Envisioning the Future
Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche has devoted a great deal of attention to the development of Shambhala Mountain Center over the years. In the year 2008, this intensified. Part-way through the year, he had a long conversation with the President of Shambhala about his evolving vision, which was communicated to the leadership of Shambhala Mountain Center by the President in a letter (also posted on the Shambhala Mountain Center website). It included the following message:
Shambhala Mountain Center is one of the highest places in the topography of our Shambhala landscape. In terms of our practice path it is a sacred space in which the highest teachings and transmissions take place. It fulfills the inner mission of Shambhala by offering core programming, retreats and empowerments to practitioners on the Shambhala Buddhist path – encompassing entry programs like Enlightened World, through to the Rigden Abhisheka and other landmarks on the path to the Scorpion Seal retreat.
At the same time, Shambhala Mountain Center has a profound outer mission. This is embodied in the rich symbolism of the Great Stupa of Dharmakaya, which simultaneously speaks to us of the outer, inner and secret meaning of Shambhala. It was at the Great Stupa that the Sakyong presented to His Holiness the Dalai Lama the first Living Peace Award. On that occasion he discussed with His Holiness the powerful role that the Vidyadhara, Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche meant for Shambhala to play in the world, and he has devoted himself ceaselessly to that mission.
Although we face many hurdles in the development of Shambhala Mountain Center in terms of the human, financial and material resources we need to make it a flourishing, humane and sustainable practice centre, we are also at a hinge point in its future. Following the Living Peace event, many people from different walks of life have spoken to the Sakyong, offering to support the vision that radiates, like a beacon, from our stupa in the Rockies.
They see how Shambhala Mountain Center can be a transformative power spot for dialogue between different traditions – religious, cultural and political – that is urgently needed in today’s world. Some have spoken of the potential to create a unique teaching laboratory that would bring together the deep insight of our Shambhala Buddhist heritage with the best expertise in global governance and conflict transformation to create skilfull means for the alleviation of suffering in this dark age. Some have said to Rinpoche that what we now know and love as Shambhala Mountain Center will become the seed syllable for a global city of peace – manifesting that aspiration on the spot as well as becoming a forge in which humanity’s aspiration for peace is tempered and molded.
In response to this message and in view of discussions that the Sakyong was having with donors outside the immediate Shambhala Mountain Center who wished to support his vision, a three-stage plan was set out for the period 2008 – 2012. While not all these details are firmly established and the plan is bound to change, we would nevertheless like to share its framework with all our friends and supporters. We hope you will find this a challenging presentation of our efforts to match the vision of our tradition:
Shambhala Mountain Center Executive Outline:
Expansion in Three Stages 2008-2012
The future expansion of Shambhala Mountain Center has been in discussion for the past few years and is the principle focus of the development of our strategic planning. In addition the more recent vision of developing the International Living Peace Center as a gathering place for leaders worldwide to learn and develop leadership skills, fusing state-of-the research and practice in the field of conflict transformation with timely wisdom traditions, present a unique opportunity and challenge.
This creative development is described in three stages and highlights designs, issues and timetables. The essential element in moving forward is to align all the vision and planning into a comprehensive strategy and gather the resources necessary to bring it to fruition.
Stage I: Infrastructure Expansion: 2008 Driving Forces
The principle driving forces for the next phase of development are water capacity and wastewater treatment systems. As explained below these two require our immediate attention and financial resources.
As of 2007 Larimer County curtailed the issuance of building permits for new building construction until Shambhala Mountain Center can show proof of adequate water and wastewater treatment capacity for our present and future populations. The State of Colorado has mirrored the same requirements to upgrade our water system. Shambhala Mountain Center has a compliance strategy and schedule to address these State regulatory concerns—agreeing to implement action by April of 2009 (as of press time we have installed a new water infiltration system for our main water supply).
Compliance Development Planning; Wastewater Treatment Facility: Master Utility Plan. The site applications for wastewater treatment facilities require prior submittal and approval of a Master Utility Plan to a regional regulatory agency. The Master Utility Plan is a capacity design and development document defining our service area, based on a ten-year projected build-out, and ultimate 20-year horizon, addressing population, financial and managerial capacity. By meeting the State’s water and wastewater compliance-implementation schedule, Shambhala Mountain Center will by de facto address Larimer County’s concerns regarding our water and wastewater capacity. The Draft Plan was submitted in early 2009 and is in process.
New Building Construction Schedules. The County Planning Department may consider issuing building permits for new construction, ahead of the implementation date of the wastewater compliance mandate deadline. Earlier start dates may be allowed conditionally by the County, upon approval by the State, of the site application and facility design review for the wastewater treatment facility, along with Shambhala Mountain Center’s commitment, and proof of financial capacity, to complete facility construction and meet implementation deadlines.
Stage II: New structures, Dining Room, Staff Housing, Administration, and Special Review of Master Land Use Plan
There are two steps in Stage II: 1) To begin building those structures which have already been approved by the County. This includes such facilities as a Dining Room and Staff Housing. 2) To engage in a comprehensive review of the overall master plan in preparation for expanded housing, programming and related facilities (See Stage III below). Such a review includes the final version of the Master Utility Plan, recent additional master planning changes to the existing Shambhala Mountain Center Land Use Plan, and all the planned modifications and improvements for the entirety of Shambhala Mountain Center including the recently acquired Windhorse Hill Property.
All of the infrastructure and new construction is to address emerging and future needs that are of concern to the County as well as necessary for the optimal operation of Shambhala Mountain Center.
Stage III: International Living Peace Center
To date, preliminary discussions on the concept design for the Living Peace Center has included such items as the following:
Energetic Arts Center, Three Shrine/Practice Halls, Monastery, Participant Housing and Time Share Units, Peace Conference Center, Additional Staff Housing, Red Feather Campus, Prajna/Museum, and Parking and Roadways.
