MARCH, 1991 ISSUE N° 7 FIRST

The principle in Dzog-chen is the Mirror: THEMIRR R we should look at it THE INTERNATIONAL NEWSPAPER OF THE COMMUNITY to discover ourselves Founded by initiation A message to to be given by Dzog-chen His Holiness the Dalai Community

The Kalachakra initiation in New York will be the most outstanding of the Year both in regard to culture, The Dzog-chen Community is the -old of religion, and the unchanged the base for developing tradition of the teaching of wisdom and selfrealization. His Holiness' teachings will be preceded by five days of knowledge, not structures of teachings on the of Mind given by preeminent from each of the five Tibetan religious traditions: power. Venerable Tenzin Namdhak, tradition Venerable , tradition A speech in Tashigar, Argentina, by Venerable , tradition Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche Kyabje Trizin Rinpoche, Sakya tradition Venerable Rinpoche, tradition The Dzog-chen Community is not meant to be a This year has been nominated The Year of to promote hierarchy. If there were some official centers gover­ understanding and appreciation of a unique culture and ning other, secondary centers, we know that would tradition of many thousands of . The events of the Year be contrary to the principle of the Dzog-chen Com­ wil Ibegin officially in April with the opening of an exhibition munity. But sometimes people do not understand of the : "Wisdom and Compassion: The Sacred Art the principle. The Dzog-chen Community is only the of Tibet" in San Francisco. base for developing knowledge, not for developing The will be attending several forums throughout the structures of power. year dedicated to global efforts to save the , In the Dzog-chen teachings the principle is not that which has so far remained largely unknown in the world. In recognition of the important work he has done for the some people govern and otherpeople follow. If so­ worldwide compassion among the people, the 1989 Nobel meone governs, it means they are controlling other Peace Prize was given to the Dalai Lama. His Holiness has people's energy, or conditioning them. Then everyone donated the Prize to help the suffering people of the world. becomes dependent on that. The people being go­ verned no longer feel they have a responsibility. To be continued on page 6. Instead, some people at the top set down rules about how everyone else must act. Belonging to the Community becomes something like taking a vow Projects for the survival Dalai Lama's and then saying, "Oh, I can't do this, I can't do that, I must be that way...". But the Dzog-chen way, which of the Tibetan culture Nobel Peace Prize Money we must learn, is to be responsible for ourselves. Everyone is responsible for themselves, and, if we have a Community, a group of people, they must be As His Holiness announced per in Orissa, , for lepro­ responsible for themselves. on Dec. 10 in Oslo, he has sy programs donated most of the Nobel 6. $ 5,000 to Palampur Lepro­ If you do something in a collective way, with collabo­ Peace Prize money to people sy Home and Hospital, Hima- ration between people, or groups of people, then it is who are suffering from hun­ chal Pradesh, India easier for many things to be successful. This is ger and leprosy and to institu­ 7. $ 15,000 to the University of particularly true when we collaborate within the tions and programs working Peace in Costa Rica principle of the Teachings. When we have the op­ for the advancement of world 8. $ 3,000 to Mother Teresa's portunity, it is very, very, important that we meet peace. Missionary of Charity, Calcut­ together, exchange ideas, and make a program for ta, India The $ 484,000 that His Holi­ developing our collaboration. Atthe at Merigar 9. $ 3,000 to the Lok Kalyan ness received as part of the in September, there were many people, much to do, Nobel Peace Prize has been Samiti of New Delhi for the and a lot of confusion. I had no to meet the contributed as follows: provision of medical aid to the 1. $ 10,000 to Romania as poor Gakyil representatives from the different countries, emergency aid for those who 10. $ 3,000 to the Peace Edu­ but I asked that these people try to organize the suffered during the change to cation Foundation of St. John's exchange of ideas and collaboration. And Projects for the survival of an ancient culture by. a democratic government High SchooHn Bombay, India some people took the responsibility for communi­ A.S.I.A. (Association for International Solidarity 2. $ 10,000 to UNICEF for 11. $ 190,000 for various de­ cating between the Gakyils. But this is not some sort hunger relief programs velopmental programs and of Committee that we have formed. It is only an idea in Asia), a non governamental organisation, 3. $ 15,000 to Lutheran World projects for Tibetan refugees of how we can develop. I think it is very, very founded in Rome under the direct guidance of Federation for hunger relief in India and important that members of the Gakyils take the re­ Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche, in December 1988, programs 12. $ 200,000 to the Tibetan sponsibility of communicating with each other. And according to the Italian law which regulates all 4. $ 20,000 to Maharogi Sewa Foundation for Universal Re­ the first communication is within the Gakyil.Between Samiti of Baba Amte in Maha­ sponsibility which will even­ the members of the Gakyil there must be communi­ the activities and support for countries of the tually contribute funds to pro­ rashtra, India, for self-help cation regarding all that is to be done. Third World. programs for leprosy pro­ grams, projects, institutions, and organizations engaged in To be continued on page 7 grams To be continued on page 2. 5. $ 10,000 to Samaj newspa- promoting peace.

