Black Lesbian Buddhists

For the black. For the lesbian. For the buddhist. This group is for the black lesbian buddhist. If you are a black lesbian and a novice or expert in buddhism - please join and share your level of understanding. May we all learn and grow from each other's wisdom and experiences. This is a place to connect to other like-minded individuals. (Founded 12/5/2004.)

Dharma-Dykes Web Site

This page contains a link to the DharmaDyke mailing list, and it also contains teachings by Rev. Sarika Dharma, who was an inspiration for the group.
[Page last updated in 2003.]

LesbianBuddhists Email List

Mailing list for lesbians interested in discussing Buddhism, the teachings of Buddha and how they relate to being a lesbian. Special interest is discussion of the Four Noble Truths, The Eightfold Path and the Five Precepts. [Note: This is a public list that is not affiliated with the Lesbian Buddhist eSangha.]

Venerable Sarika Dharma

Page about Ven. Sarika Dharma (May 8, 1938 - August 25, 1996), who was a Zen Buddhist monk for over 18 years, and started a Lesbian Zen Group in Los Angeles.

Lesbian Buddhist Los Angeles

Yahoo! group for the connecting of single lesbian Buddhists located in the Los Angeles, California, USA, area.

Amazenji

Amazenji is an online sangha as well as events at the Golden Zen Center in Golden, British Columbia, in Canada. Practice is rooted in: feminist Soto Zen Buddhism, earth-based women's spirituality, and related disciplines. Under the guidance of Feminist Zen teacher Kuya Minogue.

Aranya Women's Buddhist Retreat Centre

"A project to fundraise for and develop a retreat centre in Europe dedicated to the ordination of women into the Western Buddhist Order."

Ayya Khema International Buddhist Mandir

"This establishment will be an abode in Sri Lanka for female seekers of solitude, truth and wisdom through the teachings of the Buddha. Once completed it will offer; the study of Pali and Theravada Buddhist Suttras, Abhidhamma Studies, Pali chanting, meditation and English instructions."

Book Review: Buddhism After Patriarchy

By Rita M. Gross [State University of New York Press, (c) 1993, 317 pages]. Reviewed by Cynthia Cavalcanti [aka Cynthia Carney] in 1997 when she was a Ph.D. student in Religion and Social Ethics at the University of Southern California. International Gay & Lesbian Review, (c) USC, Los Angeles, CA. This article is also available at GayToday.com.

Buddhism, Women's Studies & Feminist Philosophy: An Annotated Bibiliography

By Jennifer Manlowe of Long Island University

Buddhist Women

By Dr. Bimala Churn Law, The Indian Antiquary: "An account of some famous women who figure prominently in the early Buddhist texts is given in the following pages."

Buddhist Women's Links

Contains links to teachings by women and by Ven. Sarika Dharma; sutras and stories featuring women; women in Buddhism; and queer Buddhists.

Some of the sites dedicated to Venerable Pema Chodron:

Gampo Abbey's Biography of Pema Chodron
Pema Quotes in About.com's Women's History section.
Great Path Tapes and Books, which offers her recorded teachings
Karma Triyana Dharmachakra's site
The Shambhala organization's site
Shambhala Publication's site, which has information on each of her books.
Shambhala Sun Online's Pema page

Venerable Thubten Chodron

Information on and teachings by this Tibetan Buddhist nun.

Dongyu Gatsal Ling Nunnery and International Retreat Centre for Women

Ven. Tenzin Palmo's official web site

Feminism and Buddhism

Longish article by Ouyporn Khuankaew about women in Buddhism as practiced in Thailand, and about efforts to develop awareness of gender issues within Buddhism.

Freeing the Heart

A collection of Dhamma teachings from the Order of Siladhara, the Forest Sangha Nuns' community at the Chithurst and Amaravati Buddhist Monasteries in the UK. The book may be read online, and there is also a link is to an electronic, downloadable version of the book.

Shenpen Hookham's Buddhism Connect

"...An email list that you can subscribe to (at no charge) to get teachings by email on Buddhism and Buddhist meditation."

Dr. Chatsumarn Kabilsingh

"Helping the Daughters of Buddha," by Monte Leach, at the Share International Media Site (SIMS). "An interview with Thai activist and author Dr. Chatsumarn Kabilsingh about her work in expanding women's awareness of their potential, particularly in the context of Buddhism's dogmas."

Keizan's Other Disciples

A list of the known female disciples of Keizan, who dedicated his practice partly to opening the Japanese Soto Zen path to women.

Kunzang Palyul Choling

Tibetan Buddhist centers in the Nyingma tradition under the spiritual direction of Jetsunma Ahkön Lhamo with locations in Poolesville, Maryland, and Sedona, Arizona, USA.

