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North American People of Color Scholarhsip Fund Established

Mar 9, 2007

The North American People of Color Scholarship Fund, an initiative launched by a number of Shambhalians in North America wishing to support the mandala-wide efforts for increased diversity in our community, has now come into effect. It was conceived by Shambhalians attending the first Rigden Abhisheka, at Shambhala Mountain Center, in 2005. After extensive consultation, it has now been approved by the Sakyong's Council.

The fund is aimed at increasing the number of people of color in Shambhala who serve as Shambhala guides, meditation instructors, teachers and level directors.

The fund will provide financial assistance to people of color who are members of Shambhala and who have completed preliminary Shambhala School of Buddhist Studies courses, Shambhala Training levels and qualify to attend dathuns, Warrior Assemblies, seminaries and meditation instructor and teacher training programs.

The details of the fund were developed by Ms Mabinti Dennis from the Toronto Shambhala Centre, Ms Alice Dan, director of the Chicago Shambhala Center and Mr Bill Auerbach from the New York Shambhala Center, in consultation with President Reoch, Ms Carolyn Mandelker of the Shambhala Office of Practice and Education and Terry Rudderham of the Shambhala Office of Finance and Development. Mabinti, Alice and Bill are confident that in years to come many NAPOCSF scholarship recipients will become meditation instructors andteachers in Shambhala and be able to contribute to the richness of Shambhala society, transmitting the teaching of basic goodness and offering support to people who share their backgrounds.

"This will benefit the entire sangha and help alleviate suffering among a broader spectrum of people in our local communities and in our diverse world," they say.

Shambhalians who reside in Canada, Mexico and the United States will be eligible to apply for a NAPOCSF scholarship. At present, however, the organizers are in the process of soliciting contributions to the fund, which will be tax exempt. Once there are sufficient funds to award scholarships, the fund's board of directors will invite applications for scholarships. NAPOCSF's board of directors include Ms Mabinti Dennis (Toronto), Mr Marvin Robinson (Kelley's Island), Ms Blessie Selvig (Evanston), Mr Bill Auerbach (New York City), and Ms Estelle van de Pavert (Boulder). Ms Alice Dan (Chicago), Mr Cortez Rainey (Baltimore) and Mr Alex Halpern (Boulder) are advisors to the board.

The founders of the NAPOCSF plan to expand this diversity initiative to cover the needs of other affinity groups if it proves successful.

For more information about how to contribute to NAPOCSF and to apply, please read the fund description on the Diversity website.

Visit the Diversity Website

(This announcement was from the Shambhala News Service)