Which seems more fitting?

Question

I am writing a sci-fi book set several thousand years in the future. There are human psychics and they are often times referred to as monks because of how they are raised within the Order of Psions and live their lives after completing their Life Rite.

They live in complexes named after ancient and legendary masters which they are most aligned with, but I can't decide whether to call these complexes "temples", "sanctuaries", or "monasteries". All have religious connotations but the psychics are not religious in any sense that we would relate to in today's world (I am creating an entirely new religion). I think the closest religion would be the Eastern ones (Zen Buddhism in particularly would be the closest, I suppose).

Examples:
Monastery of Hwan Zhu
Temple of Anja Abrahamovich
Sanctuary of Mukami Adongo

Also, I'm open to synonyms of the aforementioned words as well. Any suggestions?

Jo Spumoni · Accepted Answer

Well, it may sound weird, but actually "temple", "sanctuary", and "monastery" are not all the same things. They all do imply religious, but here's the dictionary meaning of each:

Temple- place of worship consisting of an edifice for the worship of a deity
Sanctuary- a consecrated place where sacred objects are kept
Monastery- the residence of a religious community

It seems like "monastery" would be the closest to what you're talking about because they actually live there. Plus, when I think of a monastery I do think of Buddhist monks, mostly because there aren't very many Christian monasteries anymore. 

I think your plot sounds really interesting. I'm in an anthropology class about religion now and we just finished talking about UFO cults like the Raelians and the Unarians. Your book could really give us the chance to view the interesting mix between science, technology, and, unexpectedly, the supernatural. Let me know if you ever finish it, because I'd be really interested in reading it!

Steven J Pemberton · Answer

Of those three, I'd go for sanctuary, as it has non-religious connotations too. But if they follow a religion that's different from all of today's, or no religion, you might need a different word. How about "redoubt"?

eliza · Answer

synonyms of Monastery - friary,abbey,priory,nunnery, cloister, convent
 
synonyms of Temple - church, cathedral, shrine, mosque, synagogue

synonyms of Sanctuary - haven, hideaway,retreat, hideout, oasis, shelter, harbor, asylum

Which seems more fitting?

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