After his enlightenment, Buddha spent his life traveling. He went all 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 give 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. 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. They wear robes. They eat simple food. They own very few things. They vow to follow strict rules. Monks and nuns spend much of their time in meditation and study. They may work in the monastery. They may teach. They may also perform religious services for other Buddhists.
