There were Greeks present at early Buddhist councils, so no question that Buddhism was the genesis of European monasticism IMO. Buddhism was the first 'world religion' with an extensive geographical span.Kim O'Hara wrote:Hi, Coyote,Coyote wrote:Monasticism - thats one thing we can say with more certainty was influenced by Indian religions such as Buddhism, though I don't know much about the subject.
I know the parallels are very close but I have never come across any evidence that European monasticism was based on Indian models.
Can you point me to your sources?
Kim
Watch the Ajahn Brahm videos above, I think its in those vids where he discusses the presence of Buddhist monks in medieval European artwork.