iBuddha App Helps Monks Fund New Temple

[icy]

What a brilliant idea to raise fund for a temple! But don't you think it is also indirectly handling money which the Buddha forbidded to Sangha members?



IT is a 21st-century solution to an age-old dilemma – how does a Buddhist monk forbidden from handling money accept cash donations?

Spiritual leaders at the Dhammapadipa Temple in Slateford have hit on an ingenious solution that will also help them achieve their plan to build a £1.3 million temple.

Buddha introduced the prohibition on monks accepting gold or silver and other forms of currency more than 2000 years ago to encourage them to live a life divorced from material concerns.

Now the answer to their prayers has arrived – in the form of an iZettle “point of sale card reader” which attaches to mobile phones so donations can be taken on the move, removing the need for cash transactions.

Abbot Watana Somboon, 36, said: “Monks are not allowed to touch money so this is a very modern way of getting around a very old problem. Ideally we would appoint lay people to use the card device, after which the monk blesses the person who has given the donation.

“But even if there is no lay person in the temple, the monks can use this.”

Monks are supposed to rely on what the community provides, with lay people from the Buddhist community buying them essentials such as food, clothing and even medicines.

The basic principle is that the community takes care of the monks and the monks take care of the temple.

Abbot Somboon added: “We survive purely on community donations. We have had a growing number of requests for patrons to donate money by using their credit or bank card.

“We could not really justify the monthly fees most companies charge so we contacted iZettle, who were delighted to help. They have no monthly charges. Moreover, it meant we did not have the added issue of storing the donated cash. This new modern method is a perfect fit for us.

“We also like the idea that we could be mobile with this service as we have many events around the country where donations are made so for as long as we had a mobile device with the downloaded app, we will be able to take secure and safe donations through the card reader.

“Our current temple location has become too small for us so we are currently fundraising to build an authentic Thai-style Buddhist temple in Edinburgh, so having the flexibility of a variety of donations method will be invaluable to us.”

Nina Fernstrom, strategic partnership developer at iZettle, said: “We’re delighted to be helping with the monks’ efforts to raise money for a new building in Edinburgh.

“It’s fantastic that this community, with its ancient roots, is embracing new technology.

“Smaller organisations used to be priced out of the market when it came to payment technology.

“Now they are able to manage their payments, make the most of opportunities and ultimately grow.

“Devices such as smartphones and tablets are allowing enterprising organisations to shed the shackles that traditional banking has kept them in and has opened up a whole new world of opportunity.”

http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/ibuddha-app-helps-monks-fund-new-temple-1-3475488

[fruven]

Whether touching the money directly or not, in my opinion, the spirit of the vow has be broken. It is not about whether physically touching the money or not touching it. In modern term a financial transaction has been made therefore whether it is cash forn or in whatever form, monetary value has exchanged hands. In fact it is much worst because you don't feel the money but in numbers only there is no emotional weight, to me at least, as compare to handling physical money.

[Matibhadra]

Whether touching the money directly or not, in my opinion, the spirit of the vow has be broken.

As long as the monk (or any monk to that effect) does not manage the account into which the donation is deposited, and as long as the monk does not tell the donor to deposit the donation into such an account, or even accept such donation, but merely says, if asked, that such and such bank account is a safe place for the money to be deposited, so that a lay assistant manages it, there is no infraction of either the letter or the meaning of the Vinaya rule.

It is not about whether physically touching the money or not touching it.

Touching or not touching money is not the subject of the Vinaya rule, which is only about the monk's mental actions of asking, accepting, or causing others to accept money, or even consenting to have the money placed or kept somewhere for him.

Now, just showing, if asked, a safe place for the money to be deposited, such as a bank account, so that a lay assistant manages it, does not characterize an infraction.

In modern term a financial transaction has been made therefore whether it is cash forn or in whatever form, monetary value has exchanged hands. In fact it is much worst because you don't feel the money but in numbers only there is no emotional weight, to me at least, as compare to handling physical money.

