By: Carmen Applegate
The Shambhala Meditation Center in Lexington, Kentucky, represents a unique expression of Buddhism in America. This center serves as a focal point for meditation practice and Buddhist study in the area, offering a blend of traditional Tibetan Buddhist wisdom and the Shambhala vision of creating an enlightened society.
History and Founding
The origins of the Lexington Shambhala Meditation Center can be traced back to 1975 when it began as a small Vajradhatu Dharma Study Group. This group was affiliated with the parent organization established by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche in Boulder, Colorado. Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, a Tibetan Buddhist teacher who played a pivotal role in bringing Buddhist teachings to the West in the 1970s, is considered the founder of the Shambhala tradition. His unique approach combined traditional Tibetan Buddhist practices with teachings on creating an enlightened society, which forms the core of Shambhala Buddhism.
The Lexington community’s journey from a small study group to a full-fledged Shambhala Center is a testament to its growth and evolution. Around 1980, due to an increase in membership and program offerings, the group officially became a Dharmadhatu, with a fully functioning executive committee. This transition marked a significant commitment to practice, with members actively reporting their meditation hours. The community’s dedication was further exemplified by their living arrangements, with many members sharing a “practice house” for several years.
In 1995, the Lexington Dharmadhatu took a major step by purchasing a building on Maxwell Street. This acquisition coincided with a broader shift in the organization, as it transitioned from a Dharmadhatu to a Shambhala Center. This change reflected not just a name alteration but a philosophical expansion. The center was no longer strictly a Buddhist organization but began to incorporate the three “gates” of Dharmadhatu (traditional Buddhist teachings), Shambhala Training, and Nalanda (contemplative arts).
The Buddhist tradition of the Lexington Shambhala Center combines elements from the Kagyü and Nyingma lineages of Tibetan Buddhism with the Shambhala teachings. This combination of practices was further refined by Sakyong Mipham, the son and spiritual heir of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. Today, the center identifies as Shambhala Buddhist, embodying a path that merges the wisdom of traditional Tibetan Buddhism with the vision of creating an enlightened society.
The Shambhala view emphasizes that every human being has a fundamental nature of goodness, warmth, and intelligence. This nature, often referred to as “basic goodness,” is believed to be innate in all beings and can be cultivated through meditation practice. The center teaches that by connecting with this inherent goodness, individuals can positively impact their families, friends, communities, and society at large.
Relationships with other Buddhist Communities
The Lexington Shambhala Center is part of a global network of over 150 Shambhala Centers and Groups spread across more than 50 countries. This connection provides a sense of broader community and shared practice. While the center maintains strong ties with other Shambhala groups worldwide, its relationships with other Western and Asian Buddhist communities are less explicitly defined. However, given the inclusive nature of Shambhala teachings, it’s likely that the center maintains open and respectful relationships with various Buddhist traditions in the area.
Community
The constituency of the Lexington Shambhala Center appears to be diverse, and the community seems to attract two main demographics: older, upper-middle-class professionals with disposable income and vacation time and younger individuals, often from similar socioeconomic backgrounds, who may temporarily live at the center or devote significant time to practice. It’s worth noting that the center has made efforts to be inclusive, offering work-study options and financial aid for those who cannot afford regular fees. This approach suggests a commitment to making their teachings and practices accessible to a broader range of individuals.
Events
The practices at the Lexington Shambhala Center are centered around meditation, particularly shamatha or “calm abiding” meditation. This practice, often referred to as “sitting practice,” forms the cornerstone of their approach to mindfulness and awareness. The center emphasizes that meditation is not just about achieving a calm state of mind but about cultivating the ability to stay present and aware in everyday life.
The center offers a rich calendar of daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly events. Regular meditation sessions include Café Shambhala every Saturday from 10 AM to Noon and Tuesday Tune In Meditation from 6 to 7:30 pm. These sessions provide consistent opportunities for community members to practice together. The center also offers contemplative weekend and evening classes, meditation retreats, and individual instruction in meditation by trained and authorized instructors.
