Shambhala - pure land

Shambhala For other uses, see Shambhala (disambiguation). pure land, a fabulous kingdom whose reality is visionary In Tibetan Buddhist and Hindu traditions, Shambhala or spiritual as much as physical or geographic. It was in this form that the Shambhala myth reached Western Europe and the Americas, where it influenced non-Buddhist as well as Buddhist spiritual seekers —and, to some extent, popular culture in general.

1 In the Buddhist Kalachakra teachings

(Sanskrit: शम्भलः Śambhalaḥ, also spelled Shambala or Shamballa or “Shambhallah"; Tibetan: བདེ་འབྱུང, Wylie: bde 'byung ; Chinese: 香巴拉; pinyin: xiāngbālā) is a mythical kingdom. It is mentioned in various ancient texts, including the Kalacakra Tantra* [2] and the ancient Zhangzhung texts of western Tibet. The Bon scriptures speak of a closely related land called Tagzig Olmo Lung Ring.* [3] Hindu texts such as the Vishnu Purana (4.24) mention the village Shambhala as the birthplace of Kalki, the final Manjuśrīkīrti, King of Shambhala incarnation of Vishnu who

will usher in a new Golden * Age (Satya Yuga). [4] Main article: Kalachakra The legends, teachings and healing practices associated with Shambhala are older than any of these organized religions. Shambhala may very well have been an indige- Shambhala is ruled over by Maitreya, the future buddha. nous belief system, an Alti-Himalayan shamanic tradi- The Kalacakra tantra prophesies that when the world detion, absorbed into these other faiths.

This pre-existing clines into war and greed, and all is lost, the 25th Kalki belief system, also called Mleccha (from Vedic Sanskrit king will emerge from Shambhala with a huge army to म्लेच्छ mleccha, meaning“non-Vedic”), and the amaz- vanquish“Dark Forces”and usher in a worldwide Golden ing abilities, wisdom and long life of these 'sun

wor- Age. Using calculations from the Kalachakra Tantra, * shipers' (the Siddhi from the Vedic Sanskrit सिद्धि of scholars such as Alex Berzin put this date at 2424. [5] the ancient Surya Samadhi समाधि) is documented in Manjuśrīkīrti is said to have been born in 159 BCE both the Buddhist and Hindu texts. Whatever its histori- and ruled over a kingdom of 300,510 followers of the cal basis, Shambhala (spelling derived from the Buddhist Mlechha religion, some of whom worshipped the sun. He transliterations) gradually came to be seen as a Buddhist is said to have expelled 20,000 people from his domain 1

EXPEDITIONS

who clung to 'Surya Samadhi' (sun realization) rather than bala”), and thought it was another name for Cathay or convert to Kalachakra (Wheel of Time) Buddhism . China. In 1627 they headed to Tashilhunpo, the seat of the Panchen Lama and, discovering their mistake, returned to India.* [9] In Altai Mountains folklore Mount Belukha is also believed to be a gateway to Shambhala.* [10] The Hungarian scholar Sándor Kőrösi Csoma, writing in 1833,

provided the first geographic account of “a fabulous country in the north...situated between 45' and 50' north latitude”. Interestingly enough, due north from India to between these latitudes is eastern Kazakhstan, which is characterized by green hills, low mountains, rivers, and lakes. This is in contrast to the landscape of the provinces of Tibet and Xinjiang in eastern China, which are high mountains and arid.

