Sexual Misconduct Issue
This is a painful and confusing time for everyone. In an effort to fully share information regarding what is happening in our Shambhala community, we are offering the following listing of information and teachings. They are listed from newest (top) to oldest.
The information available in some of these links is restricted to Shambhala members and will require a login. If you would like to comment on these events, you may respond to our local leadership by emailing [email protected]. To communicate with the Interim Board, you may email [email protected]. Shambhala maintains a page with links to many of these documents at https://communitycare.shambhala.org/
Guest Presenter Guidelines: Adopted September 2021, these guidelines are for how to relate to outside speakers and teachers.
Here is a link to to the recent Shambhala Centre/Group Leadership Survey, October 2020.
Timeline links (newest first):
Post Mediation Documents 2022. This page is on our website and is updated as new documents are shared by the Shambhala Board and by Shambhala Global Services.
Walker Blaine Letter on Self Determination, October 12, 2021.
Joint Statement from the Shambhala and Potrang Boards, September 9, 2021. The two boards are in a process of mediation on two issues: 1. independence for Shambhala and the Shambhala Board from the authority currently held by the Sakyong and the Potrang; 2. ownership and use of the Shambhala trademarks.
Joint Statement from the Shambhala Board and Sakyong Potrang Board, June 24, 2021. Both Boards appointed experienced Community members to work together as independent Assessors, these Assessors have just given their reports to both boards. They focused on P&E, Governance, Culture and Decorum, The Kasung, intellectual property, and communication among entities.
Joint Statement from the Shambhala Board and Sakyong Potrang Board, Feb 13, 2021. After helpful conversations involving Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, the boards have now agreed to conduct an assessment of possible structural options, which include different degrees of integration and separation.
Latest Update From Lady Diana Mukpo’s Working Group, Feb 11, 2021. Includes their vision, Early history of Werma, and Kagyu and Nyingma Three Yanas
Letter from the Shambhala Board Feb. 1, 2021 re Code of Conduct procedures, and other links
Report from the Process Team, Jan. 13, 2021
Letter from the Shambhala Board: December 16, 2020
Shambhala Centre Group Leadership Survey: October 2020
Letter from 14 Acharyas Who Are Not Retiring: August 16, 2020
Three Recent Acharya Retirements: August 14, 2020
Letter from the Board – New Code of Conduct Policies: August 4, 2020. To download pdfs of these policies, go here.
A Letter From Walker Blaine: July 30, 2020.
Sense of Shambhala Survey Result: results of the Process Team’s survey of members worldwide, July 24, 2020
Letter to the Sangha from Diana Mukpo: July 16, 2020. This just appeared on the Shambhala Times website here.
Acharya Retirement Letter: Published in Shambhala Times July 8, 2020. The following is a statement to the Shambhala community, offered by a group of 13 acharyas who are resigning from their role, but will remain active in Shambhala and beyond
Upcoming Acharya Retirements: An Announcement from Walker Blaine, July 6, 2020
Open Letter from 71 Dharma Brats to Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche: June 24, 2020; Also published on Shambhala Times, here.
Pilgrimage Letter: May 14, 2020
Shambhala Mountain Center Update: February 16, 2020
Letter to the Troops (Dorje Kasung) from its leadership, February 2020
Letter to the IB from the board of the Stockholm Shambhala Centre, Feb. 7, 2020 (requires login to Shambhala Network)
Community Message from the Interim Board (re Dechen Choling teaching), Feb. 2, 2020
Message from the Shambhala NYC Interim Governing Council: January 22, 2020
January Update from the Process Team, 1/20/2020
Letter from Ani Pema Chödrön: Shambhala Times, January 16. 2020
Interim Board – Important information about grants and board nominations 12/30/2019
Petition on change.org against the Sakyong teaching at Dechen Choling
Board-Communication re Rigden Abisheka teaching at Dechen Choling in 2020, 12/29/2019
Message from the Sakyong, 12/14/2019
December update from the Interim Board, 12/12/2019
Third quarter financial report, 11/17/2019 (access requires a Shambhala member login)
Update from the Process Team, 11/12/2019
Update from the Interim Board, October 2019
Letter from Jessica Bizub (former director of the Milwaukee Center) to the Interim Board, July 2019
Interim Board – Mid-Year Financial Report, July 29, 2019.
Interim Board – Investigation into Handling of Child Abuse Cases, July 24, 2019
Interim Board – Recent arrests of former Shambhala members, July 1, 2019.
June Update from the Interim Board, June 28, 2019.
Update from the Process Team, May 1, 2019
Second correction to the April update, May 2, 2019
Correction to the April update, April 26, 2019
April update from the Interim Board, April 25, 2019
Finance Report to the Community, March 26, 2019
Reports from An Olive Branch, March 19, 2019.
Introductory letter from the Process Team, March 6, 2019
Letter from Shastri David Kahane, 2/21/2019 (requires Shambhala logon)
Third letter from the Sakyong, agreeing to step down for the forseeable future, Feb. 21, 2019
Letter from the Acharyas, Feb. 20, 2019
Letter from the Interim Board in response to the Open Letter from Long Serving Kusung, Feb. 18, 2019 (contains link to the letter)
Letter from Lady Diana Mukpo in Shambhala Times, Feb. 18, 2019
Second letter from Sakyong Mipham, Feb. 4, 2019
The Wickwire Holm report, Feb. 3, 2019
Finance Update from the Interim Board, Feb. 1, 2019 (this is the notice of intention to sell Marpa House)
Final message from the Transition Task Force, Jan. 27, 2019
Process Team update, 1/20/2019
December update from the Interim Board, Dec. 30, 2018
Care and Conduct Policy update by the Interim Board, 12/23/2018
Community letter from the Shambhala Interim Board, Nov. 26, 2018
Introduction letter from the Shambhala Interim Board, Oct. 31, 2018
Final Letter from Kalapa Council, Oct. 15, 2018
Response from the Kalapa Council 8/23/18 regarding Project Sunshine Phase 3
Shambhala Financial Report August 15, 2018
Updates from the Transition Task Force, August 7 August 30
Letter from the Leadership Transition Team, July 20
Letter from An Olive Branch introducing themselves Update Aug. 23
Update from Kalapa Media 7/13/18
New York Times article 7/11/18
Letter from Shambhala Mountain Center 7/10/18 (PDF) or view at Shambhala San Francisco’s site
Second letter from the Sakyong to the Shambhala Community 7/10/18
Letter from the Women Acharyas 7/8/2018
A Message from the Office of the Sakyong 7/6/2018
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
Letter from Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche to the Shambhala Community 6/25/2018
The Shambhala Care and Conduct Policy
Project Sunshine First Report
Project Sunshine Second Report
Project Sunshine Memorandum II 7/10/18
Project Sunshine Phase 3 Final Report August 23, 2018
Buddhist News Articles
Tricycle Article
Lion’s Roar Report alleges sexual misconduct by leader of Shambhala community
Helpful writings by Shambhala Teachers
Susan Piver On Shambhala
Ethan Nichtern Reflections on Shambhala
A video message from Lama Rod Owens to the Shambhala Community
A video message from Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo & Lama Tsultrim Allione
Pema Chödrön No Right No Wrong
Meditation in the City with Shanté Smalls (podcast) Holding Space, Healing Harm
