“In Theravāda Buddhist traditions, monks represent ideal behavior to the laity. This is partly due to their unworldly aspirations (laukika), but it also has much to do with the fact that the standardized discourse on ethics, known as the Vinaya Piṭaka, is located within the monastic guidelines. This source provides rules of conduct for monks and simultaneously serves as a moral compass for the laity.” MonksTheravadaVinaya Book:If You Meet the Buddha on the Road: Buddhism, Politics, and Violence Source: If You Meet the Buddha on the Road: Buddhism, Politics, and Violence