Petition Delivered to Dhamma Dena’s Board April 13th, 2026

Dear Hooman, Sakti, and Nick,

We write to you as members of the Dhamma Dena sangha, practitioners, teachers, volunteers, staff, and supporters who care deeply about this center and its future.

Dhamma Dena holds a rare and meaningful place in many of our lives. It has been a refuge shaped by generosity, practice, and the vision of those who came before us. In Ruth’s legacy of sharing the Dharma in new forms and with many communities, it has also become a vital space for communities who have often been excluded from Western Dharma settings. This is something we value deeply and wish to sustain.

At the same time, we are writing with urgency and clarity. The current governance structure, particularly the absence of member participation in leadership selection, limited transparency, and the concentration of decision-making power, has led to a growing loss of trust and a sense of disconnection between the board and the broader sangha.

We believe that this moment calls for meaningful structural change.

Alongside this letter, we are submitting a petition signed by 241 members of the Dhamma Dena community calling for the following:

• The establishment of a member-elected board, with a clear and transparent election process
• Expansion of the board to include a broader range of perspectives and lived experiences
• A renewed and explicit commitment to leadership that reflects and supports Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities
• Meaningful inclusion of on-land staff in governance structures
• Regular, transparent communication with the community regarding decisions, finances, and organizational direction

These requests come from a place of care, responsibility, and a shared desire to see Dhamma Dena thrive. We believe that a more participatory and accountable governance model will strengthen the center, restore trust, and align leadership with the values the community holds.

We respectfully ask that within the next two weeks (by April 26th, 2026), you respond to this petition to this email, and share a clear timeline with the Dhamma Dena mailing list for implementing governance changes and member elections, along with your plan for how you will involve the community in working out the details of these changes.

We acknowledge the weight and responsibility of board service. We recognize that stewardship of a center like Dhamma Dena is complex, and we appreciate the time and energy you have put into the center over many years. It is precisely because of the importance of this role that we are asking for structures that distribute leadership more broadly and sustainably.

We are ready to participate in this process in good faith and with a shared commitment to the long-term health of the center.

Dhamma Dena has always been sustained by the sangha. We believe its future depends on leadership that is transparent, representative, and rooted in that same collective care.

In community and care,

Dhamma Dena Community Members