Friday
Rupa Acharya Retirement Letter to the Shambhala Community
To the Shambhala Community,
I am writing to share with you that I have retired as Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche’s acharya representative to the post of Rupa Acharya (Form Acharya). Having requested the Sakyong’s blessings, this is effective as of the recent Harvest of Peace. I feel the work of this post is established and stable, and dedicated senior and next generation ritual practitioners are upholding the view, practice, and action of Shambhala ritual. For myself, I look forward to entering a time of deepening practice and study, and engaging further as a student of the Sakyong. I continue to serve as his acharya.
I am honored to have held this post for the past nine years, and feel deep gratitude and appreciation for the Sakyong entrusting me as his acharya representative for ritual and form. I have learned a lot and benefited greatly from his potent teachings and instructions at the International Shambhala Ritual Academies and his direct instructions and generosity to me.
Below is a brief description of the view and responsibilities of this post for those of you who may not be familiar with it, including its two primary manifestations. Also, please see my expression of appreciation for key practitioners who have joined me in refining and protecting the path of Shambhala ritual and form.
The view and responsibilities of the post of Rupa Acharya have been to propagate and protect the sacred forms of Shambhala and, in particular, the rituals, liturgical practices, and ceremonies that support Shambhala practice and teaching environments. The work of the post has included establishing consistency of umdze (chant leader) and chöpön (shrine server) training and determining how chants and chanting are introduced in the community.
Shambhala ritual and form, which invokes sacredness and fosters awake and drala-soaked practice environments, provides the bedrock for Shambhala culture. It is an essential compass by which we can hold and deepen our meditative practices. Working closely with strong and devoted practitioners has been instrumental in bringing forward this area of the mandala. In particular, members of the following two groups have nurtured consistent practice and care of ritual and form:
The Sakyong initiated the International Shambhala Ritual Academy (SRA) in 2013. Through three international SRAs with the Sakyong, and regional SRAs taught by myself and other senior faculty over seven years, 650 vajrayana practitioners trained in the vast view and specific details of Shambhala ritual and form. In 2020, a Shambhala Ritual Academy program, Lineage as the Heart of Ritual, and a follow-up Shambhala Online class were made available to non-vajrayana practitioners.
In an ongoing way, the Ritual and Form (R&F) Group members have supported practice and education leaders and practitioners in local and regional Shambhala communities in the United States, Europe, and Canada. They have helped to foster Shambhala ritual; supported and trained consistent and harmonious umdzes and chöpöns; and nurtured a societal path of ritual practice as taught by the Sakyong.
I have worked and practiced with many brilliant, skilled, and dedicated people over these years, and feel much appreciation for everyone who has participated in deepening the view and consistency of Shambhala ritual and form. A special thank you and deep bow of appreciation to the following people:
Charlie Goetzl, previous Director of the Shambhala Office of Practice and Education, and Walker Blaine, Master of Liturgies to the Sakyong, who were steadfast and skilled colleagues with overlapping areas of responsibility. It was a delight to accomplish numerous projects together.
Shambhala Ritual Academy Senior Faculty and Staff
Andrea Doukas, Timothy Quigley, and Walker Blaine for our collaboration and camaraderie in developing and implementing the Shambhala Ritual Academy according to Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche’s vision and instructions.
Alexandra Landstra-Kalanine, Director, Chöpön Corps Europe
Acharya Alfonso Taboada, integral senior faculty Europe
Andrea Doukas, Director, Chöpön Corps, and key contributor to the initiation and implementation of the Shambhala Ritual Academy
Shastri Merlin Cox, Director, Umdze Corps Europe
Timothy Quigley, Director, Umdze Corps
Walker Blaine, senior faculty
Gayle Niss, SRA Assistant, for her organizational and administrative support for senior faculty and SRAs
Ritual and Form Group Members
The Ritual and Form Group, which included those already named, has concluded its work. Special thanks to:
Charlie Byron, R&F Assistant, for his steady and dedicated work over many years to support the work of the Rupa Acharya and the R&F Group
Cyndi Levine, R&F representative for Halifax, and support for R&F Group meetings
Acharya Eric Spiegel, ongoing support and holding ritual instructions for death and dying liturgies
Gayle Niss, R&F representative for Boulder
Irv Kirschbaum, R&F representative for Northern California Region (NORCAL)
Jeff Scott, Director of the Shambhala Office of Practice and Education
Marian English, R&F representative for Karmê Chöling, Barnet, Vermont
Sandy Brooks, R&F representative for Vancouver and Northwestern United States and Canada
Tom Berthoff, R&F representative for Philadelphia
Ute Reinhart-LaHaye, Director of Practice and Education Europe, for her support of the SRA Europe faculty
Thank you to Sangyum Wendy Friedman, Office of Culture and Decorum, for her support and guidance; Ani Dawa Chotso, for many years of singular and dedicated work on ritual documents for Scorpion Seal Assemblies; and to previous R&F Group members: Emily Bower, Susan Chapman, Jim Fladmark, Rebecca Martorano, Julia Persch, and Sabine Rolf.
Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche established the ground of Shambhala culture for us all. Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche is building on this ground and, through the Shambhala Ritual Academy, has taught us the power of ritual to create and change culture on this earth. The Sakyong has brought forward the culture of Shambhala ritual from an individual practice to a societal path of practice, a path that has inspired many of us to reduce individualism, open our hearts, connect with drala, and build community.
