Excuse me, how much is your lecture?

I recently started another round of public lectures (my third wave) and this seem to be a common question.

People asked me if it was free of charge to attend my lectures; organiser asked how much I would charge them for giving the lecture; and even a temple asked me my charges and expenses for giving a course there.

Every time such questions are raised, I really dun know how to answer.

If I say it is free, do I look cheap? or will they think it is of less value, or will they register and not turn-up at the last minute thus depriving someone else a chance to attend?

To set the record straight, I usually do not charge anything unless the organiser imposed a hefty fee on the audience. I understand that commercial company organising a talk incurred expenses, but it is quite normal that someone must pay the extra manpower, electric bill, aircon bill, rental of premises, etc. Even going to the wash room involved water and electric charges for the sensor and the lights. Just an estimation, the cost per trip for an elevator up and down is 50cents, and the toilet is about 20 cents depending on number of flushes.. hahaha

But some of the audiences would expect to attend talk for free. Hmmm, the last talk held at the temple, out of curiosity again, with free lunch provided, got a donation of $245 from 60 participants combined in the 3 donation boxes (no records of course, so no identifiers).

Buddhists are quite different from Christians in this sense.. Christians are more than happy to give tithe to their church (which do not provide free food), but some Buddhists can go to the temple, donate $2 and bring along the whole family for free lunch. Trust me, managing a temple is a tough business.

How many Buddhists give tithe or regular donation to help maintain their temple.. Whilst some pastors own sport cars and condos, most monks (except one) and nuns would need to get donation for doing a task... but then, this is another story..

So coming back to my lecture, it is free, and if you are kind and generous after listening to my lectures, please donate to any charity that you like and send me the receipts, or donate to the premises owners, because they didn't charge me for the rental of the aircon rooms.

For those who know me, I donate all my honorarium as a invited speaker or asked the organisation to donate a charity on my behalf, as it is cleaner. Most of the tem, I even absorbed travelling charges and accommodations, since the organiser for this talks may be short of funds. I count this as my contribution and moral duty as a person.

To those who have attended my lecture, how much are you willing to "pay" for my lectures (again out of curiosity).. of course, all proceeds goes to charity?

P.S my next lecture is in KL-17 Jul 2010 at 3pm, 18 Jul 2010 at KKBC Singapore at 2pm.

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May you be well, happy, peaceful.

With Gratitude,
ROBIN