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Charging for classes

est4elvisest4elvis
edited December 2010 in Buddhism Basics
hey guys. Haven't been around for a bit - long story. The class I was going to go to before my hubby got poorly keeps emailing me the class times + I really want to go but they charge £5 per class. I don't mind paying this at all but I read somewhere that the classes should be free? + I just don't want to go somewhere dodgy if that is the case. Is it ok for them to charge? Thanks :p x

Comments

  • patbbpatbb Veteran
    edited November 2010
    est4elvis wrote: »
    hey guys. Haven't been around for a bit - long story. The class I was going to go to before my hubby got poorly keeps emailing me the class times + I really want to go but they charge £5 per class. I don't mind paying this at all but I read somewhere that the classes should be free? + I just don't want to go somewhere dodgy if that is the case. Is it ok for them to charge? Thanks :p x
    can you give more details?

    If it's in a temple and it's a recommended donation, since temples have to pay utility bills and taxes then it be cool.

    If it's from some random dude charging money for some magical stuff, then you may want to stay away ;)

    If it's for yoga sessions, $5 is a deal if the class is good :)
  • SherabDorjeSherabDorje
    edited November 2010
    It would be up to you to determine if they have a legitimate reason for charging. Sometimes it's as simple as paying the rent and utilities for the organization. Or perhaps they have other charitable causes they support. Just because you read somewhere that classes should be free doesn't necessarily make it true. It could be that they have a low-cost option or donation option as well. Maybe you should just ask them why they are charging and where that money goes. An honest organization would tell you that.
  • YesheDorjeYesheDorje
    edited November 2010
    Teachers need to eat, be clothed, receive medical care, travel expenses, and on and on.
    Facilities that provide a space for Dharma teachings also require funds.

    Five quid is a small price to pay for good teaching and a bargain. In fact, if your money supports good teaching then it is good Karma to pay the donation.

    In a perfect world the Dharma would be free and available everywhere, but here it is rare and we need to support it.

    The bottom line is you need to try it out, and see if you think that you are getting something of value.
  • est4elvisest4elvis
    edited November 2010
    it says £5 per lecture so i guess it's for the tutor fees? it is this -

    http://www.buddhism.org.uk/buddhist-meditation-centre/manchester/

    Just going to go + see I think. I reckon there is a reason they keep emailing me! - all i have been through past few weeks, would have been easy to forget my interest in all of this. Thanks guys xx
  • CinorjerCinorjer Veteran
    edited November 2010
    It's up to you to decide if the meditation classes are worth the money, but if your confusion is that the website says they're free but the email says there is a charge....just email back and ask for clarification.
  • JeffreyJeffrey Veteran
    edited November 2010
    I used to charge 8 dollars an hour for tutoring in chemistry. I only did 1-3 at a time but some guys did a whole room of people.
  • SherabDorjeSherabDorje
    edited November 2010
    Strictly speaking, there should be no charge for teaching Dharma. I would think related expenses would be allowable, again, such as upkeep of the building, rent, electricity, and so forth, but for Dharma teaching itself there should be no "tutoring fee", be it to one person or to a roomful of people.
  • JeffreyJeffrey Veteran
    edited November 2010
    Hey I had upkeep of my walmart fragrance candles!
  • Floating_AbuFloating_Abu Veteran
    edited November 2010
    Yeshe Dorje wrote: »
    Teachers need to eat, be clothed, receive medical care, travel expenses, and on and on.
    Facilities that provide a space for Dharma teachings also require funds.

    People quote Theravadan sites which operate solely on dana. But I think they forget they are in fact being subsidised by wealthy Asian donors where dana is a strong part of that culture. IMO.
  • genkakugenkaku Northampton, Mass. U.S.A. Veteran
    edited November 2010
    There is a small zendo in the backyard here and it wasn't until a woman complained that there was no place to make a donation that I put up a box for that purpose. Now, when people ask, I tell them they can't make a donation until they have come at least three times. Since they usually don't, the matter is generally moot.

    I am no monk and my zendo is no 24/7 temple. It's just a place to sit. But I do feel that individuals should consider how they feel about making donations ... not because I or anyone else needs the money, but for their own practice. Yasutani Roshi was once quoted as saying, "Oh yes! Charge them a lot. That way they will think Dharma is worth something!"

    It's a tricky, touchy matter (money), but I do think that as Zen students, we are all required to think it through.
  • YesheDorjeYesheDorje
    edited December 2010
    Providing for Dharma teachers generates powerful positive Karma.
    People who are capable of providing accurate Dharma teachings, and present them in a way that their students can well understand are rare. When you have the good fortune to spend even a little time hearing the Dharma from a qualified teacher, the best thing you can do to is embrace and fortify the teaching by making a worthy offering to the teacher.
  • [DeletedUser][DeletedUser]
    edited December 2010
    During Buddha Sakyamuni period, the wealthy and ruler will build or invite Buddha to an established place to give dharma lesson. Because most of them were very poor sentient beings and among them were ascetic practitioners who lived on simple food being offered. Nominal fee in a form of administration, maintenance and continuation for monastery should be acceptable. You ought to give (let go) in order to receive.
  • DazzleDazzle
    edited December 2010
    est4elvis wrote: »
    hey guys. Haven't been around for a bit - long story. The class I was going to go to before my hubby got poorly keeps emailing me the class times + I really want to go but they charge £5 per class. I don't mind paying this at all but I read somewhere that the classes should be free? + I just don't want to go somewhere dodgy if that is the case. Is it ok for them to charge? Thanks :p x

    At the Theravada monastery I go to, there is no charge for teachings, meditation classes or retreats, whoever is taking them. However there is a voluntary donation system if people are able to donate something.

    At the Tibetan Buddhist centres I used to go to, there was a varying fee for different kinds of classes depending on who was taking them. (and a voluntary donation system)

    There's no harm in asking the people running your class where the money goes.



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