Foundation for Enlightened Society

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FES
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Mission

To bring the genuine dharma into the heart of western culture.

Trungpa Lineage Project

View: The Buddhist Rimé and Shambhala lineages of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche are uniquely powerful for western students, but are at risk of dying out.

Goal: To transmit those lineages to future generations and into broader society.

Method: Advanced training and fellowship for next-generation leaders in those lineages.

Advised by: Judy Lief, Larry Mermelstein, Valerie Lorig, Jon Barbieri.

Where: Boulder and Online.

Regular Events

Dharma Materials Project

View: Many practitioners have accumulated dharma materials that they no longer use. They may feel unsure how to pass on restricted materials in an appropriate way.

Method: FES is receiving, organizing, and passing on dharma materials, respecting the restrictions of necessary empowerments.

Donate: If you would like to donate dharma materials, see donations instructions below.

Estate Plans: If you would like to include FES in your will, please contact bequests@fes.ngo.

Seminary Transcripts

FES is in particular collecting Vajradhatu Seminary transcripts and giving them to participants in the 3 Yanas Retreat. We collected and delivered about 10 boxes of transcripts in 2024 and plan to do so again in 2025.

Gathering the Community

View: Trungpa Rinpoche's sanghas has become divided and especially in the last few years, many people have become increasingly isolated. Generations do not mix much. Children are rarely seen at community events.

Goal: To create opportunities for people to gather and connect.

Method: Offering regular events and gatherings.

Regular Events

  • Warrior Soirées - parties showcasing Shambhala culture (in Boulder, open to all)

    • Completed Programs

    1. Grief on the Path of Dharma (2024): a hybrid program at the Boulder Shambhala Center on love, loss, and grief featuring Miriam Tarcov, Jon Barbieri, Bryan Welch, and Colin Stubbert, moderated by Judy Lief. It was attended by about 100 people.
    2. Seminary Transcript Drive (2024): We received and joyfully delivered many boxes of Vajradhatu Seminary transcripts to participants in the 3 Yanas Retreat at Drala Mountain Center. We plan to do this again in 2025.
    3. Abhisheka Preparation (2023-2024): We helped students prepare for the special Vajrayogini Abhisheka given by Ringu Tulku on behalf of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche and according to his methods. FES arranged reading transmissions, ngöndro practice, and provided fellowship during the challenging work of the preliminaries.
    4. Rabjam Rinpoche Visit (2023): FES ran the security and venue team for Rabjam Rinpoche's 2023 visit to Boulder (hosted by Rimé Society and Naropa University), in which he bestowed empowerments for Trungpa's lineage specifically (the Sadhana of Mahamudra) and ones of broad relevance to the mahasangha (such as Guyagarbha and Vajrakilaya). FES provided training for about 10 volunteers and hosted around 600 guests at the empowerments.

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    Practices

    Board of Directors

    • Nick Urban,
      President
    • Derek Wolter,
      Secretary
    • Bert Fitzgerald
    • Abbey Fox
    • Colin Stubbert
    • Laura Viviana
    • Emilia Volz

    Coordinators

    • Colin Stubbert,
      General Coordinator
    • Joshua Andert,
      Soiree Coordinator
    • Graham Navin,
      Vajrayogini Coordinator

    Advisory Board

    • Judy Lief
    • Larry Mermelstein
    • Valerie Lorig
    • Jon Barbieri