Dana

In many seminars “Dana” is given instead of a fixed amount. This corresponds to the Buddhist tradition according to which the value of a teaching cannot be measured with money. Nevertheless, the teachers are dependent on donations in order to make a living and teach. Giving and generosity are active aspects of spiritual practice.

In Sanskrit Dana means as much as “the gift”, and is closely related to the Latin “donare”, which also means giving. But Dana is not only the gift itself, but also an essential part of Buddhist mind and heart training, namely the joy of giving, the generosity, the feeling of having something to give. As such, Dana is one of the “six paramitas”, i.e. inner qualities that we cultivate; this also corresponds to the core of Christianity, where the joy of giving and helping is central. With our gifts, we contribute to the great cycle which is active in the universe and which in turn makes us into manifold recipients of gifts.

We thank you for your willingness to let the tradition of Dana live on in this day and age!

Recommendation

As a guideline, we recommend a donation of CHF 50 per day. On the last day of the retreat the donation will be placed in the Dana-box in a provided envelope.