a serene common area with a view through to a light-filled shrine room

The Shambhala Meditation Center of Philadelphia is part of a global community that aspires to awaken kindness, goodness and wisdom within society by offering opportunities for the practice and study of meditation, personal wellbeing and collective liberation. We are committed to creating a supportive and inclusive community, drawing from wisdom traditions from all over the globe. At the heart of our path are the teachings first offered by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, a meditation master in the Shambhala and Tibetan Buddhist traditions.

The world today faces major challenges. We witness increasing economic inequality, surges in ethnic and racial violence, climate change and other forms of environmental destruction, and a rise of authoritarian governments.  Read the statement from the Central Governance Council.

The Shambhala Meditation Center of Philadelphia is a vibrant community inspired by the principle that every human being has a fundamental nature of basic goodness, wisdom and compassion. For over 40 years, the Shambhala Meditation Center has offered programs on meditation, contemplative practice, and the arts, as well as a wide range of cultural and social activities that cultivate wakefulness and creativity.

Our approach to the practice and study of meditation is grounded in the Shambhala Buddhist tradition. Our mission is to inspire an awake and compassionate society through personal and collective transformation. As part of a global community founded by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, Shambhala welcomes people from all walks of life, faiths, and backgrounds.

We are pleased to offer opportunities for practice, study, and community. Your generous support will help us provide programming that will sustain our community. Please give what you can through our donation page.

COVID-19 Precautions

AS OF OCTOBER 21st, 2022, when attending in-person programs and events at the Philadelphia Shambhala Meditation Center

  • Masks are optional
  • Vaccination is not required, but we encourage everyone to be up-to-date on COVID and flu vaccines.
  • If you are not feeling well for any reason, please stay home and take care of yourself. We look forward to seeing you when you are feeling better.

Read about the Philadelphia Shambhala Center current safety measures.


New to Shambhala?

Shambhala is an international community of urban meditation and rural retreat centers founded by the Vidyadhara Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, and now led by Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche. Learn about our vision, lineage & community. More →

Ongoing Offerings

Our centre offers a rich array of ongoing offerings free to the public including weekly public sitting meditation hours and dharma talks. No prior meditation experience required to attend.  All are welcome. More →