What to bring when first visiting a monastery

[Ytrog]

As some of you may know I'll be staying as a guest at Cittaviveka Buddhist Monastery next week. I wonder though what to bring. Any gifts you can recommend?
Is it usual to give donations beforehand or afterwards and in what form (electronically or cash)?

I hope you can answer these questions as I'm not sure about these things and I don't want to do this wrong.

@moderators: I don't know if "ordination" is the appropriate place for this, however I don't see any place that is really fit for these kind of practical how-to-interact-with-the-sangha questions.

[BlackBird]

That's Chithurst right? Some Cheese would probably be quite welcome. Not sure whether they're still doing that porridge mash up for breakfast, but some fresh fruit is always a welcome addition to the monastery stores.

[Cal]

As some of you may know I'll be staying as a guest at Cittaviveka Buddhist Monastery next week. I wonder though what to bring. Any gifts you can recommend?

Here's a Dana suggestions list from the Cittaviveka blog as of April :-

http://chithurst.blogspot.com/2011/04/dana-suggestions.html

Is it usual to give donations beforehand or afterwards and in what form (electronically or cash)?

Not entirely sure on the form for staying visitors, but there are a couple donations boxes in the main house and Dhamma Hall. You can post cash or cheques there. I think it's probably up to you what and when. There's more information on donations here:-

http://www.cittaviveka.org/support.money.htm

Hope this helps

Metta
Cal

[mikenz66]

I like to give some actual food when I visit my Wat because then it feels to me that I'm directly feeding the sangha...

On the other hand, my main donations are financial, for extremely practical reasons: that way I can give the Wat 50% more (since I can claim back about 1/3 of what I donate from the tax department)...

This might sound too calculated, but what [the trust that owns] our Wat really needs is money (to pay the mortgage, rates, electricity...).


Mike

[Ben]

This might sound too calculated, but what [the trust that owns] our Wat really needs is money (to pay the mortgage, rates, electricity...).

Indeed!

[Ytrog]

Thanks for the answers. I can work with that. I think I'll bring something like food (not sure what I can bring along in an airplane though) and donate money

[Ben]

Thanks for the answers. I can work with that. I think I'll bring something like food (not sure what I can bring along in an airplane though) and donate money

If I were you Ytrog, I would buy some food for the monastery in England.

[Ytrog]

Thanks for the answers. I can work with that. I think I'll bring something like food (not sure what I can bring along in an airplane though) and donate money

If I were you Ytrog, I would buy some food for the monastery in England.

I said I would

[Ben]

Sorry Ytrog, I wasn't clear...
Buy something for the monastery in England, when you are in England.
I hope that is clearer!

Ben

[Ytrog]

Then I misunderstood you

Thanks for the tip then

[mikenz66]

Yes, I do think they have food in England...


Mike

[Sanghamitta]

Just in case there is any doubt they prefer vegetarian food...fresh fruits and salads are appreciated.

[Ytrog]

I'll see whether I can pick-up some food on the way. The bus and train run on a tight schedule from the airport, but I'll try to do my best.