Question: What should I give a friend who is about to ordain to be a monk?
Answer: I think it’s best to ask him directly what he needs!
Question: Isn’t someone who is renouncing more likely already prepared, and less likely to ask for anything? Maybe I should just give him a letter of well wishes?
Answer: How about giving him a Dharma book that you think he should appreciate? You can slip the letter within.
Question: Good idea!
Answer: The gift of the Dharma excels all other gifts! Be it for laity, monastics or laity about to be monastics!