DARK RETREAT THE THE RELATION OF HOUSE IN OF SPECIAL SHAMANISM AND FRANCE PRACTICES DZOG-CHEN

There is now a possibility to do a From March until the full moon of July the In the economically developed countries, in France. During Easter, the retreat house in calendar of the special practices: in order to people begin tó understand again our real Plouray will be inaugurated by Norbu communicate with all practitioners to develop dimension,our condition which is not only Rinpoche who will give teachings about the understanding and the ability to integrate development in technology. There is dark retreat practice. practice into daily life. something else, too. . . . page 7 . . . page 8-9 . . . page 10 THE MIRR R MARCH, 1991 ISSUE N° 7 2

i Norbu Rinpoche's message to the Dzog-chen Community A speech in Tashigar, Argentina, December 1990

The members of the Gakyil must be interested. If someone for example say, "Oh, I'm in the Gakyil", but never comes to a meeting, then they must resign. Or, if someone misses three meetings of the Gakyil, without communicating a very serious reason for their absence, then they can no longer be a part of the Gakyil. No discussion is necessary: they are automatically out. The members of the Gakyil must know this from the beginning, because to be in the Gakyil means you are making an and presenting yourself. We do not insist that anyone be in the Gakyil, we ask who wants to be, and among those who volunteer we consider what responsibilities a person already has. Sometimes a person may have a problem about coming to a meeting, and they may not have a telephone or other means of communication, but it is impossible that this should happen three consecutively. It means that that person is no longer interested in the Gakyil. And if people show this lack of respect, the Gakyil will not work. It Is very, very important that you are aware of this from the beginning. The people who are in a Gakyil must be active. You must also know that the principle of the Gakyil is linked with the Teachings. Not only working or making money. Sometimes when we form a Gakyil, the members argue about the program, about money. They argue with each other and create many problems. We have these problems because the character of our society is like this. But we are not interested in developing like society and forming just another group. The Gakyil exists for the Teachings, for maintaining the Teachings and developing our knowledge. So you must understand that the Teachings and our practice come first.

