I’m just back from The Gathering – a historic meeting of Buddhist teachers of black African descent across the United States and across Buddhist traditions, held in New York. It was an amazing weekend of nurturing engagement, connecting on issues common and distinct to our experience.
The weekend culminated with a public dialogue on “Black & Buddhist in America,” a conversation about dharma, the state of the world, and what it means to be a black Buddhist in America today. Over 250 people attended and I was one of over a dozen panel speakers.
The Gathering was co-hosted by Lion’s Roar and Union Theological Seminary’s Thích Nhất Hạnh Program for Engaged Buddhism, with support from the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, the Hemera Foundation, and the Frederick P. Lenz Foundation.
Gratitude to the steering committee for The Gathering: Myokei Caine-Barett, Jules Shuzen Harris, Rev. angel Kyodo Williams, Gaylon Ferguson, Konda Mason, and Gina Sharpe, and to Jessica de Jesus for fabulous support.
There are no words!
Peace. I am in the process of reading the article in Lion’s Roar. It is a very inspiring article. Thank you very much for your contribution I am wondering how you become a Buddhist teacher. I had no idea there were Black Buddhist Teachers.
Hello 👋 I’m looking to connect with black Buddhist people. I’m from Colorado and there’s a lot of Indian Buddhist with white followers. It’s not the same for me. I need like mind individuals to connect with. Please reach out to me !
Love Phillipe
Looking for a Buddha teacher. Thanks