THIS PAGE DESCRIBES A GUIDE WRITTEN BY SAINT BENEDICT-THE RULE
About the rule
As St Benedict was living as a monk, he wrote a book called “The Rule”which had the rules of monasticism written in it.It had influenced the history of monasticism all across Europe and had inspired monks from around to follow the code of monasticism recorded in the book. Benedict’s main purpose for writing this book was to serve education to beginner monks. He told his followers that if they practice and live according to what was given in the book they would be able to live with Jesus Christ in heaven.Unlike the solitary life that was perfect for Eastern monasticism, Benedict’s plan involved a community in which all monks would get together and have discussions and religious practices. Leadership was a very important responsibility of an abbot who ruled over his monks like how a father rules over his son.
The book also described the daily routine of a monk-After 8 hours of sleep in the night, the monks would get up in the morning and attend prayers.The remainder of the day would be spent on labor, the study of the bible and on other spiritual books and meditation.
A novice would enter the community only after a period of training in the virtues of obedience and humbleness that are important in a monk.
Benedict believed that the life of a monk depended on his brothers in the same community.The responsibility and the duties of a monk was carefully outlined . A monk was to leave behind the world and achieve greater heights in the isolation of the monastery.
The Rule helped monastic communities to organize themselves.Monks were given good care. The Rule has guided communities all over Europe. Given below are two monastic prayers that he wrote in the book.He has taken many ideas from different chapters and verses in the bible:
"Let us get up then,for long last,for the scriptures rouse us when they say,”It is high time for us to arise from sleep(Romans 13:11)Let us open our eyes to the light that comes from god,and our hearts to the voice from heaven that everyday calls out this charge:”If you hear this voice today, do not harden your hearts” (Psalms 94:8).And again: “you have ears to hear, listen to what spirit says to the churches”(Revelation 2:7).And what does he say?”Come and listen to me children, I will teach you the fear of the lord”(Psalms 33:12). “Run while you have the light of life,that the darknes may not overtake you”(John 12:35).
(Chapter 72:The Good zeal of monks)- "This then, is the good zeal which monks must foster with fervent love. They should each try to be the first to show respect to the other, supporting with the greatest patience one another’s weaknesses of body or behaviour, and earnestly competing in obedience to one another. No one is to pursue what he judges better for himself, but instead, what he judges better for someone else. To their fellow monks they show the pure love of brothers; to God, loving fear; to their Abbot, unfeigned and humble love. Let them prefer nothing whatever to Christ, and may he bring us all together to everlasting life."