“When the Buddha returned to the palace after having practiced for years in solitude his father said: “Finally! At long last, you are finally home. You were gone for so long that I became worried, I am old so now that you have returned come and take over the throne and rule the kingdom.” Buddha replied: “Look into my eyes, these are not the same eyes of the man who left. I am someone quite different now. I am not going to take over and rule the kingdom. I am going to become a beggar. In many previous lives I have learned the art.”
Although I am not claiming to be a Buddha, I have nevertheless dedicated my life to the dharma, and would like to continue to be able to do so.
So, one may, after having gone through my writings if and finding them beneficial, and if out of one’s heart one is naturally feeling truly generous, give a donation to the begging bowl of whatever value one feels that my writings has had for one’s life.
This is certainly not a requirement however as my writings are a gift (“sold” at production cost and not for profit), an offering.
If I recieve a little I will continue writing, painting and performing dharma activities from my little apartment. Or if I recieve a lot I would like to build a Hogwarts-like dharma center in the west.
So, if you want to support me and my activites, for now you can most easily do so through my Patreon page
(Click here to go to my Patreon page)
All whose will it is to give, naturally and purely out of their heart (remember the story of Bodhidharma and the king), will in proportion share in the karma generated by this life. It is said that if someone who has resources but does not have ability to travel to the temple to make offerings of say butter lamps gives the lamps to someone who can travel to the temple and offer them, they will then both share in the good karma generated. Similarly, if someone supoorts a practitioner they both share in the good karma generated by the practitioner. As Milarepa says:
Between the hermit meditating in the mountains
And the sponsor who provides his sustenance
Is a connection that will lead them to enlightenment together.
So, as this page highlights, as dana (dharma-donations) are not yet customary in the west, one may, if having benefitted from my writings and so forth, if ones will moves one in a generous way, give dana of whatever value one feels that my writings has had for one’s life to the begging bowl and that one feels is appropriate.
I promise all who feel inspired to do so that I will not waste what they have given but to, to the best of my ability, use “their/my” resources for the benefit of all beings.
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The Jewel Ornament of Liberation:
“Without generosity one cannot benefit others,
To say nothing of achieving enlightenment.”
The Bodhisattva Basket:
“For those who practice generosity,
Achieving enlightenment is not difficult.”
Clarifying the Intent of the Sage:
“The benefits of generosity are of two types: temporary and ultimate. In this life you make beings happy by your generosity, you will attain wealth, a good name, fame, glorious attainment, and happiness in full measure.
The benefits of generosity to be realized in all future lifetimes include such estimable benefits as [naturally] attaining whatever you desire, never being born in lands with barren or rough landscapes, in times of famine, or similar bad circumstances.
As for the ultimate benefits: You become a Buddha, you receive worshipful offerings, and will attain immeasurably vast excellent qualities.”