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One heart touching another!

Be a part of something that truly matters...
Your support can gently change someone’s world in ways that last! 💛

Make An Impact!

What Is Donation?

To give people what they need is donation, not what you feel like giving. If you donate clothes to somebody who already has many clothes, it is of no use. Instead, give clothes to people who need clothes. Similarly, giving food to somebody who owns a restaurant is foolishness. Instead, give food to the hungry and clothes to people who need them. This is donation. ​
So, it is important to donate to people who need it, not to those who don’t need it. If you donate a cow to a poor man who can’t feed himself, how will he feed the cow? If you donate a dictionary to a man who is illiterate, what will he do with it?​
Only give to those who deserve it!​

— GURUDEV SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR

Your Impact Starts Here...

Gift a Smile

Every child deserves the chance to learn, grow, and dream. Gift A Smile reaches underprivileged children with education, nutrition, and care — giving them the foundation they need to dream bigger.

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Vedic Heritage School - Gurukul

Nurtures young students in traditional Vedic knowledge — scriptures, chanting, culture, and values — while preparing them for a meaningful life.

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Dhyan Mandir

The new meditation hall at Art of Living International Center - Let us build a sacred space for thousands to embark on their inner journey.

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Anna Daan

अन्नदाता सुखीभव - May the food-giver be happy.

From the farmer who grew the food to the sevak who served it — every hand in between is an Annadata. When you contribute to Anna Daan, you join this sacred chain of giving.

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Anna Daan on Special Occasions

Mark your special occasion by sponsoring a meal — because the blessings of those you feed are the most precious gift you can receive. On your birthday, wedding, or any special moment, extend this tradition of generosity through food.

 

 

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General Donations

Every act of giving carries a ripple of grace — one that begins the moment it leaves your hands, and never really stops moving. It touches the one who receives, softens the one who gives, and quietly reaches even those you'll never meet.

 

 

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Guardian of Herbs

Rare medicinal plants carry centuries of wisdom — knowledge that heals, and roots that quietly link us back to nature. Your support helps conserve these vanishing herbs and the traditional knowledge around them, safeguarding a living heritage for generations still to come.

 

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Dhyan Mandir - Dwar Seva

A gate is often the first invitation a place offers — the very first hello before a seeker even steps inside. The Dwar of Knowledge is that threshold: the doorway through which every visitor first enters a space held for stillness, wisdom, and self-discovery.

 

 

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Why must we donate?

People are ready to buy expensive clothes for themselves, people are ready to spend a huge amount on their holidays, but they are not ready to give one cent to others for a service project. At least 3 percent of what we earn, we should keep aside for charity work. This converts the 97% percent of your earnings into good money.

 

If you want to use 100% on yourself, then that is no good! If the money needs to be pure, it can only be 97% or less of your earnings (laughs). You are free to use 97% on yourself, but 3 – 5%, you should keep aside for donation. This is because whatever you earn is never enough for yourself! You ask anyone, they all feel, "Oh, there's a shortage.” Everyone finds a shortage. So it is not wise to say, "First I will do everything for me and then I will donate to others." We have to do both. It is collective growth that we must aim for.

The best form of donation

Generosity, or sharing what we have with those around us, is a divine quality. There are different types of donations:

Food is the foundation of life. Hence, donating food is no doubt good. If you are not able to do it daily, then do it once in a while. You may donate food on your birthday, or in remembrance of your ancestors. That is why all these rules were instilled into our culture.  Especially in India, anna daanam (donation of food) has been there for ages.

Though it is said “Anna daanam param daanam, vidya daanam atah param. annena kshanika trupthi, yaavat jeevancha vidyeya.” This means that donating food is the best donation; donating knowledge is the best among the best kinds of donations. Food can satisfy one's hunger for a short time, but with knowledge, one can be satisfied lifelong.

  • “Sarveshaamevadaanamm brahmadaanam vishishyati.” Furthermore, sharing knowledge of Brahman (supreme consciousness or Divine) is even more superior to that.

If you are not doing any donation, then do the basic first. Begin with the donation of food.