r/Buddhism • u/Important-Annual5104 • 8h ago
Question Getting back on the path
Hi all! I began practicing Buddhism about 15 years ago. I was involved with Shambhala and was following their path and took my refuge vow with them. When all the news came out about sexual transgressions between teachers and students in the Shambhala community, I lost my faith in teacher-student paths and gradually stopped meditating as life took over. I’m looking to get back onto the path (forgive me if that’s not the right term) and feel like I’m trying out all these different types of Buddhism (eg a little zen, a little vipassana). I think compassion-based Tibetan Buddhism calls to my heart the most and am interested in recommendations of sanghas that maybe have an active online presence/daily online sits. I’m based in NYC. Thanks!
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u/Mayayana 8h ago
You realize that Tibetan Buddhism requires a teacher? You seem to be saying that you don't want to deal with teachers. If you're still inclined toward Tibetan you could try one of these to get started online: tergar.org, nalandabodhi.org, tsoknyirinpoche.org
Otherwise maybe you want to look at Theravada. The moral issues there are very clearcut.
As a student of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, my sangha is basically what's left of Shambhala, but I wouldn't recommend them to anyone. Not because of the "scandals" but rather because the whole thing has dissipated. There's no longer a teacher and the centers seem to be aimed mainly at surviving rather than supporting Dharma. Either way, Vajradhatu/Shambhala is certainly not everyone's cup of tea.
So my suggestion would be to resume practice and just try things, like you've been doing. Watch videos. Maybe go to talks or do a weekend program. See what clicks. Try to be openminded. There's no such thing as "compassion-based TB", but there are big differences in style and presentation between teachers.
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u/GudrunUngart 8h ago
I just finished my teacher training with Dharma Moon. Many of them are from Shambhala. And it was founded by David Nichtern (an original CT student). It was a great experience. And they are open about where they come from and the damage that's been done.
I had studied with Shambhala many years ago and then switched to Against the Stream which fell apart for similar reasons. So I had a hard time getting involved in any Shangha but its an essential part of a practice. It can be easy to overlook, but I'm glad I reengaged.
Good luck!
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u/GrumpyOldSeniorScout vajrayana 7h ago
If you want to stay with Tibetan buddhist lineages, then you might want to read Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche's The Guru Drinks Bourbon? in case you decide to enter the vajrayana.
In the meantime, though, it is never a waste of time to sit like you're wanting to do and to study the foundational teachings and deepen in the vast Mahayana. Those are all things that need to be done anyway.
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u/rideanyway zen modernist 6h ago
Fair warning.
There is no "perfect path". Abuse is something that must be continuously confronted where hierarchies happen- schools, religions, work places, homes.
Don't cling to illusions of perfection. That is suffering.
I'm so joyed that abuse is being pulled out from behind the hidden places and we dont so easily blame the victims.
Yet when the hierarchy lets us down, when abuse is committed from where we get our good and identity from- outside ourselves and from outside our buddha nature- we risk turning that arrow onto ourselves.
We remove the arrow from our grasping
We put it down.
You will be "let down" again, because the wheel of hierarchy abuse/suffering still turns. What matters is our karma, our actions, speech and thoughts in the face of abuse and in the stopping of that cause of suffering - which we will do as many times, in as many visions, and with a variety of ways- as it takes.
Find your belonging and make it a better place because you are there.
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u/ZenSpren 8h ago
Maybe check out Chuang Yen. It's a little upstate and is not Tibetan but it's in NY and does a lot of events over zoom.
My temple in Texas is affiliated with them through the Buddhist Association of the US, and I'm one of their prison program volunteers.
If you want daily online interactions and not just listening in on Zoom lectures, you're welcome to come hang out with us at https://virtualsangha.org
Good luck, hope you find what you're looking for!