Buddhist monks, including novices are served two meals a day_ the early morning meal and the second meal of the day which is served before noon. Some alms-food donors come to the monastery and make the offering themselves, whereas some donors invite monks to partake the alms-food at their homes.

When there are no donors for the day, all monks and novices have to travel around the community to accept alms offerings. In a sermon delivered by Lord Buddha it was mentioned that it is consider honorable for a monk to accept alms offering by himself. The monks and novices have to abstain from taking solid food from noon till dawn. But, soft drinks are permitted.

The monasteries come alive with activities before dawn. The monastic boys have to attend to chores like; boiling water, cooking rice, washing the dishes and preparing the alms-receiving-black-bowls before a hollowed-log is struck, the monks and novices pay homage to the Buddha image and prayed in unison. Afterwards, the monks and novices accompanied by monastic boys line-up in procession according to seniority and travel around the community, accepting offerings. The donors in the community offer them, rice, curry and various kinds of snacks.

When they arrive back at the monastery, the monastic boys collectively prepare for the early morning meal. After the monks and novices have eaten their meal, then it is the monastic boy’s turn to eat.

The monastic boys and the novices later wash the dishes, sweep the monastery, fill the water pots and scrub the floors of the monastery. The monks and novices do a lot of learning according to their standard before the presiding monk. They then prepare to receive the offering for the second meal of a day.

When the hollowed log is struck, the monks and novices go round the community to receive offerings. The monastic boys accompany them carrying food carriers.

When they arrive back at the monastery, they serve the second meal of the day. While the monks are having their meal, the monastic boys have to recite various forms of prayers. Then, after the monks have had their meal it is their turn to eat.

We have presented to you this program in order for you to understand the disciplined way of life at a Buddhist monastery.