Community

“Sangha” is the Sanskrit term for “community of practitioners” - one of the three jewels of Buddhism. Portland Shambhala is home to a wonderfully diverse community who share a genuine connection to contemplative practice and the aspiration to realize a more wakeful, sane society. Friends and members of Portland Shambhala are welcome to attend celebrations, practice events, meetings and gatherings of special interest groups.
View our Sangha list here (password protected) or
View the bi-monthly newsletter in PDF format.

How does one participate in the Shambhala community?

Whatever has brought us to the meditation tradition, whether it was a friend’s suggestion, a book by Pema Chödrön, or any other auspicious coincidence, the first step is to sit. There are many ways to get involved, but the foremost is to practice sitting meditation at a Shambhala Meditation Center. Group sitting encourages our meditation practice. Attending group sitting also supports others in their practice. Therefore, sitting at the Center is a way to help others as well as ourselves. The more we fill the Center with meditation, the more powerful and magnetizing it will become for others. In that way, we can build a thriving practice community.

It would be wonderful if we could all support the Center socially, financially, through volunteerism, through membership, and by attending programs. However, our first offering could be our presence in the meditation hall. Consider attending sessions of meditation on a regular basis. If the Center is not open at a time that suits your schedule, consider offering to lead a new session at a time that does. As Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche said, “Sitting is a jewel that ornaments our precious life.”

Mission Statement

The Portland Shambhala Meditation Center is a place where people come together to study and practice Shambhala Buddhism and the related contemplative paths of Shambhala Training and Shambhala Art as taught by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche and Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche. Our mission is to use meditation and study within these disciplines to discover the human qualities of gentleness, bravery and confidence that are the basis of a harmonious and sane society.