Shambhala Buddhism

jupitermadcat

Hello,


Since i am having no luck with finding a Pure land group there is a Shambhala Group about an hour away would they be a good starting point for a newbie like myself? and what are your thoughts on Shambhala

Dakini

I think probably any group will work for a beginner, for the basics. I'm trying to be objective here, since I'm not a fan of Shambhala. I advise people to check the group and the teacher out, see what the vibe is, see if there's a structured curriculum, or if at least, the teachings are interesting and progress. There can be a sort of "groupie" feel to some sanghas, an infatuation with the teacher or the founder, a subtle pressure against independent thinking. Or not. Try it on for size, see if it's a good fit.

I've been thinking myself, it's too bad there aren't more Chan and other Mahayana groups around the US. It seems to be mostly Zen and Tibetan Buddhist, for Mahayana. There are online teachers, though.

jupitermadcat

But there are several zen groups very close to me.

Kwantum_Kev

@jupitermadcat, I agree somewhat with what @Dakini said. Only I can't speak truly from experience because I have never actually joined a sangha. I have sought advice though, and given the fact that there are things from Theravada, Mahayana, Zen, Shambhala, Tibetan and even other schools traditions I like, I just didn't see how I could ever truly be a part of one sangha. And from what those I asked said, it's not likely that I could find a sangha that actually practices different traditions; typically, they are based on one only.

Now, that could be totally incorrect. But it doesn't really matter, because I like the way I practice, and though I like to speak to other Buddhists, I don't feel that I need a teacher or guru - not other than the one that reveals itself to me through meditation and prayer anyway. That, and the many, many books that have been written on the subject, as well as the Buddhist Canon(s) - those all provide me with the teaching I need.

That is not to say that I am against joining a group or a sangha. It is meant only to assure you that even if you can't find a group that you like, you can still pursue the teachings of the Buddha and experience the joy and freedom from the practice by simply following the Eightfold Path, learning the 4 Noble Truths, and following the 5 Precepts. And these you can learn from almost any decent book on Buddhism.

If I may, I would like to recommend a great intro book : "Awakening the Buddha Within" by Lama Surya Das. It is an excellent read, and very informative and helpful, especially for a westerner. Check it out if you get a chance.

Good luck on your path, and namaste'

Kwan Kev

caz

People on the internet can only tell you of their experience, everyones karma is different so if one hears positive or negative comments that does not necessarily reflect what you yourself would experience with any said group. You can only go in with an open mind chat with the teacher and get a bigger picture of what its about. Its wise to try each one out for a good few sessions to see if your karmically matched

compassionate_warrior

I would try out all the groups in your area. That's the best way to find a good fit. The approach will be different, the mix of people will be different, each teacher's style will be different. See what feels best.

You can do online research about the teachers sometimes, too. There have been scandals in Tibetan Buddhism and Zen, so many people, including the Dalai Lama, say to research your teacher. A thread we had on the disciple-teacher relationship concluded that scoping out the sangha is just as important as checking out the teacher. Ideally, there should be rules of ethical behavior for the teachers, but many sanghas aren't onto the need for this yet, or they say that the "Three-Fold Training" the teachers go through is enough. It isn't always enough.

But enjoy the adventure of visiting the centers in your area, giving yourself time to really get a feel for each one. You'll be learning teachings as you go. Let us know if you find one you like.

HappyMondays

I go to the Shambhala Center here in Montreal, and it is very structured, it has fantastic courses that you can build on. Many require prerequisites, so you start at the beginning and move onwards from there. I have found it to be extremely profound and beautiful and filled with great teaching.
I would absolutely recommend you at least have a look at it. Reading anything by Pema Chodron, Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche and his father, the founder of Shambhala, Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, will give you more of an idea of what basic goodness and enlightened society are in Shambhala traditions.
Check it out!
Let me know how it goes if you do.

Best,

Tim