TeachingAre Vinaya Monks Easy to Support?
Summary Easy to support does not mean that the monk can take care of himself. Easy to support means that the monk is content with …
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Vinaya
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VinayaMonks and Taxes: Are Donations Taxable Income?
Disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes only and is not legal or tax advice. Individual situations vary; …
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 …
TeachingHow to Invite and Support a Monk: Vinaya Rules Explained
Key Points A monk may only ask for his needs if he receives pavāraṇā (invitation). Clear invitations—especially phrases like “any …
VinayaMystery Pātimokkha Purity?
Introduction Quite a few people believe that there is a special purification process that happens during the Pātimokkha recitation …
VinayaAre Monks Allowed To Use Uber, And Gift Cards?
Monks Using Uber and Gift Cards: Allowable as a Kappiya Arrangement Summary Are Theravāda monks allowed to use Uber, PickMe, or …
Interesting thingsDoes Buddhism Have A Creator
Recently, I made a video explaining the common question I get asked in the West. “Do you believe in a creator?” It is …
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 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 …
VinayaAre Monks Allowed To Perform Marriage Ceremonies?
Although Buddhist lay people might be interested in having a monk perform their marriage ceremony, it is not allowed and doing so …
International institute of theravadaInternational Institute of Theravada
Multi purpose hall at IIT After 3 years in Myanmar, I have moved to The International Institute of Theravāda. What is this place …
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 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 …
MoralityStay Away From the Fools and Associate with the Wise
Sattigumba and Pupphaka Asevanā ca bālānaṃ, paṇḍitānañca sevanā; Pūjā ca pūjaneyyānaṃ etaṃ maṅgalamuttamaṃ. Avoid the Fools and …
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 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 …
VinayaShould Bhikkhunis Be Sent To Probation Monasteries?
Copyright notice.. picture by Kim Traynor cc-by-sa Note: This post is not for everyone. Those who claim to be bhikkhunis and …
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 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 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 …
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 …
VinayaVinaya Comparison of Monastery Allowances
Below is a chart comparing special allowances by tradition which is useful for making a decision on where to ordain. If you need …
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 …
Monk lifeBuddhist Monks' Robes Information
Sewing pattern from BMC 1 (creative-commons, Thanissaro Bhikkhu) Robe Information Few people realize that the Theravāda monk’s …
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 …
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, …
TeachingVegetarianism and Theravada Buddhism
Vegetarianism and Theravāda Buddhism I have been asked to write a little something on vegetarianism and Theravāda Buddhism. I am …
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 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 …
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 …
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 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 …
MoralityBuddhism and Abortion
What do Theravada Buddhists believe in terms of abortion? Much of what has been written are liberal beliefs and overturning what …
Visit to Varanasi Monastery, Mingaladon
Sima of Varanasi Monastery. A Brief Visit to Varanasi Monastery, Mingaladon I had a few more days before I was allowed to arrive …