A Day in the Life of a Buddhist Monk

Buddhist monks are often seen at funerals and memorial services, but have you ever wondered what their daily lives are like? Today, let's take a step away from mindfulness and meditation to explore the daily routine of a Buddhist monk.

Titles for Buddhist Monks Vary by Sect

Many people may wonder whether calling a Buddhist monk "O-Bōsan" (お坊さん) is considered impolite. In fact, the appropriate way to address a monk varies depending on the Buddhist sect.

First, "O-Bōsan" is a general, affectionate term used to refer to Buddhist monks (僧侶, sōryo), who have renounced worldly life to undergo Buddhist training. It serves as a broad term for all monks.

Here, we will introduce the differences between Jūshoku (住職) and Oshō-san (和尚さん), as well as other titles used for monks. Additionally, we will explain how to address a monk respectfully.

What is a "Jūshoku" (住職)?

A Jūshoku is a monk who resides in a temple and is responsible for its management and operations. Each temple has only one Jūshoku, and monks who assist or train under the Jūshoku are called "Fuku-Jūshoku" (副住職), or assistant head monks.

What is an "Oshō-san" (和尚さん)?

A Oshō-san refers to a Buddhist monk who has undergone rigorous training and is recognized as a full-fledged teacher of Buddhist teachings.

The kanji "和尚" has multiple pronunciations, which vary depending on the Buddhist sect:

・Jōdo-shū, Rinzai-shū, Sōtō-shū → Oshō (おしょう)
・Shingon-shū → Wajō (わじょう)
・Tendai-shū → Kashō (かしょう)

Notably, in the Jōdo Shinshū sect, the term "Oshō-san" is not used. This is because the word "Oshō" also carries the meaning of someone who grants Buddhist precepts (kairitsu, 戒律).

In Buddhism, precepts refer to the ethical rules that monks and practitioners must follow as part of their spiritual training. Since Jōdo Shinshū does not emphasize monastic precepts, the title "Oshō-san" does not exist within their tradition.

How to Address a Monk Respectfully

If you ever find yourself at a funeral or memorial service and need to address a monk, you might be unsure of the proper way to do so. To help you feel confident in your interactions, here are some respectful ways to address monks, regardless of their sect or position:

・[Temple Name] + Sama (様) – If you know the name of the temple, this is a polite and appropriate way to address the monk.
・Sōryo-sama (僧侶様) – A formal way to refer to a Buddhist monk, regardless of rank.
・[Monk's Last Name] + Sama (様) – If you know the monk’s name, adding "Sama" is a respectful way to address them.

While it's common to refer to monks as "O-Bōsan" in third-person conversations, calling them that directly to their face may be considered impolite, so it's best to be mindful of the appropriate form of address.

A Day in the Life of a Buddhist Monk

How does a Buddhist monk spend their day?
Many people may imagine monks waking up before dawn and dedicating themselves to their duties without rest. While the schedule may vary depending on the sect and the size of the temple, the daily routine differs between novice monks who have just entered Buddhist training and the head priest (jūshoku). Here, we introduce a typical daily schedule of a mid-ranking monk, such as an assistant head priest (fukujūshoku).

6:30 – 7:00 AM: Wake-up

After waking up, the monk gets dressed, opens the temple gates, and begins cleaning the temple grounds.
For trainee monks, the day starts even earlier, with wake-up times between 3:00 and 5:00 AM.

7:30 AM: Morning Service

Monks recite sutras in front of the principal image of Buddha in the temple’s main hall (hondō). They also make offerings such as water and flowers to the Buddha. Additionally, freshly cooked rice (buppan) is offered and then removed before noon.
In autumn, fallen leaves are swept, and in winter, snow is cleared—tasks that vary depending on the size of the temple grounds and the local climate.

8:00 AM: Breakfast

Monks often eat porridge, which is gentle on the stomach. This light meal is known as "shōjiki" (small meal). Traditionally, Buddhism prescribes only one meal per day, eaten before noon.

