General Info

The word Shambhala refers to a legendary kingdom that is said to have existed in a remote valley, high among the Himalayan mountains. This kingdom was a place of peace and prosperity, governed by wise and compassionate rulers. The citizens were equally kind and learned, so that, in general, the kingdom was a model society. For centuries, this legendary Kingdom of Shambhala, and the principles that it represents, has provided inspiration for many Tibetan and Asian peoples, and has had parallels in Western traditions. The Shambhala Meditation Center of Minneapolis is part of an international community of 165 meditation centers founded by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, a Tibetan Buddhist meditation master. This international community of Shambhala Centers, tied together as Shambhala International, offers a Shambhala Buddhist path, unique in the world of Western Buddhism. Shambhala Buddhism incorporates the teachings of the Kagyu and Nyingma traditions of Tibetan Buddhism, with the Shambhala vision of living an uplifted life, fully engaged with the world. According to the Shambhala tradition, there is inherent goodness and sanity in all human beings. This potential can be recognized and developed through the sitting practice of meditation. At the Shambhala Center of Minneapolis, we try to offer a warm yet disciplined environment where people can meditate together and connect with their inherent wisdom and goodness.