Story: Communes and communities

Monks at Bodhinyanarama Buddhist monastery, led by abbot Ajahn Tiradhammo, line up to receive food from lay supporters. The monastery, in Stokes Valley, north of Wellington, was established in the 1980s. Part of the Thai forest monastery tradition, Bodhinyanarama belongs to a network of similar monasteries in western countries, and many of the monks are of European descent. They are not permitted to handle money or own property, and are dependent on supporters for their food and material needs. In South-East Asia monks collect food on an alms round each morning. In New Zealand that proved impractical, so supporters from different ethnic communities bring food to the monastery.