Useful Things

May you have every good blessing.                                        Updated September 08, 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 Offered, thank you!

For Dhamma Presentations

  • Projector suitable for daylit presentations.  Here is one example. Please contact if you have a different solution. Offered, thank you!
  • Outdoor folding chairs for large events (examples)

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

Monastic Lodgings

  • Financial support for repair of monastery roof.  Shingles have reached their lifespan.  $5,000 needed to complete this project in 2019.
  • Ongoing monthly financial support for lodgings. Recurring donations in any amount will help to fully fund the monthly mortgage expense. 
  • 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).  
  • Twin size cotton mattress pads, to protect two new mattresses that were recently donated (link)
  • 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)
  • filter candles for hermitage water filtration ("Rio 2000" replacement 6-pack available here)

Monastic Robe Supplies and Monastic Warmwear

  • 2 Monastic color day packs
  • Copper-color sweater jacket (example)
  • Coffee-color Medium size warm vest (example)
  • Coffee-color fleece sweater (example, size S or M)
  • Coffee-color leg warmers (example)

Monastic Medicines

  • donations to "Monastic Medical Fund" (here)

  • Samahan

  • Emergen-C

  • Pepto-Bismol

  • iron supplements

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:

  • toilet paper - no more than two ply and easy to dissolve as the plumbing is sensitive (standard size, not mega rolls)

  • replacement mop heads for "O Cedar Big Easy" mop (example)

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

  • eco-friendly, biodegradable hand sanitizer (example)

  • matches (example)

  • rechargeable AAA batteries (example)

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

  • natural fiber twine

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

  • black rice
  • millet
  • brown rice
  • gluten free tamari
  • olive oil Offered - Thank you!
  • 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