Dana is a Pali term meaning “generosity” or “giving”. At the end of each retreat, people are given the opportunity to offer a donation to the teachers.

In the ancient and beautiful tradition of dana, those who receive these priceless teachings of freedom and compassion are given the opportunity to offer a donation to the teachers, who rely partly or wholly for their livelihood on this generosity. It enables teachers to continue teaching, and also benefits many others.

For our online events we invite you to offer dana to our teachers to support their work and livelihood via the Eventbrite page.

Offering dana is an invitation to participate in the spirit of generosity that has sustained this tradition and teaching for more than 2,500 years. Over the centuries it is this generosity that has enabled the creation of retreat centres, the support of monasteries and a whole range of social/peace practices and projects. It enables teachers to continue teaching, and so also supports the very life and sustainability of the teaching. Oxford retreats are run through the generosity of the trustees and volunteer coordinators.

Before Covid-19, we used to charge a ‘booking fee’ to cover the ongoing costs of running the retreats (e.g. printing the retreat programme, website expenses, hall hire, insurance and teachers’ travelling and accommodation expenses). Since March 2020, we decided to waive this fee when we moved our retreats online; however, when you register for our online events we do offer you the opportunity to make a donation to Oxford Insight Meditation. We are seeking donations to help cover our operating costs (which are reduced in an online world, but still accumulate). Suggested donation is on a scale of £1-£5 per retreat.

Coming on retreat is an invitation not only to participate in the practice of meditation, but equally to participate in this ancient and rich tradition of dana.

Your generosity to the teachers is greatly appreciated; it is truly what enables the continuation of the teaching.