Dāna

Dāna is a Pali word that means ‘gift’ or ‘giving’. In the Buddhist tradition, teachers do not charge for their teaching, but offer it freely, as a gift. In exchange, students return the gift by offering a monetary contribution, which enables teachers to continue offering guidance without selling the Dharma (teachings) as a commodity. Participants at teachings and retreats are encouraged to practise generosity by making a monetary contribution to the teacher at the end of the course. Dāna is separate to the administration cost of events.