A regular supply of healthy food is very critical for a dynamic, growing community. The needs are very simple – rice, dhal, potatoes, vegetables, occasional fruit or yogurt, chapattis with peanut butter – really nothing fancy.

And of course everybody needs thukpa, the Tibetan-style noodle soup that is the staple diet of all mountain people in the Himalayan area. Then there are occasional treats for special days, such as vegetable momos, omelets for breakfast, and a very occasional cheese sandwich.

To the younger monks, extra servings of fruit and salad are offered three times a week. Once a week eggs are included in meals - mostly in the form of egg-curry, or boiled eggs for breakfast. The very small ones get a glass of milk once a day.

At 4 pm, after a hard afternoon in school, a snack is served with tea, before the monks are going off to their memorizing sessions or philosophy classes.

The evening meal consist of Thukpa (noodle soup), alternating with fried rice or chow min, the absolute favorites. Tea is served with every meal, sometimes milk tea, black tea or herbal tea.

The cost of food in Nepal has increased by more 15% over the past few years. Vegetables and dairy products have become more expensive, (depending on the season). Another reasons for the increase is the increased cost of transport - fuel has tripled in price, increasing the transport costs of everything. The cost of cooking fuel such as gas and kerosene has also risen sharply. The monthly food bills for the monastery have accordingly increased to around 9500 US$ a month around 1 US$ per person per day.

How you can help

• Make a one-time donation to the food fund - any amount
• Offer special breakfast or lunch to the monks on your children's or your own birthday. For this, please include a dedication in the comment box
• Sponsor lunch for all on a special Buddha day, such as Saka Dawa.

We will acknowledge all donations and your name will be added to the daily prayer list.

Cost of meals (one meal) for all 360 monks

If you would like to offer for the nuns as well, double this amount and mention it in the comment box

• Normal breakfast: Tea, Tibetan bread                      54 US$
• Special breakfast: Tea, Chapatti with Omelet         99 US$
• Lunch: Rice, Dhal, Vegetables, Fruit or Yogurt     499 US$
• Dinner: Vegetable or Noodle soup, bread, tea    199 US$
• Or give whatever you can manage.

Giving to these worthy causes with a good heart and motivation will not only help the monks and nuns, but will also give you the satisfaction that you are contributing to the survival of the religious and cultural tradition of Tibet.