When you have a Gakyil me­ communicate with each other. Tibet to have discussions with vite many teachers". But who co-ordinate the training in a ats. The principle is not eting, you must not be like Here in Argentina we now have the Chinese authorities. We are these teachers that we practical way. If someone always money. If you have at politicians, where everyone three Gakyils, for example. But have two places where we are want to invite? It does not wants to be a teacher, we will least some experience, you takes a position. First of all, it doesn't mean that there will preparing schools ,and hospi­ mean very much, going have a precise system of pre­ can overcome your fear and you do a practice, not only always be three Gakyils. The­ tals: one is in Galendeng and "fishing" for as paration. A candidate could become courageous. If you with the Gakyil members, but re may be ten or twenty. Why the other in Khamdogar, the some people do. We must do the training, receive the change a little, your point of with any practitioners in the not? It is a big country, with place where my Master develop knowledge ourselves transmission, and do the becomes more open. Dzog-chen Community. And many people. If people have Changchub Dorje lived. For in order to carry on. The practice, preparing and per­ Then instead of sitting in one when you finish the practice, an interest, there are possibi­ the future, we are also prepa­ practitioners must also beco­ fecting everything. This is the place, many possibilities may first you exchange your lities. So you cannot say that ring a college and institute for me teachers. But it is not way we can guarantee the appear in your life. That is my knowledge of the Teachings, a certain Gakyil is "Number Tibetans. We are still discus­ sufficient to say, "I am a Teachings for the future. And idea; we can change places, after that, you discuss the One" and governs other sing this with the Chinese au­ practitioner, now I will teach". that means that the Gar is also and when there are possibili­ specific things that you have Gakyils, or that the other thorities. I hope they will allow One must be qualified; even very important for develop­ tés we can exchange our to do. In this way you also Gakyils must depend on that it. It is very important for the Tibetans, even Rinpoches, ment. experiences, cultures, and have a sense of the Gakyil, "Number One" Gakyil. All continuation of Tibetan cultu­ must be qualified. That is why everything. otherwise it gradually beco­ Gakyils are responsible for re. I am really worried today, be­ We know very well that limita­ mes another kind of organi­ themselves, but they must Another of my ideas is that it is cause there are many babies "... the old tions are not something po­ zation, with people concen­ collaborate because they all very important to have a Gar being recognized as Rinpo­ sitive. When we arrive at trating on secondary things. have the principle of the Dzog- in -New Zealand. ches. The monasteries know Gakyil people the border of a country in And that is not good at all. chen Teachings. In Argentina Many people in Singapore and how to do business, must continue some places we can have Sometimes the Community now everyone has an interest Taiwan would also be involved they are educated in that way, many problems. That shows needs to make money. Not in Tashigar. Because each in this. The practitioners of the and so they find many rein­ to collaborate how many sorts of tensions just people of the Gakyil. If Gakyil cannot have a house area could be unified in this carnations. And people are for at least and limitations we can have. someone has an idea about and land for retreats, and a way. very conditioned by this, they But if we are practitioners, we this, they can communicate library and meeting hall, etc., say, "Oh, he is a Rinpoche, he a year..." Of course I will continue to must liberate that. To libera­ with the Gakyil. In general that is why there is a "Gar". must have great knowledge". travel, but if I go somewhere to te means that if you have the people of the Gakyil tend to "Gar" does not mean the main And they go around "fishing" do a retreat for five or ten days When I arrived in Argentina possibility to go to another feel they are part of an official point or a governing centre. It for more Rinpoches. In this it is very heavy for me. So I the first time, and especially place and do something else organ, other people often feel is a place to which all Gakyils way we can losetheTeachings want to concentrate more on a after seeing the huge amount and you are a little developed, totally separate from them, contribute and, in the future, it completely. The Buddha said, few Gars. And then we need of land available, I thought that then you can create different and if they have a good idea will become a nucleus for con­ "It is very difficult for even the to prepare everything in a more having a Gar here was a very activities, perhaps you can they do not communicate it to tinuing the Teaching and the most powerful animals to kill a stable way. Of course, I can good idea. Of course it means swap homes for a or the Gakyil. This is very bad transmission. lion, but a lion can easily be go to some places that I pass that all countries, particularly two with someone else. because if someone is really killed by small animals inside through on the way between the Spanish-speaking ones, In 1985,1 wrote a book about on the path and is interested it". This means that if we have Gars. For example, if I travel must collaborate. However, it how the Dzog-chen Commu­ in the Teachings, they must really weak points in our from Conway to Australia, it is does not mean only the coun­ nity must be. I wrote it in also have an interest in the knowledge of the Teachings, "The Gakyil exists easy to stop off in Japan, or tries near Argentina should be Tibetan and then gave it to Gakyil and the Dzog-chen the Teachings can be de­ Hawaii, or California for a few interested, but all those throu­ Adriano Clemente to transla­ Community. It is not neces­ for the Teachings, stroyed, eliminated. So it is days. It is not difficult to do ghout the world. te. He kept it until this year. sary to be in a Gakyil to speak very important that we learn for maintaining that, stopping occasionally in My idea of a Gar really concer­ Then I asked him if he was out, or to do something. The well and prepare. different places for afew days. ns what I want to do in my life, going to finish translating this only thing to remember is that the Teachings and There is a book that has been But being in a place for only a and this also applies to other book after I was dead. Be­ where there is a Gakyil, there translated into English and developing our few days is not sufficient to people. Many people have cause this book is very im­ are people representing the Italian called Santi Maha create a base, a nucleus for jobs and different situations, portant and useful, particularly Dzog-chen Community. You knowledge. " Sancha. I wrote it in a rather the Teaching. In the future I but you can find solutions so­ for founding Communities cannot say, "Oh, I am a poetic way so perhaps you will want to stay in a place like metimes when you really have and Gakyils. Many people in member of the Dzog-chen not understand it very well. In Tashigar for three , the will to succeed. I still have many countries say they do Community", and form some My idea for the future is to this book I explain the princi­ then move to another place a job at the University, but not really know what a Gakyil organization without infor­ have at least five Gars in the ple of how you can prepare, for three months, giving in­ when I have the possibility I is. I do not know if that is true ming the Gakyil. That is in­ world. One I want to develop how you can become qualified structions to groups of practi­ will retire. Then it wil not be or not, because there are correct. in East Tibet. That is Lhalung if you want to be a future tea­ tioners who are prepared for necessary for me to live in many articles and newslet­ Gar in Galendeng. We alrea­ cher. If someone is really in­ these retreats. In a few years Italy always. It is difficult for ters available about this. And Also, it is very, very important dy have a large area of land, terested then there is this key. there will be many qualified me to be there in the winter after many years when so­ for people who are interested and I hope the politics in Now, during these last days in practitioners. And it is not because of the cold, so then I meone says they do not know to really prepare, and be in will slowly get better. In this Tashigar, I have just finished sufficient to give a short ge­ will go to Tashigar or Austra­ what a Gakyil is, then they the Gakyil next time. Then case we can do many things writing the commentary to this neral retreat where people say, lia. In the summertime I will be cannot be very serious. Of sometimes when a new there. Through my Tibetan key. When you read it, then "Thank you for the teachings, in America or at Merigar. So course it is not so easy to Gakyil is elected, the old Village Program we are you will understand each point, very interesting". We can con­ that is an example, you can know precisely how a Gakyil Gakyil people do not care at working to develop a school, a one by one. So, this will beco­ tinue like this for a lifetime, but also do that. Sometimes it is works, and why we are all any more. That is also not hospital and a guest house. me the instructions for a kind at the end, what is the result? better that you move around a making Gars and Gakyils in good. They must continue to We already have the permis­ of training to qualify for the So, that is why it is time to bit. People say, "Oh, it is so dfferent places. Nor it is easy collaborate for at least a year, sion and collaboration of the future. It does not mean we begin to givepeople longer, expensive, how can I mana­ to know how the people of the because they already know Chinese Government. We are only have this book sitting on more in-depth Teachings de­ ge?" But I know many people Community can communica­ the situation of the Gakyil and doing everything in a concrete the shelf in the library. We can pending on their level of who have no money who are te and collaborate, and what how it works. way. Then in March, three use the organisations and the knowledge. continuously coming with me possibilities we have for futu­ members of the Dzog-chen Gars to give guidelines and And then it is very, very im­ to different places to do retre­ re development. But all the portant for the Gakyils to Community are going to East People think, "OK, we can in­ THEMIRR R MARCH, 1991 ISSUE N° 7 3 Norbu Rinpoche's message to the Dzog-chen Community Genova and Bari: A speech in Tashigar, Argentina, December 1990 Teachings of Lama Tenzin Wangyal in Italy

