The Shambhala Meditation Center is home to a Tibetan Buddhist community located in Scottsdale, Arizona. The center describes itself as a “householder lineage”, meaning its members are ordinary lay people instead of monastic followers. Its main teachers are volunteers who come to the center weekly to lead meditations and speak on teachings. The Shambhala center is open to people of all beliefs, not just those who consider themselves to be a member of the Buddhist religion.
Shambhala traces its origins back to an ancient city, famous for its compassionate and wise leaders and citizens. It is believed that these traits resulted from unique teachings the Buddha gave to King Dawa Sangpo, detailing enlightened society. Today, these teachings are held and protected by the Sakyong, or “Earth Protector”. The first modern Saykong was Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, a Tibetan meditation master. He was the lineage holder and incarnate lama for an impressive number of monastic followers prior to his exile from Tibet in 1959. From here, Rinpoche traveled to England to receive a formal education, and discovered his love for teaching westerners. He entered a period of deep meditation and self-reflection, which led him to propose a Shambhala-based vision proclaiming humanity’s inherent goodness. He believed that humanity needed to focus its approach on fundamental human dignity on a global scale, a belief that subsequently became the central principle for Shambhala. These teachings are the chief case, meaning Rinpoche considered them to be meaningful to all people, not just those following the Buddhist religion. Rinpoche moved to the U.S. in 1970, where he began to write and spread his teachings in an effort to present Buddhist teachings a way that was meaningful to western culture. This is what the meditation center and its members in Scottsdale strive towards in its teachings, practices, and traditions.
The current Sakyong, Jampal Trinley Dradül, was named in 1995. Dradül is Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche’s eldest son. He is believed to be the incarnation of Mipham the Great, and is thus referred to as Sakyong Mipham. His teachings focus on humanity at a crossroads and the need to undergo self-reflection about our core principles on a global scale. This “vision of a society trusting and believing in its inherent worthiness” is what Shambhala refers to as enlightened society.
At the Phoenix Center, Shambhala training takes place over five weekend sessions. The first level, The Art of Being Human, takes place through meditation. Members meditate on unconditional goodness as basic existence and open themselves to their potential as gentle and compassionate beings. Level two, Birth of the Warrior, is also completed through meditation. Members focus on the false habits they put in place to mask fear, and begin to realize there is no fundamental obstacle to basic goodness. Warrior in the World, the third level, focuses on being fearless in the way one experiences the world. Level four, the Awakened Heart, requires members to begin embracing others kindly and fully. Members are encouraged to approach the world with gentleness, inquisitiveness, and increased awareness. The final level, Open Sky, involves trusting one’s nature and letting go in the present moment. This provides an “open clear sky of mind- a delightful source of wisdom and uplifted energy”.
In addition to following the teachings of the Saykong, the Scottsdale center also looks to Pema Chödrön for guidance. Having studied under both Rinpoche and Saykong Mipham, Chödrön is the leading expert of meditation teachings and how they are applied to daily life. She is especially popular among Western Buddhists because of her easy-going and practical thoughts on Tibetan Buddhism. Chödrön is the current resident teacher at Gampo Abbey, located in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. This Tibetan monastery is the first of its kind, open to all Westerners wishing to begin their journey on the path of Tibetan Buddhism. In addition to her teachings, Chödrön has published several books that are studied by Shambhala Buddhists worldwide.
Sakyong Rinpoche wished to find a principle to help Shambhala followers on their path, and so he created the Dorje Kasung, or the “Protector Principle”. Dorje Kasungship draws its influence from the Mahayana Buddhist principle “compassionate action”, as well as the Vajrayana Buddhist practice of transforming the energy of neurosis into wisdom. This organization is based on the tradition of dharma protectors and drala warriors, or “dynamically active non-human beings inhabiting the air element”. It is charged with the protection of the spaces where members can hear and practice teachings. The Saykong wanted to create an uplifted dignity during teaching events, as well as provide protection, personal assistance, and medical aid to teachers and members of the community.
Members of the Dorje Kasung follow the principal motto “Victory over War”, which aids them in their ability to work during chaotic moments. In this motto, War refers to the three “poisons” the Buddha specified: aggression, grasping, and ignorance. To win Victory, one must acknowledge these and react to them with loving kindness and insight. This is a major aspect of Dorje Kasung training, which is done in a style similar to that of the military. The energy and discipline associated with this type of practice allows participants to embody compassion and spread it through their respective communities. Dorje Kasung protection encompasses the teacher, the teachings themselves, and the community who participates in the practice of the teachings. These protectors perform tasks as simple as standing guard at the gate to ensure a meditation practice is not disturbed, while their more elaborate responsibilities involve holding a role in ceremony ritual, transporting teachers, and controlling crowds at large events. Protectors can also specialize in one of three areas: personal and building security, personal service to lineage holders, or psychological and physical crisis intervention.
