In her L2BB-inspired essay “Dana: The Power of Communal Learning,” Haruka So reflects that “the shape of dana [generosity] can range from giving a simple orange to offering a genuine wish for another’s security and well-being.” We humbly and gratefully acknowledge the countless acts of generosity we’ve received—from fruit to well wishes to financial and pedagogical support—in the creation of this project.

Our gratitude to the following people and institutions whose generous support have made Listening to the Buddhists in Our Backyard possible: Oscar Tang and Agnes Hsu-Tang; Peter Currie; Chien Lee; Jim Shim and Charlene Chen; and the Luce-AAR Advancing Public Scholarship Grant. We are also indebted to Phillips Academy Andover and the Tang Institute for their support of this project.

Special thanks to Trent Walker, Sarah Jacoby, Robert Forrant, Diana Eck, Ellie Pierce, Tham Tran, Susannah Poland, Auds Jenkins, Kennis Yin-Mor, and Pere Pen for on-the-ground research, pedagogical inspiration, and ongoing mentoring. 

We’re indebted to the following temples for their generosity in hosting us and answering our many questions: American Wisdom Association (Billerica, MA), Boston Buddha Vararam Temple (Bedford, MA), Cambridge Insight Meditation Center (Cambridge, MA), Chùa Tường Vân Lowell (Lowell, MA), Glory Buddhist Temple (Lowell, MA), Kuan Yin Temple (Quincy, MA), Kurukulla Center for Tibetan Buddhist Studies (Medford, MA), Massachusetts Budhi Siksa Society - Thousand Buddha Temple (Quincy, MA), Lumbini Buddhist Temple (Lawrence, MA), Nichiren Buddhist Sangha of New England (Haverhill, MA), Wat Boston Buddha Vararam (Bedford, MA),  (Haverhill, MA), Tinh Vien Quan Am Pagoda (Haverhill, MA), Trairatanaram Temple (North Chelmsford, MA), Wat Khmer Samaki Santikaram (North Chelmsford, MA), Wat Buddhabhavana (Westford, MA), Wat Lao Mixayaram Of New England (Lowell, MA), Wat Nawamintararachutis (Raynham, MA), and Watt Phnom Serei (Ayer, MA). We also thank Nibbana Cafe (Lowell, MA) and owner Romany Meas for welcoming us into a coffee shop that is deeply rooted in Buddhist values and care for the local community.

We have benefited from the wisdom and expertise of many collaborators at the Tang Institute (including Corrie Martin, Chris Jones, Nick Zufelt, Gene Hughes, and Ellen Greenberg), Harvard Divinity School (John Camardella), Pluralism Project (Diana Eck, Ellie Pierce), Klingenstein Center (Nicole Furlonge), Buddhistdoor Global (Craig Lewis), and Buddhist Digital Resource Center (Jann Ronis, Karma Gongde, Dechen Pema, Tenzin Dickie, Catherine Platt).

We’re grateful for the opportunity to present and receive feedback on L2BB at conferences and workshops hosted by the American Academy of Religion, Asian Pacific American Religions Research Initiative, Center for Spiritual and Ethical Education, The Future of American Buddhism, National Association of Independent Schools, National Network of Schools in Partnership, and Sakyadhita International Conference on Buddhist Women.

Many thanks Chez Bryan Ong and spoon+fork for creating this version of the L2BB website, Melissa Damasceno for designing our logo, and Taylor Dunn and Olivia Yang for spearheading the original L2BB website.