By Victor M Fontane
Over many centuries, numerous explorers and seekers of spiritual wisdom have embarked on expeditions and quests in search of the mythical paradise of Shambhala, and while many have claimed to have been there, no one has yet provided any evidence of its existence or been able to pinpoint its physical location on a map, however most references place Shambhala in the mountainous regions of Eurasia.
Ancient Zhang Zhung texts identify Shambhala with the Sutlej Valley in Punjab or Himachal Pradesh, India. Mongolians identify Shambhala with certain valleys of southern Siberia. In Altai folklore, Mount Belukha is believed to be the gateway to Shambhala. Modern Buddhist scholars seem to conclude that Shambhala is located in the higher reaches of the Himalayas in what is now called the Dhauladhar Mountains around Mcleodganj. Some legends say that the entrance to Shambhala is hidden inside a remote, abandoned monastery in Tibet, and guarded by beings known as the Shambhala Guardians.
James Hilton wrote about this mystical city in 1933 in his book “Lost Horizon“. Hollywood and raised in the 1960 film production, “Shangri-la“. Even the famous author James Redfield wrote The Celestine Prophecy is also writing a book called “The Secret of Shambhala: In Search of the Eleven Insight.” The mystery of Shambhala is also considered as a source for the Kalachakra, which is the highest branch of mystical and esoteric in Tibet.
The legend of Shambhala has existed since thousands of years ago. We can find a record of this kingdom in ancient texts such as the Kalachakra and Zhang Zhung that even existed before Buddhism entered Tibet. The Bön scriptures speak of a closely related land called Olmolungring. Hindu texts such as Vishnu Purana mention the village Shambhala as the birthplace of Kalki, the final incarnation of Vishnu who will usher in a new Golden Age (Satya Yuga).
Whatever its historical basis, Shambhala gradually came to be seen as a Buddhist Pure Land, a fabulous kingdom whose reality is visionary or spiritual as much as physical or geographic. It was in this form that the Shambhala myth reached the Western Europe and the Americas, where it influenced non-Buddhist as well as Buddhist spiritual seekers — and, to some extent, popular culture in general.
Shambhala word comes from the Sanskrit word meaning “place of peace” or “Place of silence“. This kingdom has a capital named Kalapa and ruled by the kings of the dynasty Kulika or Kalki. This is where living things are perfect and semi perfect meet and jointly guide the evolution of humanity. Only those who are pure in heart that can live in this place. There they will enjoy happiness and peace and will not even recognize the suffering.
It is said that in the kingdom, love and virtue reign. Injustice never happened. Its people have a very deep spiritual knowledge and culture are based on law, art and knowledge are far higher than ever achieved by the attainment of the outside world.
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