All entries filed under this archive
Nourishing the Third Jewel: A Letter from our Guest Editors – HIGHLIGHT
We are delighted to welcome you to this theme for the Shambhala Times, which focuses on “Nourishing the Third Jewel.” When we take refuge in the sangha, or the third jewel, we enter a path of companionship. As sangha brothers and sisters, we both support each ... continuePosted May 31, 2009 by
The Activity of a Shambhala Center – HIGHLIGHT
This article by Acharya Adam Lobel discusses the outer, inner, and secret aspects of a Shambhala Meditation Center and how each aspect works together. Outer: Specifically, meditation practice is our most direct offering. There is a demand for meditation instruction in our society. The spirit of ... continuePosted May 30, 2009 by
Acknowledging Death – HIGHLIGHT
By Chogyam Trungpa In discussing sickness, whether physical or mental, we should recognize the importance of our sense of survival. We want to survive, and when we talk about healing, we are talking about how to survive. Viewed from another angle, our strategy of survival is the ... continuePosted May 29, 2009 by
Supporting Enlightened “Care and Conduct”
By Irene Vliegenthart The Shambhala Care and Conduct document is based on the view that the Shambhala mandala is committed to creating enlightened society. As well, the members of the Shambhala community are inspired by the teachings to conduct themselves in a manner that brings forth the ... continuePosted May 29, 2009 by
Interview with Debbie Coats, Desung Arm Commander – HIGHLIGHT
Being a desung often means choosing to step in to situations that are uncomfortable or perhaps frightening. In our community desung are kasung who focus on issues of health and well-being or conflicts. So if people are in distressing circumstances or conflicts are occurring, for example ... continuePosted May 28, 2009 by
Opening Doors for Shambhalians Living with Disabilities
The Working Group on Accessibility and Disabilities has been working to raise awareness about accessibility and access, as well as assessing the current accessibility situation in Shambhala. We hope to find out how we can support Centers with accessibility issues, investigate areas where things can be ... continuePosted May 28, 2009 by Hamish_MacLaren
The Community Survey: Why It Matters – HIGHLIGHT
By Mary Whetsell A little over a year ago, the Shambhala Community Survey was distributed as a way to take a snapshot in time of our worldwide sangha. At that point, President Reoch had visited almost every Shambhala center in the mandala. And while he reported that ... continuePosted May 27, 2009 by
New Community Care Council
In the Tenets of Shambhala Governance, it is written “Our shared Shambhala vision is to create enlightened society actually, not merely metaphorically. Socially, our shared path is to evolve an open, compassionate and empowered culture.” To realize this vision the Sakyong’s Council created the Community Care ... continuePosted May 27, 2009 by
Being Old in the 21st century – HIGHLIGHT
One day, as I was interviewing a young woman who wanted a job working with older adults, she told me: “When the consumer needs toileting, I…” I wondered. “Oh, is she going to tell me about bed pans or the correct terminology for bodily processes?” But that wasn’t ... continuePosted May 26, 2009 by
Making Shambhala Accessible – HIGHLIGHT
By President Richard Reoch When people from all over the mandala gathered for the first Shambhala Congress, one of the most pressing issues to emerge was the urgent need to make Shambhala locations far more accessible to a much wider range of people. Part of that challenge was taken up by ... continuePosted May 25, 2009 by Richard_Reoch
Growing Old in Shambhala – HIGHLIGHT
By David Whitehorn and the Working Group on Aging In the Shambhala vision, every moment of our life, whatever age we may be, is an opportunity to wake up, to engage straightforwardly with the situation we are in, including our limitations and those of others, and to ... continuePosted May 24, 2009 by David Whitehorn
Penor Rinpoche’s 49th Day Ceremony – HIGHLIGHT
President Reoch is currently visiting Namdroling Monastery in Bylakuppee, southern India to attend the 49th Day Ceremony for His Holiness Penor Rinpoche. Penor Rinpoche passed away on March 27, entering into samadhi for eight days before his parinirvana on April 3. By President Richard Reoch His Holiness ... continuePosted May 22, 2009 by Richard_Reoch
Live Broadcast from Namdroling – HIGHLIGHT
Video of his Holiness Penor Rinpoche’s relics conducted to Zangdokpalri Temple last month. On May 21, His Holiness Penor Rinpoche’s relics (kudung) were moved to the main temple at Namdroling Monastery in south India. And today, the grand ceremony for the parinirvana of His Holiness is ... continuePosted May 22, 2009 by
Penor Rinpoche’s “Asking to Remain” Ceremony – HIGHLIGHT
Penor Rinpoche passed away on March 27 at his residence at Namdroling Monastery in Bylakuppee, South India. His Holiness entered into samadhi for almost 8 days before his parinirvana on April 3. Several days before his passing, Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche sent Tom Bell as an envoy ... continuePosted May 21, 2009 by
Shambhala’s First Vajrakilaya Four Karmas Offering
By Laura Stone Acharya Eve Rosenthal and Anne Studley were having dinner together one evening last October when Anne brought up the question of when they would practice the Vajrakilaya four karmas fire offering. Several people who had done the Vajrkilaya amending fire offering practice had been ... continuePosted May 21, 2009 by