Susan Law's Views and Interviews

The web site "...consists mainly of essays and interviews. The essays are in the areas of Buddhism and philosophy. The interviews focus on people in the arts and also explore the issues brought up in the essays."

Joanna Macy on Engaged Buddhism

"Every major faith and Earth wisdom tradition offers inner resources for social action. I am especially grateful to Buddhist teachings for the inspiration and guidance they have given to my life and work."

Nuns Welfare Foundation of Nepal

A "non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the education and welfare of Buddhist nuns so that they are better able to improve their own lives and to serve their communities through practical, compassionate action."

Sakyadhita

Sakyadhita, the name of the International Association of Buddhist Women, means "Daughters of the Buddha." The objectives of Sakyadhita, as expressed at its founding meeting in 1987 in Bodhgaya, India, are: (1) To promote world peace through the practice of the Buddha's teachings. (2) To create a network of communications for Buddhist women throughout the world. (3) To promote harmony and understanding among the various Buddhist traditions. (4) To encourage and help educate women as teachers of Buddhadharma. (5) To provide improved facilities for women to study and practice the teachings. (6) To help establish the Bhikshuni Sangha (community of fully-ordained nuns) where it does not currently exist.

Simhanada

"Homepages for Karma Lekshey Ling and the Nuns of Tilokpur!"

Book Review: Sisters in Solitude: Two Traditions of Buddhist Monastic Ethics for Women

By Karma Lekshe Tsomo [Albany, New York: State University of New York Press, 1996. ISBN 0-7914-3089-8]. Reviewed by Charles S. Prebish, Religious Studies Program, Pennsylvania State University.

Tara Mandala Retreat Center

A 500-acre retreat located in southwest Colorado. Tsultrim Allione is the author of Women of Wisdom and teaches at the retreat center, which she founded.

Taraloka Women's Retreat Centre

Located in the UK, Taraloka offers "retreats and other events to women from all over the world."

Theravada Women's Resources

Contains writings by Theravada women.

Thosamling Nunnery

A non-sectarian Tibetan Buddhist nunnery in India, "Thösamling means Place for hearing,study and reflection of the Buddha’s Teaching.... Following the advice of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the nunnery will encourage interaction among the four great lineages of Buddhism by welcoming nuns and teachers from each of these lineages. While the teachers we invite will be chosen on the basis of their qualification, a special effort will be made to invite women who have established their credentials as Buddhist teachers and practitioners."

Tibetan Nuns Project

"In 1987 the Tibetan Nuns Project was founded to provide basic humanitarian aide to refugee nuns from Tibet. Food, clothing, housing, and basic medical care were organized. A sponsorship program was set up which allows donors from around the world to contribute to the effort. Now, nuns in five different nunneries -- each from a different Tibetan Buddhist tradition -- receive support through the Project."

VajraBelles

An email list for conversation among women who are committed practitioners of Vajrayana Buddhism.

Arinna Weisman

"Arinna Weisman has studied Insight Meditation for 20 years and has been teaching for twelve. Her root teacher is Ruth Denison who was empowered by the great teacher U Bha Khin. She has also studied with Thich Nhat Hanh in the Zen tradition, Punjaji in the Advaita tradition and Tsokney Rinpoche in the Dzogchen tradition. She was the first resident teacher at Insight Meditation Society and is the founding teacher of Dhamma Dena Meditation Center. She is co-author of the book, A Beginner’s Guide to Insight Meditation. She teaches throughout the U.S. and Europe."

Women Active in Buddhism

A "comprehensive collection of links and resources on contemporary Buddhist women." Topics include: Activists, teachers, scholars, women's ordination, female Buddhas and bodhisattvas, and famous female buddhists.
[Page last updated in 2001. Some links are defunct.]

Women in Buddhism

Online magazine presented by BuddhaNet.com

Women in Buddhism

The history of women in Buddhism: the role of women from early Buddhism to recent times, and the images of women from the Buddha's teachings through today. Includes Theravada, Mahayana, Zen, and Tibetan Buddhist traditions.

Women in the Theravada Tradition

Includes links to relevant articles and to references to women in the Pali canon (the oldest teachings of the Buddha).

Women's Early Eastern Spirituality

Contains information on early women masters in Buddhism, Taoism, Shinto & Zen.

Zen, Women, and Buddhism

Zen, the Tao, Enlightenment, and Buddhism from the Women's Perspective, by the ZenNun: Bhikshuni Nandabala.

Buddhism and Homosexuality

By Kerry Trembath

Compassionate Heart Sangha

"We are an inclusive/internet Buddhist Sangha interested in networking & sharing among gay, lesbian, transgender, & straight members. We are open to all branches of buddhism, teachers & practices. We seek to live buddhism in our daily life practice. We follow 3 Aspirations: Buddha Nature, diversity in dharma, & Sangha without walls."