ideas I have had about this ne code of the country. Num­ since the beginning have fi­ ber one will be the United nal ly been translated after five States, for example. I did not years into Italian, and also explain these things in this roughly translated into Spa­ book, but I have them in my nish, English, German, and mind. I prepared many desi­ other languages. gns and papers for this, and So, I ask all members of the many people prepared diffe­ Dzog-chen Community, not rent symbols, more than just those in the Gakyils but twenty of them. But the first anyone interested in the thing, the principle, is for peo­ Dzog-chen Community, to ple to read and study the book, At a retreat in Genova, Lama Tenzin Wangyal will give read this and see what you and form their opinions. That teachings of on the 13th and the 14th of April, at the think about it. If you have any is very important. centre "Buddha della Medicina", Corso Torino 26. The suggestions for additions or Another form of communica­ 13th of April at 4 o' in the afternoon; the 14th of April tion which I mentioned at the corrections, please send the­ at 10.30 in the morning and at 4 in the afternoon. se to me in Merigar by the end September retreat, is the For information contact: Antonio Palerma, Via Donghi 2 of August 1991. Because communication between the int. 7/a, 16132 Genova, Italy. after August, I want this to be various Dzog-chen Commu­ The retreat of Lama Tenzin in Bari will take place on the 24th, official, to be used to show nities. Then you can try to do 25th, and 26th of May. how the Gakyils and the Dzog- something concrete. Most For information about the Bari retreat, contact: Franco chen Community can func­ Communities today have Marinelli, Via Enrico Fermi 6, Bitetto 7020 Bari, Italy. tion. Inthisway, we can learn newsletters. In some places it how to collaborate in a real is not easy; the same people way and develop. So it is very me a political, not cultural, As­ chen Community. Also legally have to continually produce SEMINARS IN MERIGAR important that you read this. sociation. So this is one pro­ there will be less problems. the newsletters. But I think it is I am not completely sure of blem with Associations. If someone does something also very important to com­ Gestalt Therapy everything I have written in So if we have an Association, wrong and says he is a mem­ municate with The Mirror. You 5th-7th April this book. I have some small it must be led by a Teacher ber of the Dzog-chen Com­ see The Mirror must be a bri­ doubts, and that is the reason and the Teachings. Otherwise, munity, you may have to reply dge for communicating with by Barrie Simmons I am also asking others what perhaps, one all our sacri- to the government or the poli­ all the Dzog-chen Communi­ "Only being what you are can you change" The gestalt they think. One point is that ce. And there may be a que­ ties. I think it is really very therapist encourages us to penetrate and become everything the Dzog-chen Community is stion of whether the person is important to strengthen the we are experiencing at the moment, including our suffering. related to the Dzog-chen Te­ an active member or not, so, it function of The Mirror. It does To cover expenses: Lit. 500.000 achings, and is led by the "It is very is very important to distinguish not mean we do not also need Beginning from 5th April, 10 am. Teacher. I think this is very that. But this is not the same the newsletters. These are Introduction to Movement important. But I am a little difficult for as a hierarchy. It should not very important for communi­ 3rd-6th May afraid that some people may even the most make a closed group, either. cation, particularly for the lo­ by Margit Martinu feel this means that they have And my idea for recognizing cal Dzog-chen Communities. To cover expenses: Lit. 370.000 to do everything the Teacher powerful animals members in the future is to The Gakyil people must take Beginning from 3rd May, 8 pm. says. And people today are to kill a lion" have a card, something like an care to communicate with Seminar on Cau (Moxa) fishing for masters, without identification card, with two members of the Dzog-chen 22nd-23rd June knowing what it really means different symbols. We could Community everywhere, es­ with Master Ming Wong C.Y. to be a master or to follow a make something like the sym­ pecially in the area where they This therapy is one of the oldest and best known in China. master. When someone fices will be vain. When there bol of a Gakyil with an "A" for live. For larger questionsit is The seminar will be both practical and theoretical. meets a person with a title or is a house, and land, and eco­ indicating the different mem­ best to use the Mirror. We are To cover expenses: Lit. 300.000 one who is called Rinpoche, nomy, many people begin to berships. And then when an trying to organize The Mirror Beginning from 22nd June, 10.30 am. they jump immediately, and be interested. They may not active member goes to another in a different way, because it The seminars will be held at Merigar. Participants will stay at say, "Oh, this is our Teacher, have the power to take over, Dzog-chen Community there must be a bridge for ali the the Capenti Hotel. we must obey what he says". but they could join the Dzog- would be more possibility to people in the Dzog-chen A deposit for the course must arrive ten days before the This is very dangerous. chen Community, and change do things. We cannot go on as Community. In this case it is beginning of the seminar: Lit. 100.000. There are other dangers, too. things in that way. Instead of we did many