Archive

Start of the Shambhala Global Newsletter

The newsletter contains the Annual Report 2021, a link to An Olive Branch Recommendations: Update to the Shambhala Community from the Shambhala Board updated April 2022, and a link to a (read only) FAQ from the Shambhala Board.

Shambhala Board May Update

Monthly update from the Shambhala Board

Gampo Abbey Incident

Report on an incident involving alleged invasion of privacy, and voyeurism.

Shambhala Board Spring Update

Extensive update from the Shambhala Board, including progress information on An Olive Branch Recommendations.

Update from the Shambhala Finance Office

David MacLellan, Director of Finance, reports on 2021 and the current financial situation of the Shambhala organization.

Update from the Office of Practice and Education

Announcement of the changes in structure and workflow for the Office of Practice and Education to adapt to the changed relationship between the Sakyong and the Shambhala organization.

Drala Mountain Center Files Voluntary Chapter 11 Petition to Restructure Debt

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the crisis in Shambhala, which began in mid-2018 and resulted in the cancellation of significant Shambhala-related programs.

Moving Forward as a Community Post Mediation

Shambhala Board statement about the outcome of the mediation between the Shambhala and Sakyong Potrang Boards.

Joint Statement on Mediation Settlement

Joined statement with the outcome of the mediation between the Shambhala and Sakyong Potrang Boards.

New Name for SMC: Drala Mountain Center

Shambhala Mountain Center announces its new name: Drala Mountain Center.

Message on behalf of KSMR

Names, rights, permissions, and responsibilities of appointments offered by the Sakyong, dissolve. Email sent by Mr. David S. Brown, secretary to the Sakyong,  to people holding on of the mentioned titles, informing them of this.

Sharing Summary Report: Voices of the Shambhala Community

The Shambhala Community Conversations Team shares a Summary Report on 41 open Shambhala Community Conversations held throughout 2021.

Update from the Office of Community Care and Conduct

Shambhala News Service newsletter issue with comunications from Tara Templin, Shambhala Director of Community Care and Conduct.

Now Available: 2021 Conversations Summary Report

This report records the perspectives and aspirations of Shambhala community members, as captured in a series of 41 open Shambhala Community Conversations held throughout 2021.

Important News from SMC

Shambhala Mountain Center’s Executive Director Michael Gayner announces in this newsletter that the Sakyong Potrang agreed to relinquish their veto powers and its seat on the SMC Governing Council.

Shambhala Statement on Harm in our Community

Statement on Harm in our Community from the Shambhala Board.

Update from the Office of Care and Conduct

Ongoing activities of the Office of Care and Conduct.

September Update from the Shambhala Board

Shambhala 2020 Annual Report

Yearly report from the board.

Joint Statement from the Directors of the Shambhala and Sakyong Potrang Boards (3)

The two boards agreed to enter into formal mediation.

Joint Statement from the Directors of the Shambhala and Sakyong Potrang Boards (2)

The assessors have now completed their work and submitted their reports to the two boards.

Update from the Office of Community Care and Conduct

May 2021 update from the Office of Community Care and Conduct.

April Shambhala Board Update

April update of the Shambhala Board with the 2020 Financial report, an update on Care and Conduct activities, appointments and departures, and more.

Creating An Even More Kind & Caring Shambhala Together

Call for donations for Shambhala Global Services, with a video report from the Office of Community Care and Conduct.

Joint Statement from the Directors of the Shambhala and Sakyong Potrang Boards (1)

The Shambhala and Sakyong Potrang Boards have now agreed to conduct an assessment of possible structural options, which include different degrees of integration and separation

Letter from the Open Torii

The announcement of a group of teachers and practitioners including Diana Mukpo that they are organizing a “Mahasangha Gathering this Summer”. It will be a ten-day assembly, tentatively scheduled to take place in July this summer at Shambhala Mountain Center.

New Code of Conduct Implementation and Recruitment

New Shambhala Code of Conduct implementation and procedures that go into effect on Shambhala Day 2021.

