Our Shambhala story began with the people who became students of the Tibetan Buddhist teacher Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche when he moved from India to England in the 1960’s. Their dedication laid the foundation for a unique blend of Eastern wisdom and Western culture, fostering a community built on mindfulness, compassion, and courage. This legacy continues to inspire practitioners worldwide, guiding them on a path of personal transformation and enlightened society.

Originally the head of Surmang monastery in Eastern Tibet, Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche was a highly respected teacher of Kagyu and Nyingma Buddhism, and presented these teachings in a fresh and unique way so they would connect to the experience of everyday people in contemporary Western society.

After he left Tibet and India, Trungpa Rinpoche taught first in England and Scotland, then in the United States and Canada. During this time, he presented both classical Buddhist teachings and, beginning in 1976, original dharma teachings on basic goodness—our innate worthiness, dignity, and bravery—and how that goodness has the potential to bring about an enlightened society. He referred to these as the Shambhala teachings. Shambhala refers to a legendary society that manifests peace, harmony, wisdom and compassion.

Trungpa Rinpoche’s community of students expanded around the world, and they established meditation groups, retreat centres, Gampo Abbey Monastery, Naropa University, Nalanda Translation Committee, and a range of therapeutic, business, artistic, and creative endeavors. Trungpa Rinpoche placed great trust in his Western students, and encouraged them to take on responsibilities as dharma teachers and meditation instructors, organizing meditation retreats, and establishing curricula and teacher and instructor training programs.

Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche inspired many highly skilled and well-trained teachers that went on to offer the dharma widely, both within Shambhala and the wider world, including Pema Chödrön and many other highly-regarded teachers. Trungpa Rinpoche also wrote many best-selling spiritual books, such as Shambhala: The Sacred Path of the Warrior, Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism, and Meditation In Action, which have benefited and inspired millions of people around the world.

Trungpa Rinpoche was also a controversial figure, and some of his actions, including his use of alcohol and his sexual relationships with female students, have caused confusion and pain for many in the Shambhala community. Our community members have held many different viewpoints on his controversial behaviour, both then and now. 

Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche died in Halifax, Nova Scotia on April 4th, 1987.