Dear Friends,

In response to the increasing demand for Dharma space and activity that supports diversity in American Buddhism, I have established my international headquarters in the historic city of Oakland, California. Oakland, challenged by all the issues of urban America, is also home to a dynamic community reflective of the world's diversity. What succeeds in Oakland can succeed anywhere in America.

For the past four years I have taught Vajrayana Buddhism in private homes, community centers, public parks, and Dharma centers in the San Francisco Bay Area. This culminated in the integration of support from students, teachers, my family, and non-Buddhist friends of the Dharma. Together we have brought our vision, Dzambala House, into being as a testament to our belief that Dharma environments can and should serve the needs of people regardless of race, class, gender, sexual orientation, or religious belief.

Our five-bedroom Mediterranean home-style headquarters is nestled in a diverse neighborhood among fruit trees, a private courtyard, and peaceful serenity. It serves as my primary residence, a teaching center for Vajrayana Buddhism, and overnight accommodation for traveling students and teachers. Dzambala House is also distinguished as the world's only Dzogchen teaching space founded and administrated by an African-American.

Instruction on cultivating a peaceful inner life and peaceful coexistence with others is only as useful as its ability to reach the broad spectrum of human beings who need it the most. I believe that when teachers of Buddhist peace are able to create environments supporting a full range of diversity in human beings, Dharma shines like a brilliant rainbow illuminating the sky on a cloudy day. This is the goal of our organization, Rainbowdharma.

I invite my friends who understand this call for increased diversity in American Buddhist peace activity to contact me with their concerns, interest, and support.

Choyin Rangdrol
Rainbowdharma@aol.com
(415) 577-7475

For more information on Rainbowdharma and Choyin Rangdrol:
Visit: www.Rainbowdharma.com
Read Article: Turning Wheel issue, Black Dharma, BPF
Read Essay: War is Obsolete, What Makes A Man, edited by Rebecca Walker, Riverhead.