Have you given money to a Buddhist monk or would you consider it?

When I visited a Buddhist temple in China I gave some money to a guy at the entrance. I don’t know if he was a Buddhist monk or a beggar, perhaps both. Anyway when I left hours later among crowds of people to my surprise he looked at me and smiled.

We met a guy who was in training to become a monk and took him out to dinner. Man, that boy could eat !!!!

Buying their things in pretty much giving them money.

And that’s what I always do when I go to a pagoda.

It should be noted that there are many different Buddhist traditions, and not all of them have rules about only being able to eat what is offered to them, etc. Not all have rules about celibacy ether.

I give money to all sorts of mendicants; if I met a Buddhist monk in need I would assist him as best I could.

I simply don’t trust most people who beg for money, especially charities who place a minimum amount on what I should give and that includes churches (I give what I can, not what I’m required to give). People on the street (on the whole) are career beggars, charities by law only have to distribute a minimum amount of what they receive (by law no less than 35%) and by law that’s ALL they contribute. I’ve worked for several corporate type charities (usually mowing their lawns) and do they have an estate to drool over. So, my giving includes close scrutiny.. I give to St. Jude’s.. save the children, etc. local animal shelters and food banks and most individuals on the street who doesn’t push themselves on me. Begging has always been a humble act and alms a righteous response.. There’s too many hustlers out there just to toss your money at to feel good about yourself, it should be for the right reason in both cases. I do not travel by air so I haven’t been confronted by Buddhists nor other airport beggars so I really don’t know what I would do.. It would depend on what I see behind their eyes I guess.