In addition to the Crazy Heart Meditation Community's secular and non-sectarian activities, we also host the Crazy Heart Sangha.

 

The Sangha is for those who wish to fully engage in the the Buddhist Path. The Crazy Heart Sangha is unique as it propagates the tradition of Celtic Buddhism.

​

Celtic Buddhism is a Three-Yana Buddhist path, emphasizing tantric practice while operating within a framework of contemporary Celtic view and culture. The Crazy Heart Lineage of Celtic Buddhism descends from the Nyingma and Kagyu lineages of Tibetan Buddhism, as transmitted by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche. Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche was the root teacher of Yeshe Tungpa, founder of this Celtic Buddhist lineage.

 

Given the relationship to Trungpa, Celtic Buddhism incorporates the Shambhala teachings and traditional Tibetan practices. Trungpa had a close relationship with Shunryu Suzuki, founder the San Francisco Zen Center. Many of our lineage holders also came from the Zen tradition. Therefore, our tradition has adopted elements of Zen Buddhism as well.

 

Celtic Buddhism blends the traditional practices of the lineages with the Celtic View. Celtic Buddhism includes methods from across the traditions and honors their original presentation. In addition to these traditional practices, Celtic Buddhism adapts some of them,  using Celtic symbol, myth and iconography. This is an exercise in Skillful Means to help those who resonate with the Celtic View to connect more deeply with the Dharma.

 

The Celtic View consists of:

 

Reverence for the natural world.
Seeing the natural world as sacred and animate.
Living by the cycles of the sun and moon.
Embracing liminality.
Cultivating balance.
Valuing and practicing hospitality.
Valuing close-knit (tribal) community.
Valuing bravery and warriorship.
Viewing the sexes as equal in value and potential.
Incorporating arts and music into spiritual life.
Preference for simple living and minimalism.
Appreciation for myth and symbol from modern Celtic Countries.
Appreciation for the culture of modern Celtic Countries.
 

Celtic Buddhism is an open, exploratory path. There are shared tenets and shared practices amongst practitioners, but it is much less rigid and dogmatic than many other Buddhist sects or organized religious groups. The emphasis is placed on spiritual friendship and service. You won’t be told what to believe. Instead, you will be given the teachings, the methods, heartfelt guidance and the freedom to figure out what works best for you.

 

Celtic Buddhism may not appeal to everyone, but it is open to everyone, regardless of background, beliefs or identity. One does not have to be of Celtic heritage to be a Celtic Buddhist in the same way that one does not have to be Tibetan to be a Tibetan Buddhist. In this context, Celtic is a shared view and a culture that is participated in.

​

In Defense of Celtic Buddhism

​

We acknowledge that the label Celtic can be problematic since the word is rather fluid in its meaning or understanding. In this context, Celtic refers partially to the assumed way of life of the ancient European tribes and partially to the culture, folklore and symbols of the modern Celtic Countries (Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Isle of Man, Cornwall, and Brittany). The Celtic View above defines it well enough for our purposes. 

​

Some people believe that the Dharma can not be mixed with Celtic culture (or any culture that is not Asian).  This is wrong view. The Buddha's teachings are universal. The Dharma has changed and been changed by each culture that it has interacted with. Sometimes this helps the Dharma flourish and sometimes it dilutes the Dharma due to cultural beliefs or superstitions superseding the Buddha's teachings. It is our highest priority to keep the Dharma intact while also allowing for the exploration of other systems for spiritual and mundane benefit. We believe the mixing is Skillful Means to reach those who would have otherwise not connected with the Dharma.