Monthly events include potluck dinners on the first Friday of each month, fostering a sense of community beyond meditation practice. The center also hosts quarterly holidays and arts events, including visual art exhibitions, music performances, flower arranging sessions, poetry readings, and movement classes. Special programs like the monthly Ikebana Practice add variety to the center’s offerings.
One of the key programs offered by the center is the Shambhala Training levels, a series of weekend programs that aim to integrate Buddhist teachings into daily life. These courses provide intensive periods of practice and study. Additionally, the center has been involved in local community enrichment events and hosts art exhibitions, extending their reach beyond their immediate membership.
The center places a strong emphasis on the arts as a form of contemplative practice and community engagement. Their Mill and Max Gallery regularly features exhibitions of visual art, and the center’s YouTube channel offers recorded concerts and other artistic content. Virtual tours of art exhibits are also available on their website, making these cultural offerings accessible to a wider audience.
For those new to meditation, the Lexington Shambhala Center offers a welcoming and supportive environment. New meditators are encouraged to attend the Saturday morning sitting meditation sessions, which begin with basic instruction. Free meditation instruction is always available, reflecting the center’s commitment to making these practices accessible to all.
For those seeking more intensive practice opportunities, the center provides information about nearby retreat facilities, such as the “Ziji Tiny Retreats” cabin for individual retreats. This offering allows practitioners to deepen their meditation practice in a supportive environment.
Understanding of Buddhism within the Community
The unique blend of traditional Tibetan Buddhist concepts and Shambhala teachings shape the community’s understanding. Central to this understanding is the concept of “basic goodness,” which posits that all beings possess an innate quality of kindness and wisdom. Members are encouraged to discover and cultivate this inherent goodness through meditation practice and study.
Another key concept in the Shambhala approach is that of “warriorship.” Meaning, a warrior is not someone engaged in conflict but rather an individual who is “above war” and uses spiritual tools to live life in an open, kind, and generous way. This concept encourages members to actively engage with the world rather than retreat from it.
The Shambhala view also emphasizes the gradual path to enlightenment. While members aspire to full awakening, there’s an understanding that this is a process of becoming increasingly open and present, with the possibility of experiencing glimpses of enlightenment along the way. The practice of “becoming friends with oneself” is another important aspect, encouraging practitioners to approach their experiences, both positive and negative, with kindness and understanding.
Internal Structure and Funding
The center is led by a Council of six people:
- Director (Craig Sargent)
- Finance (Neil Griggs)
- Practice and Education (Lucia Gilchrist)
- Societal Health and Well Being (Susan Smith)
This leadership structure allows for a distributed approach to managing the center’s various activities and responsibilities.
Funding for the Lexington Shambhala Center comes from multiple sources. Membership dues form a significant part of their financial support. Members are encouraged to set up monthly auto-withdrawals or mail checks to support the center’s operations. The center also welcomes donations from both members and visitors. Program fees for courses and retreats provide another source of income.
The center’s approach to funding reflects its spiritual values. While there are costs associated with many programs, the center emphasizes that core practices like meditation instruction and weekly practice sessions are always free.
Membership in the Lexington Shambhala Center is open to anyone interested and involves three areas of engagement: practicing meditation, volunteering, and providing financial support. Benefits of membership include ongoing meditation instruction, invitations to community events, access to member resources, and automatic membership in the global Shambhala network.
Conclusion
The Shambhala Meditation Center in Lexington, Kentucky, represents a vibrant and evolving expression of Buddhism in America. Rooted in the teachings of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche and adapted to contemporary American life, the center offers a comprehensive approach to Buddhist practice and study. Through its diverse programs, inclusive community, and emphasis on applying Buddhist principles to daily life, the center provides a supportive environment for those seeking to explore meditation and Buddhist philosophy. As it continues to grow and adapt to the needs of its members and the broader community, the Lexington Shambhala Center stands as a testament to the dynamic nature of Buddhism in the American context, fostering personal growth, community engagement, and the vision of an enlightened society.
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