Shambhala Land – myth or reality?

The Shambhala Land is said to be a hidden paradise in the depths of the Himalayas, only to be reached by a long and treacherous journey. The Shambhala legend dates back to thousands of years ago, and it has been referenced in a variety of ancient texts, such as the Kalachakra Tantra [ click to read – a guide to KT ].

Kailash Yantra, TIBET

Shambhala is a Sanskrit word that means either place of Peace or a place of Silence. The legend is that you will only be able to reach and live in the Shambhala if you are completely pure-hearted and deserving of this land. Not only this… if you are fortunate enough to reach the Shambhala Land, it is believed that you will be immune from any suffering, wanting, or aging throughout your life. War and injustice are unknown in there – an idealistic world for many who have not experienced it.

There is much debate around whether the Shambhala Land is simply a mythical place created through ancient teachings and texts or whether there is a real and tangible hidden paradise in the Himalayas, only to be found if you are deemed to be the right person to find it. Legend has it that the way to enter the Shambhala Land is to reach a remote and abandoned Tibetan monastery, and it is there that you will find the entrance guarded by special beings, which are known as the Shambhala guardians.

Kee monastery in Himalayas mountain

Many believe that the Shambhala is simply a concept that has been used for religious teachings, for example, in Tibetan mythology. The particular teachings from the Kalachakra speak of the deterioration of the human race due to an obsession with materialism. They say that when this ‘evil ideology’ of war and greed has taken over completely, and all is lost… it is then when the Land of Shambhala will be revealed. The mist over its hiding place will disperse, and its benevolent king ‘Kulika’ or ‘Kalki’ will come to fight this evil with a huge army and save humankind, introducing a new time for our Earth — The Golden Age.

Russian philosopher and painter Nicholas Roerich (also known as Nikolai Konstantinovich Rerikh) believed in the reality of the Shambhala Land. He was a very well-educated man with a degree in law, as well as having a passionate love of art, architecture, archaeology, and literature. Nicholas Roerich was a keen activist and sought to protect and preserve beloved art and architecture during the war. Between 1923 and 1928 he traveled extensively through India, Mongolia, Tibet, and China. He wrote in-depth about his journey through the Himalayas and has recorded what he has seen in his breathtaking panoramic paintings.

Nicholas Roerich, art

Roerich journeyed through the Himalayas because he believed that he was sent on a mission by the Mahatmas. He calls it – Great Plan to unify millions of Asian people through a religious movement whereby the King of Shambhala would ultimately fight a great battle against all existing evil forces on earth. His paintings serve to urge us all on in strength and unity to triumph over darkness and evil. His overriding belief that peace on earth is the way for the unity of all people is still valid today.

Dharma wheel

Well, it is hard to conclude whether Shambhala is simply a myth or a reality… Perhaps it is the case, as with many religious teachings, that Shambhala has an external and an inner meaning:

• the outer meaning is obviously where Shambhala does exist as a physical place somewhere, although incredibly hard to reach unless you are someone pure enough to be shown the way;
• the inner meaning of Shambhala is perhaps what it teaches individuals and how it is understood symbolically – the idea of what Shambhala represents and how it should influence the daily lives of human beings.

Whatever the truth is about Shambhala Land, 😉 it is indisputable that it has generated a lot of dialogue for thousands of years, and that many have been helped through its teachings. 🙌

A great deal of the chaos in the world occurs because people don’t appreciate themselves. The Shambhala teachings are founded on the premise that there is basic human WISDOM that can help to solve the world’s problems. This wisdom does not belong to any culture or religion, nor does it come only from the West or the East. Rather it is a tradition of human warrior-ship that has existed in many cultures at many times throughout history. Chogyam Trungpa

Are you packing your bags yet to Shambhala Land? 😉

Interested or bored? More to check: 

The Way to Shambhala

About Nicholas Roerich

Written by Caroline

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