Social Engagement Advisory Group

Chair

Lance Brunner
brunner@uky.edu

Short Bio

Objectives

Reports

The Question of Engaged Buddhism: An Exploration of the Shambhala Tradition (includes interview with Richard Reoch)

A Vajra Dawn voice (Tally Briggs) presents an introductory inquiry to this issue to one of the leading academics in the field at Harvard. “Most schools of thought that call for moral or ethical living engage in positive social change to some degree. The question is how outwardly directed or how passive that action is. …The question actively on the minds of many Shambhala practitioners, teachers, and future leaders today is: “How can we as Buddhists manifest our beliefs in action?” What is our responsibility, beyond practicing compassion, to actively work to change the structural causes of suffering? As we move into the 21st century with war, genocide, and starvation still very much a part of our world condition, we must actively and intensely explore our options to effect positive social change as we progress along the Buddhist path.”

Social Engagement at Vajra Dawn

Core Topic Working Group Report:  Shambhala Path of Social Action (PDF)

Dechen Chöling Report on Shambhala Path of Social Action Program (May 2004)

Shambhala Survey: The Social Dimension [PDF]

Is it true that many members of the Shambhala community are already deeply engaged with social issues? In preparation for the Shambhala Congress, President Richard Reoch asked a small number of Shambhala Centres to survey their members to find out.

Glimpses of Shambhala: Six Sangha Stories

What does it mean to embody Shambhala Vision in your life's work? In preparation for discussion of the Shambhala Path of Social Action,  we identified a small sample of people drawn from different parts of the mandala who manifest that vision in diverse ways.

Meeeting Minutes

10 February 2005 (PDF)

26 June 2004, Dorje Denma Ling

23 June 2004, Dorje Denma Ling

Objectives

  • Advise  and assist President Reoch, who  has overall responsibility, in consultation with the Sakyong, for developing and steering the  Social Service, Social Engagement and Social Action aspect of our mandala.
  • Write a report to President Reoch and the sangha, which will be distributed for  discussion and comment in September or October.   The report will  likely include suggestions for group discussion such as Talking Circles to  help facilitate inclusive and heart-felt participation of the  sangha.  Based on comments received, an updated version will be  prepared in time for the next Congress this February.
  • Set up an  interactive web space where the ongoing work of the Social Engagement  Advisory Group on social service/engagement/action can be viewed and where  the sangha can post their comments and ideas on how to go forward in  “opening the flower outward.”
  • Gather  and publish information and comments on what has been done by the sangha  worldwide, including lists of different areas in which people are already  working.
  • Explore  various aspects and possibilities of the new Social Service component of  the emerging Shambhala ngöndro and help facilitate the greatest success  for that.
  • Locate  and develop resource materials to aid in the expansion of the social  dimension of the Shambhala mandala- including developing syllabi for  training.
  • Provide reliable  information about good and trustworthy organizations where people can go  to volunteer or participate.  This will include a clearinghouse or database  or resource list for people to go to.
  • Conduct a  survey to find sangha social action/engagement projects and proposals for  such projects; and a list of those persons committed to participating in  the design of such programs.
  • Provide a resource  book of materials that can help facilitate reflection on the social  dimension of Shambhala.
  • Actively engage  people at every part of our mandala, including in every center, in active  participation in this ongoing path.

What Has Taken Place (as of August 2004)

At the first Shambhala Congress, the Path of Social Action was acknowledged as a Core Topic of importance within our mandala.  During 2004, programs were held at Dechen Chöling and Dorje Denma Ling on the theme of The Shambhala Path of Social Action to practice together, contemplate and discuss the social dimension of Shambhala Vision. Both programs were led by the President who has overall responsibility, in consultation with the Sakyong, for steering this aspect of development of our mandala.  The Social Engagement Advisory Group helped shape those programs and is now undertaking its Objectives.  A weekend practice program, titled Exploring a Shambhala Path of Social Action, has been taught for the past three years and will next be offered at Karme Choling, December 5 – 7.  The Sakyong’s announcement of the new Shambhala ngondro with its prominent social action component has dramatically heightened and expanded this process.

An article accepted in The Dot describes more fully what has taken place and where this Path is going. 

Lance Brunner - short Bio

I discovered and embraced the Shambhala path in the mid-1980s, at which time I was very involved with peace and justice issues.  I was searching for a practice that would help make me more effective in working in the world, and I found a precious treasure in the Shambhala path.  I have also been involved since that time in leadership development, first as a Kellogg National Fellow (1985-88), and then as director of a leadership program for grass-roots community leaders in the Appalachian region from 1990-1996.  I have directed Shambhala Training levels since 1993 and have recently facilitated programs on contemplative art and creativity, both for Shambhala centers and other groups and organizations.  I attended Vajrayana Seminary in 1999.  I am also a professor of music history at the University of Kentucky, and serve as Director of Graduate Studies in Music there.  I am very happy to be involved in an exploration of how we can be more effective as a sangha in creating enlightened society.


Updated 2005/02/27