Festival of the Shambhala Terma
Join us in a celebration of the precious and profound teachings of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. Let us celebrate our profound teachings and strengthen our confidence in contributing to the world in these challenging times.
This cycle of Shambhala teachings, the Shambhala Terma texts, were revealed by the Dorje Dradul of Mukpo, Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, after his escape from Tibet and coming to the West. Terma are potent teachings that provide a method for accomplishing enlightened action appropriate for each time and generation. In these times where plague, famine and war are prevalent, where society is so polarized, where the message from Mother Earth to care for her is being largely ignored, and where geopolitical strife is so common, the Shambhala teachings give us the courage, strength and confidence to see ourselves and relate to the poignancy of the human condition, with a mind of genuine sadness and faith in basic goodness.
The retreat will provide a living teaching in creating enlightened society and contribute to the Shambhala Community, Dechen Choling, and the vision of a good human society. Let us celebrate these precious and profound teachings of the Dorje Dradul and strengthen our confidence in contributing to the world in these challenging times.
Common to all the Shambhala terma is the vision of the Great Eastern Sun, the practice of Windhorse, and opening perception to things as they are. During this program, the full assembly will explore these themes together each morning as a group and students will also choose one of the following study tracks to focus on during the program in the afternoons. (Please enter your selection in the comments field of the registration).
For those who also participate in the Buddhist Studies program immediately before this, the program fee of 500 € will be waived.
Dechen Chöling also offers financial assisitance if needed. Please contact [email protected]
1- The Letter of the Black Ashe Shambhala Sacred Path intensive. —Open to those who have completed Level 5 of Shambhala training. This offering comprises the Sacred Path programs of Great Eastern Sun, Drala, Windhorse and The Four Dignities. See more information below.
2- The Letter of the Golden Key– Open to Warrior Assembly graduates. An in depth exploration of this much overlooked text from the perspective of Ashe practice, deepening in the practice of enriching presence and the natural hierarchy of phenomena. See more information below.
3- Tiger Lion Garuda Dragon Glory — Open to Warrior Assembly graduates. An exploration of the Dorje Dradul’s auto commentary on the terma text, The Golden Sun of the Great East and the associated practices received at Warrior Assembly. See more information below.
4- The Roar of the Werma, The Sadhana of the Warrior – This is an opportunity to enter into, connect, refresh and explore the practice and meaning of this sadhana. Open to all Werma Sadhana practitioners as well as those who attended Warrior Assembly and Sacred World Assembly (or equivalent, where pointing out transmission was given in a Shambhala context). There is no requirement for having completed ngöndro. See more information below.
More information about the Sacred Path, track 1
Shambhala Training 1-5 introduces students to the simple and profound practice of sitting meditation; discovering the basic goodness in oneself and one’s world brings confidence– a way of warriorship in the world that is grounded in tenderness, discipline, and fearlessness.
For those who have completed the first five levels of Shambhala training, the teachings of the Sacred Path are an opportunity to deepen our experience and understanding of basic goodness. A warrior’s glimpse of the Great Eastern Sun vision provides the basic force for relating experientially to the magical living energy of Drala, the power of Windhorse, and opening our perception to the world as it is.
We will meet every morning as a complete assembly to practice and learn about Drala and Windhorse and in the afternoons break out into a separate group to explore the Four Dignities as presented in the root text, The Letter of the Black Ashe. This program satisfies the requirements for the following Sacred Path Programs: Great Eastern Sun, Drala, Windhorse and the Four Dignities. (Please enter your selection in the comments field of the registration).
More information about the Golden Key, track 2
This is a unique post-Warrior Assembly program that has never before been offered in our community. Participants of this track will explore the foundational terma text, The Letter of the Golden Key Which Fulfills Desire, from the perspective of Ashe Stroke, Ashe Lungta, and enriching presence practices.
Rediscover this text and the inherent richness and splendor within our fundamental sense of being. Having cultivated our own authentic and enriching presence, we are able to interweave ourselves with the natural richness of the phenomenal world, embodied in the drala of lha, nyen, and lu, the natural hierarchy of phenomena. (Please enter your selection in the comments field of the registration).
More information about the Tiger Lion Garuda Dragon Glory, track 3
Join us for an opportunity to go further with the practices and study received at Warrior Assembly. Participants of this track will receive the Tiger Lion Garuda Dragon Glory text, a commentary written by the Dorje Dradul for the root terma text Golden Sun of the Great East, which students receive at Warrior Assembly. The Tiger Lion Garuda Dragon Glory is an essential and crucial text for deepening understanding of the Ashe principle, as well as the Ashe Stroke and Lungta practices. Ashe Lungta transmission will be offered for those who have not yet received this practice at their Warrior Assembly. (Please enter your selection in the comments field of the registration).
More information about the Werma Sadhana, track 4
In 1980, during a retreat in Patzcuaro, Mexico, the Dorje Dradül composed The Roar of the Werma: The Sadhana of the Warrior in order to practice the teachings contained in the two Scorpion Seal terma texts he had received in the previous year. This practice text, or sadhana, was written because of the need for Shambhala vision in our world and the need for future generations to develop a strong connection to their primordial human wisdom.
The Dorje Dradul said “if you want to know my mind, do this practice”. Generations later, many of us continue to be inspired by his vision for a good human society. We practice the Werma Sadhana to connect to the Dorje Dradul’s mind, his lineage, and his vision. (Please enter your selection in the comments field of the registration).
Prerequisite to receive the Werma Sadhana transmission: Warrior Assembly and Sacred World Assembly or equivalent (where pointing out transmission was given in a Shambhala context). Please note that in 2026, the prerequisite will be simply completion of Warrior Assembly.
Practical
Arrival day: Saturday 12 July. You’re invited to come from 4 pm in order to register and settle in your room. Dinner is served at 6.30 pm, and the orientation talk is at 8 pm.
End of program: Tuesday 22 July. Closing circle and banquet in the evening
Departure day: Wednesday 23 July. You may leave anytime (no programme). You’re welcome to stay for lunch.
This programme is taught in English and will be translated in French. Requests for interpretation in other languages must be made in advance and confirmed (please indicate your request for interpretation on the registration page).
Programme price
| Regular | 500 € | |
|---|---|---|
| Patron | 608 € | Help support lower income participants |
| Early Bird | 425 € | Expires 12 April 2025 |
| Under 30 years of age | 250 € |
If you require financial assistance to attend this programme please contact [email protected].
Price information
