The first thing is to not to harm ourselves, not to harm others, and not to harm both. The practice of non-harming is kindness: kindness for ourselves, for others, for both, and then moving into the desire for the welfare and benefit of the world. When we shift to this way of looking at the whole, we begin to understand the sacred, shifting into a place of reverence and respect. To wish for the welfare of the whole world! It’s such an honorable path. It’s such an amazingly high estimation of what we might be capable of in this world.
JD Doyle, MA
Residential Retreat Teacher
JD Doyle (they/them) served as Core Teacher at the East Bay Meditation Center, where they co-founded the Alphabet (LGBTQIA+) Saṅgha. They graduated from Spirit Rock Meditation Center’s Retreat Teacher Training in 2020 and teach at saṅghas across the US and in Canada. JD began studying and practicing Buddhism in 1995, at Insight Meditation Society and at Spirit Rock, and continued with extensive retreat practice in Thailand and Burma in the Theravadan lineage. For over twenty-three years, they worked as a public school teacher. JD holds a BS in Environmental Studies from Cornell University, a bilingual multicultural teaching certificate from UC Santa Cruz, and a Masters in Language and Literacy and Sociocultural Studies from the University of New Mexico. They are committed to celebrating the diversity of our human saṅgha, transforming the impacts of racism on our communities, honoring all genders, and living in ways that affirm the sacredness of the Earth.
JD Doyle's Upcoming Programs
Class Series | Online | Dharma Institute
March 13 - April 10, 2025 | 5 Thursdays | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
The Buddha's Profound Teaching of Dependent Origination
The teaching of Dependent Origination (Paticca-samuppāda: Pāli) is considered to be one of the most profound of the Buddha’s teachings. Understanding this concept is crucial to realizing how to alleviate human suffering—our own and that in the world around us. This course explores dependent origination from a variety of perspectives: the Pāli Canon, contemporary reflections, and its practical application to our everyday lives. Join us to transform your perspective on suffering and deepen your journey on the path of liberation.
JD Doyle
Short Program | On-Land
Saturday, May 31 | 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Pride 2025: Touching the Heart of Joy as Spiritual Medicine
Open to all self-identified LGBTQIA+. In this critical moment in history, it is urgent and essential to recognize what it truly means to be alive. As we acknowledge the heartbreak and the multi-layered challenges faced by today’s LGBTQIA+ communities, it is crucial that we also cultivate an intimate connection with the qualities of beauty and joy. Our time together will include Dharma talks, meditations, guided and accessible movement, chants, and interactive sessions. All experience levels are warmly welcome.
Short Program | Online
Saturday, May 31 | 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Pride 2025: Touching the Heart of Joy as Spiritual Medicine
Open to all self-identified LGBTQIA+. In this critical moment in history, it is urgent and essential to recognize what it truly means to be alive. As we acknowledge the heartbreak and the multi-layered challenges faced by today’s LGBTQIA+ communities, it is crucial that we also cultivate an intimate connection with the qualities of beauty and joy. Our time together will include Dharma talks, meditations, guided and accessible movement, chants, and interactive sessions. All experience levels are warmly welcome.
Retreat | On-Land
August 17 - August 21, 2025 | Sunday - Thursday | 4 nights
Five Spiritual Powers: Cultivating Resilience, Balance, and Love
Registration Open. The Buddha’s teaching on the five spiritual powers (confidence, effort, mindfulness, concentration, and wisdom) offers a path to cultivate these capacities of the heart and transform habits that no longer serve us. Grounded in these teachings, together we will learn powerful and sustainable ways to restore our humanity and bring freedom to all beings. This retreat offers silent meditation, opportunities for movement meditation, Dharma talks, and time to be in nature and honor the natural rhythms of your own practice.
Upcoming Drop-Ins
Drop-in | Online
Wednesday, March 5 | 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Rainbow Saṅgha
Open to all self-identified LGBTQIA+.
Our Rainbow Saṅgha is a weekly gathering of self-identified practitioners within marginalized gender and sexuality groups such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, two-spirit, and gender non-conforming.
JD Doyle
Dharma Library
Can't join us live online or on the land? Study and practice at your convenience with JD Doyle through our new library of recordings, articles, and self-paced online courses.