Food Offering

Meals are offered every day at 11 a.m.

Mealtime

Offering food to the Sangha, whether on almsround or at the monastery, is a traditional way to get to know the monastic community as well as other interested people. As in the time of the Buddha, the monastery doesn’t grow or buy food and therefore is completely dependent on daily alms and donations of food. The meal offering at a Theravada Buddhist monastery is usually a fairly social affair, with supporters showing up sometimes by arrangement, often spontaneously unannounced, everyone always welcome to join in whether bringing an offering or not.

A senior monk is  generally available after the meal for conversation. The daily meal offering at 11 a.m. or just afterwards is therefore a good time to come to speak to the monks, meet other people, or share in a meal. Everyone’s always welcome.

Offering food at Temple Forest Monastery

Please join the community any day for the meal offering at 11 a.m. It’s helpful to let the monastery know beforehand, to give the kitchen an idea of how much food is coming if you plan to offer food. There are usually between twelve and twenty monks & novices for the meal plus six or seven guests on most days. But feel free to come without notice, too.

If you’re bringing food, it’s good to arrive before 11 in order to prepare the offerings: coming anytime in the morning is OK; between 9–11 a.m. is best.