Another location to find current events in Shambhala International is at The Shambhala Times.

Shambhala Lineage Festival, vows talk by Acharya Simmer-Brown now online for all

Sep 15, 2011

Acharya Judith Simmer-Brown's talk about the new vows -- the Shambhala Vow and the Enlightened Society Vow -- that will be offered by Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche during the upcoming Shambhala Lineage Festival are now available to view online for those who were not able to see this presented live.

Please visit this site to receive these important teachings prior to the Shambhala Lineage Festival September 24 and 25: http://shambhalainternational.adobeconnect.com/p2bc7i37m2e/

The Shambhala Lineage Festival will be a worldwide event to celebrate our relationships with one other and to explore how, as Shambhalians, we can personally, communally, and globally view basic goodness as the guiding force in our lives. It challenges us to ask the question, with the world seemingly at a crossroads socially and environmentally, can we arouse our bravery and confidence to truly establish enlightened society?

The Festival arose out of the responses sent to the Sakyong from those who contemplated the questions he posed in The Letter of the Morning Sun. In that letter, he asked us to think about how we would like to apply basic goodness to our lives, to the vision of Shambhala, and to the world. Many of the responses expressed a wish to be able to make a formal commitment to the vision of creating enlightened society.

Accordingly, the Sakyong has composed two new vows while on retreat in Nepal: the Shambhala Vow and the Enlightened Society Vow.

The Shambhala Vow is an acknowledgement and proclamation that basic goodness is the essential nature of humanity. Further, this vow celebrates one's connection to the Shambhala community and to the practice of meditation as a way to realize that goodness more fully. It is open to people of any religion who have made such a connection to Shambhala.

The Enlightened Society Vow goes further, stating that basic goodness is the nature of society itself. Taking this vow is making a commitment to work tirelessly towards realizing a society of greater goodness. More advanced students who have either been to, or are near to attending Sutrayana Seminary or a Warrior Assembly, are welcome to take this vow.

Senior Students: The Sakyong welcomes all long-time Shambhala students who have been working hard to fulfill the vision and inspiration of the Vidyadhara, and who may have taken vows of this nature before, to join him in reaffirming and celebrating their fearless warriorship and deep commitment to this vision. This will be a one-time only event with the Sakyong. In the future these vows will be presented at specific places on the path where new students will have a chance to contemplate if they would like to engage in this way.

Friends Are Welcome: The larger community, family and friends of those taking the vows, are cordially invited to witness the vow ceremony and celebrate this special event with the Sakyong and the Shambhala community.

Please check your local Shambhala Centre or Group for the schedule of events in your area.

(This announcement was from the Shambhala News Service)