The Shambhala Meditation Center in Scottsdale is one of many centers connected to this Tibetan Buddhist branch. As a global community, Shambhala focuses on “the principle that every human being has a fundamental nature of basic goodness”. Its members work towards this understanding through community gatherings, teachings, and meditation. This sect of Buddhism is unique in the way that “the heart of Shambhala is universal, and is expressed in diverse ways through local cultures”. Shambhala communities can be found on all six colonized continents, with more than 200 centers in 50 different countries. This global community is organized under the principles of the classic mandala; this type of organization involves “an energizing pattern of relationships radiating out from a central organizing principle”. For Shambhala, this principle is the Shambhala lineage and teachings. The lineage holder, the Sakyong, is in charge of appointing leaders, meditation instructors, and local teachers. This system ensures that, while each community is unique in its cultural appearance, the main teachings and practices remain uniform. Shambhala Buddhism is also closely tied to the Kagyu and Nyingma lineages, whose lamas come and teach the community regularly.
In addition to its global sister communities, the Scottsdale center identifies itself with three other like-minded organizations in the valley: Mindful Hikes, Kunzang Choling of Phoenix (KCP), and Dharma Punks. Mindful Hikes, a Zen hiking experience, occur every Saturday morning and involve 30 minutes of silent meditation on a specified topic or issue. The KCP is a dharma center run by Bardor Tulku Rinpoche, who is recognized as the third incarnation of Terchen Barway Dorje. This center works to “recognize our primordially pure Buddha mind and heart, developing our innate qualities of wisdom and compassion for the benefit of all”. Finally, Dharma Punks is a peer-led meditation group with no specific lineage, though they slightly identify with Noah Levine and Against the Stream Buddhist Meditation Society. They offer silent meditation practices for anyone wishing to participate in group sessions.
The center offers a variety of classes and programs throughout the week, as well as several specialized events during the calendar year. On Wednesdays from 7-7:30 pm, they participate in a mid-week meditation sitting; this program consists of a sitting, a tea break, and a book study and discussion. Currently, the center is focusing on readings from “The Shambhala Principle” by Sakyong Mipham, Rinpoche. On Sundays, the center offers regular morning meditation from 9:30-11 am. This time is devoted to sitting and walking meditation, followed by a tea and snack break, and concluded with a book study and discussion. The Sunday group is currently studying readings from “The Path of Individual Liberation” by Chögyam Trungpa, Rinpoche. This teaching is the first volume in the Profound Treasury of the Ocean of Dharma, which is being studied by another group on Mondays. They meet at 6:30 pm for a light supper at their Mid-Town Delek before beginning their study at 7 pm. The discussion lasts an hour and a half, focusing solely on the Ven. Chögyam Trungpa’s thirteen Vajradhatu Seminary transcripts. The purpose of this study is to educate followers on the teachings of Hinayana, bodhisattva Mahayana, and Vajrayana tantric path.
In addition to their weekly classes, the center has several specialized programs available to all members. Membership is open to all people, not just those who identify with the Buddhist religion. To become a member, you are expected to begin paying dues to the center, though how much you pay is up to you. Once you have completed this process, you are welcome to join as many classes and programs as you please. December and January are popular months for events at the center, with 7 programs occurring over the 61 days. The first, Primordial Rigden Ngondro and Werma Group Practice, is being held on December 10th from 9:30-5:00 pm; however, this program is restricted to only those members who have attended Sacred World Assembly. Following this, the center is offering Shambhala Sadhana Practice Open to Community on December 14th. This event occurs monthly on or near the full moon, and aims to grow and strengthen the community’s understanding of “basic goodness” and “enlightened society”, as well as draw the participants together in loyalty, kinship, delight, and vision. All community members are welcome, though only those who have received Shambhala Sadhana at Enlightened Society Assembly may participate in the Shambhala Sadhana practice sessions. The final program offered in the December-January section is the Essential Heart of Kasungship II, held January 20th-22nd and led by Aaron Snyder, Rupön. This event works to deepen the participant’s understanding of the path of Kasungship while also strengthening his own practice of Dorje Kasung. The program, excluding the Friday night talk, is only open to members of the Dorje Kasung; however, exceptions may be allowed at the Rupön’s request.
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Riley Corona