Rosicrucian Writings OnlineThe 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...