Every act of generosity is an expression of dana. May the merit of your generosity spread far.
The Practice of Generosity
The principle of generosity, or dana, is intrinsic to the 2,500 year old tradition of Buddhism. In the days of the Buddha, the teachings were considered priceless and thus offered freely. Through the reciprocal generosity of students and teachers, the teachings have flourished and allowed may people to develop greater wisdom and compassion.
Practicing dana is a central part of the teachings. Generosity is a beautiful and joyful quality, an opening of the heart into sharing. It creates an atmosphere of non-separateness, an expression of our interconnectedness and interdependence. Through generosity, we practice letting go of clinging, which frees the heart. It is the foundation of all spiritual growth and the practice of all religions.
At Insight PV, we are honored to continue the dana tradition of sharing the teachings of the Buddha freely and without charge. The donations from classes, retreats, and sittings, added to the donations from fund-raising events, mail appeals, and gifts from dedicated friends of the Center, enable us to pay the rent and other administrative expenses.
Our teachers and community dharma leaders at the Center are not paid by IPV for leading classes and retreats. The only financial support they receive for their teaching is in the form of dana. Your contributions to the teachers helps them with the expenses of a lay life and supports them so they can devote more of their lives to teaching, and keeps this beautiful tradition of dana alive.
The principle of generosity, or dana, is intrinsic to the 2,500 year old tradition of Buddhism. In the days of the Buddha, the teachings were considered priceless and thus offered freely. Through the reciprocal generosity of students and teachers, the teachings have flourished and allowed may people to develop greater wisdom and compassion.
Practicing dana is a central part of the teachings. Generosity is a beautiful and joyful quality, an opening of the heart into sharing. It creates an atmosphere of non-separateness, an expression of our interconnectedness and interdependence. Through generosity, we practice letting go of clinging, which frees the heart. It is the foundation of all spiritual growth and the practice of all religions.
At Insight PV, we are honored to continue the dana tradition of sharing the teachings of the Buddha freely and without charge. The donations from classes, retreats, and sittings, added to the donations from fund-raising events, mail appeals, and gifts from dedicated friends of the Center, enable us to pay the rent and other administrative expenses.
Our teachers and community dharma leaders at the Center are not paid by IPV for leading classes and retreats. The only financial support they receive for their teaching is in the form of dana. Your contributions to the teachers helps them with the expenses of a lay life and supports them so they can devote more of their lives to teaching, and keeps this beautiful tradition of dana alive.
Volunteering
Volunteering to help with the tasks of running the Center is another invaluable form of generosity. Aside from a part-time director and a Guiding Teacher who receives a small stipend for her organizational duties, all staffers at the Center are volunteers. The dedication of our volunteers is a precious offering that makes the teachings accessible to many. To learn more about volunteering for the Center, click here.
Volunteering to help with the tasks of running the Center is another invaluable form of generosity. Aside from a part-time director and a Guiding Teacher who receives a small stipend for her organizational duties, all staffers at the Center are volunteers. The dedication of our volunteers is a precious offering that makes the teachings accessible to many. To learn more about volunteering for the Center, click here.