Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!samsung!think.com!spool.mu.edu!agate!eos!data.nas.nasa.gov!news
From: mayne@sun16.scri.fsu.edu (Bill Mayne)
Newsgroups: soc.religion.eastern
Subject: The dana tradition (Was Re: Spirituality as an Ordeal)
Message-ID: <1991Jun27.193511.28789@nas.nasa.gov>
Date: 27 Jun 91 19:35:11 GMT
References: <1991Jun27.013722.1106@nas.nasa.gov>
Sender: news@nas.nasa.gov
Organization: SCRI, Florida State University
Lines: 76
Approved: prabhu@amelia.nas.nasa.gov


In article <1991Jun27.013722.1106@nas.nasa.gov> johnw@farside.eng.ready.com (John Wheeler) writes:
>In article: 193 of soc.religion.eastern, Mr. Tye writes:
>
[An accusation against a particular teacher/organization:]
>>>If the person wants to continue attend Satsang they must pay $100
>>>per month for a six month trial period. After that discipleship
>>>costs $200 per month. The organization, Society of Abidance in Truth
>>>(SAT), is very rigid on these rules...
>
>Etc., etc... Come, come Mr. Tye! Yes, there is an organization of those
>interested in supporting the teaching of Master Nome. What of it? How
>else do you expect people to find out about it? To go hijack an auditorium
>somewhere then advertise "It's all free!"? Please do enter the real
>world, Sir!...

>...By the way, if you have a better, more
>efficient or economical plan for running a non-profit group, speak up. A
>lot of struggling churches and non-profit groups could use a hand. 

Since you asked... :-)

Without contributing to the heat of this discussion, I would like to
point out that there are in fact many spiritual teachers and organizations
which charge no dues, relying on truly voluntary contributions to support
all of their activities - and this is in "the real world". Few if any
"struggling churches" actually resort to dues. You may say that it is
easier for the dominant religion of a culture to function this way, but
the phenomenon is also found among small struggling minorities.

The tradition I know best which maintains this  kind of practice in nearly
pure form is Theravada Buddhism, where it is known as "dana" or "giving".
By tradition there is no charge for teaching, for attending temples, or
even for food and accommodations for lay people at retreat centers.

I have seen this first hand in Thailand, where I stayed briefly at a
forest monastery. Not only did they supply my needs freely without even
asking anything in return, the head monk, who I had written to in advance,
contacted some generous English speaking lay people who welcomed me into
their home, showed me around Chaing Mai, drove me out to the monastery
(about 2 hours away), and stayed to translate for my first meeting with
the head monk and to see that I was settled in. Family could not have
treated me better.

In America some centers, such as Insight Meditation Society in Barre,
MA charge a modest daily rate for residential retreats, but not even
enough to cover all their expenses. And "scholarships" are available
for those unable to afford even the modest charge for food and shelter.

At least one place, the Bhavana Society meditation center in West
Virginia, is actually able to carry on the tradition of not charging
at all. Anyone who wants to is welcome  to go there to practice, staying
in a private hut and receiving meals and teaching without charge.
Donations are of course welcome, but there is no pressure. They don't pass
the collection plate or even bring up the subject with guests. Some have
stayed for extended retreats without making any substantial financial
contribution, and they are as welcome as anybody.

I have less intimate knowledge of several other teachers and groups
which are similarly generous with teaching and manage to make it
on free will offerings. The Hare Krishna movement's offering of free
food (which many people do take advantage of) comes to mind. They once
got a bad reputation for aggressively soliciting donations from the
public, but I haven't seen that for years.

I am not saying that it is never right to charge fees to cover expenses.
Some have had to compromise the pure dana tradition. Most have tried to
stay as close to it as possible. Compromises are no reason to throw it
out entirely.

You are far too cynical, Mr. Wheeler. Those who have tried to maintain
the tradition of freely sharing teaching, even without a large and
affluent group of followers, have been able to succeed without charging
$200 per month dues.

Bill Mayne