Monk lifeWhy Do Some Monks Have Multicolor Robes?
Why the Different Colors? Why is it that some monks have robes made out of many different colors, while most monks seem to have a …
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Monk Life
Monk life
Monk lifeVassa Actually Starts the Day After the Full Moon
Did You Know? Did you know that the rainy season, which is also called vassa, actually starts the day after the full moon, rather …
Monk lifeDeleting Facebook Again
Summary I left Facebook because it was getting too big for me to handle. My videos are getting too much attention, which is good, …
Interesting thingsWhat is the Buddha's Perfume Chamber (gandha kuṭi)?
Summary The Perfume Chamber is a small enclosed room with flowers and perfumes where the Buddha once dwelled. Today, the Perfume …
Monk lifeWhy Are Vassa (Rainy Season) and Vesak Late Sometimes?
Updated: April 30, 2026: Original article in 2020. This year is 2026, which is a leap year, and Vassa starts on July 30th (plus or …
Monk lifeWhere to Ordain?
Picture of pabbajja novice ordination in Pa Auk (8th April 2014) Updated January 1, 2026 Summary: If you are looking to ordain at …
Monk lifeHow to Sit Longer in Meditation
Introduction Many people are interested in learning how they can increase their sitting time. They ask: Bhante, what kind of …
Monk lifeWhy I Left The International Institute of Theravāda
Introduction On January 2nd, 2025, I left The International Institute of Theravāda (IIT) . It was something I had planned since …
Monk lifeA Month In Geneva Florida
Introduction During the month of November, I stayed in Geneva, Florida, at a very small florida buddhist monastery near Orlando …
Monk lifeNew Belt And Pocket
Ven Beralihela Upali Thero made me a pocket and belt today. The story goes like this. I sent him a message asking him about a monk …
Monk lifeDhammapada 118 Giving Again And Again
Below are two talks based on the Dhammapada verses 49 and 118 The verses 49 yathāpi bhamaro pupphaṃ, vaṇṇagandhamaheṭhayaṃ, paleti …
Monk lifeMy Trip To America In 2024
Introduction My trip to America from April 29th to June 2nd was very fruitful, yet I was very busy. From Sri Lanka, I traveled to …
Monk lifeAlms Is Never A Sure Thing
Just a small “monk life” entry: IIT, Sri Lanka, June 23, 20204 Yesterday was the day after the Full Moon Uposatha …
Monk lifeSupermarket Alms In America
donor and myself at Golden Market Introduction Going for alms (pindapata) is certainly possible in the USA. There are different …
SoftwareAmerican Monk Website Has A New Home
AmericanMonk.org has a new free home! I started the process last week and if you are a subscriber who gets this email, the task …
Dhamma talksThe Power Of Timing In Donations
This Dhamma talk discusses the key elements of the Kāladāna Sutta in addition to three personal stories that show how donations …
Monk lifeHow I Got Permission From My Parents
Here is a post with a video link on how I got permission from my parents. In early 2001, when I was in Myanmar, and traveling for …
Dhamma talksThree Stories Of Loving-kindness
There are three stories of loving-kindness told in the video posted below. The first story is from Kaua’i, Hawai’i, …
Monk lifeWhy A Monk's Empty Bowl Made Me So Happy!
Ven. Nepal Nāthaputta and I have been going for alms together for some time now. He usually comes with me the whole way on …
Monk lifeMemorizing The Bhikkhunī Pātimokkha
Palm leaf photo link wellcomecollection:1 Today I finished memorizing the Bhikkhunī Pātimokkha in Pāḷi (the 311 Theravāda nun’s …
Monk lifeCambodia Was More Than 1000 Times We Expected
During the Buddhist Rainy season, I was invited to go to Cambodia as part of a group to deliver some relics and see Angkor Wat. …
Monk lifeWhy did you become a monk?
