The Name
Mission Statement
Shambala Trust History
Retreat Centre History
Shambala Trustees
The
Name
SHAM = PURE
BALA = ABODE, LAND
In the Buddhist tradition the name Shambala represents a place of
heaven on earth - an enlightened society. A lot has been written about
Shambala and where it may be found: some say that it is in Tibet,
others place it in the Gobi Desert or even at the North Pole. However,
Shambala is fundamentally a place within each one of us! It is the
mind of true happiness and enlightenment, a consciousness which has
eliminated all the delusions, such as ignorance, attachment and aversion
and has manifested all good human qualities such as love, compassion,
generosity, wisdom, patience, tolerance and forgiveness - which brings
much happiness to both self and others. It is the fulfilment of the
highest potential within every living being.
Mission
Statement
Shambala is a Retreat Centre for Healing and developing Universal
Compasssion. It offers a venue to the many students and practitioners
of all Buddhist traditions, as well as regular study and practice
groups and a space for individual and group retreats. Its aim is to
promote harmony, tolerance and understanding among seekers of all
religious and spiritual traditions and to encourage the achievment
of their highest potential.
Shambala
Trust History
The inspiration for this project was conceived by Thomas Warrior,
a founder member of Shambala Trust, who had a powerful vision during
a long retreat at Kopan Monastery, Nepal, in 1995. His Holiness the
14th Dalai Lama appeared in his meditation with a clear message, suggesting
the creation of a Dharma centre in the northeast of Scotland. The
centre is to be a place of inter-religious exchange and to serve the
needs of students and practitioners of all Buddhist traditions in
the area.
Thomas shared his vision with his friends and teachers who have since
lent tremendous support to this vision, through prayers, guidance,
gifts and donations. Among them are His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama,
Khenrinpoche Lama Lhundrup (abbot of Kopan Monastery) and Lama Zopa
Rinpoche (spiritual director of Kopan Monastery).
The project also enjoys the support of His Eminence the Khentin Tai
Situpa (current holder of the Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism) and
Lama Yeshe (abbot of Kagyu Samye Ling Tibetan Centre in Scotland),
who both visited the Findhorn Foundation and Community to offer teachings,
refuge and initiations.
Between 1995 and 2005 the Shambala Trust has organised and run regular
Buddhist study and practice groups and invited many Buddhist teachers,
including Venerable Robina Courtin, Ven. Sangye Khadro (Kathleen McDonald),
and Venerable Ngawang Pende, in an effort to build a solid community
of Buddhist sangha and supporters and to create the momentum for manifesting
the retreat centre.
On 19 September 2001 the Shambala Trust was recognised as a Scottish
Charity No. SC 032707 and registered as a Scottish Company No. SC
223339.
Retreat Centre History
By Spring 2005 the Shambala Sangha had grown and strengthened. Following
the advice of Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Venerable Angie Muir, a Tibetan
Buddhist nun from Scotland, came to help with the manifestation of
the new retreat centre. She performed and led extensive prayers, offering
practices and ceremonies dedicated to the successful creation of the
centre.
In Summer 2005, Avalon, a beautifully renovated country house in an
exclusive location by the Findhorn Bay (previously known as Minton
House and run as a healing centre) came up for sale. With the enthusiastic
support from the Findhorn Foundation Community, and a generous loan
from a local community member, the Trust managed to purchase the property
and moved into the house at Christmas 2005.
Following extensive alterations to enhance the accommodation and other
retreat facilities the centre opened its doors to the public
in a beautiful ceremony on 2 April 2006.
Shambala
Trustees
The founder members of the Trust are Thomas and Maris Warrior, and
Eva Ward - all active members of the Findhorn Foundation and Community.
Margo van Greta, head of the Spiritual and Personal Development Department
of the Findhorn Foundation, and James Mitchell, a businessman from
Edinburgh and active supporter of the Trust for many years, joined
as Trustees in 2003 and 2004 respectively.
Michael Shaw, chair of the Findhorn Foundation, and Craig Gibsone,
long-term member of the Findhorn Community, became Trustees in summer
2005. In the autumn of 2005 Thomas and Maris resigned as Trustees
and the Trust appointed them as project managers to set up and run
the new retreat centre. Eva Ward resigned from Trusteeship in June
2006 and James Mitchell resigned in June 2007.
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