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In Pāli, a bhikkhu (male) or bhikkhuni (female) is a fully ordained Buddhist monk. The respective Sanskrit versions are bhikṣu and bhikṣunī.
The word literally translates as "beggar" or more broadly as "one who lives by alms". A bhikkhu has taken a vow to enter the Sangha (Buddhist monastic community) and is expected to obey rules of conduct (typically around 253 for a male) as set out in the Vinaya, although there are considerable local variations in the interpretations of these rules. A novice monk or nun in the Tibetan tradition takes 36 vows of conduct. The minimum age to take bhikkhu vows is 21 years. Template:Buddhistub
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