December Shambhala Board Update

An extensive update which includes a new report of harm that was not earlier reported, and an overview of the efforts of the Shambhala Board “to continue working with the Sakyong Potrang and the Sakyong on a way forward”.

Therapy and Counselling Program for Shambhala Community Members Seeking Assistance

The Shambhala Board of Directors announces, as part of the Reparative Process for Shambhala, they are partnering with Robert Wright, MSW, RSW, Executive Director of the People’s Counseling Clinic (PCC), to pilot an ongoing therapy offering and counseling program for Shambhala.

Shambhala 2019 Annual Report

The Shambhala 2019 Annual Report with a link to download the PDF on Member’s website.

August Update from the Board

Letter to the Community from Shambhala Acharyas

Acharyas that remain supplicate the Sakyong to continue to teach in a letter to the community.

Three Recent Acharya Retirements

Recently three acharyas retired from their posts. Below, the Times has published their individual letters to the community.

Release of New Code of Conduct Policies

Publication of the new Code of Conduct for Shambhala.

A Letter from Walker Blaine, Master of Liturgies

Walker Blaine, Master of Liturgies to the Sakyong, submitted this letter to the Shambhala Times to be shared with the Shambhala Community.

Why Shambhala Is Important To Us

A call for donations.

Applications Open for Community Grants

Letter to the Sangha from Diana Mukpo

Retirement of Acharyas

The Shambhala Board, via the Shambhala News Service, points to the Shambhala Times, where the Acharya Retirement Letter is now published.

Acharya resignation letter

The following is a statement to the Shambhala community, offered by a group of acharyas who are resigning from their role but will remain active in Shambhala and beyond. It was not sent through official Shambhala channels. The letter is dated July 5, but published July 6th on Facebook, the Shambhala Network website, and shared among sangha members, moments after the announcement of Walker Blaine.

Upcoming Acharya Retirements

Walker Blaine, Master of Liturgies to the Sakyong, announces the announcements of acharyas stepping down.

‘Sensing Shambhala’ the survey results are here!

Link to view webinar with Code of Conduct Support Group

In June 2020, the Code of Conduct Support Group and Tara Templin, Director of Community Care and Conduct, presented a series of webinars to Shambhala members explaining the foundation of the new Code of Conduct documents which will be released later in the year.

A Message from the Shambhala Board

The Shambhala Board’s response to the violence against Black Americans.

May Update from the Board

Extensive update with appointments and departures, report on meetings with the Sakyong and Sakyong Potrang, financial reports, update on progress on the making of the new Community Care and Conduct, and more.

A Letter to Students of Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche

A letter from the Nepal Pilgrimage Planning Group to all students of the Sakyong. Note: the letter mentiones a recent newsletter from Shambhala Europe which is not linked in the original text. The link was added.

May 2020 Newsletter from Shambhala Europe

Newsletter issue of Shambhala Europe with an introduction to the current employees, their aspirations and some legal information about the organization. It references Bylaws from 2012.

An Update and Urgent Request from Shambhala Land Centers

The Shambhala land centers’ fundraising in times of corona.

Rigden Nepal Pilgrimage March 8-15, 2020

Journal of the Rigden Nepal Pilgrimage 2020.

Child Protection Policy (CPP) Release

Publication of the new policy.

March Update from the Board

March 2020 update

Community Update on COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

The Shambhala Board asks all center leaders and members to follow the guidance from your local public health organizations.

CMR Letter Feb. 2020

Report from Dorje Kasung Leadership about the 18 months before.

SMC Update February 16, 2020

Update from SMC, where they state, among other things, they cannot invite the Sakyong to teach at SMC at this time.

Finance Update: 2019 Year End Summary and 2020 Budget

Community Message from the Board

The Shambhala Board responds to the upheaval that happened after their decision to join Dechen Chöling’s invitation for Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche to confer the Rigden Abhisheka.

