Below is a chart comparing special allowances by tradition which is useful for making a decision on where to ordain. If you need an explanation, read further. Dhammayut Wat Pah Pong Wat Khao Sanamachai (Hua Hin) Pa-Auk Cigarettes Allowed No Smoking No Smoking No Smoking Betel Nut Allowed No Betel Chewing allowed No Betel Chewing allowed No Betel Chewing allowed Cheese 7 Day (medicine) Cheese 7 Day (medicine) Cheese allowed before Noon Cheese allowed before Noon Dark Chocolate 7 Day Dark Chocolate 7 Day Chocolate allowed before Noon Chocolate allowed before Noon Bottled Juice 7 Day Bottled Juice 7 Day Fresh Juice Evening Fresh Juice Evening Soy Milk lifetime medicine Soy Milk lifetime medicine Soy Milk before Noon Soy Milk before Noon Tea/Coffeemix Allowed 7 days Tea/Coffeemix Allowed 7 days Tea/Coffeemix before Noon Tea/Coffeemix before Noon Requires shaving of Eyebrows Requires shaving of Eyebrows Most do not, optional Not allowed Tan robes Tan Robes Any allowable color Burgundy required Checks accepted (not money) Checks accepted (not money) Checks not allowed (money) Checks not allowed (money) Co-Signing Checks allowed Co-Signing Checks allowed in some places Signing checks not allowed Signing checks not allowed Exclusion of non-Dhammayut monks from Pātimokkha Exclusion of non–Wat Pa Pong monks (Thailand) All Vinaya-compliant monks welcome All monks are welcome Rejects Commentaries Rejects Commentaries (if scholarly) Accepts Commentaries Accepts Commentaries Rejects Abhidhamma Rejects Abhidhamma (in most cases) Accepts Abhidhamma Accepts Abhidhamma Believes Buddha Lives in Nibbāna (Ajahn Mun’s Biography) Some defend Ajahn Mun’s biography, others blame the author Buddha does not live in Nibbāna Buddha does not live in Nibbāna There are some allowances and differences among traditions. I have included four traditions to the best of my knowledge about certain “allowances” that are allowed in some places and not allowed in other places. Who is right? I believe that the two monasteries on the right (especially Wat Khao Sanamachai) are correct, while other monks will believe that the monasteries on the left are correct. You can read it and decide. Na-Uyana Monastery in Sri Lanka is not included but is similar to Pa-Auk. I explain a few differences for Na-Uyana within the explanation text.