The Kerulos Center of Nonviolence is a 501 © (3) nonprofit established in 2008 by founder and Director Gay Bradshaw. We are a teaching and practice community co-created with rescued Animals, Indigenous Wildlife, and the land in southern Oregon, U.S.A., the traditional homelands of the Grizzly Bear, Dakubedete, Takelma, Coyote, Coho Salmon, Golden Eagle, and Gray Wolf. This is where Grace Village (formerly The Tortoise and the Hare Sanctuary) is located. Grace Village is a sanctuary sangha where our mission and teachings are put into practice. It is a healing, trauma-responsive space where new language, custom, and meaning-making are shared and shaped to those of Nature.
We capitalize Animal and Plant names to reflect scientific understanding that species differences are leveled to cultural differences. Because the dominating culture privileges our species above all others, “human” is not capitalized.
Our Name and Logo
Kerulos is the classical Greek word for Kingfisher and the brilliant cerulean blue of their feathers. It conveys that word (human) and Bird (Nature) are one. The Snake encircling the Kingfisher, the ouroboros, represents oneness, transformation, and restoration. Together, they symbolize humanity’s reconciliation with Animals and other Earth beings as sentient kin in oneness.
"It is possible the next Buddha will not take the form of an individual. The next Buddha may take the form of a community, a community practicing understanding and lovingkindness, a community practicing mindful living."
- Thich Nhat Hanh
In accordance with applicable law, we prohibit discrimination against any applicant, employee, contractor, intern, or volunteer based on any actual or perceived legally recognized basis including but not limited to: veteran status, uniformed service member status, gender identity and gender expression, race, color, religion, sex and gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, or any other consideration protected by federal, state or