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Buddhist Centres and charges
Hi,
Don't wish to cause any offence here but what are your beliefs and Buddhist centre charges.
I'm not going to mention any specific centres but there are many that charge £200 - £300 for a weekend what's that about $400 - $550? US
Anyway I looked into it online last night and a Buddhist centre which is a charity (there profit and loss is usually made public by law) makes over £500,000 net every year, that's NET, the profit they are left with. Doesn't sound much of a middle path to me (no offense).
Wouldn't be a problem but i'm just starting out self employed and it aint easy. No sob story here, it's my choice.
Do you think that some Asians come over to the west and think we're all made of money. Even if they only made £100,000 net surely if they sent £50,000 back to Tibet/India or whatever they do with it that's still a lot of money, especially in Tibet or India.
I just know some people can't afford it. Their meditation classes does say donation, but it seems quite costly to become a Buddhist lol, especially if you wan't to progress further than a meditation class.
I've meditated and learnt on my own for over five years now, I would like to be in a surrounding where I can progress and learn more.
What does people think, if I approach them and say, look i'll camp in a farmers field close by (with permission) and i'll bring my own food? do think they'l let me lol.
Anyway just wanted to see what people thought of the situation.
Many thanks.
Don't wish to cause any offence here but what are your beliefs and Buddhist centre charges.
I'm not going to mention any specific centres but there are many that charge £200 - £300 for a weekend what's that about $400 - $550? US
Anyway I looked into it online last night and a Buddhist centre which is a charity (there profit and loss is usually made public by law) makes over £500,000 net every year, that's NET, the profit they are left with. Doesn't sound much of a middle path to me (no offense).
Wouldn't be a problem but i'm just starting out self employed and it aint easy. No sob story here, it's my choice.
Do you think that some Asians come over to the west and think we're all made of money. Even if they only made £100,000 net surely if they sent £50,000 back to Tibet/India or whatever they do with it that's still a lot of money, especially in Tibet or India.
I just know some people can't afford it. Their meditation classes does say donation, but it seems quite costly to become a Buddhist lol, especially if you wan't to progress further than a meditation class.
I've meditated and learnt on my own for over five years now, I would like to be in a surrounding where I can progress and learn more.
What does people think, if I approach them and say, look i'll camp in a farmers field close by (with permission) and i'll bring my own food? do think they'l let me lol.
Anyway just wanted to see what people thought of the situation.
Many thanks.
0
Comments
Thanks
If you look hard enough, you will find a teacher willing to teach for free.
Nios.
Sorry my error, looked at it last night quite late, their Net assets is £509,000 their net income for 2008 is £99,816. Which is $153,134.69 US. Still not a bad income though.
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Just keep on the lookout and you will find something reasonable!
.
Depending on the size of the Sangha, this doesn't seem very unreasonable. Are you labeling them as greedy? Instead of sitting from afar and deciding they are this or that, perhaps you could call them and tell them about your difficulty and confront them on their greediness? You might find your expectations of them are nothing like who they actually are. Depending on the sangha of course.
The worst thing you can do is judge them with only your assumptions of what their values are, based off some numbers.
With warmth,
Matt
However, I also think there are other factors to consider:
- What are the expenses for the event? How much of each donation/charge goes to "support" the attendance of someone who can't afford to pay?
- How much of the intake is donated to the teacher?
- What are the OTHER general operating expenses (year-round) that the group has?
- What does the group do with any profit they may make?
I haven't got a problem confronting people, my problem was being to confrontational with people, something I would never want to go back to. I'd rather talk to them peacefully and ask them if anything.
Doesn't seem to be to much warmth coming from you there brother.
To all the helpful people who aren't advising me to confront a group of Buddhist monks, thank you.
Dazzle that site is really helpful. I'm really lucky I've just found out. I have 5 or 6 Buddhist centres all within half hour drive for me, one which is no more than 15 minutes away who I've already contacted and I'm going up there next Tuesday. Also about another 7 or 8 Buddhist groups within half hour 15 minutes drive. Plus there are another couple of centres and groups within an hour of me also.
All I got to do now is go to the one that fits my budget lol.
And to Matt
Extra extra extra super dooper warmth to you, :rolleyes:
Peace Brother
All really good points, maybe i'll go there to find out.
Thank you.
If you bring your side of things up, there might be more flexibility than you thought... I don't think there is a need to discount the possibilities before exploring them, beyond an internet price list.
With regular and genuine warmth,
Matt
I completely understand that any organization has overhead and expenses to account for, but other religious organizations seem to get by just fine on donations. Many Christian churches certainly encourage tithing, but they don't require it, and the majority of them that I've ever known about simply ask members to do what they feel they can do, and survive on that.
The whole idea of fixed fees for "membership" (call it what you will) in a center is a really odd part of Buddhism to me. How does this work in traditionally Buddhist societies like Nepal and Thailand?
