Sundays: Jan 28 / Feb 11, 18  / March 3, 10, 31 / April 14, 21, 28 / May 5

1:00 - 3:00 pm EST

"Real fearlessness is the product of tenderness. It comes from letting the world tickle your heart, your raw and beautiful heart. You are willing to open up, without resistance or shyness, and face the world. You are willing to share your heart with others." 

~ Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche

About the Course

Join your fellow Dorje Kasung comrades, Marty Janowitz, Lennart Krogoll, Simon LaHaye, Mindy Moore, Richard Peisinger, Laura Puts, Will Ryken, Dennis Southward, Mark Thorpe, and Shari and Bob Vogler, and listen to audio tapes of the Dorje Dradul’s Kasung talks, so we can together revisit these root teachings, and explore what they mean for your life, path, your actions and world today.

This series is a place for Kasung around the world, young and old, senior and new, to come together and share experiences, questions, and inspirations for the way forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Practice of Dorje Kasung and Kasungship?

The Dorje Kasung path was founded by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche in the 1970’s, as a means to care for the space of dharma practice and teachings, as well as dharma practitioners. It is based on the ancient traditions of bodhisattva service and Shambhala warriorship and its main slogan is ‘Victory over War.'

Session Breakdown

• Join in a brief practice together
• Listen to brief audio clips from Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche’s Kasung talks from the 1970s and 80s that highlight a particular topic
• Hear commentary and review by the guest teachers
• Move into break-out group discussions
• Engage in full-group discussions

Live Session Topics

Reading List (not required)

Prerequisites

Some previous Dorje Kasung experience, Warrior Assembly protector training, or Sun Camp staff and leadership. Others with interest in the Dorje Kasung path can submit requests to participate in this course to Lennart Krogoll at [email protected]. 

About the Teachers

Hosted by: Lennart Krogoll and Richard Peisinger

Session leaders include: Marty Janowitz, Lennart Krogoll, Simon LaHaye, Mindy Moore, Richard Peisinger, Laura Puts, Will Ryken, Dennis Southward, Mark Thorpe, and Shari and Bob Vogler

Marty Janowitz’ dharmic path as a student of Trungpa, Rinpoche began in 1970. It has long been intertwined with the path of Kasungship even prior to the visible birth of the Dorje Kasung during the first visit of HH Karmapa XVI, in 1974. During 1972-4 Marty periodically served as CTR’s attendant-driver in Boulder and as secretary-attendant during a multi-city journey in California. During Karmapa’s first visit, Marty was his 24/7 driver/attendant in Boulder, including a pivotal overnight with him at 1111 Pearl Street when a knife and death threat was notoriously embedded in Rinpoche’s unlocked door as Marty slept on the adjoining office couch. From that moment, Marty realized that being his close attendant was not for his personal gratification, and a prenatal Kasung was born. During the 1975 Seminary (Snowmass) Marty lived, drove, and was at the side of the Dorje Dradul throughout, which included key toddler Vajra Guard moments including Rinpoche’s spontaneous utterance of the Guard Slogans, multiple peashooter duals, snowball campaigns, and the well-known but little understood Merwin ‘incident.' In 1976 Marty first became a ‘gentleman attendant,' then an early Kusung under the leadership of the first Kusung Dapön, John Perks. In 1980, Marty was astounded to be named the second Kusung Dapon (Khyi Kyap), the post he held through DDMs life, paranirvana, cremation and beyond, training and extending Kusung service and Court principles in service and protection to the entire Mukpo clan (ret. 1994). At the second Magyal Pomra Encampment skirmish, Marty and Terry Schultz were appointed commanders, and quickly demonstrated disappointment in active service to the Dorje Dradul. Marty was named Warrior General of Shambhala by Sakyong Mipham in 1997 to create a Council of Warriors to invigorate the teachings, practices, Kalapa Assemblies and mission of the worldwide Shambhala Lodges, and serve as the primary preceptor of KOS Oaths. In 2013, he was appointed an Acharya (senior teacher) within the Shambhala Buddhist lineage, a role he retired from in 2020. Within and beyond Shambhala Marty shares that all roles and activities are held as close expressions of his lifetime Kasung and Shambala oaths.

Lennart Krogoll has been an active Kasung since 1983. He was involved in teaching and developing kasungship in Europe in the eighties, became an officer in 86 and a sergeant in 87. Residing in Nova Scotia since 1991, he held several Rusung, Garsung, and Regimental Commander positions before serving as Kasung Sergeant Major from 1999 to 2011, teaching kasungship throughout North America and Europe. He also has a degree in Peacekeeping from the United Nations Institute of Training and Research and currently serves on the Board of a charity that cares for the needs of first responders and military personnel in eastern Canada.

