Service as Dhamma: How a Thread of Goodness Becomes a Refuge
Stephanie Swann
September 22, 2026
When we contemplate the Dhamma, our minds often picture silent retreat centers, steady breathing, and hours spent grounded on a meditation cushion. That inward training is vital, yet practice never ends at the edge of the cushion. Dhamma comes alive in how our hearts meet the wider world, how we transform the insights into action, ethics into care, and understanding into service.
Introducing Danno. Many of you already know our beloved sangha member, but he has taught me, as much as anyone, that service is dhamma. Without Danno’s talents, time, and care, we could not have created Ellijay Paws, a nonprofit that cares for shelter dogs in North Georgia. Without Danno, the sangha that you are a part of today would not exist in the same way. Time and time again, Danno answers the call of service, whether it quietly comes from within or he literally picks up his cell phone when he sees someone calling. Danno truly embodies the living Dhamma of service with vibrant humility.
For this article, I sat down with Danno and interviewed him. Despite having known him for over a decade, I heard his story in a new and beautiful way. I heard how he has been on both sides of service and how his heart has ultimately guided him to places where he truly makes a difference.
Meeting Suffering with Direct Action
When asked how his dhamma practice connects to his life of service, Danno points directly to the foundational teachings of the Buddha:
"My realization comes down to the first two [Noble Truths]: There is suffering, and we are the cause of our own suffering. And those two things right there kind of catapult me into: What can I do for the third part, which is how do I alleviate that? How can I alleviate that? What can I do?... If I think it's all about me, then it kind of goes back to why you have number one, and why you're suffering, right? So move past it and be helpful."
For Danno, turning toward others isn't an abstract philosophy; it is the natural antidote to the contractive gravity of self-absorption. While friends sometimes suggest he monetize his creative crafting skills or web talents, his compass points elsewhere:
"I'm past that... I'm moving into a portion of my life where I'm worried about people, and I'm worried about what is going to happen to them. And it's serious stuff, you know?
From Keepsakes to Community Comfort
Danno’s bear-making journey didn’t begin as a large-scale project. It started quietly at a sewing machine, creating handmade comfort for family and friends.
After learning to sew, he cut up an old family quilt to craft memory bears for himself and his three siblings, ensuring each had a tangible piece of their late mother. Soon, he made 50 bears for memory-care and Alzheimer’s patients at a local nursing home, followed by a dozen bespoke bears fashioned from a late father’s neckties for grieving grandchildren. Witnessing how much comfort these simple gifts provided, Danno realized the power of offering something lasting—an object a frightened or grieving child could hold onto for years.
In Buddhist teachings, this impulse reflects the quality of cāga, the open-handed generosity of spirit that underpins all genuine giving. More than the physical act of handing something over, cāga is an internal posture of relinquishment, tenderness, and goodwill. It is the heart's natural willingness to loosen its grip on self-centered concerns and let compassion flow outward without expecting anything in return.
Holding Kindness in the Midst of Crisis
When the local immigrant and refugee community faced severe disruption and funding cuts in early 2025, Danno stepped forward to ask what he could offer. Hearing about the long, tense lines at immigration court and ICE facilities, his focus immediately went to the children waiting beside their parents:
"The stories I was hearing were the kids were just terrified. And I think that was part of what it was, was knowing that, or thinking that, 'Hey, if I was scared, what would make me feel better? What would make me…' It was like, if I had something to hold onto... and it kind of almost just came naturally."
Danno adapted his craft, designing bears specifically for children in immigration proceedings through Casa Alterna. As he ramped up his bear project, Danno also discovered other ways immigrant communities in Atlanta were being served. It didn't take long for Danno to begin volunteering two days a week at the Welcome Co-op's Shop of Hope, eventually joining their board to support families rebuilding their lives.
A Room Full of Heart: Goodness Attracts Goodness
With new board commitments, the bear project also continued growing and growing. What began with just Danno and five fellow volunteers has developed into a community movement. Through word of mouth, a circle of over 80 people now gathers to cut fabric, stuff stuffing, and sew seams.
On any given Saturday, the Quaker meeting hall fills with more than 30 volunteers working side by side, bringing together members from the Atlanta Insight Meditation Community, Casa Alterna, Necessary Trouble, Atlanta Friends, Marching Buddies, Virginia Highland Church, and North Decatur Presbyterian Church.
The impact speaks for itself:
1,864 bears crafted over the past 15 months.
1,779 bears placed directly into the hands of immigrant children.
Expanding reach: The initiative is now partnering with the Global Village Project, where young immigrant students will sew bears to gift to other refugee children arriving in the community.
The Alleviation of Suffering
Danno is a living example that when we invest our energy in alleviating the pain of others, an internal shift takes place. When asked whether pouring so much time into service has diminished his own internal angst, Danno's answer is immediate: "Yes, I can say that unequivocally."
In Pali, the word mudita refers to sympathetic, unselfish joy, the capacity to take radiant delight in the goodness, healing, and upliftment of others. Danno’s journey reminds us that service is not a chore outside our spiritual path; it is Dhamma in motion. When we quiet the narrative of "me and mine," our hands become available to offer warmth, shelter, and comfort to a world in need.
Putting Our Own Practice into Motion
Just as a single thread finds strength when woven into fabric, our practice deepens when we show up alongside one another. If your heart feels called to respond to the needs of our wider community, there is always a place for your hands and presence:
Cut, Stuff, and Sew: Join an upcoming Saturday bear-making circle, no sewing experience required.
Support Local Families: Offer time or resources directly through Casa Alterna or Necessary Trouble as they walk alongside immigrants, asylum seekers, and neighbors navigating uncertainty.
Nourish the Sangha: Step forward to help support our own community gatherings, logistics, retreats, and mutual care efforts. Check out our website for volunteer opportunities!
Whether by offering a few hours on a weekend, sharing materials, or simply sitting in shared purpose, every gesture of service helps transform goodwill into a living refuge.
Connect with Danno or reach out via our website to find out how you can step in.