Definition

1. Noun:
   • A place of religious retreat for Hindus: An ashram is a spiritual hermitage or a monastery in Indian religions, particularly Hinduism, where individuals live a simple, disciplined life focused on spiritual practice, study, and meditation under the guidance of a guru or spiritual teacher.
   • A place of religious retreat modeled after the Indian ashram: In a broader, modern context, it can refer to any community or retreat center, often outside India, established for spiritual or holistic living, meditation, and yoga, inspired by the traditional Indian model.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The sage lived a simple life in a remote ashram in the Himalayas.
  • After retiring, she spent a month at an ashram to learn meditation and find inner peace.
  • The wellness center was designed as a modern ashram, offering yoga classes and silent retreats.

Advanced Usage

• "to retreat to an ashram": to go to an ashram for a period of spiritual reflection and withdrawal from ordinary life.
  • Feeling overwhelmed, he decided to retreat to an ashram for the summer.

Variants and Related Words

• Ashramite (n): A resident or member of an ashram.
  • The ashramites followed a strict daily schedule of prayer and work.

Synonyms

• Hermitage: A secluded residence or retreat, especially for a religious recluse.
• Monastery: A building or complex where monks live a religious life. (Note: While similar, "monastery" is more commonly associated with Christian traditions, whereas "ashram" is specific to Hindu and related Indian traditions.)
• Retreat: A quiet or secluded place for rest, contemplation, or privacy.

Noun

1. (India) a place of religious retreat for Hindus
2. a place of religious retreat modeled after the Indian ashram