Resources for Helping our Sangha to Understand Current Events in Shambhala

Dear Friends,

Thank you for your interest in the Shambhala Meditation Center of Washington, DC. Since June 2018, our worldwide Shambhala community has been going through a lot of upheaval from allegations of sexual misconduct against the Shambhala lineage holder, Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche. As of February 21, 2019, Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche has stepped back from all teaching and administrative duties in Shambhala for the foreseeable future due to findings of sexual misconduct from an independent investigation and other reports of harm.

We have put together a virtual reading room for our community that contains a statement from the DC Shambhala Center, as well as links to communications from Shambhala governance groups and the Sakyong, news articles, helpful blog posts, and teachings. We will continue to update this page with new information as it becomes available. This list is not intended to be exhaustive.

We offer this with broken hearts as we hold our sangha in kindness. Our intent is to remain in a place of openness and not-knowing, to listen to our community, and to try our best to pass on any information that we receive, even as we come together to work on holding and healing the community. These are confusing, painful, and sorrowful times for everyone.

Thank you for your patience, kindness, and understanding.

 

—2019—

Statement by the Shambhala Meditation Center of Washington, DC

Letters from the Shambhala Interim Board

Financial Report to the Community 3/26/2019

Message from the Interim Board Regarding the Olive Branch Report 3/19/2019

March Update to the Community 3/9/2019

Response from the Interim Board Regarding the Kusung Letter 2/18/2019

Message from the Interim Board Regarding the Wickwire Holm Report 2/3/2019

Financial Update from the Interim Board Regarding Marpa House 2/3/2019 (log in)

Letters from the Process Team

Community Update from the Process Team 4/04/2019

Introduction to the Process Team 3/06/2019

Letters from Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche

A Message from the Sakyong 2/21/2019

A Message from the Sakyong 2/4/2019

Letter from the Acharyas

Letter to the Community from the Acharyas 2/20/2019

News Articles

The Arrest of William Karrelis 2/1/2019

Reports

Olive Branch Report 3/19/2019 (scroll down page)

Wickwire Holm Report 2/3/2019

 

—2018—

Letters from Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche

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

Letters from the Shambhala Interim Board

Message from the Interim Board about Shambhala Day 12/27/2018

Message from the Interim Board about the Care and Conduct Policy 12/23/2018

Community Letter from the Interim Board 11/26/2018

Introduction Letter from the Shambhala Interim Board 10/31/2018

Announcement from the Shambhala Interim Board 10/11/2018

Letters from the Transition Task Force

Update from the Transition Task Force 12/22/2018

Update from the Transition Task Force 11/2/2018

Letter from the Transition Task Force 9/21/2018

Letter from the Transition Task Force 9/13/2018

Letter from the Transition Task Force 8/30/2018

Letter from the Transition Task Force 8/18/2018

Letter from the Transition Task Force 8/7/2018

Letters from the Kalapa Council

Letter from the outgoing Kalapa Council 10/15/2018

Letter from the outgoing Kalapa Council 9/11/2018

Letter from the outgoing Kalapa Council 8/23/2018

Letter from the outgoing Kalapa Council 8/11/2018

Letter from the Kalapa Council 7/30/2018

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 / Communications

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

Finance Report to the Shambhala Community 8/15/2018

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

Letters from Women Acharyas

Letter from the Women Acharyas on Community Offerings 8/19/2018

A Letter from the Women Acharyas 7/8/2018

Letters from An Olive Branch

Letter from An Olive Branch 9/10/2018

Letter from An Olive Branch 9/3/2018

Letter from / Introduction to An Olive Branch 7/20/2018

Letter from Ani Pema Chödrön

Letter from Ani Pema Chödrön 9/22/2018

News

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

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

Writings and Teachings

Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche, When a Buddhist Teacher Crosses the Line, Lion’s Roar (October 2017)

A video message from Lama Rod Owens to the Shambhala Community

A video message from Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo & Lama Tsultrim Allione

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