For many centuries, there has been a 'un-spoken' element within the walls of the Monastic. They are called, 'Bodhisattva Warrior Monks'.
The role of the Bodhisattva Warrior Monk is now and have been throughout the centuries, a person who was the protector of the Teachings, as well as the physical well being of the inhabitants who resides behind closed doors. One might go as to say that they are the 'bodygards' of the Temple.
Understanding the need to protect themselves against brigands, who would profit from looting , bodily harm, the Bodhisattva Warrior Monk came to be. Because of the secrecy involved regarding these unarmed warriors, no one knows for certain the dates this system was actually used. We do know that they were long into the Monastic system long before the 1st century; that is, pre-Jesus Christ period.
What we do know is the fact that these 'bodygards' were the most learned of all monastics. They had to learn every kind of subject, such as Anatomy & Physiology, Physics, Micro-dynamic study, holistic arts & sciences, Study of Yogic Principles, Herbal medicines & antidote study, & years of hand-to-hand combative training. Moreso, the study of 'Throwing Energy' enveloped long and intense years of study. In addition to this, they also had to maintain their Spiritual Path in and outside of Temple setting.
Prayer & Meditation was a normal routine. One had to dawn the Robes just as the Bodhisattva Ritual Monk. However, there were priviledges allotted the Warrior Monk as he was allowed a standard of rules far different than the Ritual Monk. The warrior Monk was allowed to reside both inside and out side Temple walls. He was allowed to eat differently, such as eating meat if it was required. He was also allowed to mingle and marry; but this was never encouraged. If he married, he was still allowed to reside within the Temple. His wife & offspring, were not. This meant that he had to have a separate dwelling outside of the Temple, within the community, close by the Temple if needed.
The Warrior Monk was never allowed, the use of traditional weaponry, such as swords, knives, or archery. His weaponry was simple farming tools such as the 'Bo' (a 6' wooden staff), 'Jo' (a 4' wooden staff), or common cicle; a tool used to cut grain from the fields. As time evolved, so did his imagination of the use of many kinds of objects which could be used against those brigands who sported convntional weaponry.
Today, we have learned to use almost anything as a means of weaponry. a key can be used to raggedly cut one's assailant. A simple piece of paper can be uded to cut ones extremity. Grant that these are rarely utilized; it merely points out that the Buddhist will often use other means of self protection uncommon to that of his attacker, which he feels is not in controdiction to his Buddhist beliefs in the the use of weapons forged for the purpose of taking life. All Buddhist,especially Monks, believe that taking human life, is wrong. The literal statement of 'Thou shalt NOT kill', interprets exactly this: "Thou shalt NOT kill". It commands no exception to this rule.
