Ellen Lloyd - AncientPages.com - In Europe, the Knights Templar were the first known warrior monks, active during the Crusades.
However, warrior monks did not only exist in Europe. In other parts of the world, like Japan, religious organizations trained monks to live an ascetic lifestyle and engage in violent conflicts by becoming great warriors.
The Sōhei were deeply religious, yet they were regarded as fearsome warriors. The Yamabushi were mysterious mountain-wandering warrior monks searching for spiritual and supernatural powers. They, too, could be very violent and dangerous.
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See also:
Kalaripayattu – 3,000-Year-Old Indian Martial Art From Which Kung Fu And Karate Emerged
Real Giant Kojomkul Who Became A Folk Hero In Kyrgyzstan
Legendary Minamoto No Tametomo – First Samurai To Commit Seppuku
