Advanced Buddhist Retreats
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Shambhala Vajrayana Seminary with Acharyas Christie Cashman and Gaylon Ferguson under the direction of Kongma Sakyong, Jamgön Mipham RinpocheJune 27 – July 18, 2010
The Shambhala Vajrayana Seminary introduces the student into the vajrayana teachings and practices of our Shambhala and Buddhist lineages. During this program, students will receive authorization and training in the Shambhala ngöndro practices under Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche's personal guidance. Students must apply and be accepted to this program prior to registration with Shambhala Mountain Center. Please note that the Sakyong will leave his one year retreat to offer transmission and enter students into the Vajrayana, but will not teach the entire seminary. To apply, please go to: www.shambhala.org/programs/VS/.
In applying for Vajrayana Seminary, you are requesting to be accepted as a Vajrayana student of the Kongma Sakyong, Jamgön Mipham Rinpoche and committing to follow his practice instructions. Thus, attendance at this program requires a personal connection and commitment to the Sakyong; the teachings of the Vidyadhara, Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche; and the Shambhala Buddhist mandala. Prerequisites: See www.shambhala.org/program/VS/. Shambhala Mountain is offering the prerequisite Entering the Vajra World June 23rd to 27th immediately prior to Seminary. Sakyong Jamgon Mipham Rinpoche is the head of the Shambhala lineage. An incarnation of Mipham the Great, he is also the dharma heir and son of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, Shambhala Mountain’s founder. He is the spiritual director of Shambhala, a global network of meditation and retreat centers, and the author of the best-selling books Turning the Mind into an Ally and Ruling Your World. Rinpoche’s background embraces both Eastern and Western cultures. Born in Bodhgaya, India, the site of the Buddha’s enlightenment, he grew up in Boulder, Colorado, and received his spiritual training from his father and other distinguished lamas. Acharya Christie Cashman entered the Shambhala Buddhist teachings in 1971, dedicating herself to intensive study and practice, and eventually teaching a full range of courses, from introductory meditation intensives at Naropa University to Vajrayana sadhana classes and Shambhala Training levels. For many years she taught at the three-month Vajradhatu Seminary and worked closely with Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche on curriculum design and implementation. Christie moved to Nova Scotia in 1987, and in subsequent years taught at several Warrior and Kalapa Assemblies. From 1999 to 2003 she served as international executive director of Shambhala Training, and today she continues to engage in Shambhala and Buddhist curriculum development and the training of teachers. Christie and her husband live in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Acharya Gaylon Ferguson has taught at several Vajrayana Seminary programs with both the current Sakyong and the Druk Sakyong, and has led Sutrayana Seminaries and numerous dathuns. Gaylon served in many capacities while living at Karme Choling including Executive Co-director. In 1994, he was a Fulbright Fellow to Nigeria and completed a doctoral degree in cultural anthropology at Stanford University two years later. After several years teaching at the University of Washington, Gaylon returned to Karme Choling as teacher-in-residence. Currently he is a member of the core faculty in Interdisciplinary Studies at Naropa University. His article, "Making Friends with Ourselves" (from the collection Dharma, Color, and Culture) was selected for inclusion in The Best Buddhist writing: 2005. In 2009 Gaylon's first book was published, Natural Wakefulness: Discovering the Wisdom We Were Born With. Applying The application process for Shambhala Vajrayana Seminary is managed by Shambhala International. For information and an application, please visit the Shambhala Vajrayana Seminary web site. Registration PLEASE NOTE: You are not fully registered for this program until your application has been approved by Shambhala International and you have registered with Shambhala Mountain Center. Prices include the program materials fee of $205. Wait List for Upgrade Accommodations At this time only shared tent accommodations are available for this retreat. If you wish to sign up on the wait list for upgraded accommodations click here. Note: If you wish to assure yourself a place in the Seminary program you need to register for shared tent accommodations. Signing up on the upgrade wait list does not constitute registration. Please arrive between 10am and 4pm. No events are scheduled on departure day. People are requested to plan to depart no later than 10am on July 18 so that preparations can be made for the arrival of Scorpion Seal Assembly participants later that day. View Detailed Program Information. |
