Community Care and Code of Conduct
Halifax Shambhala Centre Mission, Vision and Harm Statements
HSC Mission Statement:
The Halifax Shambhala Centre celebrates the inherent goodness of humanity and the natural world, and provides opportunities for everyone to practice the Buddhist teachings of the Kagyu, Nyingma and Shambhala traditions.
HSC Vision Statement:
The Halifax Shambhala Centre offers meditation and contemplative practices that are an expression of the wisdom and compassion of the Buddhist and Shambhala teachings. The Centre is dedicated, through a variety of methods and forms, to kindle the best true nature in individuals and sow the seeds of good human society.
Chögyam Trungpa founded the Halifax Shambhala Centre and many other centers worldwide. He inspired and transmitted a path to study and practice these teachings so as to awaken innate awareness and gentleness, thus recognizing one’s own inherent awake qualities. Wisdom, strength, confidence and dignity emerge so that we are able to compassionately and genuinely respond to an increasingly volatile, uncertain and complex world.
The Halifax Shambhala Centre is composed of and continues to welcome people of all generations, circumstances, and outlooks who together create an enriching community and support for one another on their spiritual paths. The Centre is inclusive of families, youth, seniors and genders – any and all who are dedicated to openness and attentiveness to the variety of life’s circumstances. We aim to provide access and opportunity to the means and tools to deepen caring and kindness as a practice of meditation in everyday life.
The Halifax Shambhala Centre provides encouragement and offers a host of pursuits in many areas of life within a container of meditation and awareness practices. Arts, education, health and healing, care for the environment, service, social justice, matters of commerce, and the raising of families are some of the many areas of interest.
The Halifax Shambhala Centre is part of the global Shambhala organization whose entities include Dorje Denma Ling Land Centre in Tatamagouche, Milk Lake Retreat Centre on the South Shore and Shambhala Archives based in Halifax. The Centre is also fortunate to engage with other Nova Scotia groups including Gampo Abbey, Karma Changchub Ling (KCCL), Kalapa Ikebana, Kozan Kyudojo, Ocean, Nalanda Translation Committee, Shambhala Touching the Earth Collective, Suncamp, Yukoan Tea Group and others.
Statement on Harm & Healing
The Halifax Shambhala Centre acknowledges that harm, misconduct, and misuse of power has occurred within our worldwide community over the past 40+ years. This has left many feeling alienated and marginalized. Abuse and trauma are part of our history and need to be addressed and worked through. Together, we can do better.
Our community is committed to creating a safe and respectful environment for everyone wishing to practice meditation and study the Buddhist and Shambhala teachings. Assistance will be offered in whatever ways we are able to help.
To report a concern, contact the Halifax Shambhala Centre, Director of Community and Culture <[email protected]>.
For care and conduct resources or to learn more about the Shambhala Global community care initiatives, please view the Shambhala Community Care and Conduct website, and the Shambhala Statement on Harm.
Global Community
Beginning in 2018, the international Shambhala community experienced a difficult time as a result of becoming aware of sexual misconduct and harm in our community. Though a challenging time, this has been a necessary process in order to acknowledge, reflect, and make changes to fit with our aspirations.
As a result, international leadership has worked to examine ways that we have not kept to our stated vision, as well as to offer opportunities for healing and support for those harmed.
Community Care
The new Shambala Board, who took their seat as Interim Board on October 17th 2018, 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 current 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.
The Board, working closely with the Process Team, Code of Conduct Support Group and the Director of Community Care and Conduct, has taken the following actions intended to restore trust through inclusivity, transparency, accountability, and care:
- Director of Community Care and Conduct – new international position filled
- Training and Courses – for leaders and community, including on topics of gender dynamics, right use of power, and trauma
- Community Support – therapy and counselling support available to Shambhala community
- Community Initiatives – community grants on diversity and inclusivity
- Code of Conduct Policy – new organizational policy developed and implemented. See below for more information.
Kalapa Council, former governing board of Shambhala, initiated and communicated results of the following 3rd-party reports:
- Olive Branch and listening post reports
- Wickwire Holm report
Shambhala Community Care and Conduct – learn more at the community care web site.
Code of Conduct
The new Shambhala Code of Conduct has been comprehensively developed, in consultation with our membership, to reflect what it means to be part of a kind and decent society and holds all inspired to join any of Shambhala activities accountable to these norms and policies. It includes the following sections:
- Outline of the Code of Conduct
- The Practices of Good Conduct
- Protecting the Space for Everyone
- Four Governing Policies
- Policy for Child Protection
- Policy on Conduct of People Holding Positions of Authority
- Policy to Address Sexual Misconduct
- Policy on Diversity, Inclusivity & Anti-Discrimination
Shambhala Code and Conduct – learn more about policies, training, getting involved, and providing feedback at the community code of conduct web site.
