Wednesday

Sakyong Appoints Martin Janowitz Acharya

The Office of the Kalapa Court is delighted to announce that the Sakyong, Jamgon Mipham Rinpoche, has appointed Sir Martin Janowitz, Warrior of the Order of the Garuda of Shambhala, to the position of Shambhala Acharya at a Scorpion Seal Retreat at Dorje Denma Ling this morning. He received the acharya name Ocean of Amrita (Gyatso Dutsi).

Please welcome Mr. Janowitz, who lives in Halifax and joins forty one Shambhala Acharyas and acharya emeriti throughout the mandala in proclaiming the Shambhala teachings: www.shambhala.org/teachers/index.php?show=acharya. He brings a unique skill set to the Council of Acharyas, as one of the Druk Sakyong’s closest students who helped shape the Shambhala community’s Kusung arm, teaching forms, government, and society; and who has been tremendously active in the Nova Scotia community.

A partial list of Marty’s Shambhala community and professional experience follows.

Marty became a student of the Druk Sakyong in 1970. He taught a wide array of programs; co-designed the first teacher training course; and was among a pilot group of Shambhala Training Directors. He traveled widely with the Druk Sakyong for many years ultimately being named Kusung Dapon – senior Kusung (Court Protector) also responsible for the personal guardian attendants of the Mukpo family, the Vajra Regent and family, and the Kalapa Court. Marty was a Member of Council of the Makkyi Rabjam, Board of Directors under both Sakyongs, and the the Druk Sakyong’s Privy Council (personal advisors). In 1997 Marty was appointed Warrior General of Shambhala by the Sakyong (1997-2010) – responsible for leadership of Council of Warriors, Warriors of Centres and Kalapa Lodges worldwide. He is a member of Shambhala’s Touching the Earth Working Group and developed Spirituality and Sustainability dharma programs.

Marty was the founding Treasurer of Ashoka Credit Union; founding Executive Director of Naropa Institute (now University); founding member of Naropa Board of Trustees and Chair of Board 2000-2012. He was Director Nova Scotia Environmental Network; Executive Director Clean Nova Scotia Foundation; President Nova Scotia Nature Trust; President Genuine Progress Index Atlantic; Member of Nova Scotia Round Table in Environment and Economy; Chair Nova Scotia Panel on Waste Management; Nova Scotia Environment Act Review Panel and has worked on numerous environmental sustainability and alternative energy development initiatives.

Currently Marty is the Chair of the Nova Scotia Roundtable on Environment and Sustainable Prosperity; Chair of Authentic Leadership in Action (ALIA) Institute – formerly Shambhala Institute; and Vice President and Practice Leader Sustainable Development – Stantec Consulting – focusing on community sustainability, climate change adaptation, corporate social responsibility, sustainable infrastructure and strategic sustainability performance. He is a member of the Halifax Strategic Urban Partnership Core Leadership Group; Envision Nova Scotia Steering Committee; and Buddhist Climate Change Initiative.