years ago, when very important to communica­ Further information can be obtained by phoning Merigar For example, I had a very preserving the Teachings, it the Community was smaller, te and do something, othe­ (0564) 966837, or Sicilia d'Arista (0564) 957145. and we did not have many clear experience many years could become an instrument rwise it becomes a newspa­ The seminars will only be held with a minimum of 12 problems. But now we are ago at the University, when of politics. So as Dzog-chen per that comes from Merigar. participants. many professors started an practitioners we must be awa­ developing in the society, and We already have a bulletin at re of this. This means we must we must have a system. Merigar, and we do not need This is not a rule or a law. Only keep our base very well. The another. So, I think it is very AZAMGAR NEWS base is the Teaching and the a system that we can learn, important that everyone com­ Transmission. and then decide how we want municates and collaborates. by Aldo Oneto "Gars in the to develop it. It is also my idea So in this case, we need to be I received a letter from Liza future will be a that when we have a symbol very precise about member­ Morell in New Zealand who Azamgar is a retreat place high up on the Italian Alps, that we use on letterheads, ship in the Community. And in gave an idea of how to organi­ under the protection of Mont Blanc. nucleus for posters, or whatever, that this this book there is an explana­ ze all the publication and di­ The latest news about the economic situation of continuing the must be universal. Each tion where I my idea: stribution of Dzog-chen Com­ country cannot have its own Azamgar. In the last few years Azamgar's funds two kinds of membership. In munity material. This seems Teaching and the symbol. We must have a have notably diminished mainly because everyone's general, people who are really quite interesting. transmission. " symbol which represents the energy, both practical and financial, has been directed interested in the Teachings I would like to have more ide­ spiritual state of the Dzog-chen towards Merigar, and with splendid results. Also the want to collaborate and be in as and examples of ways we Teachings. We are all in the can develop our collaboration, Gakyil of Azamgar has paid back a loan of five Italian-Chinese Friendship theCommunity. Ofcoursethe same boat. also regarding the Shang- million lire for restructural work. We would like Association. The Associa­ Dzog-chen Community is not Shung Institute and the Ti­ everyone to know, both old and new practitioners, tion was meant for collabora­ a closed, limited group of peo­ I think that we will do things in betan Village Program, and tion between the Chinese go­ ple. So first we have a general a simple way. Today every­ that they can contribute either through the Gakyil or about how we can best orga­ vernment and Italy, mainly in membership. Then the other body uses the English lan­ through our bank account. At the moment Azamgar nize the Dzog-chen Commu­ the cultural field. At that time, category would be an active guage, so we can make a type is quite comfortable for six or seven people to stay, nities everywhere. It must not the Chinese and Italian go­ membership. This means that of card, using two pages. We during the cold , and even for ten people be that I have to have all the vernments had no direct rela­ ,any person in a Gakyil, or any need to put the person's name, when the weather is hot. Many of us have done ideas. Everybody can have tions, so the Association be­ other official representative of occupation and birthdate, be­ interesting ideas. You can retreats there, either alone or with an assistant. came a bridge. For two years the Community, would have cause that should be shown, write them down, and com- When we have finished rebuilding the first of the this worked quite well. Then to be an active member. And also from a legal aspect. We municatethem. You can write other old houses that have been bought recently, many students became inte­ to be an active member, a will do this in the same way for to The Mirror, you can com­ there can be a continual flow of individual and rested in Maoism, and they person would have to have every country, in English. And municate with the local Gakyil, joined the Association. After experience in the Community then on the back, on the se­ collective retreats, with a place for an assistant in the and the Gakyils must com­ three years the Association and of the Teachings for at cond page, we will put the newly constructed house. Azamgar is already municate between themsel­ had a convention, and the least three years. So any same information in the lan­ beautiful as it is, with its three small rooms, the ves. That is how we can work, Maoists seized power. They election would be limited to guage of the country where kitchen/sitting room and the barn for storing wood. and do many things together. had an election, and the stu­ candidates who were active the person lives. We will also Anyone who has been to Azamgar has learned to These are my ideas. dents won because of their members and only active need an identification number, love it, as it is wild and spontaneous, immersed in the members would be allowed to (Transcription: MaritCranmer, numbers. The professors so that we know the total silence of the valley, and sometimes hard and vote. That is the guarantee for Gordon Cranmer) who began the Association numbers of members, but the ferocious. It is our mirror. were thrown out, and it beca­ the continuation of the Dzog- first digits will be the telepho­ 4

