Dana: Helping Shasta Abbey
Dana: Helping Shasta Abbey
Dear Friends of Shasta Abbey,
We at Shasta Abbey practice the ancient Buddhist tradition of dana. The Pali word dana
means generosity of spirit. It embraces the mutual giving and receiving that underlie the interdependence of monastics and lay practitioners in the Sangha. As monastics, we offer
our training and teaching which flow naturally out of dedication to our practice. As members
of the Lay Sangha, out of dedication to your practice you train in a preceptual way in the world and you offer alms material and spiritual to all beings. Over the past several years, we have widened our practice of dana, and discovered a deeper treasure within the sense of community we share with you.
One of the offerings of dana we make as monks is giving voice to the Dharma through Shasta Abbey Press, founded in 1977 by Rev. Master Jiyu-Kennett. The writing, editing and translating of the teachings of our Serene Reflection Meditation (Soto Zen) tradition are done by senior priests of the Order of Buddhist Contemplatives to ensure that the teaching remains true to the Source.
Shasta Abbey Buddhist Supplies, through its catalogue of meditation aids, religious supplies,
books and tapes, generates the funds to publish and distribute Shasta Abbey Press publications. Net proceeds from Shasta Abbey Buddhist Supplies go into the Shasta Abbey Alms Bowl to benefit all who train with us.
This year, for the first time, our books will be distributed worldwide by a major publisher,
Tuttle Publishing, Inc. We anticipate greatly increased sales, and, in the long-term, increased availability of funds for Shasta Abbey. We also anticipate publication of new titles, as well as reprints of earlier editions. Here is where we need your help.
Our initial investment in publishing each book is significant. The average publication cost of each of our last four books was approximately $9,000. These funds would otherwise be available for the Abbey. The more we invest in our publications, the less we have for the immediate needs of the fabric of the monastery. As you well know, we are at a point where
some of our older buildings and cloister in the enclosure need attention, if not total rebuilding. Also as monastics we feel the financial burden of an increasingly expensive world.
In the Far East, the members of the Lay Sangha often fund publication of books on the Dharma. We are seeking one or more donors who would provide interest-free loans, to be repaid in small increments over time as our books are sold, to cover the initial publishing investment. By mutually supporting each other in this way, we can ensure both that the Dharma is offered to
an ever-widening circle of readers/practitioners and that Shasta Abbey continues to function responsibly -- paying our bills, meeting the various needs of the monastic community, and keeping our retreat facilities in good condition.
If you would like to know more about the opportunity to practice dana in this way, please contact Rev. Daishin Yalon, Bursar at Shasta Abbey, 3724 Summit Drive, Mt. Shasta, CA 96067-9102 USA.
Thank you for your kindness and compassion.
In Gassho,
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