In the Pali language of ancient Buddhism, the word for “compassion“ is “karuna”.

Compassion is at the heart of a mature spiritual practice. As we meditate, our feelings of compassion extend, from a close circle of family and friends to a more global reach. Our community is larger than the people who live near us. Our family is larger than the people we are related to. Each of us is larger than our individual concerns. Meditation practice expands our hearts to embrace the welfare of all beings.

Insight Meditation South Bay (IMSB) sponsors Karuna Outreach projects as a way for participants to experience and express their compassion.

At a time when many are suffering from feelings of scarcity and uncertainty, Karuna Outreach projects give people a way to give, to share, to open their hearts. We invite you to join us in experiencing and expressing your compassion.

In addition to the IMSB General Fund for regular operations, IMSB accepts donations into two funds: the Karuna Fund to support Karuna Outreach projects, and the Retreat Scholarship Fund to support participation in IMSB meditation retreats by those unable to afford the regular fees.

You may donate by credit card by clicking on any of the above buttons -- just indicate the name of the fund to which you wish to contribute. Or you may send a check made payable to:

Insight Meditation South Bay
PO Box 490, Menlo Park,
CA  94026

and designate the fund name in the memo field.

Insight Meditation South Bay is incorporated in the State of California, and is recognized as a charitable organization by both the State of California and the Internal Revenue Service under section 501(c)(3). Contributions are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.

Karuna Outreach projects have the dual benefits of bringing material help to those in need, while cultivating qualities of compassion and generosity in volunteers and donors.

Insight Meditation South Bay currently supports two Karuna Outreach projects by organizing fundraising and inviting its members to contribute.

Prajna Vihar School in Bodh Gaya, India

Bodh Gaya is the place where the Buddha attained his full awakening. These days it is also a major center for Buddhist pilgrims and the site of the Prajna Vihar School.

In the early 1990’s Shaila Catherine participated in a meditation retreat in Bodh Gaya taught by Christopher Titmuss. Each morning Christopher met with local children and told them stories while several meditation students passed out gifts of bananas, eggs, or rupee coins. The desperate poverty, illiteracy, and utter lack of healthcare were heart-wrenching. Shaila later learned that Rick Peterson, another participant in the retreat, had stayed in Bodh Gaya to see if he could help. Shaila was deeply impressed that Rick took the initiative to remain in the village and found the Prajna Vihar School. Shaila has followed the development of the school and has personally visited there five or six times. She has witnessed the school’s development from barely a hope into a multistory building serving the primary educational needs of hundreds of impoverished children. It is with full confidence in the integrity and value of this school that Shaila is championing this cause.

A recent expansion in commercial developments has caused changes in local drainage that have flooded a significant portion of the land surrounding the school. These conditions have caused a dangerous health situation--cholera is still common in the area during monsoon season. The Prajna Vihar School faces the additional challenge of improving drainage to protect the land and students. We are now raising funds to purchase and build a high school on another property that will serve the needs of older students and provide vocational training for the youth.

For more information about the school, please visit http://www.oneworldchildrensfund.org/prajnaproject.html.
Videos and pictures of many of the students can be seen at: http://thomasriddle.net/pv/.
For an archive of development reports: http://www.dharma.org.au/bda/index.html.

The videos are also available on YouTube:

Fundraising support in the United States for the Prajna Vihar School is coordinated via One World Children’s Fund.
One World Children’s Fund (OWCF) was founded by Michael Kilgroe and Patricia Burbank, long-time meditation practitioners and friends of IMSB. Through networking, OWCF delivers aid to grassroots organizations that serve disadvantaged children. Projects are dedicated to making education, health care and other necessities available to children in need around the world.

One World Children's Fund

www.owcf.org

1012 Torney Ave
San Francisco, CA 94129
Telephone: 415-255-3014
infoowcf.org

OWCF recognizes that local people know best how to solve problems in their own communities. The organization therefore provides resources directly to the local communities so that a sustainable future can be built for the children and their families.

OWCF uses a unique model called The Champion Program. Champions are people from all walks of life living in the U.S. who personally support and serve a project they consider worthy. Shaila Catherine has become a Champion for the Prajna Vihar School.

IMSB encourages your support of the Prajna Vihar School. You may make a donation specifically for the school at the One World Children's Fund donation page by selecting “Prajna Vihara School, India” under the I Would Like to Support drop-down list.

Santa Maria Urban Ministry

778 South Almaden
San Jose, CA 95110-2919
Telephone: 408-292-3314
1urban1sbcglobal.net
www.smum.org

IMSB participates in the annual school supplies drive called FIRST STEP organized by the Santa Maria Urban Ministry (SMUM), a charity project associated with our meeting place, St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church.

FIRST STEP provides new clothing, backpacks and school supplies to San Jose children and youth at the start of the school year. Last year, SMUM provided backpacks filled with grade-appropriate school supplies and at least one item of new clothing to over 700 San Jose inner city children. The program seeks to instill pride and a love of learning in children by easing their transition back to school.

SMUM is a ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of El Camino Real. Founded in 1983, SMUM partners with Second Harvest Food Bank to serve those in need within 8 Central San Jose zip codes. SMUM has developed additional transformative programs to meet the needs of the community and to promote self-sufficiency. Programs include ABC Playtime (prepares children ages 3-5 for kindergarten), Local Motion Ministry (provides emergency transportation and food deliveries to seniors), and Studio 17 (an after school program for youth aged 6-17). Those served report that SMUM provides a unique gathering place for those in the neighborhood, a place where they feel safe and can share their concerns with caring individuals.

Some important statistics:

• Most of the families served by SMUM have at least one adult member who has a full-time job. Yet, for many, the job is at minimum wage and with no medical coverage.
• Almost 70% of each family’s income is spent on housing and shelter.
• Over 85% of those served are immigrants, both long-term residents and recent arrivals.
• More than 60% of those served by SMUM are children.