Dear Beloved Community,

We hope you all are finding sources of support, community, and joy during these challenging times. We recognize the continued genocide of Palestinians by Israel, the invasion of Venezuela by the U.S., and the escalation of violence against immigrants of color in the U.S.. In January, this government-perpetrated violence resulted in the deaths of two white-bodied people in Minnesota who were protecting their communities. Many people in the U.S. were shocked to see their own government abuse and kill people. But as Black writers and activists pointed out, this is the same violence that has been inflicted on Black bodies on this continent for over 400 years. It seems fitting that for Black History Month we center the voices of Black dharma teachers, many of whom address this violence and compassionate action in their offerings.

With a deep bow of resilience,
ARISE Sangha

Contents:

• Poem: Still In Love With Life, by Larry Ward

• King’s Wisdom of Transformation, Valerie Brown

• Buddhist Voices for Immigration Justice

• Poem: For Alex Jeffrey Pretti, by Amanda Gorman

• Living an Ethic of Love - Celebrating Black Dharma Teachings

• Ubuntu and Interbeing, by rehena Harilall

• Gatha for Racial Healing

• Dana

Still In Love With Life

by Larry Ward
published in Tricycle, November 4th, 2025

I have been hurt by dreams
tumbling down like great stones from
the mountain of hope, cracking open my heart.

Feeling like I am losing everything,
being ground up
by the world of endurance.

Tired, sad, and weary
my eyes overflowing with tears.
I find myself wrapped in clouds of doubt.

I was certain the moon stole my shoes.
I searched everywhere,
over the green countryside,

in crowded city streets,
brown deserts, the snow-capped mountains.
Even the dust of stars were empty.

Meeting fury, coursing
through pulsing veins, a silent illness
when life did not go my way.

In the softness of one holy night
the Dharma rain fell.

My head was wet with the tears of heaven.
The sky cleared.

I looked down
and discovered that my shoes
had been on my feet all along.

My pure heart and my pure mind
have not been crushed or destroyed
by disappointment and hatred.

My deepest desire
is to be a poem and live a prayer
that encourages more love in this world.

King’s Wisdom of Transformation

by Valerie Brown
published on Valerie Brown’s blog, January 19th, 2026

At the heart of this refusal is King’s call for us to become transformed nonconformists when the prevailing tendency is to conform to injustice. Transformation interrupts inaction and this begins within, our beliefs, values, and sense of meaning.
In a time of violence, love becomes an act of transformed nonconformity.
In a time of fear, faith becomes an act of transformed nonconformity.
In a time of misinformation, education becomes an act of transformed nonconformity.
In a time of corrupt leadership, community becomes an act of transformed nonconformity.
And in a time like this, joy becomes an act of transformed nonconformity.

Read the rest of Valerie Brown’s writing here.

Buddhist Voices for Immigration Justice

In November 2025 a panel of dharma teachers, including ARISE Core Group member Marisela Gomez, gathered on Zoom to explore the intersection of Buddhist teachings, human rights and immigrant justice. How can we bring our practice to bear as we are continuously confronted with the injustices brought upon our immigrant siblings?

To view the video, click here or on the image.

( This poem was shared on social media in this format by the poet, first National Youth Poet Laureate, Amanda Gorman.)

Online Offering for Black History Month: Living an Ethic of Love

Folks of African descent carry a rich legacy of contemplation—an enduring wisdom that, even in the face of colonization and enslavement, has taught us how to pause, rest, and reconnect with what is most true.

This February, New York Insight invites you to explore that legacy through a month-long series of Black dharma teachings, offered as a daily practice of reflection, resilience, and connection.

Each weekday throughout February, participants will receive an email with a prerecorded dharma talk from a Black dharma teacher. These teachings are designed to meet you where you are, offering insight and grounding in daily life. All talks remain accessible for at least one year, allowing you to engage at your own pace.

For more information, click here.

Ubuntu and Interbeing

by rehena Harilall
published on in Mindfulness Bell on October 1, 2025

While US Black History Month is widely recognised, its UK counterpart often feels like a sidestory—nodding to a few familiar heroes while the deeper truths of colonial exploitation remain in the shadows. Black history is not a footnote—it is  Britain’s foundation, built on enslaved labour, resources of the colonised and stolen Indigenous lands. The British Empire’s profits still circulate, carrying the dust and blood of ancestors absent from history books.

Read more of rehena’s writing here.

Gatha for Healing Racial, Systemic and Social Inequity

Aware of the suffering caused by racial, systemic, and social inequities, we commit ourselves, individually and as a community, to understanding the roots of these inequities, and to transforming this suffering into compassion, understanding and love in action. As a global community of practitioners, we are aware of the disproportionate racial violence and oppression committed by institutions and by individuals, whether consciously or unconsciously, against African Americans, Indigenous peoples and people of color across the United States and beyond. We know that by looking deeply as individuals and as a community, we can engage the collective wisdom and energy of the Sangha to be our foundation for Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Mindfulness, and Right Insight. These are the practices leading to nondiscrimination, non-harming, and non-self which heal ourselves and the world.

Dana is a gift given from the heart.
It brings joy and benefit to both the giver and receiver.

Since its inception, ARISE Sangha has been guided by the ancient Buddhist principle of Dana or Generosity. It is an economy of gifts, in which everyone gives freely from their hearts. Dana has supported the teaching of mindfulness for thousands of years. Donations make it possible for ARISE to continue to offer teachings and resources that support our mission of inclusivity and refuge for all.  We welcome your financial support with a one-time or monthly donation.