It was indeed an auspicious occasion. On the morning of Saturday 23 August in Footscray, a busy inner suburb of Melbourne, the general public at the shopping centre and the Nicholson Mall were able to experience something that most wouldn't have witnessed before—the very first officially organized “Sangha Dana” offering, quite possibly initiating and establishing a new trend and tradition to be put into practice throughout the city. The custom of Sangha Dana involves the giving of alms to ordained monks by the laity.
Alms round in Footscray, Melbourne
Conceptualized and actualized by the abbot of Quang Minh Temple, Venerable Thich Phuoc Tan, the event enjoyed the full support of the Local Municipal Council and the Footscray Traders Association. “Even though Sangha Dana offerings have taken place at various times and locations in the past, this is the first formally organized one with the complete backing of the council and traders association,” commented Ven. Thich Phuoc Tan. “There are a few reasons why we introduced this initiative. Firstly, for the benefit of informing and sharing with the public the sincere and traditional way of giving alms, with the monastic sangha displaying friendship and humility in undertaking the act of begging for alms, and showing the importance of the support of the layperson to help sustain the monastic life. To help the council and general public know what we are doing and why we engage in such a practice.”
Alms round in Footscray, Melbourne
He added that a secondary reason for the activity stemmed from the recent controversy of people pretending to be monks and doing alms rounds in the city. The public display of genuine alms-giving was intended to dispel any negativity that may have arisen as a result.
Generosity or giving plays an essential role in the practice of Buddhism. The “door to the Dharma,” it helps reduce attachment, regarded as the cause of all suffering. It is the direct antidote to greed and self-centeredness, and helps create suitable conditions for practice. Alms-giving is one way to develop and train in generosity.
Alms round in Footscray, Melbourne
The alms-giving event began with some welcoming words from the local council and traders association, and was attended by monastics from the Vietnamese, Thai, Chinese, and Tibetan traditions. The food was prepared and offered mainly by laypeople from the traditionally Buddhist communities, although many Westerners also took part.
The spokesperson for the organizing committee, Rachael Waas, said, “As I was taking part in the proceedings, the general feeling was very joyful and peaceful. However, I did hear some people asking if we were Hare Krishnas and even heard one passer-by joke that we would probably be just asking for money. So it was all the more important that the genuine alms-giving took place.” An informative flyer was handed out explaining what the alms-giving meant.
The majority of the onlookers were very happy to have the experience, and a number of the Westerners felt that “Buddhism has so much to offer our troubled world.”
After the alms round, the monastic sangha shared lunch with members of the Buddhist community, the homeless people living in the mall, and interested members of the wider community.
This gift of Dharma activity is one precious step in the direction of creating more understanding and maintaining peace in our multicultural society.