Wednesday

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 Tibetan new moon, in the IWK Health Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

The child has been given the name Drukmo Yeshe Sarasvati Ziji Mukpo.

Members of the Mukpo and Ripa families were present in Halifax for the birth. Traditional rituals are being performed privately at Namgyal Potrang, the Kalapa Court in Halifax.

“This is a glorious and historic moment. I am filled with joy by the continuity of our Mukpo clan. On behalf of the entire Shambhala community, I extend my heartfelt good wishes to the Sakyong and the Sakyong Wangmo,” said the Druk Sakyong Wangmo, Lady Diana Mukpo.

“The birth was cheerful, uplifted and free of complications. Both mother and child are healthy and resting well,” said Dr Mitchell Levy, personal physician to the royal family.

Recommendations for appropriate practices at this time, as well as suggestions for celebrations at Shambhala Centres, were sent in advance to centre and group leaders by Sangyum Wendy Friedman, Director of Shambhala Culture and Decorum, on 7 August 2010. Her letter is copied below.

Messages to the royal couple may be sent by post to:

The Sakyong and Sakyong Wangmo
The Office of the Kalapa Court
1084 Tower Road
Halifax, NS B3H 2Y5
Canada

If you wish to make a contribution to support this first phase caring for their child, you are welcome to visit the link to the baby registry that was previously announced:

http://www.ourwishingwell.com/registries/view/155110810

Letter from Wendy Friedman with suggestions for celebrations appropriate practices at Shambhala Centres:

Dear Centre and Group Directors, and Leaders of Shambhala,

Good Morning!

This document contains instructions for gatherings to be held at all Shambhala Centres and Groups to celebrate the birth of the Sakyong and Sakyong Wangmo’s child. We have sent it to you a bit in advance so that you can make any necessary preparations, and can inform your community that there will be a way to gather and mark this happy occasion when it occurs.

The royal birth will be announced on the Shambhala News Service. You may choose to gather as soon as possible thereafter, on the nearest weekend day, or a weekday evening if that works best for your community. Since you will want to notify your members of the time and place of the Royal Baby Celebration as quickly as possible, you are advised to make a plan now. This is definitely intended to be an occasion for the entire community, so please make it clear that children and families are very welcome to attend and participate.

At the end of this message you will find a sample invitation text for the Royal Baby Celebration. Feel free to use this text and insert your particular details as you wish.

Materials to prepare in advance:

– charcoal and juniper for lhasang
– drinks and glasses
– photo of the Sakyong and Sakyong Wangmo with the baby placed on a table in front of or next to the shrine.
(this photo will be sent on the Shambhala News Service as soon as it becomes available)
– copies of the chants below

PRACTICE

Gather for a short session of meditation — perhaps 5-10 minutes — then recite the Shambhala Lineage Supplication and the Homage.

Begin with a lhasang, using the chant the Invocation for Raising Windhorse. (Insert the line “I offer this cleansing offering” instead of “I supplicate you” before “with kindness, please grant your blessings” to make this a lhasang chant). Everyone can come forward or to the centre of the room to circumambulate or pass through the lhasang as you chant the Warriors’ Cry: Ki Ki So So Ashe Lha Gyel Lo Tak Seng Khyung Druk Di Yar Kye!

OFFERING AND ASPIRATION

The Sakyong has requested that we all repeat the Shambhala Lineage Supplication as families, children and sangha members come forward to offer khatas or flowers on the table with the photo of the Mukpo Family.

CELEBRATION

This is a joyous occasion, so please plan to share food and drinks with each other and create a welcoming and delightful atmosphere for everyone.

TOASTS

During your festivities, please offer the following suggested toasts:

To the Sakyong
To the Sakyong Wangmo
To the Baby
To the Mukpo Clan

It would be nice to offer something festive to drink, perhaps champagne or sparkling wine as well as sparkling water and juice. You might want to invite particular people to offer these toasts in advance so that they will be prepared and will be sure to attend.

SONGS

You could conclude your gathering with a song offering from a sangha member, or everyone could join in a Shambhala song. Finally, sing the Shambhala Anthem and offer the Warriors’ Cry together: Ki Ki So So Ashe Lha Gyel Lo Tak Seng Khyung Druk Di Yar Kye!

Yours in the Mukpo Clan,

Sangyum Wendy Friedman
Director
Shambhala Office of Culture and Decorum

Sample Invitation

All members of the Shambhala Community,
Families, Children and Friends,
are warmly invited to attend a

Royal Baby Celebration
in honour of the first child of the
Sakyong and Sakyong Wangmo
(date and time)
at
(location)
The celebration will include a lhasang, offerings,
toasts and songs. Please feel free to bring
a flower or khata to offer.

Read an interview with President Richard Reoch about the birth and the meaning of the royal baby’s name on Elephant Journal.