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Sakyong and Family - Category Archive

Oct 22
Friday

Rupa Acharya Retirement Letter to the Shambhala Community

Filed under Sakyong and Family, Shambhala News Service

To the Shambhala Community,

I am writing to share with you that I have retired as Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche’s acharya representative to the post of Rupa Acharya (Form Acharya). Having requested the Sakyong’s blessings, this is effective as of the recent Harvest of Peace. I feel the work of this post is established and stable, and dedicated senior and next generation ritual practitioners are upholding the view, practice, and action of Shambhala ritual. For myself, I look forward to entering a time of deepening practice and study, and engaging further as a student of the Sakyong. I continue to serve as his acharya.

I am honored to have held this post for the past nine years, and feel deep gratitude and appreciation for the Sakyong entrusting me as his acharya representative for ritual and form. I have learned a lot and benefited greatly from his potent teachings and instructions at the International Shambhala Ritual Academies and his direct instructions and generosity to me.

Below is a brief description of the view and responsibilities of this post for those of you who may not be familiar with it, including its two primary manifestations. Also, please see my expression of appreciation for key practitioners who have joined me in refining and protecting the path of Shambhala ritual and form.

The view and responsibilities of the post of Rupa Acharya have been to propagate and protect the sacred forms of Shambhala and, in particular, the rituals, liturgical practices, and ceremonies that support Shambhala practice and teaching environments. The work of the post has included establishing consistency of umdze (chant leader) and chöpön (shrine server) training and determining how chants and chanting are introduced in the community. 

Shambhala ritual and form, which invokes sacredness and fosters awake and drala-soaked practice environments, provides the bedrock for Shambhala culture. It is an essential compass by which we can hold and deepen our meditative practices. Working closely with strong and devoted practitioners has been instrumental in bringing forward this area of the mandala. In particular, members of the following two groups have nurtured consistent practice and care of ritual and form: 

The Sakyong initiated the International Shambhala Ritual Academy (SRA) in 2013. Through three international SRAs with the Sakyong, and regional SRAs taught by myself and other senior faculty over seven years, 650 vajrayana practitioners trained in the vast view and specific details of Shambhala ritual and form. In 2020, a Shambhala Ritual Academy program, Lineage as the Heart of Ritual, and a follow-up Shambhala Online class were made available to non-vajrayana practitioners. 

In an ongoing way, the Ritual and Form (R&F) Group members have supported practice and education leaders and practitioners in local and regional Shambhala communities in the United States, Europe, and Canada. They have helped to foster Shambhala ritual; supported and trained consistent and harmonious umdzes and chöpöns; and nurtured a societal path of ritual practice as taught by the Sakyong.

I have worked and practiced with many brilliant, skilled, and dedicated people over these years, and feel much appreciation for everyone who has participated in deepening the view and consistency of Shambhala ritual and form. A special thank you and deep bow of appreciation to the following people: 

Charlie Goetzl, previous Director of the Shambhala Office of Practice and Education, and Walker Blaine, Master of Liturgies to the Sakyong, who were steadfast and skilled colleagues with overlapping areas of responsibility. It was a delight to accomplish numerous projects together.

Shambhala Ritual Academy Senior Faculty and Staff
Andrea Doukas, Timothy Quigley, and Walker Blaine for our collaboration and camaraderie in developing and implementing the Shambhala Ritual Academy according to Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche’s vision and instructions.
Alexandra Landstra-Kalanine, Director, Chöpön Corps Europe
Acharya Alfonso Taboada, integral senior faculty Europe
Andrea Doukas, Director, Chöpön Corps, and key contributor to the initiation and implementation of the Shambhala Ritual Academy
Shastri Merlin Cox, Director, Umdze Corps Europe
Timothy Quigley, Director, Umdze Corps
Walker Blaine, senior faculty
Gayle Niss, SRA Assistant, for her organizational and administrative support for senior faculty and SRAs 

Ritual and Form Group Members
The Ritual and Form Group, which included those already named, has concluded its work. Special thanks to:
Charlie Byron, R&F Assistant, for his steady and dedicated work over many years to support the work of the Rupa Acharya and the R&F Group
Cyndi Levine, R&F representative for Halifax, and support for R&F Group meetings
Acharya Eric Spiegel, ongoing support and holding ritual instructions for death and dying liturgies
Gayle Niss, R&F representative for Boulder
Irv Kirschbaum, R&F representative for Northern California Region (NORCAL)
Jeff Scott, Director of the Shambhala Office of Practice and Education
Marian English, R&F representative for Karmê Chöling, Barnet, Vermont
Sandy Brooks, R&F representative for Vancouver and Northwestern United States and Canada
Tom Berthoff, R&F representative for Philadelphia
Ute Reinhart-LaHaye, Director of Practice and Education Europe, for her support of the SRA Europe faculty 

Thank you to Sangyum Wendy Friedman, Office of Culture and Decorum, for her support and guidance; Ani Dawa Chotso, for many years of singular and dedicated work on ritual documents for Scorpion Seal Assemblies; and to previous R&F Group members: Emily Bower, Susan Chapman, Jim Fladmark, Rebecca Martorano, Julia Persch, and Sabine Rolf. 

Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche established the ground of Shambhala culture for us all. Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche is building on this ground and, through the Shambhala Ritual Academy, has taught us the power of ritual to create and change culture on this earth. The Sakyong has brought forward the culture of Shambhala ritual from an individual practice to a societal path of practice, a path that has inspired many of us to reduce individualism, open our hearts, connect with drala, and build community.

May those who are practicing the path of Shambhala ritual, and those yet to come, support this sacred manifestation of enlightened culture for the benefit of current and future generations.

With great appreciation and delight,
and in the vision of sacred Shambhala Ritual,
Suzann Duquette

Entries filed under Sakyong and Family


Proclaiming Humanity's Goodness

Proclaiming Humanity’s Goodness – HIGHLIGHT

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Posted February 13, 2017 by CGH
Birthday Tenshuk for the Sakyong

Birthday Tenshuk for the Sakyong – HIGHLIGHT

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Posted December 8, 2016 by CGH
Rising in the West

Rising in the West – HIGHLIGHT

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Posted November 10, 2016 by CGH
Sakyong Conducts Pujas

Sakyong Conducts Pujas – HIGHLIGHT

Next month, the Sakyong will perform pujas for enrichment and overcoming obstacles by Walker Blaine On December 3rd and 4th, the Sakyong will perform two pujas, or intensive practices, for the benefit of the community and the world. Twice a year, His Majesty sets aside time for meditation ... continue
Posted November 8, 2016 by CGH
Sakyong Practices for Enrichment and Overcoming Obstacles

Sakyong Practices for Enrichment and Overcoming Obstacles

The SakyongOn December 3rd and 4th, the Sakyong will perform two pujas, or intensive practices, for the benefit of the community and the world. The Sakyong receives many requests for blessings and overcoming obstacles and pujas held twice a year are times he dedicates to caring ... continue
Posted November 7, 2016 by Walker Blaine
Harvest of Peace Address Now Online

Harvest of Peace Address Now Online

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Posted September 27, 2016 by David_Brown
Precious Events

Precious Events – HIGHLIGHT

The Sakyong Wangmo shares appreciation for precious events The Sakyong looks on as the Sakyong Wangmo lights the shrine on the first day of the puja at the Kalapa Court As I reflect from the Kalapa Court on recent events, I’m filled with appreciation for the ceremonies, ... continue
Posted May 16, 2016 by CGH
Sakyong Chilean Teachings and Disaster Response

Sakyong Chilean Teachings and Disaster Response

The Sakyong made a strong connection with the Shambhala community of Copiapo, Chile during the Chilean Garchen in February. They were in the front-lines when a storm caused devastating mudslides leaving tens of thousands of people without power or drinking water last year. To read more ... continue
Posted April 8, 2016 by David_Brown
Dorje Tsegyal

Reminder of Healing and Enriching Practices

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Posted March 31, 2016 by David_Brown
A Birthday in Boulder

A Birthday in Boulder – HIGHLIGHT

Jetsun Yudra celebrates her third birthday, on a windy day in Boulder, Colorado article by Steve Sachs photos by Michael Levy On the afternoon of Monday, March 14, Jetsun Yudra celebrated her third birthday at the Kalapa Court in Boulder.   A chilly wind off the Rockies led to festivities ... continue
Posted March 28, 2016 by CGH
Sakyong to Perform Healing and Enriching Practices

Sakyong to Perform Healing and Enriching Practices

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Posted March 17, 2016 by David_Brown
The Sakyong Returns to South America

The Sakyong Returns to South America

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Posted March 3, 2016 by David_Brown
The Notion of Lineage

The Notion of Lineage – HIGHLIGHT

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Posted February 15, 2016 by CGH
Nepal Epilogue: The Shambhala Lineage Thangka

Nepal Epilogue: The Shambhala Lineage Thangka – HIGHLIGHT

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Posted February 8, 2016 by CGH
Opening the Treasury of Wisdom

Opening the Treasury of Wisdom – HIGHLIGHT

Jetsun Drukmo begins her formal studies in the Tibetan language by Conner Loomis The Sakyong with Jetsun Drukmo On the auspicious third day of the eleventh month of the Year of the Wood Sheep, the eldest daughter of the Sakyong and Sakyong Wangmo, Jetsun Drukmo, began her Tibetan studies. ... continue
Posted January 12, 2016 by CGH

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