3 Theosophy During the late-19th century, Theosophical Society cofounder Madame Helena Petrovna Blavatsky alluded to the Shambhala myth, giving it currency for Western Portrait of an Alti Himalian Shaman. Detail from“A Sorceress occult enthusiasts. Madame Blavatsky, who claimed to from Tungusy”1812-1813 by: E. Karnejeff be in contact with a Great White Lodge of Himalayan Adepts, mentions Shambhala in several places, but withThese

expelled Rishis, seers, sages and saints, who had re- out giving it especially great emphasis. alized truth and eternal knowledge exclaimed, "We want Later esoteric writers further emphasized and elaborated to remain true to our Sun-Chariot. We do not wish to give on the concept of a hidden land inhabited by a hidden up our belief system to change to another.” This shows mystic brotherhood whose members labor for the good there may have been

a fundamental difference between of humanity. Alice A. Bailey claims Shamballa (her the 2 time-cycle based doctrines. After realizing these spelling) is an extra-dimensional or spiritual reality on the were the wisest and best of his people and how much he etheric plane, a spiritual centre where the governing deity was in need of them, he later asked them to return. Some of Earth, Sanat Kumara, dwells as the highest Avatar of did. Those who

did not return were said to have set up the Planetary Logos of Earth, and is said to be an expresanother magical city elsewhere, the Shambhallah of myssion of the Will of God.* [11] tic legend. Manjuśrīkīrti initiated the preaching of the Kalachakra teachings in order to try to convert those who returned and all still under his rule. In 59 BCE he abdicated his throne to his son, Puṇḍārika, and died soon af- 4 Expeditions terwards, entering the sambhogakaya of buddhahood was Nicholas and Helena Roerich led a 1924-1928 expedition made a posthumous Buddhist saint.* [6]* [7] aimed at Shambhala.* [12]

Western receptions and interpretations

Some westerners have been fascinated with the idea of Shambhala, often based on fragmentary accounts from the Kalachakra tradition. Tibet and its ancient traditions were largely unknown to westerners until the twentieth century; whatever little information westerners received was haphazard at best.* [8] The first information that reached western civilization about Shambhala came from the Portuguese Catholic missionary Estêvão Cacella, who had heard about Shambhala (which he quite accurately transcribed as “Xem-

Inspired by Theosophical lore and several visiting Mongol lamas, Gleb Bokii, the chief Bolshevik cryptographer and one of the bosses of the Soviet secret police, along with his writer friend Alexander Barchenko, embarked on a quest for Shambhala, in an attempt to merge Kalachakratantra and ideas of Communism in the 1920s. Among other

things, in a secret laboratory affiliated with the secret police, Bokii and Barchenko experimented with Buddhist spiritual techniques to try to find a key for engineering perfect communist human beings.* [13] They contemplated a special expedition to Inner Asia to retrieve the wisdom of Shambhala - the project fell through as a result of intrigues within the Soviet intelligence service, as well as rival efforts of the Soviet Foreign Commissariat that sent its own expedition to Tibet in 1924.

3 Similarly, Heinrich Himmler and Rudolf Hess sent a German expedition to Tibet in 1930, and then again in 1934-35, and in 1938-39.* [14]

• Beyul • El Dorado • Ys

Contemporary modern times

French Buddhist Alexandra David-Néel associated Shambhala with Balkh in present-day Afghanistan, also offering the Persian Sham-i-Bala, “elevated candle” as an etymology of its name.* [15] In a similar vein, the Gurdjieffian J. G. Bennett published speculation that Shambalha was Shams-i-Balkh, a Bactrian sun temple.* [16] Chögyam Trungpa, a

Tibetan Buddhist lama, used the “Shambhala”name for certain of his teachings, practices, and organizations (e.g. Shambhala Training, Shambhala International, Shambhala Publications), referring to the root of human goodness and aspiration. In Trungpa's view, Shambhala has its own independent basis in human wisdom that does not belong to East or West, or to any one culture or religion.* [17]

In fiction

The concept of Shangri-La, as first described in James Hilton's 1933 novel Lost Horizon, is claimed to have been inspired by the Shambhala myth (as well as then-current National Geographic articles on Eastern Tibet Kham). Shambala appears in several science fiction stories of the 1930s. The legendary locale also serves as a lure to visionaries and adventurers in Thomas Pynchon's“Against the Day”(2006). The Fullmetal Alchemist feature-length

film, "Conqueror Of Shamballa", taking place in 1923, features Hess working with the Thule Society in their search for Shamballa. In the PlayStation 3 video game Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, much of the plot revolves around finding Shambhala, and therein, a powerful relic known as the Cintamani Stone. The protagonist and his partners ultimately find Shambhala at the game's conclusion, located in the mountains of Tibet and portrayed as a large abandoned city with lush vegetation and cursed brutish, blue, savage creatures that were once men.

