It is the Shambhala view that every human being has a fundamental nature of goodness, warmth and intelligence. This nature can be cultivated through meditation, following ancient principles, and it can be further developed in daily life, so that it radiates out to family, friends, community and society. In the course of our lives, this goodness, warmth and intelligence can easily become covered over by doubt, fear and egotism. We tend to fall into a kind of sleep or stupor, believing in the conditioning we have as the ultimate truth, and coming under the sway of fear. The journey of becoming fully human means seeing through fear and egotism, and waking up to our natural intelligence. It takes kindness to ourselves and other, and courage, to wake up in this world.
The journey of awakening is known as the path of the warrior, as it requires the simple bravery to look directly at one's own mind and heart. The essential tool for doing this is mindfulness meditation. As we continue on the Shambhala path, we learn many other practices, to help us break through the ancient crust of ego and awaken to the joy of fully living in this world. Awakening and opening, we discover the world to be naturally sacred—pure and full of beauty. We begin to see clearly the goodness and wisdom of others, and to feel compassion to help them in myriad ways.
Shambhala vision is rooted in the contemplative teachings of Buddhism, yet is a fresh expression of the spiritual journey for our time; it is available to practitioners of any tradition. Our lineage draws on the wisdom of the Kagyu and Nyingma schools of Tibetan Buddhism as inherited by founder of Shambhala, Chogyam Trungpa, and his son and spiritual heir, Sakyong Mipham.
The Shambhala Buddhist path is one of meditation. Students are introduced to Buddhist and Shambhala teachings in the context of an ongoing meditation practice. The path includes a series of programs designed to stabilize and strengthen a student's meditation practice, and to clarify their understanding of the teachings.
The Way of Shambhala I
The Way of Shambhala I comprises the foundations of Shambhala Buddhism. A series of weekend contemplative workshops (Shambhala Training) combined with weeknight coursework (Everyday Life Courses) provide an experiential overview of meditation practice, wisdom teachings and contemplative arts rooted in the ancient traditions of Shambhala and Tibetan Buddhism. The Way of Shambhala I serves as graduated paths of instruction in the profound vision of our lineage.
As a central component of The Way of Shambhala I, Shambhala Training is a series of weekend contemplative workshops where the teachings on Shambhala Warriorship are studied and practiced in depth, ushering in a practice of human bravery that cultivates genuineness, gentleness, confidence, humor, and dignity in our daily life. Shambhala Training Levels 1-5 can be taken independently of The Everyday Life coursework, however, the coursework is meant to provide continuity throughout the levels, as well as community and support for practice. In addition, to continue to the Way of Shambhala II, the entire Way of Shambhala I must be completed.
One objective of The Everyday Life coursework is to provide continuity, community and support for practice throughout the Shambhala Training levels. Each course is presented in five classes, over a five week period. The Coursework can be taken independently of Shambhala Training, however, for a thorough understanding of the Shambhala tradition, the weekend programs are recommended.
The Way of Shambhala II
The Way of Shambhala II is series of weekend courses called the "Sacred Path" levels, coupled with a series of weeknight Buddhist studies courses.
The Sacred Path program introduces further warriorship practices, that extend the basic meditation training. These practices are based on a societal vision and aspiration to help the world. This level of training cultivates one's dignity and natural gifts that are able to widen one's sphere of compassionate and practical influence. During a series of visionary experiences that took place between 1976 and 1980, Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche wrote down what became known as the Shambhala texts. The Sacred Path of the Warrior is based on these texts and on the extensive commentaries Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche gave on these teachings and on how to practice them in modern times.
At the Shambhala Center, the Buddhist teachings are presented in English, and programs are designed to deepen students' understanding and experience of buddhadharma in a gradual and systematic way.
The Shambhala Center offers comprehensive Buddhist Studies as evening classes, which can be taken within the Way of Shambhala II or on their own.
