As you can see from my Orange Robe, I am a Bhikku, or monk in the Theravada Tradition of Buddhism. Theravada means “The way of the elders”, and is the oldest form of Buddhism, that emphasises that, in order to become enlightened, one must live as the Buddha did, as a homeless wanderer, with few possessions.

Theravada Buddhism is practised in countries all over the far east, as well as Sri Lanka, and has also travelled to Britain and the USA

As Bhikkus we are members of the Sangha – the community that is working towards enlightenment. Living in a community is important for us, as it helps us get closer to enlightenment – we live in a disciplined way that reduces attachment, and we are surrounded by people who are all working towards the same goal.

In the monastery we spend a lot of time concentrating upon our own meditation practice. The Buddha taught that this was very important to reach enlightenment, so as bhikkus we are able to have lots of time to concentrate on this.

Another important part of our daily routine is Puja – this is not really worship, as the Buddha is not a God, but is a way of offering respect to the work that he did, and his teachings, that will help us achieve enlightenment.

One way that we can show respect for the Buddha’s teaching is by looking after the beautiful Rupas (images) of the Buddha, that we have here in the temple, to remind us what we are working towards.

A great way to show your respect to the Buddha, and what he achieved, is to make an offering – I give flowers and incense. Anyone can do this, not just bhikkus.

Another important part of our job is to look after the laity – we help them celebrate their weddings & funerals, we teach them the Dharma, and how to meditate, and we lead Puja for them.

Monks are very visible in our society, as they go out on the alms round every day. As well as supplying the food for the monks, this gives us an opportunity to remind the laity (people who are not monks) that there are people who are working hard at becoming enlightened.

Here in Thailand, it is easy to remember that there are people who have chosen to live as bhikkus, and work at their enlightenment – you will see us every day, even in the cities!

Living as bhikkus we are concentrating on the dharma, so we don’t have time to grow or prepare our own food. We go out on the Alms round every day, to collect offerings of food from the laity It is important for members of the laity to provide for the bhikkus – not only do we gain merit by this selfless giving (which may help us towards enlightenment in future lives), but we also show that we value the bhikkus’ presence in our society!

We think it is important to look after the bhikkus, so we place food in their alms bowls when we visit the temple every day, as well as giving to monks on the alms round.

As well as meditating, and doing Pujas, a lot of our time is spent studying – we have to know the Buddha’s teachings really well, so that we can teach people. I’m reading the Dhammapadda, which is a book of the Buddha’s teaching.

And I’m studying the Vinaya Pitaka, which contains all the rules on how we should live as Monks – there are a lot to learn, and I’ve got to learn them all, as we chant them together on Uposatha Days.

I’m still learning the chants that we have to sing in the daily puja, and the ten precepts – the basic rules that we have to follow as bhikkus.

I remember when I first became a bhikku, as a young boy. You have to be in good health, without dependents, and without debts, if you want to enter the Sangha.

My parents gave me the five things that would be my only possessions in the Sangha

My robe A Razor to shave my head My Alms Bowl A Water Strainer A Needle & Thread

My head was shaved, so that I would no longer be attached to my appearance, and to help remind me that I was now part of the community

I received my new robe – it was hard to get used to wearing it at first, and it felt funny to look exactly like everyone else!

We all lined up with our new robes, and offerings, to pay our respects to the Abbot of the monastery.

We did the “taking refuge” ceremony in front of the Abbot, and then promised to obey the monastic rules.

“I go to the Buddha for refuge, I go to the Dharma for refuge, I go to the Sangha for refuge. I go to the Buddha for refuge, I go to the Dharma for refuge, I go to the Sangha for refuge. I go to the Buddha for refuge, I go to the Dharma for refuge, I go to the Sangha for refuge”.

Learning all the rules & ways of life was hard work for the first few months.

We are very lucky that we have the time and space to practise the dharma. The monastery is a peaceful, calm place where it is easy for us to meditate – having that quiet place, and the support, makes it easier to meditate.