Announcement of New SGS Staff

Announcement of new Shambhala Global Services (SGS) staff members Melanie Klein, Tara Templin, and Jeff Scott.

Message from the Shambhala NYC Interim Governing Council

NYC Interim Governing Council writes the Shambhala NY community it opposes the decision of the Shambhala Board to support Dechen Chöling to invite the Sakyong to give the Rigden Abhisheka this year to the students that requested it.

January Update from the Shambhala Process Team

First update from the process team in 2020

Important Information About Grants & Board Nominations

Communication Regarding Rigden Abhisheka in 2020 at Dechen Chöling

The Shambhala board announces the decision to support DCL’s invitation to the Sakyong to confer the Rigden Abhisheka in June 2020.

Shambhala Community Fund

Introduction of the new Shambhala Community Fund.

A Message from the Sakyong

Board Nomination – Details & Process

The first email from the new Board Advisory Nominating Group.

Dechen Chöling needs you

End-of-year fundraising letter where is shared that Dechen Chöling is exploring the possibility of hosting a Rigden Abhisheka led by Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche in 2020. Email dated Dec 5, 2019, email sent Dec 7, 2019.

December Update from the Board

The topics in the letter include updates on proceeding with recommendations to changes to our current code of conduct, an update on the Flynn Group investigation, information on the Shambhala Community Grant program, information on applying or nominating someone to be a member of the Shambhala Board and an important new Shambhala Global Services (SGS) hire.

Third Quarter 2019 Shambhala Global Services Financial Report

Link to PDF the Shambhala Global Services third-quarter financial report. Available for Shambhala members.

An update from the Shambhala Process Team

Theory U workshop update.

The Sakyong and Sakyong Wangmo Visit the Netherlands

A blog post from the Sakyong Potrang.

90k Challenge – We Did It!

Outcome of the last fundraising.

90k Challenge – We Are Almost There!

Update on the fundraising.

October Update from the Interim Board

The Shambhala Interim board becomes the Shambhala Board and personnel changes.

Open Positions at Shambhala Global Services (SGS)

Announcement of vacancies for Director of Operations and Director of Community Care and Conduct.

A message from the Process Team Steering Committee

More introduction of the Theory U from the Shambhala Process Team Steering Committee, and invitation to start learning more about it.

The 90k Challenge Update And A Heartfelt Request

In a a very sensitive time for fundraising in light of the recent sale of Marpa House, the Shambhala Interim board continues with fundraising.

August Update from the Interim Board

The Shambhala Interim Board announces, among other things, to stay on for another two years under the name of the Board of Shambhala.

Invitation to Participate in Free Online Theory U Course

Invitation to join the Shambhala process team to learn about the Theory U.

Message from Community of Marpa House

Response from the Marpa house community to the last communication of the Shambhala Interim Board.

Moving Forward with Sale of Marpa House

Announcement of the sale of Marpa house

Investigation into Handling of Child Abuse Issues

Announcement of the Shambhala Interim Board to hire a third-party investigative firm to investigate what occurred in the Michael Smith case.

Shambhala Mountain Centers response to Denver Post and Boulder Daily Camera article

Director Michael Gayner and the Shambhala Mountain Center Governing Council responding to the news in local news channels reporting “Shambhala, the Boulder-born Buddhist organization, suppressed allegations of abuse, ex-members say”

July Update from the Process Team

Process team announces to adopt the use of the awareness-based change methodology called Theory U.

SMC Response to Recent Denver Post Article

Recent Arrests of Former Shambhala Members

Shambhala International’s interim board suspends Southward from his leadership roles Sunday (June 30) “pending further investigation.”

June Update to the Shambhala Community

Update from the Shambhala Interim board.

The Challenge Continues

One more fundraiser to have a balanced budget for Shambhala Global Services in 2019.

Update from the Process Team

June 2019 update from the Process Team.