The feeling or emotional weight of physical or virtual money is irrelevant; just what is relevant are the monk's mental actions of asking, accepting, or causing others to accept such money, or even consenting to have the money placed or kept somewhere for him, which are not the case if the monk merely points to a safe place, such as a bank account, where the money can be deposited so that a lay assistant manages it.

[Matibhadra]

By the way, this whole topic brings to mind the grossly corrupt and materialistic nature of Abrahamic ideologies such as Judaism and Christianity, which not only ask for, but also compulsorily exact donations, setting a minimum of one tenth of one's income as a ”divinely commanded” tribute (of course, in case of Judaism, with a generous discount for priests, who had or have to pay only one tenth of one tenth, or 1% of their income).

Many pentecostal, neo-pentecostal, and dispensationalist churches, in particular, are well known for their voracity when it comes to extract as much money as possible from their victims, using coercive tactics, threats, and blackmailing.

[Kim Hyun Jae]

Technology can be used two ways, positively and negatively. In this case, the iBuddha App or any other Apps may have been created as a platform to spread the dharma teachings and/or to provide ease to collect donations without having to incur extra interest rate for the purpose of raising funds to build temples.

Nowadays, everyone uses a credit card or debit card. It is a convenient currency in a plastic card to make all sorts of payment. It is clearly the motivation that lies behind the use of these Apps, that makes the difference.

Of course, the sangha are not allowed to handle money directly but this is a creative way to raise donations and funds in this modern era.

[rossoneri]

In order to get funds to build a temples no a days is not an easy task at all. Due to the modern societies with a lot of distraction in directly pulling all the attention away from spiritual practise. So, most of us at times wanted to do something which is meaningful perhaps this is a very good idea for the general public can always donate some funds in order for the temple to be built. Whether, it is not appropriate for the monks to handle the funds, i would say we are in the modern world and somethings can be change but as long as the the committee and the people who are handling the funds are pure in their motivation i would say nothing wrong with it.

[X]

It is really all about technology in the 21st century, this is really creative way to get donation. It is a WOW, I'm really surprised. Technology really makes thing easier but there's pros and cons for everything. It definitely allow the monk to get donations to built the temple easily and faster so that buddhism can spread faster. At the same time, there will be people outside who take advantage of this to earn money. There are a lot of fake monks outside who ask for donations. Which is the cons. But overall, I think it is a really good idea.

[Klein]

I think it is a great idea for the monks to adopt this method of receiving funds to build their temple. It shows the monk's commitment in overcoming obstacles in order to achieve their goal. This is the commitment and dedication that is necessary for all dharma practitioners to have in order for us to gain Enlightenment. Without it, we will not be able to overcome bigger obstacles such as our inner maras.

I thank the monks for thinking out of the box which inspires us to do the same for our spiritual growth.

[bambi]

Its a brilliant idea. First of all, there is prove that this money goes into the account that will be managed to build the temple. Second of all, the monks do not have to deal with money directly. And lastly, anyone can donate so long as you have a card.
Its a great idea for other temples who want to achieve something like this. We have to adapt and not be old fashioned. Convenient for people to make donation anywhere in the vicinity as well.

[Tenzin K]

Technology has become part of our life in this age of time. It can bring positive and negative impact to us but we are the one supposed to control for the impact. Having an equipment to ease the donation for a right purpose, personally I agree with it. What important is the motivation because that determine the result of your action which is karma.

At this modern world we adapt what is beneficial and what is most practical for us to learn and spread the dharma. People at this time can’t follow the same way how Buddha Shakyamuni teach 2500 years ago but they can easily learn if we incorporate with the style and technology of this age it will be easier for them to learn.

I believe how we want to bring benefit to other through different method and truly from our compassion heart because we keep finding ways to make sure they will be benefited.

[maricisun]

Brilliant idea for the Monks to come up with this concept. This is what technology is also all about. As long as it benefits everyone and people can confidently and conveniently donate or sponsor to fund the new temple I don't see anything wrong with it.
At least the Monks are really thinking of ways to source for sponsorship. Great effort too.