Swami Swaroopanand quote "Gurudeva [SBS]used to give upadesha (initiation) without any fees. He used to say
'If I accept any gift from the disciple (or fees), then his sins are transmitted to me.'" >From that angle, MMY is perhaps one of the most generous teachers to have >walked the planet. On the other hand, SBS used to say, do not give me your donations, give me your sins. (a different slant on the above quote) I like the latter approach and mechanism. (It is simple. And pwerful in that taking back a gift is not polite -- and hardly productive. That is, naturally sense of commitment is stronger) However, it has periodically occurred to me that a teacher is limited by karma in what they can give. Thus the injunction to serve the wise -- serving them (and/or donating) creates a weather-like karmic low pressure point and grace is able to flow more fully. Then again, simply attention on teachers (here and now, or otherwise) appears to bring (a type of) grace. What do you find?
