did you know?
Dasvandh literally means "a tenth of" and refers to the act of sharing 10% of a person's income and time.
Guru Sahib taught us and modeled the importance of giving.
Dasvandh is the cornerstone of Sikh philosophy.
Please email [email protected] to sign up your Gurdwara to participate in the program.

  • What is Dasvandh?

    Dasvandh refers to Sikhs contributing 10% of the money they earn to helping others. It is a Sikh's duty to give in the name of our Gurus – a form of Seva which is highly valued in Sikhism. Guru Nanak Dev made the importance of Dasvandh known when he wrote: “One who works for what he eats and gives some of what he has - O Nanak, he knows the Path" (Sri Guru Granth Sahib p. 1245). The idea of sharing and giving is also seen in Langar.

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    What is a Dasvandh Box?

    A Dasvandh box is a little box with a big meaning. It is meant to show the importance of giving back to others, and that every little bit counts.

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    The Dasvandh Box Initiative

    The program consists of a lesson plan on Dasvandh, as well as a six-week trial of giving Dasvandh.

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  • For Gurdwaras

    LETTER TO GURDWARA/KHALSA SCHOOL

    DASVANDH BOX INITIATIVE ONE-PAGER

    Resource for Gurdwaras participating (and interested in participating) in the Dasvandh Box Initiative. These explain the tasks and responsibilities involved in launching the program in your Gurdwara/Khalsa School.

    For Educators

    LETTER TO EDUCATOR

    PRESENTATION FOR CHILDREN

    PRESENTATION FOR CHILDREN

    EDUCATOR’S CHECKLIST

    WEEKLY TRACKER

    These provide educators in Gurdwaras/Khalsa Schools the necessary details on the Dasvandh Box Initiative, as well as the meaning of Dasvandh. The presentation and weekly tracker are to be shared with the class when the program launches.

    For Volunteers

    PRESENTATION FOR VOLUNTEERS

    Explains the responsibilities of volunteers and Gurdwara liaisons who will help DVN reach out to the Gurdwara, organize the launch of Dasvandh Box in the gurdwara, and collect and send the funds raised back to DVN.

    For Parents

    LETTER TO PARENTS

    This letter will be given to each child's parent at the start of the program. It provides an overview of the program, collection ideas, discussion topics for each family, and additional resources.

  • FAQ

    What are Dasvandh Network’s (DVN) values?
    DVN tries its best to be in line with Gurmat (Teachings of the Sikh Gurus and Guru Granth Sahib). Our other core values include trust and transparency.

    How does the Dasvandh Box program work?
    A gurdwara signs up to participate in the program. A classroom educator is selected to introduce the Dasvandh Box program to the class. The students then vote from a select group of Dasvandh Network projects. At the end of the presentation, each student is given a Dasvandh Box to take home; parents will be given a one-pager highlighting the program. Each week, the students will bring back their Dasvandh Box to class for one large collection and counted weekly.

    How do I send a payment in?
    You can submit your khalsa school's collections to Dasvandh Network via Online or Mail.

    1. Online:
      • Visit dvnetwork.org and create an account, or login using existing username and password
      • In the "Search" box, type in the name of the project the khalsa school selected
      • On the project page, beside the "Donate” button:
        • Type in the amount the school collected
        • Select “One-Time” for frequency
        • Click the “Donate” button
      • You have 2 ways to donate the school’s collections online:
        • Submit via ACH (using your check details)
        • Submit by Credit Card
      • Once you submit, you should receive an “Order Confirmation” screen
    2. Mail to DVN:
      • You can mail in your check to Dasvandh Network. Checks should be written out to Dasvandh Network.
      • Mail the check to: 6002 Camp Bullis Rd San Antonio, TX 78257

    I'm interested in signing up my Gurdwara - how do I do that?
    Great! Please email [email protected]

    When does the program run?
    The Dasvandh Box Initiative is available for Khalsa school children throughout the year. So, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] if your gurdwara/Khalsa school is interested to take part in this program.

    How long is the program?
    The Dasvandh Box Program runs for a period of 6 weeks.

    What are the administration fees?
    DVN doesn't charge for donations. Donations given by check are sent without any fees to the designated organization/project. However, for credit card transactions, there is a 3.5% payment processing fee that goes to cover fees paid to our payment processor, Braintree Payment Solutions.

