Donations to the Monastery
Birken is supported solely through the ancient tradition of Dana, or generous giving. Our monastery is a non-profit charitable organization (officially known as "Birken Forest Buddhist Monastery Society"). Financial donations to the monastery are tax deductible in Canada,and eligible for a Canadian tax receipt. (learn more)
We especially appreciate monthly or quarterly donations, as the regularity helps to stabilize our financial operations.
If you would like to offer financial support to the Monastery and resident community, you have several options:
- Electronically. There are three options: using CanadaHelps, PayPal, or Interac. All of these services charge fees. (learn more)
• Through CanadaHelps.org (with a credit card) 
• Through PayPal Secure online payment (with a credit card, bank account, or PayPal balance) • Using Interac Email Money Transfer (available to clients of BMO Bank of Montreal, CIBC, RBC Royal Bank, Scotiabank, or TD Canada Trust who bank online). NOTE: Interac transfer is currently not available through our Credit Union. They are working on it, but for now, please use another method. - You can mail cheques or money orders payable to Birken Forest Monastery to:
Birken Forest Monastery
PO Box 5
Knutsford, British Columbia, CANADA
V0E 2A0
- Direct deposits are also welcome. Such transfers should be made to our account with the Interior Savings and Credit Union (Summit Branch):
Transit: 05870, Institution 809, Account No. 10-7024342.
Address: #370 – 1210 Summit Drive, Kamloops, BC, Canada, V2C 6M1.
Phone: (250) 314-1210
Other than financial donations, there are several other ways you can support the monastery:
- If you wish, you can offer food or material goods. For this purpose, we keep a current list of Useful Dana Items. Or, alternatively, you could ask one of Birken's Stewards: either in person, or by emailing our Office Steward at meditate@birken.ca. (Note: A Steward is a layperson who attends to many of the material needs of the monastery.)
- Physical labour is another form of Dana. While here, your help with the upkeep of the monastery is appreciated.
Note: Unless they are clearly invited to do so, monastics may not ask for anything directly.
