Priory Support
The word dana is an ancient Buddhist term meaning generosity—giving and receiving, from heart to heart. The Buddha highly recommended this as one of the most important Buddhist virtues, because it truly benefits the giver as well as the receiver. It is through simple acts of giving that we can begin to build a foundation for our religious training. Whether we live the homeless life of monks or the life of a householder, generosity makes the heart grow brighter. It helps us to overcome selfishness and attachment, and to open our hearts. It is a necessary element in the growth of kindness and compassion, which in turn are necessary for real peace of mind, as well as for deepening any religious practice.
The Buddha established a practice of mutual dependence between the monastic and lay Sangha. To oversimplify, the monks offer the Dharma, the Buddha’s Teaching, to all who ask, and the laity offer material support to the monks. This helps all involved in Buddhist training, whether monastic or lay, to experience the benefits of dana for ourselves, and thus grow our faith and trust in the Buddha-Dharma.
In an act of faith and in keeping with the monastic part of this commitment, the Priory is willingly dependent for its existence on the generosity of our friends and congregation. We receive no support from any other source, there being no fees of any kind for instruction, or participation in Priory activities. Your gifts of support, whether financial, material, labor (Workdays), or of any other kind, are deeply appreciated, and would assist the Priory in continuing to offer the Dharma in South Carolina. Your greatest support is simply your continued presence and practice.
For another perspective on generosity—through the lens of help around the Priory—see CZBP Newsletter #6, On Generosity.
