An Open Invitation to Nourish the Sangha

Gwyn is now coordinating the meal offerings. Contact her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (806) 255-0554.

The alms bowl is central in the life of a Theravadan Buddhist monastic. We now have a system in place to offer alms to Ajahn Thanasanti. Vegetarian meals can be simple. This is the main meal of the day so a hardy meal is essential.  Egg and cheese dishes are acceptable since Sister is not vegan.

Your meal offering can be what is most convenient for you: once a week, once every two weeks, once a month or a single day of your choice. This can be done in various ways.

1. Prepare a simple hardy vegetarian meal.
2. If you are unable to prepare a meal, vegetarian meals can be offered by ordering a meal from a local restaurant.

Let the meal coordinator know which day, or days you are available to offer a meal she can advise you of the details and keeps Ajahn advised. She is your direct link to this process.

A few restaurants will deliver and some require pickup. If the restaurant is in the vicinity of the hermitage, Sister can pick up the prearranged meal. The meal should be ready for pick-up or delivery by 11:30 am, through October 31st, and by 10:30 am after the time change on November 1st. Meal times conform to the monastic tradition.

Vegetarian meal offerings are being made with a minimum of personal contact. Knock on the door and leave your offering in her back entry way.

Sister depends on the continued generosity of others to support her on a day to day basis. The monastic code requires the Sangha of monastics be completely dependent upon the lay community for all basic needs.

Your willingness to make meal offerings in support of the Sangha is greatly appreciated and be sure to let us know if this meal is offered in memory of someone or for a special occasion. The blessing chant that is done in gratitude reflects the occasion.

Monks (nuns), householders are very helpful to you, as they provide you with the requisites of robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicine. And you, monks (nuns), are very helpful to householders, as you teach them the Dhamma admirable in the beginning, admirable in the middle, and admirable in the end, as you expound the holy life both in its particulars and in its essence, entirely complete, surpassingly pure. In this way the holy life is lived in mutual dependence, for the purpose of crossing over the flood, for making a right end to suffering and stress. — Excerpted from Iti 107

"My alms bowl is central to my life. A symbol of the Theravada Buddhist monastic tradition in which I trained, it is the soul of my mendicancy — coming empty-handed before the laity to receive material nourishment and responding to their generosity. Sometimes that means reciprocating with a teaching from the Buddha, sometimes with a blessing chant or simply an expression of gratitude and kindness............."

The Food of Kindness by Ayya Medhanandi
© 2005–2009