Probably the #1 question we get is, “Why did you become a monk?” That question has many factors and answers. However, …
Monk lifeTheravāda Buddhist Monk Head Shaving: Traditions, Stories, and Techniques
When it comes to shaving heads, Theravāda Buddhist Monks might be the authority on this issue. It is second nature for monks to …
Interesting thingsMonks Goings To Autopsies
Autopsy Table found on Wikipedia. The table we saw did not have “containment walls” Is it true that forest monks …
Interesting thingsIntelligent Donations: Turning The Tables
Ven Ananda with the two donors Recently, we received six new tables arranged by a monk’s two donors. The tables were nice …
Interesting thingsPercentage of Monks Who Do Not Use Money
Monk walking towards the world of the 5% If you are a Westerner and new to Buddhism, you might be surprised to learn that most …
Monk lifeThe Order of Monks: How Seniority Shapes the Buddhist Monastic Life
monks seated for the patimokkha recitation in Pa-Auk Mawlamyine Introduction One of the things that you may notice when you visit …
CovidLiving as a Monk in Myanmar During Covid and Government Change
Introduction Foreigner monk gets a COVID vaccine jab during the times of the new Myanmar government In this article, I want to …
Interesting thingsAbout Piṇḍapāta: Why Do Monks Go For Alms in a Village?
Alms Tray and Cambodia Monk’s Full Bowl Introduction: This article explains the essence of piṇḍapāta (alms) and why we go …
Monk lifeWhat Is The Bhikkhu Patimokkha or Buddhist Monk Rules?
Pa Auk Monastery in 2014, Photo by Klaus The Pātimokkha is a set of 227 rules for the bhikkhus belonging to the Theravāda sect …
Monk lifeThe Buddhist Monk's Bowl
Bowl with bowl stand (maybe Pa-Auk) There are certain characteristics of the Theravada Buddhist monk’s bowl that might be …
Monk lifeWater Purification
Water Purification Diagram While the first step of meditation is called Sīlavisuddhi (Purification of morality), another …
Monk lifeA Pa-Auk Walk-In Refrigerator
Recently, the doctor ordered some lemon juice for me to take as medicine, so I asked the office helper for some lemons. She went …
Monk lifeAre Buddhist Monks Allowed To Use Money?
A Money tree in Laos cc-by-attrib-sa https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Buddhist_money_tree_with_toilet_paper.webp Are …
Monk lifeGiving is Always Better
Ven Sunanda (China) One of the Chinese monks named Venerable Sunanda recently had his birthday. For his birthday, he determined …
Monk lifeOnly The Best For Buddha
6 Color Buddhist Flag Yesterday, on Vesak, I was invited to go with Sayadaw Kumarabhivamsa, the Tipitaka Sayadaw and one more …
Monk lifeCan Homosexuals Ordain as Buddhist Monks?
Originally Published: April 21, 20241 Summary: Yes, it is possible, but it is difficult to recommended because it can be very …
Monk lifePatheos Interview On Robes
A couple of months ago, I was contacted by a professor of World Religions in the College of Religious Education at BYU named, …
CovidPa-Auk Lockdown #3: Living With COVID
Now the world is getting used to COVID-19 and many countries are announcing a new policy called “Living with COVID”. …
Monk lifeMaking Natural Brooms
Sayadaw holding one of his finished brooms Natural fiber brooms are quite common in Theravadan countries such as Myanmar, …
Monk lifePatimokkha Chant Feb 15, 2022
Yesterday, I recited the 227 rules of the Pātimokkha for 110 bhikkhus at Pa-Auk Meditation Center in Pyin Oo Lwin. When a monk …
Monk lifeMy Blackjack Anniversary
Eating Hall Feb 7 2022 Today is my 21rst anniversary for when I first got ordained as a monk on February 7th, 2001. As you know …
Monk lifeUmbrella Shop 2004-2014
Monks walking up the monastery road near the library 2014. (Double umbrella) Excerpt from Going For Broke: Monasterynote5: …
Monk lifeAccused Of Being Psychic
Accused of Being Psychic A brief video describing this story has been added to this post below. The longer story is below that. I …
Monk lifeMonk Towels and Soap
Very few people from the West know about what the monks use for their bath towels and their bathing soap. Monks use items that are …
Monk lifeWhat is an Overturned Bowl?
Pa-Auk Bowl Blackening Foundry (not a political picture) We have seen many Facebook selfies of politically active monks with …
Monk lifeToday I Saved A Cockroach
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Amerikanische_Gro%C3%9Fschabe_1.webp Today I saved an upside down cockroach in my …
Monk lifeToothpaste In A Gated Community
My near-empty tube of Meswak next to the new one At Pa-Auk, we get different items throughout the year. Sometimes we keep them, …
Interesting thingsHow Long Do Monk's Robes Last?
