DANA
A donation is a transaction. Dana is a practice.
We often equate “giving” or “donating” with “DANA”, the Buddhist word for generosity, but they are actually very different.
A donation or gift implies I have something of value and have transferred it to you. A present to a loved one, a donation to a charity. This is not DANA.
In Zen, they say that DANA has no giver, no receiver and no gift. It is akin to your left hand passing the gift to the right. Nothing was gained or lost. All DANA is a gift to yourself.
The most profound truth of the teachings is that you are not the separate self you take yourself to be. You are nothing less than the consciousness of the entire universe, looking through your eyes, hearing your thoughts and feeling your feelings.
Remember, the spirit of offering lies not just in the act of giving, but in the collective impact it creates. Every act of giving, no matter how small, contributes to the well-being of our community and beyond. Together, let’s sow the seeds of positive change and cultivate a world where compassion and generosity thrive, creating a world where generosity knows no bounds.
Thank you for considering our invitation. Your support is a testament to the belief that united we can make a meaningful difference, a testament to the enduring power of compassion and the positive change we can create together.
