Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Even monks need money and PR.

It was really jarring to see the monk standing in the doorway of a shed staring directly at the camera and the business owner advertising his monk approved sheds.

It's possible the business owner is a Buddhist who belongs to a local temple and it matters personally to him to have his business blessed by a monk.

I somehow doubt that this endorsement will be a big money maker in [checking notes] South Carolina, and actually would be surprised if the monk received any money for this. More likely the business donated to the Walk via the local temple.

I get the Facebook post feels jarring but I doubt it's a true commercial endorsement. Also many nks on often sell goods to help support their temples, and there's nothing about Buddhism that says you can't own a business -- you are just expected to interrogate your own attachment to material goods and seek to relinquish unhealthy attachments. But Buddhists are people who live in the world. They aren't expected to starve or be homeless. Most Buddhists aren't monks, just people leading normal lives but who meditate, study Buddhists texts, and may participate in temple activities.

Now, if one of the monks showed up in an ad for a gun range or slaughterhouse, I'd start raising my eyebrows.

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Anonymous wrote:Even monks need money and PR.

It was really jarring to see the monk standing in the doorway of a shed staring directly at the camera and the business owner advertising his monk approved sheds.

Even monks need money and PR.

They walked through our area and I saw that local businesses were advertising their business with photos of the monks at their businesses. It seemed odd. I saw several photos on facebook and other social media with the monks standing around their businesses looking straight into the camera. They are definitely using it as an advertisement. They were not casual photos or candid photos.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can’t believe these guys can’t find something better to do. Their wives must be pretty miffed. “All day with the prayers! And when you DO get off your butt, you go on a long hike with your buddies? The garage isn’t gonna paint itself! I got your Nirvana right here!”

Buddhist monks dont get married (not officially).

Some do. There are non-celibate clergy in the Tibetan strain. I think Japanese too.
My understanding of Tibetan buddhism is that either you were part of the buddhist noble laity or you were a serf.

Also, they can leave their vows, and take them up again later on.
It's nothing like the monkdom and nunneries of Christianity. It's entirely about self-liberation.

Your response is thoughtful and helpful for sure, but the original poster was just being rude.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can’t believe these guys can’t find something better to do. Their wives must be pretty miffed. “All day with the prayers! And when you DO get off your butt, you go on a long hike with your buddies? The garage isn’t gonna paint itself! I got your Nirvana right here!”

Buddhist monks dont get married (not officially).

Some do. There are non-celibate clergy in the Tibetan strain. I think Japanese too.
My understanding of Tibetan buddhism is that either you were part of the buddhist noble laity or you were a serf.

Also, they can leave their vows, and take them up again later on.
It's nothing like the monkdom and nunneries of Christianity. It's entirely about self-liberation.

That said, the west has "essentialized" eastern buddhist monkhood as some deep mystical and spiritual pursuit. Kind of the way George Costanza's mother thought advice from what she thought was a Chinese woman was so deep and wise, until she realized she was talking to a Long Island Jewish woman surnamed Chang-stein.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can’t believe these guys can’t find something better to do. Their wives must be pretty miffed. “All day with the prayers! And when you DO get off your butt, you go on a long hike with your buddies? The garage isn’t gonna paint itself! I got your Nirvana right here!”

Buddhist monks dont get married (not officially).

Some do. There are non-celibate clergy in the Tibetan strain. I think Japanese too.
My understanding of Tibetan buddhism is that either you were part of the buddhist noble laity or you were a serf.

Also, they can leave their vows, and take them up again later on.
It's nothing like the monkdom and nunneries of Christianity. It's entirely about self-liberation.

This is beautiful indeed. Even though history shows that monks can be militant and vindictive but Buddhism itself promotes peace in world and in minds. This march is a comforting thing in a world dealing with so much chaos.

This is beautiful.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the last stop in VA before DC? I would like to see them.

Arlington on 2/10. There's a more detailed map.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?fbclid=IwY2xjawPRH0hleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFMcDE1d0J0M09FdGJPdVJMc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHl821jZkWdJL64t6o8MGOYfYaEncDKGSklfJdrEBRD0lPbWN03jmUkBmWndj_aem_SYm4ZRTkXqstBlHxUPiTdQ&mid=1f7eSxLc3YUERnnfeAK3NMg2hBI4zKDY&ll=38.847033371294955%2C-77.26008077350711&z=11

Oh! There's an update:
As of today, Day 78 (1/11/2026), here is our plan:
- 1/15/2026 - Charlotte, NC
- 1/19/2026 - Greensboro, NC
- 1/24/2026 - Raleigh, NC
- 2/1/2026 - Richmond, VA
- 2/5/2026 - Fredericksburg, VA
- 2/11/2026 - Washington, D.C.

Thank you!

Thank you.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the last stop in VA before DC? I would like to see them.

Arlington on 2/10. There's a more detailed map.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?fbclid=IwY2xjawPRH0hleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFMcDE1d0J0M09FdGJPdVJMc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHl821jZkWdJL64t6o8MGOYfYaEncDKGSklfJdrEBRD0lPbWN03jmUkBmWndj_aem_SYm4ZRTkXqstBlHxUPiTdQ&mid=1f7eSxLc3YUERnnfeAK3NMg2hBI4zKDY&ll=38.847033371294955%2C-77.26008077350711&z=11

Oh! There's an update:
As of today, Day 78 (1/11/2026), here is our plan:
- 1/15/2026 - Charlotte, NC
- 1/19/2026 - Greensboro, NC
- 1/24/2026 - Raleigh, NC
- 2/1/2026 - Richmond, VA
- 2/5/2026 - Fredericksburg, VA
- 2/11/2026 - Washington, D.C.

Anonymous wrote:What is the last stop in VA before DC? I would like to see them.

Arlington on 2/10. There's a more detailed map.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?fbclid=IwY2xjawPRH0hleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFMcDE1d0J0M09FdGJPdVJMc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHl821jZkWdJL64t6o8MGOYfYaEncDKGSklfJdrEBRD0lPbWN03jmUkBmWndj_aem_SYm4ZRTkXqstBlHxUPiTdQ&mid=1f7eSxLc3YUERnnfeAK3NMg2hBI4zKDY&ll=38.847033371294955%2C-77.26008077350711&z=11

What is the last stop in VA before DC? I would like to see them.