Frequently Asked Questions for the Sakyong’s Year of Retreat

Why is the Sakyong going into retreat?

In late November this year the Sakyong will enter approximately one year of deep retreat. He has been planning this for some time. This extended period of intensive practice is extremely beneficial for the longevity of the lineage holder and for the health and strength of our community.

Everyone will recall with great poignancy that it was at this same point in his life that the Druk Sakyong passed into parinirvana. Engaging in this year of retreat will be vital for the Sakyong's protection, well being and longevity. The year of retreat will be an excellent opportunity for the Shambhala community to deepen its practice and devotion and experience the power and blessings of the year of retreat.

The Sakyong will divide his time between retreat locations in North America and Asia - except for a very brief period when he is expected to come out of retreat to give transmissions at a Vajrayana Seminary and Scorpion Seal Assembly.

What is being asked of the sangha in terms of practice?

His Eminence Namkha Drimed Rinpoche has advised that the Shambhala community perform a number of practices prior to 15 November, the Sakyong's birthday. These are to dispel obstacles and establish an auspicious ground for the year of retreat. Some of these have already been completed. Members of the sangha will be advised shortly of those that remain to be undertaken on behalf of the entire community during the month of October at your local Shambhala centre.

What is being asked of the sangha in terms of offerings?

Devotional Offerings - It is traditional that students make heart-felt offerings to a teacher who is embarking on a long retreat. Making such an offering deepens the karmic bond between the individual and the teacher during the period the teacher is not physically present and creates an energetic flow for the blessings of the lineage to descend. All Shambhalians will have the opportunity to make offerings towards the Sakyong’s year in retreat. These contributions can be made HERE. All sponsors-no matter the amount of the offering-will automatically become members of the Sakyong Ladrang and will have members access through the website to poetry, photos, and writings from the Sakyong’s retreat.

What is the Sakyong Ladrang?

Each successive Sakyong – literally “Earth Protector” – is the spiritual and worldly ruler of Shambhala, the borderless kingdom of meditation practitioners committed to realizing enlightenment and social harmony through daily life. The Sakyong Ladrang supports the Sakyong and the Sakyong Wangmo in their worldly activities. It also acts to safeguard the sacred holdings of the Sakyong lineage to ensure the continuity of the Shambhala teachings. This allows these rulers of Shambhala to reveal the brilliant sanity of the Great Eastern Sun so that Shambhala may flourish for the benefit of all sentient beings.

How is the Sakyong Ladrang different from The Sakyong Foundation?

The Sakyong Ladrang generates wealth to support the current Sakyong’s activities, lineage properties and to create a healthy financial base for future Sakyongs. The Sakyong Foundation is our current Sakyong’s charitable foundation through which he can make offerings to specific projects. The Foundation provides support to organizations and projects whose activities exemplify the vision of Shambhala. For more information about The Sakyong Foundation click here.

How does giving a donation to the Sakyong Ladrang differ from giving to Shambhala?

A gift to the Sakyong Ladrang directly supports the Sakyong’s activities, lineage assets and creates financial security for future Sakyongs. A gift to Shambhala supports the administration that maintains the Shambhala mandala activities and centers. Shambhala is the organizational structure that supports the Sakyong’s work of creating enlightened society.

What is the Tenshuk?

The Tenshuk is a ceremony that His Eminence Namkha Drimed Rinpoche will preside over in order to bestow blessings for the long and healthy life of the Sakyong before he begins his year of deep retreat. It will take place on 10 November in Halifax. The Sakyong Wangmo has requested that every Shambhala Centre and Group send at least one representative to attend in person to represent their center. The Tenshuk will also be broadcast worldwide via Shambhala Online. More information about the offering and the broadcast is forthcoming. For more information about the Tenshuk you can view a letter from the Sakyong Wangmo here