May those who are practicing the path of Shambhala ritual, and those yet to come, support this sacred manifestation of enlightened culture for the benefit of current and future generations.
With great appreciation and delight,
and in the vision of sacred Shambhala Ritual,
Suzann Duquette
Entries filed under Sakyong and Family
Halifax Mayor Congratulates Their Majesties on Birth of First Child – HIGHLIGHT
In a letter dated to August 16, the mayor of Halifax, Peter Kelly, extends congratulates to Their Majesties for the birth of their first child on behalf of the residents of Halifax and the Halifax Regional Council. The letter states, “We are honoured that you chose ... continuePosted August 26, 2010 by
Her First Week of Life – HIGHLIGHT
The Sakyong and Sakyong Wangmo have released three new photographs of their daughter, Jestun Drukmo, taken after the family returned to Namgyal Potrang, the court in Halifax. These images of our Royal Family are courtesy of Christoph Schoeherr, Personal Assistant to the Sakyong. continuePosted August 24, 2010 by
Moving Out of the Dark Age – HIGHLIGHT
By Sakyong Mipham According to many wisdom traditions, we are in a dark age. Over a thousand years ago, Padmasambhava, the great teacher who brought Buddhism from India to Tibet, predicted that this particular dark age would be distinguished by our increasing cleverness. We would create myriad ... continuePosted August 22, 2010 by
Embraced by the Kalapa Court – HIGHLIGHT
Terry Rudderham shares a series of stunning photos of the Halifax welcome for Jetsun Drukmo, the newborn baby of Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche and the Sakyong Wangmo, Khandro Tseyang. continuePosted August 15, 2010 by
Video of Halifax Welcome – HIGHLIGHT
James Hoagland of Centre Productions offers this video of Jetsun Drukmo’s welcome home to the Kalapa Court in Halifax. Note that it may take a moment to load after you click. If you are having trouble viewing this video, try changing browsers or visit Shambhala.org on the ... continuePosted August 13, 2010 by
Halifax Sangha Welcomes Royal Baby – HIGHLIGHT
The newborn Drukmo Yeshe Sarasvati Ziji Mukpo received a warm welcome home at the Halifax court earlier today. David Brown shares these photographs. #gallery-1 { margin: auto; } #gallery-1 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 33%; } #gallery-1 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-1 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */ Click on any ... continuePosted August 12, 2010 by
A Face We Will Know Herein as “Jetsun Drukmo” – HIGHLIGHT
The arrival of this beautiful face, fresh to our Shambhala mandala, was greeted yesterday by a magnificent rainbow at Gampo Abbey. Just after dawn, as residents entered the shrine room for morning chants, a stunning rainbow of a lovely pink color, with rosy-red and turquoise highlights, ... continuePosted August 12, 2010 by
What Her Birth Brings – HIGHLIGHT
Jennifer Holder reports on events surrounding the birth of Sakyong Mipham and Khandro Tseyang’s first child — including initial comments from the Sakyong — and explores the qualities of her arrival as a princess. As the sun rises on the second day of our Princess’ second ... continuePosted August 12, 2010 by Jennifer Holder
Royal Birth Announcement
Official Portrait of the Royal Couple, by Sean Raggett The Kalapa Court is delighted to announce the birth of a daughter to their Majesties, the Sakyong and Sakyong Wangmo. The baby was born at 10:24 am Atlantic Daylight Time on Wednesday 11 August, the first day of the ... continuePosted August 11, 2010 by
Mukpo Wedding Bells: Chandali Weds Eric Wilson – HIGHLIGHT
On June 26, 2010, on a full-moon night in Karme Choling, Chandali Mukpo and Eric Wilson were joined together as husband and wife. The wedding celebration began on Friday evening, with a lovely rehearsal dinner, attended by fifty people. (The food was amazing, thanks to Janos ... continuePosted August 3, 2010 by
Canadian Media has its Eye on Royal Birth – HIGHLIGHT
Click here to read the Chronicle Herald’s coverage of our expecting royal family. continuePosted July 27, 2010 by
Message from the Sakyong Wangmo
Sakyong Wangmo on Children’s Day Dear Members and Friends of Shambhala, I hope all of you are doing well this summer and that your family, practice, and work is fulfilling. As for myself, I am doing very well. I wanted to give you all an update since Rinpoche and ... continuePosted June 27, 2010 by
Preserving the Vidyadhara Forever – HIGHLIGHT
Shambhala Archives is Honored with Award for the Audio Recovery Project By Carolyn Gimian, with Jennifer Holder contributing On Friday, June 11, the Shambhala Archives received the Carman V. Carroll Award for Outstanding Achievement in Archival Preservation from the Council of Nova Scotia ... continuePosted June 18, 2010 by
Be Pragmatic in Practice – HIGHLIGHT
By Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche As the great Zen teacher Suzuki Roshi said, “We are completely perfect, but we need a minor adjustment.” We have everything we need, but we have to hone it. Meditation is that honing process. What we are honing is our intention. Meditation is not ... continuePosted June 13, 2010 by
Connecting with the Sakyong through Patronage – HIGHLIGHT
Lodro Rinzler shares with the Shambhala Times the outstanding success in funding Sakyong Mipham’s period of deep retreat for forty days during May and early June. Due to the incredible generosity of the sangha, the deep retreat calendar filled in just 30 hours! Shambhalians still have ... continuePosted May 17, 2010 by
RSS feed for the Sakyong and Family category
View all posts from authors in Sakyong and Family: