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Buddhist
Study :
The Path of Practice
and Study
Description of the Path
The path begins and continues with meditation.
Students are introduced to Buddhist and Shambhala
teachings in the context of an ongoing meditation
practice. Shambhala Meditation Centres around
the world offer a broad and carefully thought-out
range of classes, meditation programs and community
activities. At our residential practice and
retreat centres, students can deepen their meditation
through longer programs, and engage in periods
of intensive study.
The path consists of a series of programs designed
to stabilize and strengthen a student's meditation
practice, and to clarify their understanding
of the teachings. Our courses offer entry into
the classical teachings of the Kagyu and Nyingma
lineages of Tibetan Buddhism, as well as the
Shambhala wisdom presented by Chögyam Trungpa
Rinpoche and Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche. Shambhala
Training and the Shambhala Schools of Buddhist
Studies both serve as graduated paths of instruction
in the profound vision of the lineage.
In order to provide an environment in which
Buddhism can flourish in the West, Chögyam
Trungpa Rinpoche presented the spiritual journey
in the cultural context of Shambhala--a personal
and social vision of awakening that is accessible
to everyone, all the time, even in the midst
of busy daily life. The name and outlook for
his approach comes from the legendary kingdom
of Shambhala. This land has for centuries been
seen throughout central Asia as a source of
individual and cultural virtue: a place in which
inhabitants led meditative lives of bravery,
gentleness and intelligence, where they acted
with responsibility and delight in caring for
one another.
Shambhala School of Buddhist Studies
The Shambhala School of Buddhist Studies consists
of a series of weekly classes and weekend intensives
for anyone interested in learning about Buddhism.
In the Shambhala School of Buddhist Studies,
students delve into foundational Buddhistmeditate
topics, such as karma, egolessness, and compassion
with time for discussion and contemplation.
Shambhala Training: Heart of Warriorship
The Shambhala Training Heart of Warriorship
program introduces teachings on "warriorship"
that cultivate genuineness, confidence, humor,
and dignity in daily life. This course of study
prepares students who wish to develop their
practice and study further for Sutrayana Seminary
and the Shambhala Sacred Path program.
Contemplative Arts and Practice
Inspired by Nalanda, an eleventh-century Indian
university that welcomed teachings and disciplines
from many different traditions, a number of
arts, disciplines and activities have developed
within Shambhala. The arts and other contemplative
disciplines, including flower arranging, photography,
tea ceremony, and kyudo, are a vehicle for integrating
mindfulness and awareness into everyday life.
Each represents a genuine contemplative path
that further enriches our day-to-day experience.
Sacred Path
The Sacred Path program introduces further practices
to develop warriorship and extend the student's
training in meditation. These practices are
based on a societal vision and aspiration to
help the world. Warrior Assembly, the culmination
of the Sacred Path program, is a living teaching
in creating enlightened society. This training
cultivates one’s dignity and natural gifts
in order to widen one’s sphere of compassionate
and practical influence.
Dathun
dathunDathun (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. The program includes 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 oryoki-style. Oryoki is a practice of mindful
eating borrowed from the Zen tradition. After
attending a dathun, students may choose to do
a solitary retreat, and a number of Shambhala
practice centres have facilities for individual
retreats. Dathun is a prerequisite for attending
Shambhala Seminary.
Enlightened World: The Three Yanas of Shambhala
Buddhadharma
This new 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 centres, this retreat
includes meditation instruction, study, and
contemplation and will provide an opportunity
to meet the Sakyong and practice under his guidance.
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 being a Buddhist,
following the example of the Buddha Shakyamuni,
his teachings (the dharma) and joining the community
(sangha) of fellow practitioners.
Read a talk by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche
on taking refuge
Read a talk by Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche on taking
refuge
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. Read about
prerequisites and how to apply.
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.
Shambhala Vajrayana Seminary
The Shambhala Vajrayana Seminary is the gateway
for entering the Shambhala lineage and engaging
in vajrayana Buddhist practices. 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.
Read about prerequisites and how to apply.
Vajrayana Practice
At Shambhala Vajrayana Seminary, students receive
vajrayana transmission from Sakyong Mipham and
instructions to begin the special preliminary
practices (ngöndro) of the vajrayana path.
The vajrayana path of practice and study includes
ngöndro 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 Centres
to support a student's practice with teachings,
group practice and guidance from acharyas and
the Sakyong.
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