DharmaWheels Foundation, Inc.

Dharmawheels Foundation, Inc., is the official sponsor of the Buddhist Bicycle Pilgrimage. We are a nonprofit 501 (c) (3), tax-exempt corporation registered in the State of California, Federal Identification Number 75-1664779. 

History of the Buddhist Bicycle Pilgrimage (BBP)

The first Buddhist Bicycle Pilgrimage (BBP) took place in September 2002 -- and was perhaps the first-ever such event in the Buddhist world!

Organized by enthusiastic cyclist and Buddhist practitioner Dennis Crean, the BBP started out as a simple desire to ride his bike with a few friends from the San Francisco Bay Area to Abhayagiri Monastery in Mendocino County. As he began to talk about his plan, he was encouraged to turn it into a "pilgrimage" and to invite other cycling meditators. Thus, the BBP was born, and within a few short months Dennis's "few friends" turned into a cycling sangha of 80 riders and 40 volunteers.

Dennis organized the 2002 pilgrimage under the auspices of Abhayagiri Monastery, which encouraged the Buddhist practice of dana, or generosity, as an underlying principle for the event. Inspired by this age-old practice, it was decided to charge no fee and to institute no fundraising obligations for the event. The ride's many participants and supporters responded enthusiastically, donating over $6,000 in appreciation for the spiritual teachings they received over the course of the pilgrimage.

After covering the costs of the event, nearly $2,000 was donated to Abhayagiri Monastery.
In 2003, Dennis passed the reins to a new organizer, Corry Wagner. Because of her positive experience on the 2002 pilgrimage as both a rider and volunteer, Corry wanted to keep the event rolling. Others joined her on the planning committee. Dharma Wheels Foundation, a non-profit corporation organized and run entirely by volunteers, was formed to carry on the event and to bring together the community.

• The 2003 event was organized in the same spirit as the first Buddhist Bicycle Pilgrimage; a community event, organized on a volunteer basis, ridden and supported by spiritual seekers looking to bring practice into all aspects of their lives. Thanks again to the generosity of the ride's pariticpants and supporters, the 2003 BBP donated nearly $2,800 to our three hosts: Spirit Rock Meditation Center, the City of 10,000 Buddhas and Abhayagiri Monastery.
• Matt Wathen was the 2004 ride coordinator. Matt rode both the 2002 and 2003 rides, and was the BBP treasurer in 2003. Judi Garland was the 2005 ride coordinator. Judi rode the first BBP. She provided sag for the 2nd BBP when injuries prevented her riding.
• Judi Garland, Jane Demartini and Leon Sun were the 2006 coordinators. Both Jane and Leon were BPP ride veterans and have helped organize the ride for many years, including Jane as the veteran carpool coordinator and Leon's doing the training program for the 2004 BBP.
• Dennis Crean and Jim Brown were the 2007 ride coordinators. As noted above, the BBP was hatched by Dennis in 2002 and he was the first coordinator. Jim Brown has been on the organizing committee since the ride's inception. Among Jim's many contributions has been that of one of the food organizors throughout. In 2007, Sae Taw Win was added as a host destination. The 2007 BBP donated $4,500 to our four hosts cultivation centers.
• For the 2008 Pilgrimage, Eileen Spillane, Megan Hagler, Franklyn Wu and Rinaldi were the ride coordinators. Eileen rode the 2004 BBP, Megan rode the past two BBPs and Franklyn has been a BBP rider since the beginning. Megan Franklyn and Rinaldi practice at the Berkeley Buddhist Monastery.
• For the 2009 Pilgrimage, Michael Nellany, Eileen Spillane, were the ride coordinators. Michael rode the BBP for the past 4 years and was moved by the 2008 event to lead the 2009 BBP.

   

  

  Opening Ceremony 2002 BBP

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