Celebrating summer, sunshine, and outdoor fun with family and friends
by Nyingje Sheltri
Over many years, the Shambhala Buddhist community has adopted a tradition of celebrating a special day at the change of each season. These are referred to as “nyida” days, based on the Tibetan words nyima (sun) and dawa (moon). They occur on, or near, the equinoxes and solstices. Nyida days have become family-oriented celebrations, occasions for local Shambhala communities to create and enjoy social gatherings together. Midsummer Day, celebrated this week at Shambhala Centers around the world, observes the summer solstice.
Midsummer Day is a time for families and friends in Shambhala to enjoy a bit of summer fun. Seasonally appropriate events such as picnics, swimming and boating, outdoor sports, or music and dance performances may be part of the festivities. The celebrations begin with a traditional offering of juniper smoke, known as a lhasang, a practice that purifies the environment and empowers the space, the objects, and the beings within it.
We hope you enjoy these images from past Midsummer Day events, and invite you to write to us about this year’s celebration at your local center, or with your friends and family. Don’t forget to share some pictures too! Continue…
 |
-
2017-06-16 -
comment
On behalf of the Kongma Sakyong, the Office of the Sakyong wishes to announce the retirement of three long-serving warriors:
Acharya Jeremy Hayward
Acharya Jeremy Hayward took his oath of retirement before the Sakyong at the 2017 Kalapa Garchen held at Karmȇ Chöling in May. An acharya since 1996, he has served the lineage and community of Shambhala for over four decades. In 1971 Jeremy moved to Karmȇ Chöling (then Tail of the Tiger) after meeting the Druk Sakyong the previous ... continue
Commentary on a poem expressing deep wisdom and compassion
by Noel McLellan
Hua-Tzu Hill
Wang: The birds fly away
into infinite space:
Over the whole mountain
returns the ... continue
Continuing our look at a supplication chant to Guru Rinpoche
by Russell Rodgers
O Jetsün Guru Rinpoche,
Refuge of all beings in the three ... continue
Some background to help us understand a supplication chant to Guru Rinpoche
by Russell Rodgers
Buddhism’s tremendous success in Tibet can be traced ... continue
Appreciating the richness and beauty of an early summer garden
by Carol Henderson
In such a hurry today — scrambling to meet publication ... continue
“Great to get together and be heard”
from the Seattle Shambhala Center
Center Director Michael Busby convened our first Town Hall this spring. ... continue
Understanding apparent contradictions in a text that many Shambhalians chant daily as an ongoing part of their practice
by Russell Rodgers
Doesn’t the ... continue
Canadian leader raised in the Shambhala Buddhist community wins a seat in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly
by editors of the ... continue
A number of leaders in the Shambhala community participated in creating, or gave their name in support of, an article titled ... continue