New Gakyils for the Metal Sheep year 2118

DIRECTOR COUNTRY BLUE RED YELLOW VICE DIRECTOR GEKOD SECRETARY

ARGENTINA BUENOS AIRES Stella Maria Rodriguez Carlos Giglio Ricardo Fabricant DIR.: Alejandro Chaoul Nelida Saporiti Maria Julia Busto Laura Betancor V.D.: Nelida Saporiti Malcolm Chapman Alejandro Chaoul Susana Ciordia SECR.: Lidia Cots

CORDOBA Ricardo A. Sued Alicia Capanera Beatriz Rosi DIR.: Ricardo J. Martinez Clara H. Lopez Arrigoni (051 -816222) Araujo 1271, (051 -22809) San Luis 745 (051 -815243) V.D.: Ricardo A. Sued Pje Santo Tomas URCA CP 5009 CP 2400 San Fco C.ba Miguel Victorica SECR.: Alicia Caballero 341,5000 CP Rubén Garcia Patricia Feldman 2572 Cerro las Rosas . Caseros 261 S.A. (051 -893222) BU San Juan 517 10° PB CP 5009 ( tel: 051 -44572) Manuel Podestà 2227 Vo Ricardo J. Martinez Jorge Stolkiner Paéz CP 5003 (051 -724951 ) (051 -226845) Marisa Alonso (051 -816222) Rivera Indarte 1201 CP Mariano Moreno 382 Araujo 1271 URCA CP 5009 CP 5000 Barbara Nicol Figuerua Alcorta 14 9° B

ITALY (AZAMGAR) Domenico Mercogliano Gigi Respighi Beppe Culasso Adriano Grimaldi Via S. Benedetto Piero di Curiglia (VA) Reg. Montaldo 43 Viale Indipendenza 8 22016 Lenno (CO) (in India at present) 12050 Camo (CN) 14053 Canelli (AT) (0344-55670) Moreno Marcato (0141-840658) (0141-831370) Giuliano Casiraghi Via Soria 1 Walter Bianchini Via Tantardini 1/A 14053 Canelli (AT) Viale Umbria 60 20136 Milano (02-8359596) (0141-831002) 20135 Milano (02-595705) Aldo Oneto Andrea Castelluccio Roberto Curti Via Canaletto 10 Canelli (AT) Via Parri 1 Milano (02-7386878) (0141-834643) Collegno (TO) (011-4156043)