• Hyperborea • Ile-Ife • Iram of the Pillars • Kitezh • “Shambala”(song) • Shangri-La • Sagala • Thule • Utopia

8 Footnotes [1] Crossman, Sylvie and Jean-Pierre Barou, eds. Tibetan Mandala, Art and Practice (The Wheel of Time). New York: Konecky & Konecky, 2004. ISBN 1-56852-4730. pp.20-26 [2] The Tantra by Victor M. Fic, Abhinav Publications, 2003, p.49. [3] The Bon Religion of Tibet by Per Kavǣrne, Shambhala, 1996 [4] LePage, Victoria

(1996). Shambhala: The Fascinating Truth Behind the Myth of Shangri-La. Quest Books. pp. 125–126. ISBN 9780835607506. [5] Berzin, Alexander (1997). “Taking the Kalachakra Initiation”. Retrieved 2016-06-20. [6] Das, Sarat Chandra (1882). Contributions on the Religion and History of Tibet, in Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, Vol. LI. Reprint: Manjushri Publishing House, Delhi. 1970, pp. 81–2. [7] Edwin Bernbaum“The Way to Shambhala: A Search for the Mythical Kingdom Beyond the Himalayas”1980 & Albert Grünwedel “Der Weg nach Shambhala”1915

In the Marvel Studios film Doctor Strange, “shamballa” is the Wi-Fi password of Kamar-Taj.* [18]

[8] Lopez, Donald S. Jr. Prisoners of Shangri~La, Tibetan Buddhism and the West, The University of Chicago Press, 1998

[9] Bernbaum, Edwin. (1980). The Way to Shambhala, pp. 18-19. Reprint: (1989). Jeremy P. Tarcher, Inc., Los Angeles. ISBN 0-87477-518-3.

See also • Agharta • Atlantis • Avalon

[10] http://www.ancient-origins.net/ancient-places-asia/ mysteries-kingdom-shambhala-001529 [11] Bailey, Alice A, A Treatise on Cosmic Fire 1932 Lucis Trust. 1925, p 753

10 FURTHER READING

[12] Archer, Kenneth. Roerich East & West. Parkstone Press 1999, p.94 [13] Znamenski (2011)

•“Tibetan Buddhist Atrocities and Propaganda.”Dr. S. D'Montford. “Tibetan Buddhist Atrocities and Propaganda.”Happy Medium Publishing. Sydney. 2004

[14] Hale, Christopher. Himmler's Crusade, John Wiley & Sons., Inc., 2003 [15] David-Néel, A. Les Nouvelles littéraires ;1954, p.1 [16] Bennett, J.G:“Gurdjieff: Making a New World”. Bennett notes Idries Shah as the source of the suggestion. [17] Trungpa, Chogyam. Shambhala, The Sacred Path of the Warrior. Shambhala, 1988

10 Further reading • Allen, Charles. (1999). The Search for Shangri-La: A Journey into Tibetan History. Little, Brown and Company. Reprint: Abacus, London. 2000. ISBN 0-349-11142-1.

[18] “Doctor Strange: Every Easter Egg & Marvel Secret”. Screen Rant. 5 November 2016. Retrieved 10 November 2016.

• Znamenski, Andrei. Red Shambhala: Magic, Prophecy, and Geopolitics in the Heart of Asia. Wheaton, IL: Quest Books, 2011. ISBN 978-08356-0891-6

• Martin, Dan. (1999). "'Ol-mo-lung-ring, the Original Holy Place.”In: Sacred Spaces and Powerful Places In Tibetan Culture: A Collection of Essays. (1999) Edited by Toni Huber, pp. 125–153. The Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, Dharamsala, H.P., India. ISBN 81-86470-22-0.

