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About dana – generosity

buddha-bowl-flowersDana, an ancient Pali word meaning generosity or giving, is a voluntary expression of appreciation and gratitude. The principle of Dana maintains a tradition that has provided places for the practice of meditation for around 2,500 years.

Dana offers those who value the practice of meditation the opportunity to help in the continuation of this deeply-needed service. It is a practice that diminishes self-centredness and includes the well-being of others in our actions.

There is no correct sum to give. The amount depends upon your ability to give and how your heart is moved. Any offering you make supports the very life and sustainability of the Dharma teachings offered by Gaia House.

How to make a dana offering (donation)

At the end of each retreat, course or event, there is an opportunity to make a dana offering to your teacher(s), Gaia House and our residential service community.

We are deeply grateful for your generosity.

Please click here to make a dana offering

Teacher dana

Gaia House teachers share a firm commitment to the principle of dana and do not receive any payment for leading group retreats at Gaia House. The teachings of wisdom and compassion are considered priceless, thus teachers offer their understanding freely. Dana allows teachers to continue their work in making the teachings available, and the livelihood of most teachers depends wholly, or to a large extent, on the generosity and voluntary contributions from retreatants. Those teachers supporting our personal and work retreatants receive a small stipend, although this service is primarily supported by dana.

Residential service community dana

Our residential service community offer their time and energy to assist the smooth running of Gaia House, and this gift of service is the bedrock of Gaia House. The work involves caring for the retreat space and retreatants, supporting the kitchen, maintaining the building and grounds, and helping respond to booking and administrative enquiries. The team members receive a small monthly stipend of £157 plus food and board.

Donating to Gaia House

When you come to Gaia House you are staying in a centre that has been created and is supported by the generosity of those who have practised here before you. The house was purchased through the donations of countless students and as a charity, Gaia House depends on the ongoing generosity of our sangha.

Your donation supports all aspects of Gaia House’s offerings and helps ensure that we can continue to offer the Buddha’s teachings to all, irrespective of financial circumstances, through:

  • Keeping retreat rates as low as possible*
  • Offering more subsidised retreats, such as the Dana, Living with Illness, Young Persons and Family retreats
  • Funding the Supported rate and Young Persons rate
  • Sustaining the Financial Assistance and Bursaries Fund

*Our retreat rates cover the basic running costs of each retreat, including food, heating, administration and our ongoing maintenance costs.

Tax allowances

Under Inland Revenue regulations, charities can reclaim tax on all donations made by UK tax payers. The tax is reclaimable under the Gift Aid scheme and applies to any donation, whether large or small, regular or one-off. Gaia House can claim an additional £2.50 for every £10 donated by UK tax payers, with no extra cost to you. In order for us to claim tax, you must have paid tax (on income, capital gains and/or savings) at least equal to that which can be reclaimed on your donation.

More about the Buddhist dana tradition

The tradition of dana in Buddhism is an acknowledgement of our interconnectedness and interdependence. In Asia, monasteries are generously supported by the lay community, and in turn they offer a place of refuge and teaching as well as a whole range of projects dedicated to peace and the relief of anguish. This ancient and rich tradition has sustained the Dharma teachings for more than 2,500 years, since the time of the Buddha, enabling the creation of retreat centres, the support of monasteries and a whole range of social and peace practices and projects.