Resources for the Sangha Regarding Harm in Shambhala

As many of you know, on June 25, 2018 Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche indicated the following in an open letter to the community:

It is my wish for you to know that in my past there have been times when I have engaged in relationships with women in the Shambhala community. I have recently learned that some of these women have shared experiences of feeling harmed as a result of these relationships. I am now making a public apology.

Three days later, on June 28, Project Sunshine released its second report detailing the experiences of three women who reported being sexually harmed by the Sakyong. (See also their third report, released August 23; the Wickwire Holm report,February 3, 2019; the Open Letter from Long-Serving Kusung, February 16, and the Reports from An Olive Branch, March 19.) Please note: These reports include graphic content and caution is advised for those who are triggered by such material.

Since then, a number of speakers in the Shambhala community have come forward with responses and resources. We would like to compile these materials here, along with the official communications from Shambhala leadership about the investigation and related topics including leadership transition and financial announcements. May they be of benefit.

 

Official communications related to the Sakyong

• A Message from Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, referenced above, June 25
• A Message from the Kalapa Council announcing their stepping down, July 6
• A Message from the Office of the Sakyong announcing his stepping down from administrative and teaching responsibilities during investigations, July 6
• A Letter from the Women Acharyas in response to a request by a woman in the Shambhala Community, July 8
• A Message from the Sakyong elaborating on his apology, July 10
• Community Update from Kalapa Media, discussing the current state of affairs and schedule for upcoming updates, July 13
• Investigation of Allegations of Sexual Misconduct – further information about the third-party investigation by Wickwire Holm, July 20
• Introduction to the Shambhala Community from An Olive Branch, July 20 (updated August 23)
• Update & Investigation Information, including more details about Wickwire Holm, August 11
• Finance Report to the Community, August 15
• Nomination Process for the Interim Board and Process Team, an email from the Transition Task Force, August 18. See also the Shambhala Transition Task Force website, which includes notes from their meetings.
• Community Offerings from the Acharyas, announcing live sessions for the community to join, August 18. These sessions are also announced, and recordings are available at Shambhala Online.
• Response to recent allegations of misconduct, August 23
• An Olive Branch announces Listening Post Opening Tomorrow, including ways to report harm suffered because of sexual misconduct by Shambhala teachers and office holders, September 3. The Listening Post will be open from September 4 until approximately December 31, 2018. (Also see the September 10 update, including the corrected email address: [email protected].)
• Update & Investigation Information, September 11. Includes further details about Wickwire Holm’s investigation and an extension of the deadline to bring claims to them through November 16, 2018.
• Letter to the Shambhala Community from Ani Pema Chödrön, September 22
• Information regarding Larimer County allegations, a statement from Shambhala Mountain Center director Michael Gayner, December 17
• Investigative Report from Wickwire Holm, February 3, 2019.
• A Message from the Sakyong following the release of the Wickwire Holm report, February 4
• Response to Kusung Letter, from the Interim Board, February 18
• Letter to the Community from the Acharyas regarding new allegations against the Sakyong, February 20
• Message from the Sakyong on stepping back, February 21
• Reports from An Olive Branch, March 19
• Related: Recent Arrests of Former Shambhala Members, July 1, and update on the investigation, July 24
• July Update from the Process Team, July 10
• A Message from the Sakyong on continuing practices, December 14. See also the Board’s Communication Regarding Rigden Abhisheka in 2020 at Dechen Chöling (December 29), Ani Pema Chödrön’s letter of resignation as Acharya (January 14), and the Board’s further Community Message (February 2).
• Acharya Retirement Letter, July 5, 2020. See also the Letter to the Sangha from Diana Mukpo regarding Chogyam Trungpa’s teachings.

 

