Mission & Vision

Established in 1974, the Boulder Shambhala Center is part of the global Shambhala network, founded by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. The Boulder Shambhala Center is part of Shambhala, an international community of more than 200 meditation centers and groups. The Shambhala Buddhist path, unique in the world of Western Buddhism, combines the teachings of the Kagyü and Nyingma traditions of Tibetan Buddhism with the Shambhala principles of living an uplifted life, fully engaged with the world.

Boulder Shambhala Center Mission Statement

While always maintaining its close affiliation with the teachings of the Kagyu, Nyingma and Shambhala traditions, the Boulder Shambhala Center is also well positioned for a future that is broad based and open to all Buddhist teachers and traditions. At the same time, the commitment to the teachings of its founder, Chogyam Trungpa, Rinpoche is unwavering, ensuring that those teachings can continue to spread throughout the dharmic world, and be available to future generations.

The newly seated Front Range Shambhala Board works collaboratively with paid staff, active volunteer working groups and an extensive meditation community committed to an open and dynamic future that establishes the Center as a premier ecumenical urban Buddhist center in North America. Now is a crucial time for us to preserve our future by creating a secure and sustainable financial situation.  No one will do this for us. It is up to us. Future practitioners are counting on us to strengthen this legacy and go forward together with accountability, integrity, and transparency. As a reflection of this crucial time of change, this mission statement is evolving. If you would like to be a part of a group to explore the Center’s mission, please contact the center.

If you are curious about meditation or seeking a contemplative path, we invite you to visit the Boulder Shambhala Center and explore of our diverse programming. We warmly welcome all who are interested in meditation and contemplative practices to feel at home in Boulder Shambhala.

Our intention is to provide a spacious environment where people may pursue the contemplative paths we offer concurrently or independently of one another, with mutual respect and appreciation. The practice of meditation is at the heart of all our paths, practices, and activities. The purpose of our practice is to awaken our innate wisdom and profound humanity and help to alleviate the suffering of beings. Confidence in Basic Goodness, the vision of the Great Eastern Sun, and the view of Enlightened Society are held as common foundations. The intrinsic human qualities of kindness, non-aggression, insight, and caring for others guide our conduct. 

Boulder Shambhala is an inclusive, multigenerational community engaged in bringing the profound teachings and practices of the Buddhist and Shambhala traditions into everyday life. Joining meditative awareness with the aspects of good human culture includes the arts and education, health and healing, care for the environment, service, social justice, and matters of commerce, politics, economics, and equity. Boulder Shambhala aspires to promote the wellbeing and enrichment of our community and larger society through the active expression of our core values of decency, caring, and kindness.

Karma Dzong

From the time when Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche founded this center in 1970  through 1995, it was known as Karma Dzong. The Tibetan term dzong means “fortress.” Traditionally in Tibetan Buddhism, dzongs have been akin to state capitals or cathedrals in a diocese. They are located in key spots where power and energy gather.

Shambhala dzongs are places that introduce the world to Shambhala. Inside a dzong, one experiences a sacred and uplifted environment that allows the mind to open and relax. Through their activity, presence, and community of meditation practitioners, dzongs emanate the compassion, wisdom, and generosity of the Shambhala lineage out into the broader community.

From Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism, a book derived from a series of talks given in Boulder in 1970 and 1971:

Question: Why did you name your center here Karma Dzong?

Chögyam Trungpa: Karma means “action” as well as “Buddha activity,” and Dzong is the Tibetan word for “fortress.” Situations just present themselves rather than being deliberately premeditated. They are perpetually developing, happening quite spontaneously. Also there seems to be a tremendous amount of energy at the center, which also could be said of karma. It is energy that is not being misled by anyone, energy which is in the fortress. What is happening definitely had to happen. It takes the shape of spontaneous karmic relationships rather than missionary work or the conversion of people into Buddhists.

Boulder Shambhala Center Aspiration and Commitment:

The Shambhala Code of Conduct:

At the Shambhala Meditation Center of Boulder, we strive to provide a safe, supportive and respectful environment for the practice and study of the Buddhist and Shambhala teachings and meditation. We applaud and 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.

Our center offers a rich array of weekly ongoing offerings free to the public. No prior meditation experience is required to attend. Most programs offer meditation instruction upon request. All are welcome. Visit our monthly calendar for a full listing of programs.

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 counseling and therapy offering.