Sunday

Announcing the Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche Conference in Vienna

Trungpa Rinpoche in 1975 at the Sacred Heart Auditorium. Photo by Blair Hansen.

Vienna, Austria, May 22-24, 2020

The Shambhala Center of Vienna and the Chogyam Trungpa Institute of Naropa University are proud to present the Chogyam Trungpa Conference, in Vienna, Austria, from May 22-24, 2020 titled, “Meditation, Materialism, and Mind: Chogyam Trungpa’s Legacy for the 21^st century.”

The aim of this 3-day conference is to revisit the teachings of the Vidyadhara Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, to foster interactions between older and newer practitioners of his teachings and the broader European community, and to encourage the emergence of new scholarship and interest in his work.

With the increasing socio-cultural and political divisions throughout the world—and in religious and spiritual realms as well—there is a need to review and revisit our assumptions, about Buddhism, our practice, and our teachers. Chogyam Trungpa’s emphasis on cutting through spiritual materialism and working with fear and doubt, as well as other areas of his work, may be helpful in this time of turmoil.

This conference will feature respected scholar-practitioners and close students of Trungpa Rinpoche, including Lady Diana Mukpo, his editors Carolyn Gimian and Judy Lief, Nalanda Translation Committee’s Larry Mermelstein, authors/teachers Judith Simmer Brown, Rigdzin Shikpo, Han de Wit, Fabrice Midal, and many more.

Reserve your tickets now at:  https://trungpa2020vienna.org

We will critically examine our understanding of Trungpa Rinpoche’s teachings, now some 50 years since his coming to the West. Conference topics will include how Trungpa Rinpoche’s teachings are relevant to social and cultural issues in society today, pitfalls he warned us along the path, challenges facing the Vajrayana in the West including engagement with the Guru principle, the importance of environment and sacred spaces, and how the dharma arts are an essential ingredient of one’s personal path. This conference will include moderated panel discussions, individual presentations, and opportunities for socialization and interaction with the speakers.

Whether through his transmission of the Buddhadharma or his vision of a sane society in the secular world through his Shambhala teachings, Trungpa Rinpoche’s vast body of teachings and practices always emphasized working with the world we live in. From sitting meditation to the arts and poetry, to dealing with household and societal issues, Trungpa Rinpoche invoked the image of the philosopher-practitioner of ancient times for whom intellectual understanding, practice, and engaged social life were inseparable.

Space is limited to 100 people. The event will be held in the Museum’s Quartier, located in the heart of beautiful historic Vienna. The conference welcomes all individuals who have been inspired by the teachings of Trungpa Rinpoche. Come enjoy springtime in this beautiful European capital with sangha and friends, old and new.

For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit https://trungpa2020vienna.org