The Encyclopedia of Monasticism is the first reference work to bring together information, insight, and methodological reflection concerning the monastic traditions of Christianity and Buddhism, their institutions, behaviour, thought, spirituality, and influence. It is also the first reference work to treat Eastern Christian monasticism and Western Christian monasticism with parity. A large number of articles discuss topics found in no other reference work. More than 600 entries cover important monastic figures of all periods and places, surveys of countries and localities, and topical essays covering a wide range of issues (e.g. art, behaviour, economics, liturgy, politics, theology, and scholarship). Coverage encompasses not only geography and history worldwide but contemporary dilemmas of monastic life, highlighting recent upheavals in Korea, Russia and Sri Lanka. It also includes more than 500 illustrations covering monastic life, art, architecture and practices.