Resources for Helping our Sangha to Understand Current Events in Shambhala

Many of you know that our community is going through tremendous pain and upheaval as reports regarding harm and sexual misconduct by the Shambhala lineage holder, Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, and other leaders have recently come to light.  This information is bringing up many conflicting emotions for our teachers, leaders, students and community friends. On February 21, 2019, the Sakyong sent a letter to the international Shambhala community indicating that he would step back from his teaching and administrative roles for the forseeable future.

We offer the information below as a resource to allow transparency to our community and friends regarding the situation as it is unfolding. This list is not meant to be exhaustive.  As new resources become available we will continue to add them to this page.  Please check back over the coming months as matters proceed. We do this with broken hearts as we hold our sangha in kindness.

INDEX:

 


Communications from Shambhala International

 


Communications from the Sakyong

 


Communications from An Olive Branch

Contact An Olive Branch if you have experienced any form of harm in Shambhala and wish to report it. Their letters, announcing the opening of The Listening Post and how it works, can be found here and here.

 


Communications from the Transition Task force

 

Communications from the Interim Board

 

Communications from the Process Team

 

Communications & Resources from Seattle Leadership

 


Buddhist Project Sunshine Reports

 


Other Reports

 


Finance Reports & Communications

 


Other resources

How to Get Involved: Community Offerings

There is clearly more work to do and our sangha is making the path forward as we walk it. We are all in uncharted waters. In addition to the letters and commitments from the Seattle Governing Council, here is a list of opportunities to come together to hold space, practice, and be in community with this situation in the present moment. All are welcome.

Upcoming:


Past:


Here are more ways you can get involved:

  • Contact An Olive Branch if you have experienced any form of harm in Shambhala and wish to report it. Their letters, announcing the opening of The Listening Post and how it works, can be found here and here. When we receive a communication from An Olive Branch that the new Ethics Policy and Grievance Procedure are in place we will share it with you.  
  • Attend Listening Circles to share your voice with fellow community members and leadership.
  • Talk to your leaders: Our local center directors and Governing Council members would like to learn what you need and hear your ideas about how to move forward. You can reach the Governing Council at council@seattleshambhala.org.
  • Host your own conversations. Members might take it upon themselves to support one another and host meaningful conversations at this time. This could be informal get togethers or collaborating with the center to host a Salon. If you’d like to host a Salon, please contact Terry Jaworski at garuda12@gmail.com.

 

If you have questions about this page, please contact seattle@shambhala.org.