The Sanghapala Foundation

"The mission of the Sanghapala Foundation is to foster the teachings of the Buddha by supporting Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery and, in accordance with the precepts of the Vinaya, to act as financial stewards for the resident Sangha."

The Sanghapala Foundation is a nonprofit organization and all donations are tax-deductable as allowed by law. The Sanghapala Foundation is the steward organization for Abhayagiri; all donations go exclusively towards the building, maintenance, programs, publications and support of Abhayagiri monastery.


Online Donations

Online donations by credit card, debit card, or online check can be made to Sanghapala Foundation through Network for Good.


Donations by check or money order (U.S. funds only please)

Make payable to:

Sanghapala Foundation
16201 Tomki Road
Redwood Valley, CA 95470
USA


Publications Fund
Perhaps one of the most noticeable things for first-time visitors to a Theravada monastery is the amount of literature made available to them—not just pamphlets and brochures, but books, audio tapes, calendars, guides to meditation practice, and more. Items from all over the world and almost all of it written, edited or spoken by people who put the practice of meditation and the Dhamma at the core of their existence. Even more remarkable is that all of this wonderfully helpful and inspiring literature is completely free. In fact many Theravadins number among their favorite Dhamma books those containing the inscription, "For free distribution only," or Sabbadanam Dhammadanam jinati (the gift of truth excels all others).

But while the teachings of the Dhamma are priceless (hence the tradition of free distribution) the cost of printing and distributing the Dhamma is not. Fortunately, in great and wonderful synchronicity, another Dhamma teaching is also at work, namely generosity, listed in the teachings as one of the Ten Perfections. Through large and small acts of generosity, books have come into being. Funding and many hours of labor have been donated to record, duplicate and distribute Dhamma talks on tapes and CDs, and books and meditation guides have been shipped all around the world. These acts of generosity help to sustain the tradition of keeping the Dhamma teachings priceless and freely available to all who seek them. Perhaps it is not too fanciful to say that this generosity has had a considerable effect on the lives of many.

Within our own Abhayagiri community the major part of the work connected with the newsletter and with tapes and books has been done by the sangha and lay helpers who volunteer their time and efforts. But printing, artwork, and typesetting are often done by professionals. These and other related expenses such as postage or supplies have to be met by donations.

The printing (or reprinting) of a book, for example, can be sponsored by several different people and is often the result of contributions of greatly varying amounts. When sponsored by an individual or a few persons, the donors may request a dedication be printed in the book or they may remain anonymous.

Despite the many wonderful publishing efforts we have undertaken, there has been to date no organized way to sponsor or contribute to these Abhayagiri tapes and publications. Thus, the Sanghapala Foundation, as fiscal stewards for the community, has established a special publishing fund for the specific purpose of publishing books, the newsletter and for duplicating tapes and CDs. If you are interested in supporting these activities consider a donation to this fund. Please send your contributions to:

Sanghapala Foundation Publishing Fund
16201 Tomki Road, Redwood Valley, CA 95470 USA

"You give what is appropriate to the occasion and to your means, when and where your heart feels inspired. For the monastics, this means that you teach, out of compassion, what should be taught, regardless of whether it will sell. For the laity, this means that you give what you have to spare and feel inclined to share. There is no price for the teachings, nor even a 'suggested donation.' Anyone who regards the act of teaching or the act of giving requisites as a repayment for a particular favor is ridiculed as mercenary. Instead, you give because giving is good for the heart and because the survival of the Dhamma as living principle depends on daily acts of generosity."

Ajahn Thanissaro, from Refuge