Disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes only and is not legal or tax advice. Individual situations vary; consult a qualified professional for guidance. Summary Under U.S. law, many donations given to monks function as taxable income, even when offered with faith and good intention. The key distinction is not Vinaya intention, but whether the support is regular, role-based, and relied upon for livelihood. Similar principles may also apply in countries such as Australia and the United Kingdom.

Picture of pabbajja novice ordination in Pa Auk (8th April 2014) Updated January 1, 2026 Summary: If you are looking to ordain at places that have Theravāda Buddhism and follow vinaya (places that don’t touch money), and you believe in the Commentaries and Abhidhamma and want to meditate, you have two choices: Pa-Auk and Na-Uyana. There is a new place in Thailand as well. If you don’t believe in the Commentaries and Abhidhamma, you are best off at a Thai Forest Monastery such as Ajahn Chah (Mahanikaya) or Ajahn Maha Boowa (Dhammayut) monasteries. Both traditions have a presence in the West and in Thailand. There are other places that I might recommend too. I will mention them later.

What’s New? Updated December 29, 2025. Version 2.0 Released with multiple formats for download and updated texts with fixed mistakes. PTS Books are legally available for free non-commercial download azw3, epub, mobi, and pdf for all four nikāyas at the bottom of the page. Jump to Download Links Legal Information The Pali Text Society has made its Vinaya, Sutta and Abhidhamma books available for non-commercial use since 2013. The Sutta books have been extracted from the Buddhadust Website which is still considered as “work in progress.” However, the work was good enough to reformat as eBooks in its current state.

The Buddha said to Rāhula in the Ambaṭṭhika Rāhulovāda Sutta: Evameva kho, Rāhula, yassa kassaci sampajānamusāvāde natthi lajjā, nāhaṁ tassa kiñci pāpaṁ akaraṇīyanti vadāmi. For one who has no shame in deliberate lying, I say there is no evil that person cannot do. The Elephant’s Trunk The Buddha explained that an elephant always protects its trunk. The trunk is the last thing it will risk. But in ancient times, when elephants were trained for war, they were made to charge fully, without holding back, even exposing the trunk. Once that happens, there is no limit to what the elephant can destroy.

Download Android App Download iOS App Update November 25, 2025 with video and summary. First published September 2021. Summary: This is an announcement of the iOS and Android Buddhist Sun App, created to help monastics and lay yogis know the correct times according to GPS position and day of the year. The app includes the following features: Solar Noon Dawn times Uposatha Days Moons GPS map Countdown Timer Notifications for upcoming Uposatha Days Recently, I made this mobile app to help me know when Solar Noon is approaching or has passed.

Key Points A monk may only ask for his needs if he receives pavāraṇā (invitation). Clear invitations—especially phrases like “any time” or “ever”—create ongoing permission. Invitations are not binding; they simply allow the monk to ask. Renewing the invitation often helps the monk feel comfortable and avoids misunderstandings. Introduction In the Theravāda Vinaya tradition for monks who do not use money, many lay supporters are not familiar with how invitations work1. Several Vinaya rules prevent a monk from asking for his needs unless he is given pavāraṇā (invitation).

Updated October 21, 2025 from the original in 2022. Introduction: Halloween is bad according to Theravāda because it involves dressing up, acting and embodying the costume one is wearing, often involving unwholesome characters. This can lead to a bad destination, and I will explain why. It is like Acting: Acting as a career, generally is not so wholesome. If there is any movie or play that is considered “good” by literature and Hollywood standards, there are going to be one or more of the five precepts broken. The content might consist of the actions listed below:

One of the most famous blessings given after a meal donation is from Dhammapada verse 109. It is well known across all traditions and in all countries—Sri Lanka, Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia. Dhammapada Pāḷi Verse 109 Abhivādanasīlissa, niccaṃ vuḍḍhāpacāyino, Cattāro dhammā vaḍḍhanti, āyu vaṇṇo sukhaṃ balaṃ. Translation For one who is respectful and constantly venerates the elders, four qualities increase: long life, beauty, happiness, and strength. This is one of the most famous blessings given by monks to laypeople after food is offered to the Saṅgha. It is chanted across all traditions and countries.

Many people think that the Noble Eightfold Path (Ariya Aṭṭhaṅgika Magga) and the Four Noble Truths (Cattāri Ariya Saccāni) are different. However, the Noble Eightfold Path is actually the Fourth Noble Truth (Magga Sacca) among the Four Noble Truths. The Four Noble Truths Dukkha Sacca — The Truth of Suffering Samudaya Sacca — The Truth of the Cause of Suffering Nirodha Sacca — The Truth of the Ending of Suffering Magga Sacca — The Truth of the Way Leading Out of Suffering (The Noble Eightfold Path) Summary Poem Some think the Truths and the Path are not the same, Because they don’t know all four by each name. Suffering is the first, while the cause is number two, The third is its ending, the fourth — a Path to do.

I explain the Triple Gem to Westerners who know nothing about Buddhism in an unconventional way. I use an analogy that helps them understand what the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Saṅgha really mean — through something they already respect: Einstein and the laws of physics. The Buddha — The Discoverer When I talk about the Buddha, I say he’s like a scientist — but not just any scientist. He’s like Einstein in some ways.