Dana means generosity in the ancient Pali Buddhist language. It is about opening the heart to listen to and feel what ourselves or another needs, and giving and receiving accordingly. As a  primary form of human relationship, the gift is an act that connects us with each other and gives joy and support to both the giver and receiver. As the Dalai Lama once said: “It is so much more joyful to give to others than give to yourself because there are more of them”.

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Dana is an alternative economy, the economy of the heart, in which everyone gives according to their means and their heart, rather than according to a fixed price. This fits spiritual teachings which should be available to all, whatever their means. 

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Dana can also be understood as an operating principle of the universe itself. A  life perspective rather than a self-perspective. The sun gives to the tree, the tree gives its leaves to the earth, the earth gives its nutrients to the tree. The whole of existence is one great ecology in which all things give to and receive from all other things, and nothing is held back. We cannot imagine the tree saying to itself, I want to hold on to my leaves and not let them drop to the earth.