Warrior Assembly
Warrior Assembly is a living teaching in creating enlightened society in a residential setting. This training cultivates one's dignity and natural gifts in order to widen one's sphere of compassionate and practical influence. During Warrior Assembly, students study the Shambhala terma text, The Golden Sun of the Great East, and receive the ashe practices of stroke and lungta. Prerequisites: Weekthun (one week of a Dathun); Way of Shambhala I and II; Membership in your local Shambhala Center.
Dathun
Dathun (Tibetan for "month session") is a one-month group meditation retreat led by a senior teacher. It is a powerful introduction and deepening of mindfulness-awareness meditation, open to anyone. Dathun programs include sitting and walking meditation, talks, study, and a short work period. Silence and functional talking are observed and meals are served in the shrine room. After attending a dathun, students may choose to do a solitary retreat, and a number of Shambhala practice centers have facilities for individual retreats. Dathun is a prerequisite for attending Sutrayana Seminary. Dathun requirements can also be completed by completing 4 individual weekthuns (1 week long retreats)
Refuge Vow
The refuge vow marks the decision to commit oneself wholeheartedly to the Buddhist path and to further one's practice and training. It is the formal commitment to beccoming a Buddhist, following the example of the Buddha Shakyamuni, his teachings (the dharma) and joining the community (sangha) of fellow practitioners.
Bodhisattva Vow
The bodhisattva vow is further commitment to put others before oneself and to work wholeheartedly for their benefit. The basis of this vow is the aspiration to develop friendliness, compassion, and genuine insight through the practice of the six paramitas and to undertake the view and practice of the mahayana. Prerequisites: Refuge Vow; Recommendation from Meditation Instructor
Shambhala Vow
The Shambhala Vow is an acknowledgement and proclamation that basic goodness is the essential nature of humanity. Further, the vow is a commitment to work especially with the teachings and practices of the Shambhala path as a way to realize that goodness more fully.
Enlightened Society Vow
The Enlightened Society Vow goes further, stating that basic goodness is the nature of society itself. In addition to proclaiming that view, taking the vow is making a commitment to work tirelessly towards realizing a society of greater goodness.
Enlightened World: The Three Yanas of Shambhala Buddhadharma
This residential program taught by Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche provides an introduction and exploration of the basic principles of Buddhism. The teachings take the student through the three yanas (vehicles), from the foundation teachings of the hinayana to the advanced teachings of tantra (vajrayana), giving an idea of the breadth of the Buddhist teachings as well as the unique path of Shambhala. Held at residential practice centers, this retreat includes meditation instruction, study, and contemplation and will provide an opportunity to meet the Sakyong and practice under his guidance.
Shambhala Sutrayana Seminary
Sutrayana Seminary deepens and expands a student's practice and study in a two week residential program alternating periods of intensive meditation practice with classes in Buddhist and Shambhala view. The program is led by a Shambhala Acharya, assisted by other senior teachers. Prerequisite are: Dathun; Way of Shambhala I and II; Membership in your local Shambhala Center.
Vajrayana Seminary
The Shambhala Vajrayana Seminary is the gateway for entering the Shambhala lineage and engaging in Shambhala Buddhist vajrayana practices. At Vajrayana Seminary students receive vajrayana transmission from Sakyong Mipham and instructions to begin the special preliminary practices (ngondro) of the vajrayana path. These practices are based on the Kagyu and Nyingma traditions of Tibetan Buddhism and the Shambhala teachings, transmitted through Chögyam Trungpa and his lineage heir, Sakyong Mipham. The vajrayana path offers powerful methods for cultivating one's innate compassion and wisdom and is based on a strong teacher-student connection. Prerequisites apply.
Vajrayana Practice
The vajrayana path of practice and study includes ngondro practices, abhishekas (empowerments), the various sadhanas associated with them, and mahamudra and dzogchen practices. Vajrayana practice and study programs are held at both urban and residential Shambhala Meditation Centers to support a student's practice with teachings, group practice and guidance from acharyas and the Sakyong.
| 
