Shambala

For thousands of years, there is a rumor circulating that somewhere in Tibet, among the snowy Himalayan peaks and secluded valleys, there is an untouched paradise, a kingdom where peace and universal policy that is indescribable. A kingdom called Shambhala.

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.

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.

Many adventurers and explorers have been trying to find this mystical kingdom. According to them, maybe Shambhala located in the mountainous region of Eurasia, hidden from the outside world. Sebahagian else who does not believe that Shambhala find only a symbol, a liaison between the real world with a world that exists beyond. But, again sebahagian people believe that Shambhala is a real world.

According to Zhang Zhung ancient text, Shambhala is identical to the Sutlej Valley in Himachal Pradesh. While the nation Mongolia identified it with certain valleys of southern Siberia.

Information about this kingdom up to the first western civilization through a Portuguese Catholic clergyman named Estevao Cacella who heard this story from the locals. Then in 1833, a Hungarian scholar named Sandor Corrosion Csoma even provide the coordinates of Shambhala is believed to be between 45 'and 50' north latitude.

Interestingly, according to records of Alexandra David Neel who has spent most of his life in Tibet, Shambala was not only known in Tibet. Far in the north of Afghanistan, there is a small town called Balkh, an ancient town which is also known as the "mother of cities". Legend of the modern Afghan state that after the conquest by the Muslims, the city of Balkh is often referred to as a "wax up" or in Persian known as the "Sham-i-Bala". I do not know, we do not know for sure whether the city is related to Shambhala a mystery or not.

The legend of Shambhala then drew the attention of a follower of the esoteric and theosophy named Nicholas Roerich (1874-1947). In curiosity, he explored the Gobi desert to the mountains of Altai from 1923 until 1928. This trip took 15 500 stones and crosses 35 highest mountain peaks in the world. But the tremendous effort it still can not find the kingdom.

Even the Nazis who are also highly related to the esoteric world of Shambhala search expedition ever sent in 1930, 1934 and 1938.

However, none of them who managed to find it.

Edwin Bernbaum writes in "The Way of Shambhala":
"While the explorers approached the kingdom, their journey becomes increasingly difficult to see. One of the Tibetan priest wrote that this event was intended to keep Shambhala from the barbarians who intend to master it."

What was written by Bernbaum is associated with a forecast of Shambhala. According to the prophecy, humanity will experience a degradation of ideology and humanity. Materialism will spread throughout the earth. When the "barbarians" are united under the command of a wicked king, then the fog that envelops the mountains of Shambhala will be lifted and the king's army with terrible weapons to attack the city.

Then the king of Shambhala to-25 named Rudra Cakrin will lead his troops to fight the Barbarian forces. In that battle, the evil king and his troops successfully destroyed and mankind will be restored to the peace.

Some scholars such as Alex Berzin, using calculations from the Kalachakra Tantra, believed that these events will occur in the year 2424 AD.

As culture moves east to west, the myth of Shambhala rise from the mists of time. I think, a yearning for kedamaianlah which has caused the human race trying to find this utopian kingdom. Perhaps we will never find Shambhala, but perhaps also we need not look too far.

An ancient story of Tibet told that one day there was a young man preparing to search for Shambhala. After exploring the many mountains, he found a cave. Inside was an old hermit who then asked the young man: "Where are your goals so that you are willing to explore this deep snow?"

"To find Shambhala," replied the young man.

"Ah, you do not have to go far." Hermit said. "Behold the kingdom of Shambhala is in your own heart."