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.

Install Buddhist Compass Now How to Make Your Worship More Powerful If you know the direction of Bodh Gaya and align yourself with it when you pray, your devotion naturally becomes stronger. You don’t have to take my word for it—try and see for yourself. Muslims have known this principle for centuries through the practice of facing Mecca (qibla). Until recently, Buddhists did not have such a tool. Buddhist Compass makes it possible with just a simple app.

Introduction Many people are interested in learning how they can increase their sitting time. They ask: Bhante, what kind of exercises can I do? What stretches can I do in order to sit longer? Actually, the main reason you can’t sit for long periods is not because of the body. Instead, it’s because you don’t have concentration. The problem is not the posture — the problem is the mind. You need to focus on the quality of concentration, rather than how long you can sit. This is the most important thing. When you have concentration, you will naturally be able to sit longer and longer. To prove the point, how long can you sit in a chair meditating compared to how long you can sit in a chair watching a movie or doing your desk work? You can probably sit longer at a desk because you are focusing your mind.

Introduction Quite a few people believe that there is a special purification process that happens during the Pātimokkha recitation meeting done on the full and new moon days. They believe there’s some magical purification going on. While it is true that after the meeting the monks are considered pure, there is nothing magical. Why the Mystery? During the Pātimokkha, the recitation of the 227 rules, lay people are often kept out of the uposatha hall (or sīmā). That naturally leads to speculation. The hall is special and sacred, not because of magic, but because of legal Vinaya reasons. Think of it like a courthouse: you can’t just hold a trial under a tree or at someone’s home. Monks must carry out official acts like ordinations and the Pātimokkha in a formally designated sīmā. They must sit inside the marked area and be within an arm’s length from each other.

Introduction Many people think that hiri (moral shame) and ottappa (fear of wrongdoing) are too heavy for meditation. However, we will discuss not only why they are good qualities but beautiful ones too. These two mental factors are known as the protectors of the world (lokapāla-dhammā). Why Are They Beautiful? In a previous post and video, I discussed the sobhana cetasikas — the beautiful universal mental factors that arise in all wholesome states. There are 19 of them, and among them are hiri and ottappa (Moral Shame, and Moral Dread).

What Is the Buddhist Rainy Season? Understanding the Vassa and Kaṭhina Ceremonies Each year, Theravāda Buddhist monks all over the world make a determination to stay in a single monastery for a three month period of the Rainy Season also known as Vassa, or the Rains Retreat. You will hear the term “Vassa” often in this article, so please remember it. Traditionally, it starts the day after the Full Moon Day in July or the day after the Āsāḷha full moon known in the Pāḷi language. If your monks move around a lot and you need to rely on a teacher, you can expect the monks to stay at a monastery for a full three months without moving around. Some make determinations to practice harder, while others who already follow a steady practice simply continue their daily routine as usual. In this article, we will look at the origins of Vassa, the different types of Vassas, the allowances to leave the vassa on business, or by emergencies, if it affects the age of a monk, and what happens at the end of Vassa.