GREAT BRITAIN Brian Beresford Dorothea Von Grief Achim Körte DIR: Dorothea Von Grief Flat 4, 8 Belsize Grove Flat 3, 6 Lyndhurst Gdns. 16 Kellet House London NW3 4UN London NW3 Tankerton St. (071-5867372) (071-4312265) London WC1 8HW Loi Kane Amely Becker (071-8376960) Trowbridge 16AingerRd. Richard Eagleton Wilt. BA 14 7NU London NW3 2AS 72 Woodland Gdns Barbara Terris (071-7220084) London NW10 3UA 76 Princess Rd. Lindsay Young (081-8830426) Kilbern, London W6 c/o Alan Hodgson Alan Hodgson 85 Albion Rd. London N16 9PL

YUGOSLAVIA Zeljka Jovanovic Slavica Voglar Gradimir Stefanovic DIR: Zeljka Jovanovic Zeleni Venac 1, (011-4883290) Mitica Stojanovic VD. & SECR: 11000 Beograd Miodrag Bajic Jovanca Kavaja Slavica Voglar (011 -687123) Nebojsa Mircetovic Marina Ristic Svetozar Jovicin

Lama Wangdor, accompanied by King. Consequently the monarch gdud ; and to San Jose to Lama Wangdor was unable to his translator Lena Ford arrived to imprisoned his daughter, and de­ LAMA WANGDOR GIVES the Kagyud centre there. On the visit Europe because of the Tsegyalgar in order to give tea­ cided to burn Rinpoche on a east coast they have been to difficulty of visas chings to the Dzog-chen Com­ huge pyre at Rewalsar. When the TEACHINGS Tsegyalgar, Marblehead Mass, Lama Wangdor has the same root munity. Lama Wangdor is known pyre was lit it burned for three Washington DC to Tom and guru as Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche, to many of the worldwide Dzog- days billowing smoke and flames AT TSEGYALGAR Brooke Garnet's house, and to and we felt a special connection chen Community as the Master so that Guru Rinpoche was lost by Des Barry Tsulthm Allione's in New York. with him. Last year Lama Wang­ who oversees the Community of from sight. When the smoke in the At Tsegyalgar we were fortunate dor had planned to visit Europe in and who live in the valley finally cleared, it was seen to have a beautiful weekend on order to give Teachings to the this with one's own eyes. Lama toward the area and began to hol­ caves on the ridge above Tso that a lake had formed where the the land where Lama Wangdor Dzog-chen Communities of the Wangdor's connection with Tso low out caves for themselves, or Pema. Many Europeans and fire had been, and Guru Rinpoche taught the Dzog-chen Ngondro of various countries there. Unfortu­ Pema began not long after the to build walls under overhanging Americans have visited this sacred was sitting in on a small the Yeshes Lama. The Community nately, he was unable to go, be­ Chinese came to Tibet. He left rocks for shelter. As pilgrims came place where Guru Pa- island in the middle of it. The King had the opportunity to put it into cause of the difficulty of obtaining Tibet and had a long and arduous to the area, Lama Wangdor saw dmasambhava and his consort and his subjects were overcome practice immediately. During visas, and finally in Hong Kong, journey into exile. The group of the necessity of building a small Mandarava did long practice re­ with surprise and deep veneration these teachings Lama Wangdor where he had been told that he people he travelled with encoun­ structure in front of the main cave treats and displayed signs of their for this great . Mandarava gave the view, and would have to wait for up to two tered terrible hardships. They had and also a temple in a large cave complete realization. Lama was released from prison and action of the Tsig Sum Nad Dag, months for a Finnish visa, he de­ very little food or opportunities to aroundthe ridge thatthe hermitage Wangdor has very kindly assisted became the consort of Guru and of great importance and be­ cided to go to Nepal. While in find shelter on the journey. Added sits on. Now there are forty caves many of these western pilgrims Rinpoche. nefit to all was the chance to Nepal he found that it would be to this was the very real danger of with about sixty practitioners, in­ and practitioners by giving tea­ practise this with Lama Wangdor. very easy for him to go to the US The prison where Mandarava bandits, who stolefrom them most cluding monks, nuns, and lay yo­ chings and finding places forthem This was a very powerful expe­ because of the availability of both was Incarcerated is still there of the few belongings they had. gis and yoginis. Recently Lama to do personal retreats. Tso Pema rience for all who participated. visas and tickets, and so he de­ The story is an extraordinary one Then, for many months, Lama Wangdor has finished building a is the for Rewalsar, Tsig Sum Nad Dag is the original cided to act on that information. and if one visits Mandi and Wangdor had to carry his inca­ small for Zigar Rinpoche which at one time was part of the text of Dzog-chen teachings. It is He emphasized that he hopes to Rewalsar one can see where these pacitated Teacher on his back. near the lake, and also some re­ Kingdom of Mandi. At the time of the last testament of , come to Europe to give Teachin­ events took place. The prison Finally the exhausted group of treats huts. Guru Rinpoche, the king of Mandi the very first Dzog-chen Master. gs some time after the Tibetan where Mandarava was incarce­ travellers reached the safety of had a daughter, Mandarava, who Tso Pema, where Guru Rinpo­ The text also has a commentary New Year. Lama Wangdor is very rated is still there. The lake of Tso India. Lama Wangdor went to live wished to dedicate her life to spi­ che and Mandarava did retreats by . In it is instrumental in trying to help the Pema still has the small island and practise at Tso Pema with a practice. Finally persuaded Unfortunately, it has recently be­ explained the view, meditation and practitioners in retreats in the ca­ where Guru Rinpoche remained companion practitioner, and they into allowing her wishes, the King come impossible for westerners action of Dzog-chen teaching in a ves by finding sponsors for them. in meditation, and this island of were the only ones there at the gave her a small retreat place. to do retreats at the caves, due to very concise way. Its practice Very little money still goes a long reeds actually moves around the time. The Indian authorities gave , a wandering the pressure from the Indian local leads to knowledge of the state of way in India, though the cost of lake. On days special to Guru them permission to continue to yogi master, met her and she authorities. During this, his Tri Chod. Many people came food has increased significantly. Rinpoche it is close to the banks of stay in the cave where Guru begged him to give her teachings. visit to America, Lama Wangdor from Boston to participate inclu­ If anyone wishes to become a the lake near the Nyingma or Ka- Rinpoche and Mandarava did re­ Padmasambhava agreed. The was staying in San Francisco at ding a family of Lama Wangdor's sponsor they can contact Lama gyud monasteries, where many treats. For many years Lama local population began to gossip the home of his very able translator Tibetan students, who very kindly Wangdor directly at the address pilgrims make offerings and strew Wangdor remained in retreat, and and spread rumours about them, Lena Ford. They have travelled offered a Tibetan Feast of tradi­ below: Wangdor Rinpoche, PO katas (or white silk scarves) upon gradually, as other practitioners which reached the ears of the together to Washington State and tional dishes for all. Rewalsar-175 023, District Man­ it. It is a unique experience to see heard about him, many gravitated Oregon, to the centers of Cha- di, , India. 5 THEMIRR R* News

