South America
The aspiration to create enlightened society exists throughout the world. The Shambhala Buddhist teachings arose first in Asia and have been established most fully so far in North America and Europe. The Shambhala Buddhist teachings and texts have generally originated in Tibetan or English, and making them accessible in parts of the world where other languages predominate has required financial support to make teachers available and provide translations of the teachings.
The most comprehensive effort of this kind has happened in South America, where a strong interest from people in Brazil and, particularly, Chile, led to a multi-year project that the Trust has supported.
Support from the Trust for this South American initiative has come in several forms, including support for the primary Shambhala teacher in South America, Acharya Simon Luna, to continue his stay there through the Seminary program in Chile in 2006 (which served all of South America) and into 2007.
The initial amount that had been requested from the Trust by the Chilean Shambhala community was US$17,975, as a three-year grant (1999-2002), and the Trust agreed to provide US$7,975. This amount contributed to that community's ability to host Acharya Luna as a resident teacher. The Chilean community later applied for and received a two-year grant (2003-2005) for Acharya Luna's continued stay in Santiago. The amount requested in that case was US$25,625. In 2003, the Trust provided a total of US$17,400 for this purpose, and in 2004, the Trust added an additional US$8,700 that had been requested to complete the two-year package.
The Trust had a strong sense of affection and appreciation for Acharya Luna, who passed away suddenly in 2007. We are glad to have supported him in building Shambhala in South America, and we will miss him.
Testimonials
"The generosity of the Shambhala Trust has allowed the dharma to blossom powerfully in South America. For six years, Trust support has nurtured growing sanghas in Chile and Brazil, and now has made it possible for them to have an acharya in residence. This led directly to the Vajrayana Seminary in Chile in February 2006, where over 100 persons attended. Thanks to the Trust, Shambhala is thriving in South America."
Acharya Simon Luna
South America
"We in South America are so grateful to the Trust. With their help, we have gone from being "lost and forgotten children" to "young adults" fully recognized as part of the international sangha. With the help of visiting teachers, we have successfully hosted Warriors Assembly and Vajrayana Seminary. Our membership continues to grow, and we have well-trained local teachers and leaders -- all due in great part to the confidence the Trust has placed on us."
Verónica Guzman
Santago, Chile
"I want to thank the Trust for your enormous generosity towards South American dharma centers. Without your "trust" in them and your financial and moral support, frankly, many of these students would probably have had to wait for another lifetime before having such valuable opportunities to practice and study presented to them."
Julia Sagebien
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