Update on Marpa House

Announcement of the decision on the sale of Marpa House by the Shambhala Interim Board

Further Correction to April Update

Where Shambhala Publications was mentioned, it should have been Kalapa Media.

Update from the Process Team

April update from the PT.

Important Message from Dechen Chöling

Call out from the director of Dechen Chöling, asking to come and stay and attend programmes, as registrations for programmes are 30% down with last year and there is a projected operating shortfall of 250,000 EUR for 2019.

CORRECTION: April Update from the Interim Board

Rectification to state that the Sakyong Potrang owns and controls the Halifax Court.

April Update from the Interim Board

Monthly update from the Interim board

Final Report on the Buddhist Project Sunshine Investigations

Final report from Carol Merchasin, investigator of the Buddhist Sunshine project, published on Facebook, Reddit, and the Buddhist Project Sunshine Report website.

Community Update from the Process Team

Process Team Steering Committee update

Finance Report to the Community

Finance report with announcement of sale of Marpa House.

Reports from An Olive Branch

Publication of the reports of An Olive Branch: 1) Listening Post Report, 2) Final Report from An Olive Branch and 3) Code of Ethics Draft.

Comunicado Acharya y Shastris

Chilenean Acharya and Shastris announce that they step down from their function. Read Google translation

March Update to the Community

Monthly update from the Interim Board

Process Team Introduction to the Community

Introduction of the intended way of working of the Process Team

Message from the Sakyong

Letter to the Community from the Acharyas

All Acharyas signed this letter, requesting the Sakyong to step back from his teaching for the foreseeable future.

Open letter from Lady Diana Mukpo to the Shambhala community

Letter by Diana J. Mukpo, the Druk Sakyong Wangmo, who was married to Chögyam Trungpa, the father of Sakyong Mipham.

A Letter from the CMR

Letter through the Dorje Kasung News Service, responding to the Wickwire Holm report and the letter that six kusung send.

Response to Kusung Letter

The Shambhala Interim Board responds to the Open Letter to the Shambhala Community from Long-Serving Kusung.

An Open Letter to the Shambhala Community from Long-Serving Kusung

Six Shambhala students who have served as Kusung, a role of close personal protection and direct service to the Sakyong, come forward with a letter to the Shambhala community. In addition to a signed, joint statement, each has provided stories that describe Sakyong Mipham’s behavior.

Reflections on the Wickwire Holms Report – A Message from Carol Merchasin

Carol Merchasin, the Buddhist Project Sunshine investigator, reflects on the Wickwire Holms Report and the response of Sakyong Mipham on that report.

A message from the Sakyong

Sakyong Mipham reflects on his earlier communications.

Wickwire Holm Report

Shambhala Interim Board Report to the Community on the Wickwire Holm Claims Investigation into Allegations of Sexual Misconduct

Wickwire Holm Report announcement

Email of the Shambhala Interim Board releasing the Wickwire Holm Report.

Finance Update from the Interim Board

An update about the financial situation of the Shambhala organization and how the Interim board is dealing with it.

Process Team Announcement

This letter announces the names of the Process Team (PT) and PT Steering Committee.

December Update to the Community

Update of efforts of the Interim board after two months of it’s existence.

Message from the Interim Board About Shambhala Day 2019

The interim board asks the community to gather as a community and to keep supporting the organization financially.

Care and Conduct Update

Update on Code of Ethics and the Care and Conduct policy.

In Response to Articles Citing Possible Investigation at Shambhala Mountain Center

Shambhala Mountain Centers Executive Director responding to the news of police investigation of possible criminal activities at Shambhala Mountain Center.

Community Letter from the Interim Board

The Interim Board’s first update, after one month in office.

Update from the Transition Task Force

Update on the progress on the forming of the Process Team.

Introduction Letter from the Shambhala Interim Board

From the Kalapa Council

The Kalapa Council members stepping down. The Kalapa Council dissolves.

Announcement of Shambhala Interim Board

The introduction of the Shambhala Interim Board of Directors by the Transition Task Force.

