“Kindness and patience are not just niceties. They are actually the fabric of our survival. We are fortunate because we have these words. But now it is time to build a culture based upon the meaning of these words.” Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche.
Shambhala Day marks the beginning of the new year. The most important holiday of the Shambhala calendar, it’s a time to celebrate rebirth and renewal and to express the richness of our spiritual and cultural heritage through feasting and friendship.
This year Shambhalians from around the world farewelled the Year of the Firebird and welcomed in the Year of the Earth Dog*. Within the animal zodiac dogs are seen as humanitarian and selfless, striving for justice and equality. They are loyal, decent, courageous, magnanimous and prosperous, and with the added element of earth the dog’s energy becomes efficient and grounded.
But how do we as Shambhalians apply this in practice? Some members shared how they plan to make a difference during the year. Some look forward to celebrating the strength of the knowledge that we are all one, while others see the Year of the Earth Dog as an opportunity to take the message of “peace now” out into the world. Click here for more.
Shambhala Day also marks the occasion of our annual global fundraiser. This year a new record target of US$750,000 was reached, raised mostly from small donations from Shambhalians and supporters across the world. Why do people give to Shambhala? For most it’s simply a way to show appreciation for the teachings and to help spread the message of basic goodness to all parts of the world. Click here to see what some Shambhalians have to say.
Shambhala Day at Dechen Chöling
At Dechen Chöling we started the new year with early morning Werma practice, followed by a beautiful Lhasang ceremony and colour party in front of the chateau. Afterwards there were morning chants and an I Ching reading in the Drala Hall, and then we gathered to eat brunch.
The highlight of the day was an address after the evening feast from Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche. Streamed live to more than 25 countries, the Sakyong spoke this year about the importance of kindness. He encouraged us to embody kindness, dignity and care as a response to the challenges we face, and to manifest those qualities as a community. He said that we, as Shambhalians, must be the “moonbeam of cool, sentient kindness” in the darkness, extending this out to the world and soothing pain and suffering where we find it.
Click here to watch the Sakyong’s full address and other international videos from the day.
* Earth Dog photo credit: Shambhala Meditation Center of Philadephia