The Stronghold of Shambhala
(A Message from the Himalayas)
By Nicholas Roerich
[From The Rosicrucian Digest April 1944]
| This article was transmitted direct to a member of the Rosicrucian
Order by Frater Nicholas Roerich, a renowned artist of Tibetan landscapes and
author of works on Hindu mysticism. The author, who now resides in India, has spent years of his life in the
mountain fastness of Tibet.
He is a master of the language and dialects of that country and is recognized
as one of the world authorities on the peoples and customs of that enigmatical
land. The following is written in an allegorical style common to much of the
mystical literature of India,
and refers to a spiritual or esoteric plane to be attained by the
adept.--Editor. |
"LAMA, tell me of Shambhala."
"But you Westerners know nothing about Shambhala--you wish to know
nothing. Probably you ask only out of curiosity; and you pronounce this sacred
word in vain."
"Lama, I do not ask about Shambhala aimlessly. Everywhere, people know of
this great symbol under different names. Our scientists seek each spark
concerning this remarkable realm. Csoma de Koros knew of Shambhala, when he
made his prolonged visit to the Buddhist monasteries. Grunwedel translated the
book of the famous Tashi Lama Pal-den ye-she, about 'The Way to Shambhala.' We
sense how, under secret symbols, a great truth is concealed. Truly, the ardent
scientist desires to know all about Kalachakra."
"Can this be so, when some of your Western people desecrate our temples?
They smoke within our holy sanctuaries; they neither understand nor wish to
venerate our faith and our teachings. They mock and deride the symbols whose
meaning they do not penetrate. Should we visit your temples, our conduct would
be completely different, because your great Bodhisatva, Issa, is verily an
exalted one. And none of us would defame the teaching of mercy and
righteousness."
"Lama, only the very ignorant and stupid would ridicule your teaching. All
the teachings of righteousness are as in one sacred place. And each one
possessed of his senses, will not violate the sacred place. Lama, why do you
think that the essential teaching of the Blessed One is unknown to the West?
Why do you believe that in the West we do not know of Shambhala?
"Lama, upon my very table you may see the Kalachakra, the Teaching brought
by the great Atticha from India.
I know that if a high spirit, already prepared, hears a voice proclaiming
Kalagiya it is the call to Shambhala. We know which Tashi Lama visited
Shambhala. We know the book of the High Priest, T'aishan--'The Red Path to
Shambhala.' We even know the Mongolian song about Shambhala. Who knows--perhaps
we even know many things. We know that quite recently a young Mongolian lama
issued a new book about Shambhala."
The Lama studies us with his piercing glance. Then he says:
"Great Shambhala is far beyond the ocean. It is the mighty heavenly
domain. It has nothing to do with our earth. How and why do you earthly people
take interest in it? Only in some places in the Far North, can you discern the
resplendent rays of Shambhala."
"Lama, we know the greatness of Shambhala. We know the reality of this
indescribable realm. But we also know about the reality of the earthly
Shambhala. We know how some high lamas went to Shambhala, how along their way
they saw the customary physical things. We know the stories of the Buryat lama,
of how he was accompanied through a very narrow secret passage. We know how
another visitor saw a caravan of hill-people with salt from the lakes, on the
very borders of Shambhala. Moreover, we ourselves have seen a white frontier
post of one of the three outposts of Shambhala. So, do not speak to me about
the heaven Shambhala only, but also about the one on earth; because you know as
well as I, that, on earth Shambhala is connected with the heavenly one. And in
this link, the two worlds are unified."
The Lama becomes silent. With eyes half concealed by the lids, he examines our
faces. And in the evening dusk, he commences his tale:
"Verily, the time is coming when the Teaching of the Blessed One will once
again come from the North to the South. The word of Truth, which started its
great path from Bodhgaya, again shall return to the same sites. We must accept
it simply, as it is; the fact that the true teaching shall leave Tibet, and
shall again appear in the south. Really, great things are coming. You come from
the West, yet you are bringing news of Shambhala. We must take it verily so.
Probably the ray from the tower
of Rigden-jyepo has reached
all countries.
"Like a diamond glows the light on the Tower of Shambhala.
He is there--Rigden-jyepo, indefatigable, ever vigilant in the cause of
mankind. His eyes never close. In his magic mirror he sees all events of earth.
The might of his thought penetrates into far off lands. Distance does not exist
for him; he can instantaneously bring assistance to worthy ones. His powerful
light can destroy all darkness. His immeasurable riches are ready to aid all
needy ones who offer to serve the cause of righteousness. He may even change
the karma of human beings. . . ."
