Forest Monastics

LeṇA Pāda

A project of Empty Cloud Italia

Bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs dedicated to the study and practice of Early Buddhism. Building a monastery in Southern Italy. 

DHarma

EVERY WEEK MEDITATION AND SUTTA STUDY IN PERSON & ONLINE

Teachings

STUDIO

Via Sarra 16, Acquaviva delle Fonti (BA)

ONLINE

Join us online: www.youtube.com/@emptyclouditalia

Write us an e-mail info@emptycloud.it

How Much Does it Cost?

The Buddha’s teachings are priceless: for 2500 years, they have been offered through an economy of generosity. Every freely given donation sustains the Sangha and the monastery.

EVERY THURSDAY

In person & online

Time: 19:00 - 20:30 MEDITATION & TEACHINGS

EVERY SATURDAY

In person & online

Time: 16:30 - 18:00 MEDITATION & TEACHINGS

FIRST SUNDAY

Every first Sunday of the month, Mamma Stefania offers her home for a community lunch.

Time: 10:00 - 13:00 LUNCH

Time: 13:00 - 16:00 MEDITATION & TEACHINGS

Sign-up

Write an e-mail to info@emptycloud.it

Invite

The Empty Cloud bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs are wandering monastics. To invite them to offer teachings at your location, please write to us via email.

Invite...

Write an e-mail to info@emptycloud.it

EVENTS

Calendar PROGRAMS

Where can I find the monastics? Check our events calendar to meet Buddhist monastics in Acquaviva delle Fonti and across Italy.

DĀNA

Offer food to the monastic Sangha

An Economy of Generosity

How can I offer food to the monks?

You can offer food in three ways:

  • Spontaneous offerings in town during the morning almsround
  • Meal invitation at your house
  • Home visit invitation for food offerings into the bowl

Why don't the monastics tell me what they want?

The monastic practice is to be content with little. The monastics receive offerings with gratitude and rejoice in the good karma of the lay people’s generosity.

What should I offer?

Whatever you feel inspired to give! No matter how small or large, the monastics are grateful to receive food to nourish their bodies and continue their spiritual practice.

Is there anything I should not offer?

Raw meat, uncooked grains (rice, pasta, etc.), or other foods that need to be cooked before eating. The monastics will eat the food exactly as it is offered!

Do they have food preferences?

To have preferences is to suffer. The monastics live as mendicants, seeking a happiness that is beyond conditions.

I don't have any food with me!

Here is a map showing several grocery stores in Acquaviva delle Fonti that are open in the morning. 

How much food can I donate?

Whatever you feel inspired to give! Anything remaining from the morning almsround will be donated to charity.

If you see the monastics standing outside grocery stores or walking through town, feel free to say hello! You can offer food into their bowls right then and there, invite them to pass by your home to receive food, or invite them for a formal lunch at your house. Sādhu anumodanā — We rejoice in your good deeds!

Why do monastics go on almsround?

Empty Cloud monastics live in accordance with vows of absolute poverty. They observe hundreds of precepts, such as not handling or using money, not storing food for the following day, and not cultivating the land. 

They live a life of contemplation and renunciation, sustained by the generosity of the laity. For this reason, they enter the village for the almsround every morning, humbly receiving ready-to-eat food offerings which will be consumed before solar noon. 

Community

Support the monastics and the local people

Want to make an offering but don't have food? Here is a map of local shops nearby.

Which shops are open in the morning?

READY-MADE FOOD

  • Antica Panetteria (dalle 9:00) P.zza Garibaldi 14
  • Kitchen Lab (dalle 11:00), P.zza Garibaldi 84
  • Retrogusto Take Away (dalle 12:00), P.zza S.Francesco 7

BAKERIES

  • Giacinto Casucci, Via Abrusci 45
  • Panificio Barile, Via Laera 64
  • Bakery & Co, Estramurale Malignani 1
  • Antica Forneria Nardulli, Via Curzio 31
  • Fantasie di Focaccia, Via Maselli Campagna 162
  • Antica Panetteria, P.zza Garibaldi 14

CHEESE

  • Caseificio il Bocconcino, Via per Sammichele 61
  • Caseificio Barberio, Via Laforenza
  • Caseificio Rossi, Via Maselli Campagna 97

FRUIT & VEGETABLE

  • D Luss da Massimo, Estramutale Molignani 45
  • Fascill, Estramurale Pozzo Zuccaro 24
  • Giuliano Frutta, Via de Gasperi 3
  • Dea Frutta, Via Don Cesare Franco 22

SANDWICH SHOPS

  • De Gustibus, Via Maselli Campagna 25
  • Fratelli Leo, Via Roma 28
  • Veroni Market, Via Pietroforte
  • Fantasie di Simone Romano, Via Laera 93
  • Bianca & Rossa, Via Scalera 33
  • L’Angolo delle Bontà, Via Kolbe 21

FARMER'S MARKET

  • Mercoledì: Via Luigi Einaudi
  • Sabato: Piazza Kolbe

GENERAL FOOD STORES

  • Giacinto Casucci, Via Abrusci 45
  • De Gustibus, Via Maselli Campagna 25
  • Supermercato, Via Ciro Menotti

ACQUA VIVA

Leṇa Bhāvanā

A Buddhist Forest Monastery right outside Bari

How far have we come?
Fundraising Efforts 61%

Thanks to your generosity, we have reached more than half of our fundraising goal! A zero-interest loan allowed us to purchase the land, securing a monastic presence in Puglia. Every donation brings us one step closer to making this project a reality.

SUPPORT

A project of generosity

Everything we do is thanks to your voluntary offerings. Give the greatest of all gifts: the gift of Dhamma.

DONATE VIA WIRE:

Account Name: Empty Cloud Italia
IBAN: IT30X0306909606100000401291
Payment Reference: Libera donazione a sostegno attività

DONATE BY CREDIT CARD: