Diversity, Children, Family, Interest Groups

Diversity in Shambhala

Diversity is the understanding that everyone is unique. It means recognizing and respecting each other’s differences. These differences might include race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, or other ideologies. The Shambhala Center of Chicago is committed to diversity. We believe that exploring diversity in a nurturing, safe environment can help us to move beyond tolerance and into recognizing one another’s basic goodness beyond any bounds, while still appreciating our differences.

To read more about diversity in Shambhala overall, click here.

Handicapped Accessible Main Center

Our main location in the West Loop in 100% handicapped accessible and in compliance with regulations.  The center houses ramps to the side of the main building and a private elevator.  Those who may need to use the ramp can call the center to be let into the side entrance.

People of Color Scholarship

The North American People of Color Scholarship Fund is a fund that supports Shambhala’s aspirations on diversity by making financial assistance available to people of color on the Shambhala Buddhist path who desire to contribute to the Shambhala community and bring benefit people who share their background.

Families & Children

A family program is developing at the West Loop Center. Child care will be provided from 11-12 once a month on the second Sunday of the month (May 11, June 8, July 13 and August 10) to provide parents with the opportunity to join the Sunday morning group sitting. On those same dates, from 10-11, a committee will meet to develop a more structured program to begin in the fall. All, including children of all ages, are welcome to attend the planning meetings. Please email [email protected] for more information.

Guidelines for parents:
You may leave children ages (6 weeks to 14 years) from 11-noon on the scheduled Sundays.
Please sign your child in and complete a name tag with your child’s name on the top and your name on the bottom.
You may not leave the premises while your child is attending the child care.
If your child is in diapers or needs assistance with toileting, please change the diaper or take your child to the bathroom immediately before the program. Volunteers do not change diapers or assist children with toilets; we will come get you in the meditation hall to do so.

Shambhala’s many land centers host a number of retreats for both families and children. Family camp is held each summer at the Karme Choling Retreat Center in Vermont, Shambhala Mountain Center in Colorado, and at Dorje Denma Ling Retreat Center in Vermont.     A special program, called the rites of passage, is open to children ages 8-10, and marks the transition children begin to make from being solely family-centered to becoming important individual members of their community. To learn more about family camp, visit our page on families and children or visit the  retreat center program pages.

In addition, Sun Camp is held at multiple retreat centers throughout the year for children from the ages of 10-16.  Click here to learn more about Sun Camp and where it is being held. 

Special Interest Community Groups

The center currently houses multiple special interest community groups to encourage various aspects of diversity.  Current groups include an LGBTQI Group (Queer Dharma), a  group for young adults (Mindfulness UniverCity), and a group for those who are in recovery or are affected by friends and family in recovery (Heart of Recovery). Learn more about each of these groups and how to get involved by clicking on the links for that group.