Dana (Generosity)

The Westcoast Dharma Society appreciates and relies on donations to sustain its retreat, workshop, and class programs each year. Registration fees do not cover all of the organizing costs. We rely on donations to make up the shortfall. Because of past support and generosity, WDS events continue to be relatively inexpensive, and financial assistance continues to be available for all who need financial support to attend WDS meditation events.

Last year we ended the year with a surplus. This year we are being impacted by the economic downturn, but we are hoping through the generous year-end donations this year to once more balance our revenue and expenses, or at least reduce the current operating deficit for 2009. Please help if you can.

Retreat registration fees cover most, but not all, of the costs associated with:

• covering increasing air travel and per diem expenses of visiting teachers,

• paying retreat expenses, including the increasing rental costs for retreat facilities,
  

• maintaining the Westcoast Dharma website, including online registration for retreats and classes,

• recording and duplicating WDS retreat talks and meditation instructions,

• maintaining a free Dharma tape lending library with over 500 tapes,

• offering free online digital Dharma talks,

• producing and distributing retreat advertising, including flyers and posters,

• paying office expenses, including payment to our Executive Director, and

• offering reduced-fee registration to all who need financial support to attend retreats, such that no one is prevented from attending retreats.

We appreciate and rely on financial donations to support the availability of the teachings.

With your support and generosity we hope to:

• keep the meditation retreats inexpensive, and
• continue offering registration fee assistance to all who would otherwise be prevented from attending our weekend events

Donations for WDS are Tax Deductible

Westcoast Dharma Society is a Canadian registered charity (#891854432RR0001), and your generosity is tax deductible. Tax receipts are available for donations of $25 or more.

Donate On-line

Donations to the Westcoast Dharma Society can be made via secure on-line donation by credit card.

• Donate On-line Now

Donate By Mail

To make a donation by mail to the Westcoast Dharma Society please download, print off, complete and mail in our donation form. You can also choose whether you wish to be on the Westcoast Dharma regular or e-mail mailing list.

• Donation Form (PDF)

Download the free Adobe Acrobat PDF Reader.

Dana for WDS Teachers

WDS teachers offer retreats and classes in accord with the tradition from the time of the Buddha that those who offer the teachings do not charge for their teaching. The Buddha dharma is considered priceless, and is meant to be freely available to all. Dana, which in the Pali language means generosity, is the Buddhist practice of extending generosity in gratitude for hearing the teachings.

WDS retreat and class registration fees cover retreat organizing costs including renting the retreat facility, covering the retreat flyer printing and mailing costs, contributing to ongoing office expenses, and paying for teachers' travel costs and per diem expenses. None of the registration fee goes to the teachers. Financial support for teachers comes from voluntary donations (dana) from those of us who hear and appreciate the teachings. Participants can offer dana in appreciation of the teachings at each retreat or class. These donations are essential and very much appreciated.

Dana from WDS to Support  Retreat Attendance for Those in Financial Need

Admission for young meditators (eighteen and under) is free. Half-fee registration is available for anyone in financial need who would otherwise be precluded from attending the nonresidential weekend events. Additional financial assistance is available for those in extreme financial hardship, such that no one will be prevented from attending the nonresidential weekend Dharma events due to financial hardship.