Curious...
Mtns
Appologise, probably read it wrong, wires crossed moment.
Peace
Everyone knows they need donations but by requesting donations I can't help but feel obliged to give them. At the end of the month i'm skint at the moment because I have to reinvest into my business. I can see it now because i've done it before, having £3 left and saying to Hanna, 'Han have you got £2 I can borrow, I need it to go to the centre.'
It's either find the money or stay away until when you can afford it next. I went to a Buddhist meditation group a couple of times in the town hall a couple of years ago, and probably out of ego when I saw the donation box and everyone putting money in it, I couldn't just put £2 in it, I had to put the full £5 in otherwise I would of felt embarrassed. That was when I just left my job so I had no money then either lol. In the end I thought blow it, I can do this at home anyway.
I'm certainly not anti capatalist but the lack of money is a real pain. Theres got to be a better system. The top 2% sharing there wealth would be a start lol (joke).
I just wish there was somewhere like a church or temple where even if they haven't got anything on you can just go in and sit and meditate, because the energy is so much different in places like that.
Hey that's an idea, when I make my money i'll open meditation and prayer centres for all religions and paths. With different rooms for different religions with pictures, statues and holy books in each that coincide with their religion and a main room where all can come together. No donations needed!
Anyway just a dream
500 dollars for a weekend sounds bogus.
There are many other traditions beyond the Tara/Kadampa that you could look into as well, so you might want to hesitate before thinking that one tradition is representative of all. I have found there to be other problematic views that arise from those particular centers, though I have no specific or direct knowledge.
With warmth,
Matt
Wow are you psychic how do you know I was talking about those lol.
Really can you say what?
Thank you
Yeah, but the airfare, ground transport, and hotel costs would be a killer for me
Mtns
Well, I have only indirect knowledge, but someone mentioned that the relationship that is shared with Tara has some clinging fetters. It was someone interpreting others, and is bordering divisive talk. I am sure there is deep wisdom there.
I don't mean to discourage you from any tradition, only to encourage you to see the rich qualities of many traditions before deciding what Buddhists as a whole do or do not do.
With warmth,
Matt
Look around and see what is available.
What is this Tara\Kadampa thing? Are you guys talking about that centre that looks like a hotel\spa?
I think you may be thinking of osho http://www.osho.com/
Thanks Matt, I did read something on their site talking about a visualisation of a sexual embrace with a deity or something like that. Can't find it now so don't quote me as i've read so much on buddhism this past week.
One that feels a little taboo for me lol and two I can see why you may develop an attachment.
I'm still leaning towards Zen, I listened to a cd last night with Thich Nhat Hanh. He speaks so well, sound like a beautiful man, and he's only over in Bordeux France in a place called Plum Village which is about an hours flight from me.
I prefer that arrangement because I don't like the idea of people being effectively excluded from access to Dharma because they're poor. And poor people may not be able to afford to travel to a cheaper Buddhist centre.
I appreciate of course that it costs money to run centres, and that needs to be covered.
P
This may sound unbeliveable, but from where I am at in Hong Kong and what I know in the traditional buddhist centers in Taiwan and Singapore, the classes explaining different sultra at the centers are free and are conducted daily. Those who cannot attend the classes can take the recorded lessons and view them at home. The books (sultras and teachings) and lessons recorded on DVDs in the library are all free to take. The books and DVD are printed and donated by fellow buddhists.
The main ideas behind is that Buddha teachings are not restricted to only those who has money to buy.
osho not kosher.
That sounds great.
P
I've seen prices vary a great deal between different Buddhist groups!
However, the daily zazen sessions at a Zen center should be free of charge.
Good Luck
Sanghas are supported in very different ways in Asia, where most of the population contribute to their support. In most Asian countries, people in communities find that it is an honor to support spiritual teachers. In order to be good qualified teachers, the Sangha should not have to worry about food or lodging.
In Europe and America it is very different. It costs a lot of money for centers to be located in urban areas and there is usually no support from the community (few want to give money for a bunch of Monks in robes). The classes or retreats usually cost quite a bit, not unlike seminars that you would attend for your work. Most centers will usually lower fees and even teach for free if you are really in a bind. However, if you can spare the money it will ensure that the center keeps its doors opened and will benefit you long term. The teachings you will get will likely be more valuable than most things you can buy for yourself. So save up for the path would be my advice!
Most centers and events I have attended have used this model. While they usually state a certain fee or suggested donation, they may include the phrase "No one will be turned away for lack of funds" or something similar.
I think that if you truly wanted to attend a certain teaching but were short on cash, emailing or calling in advance would be best and letting them know what you could pay (for example, perhaps they would accept $10 in place of $20). Another option would be offering to volunteer to help clean up or provide some other form of service in place of monetary payment.