Various items for Kaṭhina It is quite common in Myanmar to offer robes at the end of the Rainy Season (vassa) in a ceremony …
Dhamma talksOnly In The West, Only In Asia
Only In The West, Only In Asia Different Cultures, Different Views Many Westerners don’t understand or appreciate the old …
Monk lifePa-Auk Vaccination 2021
Injection on Western resident monk Pa-Auk finally vaccinated 2000 of its residents across its branch monasteries with a privately …
Interesting thingsRemembering 9/11
cc WTC 9/11, 2001 wikimedia Attribution: Robert J. Fisch “They always wanted to get that building” That was what I …
Monk lifeAre Theravada Bhikkhuni Ordinations Valid?
cc0 picture https://pxhere.com/en/photo/489726 There is not much written in English explaining why bhikkhuni ordinations are …
Monk lifeWhen Does Rainy Season Start?
Recently, I got a nice message from a monk friend telling me he was taking vassa (3 month Rainy Season Retreat) on July 23rd (the …
Interesting thingsThe Buddha's Intermittent Fasting
Did the Buddha do intermittent fasting? The answer is: Yes. When I first became a monk, people were shocked about how I gave up …
Interesting thingsSuper Quarantine Inside Pa-Auk
Recently, I had a serious medical problem that had the potential to be extremely serious. Please don’t ask. In any case, I …
Dhamma talksWhy Do Monasteries Have Skeletons?
If you go to a Theravada Buddhist forest monastery in Asia, you are likely to find a full skeleton or parts of a skeleton …
Interesting thingsTime for Balance
I’ve been looking forward to the Myanmar Internet being cut off, but it does not seem to be happening. I guess that is good …
Monk lifeHow I Got My Name
One of my earliest photos with messy robes My original ordination certificate Exactly twenty years ago today (February 7, 2001), …
MeditationPa-Auk Forest Monastery and Pa-Auk Sayadaw Shared Names
Pa-Auk Main Gate (cc-by-sa) Pa-Auk Forest Monastery and Pa-Auk Sayadaw share the same names. Why is that? Some people might …
KauaiAs Long As You Stand On The Road
That is me going for alms on Aalona Street Kilauea. I have a Christmas story for you. I have tried to keep it short but it …
Monk lifeHave You Eaten Yet?
In 1993, I visited China with five lucky School of Technology students at my University. Before going, I asked around for some …
Monk lifeMawlamyine Pa-Auk Kitchen 2014
In 2014, I came in contact with yogi Brahm at the Mawlamyine Branch of The Pa-Auk Forest Monastery during a 10-day fast with …
Monk lifeThanks and Giving
Of course I’m happy! On November 24, I helped make a nice breakfast and lunch for Pa-Auk Forest Monastery, Pyin Oo Lwin. I …
Monk lifeTurning 50
Today I turned fifty years of age. A few months ago, I was really happy about it but then as health problems piled up a few weeks …
Interesting thingsRice Soup in Buddhist Culture?
Chinese congee Photo By Daiju Azuma - Own work, CC BY-SA 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=567814 Rice soup is …
Monk lifeMonk Life and Natural Dyeing
A venerable tending the fire for cooking dye Here are pictures about the natural dyeing process. The monks boil the ironwood tree …
Interesting thingsA Great Day, 2019
I remember when I was living in Kaua’i in a tent propped up in the corner of my friend Uncle Gene Taylor’s property. I …
Dhamma talksThe Swastika
Today, as I was washing my bowl, I saw a local Myanmar monk with a swastika tattoo on his arm. As an American and someone with …
Monk lifeWhat is a Kuti?
A kuṭi is a small hut or lodging that a monk lives in and it is one of the basic four requisites: Robes, Food, Lodging, & …
Monk lifeCovid-19 Lockdown @ Pa-Auk
Going for Alms at Pa-Auk The world has has begun to know about Covid-19 and unfortunately, some countries know it better than …
Dhamma talksWalking Meditation Inside The Home
There are many people who are inside their homes, so I thought it would be good to make a small 10 minute video on how to do basic …
Monk lifeHaving Fun At The Pa-Auk Dentist Clinic
(Republished from June, 2015) Having Fun At The Pa-Auk Dentist Clinic (Repost/refurbish from June, 2015*) Because dentists are …
Monk life500+ monks at Pa-Auk Main. Some slippers go missing, but not these.