Article: "GLBT Experience and Buddhism"

By Carol Newhouse, a practicing meditation and dharma teacher and also a psychotherapist. Originally published in the July 22, 2004, East Bay Voice.

Homosexuality and Theravada Buddhism

An article written anonymously by a Buddhist monk.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgenderism in the Buddhist World

Lotsa links.
[Page last updated in 2003. Some links are defunct.]

Queer Dharma

Group founded by Craig Warren Smith which sponsors LGBT Buddhist events in NY (Fire), VT (Freedom), and MA (Heart).

Book Review: Sakhiyani: Lesbian Desire in Ancient and Modern India

By Giti Thadani [Cassell, (c) 1996]. Reviewed by Cynthia Cavalcanti [aka Cynthia Carney] in 1998 when she was a Ph.D. student in Religion and Social Ethics at the University of Southern California. [Note: Deals more with Hinduism and Indian Culture than directly with Buddhism.]

Some Notes on Buddhist Views of Sexual Minority Orientation and Behavior

Contains a number of interesting articles and excerpts.

Vajra Rainbow

Online magazine created by a group of Vajrayana Buddhist practitioners who are also lesbian/gay."The magazine is not designed to promote one form of Buddhist practice over another, and may be of interest to Buddhists from other schools (and perhaps also to some Buddhists who are not gay). However, the majority of articles will approach Buddhism - in particular the issues of relationship and specific practices - from the perspective of Vajrayana."

What Is Enlightenment? magazine, issue 16

Presents "an unprecedented investigation into the relationship between enlightenment and gender." Includes articles by or about Mary Daly, Jetsunma Ahkön Lhamo, Kate Bornsteing, Marion Woodman, Andrew Cohen, Sam Keen, Jose Cabezon, and others.

Alternative Lifers

"Think you're the only non-conservative Christian pro-lifer out there? Well, you're not! This is a list for liberal, libertarian, moderate, feminist, non-Christian (atheist, agnostic, Wiccan, Jewish, Pagan, Buddhist...), gay, lesbian, bisexual, alternative-culture, and other pro-lifers who don't quite fit the traditional pro-life mold. Hopefully, this list will help us to network, to learn new forms of political action, and to feel less alone. All life issues (abortion, death penalty, euthanasia, assisted suicide, etcetera) will be discussed. This is NOT a debate list. Pro-choicers and conservative and/or Christian pro-lifers are welcome, but you must show respect to the rest of the list. News, articles, books, organizations, and personal experiences may be discussed. Any type of harassment, prejudice, or proselytizing is not permitted. You're not the only one!"

Cosmopolitan Buddhist Communion

"The CBC (Cosmopolitan Buddhist Communion) is for people of Diverse Sexualities (Aged 18+). Gay. Queer. Bisexual. Lesbian. Transexual. Welcome! The CBC follows an easy form of Buddhism suitable for people who like to live life in the world. We try to apply the Buddhist teachings generally whilst also specifically addressing the needs of non-heterosexual Buddhists in a world dominated by heterosexist agendas. We are open, democratic, non-cultish, and free! Our linked Web-sites and Club aim to provide a comprehensive range of resources for both Buddhism and Non-het Buddhists."

Berkeley, California, US: Lesbian Buddhist Sangha (LBS)

Contact Person: Carol Newhouse. Email: Carolnewh@aol.com. Tradition: Vipassana Insight Meditation.

Boston, Massachusetts, US: BuddhaBuddiesBooks email list and Sunday Sangha Sisters

The women's book discussion group began as a subset of Buddha Buddies, which was a GLBT group of meditating Buddhists who met in and around Boston, Mass. The book group meets on the first Thursday of the month at the Women's Center in Cambridge. This email list is a support to the book group, allowing members to discuss book selection in advance of meetings. The latest news is that this group is beginning a Sunday Sangha Sisters group.

Chicago, Illinois, US: Chicago Rainbow Lotus Sangha

"The Rainbow Lotus Sangha is a Chicago-area pan-denominational, lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender Buddhist meditation group founded in 2001. We seek to form a community with a focus on meditation, Dharma study, social activities, and social activism.... To contact the Rainbow Lotus Sangha, e-mail chicago_rainbowlotussangha@yahoogroups.com.

Chicago, Illinois, US: Chicago Shambhala GLBT Dharma Group

"The Shambhala GLBT Buddhist group meets at the Shambhala meditation center of Chicago at 7 pm on the 3rd Wednesday of every month to practice meditation, study queer dharma issues and socialize with other gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender Buddhists. The group is open to practitioners of all Buddhist traditions and also those who might have an interest in Buddhism. The Shambhala Center is located at: 7331 N. Sheridan Road"

Europe: Soka Gakkai Europe - GLBT and Supporters

"This is primarily for Soka Gakkai International Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual and Transgendered members based in Europe - although everyone is welcome to join. The purpose of this group is to encourage all European SGI GLBT members to come and work together and host Buddhist Courses at the SGI European Centre in Trets!"

