Sangha-dana (giving to monks).

The monks are also given robes and other personal items such as blankets. Goenkaji carefully explains two reasons why give to the Sangha.

1) Firstly, the bhikkhus are people who have renounced the householder's life, and it is the duty, the responsibility, of those of us who have a household to provide for their physical requirements.

2) The second reason is gratitude.
We are certainly grateful for the Buddha's teaching when we gain so much from the practice of Vipassana.

We should therefore be grateful to the bhikkhu-sangha, because they have preserved his teaching up to the present day so that we can receive it.

In several of India's neighboring countries, the theoretical teaching, the words of Buddha, were preserved.

In one country, Myanmar, they also maintained the purity of the practical teaching that we have learned, and for this we owe them great respect and gratitude.

Vipassana international newsletter. (Apr'2000)