The Montréal Shambhala Centre is part of a global community which aspires to awaken kindness, goodness and wisdom within society. This vision is rooted in the principle that every human being has a fundamental nature of basic goodness which is always there, intact, like the sun even when obscured by clouds. While honestly holding this vision and aspiration, we cannot ignore the pain, confusion and harm that are also part of our experience. We need to look unflinchingly at the ways we’ve maintained traditions, habits, power structures, language patterns, and other subtle biases that perpetuate this suffering – individually or collectively, consciously or unconsciously.
Over the last year, our community has been experiencing upheaval stemming from reports of past sexual misconduct and abuse of power on the part of Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, Shambhala’s lineage holder. These revelations spurred other members to bring forward allegations of misconduct by Shambhala leaders in the course of our 40 year history, Two third-party investigations ensued; you can read about their findings here.The Sakyong has stepped back from his teaching and administrative responsibilities in order to focus on self-reflection and healing. Several initiatives have been put in place by Shambhala’s international organization to respond to this chaotic situation, which you can read more about here. Members of the international governing body called the Kalapa Council have resigned in order to allow space for an Interim Board to be appointed by the community. The interim Board, in place for the last 6 months, has in turn put in place a Process Team, comprised of members chosen for their diversity and expertise, to make the structural changes deemed necessary in light of this crisis. You can read more about it here.
None of the reported abuses occurred here in Montréal. Nonetheless, our community is saddened and shaken by the situation, but we remain committed to sharing the precious Shambhala Buddhist teachings, practicing meditation, and working together as a community towards collective liberation from the causes of suffering. Although we understand that meditation is not a replacement for therapeutic treatment, we aspire to create a supportive and healing environment for those who wish to ease their suffering through learning to make friends with and work with their own minds. As a local community and as part of an international one comprised of over a hundred centers throughout the world, we recognize that we will make mistakes, that not intending harm does not mean no harm was caused, that all beings are worthy of compassion and that we will not abandon anyone, including Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche. Through living the precious Shambhala teachings and exploring new practices like Social Meditation, we are learning about how to have the kind of challenging but necessary conversations which will keep us healthy as a community. We hope to develop more affinity groups to allow practice and support for vulnerable members of society. In this way are training as a community to better recognize and undo the causes of all kinds of suffering.
The Montréal Shambhala Centre is more committed than ever to acknowledging our history, appreciating its richness and also seeing where we get stuck. We are committed to uplifting our culture and that of greater human society, to refrain from harming each other and the natural world, and to be just. As our Montréal community addresses these and other challenges and brings them all onto the path, we are deepening our appreciation for the teachings, the lineage and each other, discovering greater equanimity and even joy.
Please join us on this rich and transformative path!