1960s, experimental monastic groups were formed in which both men and women were members of the same house and also were permitted to be married and have children—these were operated on a communal form. Trends There is a growing Christian neo-monasticism, particularly among evangelical Christians. Hinduism Advaita Vedanta From the times of the Vedas (from circa 1500–1000 BC), people following monastic ways of life have existed in the Indian subcontinent. In what is now called Hinduism, monks have existed for a long time, and with them, their respective monasteries, called mathas. Important among them are the chatur-amnaya mathas established by Adi Shankara which formed the nodal centres of under whose guidance the ancient Order of Advaitin monks were re-organised under ten names of the Dashanami Sampradaya. Ramakrishna Math Sri Vaishnava Ramanuja heralded a new era in the world of Hinduism by reviving the lost faith in it and gave a firm doctrinal basis to the Vishishtadvaita philosophy which had existed since time immemorial. He ensured the establishment of a number of mathas of his Sri Vaishnava creed at different important centres of pilgrimage. Emar Matha at Puri Sriranga Narayana Jeeyar Mutt at Srirangam Tirumala Pedda Jeeyangar Mutt at Tirupati Later on, other famous Sri Vaishnava theologians and religious heads established various important mathas such as Vanamamalai Mutt Parakala Mutt Ahobila Mutt Nimbarka Vaishnava Nimbarka Sampradaya of Nimbarkacharya is popular in North, West and East India and has several important Mathas. Nimbarakacharya Peeth at Salemabad, Rajasthan Kathia Baba ka Sthaan at Vrindavan Ukhra Mahanta Asthal at Ukhra in West Bengal Howrah Nimbarka Ashram at Howrah Dvaita Vedanta Ashta matha (eight monasteries) of Udupi were founded by Madhvacharya (Madhwa acharya), a dwaitha philosopher. Gaud Saraswat Math Kashi Math at Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh Gokarna Math at Canacona, Goa Jainism Jainism, founded by Mahavira circa 570 BC, had its own monasteries since 5th century BC. Sufism Islam discourages monasticism, which is referred to in the Quran as "an invention". However, the term "Sufi" is applied to Muslim mystics who, as a means of achieving union with Allah, adopted ascetic practices including wearing a garment made of coarse wool called "sf". The term "Sufism" comes from "sf" meaning the person, who wears "sf". But in the course of time, Sufi has come to designate all Muslim believers in mystic union. See also Dissolution of the monasteries Ecovillage Intentional community Khanqah Krishnapura matha List of abbeys