Monk

A is a  priest capable of using spiritual powers. Monks commonly use a variety of weapons and magical artifacts, such as a, sutras, and prayer beads, to name the most commonly used.

Examples

 * Wandering Monks: Wondering Monks go around on pilgrimage, traveling the country to exterminate yōkai, performing exorcisms at settlements they visit, and aid people through spiritual guidance. Miroku and Ungai are examples of a wandering monk.
 * : Temple Monks are Buddhist priests who are keepers of a temple. Many are quite powerful, using sacred spells to ward of yōkai. Master Mushin is a temple monk who raised Miroku.
 * : The Warrior Monks of Japan were Buddhist Monks who did not follow the teachings of "causing no harm to sentient beings". They often sold their services to the highest bidder or fought on the side of their own choosing to further their cause and maintain their hold on properties and valuables that had been "donated" to them. They appear specifically as the white-hooded fighters carrying Naginata (halberds), defending Izu-Toyas castle in the third InuYasha movie "Swords of an Honorable Ruler".
 * Nuns: Nuns is the female monks of Japan. Miroku's older twin daughter Kin'u is a nun.
 * Sage: Sage is another type of monks of Japan.

Known Monks

 * Miyatsu †
 * Miroku's father †
 * Miroku
 * Mushin
 * Musō †
 * Seikai †
 * Shinsen †
 * Hirakimichi
 * Shōji
 * Ungai
 * Goryōmaru †
 * Juan
 * Kin'u
 * Sayo
 * Yakurōdokusen
 * Nikosen †
 * Unnamed powerful monk †
 * Tsugumi/Sen †

Trivia

 * While Miroku's behavior is depicted in the series as odd for a monk, it was not unheard of for some monks to act that way. The monks of influenced Japanese political and religious life until the arrival of . He believed that these monks could not do their duty since they were living a blasphemous lifestyle. Nobunaga invaded the mountain, burned every temple there, and executed all the monks.