, anthropological, and soteriological principles. The sources of Benedict's monasticism are the Scripture, antecedent's tradition and his mystical experience. The influence of these resources, specially Scripture and tradition, on Benedict's monasticism is evident.