Leslie Rawls is a Dharmacharya (Dharma Teacher) in the 43rd generation of the Lam Te Dhyana School. She received Lamp Transmission from the Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh during the 2008-2009 Winter Retreat in Plum Village, France. Dharma Lamp Transmission is a personal and direct transmission from teacher to student, endorsing the student as a new Dharma Teacher and encouraging her to teach.

In 1995, Thich Nhat Hanh ordained Leslie as a lay Buddhist minister in the core community of the Order of Interbeing with the Dharma name Chan Giâc Xú, True Realm of Enlightenment. 

Leslie has studied Buddhism since 1970, but her study did not become a living practice until she encountered Thich Nhat Hanh. She has been actively involved with Thich Nhat Hanh and the Plum Village community for nearly two decades. In the 1990’s, Leslie was lay coordinator for many of Thich Nhat Hanh’s North American retreats. Over the years, she has spent time practicing in Thich Nhat Hanh’s Plum Village and its sister monasteries in North America. She edited The Mindfulness Bell from 1996 to 2001. Leslie currently serves on the Mindfulness Bell Advisory Board and continues to work on each issue. She also helps maintain the online directories of Plum Village Sanghas. Leslie traveled to Vietnam in 2007 with Thich Nhat Hanh, Plum Village monastics, and lay friends from around the world as part of a delegation for peace and reconciliation. She leads retreats and Days of Mindfulness  in Charlotte and the southeast, and facilitates inmate Sanghas in the North Carolina Department of Corrections.

Leslie is happy to support Sangha members’ study and practice. If you have questions or would like consult about your practice, please speak to Leslie or email her at leslierawls@carolina.rr.com.  

Inspired by the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh and supported by local Dharma Teacher Leslie Rawls, the Charlotte Community of Mindfulness is a small group of friends who study and practice the Buddha’s teachings on mindfulness and meditation. We aspire to live every moment deeply and compassionately. While practicing in the Mahayana tradition of Buddhism, we recognize and respect the value of all spiritual traditions as the heritage of humankind.

Newcomers are welcome. No experience needed. Starting in August 2010, CCM will offer Beginner’s Mind Day at regular intervals. Newcomers are welcome any time, but may appreciate the additional guidance and basic instruction offered on Beginner’s Mind Days. On these days, the first hour will include meditation instruction and guidance. The second hour, we will explore other basic elements of our practice. Please wear comfortable clothing. The floor is carpeted. We have a few extra meditation cushions and benches, as well as chairs. Click here for study schedule showing activities on specific dates.

We have a yahoogroup for Sangha news and announcements. To join, please visit charlottemindfulness and ask to join. We welcome anyone interested in our practice. Help us avoid spammers when you ask to join; let us know where you live and briefly explain your interest in our group.

CCM is a 501(c)(3) non profit corporation. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.

For a .pdf document about our lineage, please click here