There are many different kinds of Buddhist monks, just as there re many different types of Buddhism. Their life and customs are different and unique, and each has a spiritual meaning. There is a certain code the monks must follow and certain rules that must be obeyed. Their daily life follows a strict schedule, and each monk's life revolves around meditation, the study of scriptures, and the taking apart in ceremonies. His daily life involves interaction with the community around him and with his fellow monks.

Each kind of monk has a different life style, as there are much unique kind of monks just as there are many different ways that they can live. Renunciate monks fall under one of two categories, those who live in a monastic community and those who live in a hermit like state, who are referred to as forest monks. The forest monk lives to the virtual dismissal of all activities non-related to the pursuit of enlightenment. Then there is the temple monk who is occasionally involved in lay community affairs, such as participating in Buddhist holy days. they are can also be involved in the teaching of novice monks, short-term monks, or laymen or laywomen.A temple monk’s pastoral activity is a transaction between monks and householders; this is where a monk confers merit upon a layman. In gratitude and respect the layman may offer food, money, and other everyday items or he could offer a ritual item such as a candle.