Ajahn Naniko: Monasticism, Lifestyle, Buddhism 

Plum village is a very different tradition. They use money. I recommend focusing on theravada monasteries in order to be closer to the buddha dhamma. That's my opinion.

Also, in my opinion, whenever there is a practice of suggested donations or even required donations, to me it's a sign to stay away. If they charge for the dhamma in any way, it's a red flag for me.

@@LifestyleChoicesResult indeed..my root teacher offered all his teachers free, not even asking for donations really. It's seemingly tricky in the West to make this viable..he lived for free "yard surfing" for years in PDX, and then had money from his mother to put into a Dharma house. (The reason im still not practicing with him is he was harsh to his romantically engaged student/partners...so yeah...another too common example of a guru plagued by human imperfection...) I just don't know how living in the gift functions here in the West...it's very problematic and arduous in many cases, especially if you want to have a monastery/sangha emplaced, unless that is all just gifted to you in the first place; ther is still overhead after the fact that will need resources flowing in, whether via "gift"/donation, or other means... My friend Suelo lived in caves in Moab for years and also yard/couch surfed, but this is largely solitary path...something I tire of being without a deeply supported place/sangha.

@@LifestyleChoicesResult also ​ do you know how the Therevadans get their medical needs met if they arent touching money? For me I've relied on Obama Care(thx Obama!) for awhile..i think ive heard thats one reason Plum Vilage charges, they have to pay for healthcare for monastics, especially those who are not citizens I would imagine.

@@tylerwhitney3443 traditionally medical needs were not guaranteed, but lay people, doctors, would provide service. But today, in the US, I guess your can get medicare. There might be special plans for religious people.... I don't know

Thai Forest tradition tries to stay close to original monastic training and is in that sense a conservative Buddhist tradition. That means that priority for a Thai forest monastic will usually be personal practice on the path to Nibbana. Social activism/engagement is not emphasized, it is up to the individual. However there is guidance for engagement in the form of moral code of conduct in the form of precepts, and the 8 fold path such as right speech, right action, right livelihood... Veganism is also an individual matter. Monks are not encouraged to be neither vegetarian nor vegan because generally there is a tradition of accepting what is given. Monastics are not supposed to purchase their own food. For those who don't follow the money and food vinaya rules, they must decide for themselves what their ethical stance is on meat and animal products. But this is not a feature of Thai forest tradition.

Most definitely not. They are more concerned about ensuring their close personal relationships are good, not looking to become involved in social causes. Also, they eat the food that is given and since it is a donation, they don’t make demands on the donors such as food having to be vegan or vegetarian. They eat what they are given. A lot of people are shocked to see meat being offered at Amaravati, but such people are usually very judgemental people.

Eakyeakyeaky Eaky if you can make subtitles, that would be awesome!

Make merit and practice generosity, preservation of wisdom, access to living ascetics, place for spiritual retreat, place for study for children and all ages

Singing is a sensual pleasure that intoxicates and confuses the mind.

Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu