Shambhala Centers Worldwide

Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, Spiritual Head of Shambhala International

Over 150 Shambhala Centers located throughout the world provide a common ground where the various activities of Vajradhatu, Shambhala Training and Nalanda can all take place. These include:

• group meditation practice
• Buddhist educational programs
• Shambhala Training events and programs
• contemplative arts including calligraphy, flower arranging, yoga and kyudo (Japanese archery)
• cultural events, including community gatherings, celebration of holidays, weddings, funerals
• children's celebrations and programs.

At the heart of each Shambhala Center is the meditation hall, where students practice the discipline of meditation that is at the core of all Shambhala activity. The meditation hall offers a beautiful, open and protected space for practice, instruction and community gatherings. At each center, you may meet and talk with meditation practitioners and instructors who can tell you from first-hand experience about the various activities of Shambhala and how you can participate in them.

The original organization (called "Vajradhatu") was founded by Tibetan meditation master, Chögyam Trungpa, in Boulder, CO during the early 1970's. Since that time, the organization has grown to over 150 centers worldwide. These range in size from small study groups to large retreat centers where people live, work and practice full time. The heart of our mandala is in Halifax, Nova Scotia where the head of our organization, Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, resides.

The Milwaukee Shambhala Center is a mid-size center offering weekend programs, courses of study, and weekly practice. We have about 70 active members of many different backgrounds, levels of practice and interests. Some are engaged in intensive Buddhist studies. Others feel more connected to the Shambhala vision's emphasis on how meditation can positively affect our society. Most pursue both Buddhist and Shambhala studies, in combination with other disciplines such as Japanese flower arranging, Tibetan translation, yoga, martial arts, music and visual arts. All are welcome. We hope everyone who enters this Center can benefit from what we offer and take what they learn to help others.

Click here to visit the Shambhala International web site.

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