How do Buddhist temples make money?

Money has flowed between laypeople and the Buddhist monastic community since the origins of the religion over 2,500 years ago. In the first, temples lent money or seeds on interest. In the second, monks, nuns, and laypeople organized mutual funding and aid associations.

What do Theravada Buddhism believe in?

Theravada Buddhism stresses spirituality, the enlightenment of the individual, self-discipline, the importance or pure thought and deed, the importance of the monastic life and the strict observance of the ancient Vinaya code It has distinct roles for monks and lay people, emphasizes that each individual is responsible …

Can monks use the Internet?

Yes, it’s harder to concentrate as a monk with the world at your doorstep, but some modern conveniences are welcome. “Monks can use the Internet to study and debate scripture,” he added.

Do monks need money?

To Buddhists (and a lot of economists), money counts as a social convention. So like other social conventions, Buddhist monks give it up. They can’t buy or sell anything, get cash out of the bank or even give or accept charitable donations.

Can monks have friends?

While social interaction and personal relations are more accepted among monks than among nuns, only one of the monks I interviewed described having a relationship that he referred to as a form of friendship. ‘I live a form of friendship in the community’, the monk (M3-6) said.

Can Buddhist monks accept money for themselves?

Buddhist monks (bhikkhus) and nuns (bhikkhunis) are not allowed to accept money for themselves. Nor are they allowed to tell a trustworthy layperson to receive it on their behalf and keep it for them (e.g. keeping a personal bank account). Such practices are explicitly prohibited in the 18th rule of the section…

Can a Buddhist keep a bank account for a layperson?

Nor are they allowed to tell a trustworthy layperson to receive it on their behalf and keep it for them (e.g. keeping a personal bank account). Such practices are explicitly prohibited in the 18th rule of the section of Vinaya called Nissaggiya Pacittiya.

How do monastic communities support their monks?

The lay community provides the money and the labor to build shelter for monks, make them clothes and buy them the technology they need to keep up with the world outside the monastery, from computers to iPads. Some monastic communities like the Forest Sangha even have a Twitter account.

What do monks give up by giving up money?

Through giving up money they give up much of their power to manipulate the world and to satisfy their desires. Thus, as the Buddha once said when asked whether money was permissible to the monks and nuns: