Variation of the Introduction co-created by the Insight Meditation Community of Washington, DC (see below for the original).  First iteration offered by Susan H on 10/15/20 with permission by La S of the IMCW.

Modified for the Chrysanthemum Sangha by A.M., Cole Mannella, Nicole Kramer, and Susan H 

Before we begin our formal sangha practice, I acknowledge that I am leading this gathering on Lenape-Lin land. I offer my respect to all traditional custodians of this region, appreciating the opportunity to practice on this land and asking the ancestors’ blessings in being here. I invite everyone to acknowledge and offer respect to the indigenous peoples of your own region, even if you do not know their names or traditions.

I invite us all now to pay respects to the enslaved African peoples, who were brought to, held, and sold on this land. Let us honor these ancestors as well as their descendants and recognize this continuing struggle for liberation.

I invite us to pay respects to the Asian ancestors from whom the teachings and practices of mindfulness have been transmitted across generations for over 2600 years and come to us now as the Plum Village Tradition.

I invite us to pay respects to the LGBTQIA+ ancestors of our tradition who have influenced these practices and teachings, whether those teachers’ queerness was known to the sangha or not, and whether that influence can be traced to a name or was created namelessly.

I invite us to pay respects to all Dharma Teachers and Elders in our tradition, past, present and emerging, known and unknown. May our practice be their continuation.

This evening we have the opportunity to practice mindfulness together as an LGBTQIA+ community. Through the practices of mindful speech and deep listening, I invite us to cultivate mutual respect for each other in regards to both our shared identity as queer folx, as well as in regards to the vast array of identities this community contains. Let us acknowledge these multiple and intersecting lines of differing identities which include, but are not limited to: sexuality, sex, gender, race, ethnicity, age, size, abilities, neurodiversity, socio-economic class, religious or spiritual beliefs, political affiliation, and immigration status.

May this sangha co-create a safe space, guided by the shared intention of providing each other with opportunities to be seen, heard, honored, and respected in ways we may not always feel in the world. Practicing mindfulness together as a sangha, may we begin to wake up individually as well as collectively. And from this place, may we leave feeling more inspired and empowered to embody and fully express our true and whole selves, for the benefit of all beings everywhere to awaken to their true nature and freedom.

Land Acknowledgment:

Before we begin to our formal sitting practice, I invite us to acknowledge that I am leading gathering on Piscataway land and honor all traditional custodians of this region, appreciating the opportunity to practice on this land and asking the ancestor’s blessings in being here. I invite you to acknowledge the indigenous people of your region whether you know who they are or not.

We pay respects to the enslaved African peoples, brought to, held, and sold on this land, and their descendants. We recognize the continuing struggle for liberation.

We pay respects to the Asian ancestors from whom these teachings and practices have come and have been preserved for the last 2600 years.

We pay respects to our LGBTQIA+ elders and ancestors in our tradition who have shared with us the practices and teachings of liberation: Eric Kolvig, Arinna Weisman, Larry Yang, Ruth King, Winnie Nazarko, Maddy Klyne, the late Gavin Harrison, and the late Cheri Maples.

And we pay respects to Elders, past, present, and emerging.

I’d now like to share the aspiration of this sangha:

Our time together is an opportunity to dwell in the refuges of Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. It is a rare chance to practice together as an LGBTQIA+ community with the shared aspiration to wake up individually as well as collectively through the practice of mindful speech and presence and to cultivate mutual respect in exploring our identity as LGBTQIA+ people in the light of the dharma, across multiple and intersecting lines of difference that include, but are not limited to: sexuality, gender, race, ethnicity, socio-economic class, religious or spiritual beliefs, political affiliation, age, size, abilities, and immigration status.

May this space be a rich opportunity to be seen, heard, honored, and respected in ways we may not always feel in the world. And from this place, may we leave feeling more inspired and empowered to embody and fully express our true and whole selves for the benefit and awakening of all beings everywhere to their true nature and freedom.