Decolonising the Dharma

Decolonising the Dharma

This three-month online course invites experienced Buddhist practitioners to explore how colonial histories continue to shape the Dharma and our practice today.

Cost: Sliding scale £30-60, with proceeds donated to guest Dharma teachers and Survival International.

Intention of the course

Structured as a collaborative and practice-oriented learning community rather than a traditional classroom, the course combines readings, talks, and facilitated discussions to explore these questions:

• How did European colonialism reshape Buddhist institutions and teachings?
• How does Western Buddhism still reproduce colonial assumptions about Asia, religion, and the self?
• How can we skillfully and ethically practice a dharma that counters colonial assumptions and mindset?

Structure and learning approach

The course will happen online fortnightly on Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:30 pm (UK Time). For those who miss a session, there will be recordings of the whole group (not breakout group) parts of the session.

Short readings or talks will be provided before each session module to ground our discussions, along with longer optional resources for those who wish to explore further.

This is a participatory course, with everyone bringing their own experience and insight to the learning process.

9 April 2026: Introduction (lexicon for this course and why we are here)

23 April 2026: Tradition in Turmoil (Asian Buddhist responses to colonial efforts)

7 May 2026: Buddhism Reimagined (19th century European interpretation of Buddhism)

21 May 2026: Emergence of the “Western Buddhist”

4 June 2026: Mindfulness and Coloniality (How current secular approaches relate to coloniality)

18 June 2026: Decolonial Dharma (Exploring skilful ways of practice countering a colonial mindset)

Participant requirements

• A strong foundation in Buddhist practice and knowledge.
• For white participants: experience with anti-racism, anti-oppression or white awareness work.
• A willingness to engage openly, reflectively, and respectfully in group discussions.
• Ability to attend at least five out of the six sessions.

Outcome

By the end of the course, we hope participants will have:

• A nuanced understanding of how colonial histories and assumptions continue to shape contemporary Buddhist practice.
• Practical and ethical strategies for cultivating practices and communities which resist colonial ways of knowing.
• Developed as part of a supportive learning community committed to honest inquiry, reflection, and ethical action.

Who we are

Tasha Bassingthwaighte

Tasha’s work focuses on practices of transformation toward a healthier human society. How can we live in right relation with each other, and with all beings both now and into the future? Informed by years of living in intentional communities and facilitating groups, her ethical and embodied dharma includes an awareness of the impacts of colonisation and other forms of systemic oppression.

For the past ten years Tasha has run The Barn Retreat at Sharpham, a small retreat centre in rural Devon in the UK, which weaves Buddhist meditation, nature connection, and community life. She is a graduate of Spirit Rock’s Path of Engagement and a Community Dharma Leader through Gaia House.

Tasha grew up on unceded Indigenous land of Musquem, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh (in Vancouver Canada) as a white cis-woman. She has practiced Buddhism since 1996, finding a home within the Plum Village and Insight traditions. In addition to the Dharma, her path is rooted in animism, land connection, craft skills, and her training as an ecologist.

Viren Jeram

Viren found Buddhist practice in 2015 and has practiced in a range of traditions, primarily Insight Meditation. Viren spent a year living in an intentional community facilitating Buddhist retreats at the Barn Retreat Centre, part of Sharpham Trust, supporting retreatants in their exploration of mindfulness and buddhadharma. Viren has spent the last decade in the NHS, in senior leadership positions including training staff in group coaching and facilitation. He continues working in the NHS and, alongside this, leads retreats across the UK and co-leads Sharpham’s retreats for people of colour. He is a Community Dharma Leader through Gaia House.