By Jennifer Writtey
Shambhala was an enlightened kingdom—some say mythical; others, actual—situated somewhere in the Himalayas in the time of the Buddha. What made this kingdom "enlightened" was not necessarily that all its citizens had accomplished spiritual transcendence, but that they operated from the assumption that all beings are basically good. Consequently, people treated each other and all living creatures with decency, respect and dignity.
Shambhala International was founded in the early 1970s by Tibetan meditation master Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, in the United States of America. Drawing their inspiration from Tibetan Buddhism, the Shambhala teachings proclaim our innate human wisdom and its capacity to solve the problems facing our world today. More than 200 Shambhala centres and groups around the world are working to build enlightened society through our individual discovery of basic goodness in the practice of meditation.
Shambhala South Africa is the only such group on the continent of Africa. In addition to programmes such as the meditation intensives and trainings at Fynbos, it offers teachings, meditation instruction and practice at its weekly drop-in group at Erin Hall in Rondebosch, Cape Town. All are welcome. Please visit http://www.shambhala.co.za for information and directions.
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