Support
Copied! Supporting Saraṇa
Every single kind intention and gesture is a huge support to us and our effort to sustain the vihara; sending a friendly message, sharing a commitment to grow in Dhamma by taking part in our activities, or lending a hand with the day-to-day tasks of running the monastery.
Material support can also be offered in serveral ways:
Whatever the offering, developing dāna practice in such a way that it is a true support for liberation brings the most benefit.
Copied! The practice of dāna
Dāna (giving, or generosity) is foundational in Buddhism. It isn’t just the practical means by which the monastic sangha is supported, or even the way in which the connection between lay and monastic communities is continuously strengthened, with ongoing reciprocal offerings of āmisadāna (material gifts) and dānadhamma (the gift of Dhamma). It is a skill to be cultivated that prepares the way to nibbana (enlightnement).
Throughout the accounts of the Buddha’s ministry, lay followers requested that he and his diciples, “please accept tomorrow’s meal from me”. On one occasion the Buddha asked the devotee, Visākhā, what benefit she saw in her generosity. She replied, “when I recall it, I’ll be glad. The gladness will give rise to joy, and the mental joy will make me tranquil. When I’m tranquil, I’ll feel bliss. And when I’m blissful, my mind will be stilled. In this way I’ll develop the spiritual faculties, the spiritual powers, and the factors of awakening.”
The canonical texts overflow with rich reflections on dāna, including the Chaḷaṅgadānasutta , Dānasutta (Iti 26) , Velāmasutta , Dutiyasampadāsutta , Sīhasenāpatissutta , Issattasutta , Pattakammasutta , Ādittasutta , Sudattasutta , Dārukammikasutta , Paṭhamadānasutta , Kiṁdadasutta , Puññakiriyavatthusutta , Annasutta , Serīsutta , Manāpadāyīsutta , Balasutta , Subhasutta , Dānasutta (Iti 98) , Brāhmaṇadhammayāgasutta , Dānānisaṁsasutta , Kāladānasutta , Dakkhiṇāvibhaṅgasutta , Dānūpapattisutta , Dānamahapphalasutta , Aggappasādasutta , Cundīsutta , Mahāsālaputtasutta , Bhojanasutta , and Sādhusutta .
These suttas, among many others, show the centrality of dāna. They teach on the brightest purpose of giving and the supreme brightness beyond giving. They make an invitation to actively use generosity as a means of developing the mind and purifying the quality of heart with which gifts are given; softening, relaxing and opening the heart, pointing it towards the deeper truths of the path.
Copied! Make an offering
We warmly welcome anyone inspired to support the vihara to do so in the way that they are able and moved to. Those near us who’d like to join a meal offering in-person just need to let us know, and for those further away, our volunteers are happy to arrange bringing supplies to the monastry on your behalf.
