Karmê Chöling
Originally known as "Tail of the Tiger", Karmê Chöling is a Shambhala Buddhist Meditation Retreat center and community for people from all walks of Life to connect with their basic goodness and the basic goodness of others. The Staff there offers Meditation programs and retreats in the Shambhala Buddhist tradition to hundreds of students each year. Karmê Chöling facilities include 717 acres (2.9 km2) of wooded land, seven Meditation halls, a Zen archery range, an organic garden, dining facilities, single and double rooms, dormitory housing, and seven Retreat cabins. The center also houses visitors and Staff in tents on wooden platforms in the warmer months of May through September. The center gives retreats, seminars, and workshops on Meditation, gardening, archery, and theater.
History
In 1970, Karmê Chöling was founded in Barnet, Vermont by the Vidyadhara, (literally meaning “Awareness holder;” a Spiritual leader of Buddhism) Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. Karmê Chöling is the first teaching seat in North America of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, a 20th century Buddhist Meditation master that was credited with bringing Buddhism to the western World. Originally a dairy farm, the building was purchased by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche’s students and was converted under his supervision into a Shambhala Buddhist Retreat center. It was called “Tail of the Tiger”, but in 1974 the Name was changed to Karmê Chöling, which remains its Name today. Over Time the original farmhouse that was Karmê Chöling has seen many additions and has grown to include many other Meditation rooms, Sleeping quarters for key Staff and members of certain programs. This Shambhala Meditation center has been visited by many great leaders and intellectuals of Buddhism and Shambhala Buddhism. Karmê Chöling is affiliated with Shambhala International, led by Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, a holder of the Karma Kagyu, Nyingma, and Shambhala Buddhism Lineages. The current director of Karmê Chöling, Jane Arthur, took office in October 2006.
Programs
Karmê Chöling works with both experienced practitioners of Shambhala Buddhism as well as novices and people Interested in learning more about Meditation or their Way of Life. It is run by a core residential Staff with help from paid employees, community members, and volunteers. They have many different types of retreats which have different focuses.
Introductory Meditation Retreats include many of the retreats that are under the subheadings below. They introduce the practice of Mindfulness/Awareness Meditation, and typically last a week or weekend, although some are longer. A complete listing of these retreats can be found on.
Way of Shambhala Retreats are designed for those who have never meditated before and beginners in Meditation, although there are also some programs for those who have mastered these basics. Details about individual retreats can be found at.
Dathün is a one-month long group Meditation Retreat which is open to anyone, but is a very important training session specifically in Shambhala Buddhism. It includes sitting and Walking meditation, Buddhist chants, talks, and short work sessions, all in Silence or functional talking only. More Information about these programs can be found at.
Qigong is a Daoist Spiritual Discipline that cultivates both the Mind and Body a the same Time. More Information about these programs can be found at.
Children, Youth, Teen, and Family Retreats are designed to “support families in raising children in an Awakened Way and to help families deepen their connection to Meditation practice and the Shambhala Buddhist tradition.” These programs work with entire families, youth 13–17 years old, and younger children. More Information about these programs can be found at.
Garden Programs include shorter 2 week sessions to learn about connecting with the Earth and combining this with Meditation, or longer apprenticeship program which also teaches organic gardening principles with Meditation. It is also possible to work in the garden as a volunteer or Staff member. More Information about these programs can be found at.
Advanced Programs include prerequisites within Shambhala Buddhism because of the deeper exploration into higher level practices. They are typically no more than 11 days long. More Information about these programs can be found at.
