ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Eight Garudhammas

The eight garudhammas are rules made a long time ago in certain Buddhist traditions that tell monks and nuns how to behave when they are practicing their religion.

One of the most important things the garudhammas talk about is respect. They say that monks should always be respected because they have given up their normal lives to become monks and live in monasteries, where they study and practice Buddhism. The garudhammas also say that nuns should be respected, but not as much as monks, because they are believed to be inferior to monks.

The garudhammas also say that nuns should not travel alone, but should always be accompanied by a male monk. Nuns are also not allowed to teach anything to male monks, but they can teach women and children. In some cases, nuns are also not allowed to participate in certain ceremonies that monks can, like leading chants or performing rituals.

Some people think that the garudhammas are unfair because they treat nuns differently than monks, but others think they are important because they help keep order and discipline in monasteries. It's a topic that people are still talking about today.