The impetus to discuss these issues generally comes not from concern about political correctness. The simple matter of setting quotas, writing policies, and recruiting diverse student, faculty and staff populations could be done by a few administrators with generous budgets. These discussions are taking place in an environment which has turned its attention more generally to issues of social engagement spurred by contemplative practice. North American religion has generally been characterized by a polarization between social activism on the one hand and contemplative spirituality on the other. In the current generation of western Buddhism, however, contemplative practice and social engagement are co-emerging as mutual supports.
Profound meditation leads naturally to genuine engagement, and vice versa.
Engaged Buddhism chaplain interns are working with the sick and dying in hospital settings, with the homeless, with the mentally ill, with men and women in prison, and with troubled youth. In the large Shambhala community settings, the central issues are a bit different. Most compelling are the questions of how organizations and institutions may function in a way which appropriately engage the members, and yet which can also act decisively. The Shambhala view suggests that a pure grass-roots democratic model is limited in effectiveness, while an excessively hierarchical model divorced from its constituency may become despotic. Within these considerations, Shambhala is exploring ways in which a community may grow and develop while preserving respect for its heritage.