Winter Robes & Winter Alms

Being the amazing, heart centred community that you are, I thought that I would share the following 

 

As the weather gets colder, Bhante Ānanda will need thicker robes to stay warm while he walks down from Mountain Waters into town for alms and then back up the mountain again.

 

It is customary for monks to sew their own robes from used fabrics that are offered to them out of generosity. They purposefully use old, unwanted fabrics, rags or old sheets for example, to minimize their impact on the environment and on society. At the time of the Buddha, fabric was of high value and this was one way for monks to tread lightly and compassionately. In fact, they are supposed to be « rag-robes-wearers ».

 

So Bhante Ānanda will accept only throw away, white fabric that he will then clean and dye himself.

It is a meaningful thing to offer fabric for a monk’s robes, an admittedly unique opportunity in the West where monks are few and far between  Fabric for robes is one of the monks « requisites », essential items that they need for their practice (and survival !). In Buddhism, offering fabric for robes is considered to be an extremely virtuous and auspicious deed that brings great merit to the giver.

 

If you are interested in partaking in the offering of fabric for robes, I invite you to contact Bhante Ānanda through messenger.

 

Thank you Nelson.

Much happiness,

 

— S.