Warrior Monks?

I have a question about the existence of so called "Warrior Monks".
Did they really exist? Were they just ordained lay Buddhists? I have
seen several pictures of samurai wearing rakusu (a bib like garment
worn around the neck and across the chest with a small ring on one
side) denoting being an ordained lay Buddhist. How did they get past
the Buddhist precept of not killing? Are there any stories or books on
this subject?

Michael Minock

Good morning.

Perhaps those monks you see, are retired samurai.
Usually, when a samurai retired himself from active
service previusly autorized by his daymio, he usually
decide to ordaine himself as a monk. This was done in
order to clean his mind and spirit from all the deaths
and suffer he provide in his service life.
And some other samurai follow this road in order to
explore a religios path.

Best regards.

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