  • Privacy Policy

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    [email protected]

  • What is Dasvandh?

    History
    In the time of Guru Amar Das, a formal structure for channeling Sikh religious giving was evolved. He set up 22 Manjis, or districts, in different parts of the country, each placed under the charge of a Sikh who, besides preaching Guru Nanak's word, looked after the Sangats within his/her area and sent the disciple's offerings to the Guru. As the digging of the Sarovar and the building of the Harmander Sahib at Amritsar began under Guru Ram Das, Sikhs were urged to set apart a minimum of ten percent (Dasvandh) of their income for the common pool, Guru key Golak or just "Golak". Masands were appointed to collect "Kar Bhet" (offerings) and Dasvandh from Sikhs in the area they were assigned to and pass these on to the Guru. The custom of Dasvandh was reinforced in the Rahitnamas, written during the lifetime of Guru Gobind Singh or soon after. For example, Bhai Nand Lal's Tankhahnama records these words of Gobind Singh: "(Guru) Gobind Singh say: O Lal ji (Bhai Nand Lal) one who does not give Dasvandh and whose way of life is based on falsehood should not be trusted at all." Today, this principle is still practiced by Sikhs, in hopes to participate in the ongoing responsibility towards the Khalsa Panth and the global community.

    Parallels with other Religions:
    Dasvandh has since become part of the Sikh way of life. The custom bears parallels to Christian duties, requiring members of the church to pay a tenth part of the annual produce of their land or its equivalent in money to support it and the clergy, and to Muslim zakat requiring assignment of 2.5 percent of one's annual wealth for the welfare of the needy.

  • What is a Dasvandh Box?

    A Dasvandh box is a little box with a big meaning. It is meant to show the importance of giving back to others, and that every little bit counts. By raising just a few pennies at a time, collectively your Khalsa School can help feed kids in need of food, or help pay for a Sikh comic book! (see how the program works!)

    After a short lesson about Dasvandh in your Khalsa School class, you will participate in a 6 week activity to put into the practice the spirit of Dasvandh. You will be given your very own "Dasvandh box" to take home. At the end of each week, you will be asked to bring back your Dasvandh to your Khalsa School and add it to the larger group collection. (parents - we request your support to ensure the children return to their Khalsa School each week with the Dasvandh Box).

    You can collect money in a variety of ways such as an allowance, birthday gifts, a job, or money given by parents, family members, and friends. Don't worry about raising a large amount of money, the whole point is to get into the habit of giving, no matter how large or small.

    You, along with your Khalsa School clasmates will pick a project highlighted at dvnetwork.org to donate the money to at the end of the 6 week event.

  • What is the Dasvandh Box Initiative?

    Dasvandh is a cornerstone of Sikh philosophy. Established with the concept of Vand Chakna by Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Dasvandh is the responsibility of every Sikh. For years, Sikhs have participated in Dasvandh and have supported countless activities aimed at doing the Guru's work. More recently, however, young Sikhs growing up in North America may have become less familiar with this duty. In an effort to educate Sikh children about the responsibilities of giving, Dasvandh Network is sponsoring a unique initiative to encourage our children to be active participants in Dasvandh. We would like to partner with Khalsa Schools across the globe in an effort to emphasize the importance of Dasvandh.

    The program consists of the following:

    1. A brief presentation for your students on the history and importance of Dasvandh.
    2. An 6 week trial of giving Dasvandh: Each child will be given their own "Dasvandh box" to take home. At the end of each week, the children will be asked to bring back their Dasvandh or donations to the Khalsa School and add it to the larger group collection.
      1. Children can collect money in a variety of ways such as: money they have earned from a job, money they have earned from allowance, money they have saved, or money given by parents, family members, and friends.
      2. There is no expectation for the collection amount to be large, but rather an emphasis placed on the consistency of giving, no matter how big or small.
    3. Each school group will pick a project featured on Dasvandh Networks website. Money will be donated at the end of the 6 week trial.

    Our hope with this initiative is to promote a sense of sharing and giving amongst our Sikh youth. Collectively, we would like to see a spirit of giving become part of the fabric of all our Sikh children. Every major religious group has a similar giving responsibility and the principles are established in their members from a young age. If our community wants to have impact in this world and continue to do the Guru's work, we need to educate our children about the importance of Dasvandh.