The quality of dana (generosity) has two aspects to it - giving and receiving.

When we look into how we could develop generosity, we probably see that the giving and receiving has to come from a heart that is open. It does not work well if it comes out of the sense of duty – 'I should give'. The practise of dana is a foundation for happiness, of living freely and cultivating an open heart of kindness. Dana and the cultivation of kindness is closely interlinked. With generosity we can explore how we can transform the heart in meeting ourselves and others as well as the world around us with a deeper sense of connection.

In one of his teachings, Bhikkhu Bodhi mentioned:

'The practice of giving is universally recognized as one of the most basic human virtues, a quality that testifies to the depth of one's humanity and one's capacity for self-transcendence'

In this sense we want to look during this weekend at our own experience and how we can cultivate this practise in our every-day-life, as well as in our formal practise.

Venue: AppleTree, Ranelagh, Dublin 6. See map and directions here. At the door press bell marked "Appletree Top".

Time: 9:30am - 4:30pm

Lunch: We will share a vegetarian lunch on both days. Please bring some pre-prepared savoury and sweet food to share.

Registration: Please click HERE (or contact us at info@irishsanghatrust.ie)

• In order to make a secure booking, please complete the online booking form.

On the day:

• Please be seated in the meditation hall at least 5 minutes before the session. Comfortable clothing is recommended. Dressing in layers is also a good idea.

• Refreshments, CDs and Dhamma books are available for free distribution.

Metta

Metta (formerly Ajahn Metta) was born in 1953 in Germany.

She came in contact with the Theravada Buddhist Path in 1991, when she practised at Wat Suan Mokkh in Thailand, the monastery of Ajahn Buddhadasa. Later, in 1993, she joined the monastic sangha at Amaravati monastery and was ordained as a siladhara in the Thai Forest tradition from 1996 to July 2017. During her time as a siladhara she has been living and practising mainly at Amaravati and Cittaviveka Monasteries in the UK.

During this time Luang Por Sumedho and Ajahn Sucitto have been her spiritual teachers and mentors.

As a nun, she also spent time oversees in India, Sri-Lanka and Thailand as well as the US. She was living independently of the siladhara community from 2015 -2017.

For more than 10 years she has been teaching and co-teaching in in the UK, Europe and the US.

Since July 2017 she lives in Berlin, Germany.

(biography courtesy of sunyatacentre.org)