All entries filed under this archive
Midsummers Past – HIGHLIGHT
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 ... continuePosted June 22, 2017 by CGH
The Hill of Hua-Tzu – HIGHLIGHT
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 splendour of autumn. Ascending and descending Hua-tzu hill, I feel unbounded bewilderment and lamentation. P’ei: The sun sets, The wind rises among the pines. Returning home, there is a little dew upon ... continuePosted June 20, 2017 by CGH
Supplication to Padmasambhava 2 – HIGHLIGHT
Continuing our look at a supplication chant to Guru Rinpoche by Russell Rodgers O Jetsün Guru Rinpoche, Refuge of all beings in the three realms, Consider your vow. Dispel outer, inner and secret obstacles. Jetsün is an honorific term for especially revered gurus. The three realms refer to the realm in ... continuePosted June 18, 2017 by CGH
Supplication to Padmasambhava 1 – HIGHLIGHT
Some background to help us understand a supplication chant to Guru Rinpoche by Russell Rodgers Buddhism’s tremendous success in Tibet can be traced to the activities of an eighth century Indian yogi named Padmasambhava, known by Tibetans as “Guru Rinpoche.” His story is important for us here in ... continuePosted June 16, 2017 by CGH
Retirement of three long-serving Shambhala Warriors
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 ... continuePosted June 16, 2017 by David_Brown
Bright Flowers of June – HIGHLIGHT
Appreciating the richness and beauty of an early summer garden by Carol Henderson In such a hurry today — scrambling to meet publication deadlines, sending out minutes from a board meeting, and getting packed for a week’s travel, plus the usual household tasks of cooking, dishes, laundry. As ... continuePosted June 14, 2017 by CGH
Town Hall in Seattle – HIGHLIGHT
“Great to get together and be heard” from the Seattle Shambhala Center Center Director Michael Busby convened our first Town Hall this spring. It is the first of an ongoing quarterly schedule, which he started to bring the sangha together and create an avenue for open communication. Michael ... continuePosted June 12, 2017 by CGH
Concluding Request to the Protectors – HIGHLIGHT
Understanding apparent contradictions in a text that many Shambhalians chant daily as an ongoing part of their practice by Russell Rodgers Doesn’t the Concluding Request to the Protectors contradict other Buddhist teachings? Certainly, this is the most frequent comment I hear about this chant. The line requesting “glory, ... continuePosted June 10, 2017 by CGH
Claudia Chender Wins Election – HIGHLIGHT
Canadian leader raised in the Shambhala Buddhist community wins a seat in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly by editors of the Shambhala Times This week in Halifax, Claudia Chender, a lifelong Shambhala Community member, was elected as a New Democratic Party (NDP) representative to the provincial legislature ... continuePosted June 8, 2017 by CGH
Stand Against Suffering – HIGHLIGHT
A number of leaders in the Shambhala community participated in creating, or gave their name in support of, an article titled “Stand Against Suffering: A Buddhist Call to Action,” published in the April/May issue of Lion’s Roar. Many Shambhalians are deeply concerned about the path that the ... continuePosted June 6, 2017 by CGH
The Gift of Fear – HIGHLIGHT
An excerpt from “Natural Bravery: Fear and Fearlessness as a Direct Path of Awakening” by Gaylon Ferguson The starting point on the path of fearlessness is the discovery of fear. — Chögyam Trungpa, “Conquering Fear.” Our habitual response to fear is to move away from this uncomfortable feeling. We recoil ... continuePosted June 4, 2017 by CGH
European Donor Group – HIGHLIGHT
Members of the European Donor Group gather in Bavaria, Germany by Hermien Rodenburg At the end of April, the European Donor Group (EDG) got a taste of the Bavarian Alps in Germany. We met there at the family home of Veronika Bauer, the current chair of the EDG. So, ... continuePosted June 3, 2017 by fredvanwelsem
From Ukraine to Vermont 2 – HIGHLIGHT
The Journey of a Shambhala Teen, Part Two of Two by Cara Thornley Shambhalian teen Dali Kapanadze was already experiencing a major life changing event, the Ukranian Revolution of 2013, in which she was participating with the permission and support of her parents. The second and more ... continuePosted May 31, 2017 by CGH
From Ukraine to Vermont 1 – HIGHLIGHT
The Journey of a Shambhala Teen, Part One of Two by Cara Thornley How Dali Kapanadze got from Ukraine to Vermont is a story of auspicious coincidence, parental aspirations, civil unrest, untimely death, Dali’s inspiration, and immense sangha generosity taking the form of both financial and personal support. In ... continuePosted May 29, 2017 by CGH
Lincoln in the Bardo – HIGHLIGHT
review of a George Saunders novel by Michelle Welch I’m often on the lookout for Buddhist-themed novels, and Lincoln in the Bardo is a new novel that received numerous critical accolades. More recently, Lion’s Roar magazine featured an interview with the author, George Saunders. I was particularly drawn ... continuePosted May 27, 2017 by CGH