OTTAWA SHAMBHALA CENTRE

This is a list of key issues, proposed by the Ottawa Shambhala Centre, for consideration at the Shambhala Congress.

• Identifying the core values of Shambhala.
• Simplifying the organization and its operations in order to focus on activities directly related to our core values.
• Relating all our programs, such as Shambhala Art, to our core values as a means of manifesting these values within the larger society.
• Placing more emphasis on how the Shambhala Buddhist teachings can be practically integrated into both our individual lives and into building more humane communities.
• Developing links with other community, social and spiritual groups and organizations with similar values, and joining together with them to develop initiatives to create a more peaceful and humane society.
• Developing organized volunteer and charitable activities aimed at benefitting those who are the most vulnerable members of society; such activity would also increase the visibility of Shambhala in local communities.
• Providing on-going support to community members, particularly to those experiencing difficulties in their lives.
• Exploring ways to reconcile the conflicting demands of our personal and collective desire to "turn the flower outward," and the competing time/energy stresses related to livelihoods and family.
• Working towards the development of a more diverse community.
• Developing our capacity to raise funds in an efficient, transparent and effective manner.

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