References • Rock Opera“Szambalia”(“Shambhala”) (2014). Official premiere in Poland, Warsaw (24.06.2014) • Rock song “Halls of Shambala”by B._W._Stevenson, covered and popularized by the rock band Three Dog Night Shambala_(song) • Berzin, Alexander (2003). Study Buddhism. Mistaken Foreign Myths about Shambhala. • Martin, Dean. (1999). "'Ol-mo-lung-ring, the Original Holy Place.”In: Sacred Spaces and Powerful Places In Tibetan Culture: A Collection of Essays. (1999) Edited by Toni Huber, pp. 125–153. The Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, Dharamsala, H.P., India. ISBN 81-86470-22-0. • Meyer, Karl Ernest and Brysac, Shareen Blair (2006) Tournament of Shadows: The Great Game And the Race for Empire in Central Asia ISBN 0465-04576-6 • Bernbaum,

Edwin. (1980). The Way to Shambhala: A Search for the Mythical Kingdom Beyond the Himalayas. Reprint: (1989) St. Martin's Press, New York. ISBN 0-87477-518-3. • Jeffrey, Jason. Mystery of Shambhala in New Dawn, No. 72 (May–June 2002). • Trungpa, Chogyam. Shambhala: The Sacred Path of the Warrior. Shambhala Publications. ISBN 087773-264-7 • Le Page, Victoria. (1996). Shambhala: The Fascinating Truth behind the Myth of Shangri-La. Quest Books, ISBN 0-8356-0750-X • Znamenski, Andrei. (2011). Red Shambhala: Magic, Prophecy, and Geopolitics in the Heart of Asia. Quest Books, Wheaton, IL (2011) ISBN 9780-8356-0891-6.

• Symmes, Patrick. (2007). “The Kingdom of the Lotus”in Outside, 30th Anniversary Special Edition, pp. 148–187. Mariah Media, Inc., Red Oak, Iowa.

11 11.1

Text and image sources, contributors, and licenses Text

• Shambhala Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shambhala?oldid=759128774 Contributors: Leandrod, Ronz, Technopilgrim, Ec5618, Jogloran, Secretlondon, Carlossuarez46, Sam Spade, Lowellian, Babbage, Wjhonson, Justanyone, NeoThe1, Xanzzibar, Davidcannon, Silvermane, Leflyman, Varlaam, Lucky 6.9, Utcursch,

DragonflySixtyseven, Egan Loo, GalanM, Sourcecode, Mjk2357, Zeality, Bobo192, Markryherd, Klo~enwiki, John Fader, Shoka, Ogress, Grutness, Hanuman Das, Babajobu, Cgmusselman, Ubermonkey, Ghirlandajo, Seitz, Woohookitty, Bjones, John Hill, Mandarax, Cuchullain, BD2412, Koavf, TheRingess, FlaBot, Ian Pitchford, Eubot, Hottentot, Paul foord, Algri, Alphachimp, Jeffrywith1e, Metropolitan90, Wjfox2005, Ravenswing, YurikBot, Wavelength, Ecemaml, DTRY, Dawud, Rudyh01, GeeJo, Sylvain1972, Dogcow, Gahrons, Dbfirs, Aaron Schulz, Seemagoel, Igiffin, Ninly,

MarkSzpakowski, Nixer, Elijahmeeks, Coffeeflower, SmackBot, Jagged 85, RedSpruce, ZerodEgo, Kintetsubuffalo, Portillo, Sinblox, Bluebot, Geir Smith, Robert43, Vcrs, Dhritimaan, Nareek, Carnby, James.S, IronGargoyle, RandomCritic, A. Parrot, Ahmoglee, Cacella, Kyoko, Davecornell, Judgesurreal777, Zero sharp, WhoSaid?, Dia^, Vp loreta, CmdrObot, Superbo, Cumulus Clouds, Ekajati, Cydebot, Peterdjones, Bellerophon5685, Eu.stefan, Synergy, AshokSrinath, Thijs!bot, Keraunos, Nick Number, Dr. Blofeld, Gohnarch, Awestcot, Ekabhishek, Nthep, Xact, 