Simon La Haye has been practicing and serving as a kasung since 1980, first under the Makkyi Rabjam Dorje Dradül, and then with the Makkyi Rabjam Jampal Trinley Dradül. He was part of the Dorje Kasung Command Group and the Council of the Makkyi Rabjam where, as the Desung General he was instrumental in developing the Desung Arm of the Dorje Kasung. He also was Director of Dechen Chöling for more than 10 years. He now lives in Germany.

Mindy Moore joined the Gesar Arm of the Kasung in 1980 in New York City, just prior to a lengthy visit of HH 16th Karmapa. She continued to be active in Operations over many years and assisted with DK administration in Halifax, Nova Scotia (having moved there in 1987). A devoted student of Chado since 1984 and a school teacher for 23 years, Mindy has blended her work and life experiences with kasungship, applying kasung principles in the classroom as well as the tearoom. She now focuses much of her time on her ceramic art and Chado remains an important part of her life. She currently sits on the Halifax Shambhala Centre Advisory Council. 

Richard Peisinger has served in the Dorje Kasung since 1977 in the Gesar and Kusung Arms holding various command posts within each. The Dorje Dradul appointed him as Dapön Orange in the Kusung Arm in 1985. He served the Druk Sakyong and Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche in their Kalapa Court households in senior positions. His recent focus at the Halifax Shambhala Centre has been re-establishing a Protection Team. He is a founding member of the Shambhala Touching the Earth Collective.

Laura Puts. Laura's connection to Kasungship was sparked through her love for attending and later staffing Sun Camps. Especially the experience of container as well as the teachings on gentle and tough accompany Laura and allow her to practice kasungship in daily life. She has mainly followed the NCO path and still silently marches herself through the streets of the world.

Will Ryken has been a member of the Shambhala Buddhist Community since 1972 and has been a member of the Dorje Kasung, since 1975. Will co-founded Shambhala Sun Summer Camp, a leadership training program for young people, in 1984. He teaches around the world and is well known for his wisdom, sense of humor, and his inspirational qualities. Will lives and plays in St. Petersburg, FL, with his wife Paula Bickford and their two Dogs Brindle and Tashi.

Dennis Southward, Dopon M, met Trungpa Rinpoche in 1971. He then moved to Boulder, CO to study with Chögyam Trungpa in early 1972. Dennis was involved with the beginning of what was then known as the Kusung, later becoming Dorje Kasung. Dennis attended first MPE encampment and many others. Holding the rank of Rupon, he was in charge of Dorje Kasung on the Kalapa region for over five years. Dennis was the 1st Kasung to receive orders in the Desung and was instrumental in establishing the Desung Division as a vital arm of the DK. He was given the designation Dapon M by Mipham Rinpoche late in the 1990’s. He also provided Desung Training programs in the USA, Europe and New Zeeland. Dennis currently co-facilitates a Trident text study session in the western USA and continues to be a DK practitioner.

Mark Thorpe has been in the family of Shambhala and Vajradhatu since the mid-nineteen seventies. Since joining the Dorje Kasung in 1978, he has held many roles within the Dorje Kasung and Kusung, and is a life-long student of the view, practice, and action of protector principles in the Vajrayana and Shambhala traditions. He lives, works, and practices in Boulder, Colorado with his family.

Robert Vogler joined the Kusung Arm in 1977 when it was first formed. He was instrumental in bringing in and training many Kusung through the day-to-day life at The Kalapa Court. The Dorje Dradul appointed him Rupon in 1981. He has engaged in Kusung service for the Mukpo family, the Vajra Regent Osel Tendzin, and for Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche. Through this entire career he has been joined at the hip with Vogler Rupon, the lady, Shari Vogler. They have three children and two grandchildren. Bob has also been studying literary Tibetan and contributing to the work of the Nalanda Translation Committee.

Shari Vogler, Rupon, began studying and practising the Dorje Kasung teachings in 1977 as a Kusung. She served Dorje Dradul primarily as his cook 1976-1987. In the 1990s, as Director of the Halifax Shambhala Centre, it was apparent that this large, porous community could benefit from Desung (harmony protection) practice of the Dorje Kasung and turned her attention there. The Kasung teachings were so helpful in her nursing practice with those living with serious mental illness or chronic pain. She maintains her lifetime Dorje Kasung oath.