About Dana -- The Practice of Generosity
In the Eastern traditions of Mindfulness practice there is unique relationship of interdependence between teacher, who offers the Dhamma (Buddhist teachings) freely, and those who benefit from the teaching in the form of Dana (pronounced “dah-na”). Dana is an offering given freely without any expectation for anything in return. This interdependence is conducive to the practice of generosity, which is more from the heart, versus a typical purchase transaction, so familiar in Western cultures.
Generosity is a critical factor in Mindfulness practice for cultivating happiness. A generous heart is not tight: it is warm, at ease, kind and open. Through the practice of Dana, the act of giving opens your feeling of inner joy, cultivates a spirit of caring and helps you gain insight into the nature of inter-connectedness that we share in this life on earth.
Today, we see a modified form of Dana being applied in the virtual realm of GoFundMe causes, where donors can collectively give support to projects that they believe will bring forth positive change. Through the click of a button, heartfelt generosity can interconnect us to people beyond our proximity.
Why offer classes on a Dana basis? All Mindfulness Meditation classes (beyond Level 1 for beginners) are offered on a Dana basis as a merit cultivation practice that is fundamental to Mindfulness. This setup gives students the opportunity to contribute what they wish to support the teaching and its necessary infrastructure in the virtual world. "Paying it forward" helps bring us together electronically and makes these classes available for all who are interested, regardless of their means.
Generosity is a critical factor in Mindfulness practice for cultivating happiness. A generous heart is not tight: it is warm, at ease, kind and open. Through the practice of Dana, the act of giving opens your feeling of inner joy, cultivates a spirit of caring and helps you gain insight into the nature of inter-connectedness that we share in this life on earth.
Today, we see a modified form of Dana being applied in the virtual realm of GoFundMe causes, where donors can collectively give support to projects that they believe will bring forth positive change. Through the click of a button, heartfelt generosity can interconnect us to people beyond our proximity.
Why offer classes on a Dana basis? All Mindfulness Meditation classes (beyond Level 1 for beginners) are offered on a Dana basis as a merit cultivation practice that is fundamental to Mindfulness. This setup gives students the opportunity to contribute what they wish to support the teaching and its necessary infrastructure in the virtual world. "Paying it forward" helps bring us together electronically and makes these classes available for all who are interested, regardless of their means.
Thank you for your generosity.
--Surja Tjahaja
--Surja Tjahaja
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"Train in acts of merit that bring long-lasting bliss — develop generosity, a life in tune, a mind of good-will. Developing these three things that bring about bliss, the wise reappear in a world of bliss unalloyed."
-- an excerpt from Dhammapada: The Essential Teachings of the Buddha |
