Care and Conduct policy

Shambhala is committed to a practice, study, and work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. Each individual has the right to practice, study, volunteer, work and socialize in an atmosphere that is free from discrimination.

At the Vancouver Shambhala Centre we strive to provide a safe, supportive and respectful environment for the practice and study of the Buddhist and Shambhala teachings and meditation. We fully support all of our new Code of Conduct policies which can be found at the Code of Conduct Hub. Please familiarize yourself with these policies and resources. Creating a safe space is everyone’s responsibility. This means being mindful of one’s own conduct and watchful for any impropriety outlined in our policies.

We remain committed to supporting anyone interested in the practice of meditation, the study of Buddhism, and the development of a community that embodies the principles of a genuinely enlightened and compassionate society.

If you have a concern about something you have experienced in Shambhala, please read “What to do if you have a concern”. If you have experienced harm due to aggression, failings on the part of the organization, or actions within the Shambhala community, you are invited to access the counselling and therapy offering.

 

Controversy around Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche

In June 2018 reports appeared online accusing Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche of sexual misconduct and other forms of harm. In response to these allegations, Shambhala initiated two formal, independent investigations conducted by neutral third-party investigators, Wickwire Holm (Feb 3, 2019) and An Olive Branch (Mar 19, 2019). You can view their reports on the Shambhala Archive server and in the Third-Party Reports section of the Community Care page. The Shambhala Board has addressed and acted on An Olive Branch report recommendations, and you can view those responses here (updated April 2022).

Following extensive mediation between Sakyong Mipham’s representatives and the independent Shambhala Board, this  statement on moving forward as a community was issued February 2022. The activities of Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche and the Shambhala organisation will continue in the separate directions that have been evolving over the past few years.

The Shambhala organization has transitioned from a teacher-led to a member-led nonprofit.

The Shambhala Board has listened to the many diverse views in our community and has held detailed and nuanced discussions, which can be found at https://shambhala.org/shambhala-board-faqs/

 

Shambhala Care and Conduct Initiatives

The Shambala Board has as one of their primary focuses the ongoing care of the community. In order to fulfill this responsibility, the board has taken several steps to address gaps in the previous Care and Conduct Policy, as well as directly work to repair misconduct and findings of misuse and abuse of power that have occurred in the community.

These actions are detailed at Shambhala Community Care and Conduct website. Scroll down this page to see:
– Shambhala Care and Conduct Initiatives
– A Community Reparative Process
the Code of Conduct Hub website
– Other Resources – Board Updates and Community Surveys
– Third-Party Reports (Wickwire Holm and An Olive Branch)

 

The Shambhala Code of Conduct

In May 2019, the Process Team was tasked with drafting a new Conduct policy, including extensive conversations with the community. The new Code of Conduct policy was approved by the Shambhala Board in July 2020, and in February 2021, the new Code of Conduct policy and process were put into effect. The Code of Conduct Hub is a place to find the Shambhala Code of Conduct Policies and Process. Here you will find a variety of information and resources about how the Code is implemented in Shambhala.

Shambhala Vision tells us that we can experience a natural source of radiance and brilliance in the world, which is the innate wakefulness of human beings. From this wakefulness it is possible to create what the Shambhala tradition calls “enlightened society.” The Code of Conduct is intended as a mirror to support behavior that reflects our innate wakefulness.

Shambhala Board Introduction to the Shambhala Code of Conduct (English) (Español) (Français) (Deutsch) (Italiano) (Português)

The Code of Conduct consisting of the following documents, together known as “the Code:”

The Supporting Information page provides background information on the rationale and formation of these policy documents.

 

Vancouver Community

In Vancouver, we aspire to learn from this whole situation and its causes, and to make this exploration part of our path of cultivating awareness.

Locally, as elsewhere in the Shambhala community, individuals have a wide range of views on Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche. We are attempting to maintain an open situation where there is room, and an invitation, for all members, friends and the greater community to practice, study and meet together, respecting each other’s divergent views, appreciating the teachings we have received, appreciating each other beyond, and also including, our differences, and having open and heartfelt discussions about what matters to us as a community.

We invite members, friends as well as former members and friends to join us in local discussions of the new Code of Conduct and policies, as we aspire to learn from our past mistakes and to make this exploration part of our path of cultivating awareness.