"Lama, it seems to me that you speak of Maitreya; is it not so?"
"We must not pronounce this mystery? There is much which may not be
revealed. There is much which may not be crystallized into sound. In sound we
reveal our thought. In sound we project our thought into space and the greatest
harm may follow. Because every thing divulged before the destined date, results
in untold harm. Even the greatest catastrophies may be provoked by such
light-minded acts. If Rigden-jyepo and the blessed Maitreya are one and the
same for you--let it be so. I have not so stated!
"Uncountable are the inhabitants of Shambhala. Numerous are the splendid
new forces and achievements which are being prepared there for humanity. . .
."
"Lama, ancient teachings tell us that very soon new energies shall be
given to humanity. Is this true?"
"Innumerable are the great things predestined and prepared. Through the
Holy Scriptures we know of the Teachings of the Blessed One about the
inhabitants of the distant stars. From the same source we have heard of the
flying steel bird . . . . about iron serpents which devour space with fire and
smoke. Tathagata, the Blessed One, predicted all for the future."
"Lama, if the great warriors are incarnated, will not the activities of
Shambhala take place here on our earth?"
"Everywhere--here and in heaven. All benevolent forces shall come together
to destroy the darkness. Each one who will help in this great task shall be rewarded
a hundred-fold and upon this very earth, in this incarnation. All sinners
against Shambhala will perish in this very incarnation, because they have
exhausted mercy."
"Lama, we certainly know that Pan-chen-rinpoche is greatly esteemed
everywhere. In different countries we have heard how highly not only Buddhists,
but the people of many nations, talk about His Holiness. It is even said that
in his private apartments, long before his departure, the details of his coming
travels were outlined in the frescoes. We know that Pan-chen-rinpoche follows
the customs of all the great lamas. We have been told how during his flight he
and his followers escaped many of the greatest dangers.
"We know how at one time his pursuers from Lhassa were already quite upon
him, when a heavy snowfall cut off the pursuers' road. Another day,
Pan-chen-rinpoche arrived at a lake in the mountains; a difficult problem
confronted him. His enemies were close behind; but in order to escape, it would
be necessary for him to make a long circuit around the lake. Thereupon,
Pan-chen-rinpoche sat in deep meditation for some time. Arousing himself, he
gave orders, that despite the danger, the entire caravan would have to spend
the night on the shores of the lake. Then the unusual happened. During the
night, a heavy frost arose, which covered the lake with ice and snow. Before
sunrise, while it was still dark, Tashi Lama gave orders to his people to move
on speedily, and he, with his three hundred followers, crossed the lake over
the ice by the shortest way, thus escaping danger. When the enemies arrived at
the same spot, the sun was already high and its rays had melted the ice. There
remained for them only the roundabout way. Was it not so?"
"Verily, so it was. Pan-chen-rinpoche was helped by Holy Shambhala
throughout his travels. He saw many wondrous signs when he crossed the uplands
hastening to the North."
"Lama, not far from Ulan-Davan we saw a huge black vulture which flew low,
close to our camp. He crossed the direction of something shining and beautiful,
which was flying south over our camp, and which glistened in the rays of the
sun."
The eyes of the Lama sparkled. Eagerly he asked:
"Did you also feel the perfumes of the temple incenses in the
desert?"
"Lama, you are quite right--in the stony desert, several days from any
habitations, many of us became simultaneously aware of an exquisite breath of
perfume. This happened several times. We never smelt such lovely perfume. It
reminded me of certain incense which a friend of mine once gave me in India--from
where he obtained it, I do not know."
"Ah--you are guarded by Shambhala. The huge black vulture is your enemy,
who is eager to destroy your work, but the protecting force from Shambhala
follows you in this Radiant form of Matter. This force is always near to you
but you cannot always perceive it. Sometimes only, it is manifested for
strengthening and directing you. Did you notice the direction in which this
sphere moved? You must follow the same direction. You mentioned to me the
sacred call--Kalagiya! When one hears this imperative call, he must know that
the way to Shambhala is open to him. He must remember the year when he was
called, because from that time evermore, he is closely assisted by the Blessed
Rigden-jyepo. Only you must know and realize the manner in which people are
helped because often people repel the help which is sent."
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Webmaster's Note: A longer version of this article is published under the title "Shambhala, the Resplendent" in the book Shambhala (external
link) by Nicholas Roerich.
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