Dana- donations
To liberate ourselves and others from the cycles of suffering we have to depend on someone who has already attained liberation. This is why we take the Buddha as our guide. He is like a mapmaker who has traveled to the place we want to go and has shown us how to reach our destination.The Dharma, the Buddha's teachings on how to get there, is the map. Those who have maintained these teachings in an unbroken lineage, the Sangha, are our compaions on this journey. They support us as we go, protect us and prevent us from going the wrong way. Our friends in the Sangha facilitate our connection with the dharma and our practice until we attain the great Awakening, Enlightenment.
Because spiritually, we all start out as toddlers upon the path to Awakening, our practice legs are extremely wobbly. As toddlers we look to the Zen Master walking effortlessly and think we can do it too, but we often stumble and fall. It helps us to hold onto a hand that is more sure than our own.
The AGDC relies upon its members for the donations of materials such as office supplies, flowers, incense, and candles. Monetary contributions are needed to cover the costs of general expenses, such as overhead, capital expenditures, the support of Rev. Thompson, and other administrative costs.
Dedicated contributions may also be made to specific needs such as the Teacher's Fund (additional dana distributed quarterly to the teacher), the Retreat Scholarship Fund (for those who cannot afford registration fees for the AGDC retreats), and the AGDC library.
A portion of the dana received and revenues generated by AGDC events will be donated at the end of each fiscal year to various charities approved by the AGDC's board of directors.
FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS
Aware of its value, those who have begun the practice of Zen also give financial support. Those who use the services of the Zen center customarily make offerings in approximately the following amounts:
Group meditation services- $3.00
Private meditation (Dokusan)- $10.00
Initiation Ceremony (Tokudo)- $50.00
Lecture- $50.00
Wedding ceremony- $100.00
Priesthood (Discipleship) ceremony- $100.00
Reverend Thompson is also available for outside engagements in the conducting of meditation and lectures on Zen- by appointment only.
Please support Reverend Thompson propagate the Buddha dharma in our local community with your tax-deductible financial contributions and or monthly pledges to our Zen center.
The Aspen Gold Dharma Center is establishing itself as a 501 (c ) (3) non-profit organization. Checks can be made payable directly to the Aspen Gold Dharma Center.
We are also in the process of setting up an online PayPal account which will enable you to make your donation online from our website.
In the meanwhile, you may send your check to our postal address: AGDC c/o Reverend Thompson, 7429 Biltmore Drive Sarasota, Florida 34231.
gassho, _/\_ (The palms of my hands pressed together in reverence and gratitude.)
Rev. Daito Zenei Thompson, spiritual director