|
Support
Offering support to a monastery benefits the one who offers as well as
the recipient: generosity and the inclination to help others open the
heart. It’s also obviously the case that the monastery benefits – it
becomes capable of maintaining itself and therefore remains as a
resource for people to visit and draw inspiration from. It is because of
this mutual support that the Assembly of lay and monastic disciples have
kept the Buddha’s Way alive in the world for centuries. For many people,
to sense that one is part of that transmission is a most valuable
reflection.
Cittaviveka does not receive support from any powerful backers or
institutions; it sells nothing and all teachings as well as books are
given freely. No charge is made for people to stay here; the resident
Sangha is prohibited from possessing or dealing in money. The community
draws from its own skills to keep the monastery going, and in this
is aided by various lay advisory committees. The Cittaviveka Advisory Group
and the English Sangha Trust supervise these.
Cittaviveka is commpletely dependent on donations. It is financially managed by the English Sangha Trust, a
registered charity which can receive and administer any such donations . The Trust
Secretary will be happy to answer any queries concerning the nature of
the Trust. Also, please see the 'By offering money' link below.
There are several ways to support Cittaviveka;
By offering money –
to the monastery steward or lay Treasurer.
By offering requisites –
such as food, furnishings, equipment.
By offering service
– in terms of skills or advice.
The first two forms of offering can be carried out on a regular basis;
or in memory of a departed relative; or for a special occasion such as a
birth or a marriage; or as part of a group offering (an Alms-Giving
Ceremony)
which may involve many families, friends and fellow Buddhists.
The monastery secretary can advise you on any of these.
|