Give alms to a monk

Alms or almsgiving is an essential activity for Thai people. Being a predominantly Buddhist country, you will see monks walking close to the temples during the early hours of every morning shortly after sunrise with locals giving donations of food, medicine, clothing and more as they pass.

In Buddhism, alms or almsgiving is the respect given by a lay Buddhist to a Buddhist monk or nun. It is not charity as presumed by Western interpreters. It is closer to a symbolic connection to the spiritual realm and to show humbleness and respect. The act of almsgiving assists in connecting the human to the monk or nun and what he/she represents and is often perceived as giving the laypeople the opportunity to make merit (Pāli: puñña).