As far as I know, there are only four religions that developed monasticism: Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Christianity. Are there any other religions that could have done the same?
One of my favorite book series is the "Sister Fidelma" mysteries by Peter Tremayne. The first book deals with a murder mystery that takes place at the Synod of Whiby in Northumbria. While the mystery and murder are fictionalized, the Synod of Whitby actually did take place. The purpose of...