About generosity

   The great Yogi Milarepa said: "The merit accumulated by the practitioner and the merit accumulated by the sponsor are the same."

Generosity, dana in Sanskrit, djinpa in Tibetan is a very powerful quality.

Ancient teachings tell us that a life of generosity builds the ideal foundation for all other spiritual growth.

We develop this powerful quality when we, with an open heart and mind, offer advice, a gentle, soothing word with our speech, or if, with our body, we offer protection or a gift of food or some money to those in need.

Genuine generosity blooms when we give without expecting something in return, when we are content and at ease with what we have, when we let go of what is not needed, and when we do not take what is not freely given to us.

The greatest gifts of all are the teachings that lead to liberation, the authentic Dharma. These gifts are priceless, and have been passed down for generations without charge.

In this spirit, the teachers and all those working for the centers offer their time and skills generously and freely.

Selfless generosity allows us to experiment with a new way of dealing with wealth; through voluntary giving rather than through mandatory paying.

This kind of dealing with giving makes one aware that each one of us is a very important part of the whole, which is supported by the whole and so responsible for the welfare of the whole.

 Having to pay a fixed fee for a particular service etc. can often become a cause for keeping us isolated within our defensive fears in relation to our belongings.

The expectation that we develop by wanting to get our money's worth in knowledge can also obscure genuine receptivity toward the teachings and so toward our spiritual growth.

 In the contrary, the ancient and honored tradition of voluntary support for teachers and their activity has ensured the unbroken flow of profound spiritual teachings for centuries.

 On the other hand the existence of our centers entirely relies on the generous donations of participants and sponsors who make it possible to finance the center's rent and maintenance, electricity, phone and water bills, as well as the bare cost of organizing the courses - the renting of bigger halls for special events if necessary, travel costs of the teachers like tickets and sometimes visas, as well as meals, web support, posters and photocopies etc.

There is also great need for help in other forms such as offering services by being part of the team that supports the activity of the center in any way possible, such as;

housekeeping, shopping and cooking, secretary activities, accountant, web designer, lawyer, up to the recording and writing of the teachings given.

 To be able to deepen ones understanding and wisdom of the teachings it is also necessary to be able to practice more intensively.

For this reason we envision and are collecting to soon be able to buy a place in a more remote area, not far from the city, where longer meditation courses could be organized.

Such a project could never be realized without the help of many. 

  We assure you and promise that any donation will be whole heartedly appreciated and appropriately used!

Sarwa Mangalam

May all be auspicious!