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Shambhala vs Kagyu

TakuanTakuan Veteran
edited May 2012 in Buddhism Basics
Hello all,

I've recently moved and found two Buddhist centers near my apartment. The first is a Shambhala center and the second is from the Karma Kagyu tradition. Does anyone have any experience with either of these schools? I've read about both, but I have no direct experience with them. What would the differences between the two be?

Comments

  • Floating_AbuFloating_Abu Veteran
    Diamond Way has some controversy so steer clear.
    Other than that, seems OK. My impression is Shambhala are quite wealthy and they were founded by the well known Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche.

    Why don't you visit both to get a sense and ask questions?

    Best wishes,
    Abu
  • personperson Don't believe everything you think The liminal space Veteran
    The origin of Shambala is Karma Kagyu, but much of the teachings are westernized and some are Chogyam Trungpa's attempt at presenting a spiritual path free from the trappings of religion. I haven't spent much time at the local Shambala center near me but I know a lot of the people there and they seem just like any other Buddhist people.
  • DakiniDakini Veteran
    edited May 2012
    Have you decided that Tibetan Buddhism is for you? I'd explore all options in the area, paying several visits to each. Ask if they have a curriculum, a program that progresses from the basics up to more advanced. (Some don't seem to.)

    Diamond Way recently purused legal action in relation to some women with blogs denouncing the leader for psychological and sexual abuse, and against a Swiss newspaper that published a negative article about the Diamond Way leader.

  • TakuanTakuan Veteran
    @Floating_Abu

    I had no idea that there was anything going on. Thanks for the heads up!

    @Person

    Thanks for the info. I really appreciate it!

    @Dakini

    To be honest, I would prefer a Zen center, but these are the only two sanghas in my area. I was personally leaning toward Shambhala because I know Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche was influenced by Zen.
  • LamaMikeLamaMike
    I knew Trungpa when he lived in England. His background was Kagyu/Nyingma (and Shambhala). He was certainly interested in Zen but I wouldn't say he was very much influenced by it. I think he was mostly intrigued by its similarity to Dzogchen.

    I must admit that I initially assumed that he had invented the Shambhala teachings. However, other lamas have assured me that "Shambhala" is a real, secular spiritual tradition though they told me that Trungpa had simplified it for westerners.
  • Floating_AbuFloating_Abu Veteran
    He studied a little with my Zen teacher way back in the day.
  • TakuanTakuan Veteran
    I found this



    Its and explanation of what Shambhala really is. I found it quite enlightening. I look forward to visiting the center!
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