Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche

Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche

Sakyong Mipham is the leader of Shambhala, a global community of meditation practitioners committed to realizing the inherent goodness in humanity. He is author of several books, including The Shambhala Principle. His website is sakyong.com.

Recent Articles

Mahayana, Way of the Bodhisattva, Vajrayana / Tibetan Buddhism, Sakyong Mipham, Shambhala Sun, Lion's Roar, Buddhism

The Mahayana Motivation

Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche on the bodhisattva path.

Sakyong Mipham, Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, Shambhala Sun, Basic Goodness, Lungta, Lion's Roar, Buddhism

The Power of Self-Reflection

Transforming society, says Sakyong Mipham, begins with the simple act of contemplating our basic goodness and reflecting on how we really feel about ourselves.

The Wish-Fulfilling Jewel

Virtue, says Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, is like the legendary jewel that fulfills all our wishes. By meditating on and practicing the virtues of wisdom and compassion, we make our lives meaningful, happy, and successful.

Compassion, Happiness, Decisions, Sakyong Mipham, Vajrayana / Tibetan Buddhism, Shambhala Sun, Lion's Roar, Buddhism

Make Your Decisions for Others

The reason it's so hard to make decisions, says Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, is that we're confused about what we really want. If we're motivated by the happiness and welfare of others, we'll have no trouble making clear and wise decisions.

Personal Practice

There is a trio of activities that lead to enlightenment.

Meditation, Peace, Sakyong Mipham, Vajrayana / Tibetan Buddhism, Shambhala Sun, Lion's Roar, Buddhism

A Courageous Activity

It may look as if we're doing nothing on the cushion, but in fact we're cultivating peace. From that point of view, the practice of meditation is a very courageous activity.

Nine Stages of Training the Mind

From a wild and busy mind to the perfection of equanimity, Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche lays out the nine stages of training the mind.

Warriorship, bravery, Sakyong Mipham, Vajrayana / Tibetan Buddhism, Shambhala Sun, Lion's Roar, Buddhism

The Buddha’s Bravery

According to Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, to have the definite intention to emerge from samsara is an act of warriorship, a way of dealing with our fear of death.

Meditation, Sakyong Mipham, Shambhala Sun, Lion's Roar, Buddhism, Vajrayana

Meditation and Post-Meditation

Normally, when we talk about meditation, we're talking about formal meditation, meaning that our meditation session has a definite beginning and end.

No-self, Sakyong Mipham, Self, Shambhala Sun, Lion's Roar, Buddhism

Do I Exist or Not?

<h4>The complete negation of everything — is that Buddhism? No, says Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, "Buddhism is more complicated than that: things don’t exist, but they don’t not exist either." </h4>

Becoming a Buddhist

“When we take refuge in the Buddha, we mean the qualities of the Buddha that are inherent within us. We are taking refuge in our own intrinsic enlightenment.”

Shambhala Sun, Happiness, Psychology, Sakyong Mipham

The Endless Migration

Psychologically, we are migrators. Going from one thing to another is what makes us happy. So do you think that all stops when you die?