Monasticism (from Ancient Greek , , from , , 'alone'), or monkhood, is a religious way of life in which one renounces worldly pursuits to devote oneself fully to spiritual work. Monastic life plays an important role in many Christian churches, especially in the Catholic and Orthodox traditions as well as in other faiths such as Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism. In other religions monasticism is criticized and not practiced, as in Islam and Zoroastrianism, or plays a marginal role, as in modern Judaism. Women pursuing a monastic life are generally called "nuns", "religious" or "sisters" or rarely, Canonesses, while monastic men are called "monks", "friars" or "brothers".