Chung Tai Zen Center of Houston

Practice Giving to Support the Center, the Teaching and All Living Beings

“In all practices, practice giving first.”

Practicing the Way is manifold – accumulate merit, deepen meditation, study scriptures, and so on. To the practice, merit is fundamental; and to the accumulation of merit, giving is crucial.

The sutras teach us that giving is the first of the Six Paramitas and is preliminary to all good deeds. Without the cause of giving, one cannot have the effect of receiving. Just like that we should meditate on a regular basis, so too shall we make a regular donation to a good cause.

The Three Jewels of the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha are supreme merit fields for giving. The Earth Store Sutra says that respectfully making offerings to the Three Jewels with a pure mind, either by money or by labor, even with so trivial an amount as a speck of dust or a grain of sand, it is the giver who solely receives the benefit, which is at least ten thousand times the amount given. The giver thus gains immeasurable merit, enjoys wealth and happiness in this and subsequent lives, and will attain ultimate liberation from the Three Vehicles.

Monastic disciples have the responsibility to teach and propagate the Dharma, and lay disciples have the responsibility to support this endeavor. As the Center provides all activities free to the public, your sponsorship is needed in order to cover the large expenses incurred in conducting various meditation classes and events, operating and maintaining the Center, locating and establishing new monasteries/meditation centers, and so on.

For support and donation, please click at Dharma Support Form