The Merits of Monthly Giving with Film Producer Nanette Nelms

Film producer Nanette Nelms became a student of Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche in 2004, nearly a decade before he summoned her to produce Vara: A Blessing in 2013. She first heard about 84000 during one of Rinpoche’s teaching events when 84000 was just being established. She became one of our much-needed and valued monthly donors and has never looked back.

“I’m just so grateful for the work that 84000 does, for Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche’s vast vision, for the actual words and their dissemination and preservation. Being part of that in any way is such a blessing.”

“It was the easiest decision ever,” Nanette says. “I feel privileged to contribute in my very small way to Rinpoche’s mandala. In giving to 84000, it’s especially rewarding as the tendrel or connection to not only Rinpoche’s mandala but the words of the Buddha feel very auspicious.”

Nanette is making a valuable contribution to 84000 as recurring donations help provide our organization with a steady income stream. Nanette says monthly giving is an easy and convenient way to support the work of 84000. “That’s the magic of being a recurring donor. It is just happening in the background, protected from my forgetfulness and distraction, while the merit continues. The intention to make the offering manifests.”

At 84000, we are always looking for ways to spread awareness of the wisdom contained within this collection, and to help the open and curious connect with the Dharma.

Asked what would help people in the U.S. discover Buddhadharma, Nanette believes the single most transformative agent of change would be widening and improving access to it. Even in really diverse places like New York City, she says we are still seeing sanghas that are almost exclusively White and Asian. She adds, “The relationship between the Buddhadharma and Black people is mutually beneficial and it would be shortsighted to discount this when thinking about spreading the words of the Buddha far and wide.”

Asked what she hopes to accomplish through her philanthropy in general, Nanette recalls a comment by Rinpoche that stuck with her. “He said something to the effect of patrons having similar karma to great practitioners. I have aspirations (or delusions) of being a great patron one day. I have a much better shot at that than being a great practitioner! I really enjoy giving, and practice giving with intentionality with the correct mindset, the three spheres, etc. I like to imagine my offering to 84000 as seeds that are building my dream of being a patron.”

She continues to give monthly without hesitation. “If there is a need there is reason to stay involved and I won’t personally run out of need for good merit any time soon!”

The Merits of Monthly Giving with Film Producer Nanette Nelms

Related Links