FIRST SHANGPA NETWORK MEETING MARCH 24-26TH 2010 Karma Ling Institute (France)

The first International meeting of the Shangpa Network was held at Karma Ling Institute, France on the 24, 25, 26th of March 2010, in the presence of Rinpoches and lamas, founders and delegates (see list of participants). Five sessions dealt with transmission: study, practice and governance. First, in general, the participants affirmed their motivations:

1. To follow the vision and instructions of Vajradhara Kalu Rangjung Künkhyab and to cooperate to accomplish his wishes.

2. To strengthen our samayas as Vajra brothers and sisters of same masters.

3. To cooperate in all ways that could benefit the lineage and its followers. In particular:

4. It was consensually decided to help the Palden Shangpé Densa, the official seat of the Shangpa Lineage, by all means that could be useful for its development and its influence.

5. Concerning the study, Khenpo Thinley will propose a shédra curriculum to be adapted according to countries and languages.

6. New Shangpa three year retreats will be formatted according to the program of the Sonada and Mirik three year retreat. Kalu Rinpoche will also send instructions for lay practitioners and daily life.

7. KKR decided to found three headquarters: in Europe, in Asia and in America to coordinate the activities of his centers. The headquarters could change every two years. Rinpoché has decided that the first official European Headquarter will be Dag Shang Kagyü in Spain with Lama Drugyü Tenpa as facilitator. Lama Drupgyu Tenzin and Lama Dominique will help him in his task. Concerning America and Asia, Rinpoché will choose the appropriate headquarters when he travels there.

8. A possible name for the Headquarters could be “Palden Shangpa Europe” or “Palden Shangpa Asia” or “Palden Shangpa America”. This point has to be finalized. A website for the headquarter will soon be created with a public part to diffuse Rinpoche’s communication and teachings and a private area.

9. The “autonomous community” founded with the blessing of Vajradhara Kalu Rangjung Künkhyab shall freely integrate the headquarters structure according to the personal samaya their respective superiors have with their root lama. Each congregation, when necessary, will implement legal status according to local laws and rules.

10. To use as official name “Kyabjé Kalu Rinpoché”.

11. To encourage the wearing of a purple zen for all practitioners who finished the ngöndros in order not to differentiate to much with the monks. Elder practitioners could wear trangjuk as well at the discretion of the resident lama. Sonada Monastery will help to provide material with appropriate color. KKR encouraged to wear during great ceremonies the yellow hat. Sonada monastery will provide the lamas with these hats.

12. KKR requested that every lamas in charge of centers founded by the previous Kalu Rinpoché should sent a recognition or authorization letter if they have any. If they don’t have one and if they request, Kalu Rinpoche will write himself one letter of this kind .

13. Rinpoche suggested that the resident lamas are called “lama neten” (gnas bstan)

14. Refuge names : KKR proposed to used “tsultrim” as a prefix for all the refuge names given within the Shangpa lineage

15. Communication with Rinpoche : Rinpoche will choose a manager in Sonada who will be in charge to make the link between him and the resident lamas. The headquarter should use the official website as a tool to diffuse information, as well as phone number and emails to communicate with the affiliated centers. The website Link of Shangpa will be used as a personal tool of communication for Rinpoché.

16. KKR encouraged to organize a general Shangpa meeting in each of the three areas, at least every two years.

Please click below to see the summary of the First Shangpa Network Meeting :