Diversity in Shambhala
Shambhala is a diverse community. Our centers are located in different regions of the world, and reflect different nationalities, cultures, languages, ethnicities and races. In addition, people who come to our centers may have different religious faiths, follow different spiritual traditions or teachers, or have different paths of practice and opinions, including political views. They have different ages and genders, as well as different sexual orientations, and physical, perceptual and mental abilities.
What we share as a community is a desire to lead sane, dignified, and confident lives. Through the practice of meditation we cultivate the capacity to be fully open to our experience, and the ability to respond to everyday life situations with greater clarity and respect—respect not only for our life situations and ourselves, but for all individuals, social groups and cultures as well.
This does not mean that Shambhala is a perfect society. If you visit one of our centers, you may find that it does not mirror in every way the characteristics of the people who live in the cities or towns where our centers are located. But please note that it is the intention—and the stated policy—of our centers to welcome everyone who enters. This intention is at the very core of the Shambhala Buddhist teachings.
“You are welcome in the Kingdom of Shambhala.”
— Shambhala President Richard Reoch, on the occasion of an elegant dinner hosted by the president to celebrate diversity in Shambhala.