Is it Ok to charge for Dhamma teaching?

Organisational work, teaching, Sunday school syllabus, charitable work, outreach, sharing of resources, artwork, etc.

Is it Ok to charge for Dhamma teaching?

1) Yes we should charge for Dhamma teaching
0
No votes
2) No we should not charge for Dhamma teaching
10
40%
3) Some people pay and free to others
0
No votes
4) Charge a fee for the first few sessions to sort out the bad apple
0
No votes
5) Accept only donations
12
48%
6) We should pay for people who attend the Dhamma session in kind or cash like some Abrahamic religions
0
No votes
7) There should be a charge but the payment is voluntary
1
4%
8) Do not charge for helping staff. Charge only the nonhelping participants.
0
No votes
9)Charge only if they attain a some level such as Sotapanna
0
No votes
10) Other - Please explain
2
8%
 
Total votes: 25

SarathW
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Is it Ok to charge for Dhamma teaching?

Post by SarathW »

Is it Ok to charge for Dhamma teaching?
Sadguru got an excuse.
What is your excuse or the opposition?
You can vote only for 3 choices

Last edited by SarathW on Wed Feb 02, 2022 6:07 am, edited 1 time in total.
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SarathW
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Re: Is it Ok to charge for Dhamma teaching?

Post by SarathW »

I voted no 2 and 5
I like organic growth. Buddhism last for 2600 years without charging money.
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
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confusedlayman
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Re: Is it Ok to charge for Dhamma teaching?

Post by confusedlayman »

Buddhism is for everyone... if people have to leave and re ordain later they can
I may be slow learner but im at least learning...
SarathW
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Re: Is it Ok to charge for Dhamma teaching?

Post by SarathW »

confusedlayman wrote: Wed Feb 02, 2022 6:10 am Buddhism is for everyone... if people have to leave and re ordain later they can
The question is for charging money to teach Dhamma.
For instance, is it OK if Dhamma Wheel charges money for people to access the website?
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retrofuturist
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Re: Is it Ok to charge for Dhamma teaching?

Post by retrofuturist »

Greetings,

I don't believe in charging for the teaching itself.

However to deliver that teaching to you, whether via the medium of retreats, websites, books etc... whoever is providing that need not be obliged to bear the costs and be out of pocket.

To be not profiting from it is enough IMO.

Now, off to see which poll options align best with that perspective... 2, 5 and 10.

Metta,
Paul. :)
"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
SarathW
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Re: Is it Ok to charge for Dhamma teaching?

Post by SarathW »

retrofuturist wrote: Wed Feb 02, 2022 7:05 am Greetings,

I don't believe in charging for the teaching itself.

However to deliver that teaching to you, whether via the medium of retreats, websites, books etc... whoever is providing that need not be obliged to bear the costs and be out of pocket.

To be not profiting from it is enough IMO.

Now, off to see which poll options align best with that perspective... 2, 5 and 10.

Metta,
Paul. :)
Agree.
If you are not a monk who has regular supporters, then the charge to cover the cost of delivering your message seems OK.
Even if you charge to cover your reasonable living cost if you are a full-time Dhamma teacher seems OK to me.
The problem of charging is it is always taken over by an opportunistic person to profiteer from it.
Naturally, money always flows towards corruption.
In some cases less than five percent of your donation flow to the needy from large-scale charities.
I have seen even donations to your local temple being misused by the committee members.
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
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retrofuturist
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Re: Is it Ok to charge for Dhamma teaching?

Post by retrofuturist »

Greetings,
SarathW wrote: Wed Feb 02, 2022 7:21 am Even if you charge to cover your reasonable living cost if you are a full-time Dhamma teacher seems OK to me.
Whereas for me, that's a bridge too far. If someone wants to make their living out of the Dhamma, that's exploiting the teaching for personal benefit, and that's where grifters enter the fray. I could name names but you get the point.

Metta,
Paul. :)
"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
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robertk
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Re: Is it Ok to charge for Dhamma teaching?

Post by robertk »

9)Charge only if they attain a some level such as Sotapanna
This one is interesting.

Maybe $1000 for arahat down to $150 for sotapanna. And give a one year warranty on attainments - money back if disatisfied.
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Re: Is it Ok to charge for Dhamma teaching?

Post by SarathW »

robertk wrote: Wed Feb 02, 2022 7:46 am
9)Charge only if they attain a some level such as Sotapanna
This one is interesting.

Maybe $1000 for arahat down to $150 for sotapanna. And give a one year warranty on attainments - money back if disatisfied.
:twothumbsup:
:rofl:
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
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Re: Is it Ok to charge for Dhamma teaching?

Post by SarathW »

retrofuturist wrote: Wed Feb 02, 2022 7:28 am Greetings,
SarathW wrote: Wed Feb 02, 2022 7:21 am Even if you charge to cover your reasonable living cost if you are a full-time Dhamma teacher seems OK to me.
Whereas for me, that's a bridge too far. If someone wants to make their living out of the Dhamma, that's exploiting the teaching for personal benefit, and that's where grifters enter the fray. I could name names but you get the point.

Metta,
Paul. :)
Yes I see your point.
For instance, say if I quit my job and start teaching Buddhism for a fee to cover my living expenses.
This idea may not tally with the Buddha's teaching even though it may tally with other teachings,
I might end up teaching watered-down Dhamma to attract people.
Perhaps the best option for me could be to become a monk and teach it free of charge.
Even if I teach the watered-down Dhamma I am not charging for it.
:shrug:
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retrofuturist
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Re: Is it Ok to charge for Dhamma teaching?

Post by retrofuturist »

Greetings Sarath,

Yes, I agree with what you said.

Metta,
Paul. :)
"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
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Re: Is it Ok to charge for Dhamma teaching?

Post by Disciple »

5 and 7. Just to cover the costs, no profit.
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Re: Is it Ok to charge for Dhamma teaching?

Post by DNS »

robertk wrote: Wed Feb 02, 2022 7:46 am
9)Charge only if they attain a some level such as Sotapanna
This one is interesting.

Maybe $1000 for arahat down to $150 for sotapanna. And give a one year warranty on attainments - money back if disatisfied.
:lol: And it should come with a pretty gold certificate, for proof, which can be placed in the signature line on discussion forums. :tongue:
SarathW
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Re: Is it Ok to charge for Dhamma teaching?

Post by SarathW »

DNS wrote: Wed Feb 02, 2022 11:33 pm
robertk wrote: Wed Feb 02, 2022 7:46 am
9)Charge only if they attain a some level such as Sotapanna
This one is interesting.

Maybe $1000 for arahat down to $150 for sotapanna. And give a one year warranty on attainments - money back if disatisfied.
:lol: And it should come with a pretty gold certificate, for proof, which can be placed in the signature line on discussion forums. :tongue:
Do you know in Sri Lanka that some meditation centers issue progress certificates for Sotapanna and Anagami etc?
However, the scam was debunked by some Anagamis going back again without telling the administration that they are already Anagami and demoted to Sotapanna.
:mrgreen:
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
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robertk
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Re: Is it Ok to charge for Dhamma teaching?

Post by robertk »

DNS wrote: Wed Feb 02, 2022 11:33 pm
robertk wrote: Wed Feb 02, 2022 7:46 am
9)Charge only if they attain a some level such as Sotapanna
This one is interesting.

Maybe $1000 for arahat down to $150 for sotapanna. And give a one year warranty on attainments - money back if disatisfied.
:lol: And it should come with a pretty gold certificate, for proof, which can be placed in the signature line on discussion forums. :tongue:
That would solve many argumernts on the forum.
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