About Enlightened Society Assembly (formerly Sutrayana Seminary)

Enlightened Society Assembly is a precious opportunity to receive, practice, and study the profound and sacred teachings transmitted through the traditions held within Shambhala.

In particular, the program will emphasize the view of the intrinsic basic goodness of all beings, practices that rouse bodhicitta and compassionate openness, and confident activity that engages fully in the world.

During the assembly participants will be offered two new vows. With the Shambhala vow we commit to our own basic goodness, and with the Enlightened Society vow we commit to the goodness of others and society. After taking the vows students will receive the Shambhala Sadhana, a practice written by the Sakyong that helps us contemplate these commitments and deepen them over time.

As always, this assembly will integrate study, practice, and community. During this assembly led by Shambhala acharyas, students live in a Shambhala environment, alternating periods of intensive meditation practice with classes in Shambhala Buddhist view and practice.

Preparation

Students applying to Sutrayana Seminary should have completed the following before the program :

• A dathün.
• The Way of Shambhala I (including Heart of Warriorship and Rigden weekends ) & II (which includes Sacred Path levels).
  This is a new requirement. In this transition , if you were planning to attend the Enlightened Society Assembly but will not be able to complete the Sacred Path before the program, please talk to your local Director of Practice and Education to discuss ways of covering this material before the program.
• Membership in your local Shambhala Meditation centre/group or a Shambhala International membership if you live in a remote area where center membership is not possible. Students who don’t live near a centre can become a member of Shambhala by contacting Adrienne Gauthier at ace17@cox.net
  Students from Europe not living near a local centre can contact Christine Drabek to arrange a Shambhala Europe membership.

As always, we will consider exceptions to these pre-requisites in this transition year, and in particular, for those who live in remote areas or in smaller centers.

How to Apply

Acceptance to Enlighened Society Assembly is determined based on the student's level of practice, study and development. To submit an application, follow the link for the assembly you are interested in under the following section, "Scheduled Assemblies."

Applications will be reviewed oly after all parts of the applications are received.

1. A completed application
2. A recommendation form from your meditation instructor, submitted separately
3. A $25 US application fee (can be paid online with Visa or Master Card)

Please note:

The application fee can be paid online with Visa or Master Card) or by cheque to Shambhala, 1084 Tower Rd., Halifax, NS B3N 3C3, Canada

For those who don't have a Visa or Master Card, the application fee for programs at Dechen Chöling can be paid directly to Shambhala Europe. For information about how to arrange payment, please contact Christine Drabek at drabek23@googlemail.com .

Scheduled Assemblies

Note: In applying for the Enlightened Society Assembly, students are agreeing to take thte Shambhala vow (if they haven't already) and the Enlightened Society vow as part of the program.

For additional information or to submit an application for a particular program, follow the relevant link below:

• 2012 Karme Choling Sutryana Seminary
  February 4 - February 19, 2012
  at Karme Choling
  led by Acharya John Rockwell, Acharya Eve Rosenthal
  Still accepting applications.
  
  

Submitting Recommendations

To submit a recommendation for a program applicant, select the program they are applying for above and follow the instructions under Recommenders.

Financial Assistance and Program Discounts

The host practice centre sets aside a portion of the revenue from each of its programs for financial assistance. Please note: In order to maintain consistent policies between the programs when they're held at different locations, normal discounts offered by the practice centers do not apply.

After you have applied for the program, you will be provided a link to the Program Financial Assistance Application. Financial assistance awards will be determined based on relative need.

For More Information

Information on pricing, application requirements, who to contact, etc., can be found in the program fact sheets for the individual assmeblies. To access the fact sheet, follow the link for the program you are interested in under the section, "Scheduled Assemblies " above.

Please note that the program fee includes an honorarium for the lead teachers. You will also have an opportunity to make a personal gift to the teachers at the end of the program.

Return to the Advanced Program Page.