After his enlightenment, Buddha spent his life traveling around northern India. He shared his teachings everywhere. Buddha died around 483 BCE. By that time, he had many followers.
Some of his followers became monks and nuns. Monks and nuns are men and women who devote their lives to studying and teaching religious beliefs. At first, they wandered around the countryside. Later, they settled down into communities called monasteries.
Today, there are Buddhist monasteries in many countries around the world. What is life like for the monks and nuns there?
Monks live in separate monasteries from nuns. In a typical monastery, the monks or nuns shave their heads and wear robes. They eat simple food. They own very few things. They vow to follow a strict code of discipline. Monks and nuns spend much of their time in meditation and study. They may work in the monastery. They may also teach or perform religious services for other Buddhists.
