Dana

Dana in the Buddhist Tradition
Dana is an ancient Pali word meaning giving or gift. Generosity is at the heart of the 2,500 year old Buddhist tradition. The Buddha and the monastic community offered the teachings freely to lay people, as a form of dana. In turn, the lay community, through their generosity, or dana, ensured that their teachers’ basic needs for food, clothing, shelter and medicine were provided.

For the Buddha, dana was an essential foundation of the teachings. The act of giving itself is of immeasurable benefit to the giver; it opens up the heart, establishes interconnectedness and the value of the well-being of others. It is the natural expression of a wise and loving heart.

"...the donor, before giving, is glad; while giving, their mind is bright & clear; and after giving is gratified." AN 6.37

How Dana Works at True North Insight Retreats
Your retreat fee covers only the retreat costs, room and board, without compensation for the teachers. Honouring this ancient tradition, teachings are considered invaluable and offered freely, with no payment to teachers and managers included in your registration.

At the end of each retreat, you'll be invited to offer dana (donations) to the teachers, retreat manager, and True North Insight. This invitation comes through a dana talk that explains this rich tradition of giving.

Teacher’s Dana
Teachers offer their wisdom with a spirit of generosity and trust, gratefully receiving support for their lives, ongoing studies and work. This beautifully expresses the truth of interdependence — for millennia, we have relied on each other's generosity for the teachings to flourish and for our practice communities to thrive.

Many students have asked for specific guidelines. One suggestion is "to give until your heart feels full”. One may also seek guidance by looking at the fees that are charged for similar events or workshops. Leaders of workshops are typically paid $80 - 100 or more per participant per day. It may be helpful to know that preparing for a retreat can take several days, in addition to travel time.

Although we have continued this ancient and important tradition and practice, there are some essential differences: monastics are supported by monasteries with the requisites of housing, medicine, food, and clothing; lay teachers carry these costs on their own, now and in their old age.

Dana should always be given according to what feels generous within your means. All participants are welcome regardless of their financial circumstances. Our community comes together as in the time of the Buddha, some with less means, some with more, to collectively support our teachers' livelihoods and their continued service to the Dharma.

Thank you for contributing to the culture of generosity that makes your retreat possible and keeps these teachings alive.

Listen to dharma talks on generosity:

Molly Swan (in English)

Pascal Auclair (in French)