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The
Meaning of Dana, or Generosity
of Spirit. From the time of
the Buddha, a relationship
of dana (generosity
of spirit), mutual aid and
trust has endured between
the laity and the monastic
members of the Buddhist
Sangha. This reciprocal
respect and kindness and
depth of commitment to help
each other is what enables
Buddhism to survive and
grow.
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As monks we try to practice the Dharma as purely as possible and we offer to share the Dharma through teaching, encouragement and example. We live in and maintain our monastery as a place of quiet refuge for all those who would like to join in our training. Traditionally in order to help the monks continue to deepen their training and offer the Dharma, the laity offer alms and receive instruction on how to put the Dharma into practice to benefit themselves and the world.
Mutual respect and kindness develop between members of the Sangha, and thus the practice of dana assists each of us in making our training a success. There really can be no price put on the Buddha Dharma. Thus, we at Shasta Abbey have chosen not to have fees or even suggested donation amounts. We make an offering of the teaching, and provide a training refuge, putting our faith in the practice of dana.
Shasta Abbey truly lives and functions through lay financial support which provides the traditional "four requisites" of food, lodging, robes, and medicine for monks.
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We are deeply grateful for the kind offerings
which completed the building of the Bodhidharma Hall.
The Bodhidharma Hall is our monks' residence hall; built, heated and maintained through the ongoing efforts and donations of the laity.
When we serve our fellow trainees purely,
hundreds and thousands of lives are enfolded in one single day’s, or hour’s work, which will bear fruit for many lives to come.
Great Master Dogen, Instructions to the Chief Cook
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Our Wholehearted Thanks
In our last year's summer project we received over $30,000 for replacing carpet and paint in our guest house. Through the generous efforts of the Sangha the Vimilakirti Hall guest house has been painted and generally spruced up. The carpet was professionally installed. We had a very harmonious month of working meditation doing these renovations. It is amazing what a group of people working togethr can accomplish. From the donations that we received we also ordered 14 new chairs for the common room and spirtiual counseling room. These should arrive in the near future. We hope that you feel that is a good use of your donations.
We are deeply grateful for all the generosity we received for our projects and also our deepest thanks to all who came and helped, not only with Vimilakirti Hall but also in other areas of the monastery.
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