Shambhala School of Buddhist Studies

The Shambhala School of Buddhist Studies (SSBS) presents the Buddhist teachings following the Tibetan Buddhist model of the Three Yanas.  

• First, in the Hinayana, we study the life of the Buddha, his original teachings of the four noble truths, the basics of mindfulness-awareness meditation and Buddhist psychology.

• Secondly in the Mahayana, we explore the vision and path of the Bodhisattvas, those whose compassion is extended to others in the world.  Here, we study the 6 paramitas, sunyata or ‘emptiness’, the practices of Lojong & Tonglen and the role of compassion and skillful means.

• Finally, in the Vajrayana we work with practices to directly recognize the nature of reality and learn to confidently embrace ordinary experience as awakened.

The SSBS follows a four-cycle program of practice and study over two years, forming the basis for further intensive study at the Sutrayana and Vajrayana Seminaries offered annually by Shambhala International. All courses are open to both beginners and mature practitioners. While the SSBS is based primarily on the teachings of Tibetan Buddhism, it also includes elements from the Zen and Theravadin traditions and emphasizes mindfulness-awareness meditation practice as the basis for all effective study.  

Programs are designed to deepen students' understanding and experience of the buddhadharma in a gradual and systematic way while helping students develop at their own pace and in accord to their own interests and commitments.

Each cycle provides:

• weekly classes as well as one-day, two-day, and weekend intensives

• courses in each of the three yanas

• a community practice intensive

• teachings of Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche,Pema Chödrön and other teachers

• a central transmission and contemplation

Learn more about meditation and buddhism at shambhala.org

Search  Home   Programs   Meditation   Buddhist Study   Shambhala Training   Arts   Community

Shambhala Center Philadelphia
2030 Sansom Street, Philadelphia,  PA 19103
Tel. (215) 568-6070    Email: info@philashambhala.org