Responses and resources regarding harm in Shambhala

• The Shambhala Community Care page, resources from Shambhala regarding Care and Conduct, Social Engagement, and the Sexual Harm and Misconduct Task Force. Includes updates about the investigations into the Sakyong and ways to report harm.
• Shambhala Care and Conduct Policy, 2015 revision
• Reflections on Shambhala, a response by Shambhala NYC teacher Ethan Nichtern. See also his update Stepping Down as Shastri, Staying for the Shambhala Community.
• On Shambhala, a response by online teacher Susan Piver.
• A Letter from Miriam on the Current Shambhala Situation, a response from Shambhala Arts teacher Miriam Hall, including links to numerous other resources.
• Clergy Sexual Misconduct and the Misuse of Power, a paper by the Olive Branch project of the Zen Center of Pittsburgh (see also further resources at their Ethical Misconduct Resources page).
• Ethics in the Teacher-Student Relationship, notes from a discussion with the Dalai Lama, as quoted in the Olive Branch paper, above.
• Kagyu Teacher Lama Rod Owens in public talks at Atlanta Shambhala Center on Working with Sexual Misconduct in the Shambhala Community on July 5 and July 6.
• Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo & Lama Tsultrim Allione, a video discussion of the allegations.
• Joanna Macy on the Shambhala Warrior, a video recollection of a discussion with Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche about the Shambhala Warrior.
• Notes from a meeting with the Kalapa Council, July 2 (via Shambhala Tucson).
• Shambhala Day 2019 message from Shastri Kim Kelso, following the release of the Wickwire Holm report, February 10
• Letter from Acharya Richard John, February 20
• Sexual Harm, Trauma, and The Healing Journey, a video course from Shambhala Online

 

Further official communications regarding transition in Shambhala’s central leadership

• Leadership Transition Announcement detailing the stepping down of the Kalapa Council, implementing of the Transition Task Force, and appointment of the Interim Board of Directors, July 30, 20218
• Update from the Transition Task Force detailing the purpose and activities of the Task Force, August 7
• Update from the Transition Task Force, discussing applications for and roles of the Interim Board and Process Team, August 30
• Update & Process Team Information, September 13. Includes scheduled Zoom meetings about the Process Team.
• Finance Report – Update to the Community, September 20. (Access to the report requires a member login.) Includes clarifications about the Sakyong Potrang and budget figures for Shambhala Global Services.
• Update from the Transition Task Force, with clarifications about the differences between the Interim Board and the Process Team, September 21.
• Announcement of Shambhala Interim Board, October 11
• From the Kalapa Council, an outgoing message, October 15
• Introduction Letter from the Shambhala Interim Board, October 31
• Update from the Transition Task Force regarding the establishment of the Process Team, November 2
• Community Letter from the Interim Board, including updates on finances, a new code of conduct, and investigation progress, November 26
• Update from the Transition Task Force regarding the progress of Process Team appointments, December 22
• Care and Conduct Update, announcing a new Code of Ethics and forthcoming call for community response, December 23
• December Update to the Community from the Interim Board, December 30
• Process Team Introduction to the Community, March 6, 2019
• March Update to the Community from the Interim Board, March 9
• Finance Report to the Community, March 26
• Community Update from the Process Team, April 4
• April Update from the Interim Board, April 26
• Update from the Process Team, May 1
• Update from the Process Team, June 3
• June Update to the Shambhala Community from the Interim Board, June 28
• Mid-Year Financial Report to the Community, July 29
• August Update from the Interim Board, August 21
• October Update from the Interim Board, October 13
• Update from the Process Team, November 12
• Third Quarter 2019 Shambhala Global Services Financial Report, November 17
• December Update from the Board, December 7
• Board Nomination – Details & Process, December 12
• January Update from the Shambhala Process Team, January 20, 2020
• Finance Update: 2019 Year End Summary and 2020 Budget, February 14
• March Update from the Board, March 17
• Child Protection Policy release, also including links to COVID-19 resources, March 22
• Message from the Process Team, April 17
• May Update from the Board, May 21
• A Message from the Shambhala Board regarding Black Lives Matter, June 9
• August Update from the Board, including links to other communications around the Acharya resignations, August 19
• Shambhala 2019 Annual Report, October 29
• December Board Updated, December 16
• Report to the Community from the Process Team, January 13, 2021
• New Code of Conduct implementation and procedures (which go into effect on Shambhala Day 2021), January 31
• Joint Statements from the Shambhala Board and Sakyong Potrang Board, June 24 and September 9
• Shambhala 2020 Annual Report, September 15
• September update from the Shambhala Board, October 1

Further communications from the Shambhala Board can be found at board.shambhala.org.

Open Space discussions are periodically held at the Phoenix Shambhala Meditation Center. These discussions are opportunities for us to come together, share with one another how we are feeling and express any open ended questions that are arising. Members and Friends of the Phoenix Shambhala Center will receive notices of Open Space discussion dates in their email. If you did not receive a notice and you would like to attend, please contact us.

For more information about Care and Conduct at the Phoenix Shambhala Meditation Center, please see the minutes to our 5/21/18 Council Meeting.