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What is a Dharma Friend?
At the Buddhist Society of Australia, a Dharma Friend is someone who gives to the Society, monthly or once, to help keep the teachings of the Buddha open to all who seek them. The name comes from one of the oldest ideas in the Buddha's teaching: good friendship.
Good friendship in the teachings
The Pali word is kalyāṇamitta, usually translated as "good friend". It means someone whose company helps you live by the Dharma: a person who listens, encourages and points the way, while leaving the walking to you.
The Buddha gave this kind of friendship great weight. In one discourse, Venerable Ānanda suggests that good friends are half the spiritual life. The Buddha answers:
“Not so, Ānanda! Not so, Ānanda! Good friends, companions, and associates are the whole of the spiritual life.”
— SN 45.2, translated by Bhikkhu Sujato
Why we use the name
The Society is run entirely by volunteers, with no paid staff. Our work continues because of people: those who give their time, and those who give to support the work. Each of them is a good friend to the Dharma, helping the teachings stay within reach of whoever comes looking.
"Dharma Friend" is our name for those who give. A Dharma Friend's gift helps the Society share the teachings with anyone who comes to us, whether it is their first question or one of many.
How to become a Dharma Friend
- Choose monthly or once, and an amount. Any amount helps.
- Give through the giving form on this page. You will receive a receipt by email.
- Change or stop a monthly gift at any time. Just write to us at info@buddhistsocietiesofaustralia.org.
Good friends in the discussions too
You do not need to give to be welcome. People from every Buddhist tradition are welcome, and so are people with no background in Buddhism at all. Our Discussions are a place to ask questions and talk through the teachings of the Buddha in an open, conversational way. Many good friendships, in the old sense, begin there.
Write to us if you have a question, and a volunteer will reply.
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