Please read through this discussion and concept of dana if you have any questions
feel free to reach out.

“What we will do for love will always be far more powerful than what we will do for money. What we can do together will always be far greater than what we can do alone. And when we cultivate the heart of giftivism within ourselves, our companies, and our communities, we begin to unleash our true prosperity.” —Pavithra Mehta, Giftivism: Reclaiming the Priceless

Dana Model
Flowering Lotus Meditation operates on gift economics, generosity-based “Dana” model. Dana is the ancient Pali language word describing Generosity that arises effortlessly from deep gratitude. We believe everyone has an inherent capacity for Generosity and that together we can co-create a welcoming and thriving spiritual community based on the transformative values of abundance, trust, and connection rather than scarcity, fear, and separation. We charge no set registration fees, with scholarships always available, to attend our events, and FLM receives very little outside funding. We rely on joyful reciprocity within our community expressed in different ways, as people are moved to give of their resources, time, and skills to FLM, according to their ability. In a spirit of paying it forward, the Generosity of those before you have made it possible for us to offer the teachings today, and your Generosity in the present moment will allow us to continue offering these teachings into the future.

What Is Dana?
Dana is the ancient Pali language word describing Generous Giving, which arises effortlessly from deep gratitude. Many of the teachings offered at FLM have been offered for over 2,500 years in parts of Asia following an All-Dana model. Monks and nuns offer teachings out of Generosity, while the community supports the teachers and the centers, generously giving to the level of their ability.
 

The practice of Dana invites us to participate in a world where the expression of gratitude and Generosity help to keep the wheel of the Dharma turning. FLM also draws on the indigenous value of reciprocity as a way to maintain balance and harmony in the community. This principle honors the interconnection of all beings and encourages a heart inclined toward appreciation, joyous contribution, flow of resources, and right relationship with one another.

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FLM teachers rely on voluntary financial contributions given to them by participants at our events and programs.

Program and event participants are offered an opportunity to make a voluntary gift to FLM during the registration process and/or at the event itself. If everyone who participates in events at FLM practices generosity, and gives, to FLM and the teachers, to the level of their ability, then FLM will continue to thrive as a spiritual home accessible to all.

Opportunities For Generosity At FLM
 

GIVING MONEY OR RESOURCES
As a Gift-Economics-based organization, FLM relies on your generous financial
contributions to bring ancient wisdom teachings as many people as possible, regardless of their ability to pay. Your donation to FLM is tax deductible. (FLM is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.)
 

If you believe in what we’re doing please consider supporting us with monthly recurring support, no amount is too small.
 

GIVING TIME VOLUNTEERING
We are heavily volunteer-run. We are currently looking for folx with expertise in: writing, social media, grant writing and fundraising.
 

Why Rely On Gift Economics And Generous Giving (Dana)

We rely on Dana for several reasons. The Buddha and other wisdom teachers emphasized that Generosity is essential to spiritual freedom. FLM was created by volunteers in our community and is heavily run by volunteers with very little paid staff, so Generosity is deeply embedded in our culture.

We see the practice of gift economics as an opportunity to support the inherent gratitude and Generosity in one another and all around us. Through our individual and collective acts, we can transform the world around us to one of individual and collective liberation. 

Lastly, we rely on gift economics because “we know in our hearts that there is a different way to be, a different way to live. Our Generosity with one another is indeed resistance to the greed and fear that oppresses us. We provide for one another out of love for each other and love for ourselves. When we give, we acknowledge that all beings want to be happy.” (quote by Jacoby Ballard)

Thank you to East Bay Meditation for these beautiful explanations of Dana.