He probably would have said something or stood when she went to sit, but a lot of people tend to take that the wrong way. This monk was probably just someone who preferred to take the punishment than allow his order be seen in a poor light by strangers.

That's really stupid. Organized religion is dumb.

That's not at all what it's based on. They believe in no temptation. For all of history, monks have given up relationships with the opposite sex to focus on their faith 100%. Please do not try to blame it on the fact of them thinking, "women are dirty".

Wow you are pretty presumptuous #7. Does everyone in the world OTHER than Americans and Europeans inherently know women cannot sit next to monks? What a neat skill to be born with.

It could be based on sexual thought rather than a sexist thought? And from my understanding, you can't exactly ignore a rule you dislike and be a monk..

You didn't know, but at least you do now. It's unfortunate, but it was an accident.

It could have been unplanned. People do like to have random conversations. And it's not like you're going to learn or remember EVERYTHING about another culture just like that.

I thought monks took a vow of silence?