As a Theravada Buddhist monk, the narrator lives in a monastery where he studies Buddhist teachings, meditates, leads prayers and helps others on their path to enlightenment. Monks follow strict rules, spend their time in spiritual practice and community, and serve as examples of renunciation in Thai society.

2. 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.

3. 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

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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!

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

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. 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.

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

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

21. 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

22. 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!

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

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

25. “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”.

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

27. 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.