TheGreenKnight, Malvorean, Green23, John1701, JoOleaN, Glen, Sergeant.cross, Urco, Job L, Ebizur, B DIZZY79, CommonsDelinker, Boston, RadioGuyTed, Ian.thomson, Sega31098, ShambhalaFestival, Gizmo26, DadaNeem, Pundit, Edogg1, Nikki311, Moisejp, VolkovBot, A Ramachandran, Derekbd, TXiKiBoT, Mmu man, Htcs, Aymatth2, Steven J. Anderson, Metasailor, Davin, Stormshadow07, Blackdog1290, Takagi3567, MDeShong, Adam the Stampede, Kosigrim, Kozy, Nilhanu, SieBot, Oldag07, Rédacteur Tibet, WolfHart, UncleMartin, RestlessPegLegSyndrome, Yoda of Borg,

Myominane, Owlmonkey, Hamiltondaniel, Dickfay, Invertzoo, Ricardo Frantz, ClueBot, Dakinijones, All Hallow's Wraith, Postmortemjapan, Kitty9992, Jonnybgoode44, Alexbot, ZuluPapa5, SchreiberBike, Amosm, XLinkBot, Cminard, Ost316, Jewishfanofnsbm, Addbot, Some jerk on the Internet, Twelbes, TriiipleThreat, Lightbot, Zorrobot, Phantom in ca, Luckasbot, Yobot, Bathysphere, AnomieBOT, Choij, NickK, Eumolpo, LilHelpa, Gintong Liwanag Ng Araw, John Coven, Carrite, Choying gyurme, Hazard the wolf, Thehelpfulbot, Buziatov, Nino.shoshia, Smiechu131rs15,

LittleWink, Jonesey95, Dazedbythebell, Eyethird, Henri Hudson, Einstein Li 37, Linguisticgeek, AndKir, Woodlot, Appleworld, Rlholden, Immunize, Dewritech, Dcirovic, ZéroBot, Davykamanzi, Rcsprinter123, Jbsmth, Yclept:Berr, MidnightRose815, Renamed user dfghtjd64, Helpsome, ClueBot NG, Marybrownisyourfriend, Aristitleism, 

Rajarajancheetak2010, Snotbot, Mysterydom, Dream of Nyx, Harsimaja, Helpful Pixie Bot, Smart Nomad, Kailash29792, BG19bot, Nafees dada06, LouisAlain, Joydeep, Shambhallah, Harizotoh9, Gylow, Sriharsh1234, RoyalTaquito, GENAMH, Rajmaan, FenixFeather, Alexwho314, Angrybirds13, Mventrice, Kimbrtree, ThatRusskiiGuy, Monkbot, Ainalhafila, Blueslushie92, Tophet, Abdulgoswami, My Chemistry romantic, Jenniohra, TomMoreFlynn, GreenC bot, Bender the Bot, Julius Civilis, What cat?, Henryavery139 and Anonymous: 267

Images

• File:Alti-Himalayan_Shaman_-1812-1813.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6b/Alti-Himalayan_ Shaman_-1812-1813.jpg License: CC BY-SA 4.0 Contributors: Own work Original artist: Shambhallah • File:KalachakraSera.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1d/KalachakraSera.jpg License: Public domain Contributors: Own work Original artist: Kosi Gramatikoff, photography using Sony Cybershot DSC-S70, digitally mastered Adobe Photoshop CS2, KPT, EQLZ • File:Rigdan_Tagpa.jpg Source:

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0e/Rigdan_Tagpa.jpg License: Public domain Contributors: “Contributions on Tibet”, in the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal Vol. LI (1882) Original artist: Sarat Chandra Das • File:Tibetan_wa_+_(i).svg Source:

Source

[[1]]