Frequently Asked Questions about

the Our Future fund

 

Why is the Sakyong going into retreat?

 

In late November of last year the Sakyong entered approximately one year of deep retreat. He has been planning this for some time. This extended period of intensive practice is extremely beneficial for the longevity of the lineage holder and for the health and strength of our community.

 

Everyone will recall with great poignancy that it was at this same point in his life that the Druk Sakyong passed into parinirvana. Engaging in this year of retreat will be vital for the Sakyong's protection, well being and longevity. The year of retreat will be an excellent opportunity for the Shambhala community to deepen its practice and devotion and experience the power and blessings of the year of retreat.

 

The Sakyong will divide his time between retreat locations in North America and Asia - except for a very brief period when he is expected to come out of retreat to give transmissions at a Vajrayana Seminary and Scorpion Seal Assembly.

 

Are there practices the Shambhala community can do to connect with this retreat?

 

"I will have everyone in my heart during this practice year. While I am on retreat, if I have one request, it is that at least one session a week you dedicate to me -- if I may be so bold -- once a week we can commune.  In the fourth time there is no difference and therefore all of us at some point will be on retreat. It is said that if one has the right aspiration, one gains the benefit of the practice of the guru and there will be an enhancing of our own practice. That will be a moment when we are joined."

- Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, November 2009

 

With the advise of His Eminence Namkha Drimed Rinpoche the Shambhala community performed a number of practices prior to 15 November, the Sakyong's birthday, meant to dispel obstacles and establish an auspicious ground for the year of retreat.

 

During one of his final talks with the community the Sakyong recommended that at least once a week we dedicate our meditation practice to him (see quote to the right). Members of the sangha will be advised shortly of other opportunities for practice that will allow us to "commune" with the Sakyong while he is in retreat.

 

Are there other ways to form a connection with the Sakyong's retreat?

 

One can also form a connection to the retreat by making a devotional offering. It is traditional that students make heart-felt offerings to a teacher who is embarking on a long retreat. Making such an offering deepens the karmic bond between the individual and the teacher during the period the teacher is not physically present and creates an energetic flow for the blessings of the lineage to descend.

 

All sponsors - no matter the amount of the offering - will automatically have access through to poetry, photos, and writings from the Sakyong’s retreat.

 

Where does a gift to Our Future go?

 

All gifts that are made to the Our Future fund go towards:

 

  • travel, household, and staff needs for the Sakyong's retreat
  • transcribing the commentary on the Shambhala Terma of the Vidyadhara
  • completing the Rigden Lineage thangka for all our centres
  • our core staff in Practice & Education working on the new curriculum

 

...and a number of other core expenses for Shambhala. For a budget statement please click here.

 

How does Shambhala Day factor into the Our Future campaign?

 

All gifts made on Shambhala Day go into the Our Future fund. The gifts received continues to fund the core services of Shambhala as it has in the past and also encompasses support for the Sakyong's retreat. As a result of the economic downtown some members have had to reduce or halt their monthly donations to Shambhala International, putting a strain on Shambhala's capacity to provide the services that all of our members desire. We ask that if you do have an existent monthly donation you do not change that in order to make a gift to Our Future.

 

What if I am already giving a monthly donation to Shambhala? Does that support Our Future?

 

It does. Traditionally gifts to Shambhala support the activities of the Sakyong as well as all the staff that provide services for our local centres (new curricula, oversight of finances, web-based support, etc). That has not changed. In addition, all gifts made to Shambhala or the Sakyong Ladrang since October 1st, 2009 support the Our Future fund.

 

What is the Sakyong Ladrang?

 

Each successive Sakyong – literally “Earth Protector” – is the spiritual and worldly ruler of Shambhala, the borderless kingdom of meditation practitioners committed to realizing enlightenment and social harmony through daily life. The Sakyong Ladrang supports the Sakyong and the Sakyong Wangmo in their worldly activities. It also acts to safeguard the sacred holdings of the Sakyong lineage to ensure the continuity of the Shambhala teachings. This allows these rulers of Shambhala to reveal the brilliant sanity of the Great Eastern Sun so that Shambhala may flourish for the benefit of all sentient beings.

 

How is the Sakyong Ladrang different from The Sakyong Foundation?

 

The Sakyong Ladrang generates wealth to support the current Sakyong’s activities, lineage properties and to create a healthy financial base for future Sakyongs. The Sakyong Foundation is our current Sakyong’s charitable foundation through which he can make offerings to specific projects. The Foundation provides support to organizations and projects whose activities exemplify the vision of Shambhala. For more information about The Sakyong Foundation click here.

 

Click here to make a gift to the Our Future fund.