angel Kyodo williams

angel Kyodo williams, is a spiritual teacher, activist, artist and founder of Center for Transformative Change. She is the author of Being Black: Zen and the Art of Living with Fearlessness and Grace.

Rev. williams is regarded as a gifted communicator of the essence of Dharma, the universal truth that leads to freedom. Named “the most intriguing African-American Buddhist in America” by Library Journal, Kyodoshi, as she is affectionately called, is known for her ability to make profound wisdom teaching relevant to everyday life.

angel Kyodo is the “Mahamitra” or great spiritual friend of the New Dharma Community, which has its physical home in Berkeley,CA with members in NY, MA and as far away as Lebanon. she is a maverick within her root tradition of zen buddhism, holding an interest in articulating relevant expressions of the essence of zen. Her dharma name, Kyodo, means “way of teaching.” At her priest ordination ceremony, the suffix “-ji” meaning compassion, was added by her preceptor, Paco Genkoji Lugoviña, so that her full dharma name is something akin to: Way of Teaching Compassion. while she is humbled and sometimes chagrined by the enormity of practicing this name, she is fully committed to doing just that by any means necessary: in an unflinching, authentic way, not bound by social convention, political correctness, the desire to appeal to student’s favor or for financial gain.

Kyodoshi-mitra lives as a full-time dharma teacher, spiritual friend and leader of what is likely one of the most unique, vibrant and diverse transformative practice communities in the nation.