Starting at the time of the Buddha, monastics shared the Dharma with lay practitioners at no cost. In the spirit of generosity, the laity would support the monastics by providing for their basic needs, ensuring the continuation of their teachings. From the very beginning, this principle of dāna (“giving” or “generosity”) has been a cornerstone of Buddhist culture. This tradition of freely offered support—whether by giving teachings or providing material assistance—has sustained the Dharma for over 2,600 years, and it continues to this day.

While dāna takes many forms, one of them is financial support, which allows teachers to continue offering the Dharma with an open hand. When students receive teachings—whether through Dharma talks, retreats, or one-on-one practice discussions—they have the opportunity to offer dāna. This is not a transaction, but rather a gift from the heart. Every gift helps ensure that future generations can experience the joy and peace of non-clinging.