Make a Donation

Since the time of the Buddha 2,500 years ago, the teachings of the Dharma have been offered in a field of friendliness and generosity (or dana). I am committed to continuing this deep and beautiful tradition, not charging for my teaching and gratefully receiving the voluntary generosity of my students. Please scroll down for a full explanation of the dana tradition.

Donations may be made by check, Venmo, or PayPal.

Rebecca Bradshaw, PO Box 111, Ashfield, MA 01330

Venmo: Rebecca-Bradshaw-MA

Paypal: paypal.me/RebeccaBradshawMA

or online at: Insight Meditation Western Massachusetts

An explanation of teacher donations

The path for the lay practitioner is said to contain three parts: giving (dana), ethical conduct (sila), and mind/heart development (bhavana). For a complete transmission of the Buddhist teachings, all three need to be incorporated, studied, and practiced.

Dana frees the heart and mind from self absorption and acknowledges and celebrates interconnectedness. Giving releases clinging or holding on, and is a tangible manifestation of the core liberation teachings of Buddhism. This tradition of passing on the teachings in an atmosphere of generosity supports our practice of letting go (non-attachment) and strengthens the interconnectedness of the community. It creates joy as we feel the blessing of giving, connecting, and honoring each other.

The dana tradition acknowledges our interdependence and has as its foundation our mutual generosity. Traditionally, the Buddha’s teachings have been offered primarily by monks and nuns who live in monasteries supported by the villagers providing for their housing, food, clothing, and medical needs. In the West, however, the teachings are often offered by laypeople such as me. We teachers offer our time and energy with no set charge and rely on voluntary donations for our livelihood.

Students over the centuries have supported teachers’ livelihoods so that the tradition is sustained and continues into the future. When we support a teacher, we enter this centuries-old lineage ourselves. Many students also understand that the tradition of dana is itself a practice. We search our minds and hearts for what actions truly support all of us and feel right. As we practice dana and experience for ourselves the joy it brings, we deepen our understanding and open our hearts.