Indonesia: Gay Indonesian Buddhist Fellowship

"Mailing list buat Gay Buddhis di Indonesia. Dalam agama Buddha, kaum Gay dan Lesbian juga diperlakukan sama seperti kaum Heteroseksual. Bila anda seorang Buddhis ataupun bukan tetapi mencari ketenangan yang dibutuhkan batin anda karena anda seorang Homoseksual, silakan bergabung dengan kami. Pertukaran atau pengiriman foto yang tidak sesuai dengan ajaran agama tidak diperbolehkan. Peringatan akan diberikan sebelum anggota tersebut dikeluarkan dari GIBF bila melakukan hal yang serupa."

Los Angeles, California, US: Fierce Pride

"The Fierce Pride Group is a group of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) members and their friends of SGI-USA in the Greater Los Angeles area. SGI-USA stands for Value Creation Society, is a non-profit, laymen Buddhist organization, www.sgi-usa.org, promoting world peace thru peace, culture, and education."

Los Angeles, California, US: Gay Zen LA

"The Gay Zen Group, which for16 years conducted meditation and dharma discussion meetings has had to temporarily discontinue these meetings due to the need to find a new meeting site."

New York City, New York, US: Diamond Metta Lesbian and Gay Buddhist Society

A group located in New York City offering talks and discussions about Buddhist teachings designed especially for the New York City area LGBT communities.

Northampton, Massachusetts, US: Dhamma Dena Meditation Center

This LGBT-friendly Center's Monday evening drop-in sittings "are a tradition beloved by the sangha, especially the community practice leaders who keep them going. Every Monday from 5:30 to 6:45, a diverse group — long-time sangha members and new faces — meets at the Dhamma Dena space (Suite 530 at 16 Center Street) to sit in silence for 45 minutes, then discuss whatever arises for another half-hour. The practice leaders, who rotate leading the sittings, always make an effort to be welcoming to newcomers and ask if anyone would like basic instruction. On the first Monday of each month, the gathering is especially geared to beginners, with a 15-minute introduction to Vipassana, the lineage, and practice tips."

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US: Gay & Lesbian Buddhist Meditation Group

Meets 7 PM Mondays & 12:10 PM Wednesdays at William Way Center. Tel.: 215-837-0752.

San Francisco, California, US: Gay Buddhist Fellowship

"Supports Buddhist practice in the gay men's community."

San Francisco, California, US: Gay Men's Buddhist Sangha

Another group specifically for gay men.

San Francisco, California, US: Hartford Street Zen Center

"In the Heart of the Castro at 57 Hartford Street near 18th Street for over 15 years"

San Francisco, California: Q-Sangha

Q-Sangha is a ministry of the Metropolitan Community Church of San Francisco in the engaged "Unified Buddhist" tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh (which blends the best insights of the Theravada, Zen and Pure Land schools of Buddhism in a contemporary way).

Sydney, Australia: Sydney Gay and Lesbian Buddhists

"The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Buddhists group was founded in 1998 and is inclusive of all sexualities and genders. We are a social support group that has members with a wide range of backgrounds, from no meditation experience or knowledge of Buddhism to extensive experience in both meditation and the teachings of Buddhism and other religions and philosophies.You don't need to identify as a Buddhist to meditate and participate in the group. We are a friendly group where members share their knowledge and insights, and the group has sustained itself over the years on its members' inputs and always welcomes new members and their contributions. We teach meditation practices of all Buddhist traditions and support our members' varied paths.... We currently meet on the second Monday of the month at The Buddhist Library, Church St. in Camperdown (the Parramatta Road end of Church St.) from 7 to 9pm. (Until 2003 this group was named 'Queer Dhamma'.) Contact William or Luke or Grant or other members of the group at sydneygayandlesbianbuddhists@yahoo.com or http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SydneyGayAndLesbianBuddhists/"

Toronto, Canada: Dharma Friends

Supports Buddhist meditation practice in Toronto's gay and lesbian community.

Washington, DC:, US Mintwood Zendo

A meditation group serving the Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgendered community in Washington, DC. See also the Yahoo! online group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mintwoodzendo/

Dharma Access Project

Provides Buddhist prayers in Braille in both English and other languages.

• Lesbian Buddhist sites
• Buddhist women's sites
• LGBTI Buddhist sites
• Regional LGBTI Buddhist groups
• Online LGBTI Buddhist groups
• Other Buddhism-related resources

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page

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A Peacemaker Trip to Baghdad

Visit the Paula Rwomushana Memorial

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Lesbian Buddhist eSangha moderator

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Page last modified on January 30, 2005.