Pema Chödrön: Letter to the Shambhala Community

Email sent by the Shambhala Transition Task Force.

CMR Update September 2018

The Council of the Makkyi Rabjam (CMR) denying allegations referencing Jesse Grimes. Mr. Grimes is one of the members of the CMR and at the time of this email also a member of the Kalapa Council.

Shambhala Mountain Center Update from Director Michael Gayner

Shambhala Mountain Center update

Update & Investigation Information

Update from The Outgoing Kalapa Council with a clarification and explanation on the extension of the investigation.

Correction to Listening Post Announcement

Listening Post Opening Tomorrow

An Olive Branch announces the opening of the Listening Post.

Open Letter to the Shambhala Community

A letter from Ballard Spahr, a law firm that has offered to advise Shambhala’s leadership pro-bono on how best to navigate the investigation process. Steven Suflas, a partner at Ballard Spahr, wrote the attached memo which provides an outside view -according to the Kalapa Council- of the Wickwire Holm investigation process.

Tricycle: Report Reveals New Sexual Assault Allegations Against Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche

Michael Scott, a lawyer for Sakyong Mipham, responded to the Phase 3 report in an email to Tricycle

Buddhist Project Sunshine Phase 3 Final Report

Subtitled “The nail: Bringing things to a clear point”

Update to the Shambhala Community

Process update from An Olive Branch

Investigation of Allegations of Sexual Misconduct

The Kalapa Council announcing the third party investigation of the Wickwire Holm firm and An Olive Branch.

Stepping Down As “Shastri,” Staying For The Shambhala Community

Introduction to the Shambhala Community

Introduction of An Olive Branch by project director Katheryn D. Wiedman.

Message from the Shambhala Director of Finance

Shambhala’s director of Finance asks for your patience and continued financial support.

A message from the Sakyong

Letter from Sakyong Mipham.

SMC’s Statement Regarding Allegations of Sexual Misconduct by the Spiritual Leader of Shambhala, Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche

This statement was originally emailed to Shambhala program participants on July 10, 2018.

Memorandum II on Sexual Misconduct

Update on the findings of sexual misconduct of Sakyong Mipham

A Message from the Sakyong

A Letter from the Women Acharyas

The Women Acharyas of Shambhala offering support

A Message from the Office of the Sakyong

The announcement that the Sakyong has decided to step back from his administrative and teaching responsibilities.

Leadership Transition

The Kalapa Councillors step down from their posts.

Naropa University Statement Regarding Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche

Naropa University asks the Sakyong to resign from both his role as an ex officio member of the Board and as the current Naropa Lineage Holder.

Notes from the meeting with the Kalapa Council

Dan Phillips, center director of the Atlanta Shambhala center, and Shastri Sue Gilman share their notes of a Zoom call with the Kalapa Council where the Sakyong was present.

Reflections on Shambhala

Buddhist Project SunshinePhase 2 Final Report

Subtitled “A3-month Initiative To Bring Healing Light To Sexualized Violence At The Core Of The Shambhala Buddhist Community”.

Community Message from the Kalapa Council

A Message from Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche

Email sent just before the second Buddhist Sunshine project comes out.

A Message from Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche

Community Update from the Kalapa Council

Shambhala Community Letter Addressing Harm

This letter of the Kalapa Council was also posted on Facebook the same day.

(Facebook) The Kalapa Council would like to share an important message

The Kalapa Council acknowledging that “inappropriate relations” between members and between teachers and students were not always addressed with care and skill.

Letter From Lady Diana

Diana J. Mukpo message a few days before the first Project Sunshine report came out.

Andrea Winn’s February 9, 2018 post in the Shambhala FaceBook Group

Ms. Winn names one senior Shambhala member, Mitchell Levy, by name, stating that he has caused great harm in the community.

Project Sunshine start

Start of Project Sunshine, the initiative ‘to bring light and healing to sexualized violence embedded within the Shambhala community’.