2009 Leadership Conference

The second Lenz Foundation Buddhist Leadership Conference was held at Naropa Institute in Boulder, Colorado, during September 10-13, 2009. With 145 registered attendees, the conference raised the bar from the first conference held in 2007.

The Conference brought together current and recent Lenz Foundation grant recipients as well as a diverse group of Buddhist practitioners and teachers from around the country and world. For four days, attendees came to the Nalanda Campus of Naropa University to meditate, listen to speakers and panels, engage in interactive teaching sessions, watch films and listen to music. There were many highlights.

Principal speakers Professors Jan Willis, Robert Thurman, and Judith Simmer-Brown all addressed the conference theme of American Buddhist diversity. Videos of their lectures and copies of their papers (where available) are provided below. The music of Zazen, played by guitarist Joaquin Lievano, rocked the house on Saturday evening. James Shaheen, Editor and Publisher of Tricycle: The Buddhist Review, presented an exciting story of the rapid growth of the online Tricycle Magazine community. Lynne Twist gave a stirring talk on fund-raising for dharma projects. Roshi Dennis (Genpo) Merzel led the group through his Big Mind teachings. And much more…

One moving presentation was by an organization founded by Rama student Stan Koehler, “Peace On The Street,” which has been a grant recipient for five years. Several of his students spoke about how they have been able to apply what they learned – including meditation and mindfulness techniques, martial arts, and Zen techniques from the Hollow Bones Zendo led by Roshi Denis (Junpo) Kelly – to achieve unexpected new attitudes and lifestyles for themselves. In addition, they are now “paying it forward” by using their skills professionally to help others in their community learn meditation and martial arts, attain GEDs, and prepare for fruitful adult roles. Stan’s students were given a standing ovation when they had finished.

As seen in the comments the Foundation received after the Conference, the gathering was a huge success. It was an opportunity to share ideas, learn about other teachings and network with the vibrant American Buddhist community. A luminous time was had by all.