Useful Things

May you have every good blessing.                                        Updated August 17, 2019

With deep appreciation ... the items here are useful to our sangha, both at Dhammadharini Monastery and  Aranya Bodhi Hermitage.


For our bhikkhunis' Vinaya Studies (=> our Dhammadharini Monastery Vinaya Studies Library)

  • Overcoming Doubts (Kaṅkhāvitaraṇī), Vol I: The Bhikkhu-Pātimokkha Commentary (here)

The Four Primary Requisites for Buddhist Monastics are Robes, Food, Medicines, and Lodgings

Monastic Lodgings

  • Donations towards monastery mortgage, current balance: $336,000 
  • Additional monastic and retreatant lodgings at monastery: (a) build teacher's kuti at monastery, estimate: $50,000, (b) remodel/add on to monastery buildings 
  • gift certificates for Ace Hardware (sold here for Ace Hardware). These locally-owned stores in our area carry many useful supplies for maintenance, repairs and renovations.
  • 18’x30’ large event canopy (example).  
  • Outdoor folding chairs for large events (examples)
  • A high-capacity top loading washer. This is to replace an older washer that's approaching its lifespan.* [example]
  • reed privacy fencing 6' tall x 60' to restore two structures at hermitage (example)
  • pillow cases - standard size, bronze or white (natural material, non microfiber, example) Offered--thank you!
  • sheet set - full size, bronze (natural material, non microfiber, example) Offered--thank you!

Monastic Robe Supplies and Monastic Warmwear

  • 2 lbs of "MX Nutmeg 5226 Pro Mix Reactive Dye" from Pro Chemical & Dye  Offered--thank you!
  • Copper-color sweater jacket (example)
  • Coffee-color Medium size warm vest (example)
  • Coffee-color fleece sweater (example, size S or M)
  • Coffee-color turtleneck (size M example, size S example) M size Offered--thank you!
  • Coffee-color arm warmers (example) Offered--thank you!
  • Coffee-color leg warmer socks (example) Offered--thank you!
  • Coffee-color leg warmers (example)

Monastic Medicines

  • one bottle Pure Encapsulations vitamins - as prescribed for specific medical need (example)  

  • probiotics (example) Offered--thank you!

  • Gaia Herbs "Turmeric Supreme Extra Strength" Offered--thank you!

  • tea tree oil (example) (example) Offered--thank you!

  • Tecnu poison oak skin cleanser (example) Offered--thank you!

  • Ubinquinol Q-H Absorb 200mg (example, example) Offered--thank you!

  • donations to "Monastic Medical Fund" (here)

Monastic Afternoon & Evening Tonics (Allowables)

  • cheese
  • pickled ginger
  • honey
  • dark chocolate WITHOUT added nuts or fruits  [These are allowables:  dark chocolate, dark chocolate w/ salt, dark chocolate w/ ginger or mint]
  • unsweetened soy milk, almond milk or other nut milk
  • protein powder
  • Ginseng tea (example) and Ginseng coffee (example)
  • regular black tea and coffee
  • Herbal teas such as peppermint, chai spice or liquorice

Cleaning, sewing & household care:

  • natural bristle wooden deck brush (example) and pole (example) for hermitage Offered--thank you!

  • decals to protect birds from striking windows (example) Offered--thank you!

  • eco-friendly, biodegradable, unscented soap (example)

  • 2 packs of stainless steel clothes pins (example)  Offered--thank you!

  • Brita pitcher replacement filters (example) Offered--thank you!

  • "Bee's Wrap" reuseable alternative to plastic wrap (available here)

Food Items for Monastery Kitchen (maintained by lay friends of the monastic community): 

  • millet
  • brown rice
  • gluten free tamari
  • olive oil
  • nut butters (peanut butter, etc...) with just nuts and salt
  • nuts and seeds
  • tofu and tempeh
  • powdered milk or Nido™
  • greens (ex: kale, collard greens, chard, dandelion greens, bok choy, spinach ....)
  • durable root vegetables (ex. potato, turnip, carrot)

*Before donating larger items, please email us to discuss the specifications.

To contact Dhammadharini: 
Email: dhammadharini.monastery@gmail.com, phone: 707-583-9522 or 9523
Shipping Address:  Dhammadharini, 6791 Sturtevant Drive, Penngrove, CA 94951