9:00 AM: Work Begins

On weekdays when there are no funerals or memorial services, monks handle administrative tasks such as accounting.
As the Obon and Higan seasons approach, they also prepare and send invitations for memorial services to parishioners (danka).

12:00 PM: Lunch

A simple meal typically consisting of rice, pickles, miso soup, and simmered vegetables.
On days with outdoor duties or ceremonies, monks may eat a bento or dine out.

1:00 PM: Afternoon Work

Tasks include writing tōba (wooden memorial tablets used for ancestor offerings) upon request from parishioners and listening to visitors who come to the temple.
If there are no scheduled duties, the afternoon may be a period of rest.

5:00 PM: Evening Service

Monks perform their evening sutra chanting and prayers.

6:00 PM: Closing the Temple Gates

If there are no scheduled wake services (otsuya), the temple gates are closed, marking the end of the day's official duties.

Although the day’s formal duties conclude, the head priest, who resides at the temple, must always be present. This responsibility reflects the literal meaning of jūshoku (住職, "resident priest").
When someone passes away, monks must respond to wake service inquiries at any hour—early morning or late at night.

In this sense, the work of a Buddhist monk can be considered a 24-hour duty.

Simple Questions About Monks

Here, we will answer three common questions people have about Buddhist monks.

Do Monks Have Days Off?

The way monks take breaks depends largely on whether they reside at a temple as the head priest (jūshoku) or work at a well-known, large temple.

For monks who permanently reside at their temple, it is generally considered that they do not have official days off. However, since funerals are traditionally not held on Tomobiki days (a day in the Japanese calendar believed to bring good fortune), they may plan ahead and take a break on the day before Tomobiki.

On the other hand, monks working at large temples function similarly to company employees. They have paid leave and typically take their days off on weekdays.

Do Monks Celebrate Christmas?

Do monks decorate Christmas trees and celebrate with a cheerful "Merry Christmas!"?
Research suggests that many monks celebrate Christmas just like ordinary households.

They give Christmas presents to their children, eat cake and chicken, and enjoy the holiday as any other family would. If you search for "Temple Christmas Tree" online, you'll find plenty of images showing that temples are not restricted from celebrating Christmas. There is no rule that forbids monks from celebrating the holiday.

Can You Visit a Monk Just to Meet Them?

Is it acceptable to visit a temple just because you want to meet a monk, even if you have no particular reason?

Surprisingly, some temples actively encourage visitors to come and meet them. It is best to call ahead and confirm whether your visit would be convenient.

"Hōhō Kore Dōjō" – Every Step is a Place of Practice

This is a Zen saying that means "Training is not limited to the temple; daily life itself is a place of practice."

Looking at a monk’s daily schedule, which follows a structured routine, we might find hints on how to live our own lives with mindfulness and purpose.

There are times when daily chores like cooking and cleaning feel tedious. It may seem like the same routine every day, but shifting our perspective can make a difference. By focusing on each task with mindfulness, we can turn ordinary moments into opportunities for self-reflection and peace.

Start Your Day with Cleaning and Mindfulness

In this article, we introduced a monk’s daily schedule. While "monk" (obōsan) is a general term for Buddhist clergy, different sects have distinct titles for them.

Since it can be challenging to remember the specific titles for each sect, here are polite ways to address a monk regardless of their sect or rank:

・[Temple Name] + Sama (〇〇-ji/〇〇-tera-sama) – Check the temple’s name in advance.
・Sōryo-sama (僧侶様) – A respectful term that applies to all monks, regardless of rank.
・[Monk’s Last Name] + Sama – If you know their name, addressing them with sama is appropriate.

Avoid calling a monk "Obōsan" directly in person, as it can be considered impolite.

After summarizing a monk’s daily schedule—including chanting, administrative tasks, and cleaning—it feels surprisingly similar to our own lives. Keeping our surroundings clean and organized naturally leads to a peaceful and focused mind.

If you ever have the chance to meet a monk, you might feel a little nervous at first, but why not have a conversation? You can ask questions, seek advice, or simply enjoy the interaction. Monks are often more approachable than one might think.

Thank you for reading until the end.