next »

[Ahimsaka]

This is a re-visit on the controversial subject of renunciate monastic order directly handling money. In that forum article, it was mentioned ..... "the 19th Section of the Vinaya states that monks or nuns are not allowed to buy and sell things for themselves using money." Somehow, the article appears undeniably firm on its stand that monks or nuns should not handle money. Despite the article's strong presentation of evidence from Buddha's own words against handling of money, there are still monks or nuns today that seem to contravene the Buddha's Teachings on this matter per se. How then should a lay Buddhist attitude be towards such monks or nuns. Or is there any other angle of thought the article might have over-looked?

Full article can be found here.... [page 2]
http://issuu.com/buddhist/docs/bf_newsletter_may_july

[Buddhalove]

There is nothing improper for monks & nuns to buy small item like foods and travel from one place to another by taxi etc that required them to handle small amount of money. I think the Vinaya implies more larger context like owning properties such as monastery. However, there is exception where no laybuddhist is qualified and available to handle it. This vinaya is imposed on the Theravada tradition where monastics dwell on ascetic living, unlike Mahayana monasticism that requiring them to move around to impart Buddhism understanding to benefit living beings and the society at large. There is also flexibility for this Vinaya.