Diversity in Shambhala
Shambhala is a diverse community. Our centres are
located in different regions of the world, and
reflect different nationalities, cultures, languages,
ethnicities and races. In addition, people who come to our
centres may have different religious faiths, follow
different spiritual traditions or teachers, or have
different paths of practice and opinions, including political views. They have
different ages and genders, as well as different
sexual orientations, and physical, perceptual and
mental abilities.
What we share as a community is a desire to lead sane,
dignified, and confident lives. Through the
practice of meditation we cultivate the capacity to be
fully open to our experience, and the ability to
respond to everyday life situations with greater
clarity and respect—respect not only for our life
situations and ourselves, but for all individuals,
social groups and cultures as well.
This does not mean that Shambhala is a perfect
society. If you visit one of our centres, you may
find that it does not mirror in every way the
characteristics of the people who live in the cities
or towns where our centres are located. But please
note that it is the intention—and the stated
policy—of our centres to welcome everyone who
enters. This intention is at the very core of the
Shambhala Buddhist teachings.
The following documents contain information about the
work the Shambhala international community is doing to
respond to diversity challenges—based on the
teachings of our lineage, the practice of meditation,
and genuine communication.
“You are welcome in the Kingdom of Shambhala.”
–Shambhala President Richard Reoch, on the occasion of an elegant dinner hosted by the president
to celebrate diversity in Shambhala.
View Diversity Resources »
Follow this link to view a wealth
of information about diversity in Shambhala.
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