500+ monks at paauk main. Some slippers go missing so people mark them with different patterns as a passive way to prevent loss. …
Monk lifeSabbe Satta -All Beings
reposted from https://withmetta.net (2016) . When a Buddhist monk says “sabbe satta,” that is a shorthand for metta practice. …
Monk lifeMaymyo Pa-Auk Meals
At Theravada monasteries there is no eating allowed after Noontime. Some monasteries only give one meal per day, while other …
Monk lifeAnniversary 19: I’m Still Standing
The standing marble Buddha at Pyin Oo Lwin Pa-Auk On Feb 7th, 2001 I took my original ordination with The Most Venerable Pa-Auk …
Monk lifeOn The Way Back Home
Swedagon Pagoda, Myanmar On November 4th, I left The States for Sri Lanka, Thailand and of course Myanmar which I now consider a …
Monk lifeAll in the Family
My family I did a brief visit with my parents on the corner of October and November. Although I have stayed separately at my …
Interesting thingsChicago Lao Monastery
Recently, I had a chance to go to a Lao Monastery in Elgin, Chicago, IL, USA for 12 days. I usually avoid American Theravada …
KauaiLeaving Kaua'i On A Jet Plane
All-focus As the rest of the song goes.. “And I don’t know when I’ll be back again.” It has been almost …
Monk lifeEarly Monk Pictures
I recently turned 49 and I found some old pictures of myself that I thought I would share. It is very difficult to get older …
Monk lifeWhy I Ordained Twice
Many people who have learned that I have re-ordained and actually know what that means have asked me why I did it. It is a long …
Monk lifeMost Important Buddhist Lesson Learned and Taught
A little while ago, I was asked what was the most important lesson learned and what was the most important thing that I taught. …
Monk lifePa-Auk Monastery Alms Line in Myanmar
I recently found this video in my Google Drive. I had a layperson (probably UKZ) follow me around in the line to show what it was …
KauaiFighting Anger With Loving-Kindness and No Money
Recently, I ran into a very angry man who came out of his house yelling at me and coming closer and closer. Eventually, I won the …
KauaiKoral Inspires Me
Koral’s Family Just about every Wednesday, I still find the time to continue with my Kilauea alms round1 (which used to …
KauaiKauai Update: Lihue
All-focus Things have recently changed Things have recently changed in my life. I have now moved to Lihue. Things were going well …
KauaiLegal Name Change
I recently changed my name officially to Bhante Bhikkhu Subhuti. I have been wanting to do this for a very long time but, …
Kauai18th Anniversary and Update
This is where I live Wow! Today is February 7th and another year has passed. I have now completed 18 years total as a monk and I …
KauaiShould Monks Use Mixing Bowls as Monk Bowls?
On a warm Hawaiian Christmas day in 2018, I was off to collect my alms in the village. I was in a rush and worried that I would …
Interesting thingsAn Old Kauai Favorite: KKCR Interview
Here is the link to the 2015 KKCR radio show. We were interviewed on Kauai Community Radio for about one hour instead of the …
ItbmuMiracle On 3 or 4 Streets
Here are a five remarkable stories of miracles to tell, but not all of them. There have been many miracles that have come my way …
Interesting thingsKauai Monk Update 3
Kauai Update #3 I have moved from the Botanical Gardens recently. I was able to stay there for 5 months and the majority of the …
Monk lifeWhy Are Monk Bowls Black?
Monk bowls are black because they are fired with sesame oil 5 times to protect it from rusting. There are two types of bowls …
Interesting thingsThe Seeds From Long Ago
The Seeds From Long Ago I remember when I first learned how to meditate on my breath some time in 1990, during my university …
KauaiResults From Collecting Alms In Kauai
As a Buddhist Monk collecting alms in Kauai, USA for the past 4 months, the results are in. On Tuesday and Wednesdays as shown on …
Monk lifeBuddhist Monks' Robes Information
Sewing pattern from BMC 1 (creative-commons, Thanissaro Bhikkhu) Robe Information Few people realize that the Theravāda monk’s …
Interesting thingsSeptember 11 and Jeremy Glick
September 11th and Jeremy Glick I have a personal story I want to tell you about Jeremy Glick and September 11, 2001. The short …
KauaiIs Collecting Alms (Piṇḍapāta) Legal?
That is me going for alms on Aalona Street Kilauea. Collecting alms, also known as piṇḍapāta by Theravāda Buddhists, is a legal …
KauaiKauai Update Part 2
Aloha! It has been a little over a month since I have been on the island of Kauai. Things have been going well although my …
KauaiKauai Update
Kauai Update April 22 Aloha! I have been in Kauai since April 9th. It has been a rough start but things are getting better …
Monk lifeShould We Be Nice To Muslims?
