A tradition continuing since the time of the Buddha.
The tradition of receiving food for the day directly from donors while walking through a town or village was integral to sustaining the life of the monastics in ancient India at the time of the Buddha. This practice, that clearly shows our interdependence, is still lived today on Tuesday in West Central Park, Olympia, WA and occasionally on other days in Downtown Olympia.
Tuesday Alms Round in West Olympia
Every Tuesday, the monstics will arrive at West Central Park on Division St and Harrison Ave around 10:45 AM. They meet with those who wish to offer food near the All About Pad Thai food truck.
There is a parking lot South of the Park off of Division St and a bus stop on Harrison near the Parkside Cafe.
If it is good weather and people wish to have some Dhamma conversation, the monastics will eat their meal at the park and are open for answering Dhamma questions after the meal, otherwise they will get a ride or take the bus back to the vihara for the meal.
Alms Round at the Capitol
The next alms round dates are: Friday, May 23rd, Friday, June 13th, and Friday, June 27th.
The current plan is that the monastics will take the 41 bus to downtown and will get off the bus at the transit mall about 10:50am on alternate Fridays (see map below).
The monastics will then walk around downtown and get to Heritage Park around 11:30am. You are welcome to offer food along the route or in the park. They will eat their meal in the park. You are welcome to join them, share a meal with them and others who might be participating.
If anyone would like to discuss Dhamma after the meal the monastics are happy to stay until the time they need to take the bus back to the Vihara.
Route subject to change – check back here for next week’s route.
