Building the World of Shambhala
 The
Shambhala Mandala
According to the Shambhala tradition, there is a natural source
of radiance and brilliance in the world, which is the innate wakefulness
of human beings. This was the basis of the legendary Kingdom of
Shambhala, an enlightened society of fearlessness, dignity and compassion.
It is this wisdom that the Shambhala Mandala seeks to bring into
today's world of rampant materialism and spiralling violence.
Sustaining the mandala
When you enter the Shambhala Mandala, you become part of
a global community that includes you and your local center or group.
As in any sacred mandala, there is also a central focus of energy.
In the Shambhala Mandala, that central role is played by the ancestral
lineage of Sakyongs who hold the teachings and guide our community.
At the center of our mandala we also have Shambhala International
and Shambhala Europe -- the people that help us plan major programs,
supply the materials we need for our curriculum, and help us deal
with all the legal, financial and organizational needs we have in
common. It's that center of the mandala -- the Sakyong and the central
services of our community -- that we endeavour to support with regular
donations.
How you can best help
One-time donations
are always appreciated and are a valuable contribution to the essential
support of the mandala. But they only happen one at a time, which
means we can't rely on them as the basis for long-range planning.
It takes a lot of repetitive effort to make constant appeals for
one-time donations, and there is always the risk that we won't raise
the money we are counting on. And apart from all the risks, it actually
costs us more to raise one-time donations, because we need to spend
money on special mailings and appeals each time.
None of those problems happen with recurring
monthly donations. Once you fill in the form, the
monthly payments happen automatically. We don't need to ask you
about it again. The only thing we ask from time to time is if you
would consider increasing the amount! But the simple fact that your
gift arrives regularly each month, gives us a much better basis
for planning our finances. It doesn't matter about the weather,
wars or the stock-market, we know we can count on you. And, of course,
if you wish to stop making the payments at any time, for any reason,
you can.
Shambhala Society
Bulding Shambhala is a vast vision. It is the enduring inspiration
transmitted to us by The Vidyadhara and it continues to be the heart-essence
of the Sakyong's leadership today. In addition to offering meditation
instruction, classes and study programs, we are building a society.
That means we have to put a lot of effort into working together
and communicating with each other. So even if you are unable to
make a recurring donation at this time, we know there are many other
ways in which you are helping to build Shambhala. On behalf of the
Sakyong, I thank you for everything that you are doing through your
own practice and generosity, in these difficult times, to manifest
as a citizen of Shambhala.
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