We live in an economically-motivated culture – one based on buying and selling goods and services. For example, if you have a job, you expect to receive a salary. If you go to a restaurant for dinner, you expect to pay for your meal and probably a tip. And if you take a course or go to a class, you expect to pay a registration fee.

Theravada Buddhism sees things a bit differently. For the past 2,600 years, it has operated on the principle of dana, which means generosity. With dana, there are no set prices, rates or fees because it is considered as a gift given from the heart.  

Dana is regarded as an essential spiritual practice in many Buddhist traditions because it confers so many benefits on the donor. Not only does it reveal our attachment and clinging to money, it also leads to an opening of the heart. In short, it makes the donor feel better about themselves. Some Buddhists also believe that there are positive karmic effects that result from dana.   

Ever since the time of the Buddha, many monks and nuns have freely offered their teachings to anyone who wanted them. This form of generosity continues to this day in the west with some teachers, monks and nuns. And it is in this tradition that I offer my services on a dana/donation basis.

That said, it is common practice for students to show their gratitude by offering dana to their teachers, as an expression of appreciation that recognizes that everyone, including teachers, needs financial and material resources to live.  

​By adopting a dana/donation approach to offering my services, I hope to encourage you to develop the same qualities of mind that we are developing in meditation: Generosity, gratitude, loving-kindness, renunciation, and wisdom.

Dana can be a challenging practice at first, but I invite you to try it and notice how you feel. You'll probably feel good about yourself afterwards!

Thank you.