Helping to Understand Current Events in Shambhala

Shambhala International is in the midst of its own #METOO and sorting through the realities of sexual misconduct and power abuse within our own beloved organization. This page is a virtual reading room for our community. The intent has been to update this page with new information as it becomes available but a more complete compendium is being maintained at San Francisco Shambhala’s website.

Our aspiration is to stay true to the heart of the Shambhala teachings and bravely create open and compassionate spaces to heal past harms, as well as learning how to prevent harm. We aspire to learn from our personal and organizational shortcomings and create a good community and enlightened society.

 


From Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche

A Message from the Sakyong  2/21/2019

A Message from the Sakyong  2/4/2019

A Message from the Sakyong  7/10/2018

A Message from the Office of the Sakyong  7/6/2018

Letter from Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche to the Shambhala Community  6/25/2018

 


From the Transition Task Force

The Announcement of Shambhala Interim Board  10/11/2018

Update from the Transition Task Force  9/21/2018

Update from the Transition Task Force  8/30/2018

Nomination Process for the Interim Board and Process Team  8/18/2018

Letter from the Transition Task Force  8/07/2018

 


From Ani Pema Chödrön

Letter from Ani Pema Chödrön  9/22/2018

 


From the Kalapa Council

Letter from the outgoing Kalapa Council  10/15/2018

Update & Investigation Information  9/11/2018

Response to Recent Allegations of Misconduct  8/23/2018

Update and Investigation Info from the outgoing Kalapa Council  8/11/2018

Community Update from the Kalapa Council  8/3/2018

Letter from the Kalapa Council regarding leadership transition  7/30/2018

Letter from the Kalapa Council regarding delay  7/27/2018

Letter from the Kalapa Council  7/20/2018

Letter from the Kalapa Council regarding leadership transition  7/6/2018

Letter from the Kalapa Council  6/29/2018

Letter from the Kalapa Council  6/27/2018

 


Finance Reports and Communications

Finance Report: Update to the Shambhala Community  9/20/2018

Northern California Shambhala Financial Update  8/22/2018

Finance Report to the Shambhala Community  8/15/2018

Letter from the Shambhala Director of Finance  7/18/2018

 


From around the Shambhala mandala

Upcoming Live Forums with Acharyas (open to the Shambhala Community)  8/19/2018

Letter from the Northern California Leadership  8/1/2018

Letter from Shambhala Mountain Center  7/10/2018

A Letter from the Women Acharyas  7/8/2018

 


From An Olive Branch

Correction to Listening Post Announcement  9/10/2018

Listening Post Opening Tomorrow  9/3/2018

Update from An Olive Branch  8/23/2018

Letter from An Olive Branch  7/20/2018

 


From other Buddhist Communities

Letter from Kwong-roshi to the Northern California Shambhala Community  8/8/2018

 


Project Sunshine Reports

Project Sunshine: First Report 2/15/2018

Project Sunshine: Second Report  6/28/2018

Project Sunshine: Memorandum  7/10/2018

Project Sunshine: Third Report  8/23/2018

Project Sunshine: Closing One Chapter and Beginning Anew 9/28/2018

 


Other Resources

Shambhala Community Care Website

Shambhala Care and Conduct Policy 2015

An Olive Branch Website

Kay Pranis: The Art of Holding Circle — on circle practice

 


Buddhist News & Media Articles

Tricycle Magazine: Shambhala Head Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche Accused of Sexual Abuse in New Report

Lion’s Roar: Report alleges sexual misconduct by the leader of the Shambhala community

New York Times:  The ‘King’ of Shambhala Buddhism Is Undone by Abuse Report

 


Helpful writings & video by Buddhist Teachers

Susan Piver: On Shambhala  (this page seems to have been removed, so this is a broken link)

Shambhala teacher Ethan Nichtern: Reflections on Shambhala

Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche: When a Buddhist Teacher Crosses the Line

A video message from Lama Rod Owens to the Shambhala Community

A video message from Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo & Lama Tsultrim Allione

 


Teachings

Pema Chödrön: No Right No Wrong

Meditation in the City with Shanté Smalls: Holding Space, Healing Harm

Tricycle Magazine: Sex in the Sangha…Again (2013 interview)

 


Thank you to Kathryn Rile for curating the information for this page (originating on San Francisco Shambhala’s website.)