D. DANA - Meal OFFERING
1. What is Dana?
Dana is a Pali word that can be translated as giving, generosity, charity and liberality. Dana can be performed in various ways eg. offering of food, making donations - monetary or non-monetary, volunteering time/ effort, lending help to a person in need and many others.
2. Why Dana?
Dana (Giving) is the first step towards eliminating the defilements of greed, hatred and delusion (lobha, dosa, moha), for every act of giving is an act of non-greed, non-hatred, non-delusion. When you give, loving kindness (metta) and compassion (karuna) arise within your heart, so at that time of giving, greed, hatred or ill will and delusion would be absent.
3. What is the best Dana?
Give from the heart. It is the intention of giving that is of foremost importance.
4. Why do we offer Food Dana to the monks?
We offer food in support of the monks, so they may continue in their spiritual practice and in turn guide us (the laity) in the Dhamma (teachings of the Buddha).
5. How does the Sangha gather food?
Usually the Forest Tradition Sangha will go for alms round with their alms bowl within the vicinity of their monastery or place of dwelling in the early morning. The food is offered by villagers, laity and supporters. Upon return from their alms round, they will partake in the food gathered before noon. For this event, we encourage the public to make a food offering to the Sangha.
6. What is the alms bowl for?
The purpose of the alms bowl is to gather food only and to keep robes. Anything other than this is not allowed and constitutes the breaking of the monastic code of conduct (vinaya).
7. Can I bring food to offer to the Sangha on that day?
Yes and kindly bring before 7.30 am.
8. What type of food can I bring?
You can also bring any cooked food both non-Vegetarian and Vegetarian.
9. How much food shall I bring?
Bring a quantity you are comfortable with as there will be others who are bringing food as well. We will gather all food and classify into Vegetarian & Non-Vegetarian sections. The organizers will also be preparing some food for both the Sangha and the public for the morning Dana only.
10. How should I pack and label the food?
You can pack the food in any recyclable containers or any of your own. Please LABEL your food container with your NAME so you can collect it back after the Meal Offering at the basement. Any containers left behind can be collected from Bandar Utama Buddhist Society within a period of one week after the event. After which, we shall donate your food containers or send them for recycling.
BUBS Address: No. 3 Jalan BU3/1, Bandar Utama, 47800 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
Website: https://bubs.my
11. Where shall I bring my food offering on the event day?
Please bring your food to the Food Receiving Counter at the basement before 7.30 am. Our volunteers will be on hand to receive your food.
12. What is the best food to bring?
Food from your heart.