Donations

Charity – From a Sense of Abundance

Charity must come from one’s sense of abundance. True charity springs from a sense of oneness between the giver and the recipient. Unless one is able to identify oneself with others, one will not feel the noble urge to share one’s possessions with others. Thus charity is born out of an urge to restrain one’s instincts of acquisition and aggrandizement, and to replace these with a spirit of sacrifice.
In the name of charity many things are ordinarily done which destroys both the giver and the recipient. Therefore gifts should be given in accordance with certain ethical norms. Gifts should be given with faith. We can have faith only in what we understand to be right. Therefore charity is acceptable only when it follows our independent, intellectual beliefs and convictions. Unless we are convinced about the nobility and unless we have come to a correct and independent judgment of the worthiness of a cause, charity should not be practiced. Every benefactor has the right to inquire into the cause that he is trying to patronize.
Again, a miserly giving will not benefit either the giver or the receiver and, it is said in our scriptures, having come to judge a cause as worthy, give it your entire patronage. “Give in plenty, with both hands give.” Also, charity must be given with modesty, avoiding feelings of egotism and vanity. It must be given with sympathy which comes from having surrendered to a higher alter. Sympathy generates love in us, and unless this love element predominates, and compels us to seek and identify with the cause, we will not spiritually evolve along the path of charity. Charity constricts the heart and obstructs human growth if it is not honeyed with the spirit and the joy of identification.
– Swami Chinmayananda

If you are inspired by the work we do, we seek your support and encouragement. Please contribute generously and become a part of our vision. Please click here if you wish to donate.

You can also submit your annual sponsorship by clicking and completing our Online Sponsorship Form.

Donation towards Jirnoddhara

The year 2016 is significant since it marks the Birth Centenary year of Pujya Gurudeva Swami Chinmayananda and also heralds a sacred milestone of the temple’s “Jirnoddhara.” To fulfill the promise, “Unto Him Our Best,” it is a blessed opportunity for us to uplift ourselves while working together to give the facilities of our beloved temple a caring facelift.

For this important purpose, we seek your gracious and generous support. The projects requiring attention during the “Jirnoddhara” of the Sri Saumyakasi Sivalya in 2016 are:

  • A new elevator (to serve more devotees who cannot climb the steps)
  • Granite flooring inside and outside (including the steps)
  • Replacement of handrails
  • Exterior and interior painting
  • Lighting improvements in the courtyard and parking
  • New curtain in the altar area and carpets

The above projects are estimated to cost about $350,000. We seek your support for this noble endeavor and will be grateful for any contribution, large or small. Please visit our special Jirnoddhara donation page to extend your hand and heart in this humble seva to the benevolent deities of Sri Saumyakasi Sivalaya.