Muslim Imam giving dana. The short answer is, “Yes.” Of course we should be nice to Muslims, Christians, Atheist, …
Interesting thingsA Tale of Love and Samādhi Explained: A'capella Inertia
A Tale of Love and Samādhi Explained: A’capella Inertia A little Valentines story for all of you. The topside title is just a …
Kauai17th Anniversary
It seems like that time has come up again. Time surely does happen and so does my anniversary. Now it is 17 years! As usual, for …
Interesting thingsMonk's Needle Case
This is a small video on how to make a monk’s needle case from a used up disposable pen. It is one of the 8 requisites of a …
Monk lifeInspire Means To Leave Facebook
Inspire Means To Leave Facebook Much of what I write about is related to stories that happen to me that would charge me up and …
KauaiTraveling Without a Helper
When Ven. Devananda and I traveled to Kauai in 2015, we did not have a Kappiya (helper) to buy us food or even pay for our …
Interesting thingsHow to Make a Monk Filter in 3 Minutes
Here is a quick tip on how to make a filter in just a few minutes. Maybe as fast as one minute. This is useful for monks who want …
Interesting thingsI Finally Did It!
I Finally Did It! This Rainy Season (Vassa) I was able to learn the Pātimokkha (227 Rules) by heart. It is the first round and it …
Interesting thingsHow Do Monks Say Grace Before Eating?
How Do Monks Say Grace Before Eating? Do Theravāda monks say anything before they eat? Do they give thanks? Who do they say …
Monk lifeRacism in Asia, Myanmar, and Monasteries
Racism in Asia, Myanmar and Monasteries I remember when I came to Sri Lanka, in 2007 and I met a monk who said he was from …
Monk lifeDonation to Sangha or Individuals?
When should you give to Saṅgha? When should you give to individual monks? This is a question that is not addressed very often and …
Interesting thingsMaking A Foot-Rug From Old Robes
Here is an instructional video on how to make a foot-rug from old and discarded monk’s robes. If you are a monk, perhaps you …
Monk lifeGeneral Update Pre-Vassa 2017
Update Aug 5: I am back at Varansi Monastery , Mingaladone as pictured. This is a general update. There are many sublinks to look …
ItbmuWhy Are Most Monasteries Not Allowable?
Why are most monasteries not allowable for vinaya monks? Today, I was Skyping my parents which is something we do once or twice a …
Monk lifeBowling Down an Alley
I had the day off from school and went for alms today in a new area unannounced. I wanted to go down a side street near …
ItbmuSinging With My Bowl
“Singing With My Bowl” Today, after I Skyped my parents to say hello, I was doing my usual weekend schedule after: Go …
Monk lifeShining The Inner Core
To receive this by email, sign up at https://americanmonk.org/subscribe/ Last year, this picture (without the writing) went …
ItbmuInspiration, move me brightly
Alms Inspiration is like a bright star that shines among the dim. In Monastic life, there are few monasteries or monks that …
Interesting things5, 8 and 10 Precepts
Here is a comparison of 5, 8 and 10 precepts. The Buddhist who follows five precepts is known as a regular lay Buddhist. The …
Interesting thingsLucky-Draw and Devas
Calculation of odds. Do you believe in devas? Devas are the Buddhist equivalent to angels. Ok .. Here is the story. I was on alms …
ItbmuKauai Propagation Presentation
A 2 part Powerpoint presentation about what two monks did in Kauai, Hawaii during June to December 2015. The theme was …
ItbmuA Different Love Trumps Hate
This video clip below came my way and I would hate to say that not only is this guy is correct right near the end of his talk, …
Interesting thingsThe Coolest Incense Holder
Here is a sample video and written instructions for making a self-contained incense holder made from a plastic bottle. It is the …
ItbmuWhen It Rains It Pours
I had a really good day going for alms today. When it “rains it pours.” Although it rained today, I am talking about alms …
Monk lifeAn Open Letter to Ma Ba Tha
Top: Ma Ba Tha conference Bottom: Reaching out to Muslims to show loving-kindness. Recently, I was convinced to go to a “seminar …
KauaiHomeless and Living Out of a Box.
I remember when I went to America in 2008 with one of my monastic friends named Ven. Visarada. He was an experienced monk and had …
Monk lifeA Counterfeit Mitsubishi Truck
From my oldest posts from GPlus in 2015, which are slowly being restored. A Counterfeit Mitsubishi Truck was found in Pa-Auk …
Interesting thingsFor those of you who do not know what an Asian Shower is
For those of you who do not know what an Asian shower room looks like! This one is luxurious with a stainless steel water bowl! …