Most Christians, Hindus, Muslims, and members of other religions are ordinary citizens. They raise families, work, play, and are otherwise involved in their societies. In most major religions there are also numerous individuals who devote themselves full-time to the quest for salvation--however that term may be defined. The term used to describe such individuals is monks, and their way of life is called monasticism. Both of these words are derived from a Greek term that means "living alone." The definition was once accurate in referring to early Christian hermits, but today it is misleading because many monks--and their female counterparts, nuns--live in communities. Many are deeply involved in the world around them as teachers, social workers, missionaries, nurses, or in other vocations.
Monks must be distinguished from the clergy. Priests, pastors, and rabbis are full-time professionals who are trained to work in society. They have what is called a religious vocation. But the direction their work takes is quite different from the highly individualized style of life undertaken by monks.