Help fill the bowl, sustain our sangha and teachers

To reduce suffering, ours and others’, we turn to the Three Jewels. The Buddha, the Dharma, and the Noble Sangha. But we don’t turn to them as abstract concepts. We turn to them as they’re revealed in our everyday lives, in our interdependence and shared journeys.

Our teachers and community help us along the path. Practicing together, we find moments of freedom, and joy in helping others.

Why the alms bowl?

To honor the interdependence of a community and its teachers, the 17th Karmapa, Orgyen Trinley Dorje, revived the symbolic alms round at the annual Kagyu Monlam.

"By offering food to the Sangha, laypeople not only showed their respect to the spiritual values that the Sangha symbolized, but were able to accumulate merit both by the action of generosity towards the Sangha and also by sharing in the merit which the monks and nuns generated through their spiritual practice."
- Offerings to the Sangha, Kagyu Office

Dekeling Community has not reliably filled the bowls for our teachers, Lama Lekshe and Teacher George Draffan. They have given unstinting support for retreats and classes; guidance through interviews and teachings; and practice opportunities. Few people know they have funded most of this from their own savings, and with little to no compensation from Dekeling.

It's time to fill their bowls and, in doing so, fill our own.

In November the Board approved additional compensation for our teachers to begin addressing our historically low level of support. The Board intends to continue increasing their compensation in the coming years. Your donations directly impact our ability to support our teachers and sustain our community. 

• Lama Lekshe has begun to receive cash compensation for the first time. In addition to the in-kind housing support she has historically received, she now receives $2000 per month. 

• Teacher George’s compensation was increased from $1000 to $2000 per month.

How you can help fill the bowl

Dekeling offers teachings freely. Still, course materials, meeting spaces, Zoom and related gear, and internet systems all take time and money. Generosity, the first of the Buddhist perfections, makes this possible.

• Already a monthly donor? Consider increasing your gift.

• Give occasionally? Consider making your gift monthly.

• Want to give your time? Two hours a month can make a real difference. Email volunteer@dekeling.community, and we’ll help connect you where you're needed most.