Lopon Namdak travelling A TREASURE FOR THE Activities in Switzerland DZOG-CHEN PRACTITIONER

News from Tsgeyalgar, East Coast, USA

CABINS FOR SPECIFIC PRACTICES

Before the September retreat in Tsegyalgar, we started to build a cabin for Rinpoche and do other necessary related work like maintaining the road, repairing the pond's dam, making a leach field, and upgrading the There will be a course, in Autumn 1991. The water system. location of the course will be decided when we have the definite Rinpoche located exact spots for doing specific number and provenience of participants. It will be held either in practices on the Tsegyalgar land. The plan is now to Bern itself or in the surrounding countryside, or in Geneva, depending on whether we have more inscriptions from the build several retreat cabins: three for todgal practices, German side or from the French side of Europe. Please contact two for transformation practices such as Guru Dragpo Aline (address below) if you want to participate: she will inform and Simhamuka and one for guardian practices. After a retreat in Austria at Easter, and before you about the details. The course will be held for beginners as well as for advanced students. going to the USA, the Bon Dzog-chen master Here in the mountains of beautiful Zermatt we have had the Lopon Namdak from Dolanji (India and great pleasure of welcoming some of the oldest and most solid ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF THE NGONDRO BOOK Kathmandu) is expected to give teachings pillars of the Dzog-chen Community. Some came from Rome, and were surprisingly very rough skiers. They had me panting in Merigar, Arcidosso, Italy, on the 10th, Cristiana De Falco has completed the translation of 'Norbu behind them on the pistes although I had the home advantage. 11 th and 12th of May, 1991. The dates will be Rinpoche's book "Instructions on Ngondro, The Stairway to We get more and more inquiries from people who want to Liberation". 2500 copies were printed in February. The book confirmed in the next issue of the Mirror. come to Switzerland to work.lt is easy to get a work permit as is for internal distribution only, and will not be available in book long as you are not too demanding in the beginning. The Swiss stores. employers engage everyone who seems willing to work because This marvellous book is a treasure forthe Dzog-chen practitioner. there is a real shortage of personnel in many sectors. Naturally Three pages discuss the purification of one's condition through they first give new people more humble jobs, not right away a seven kinds of mind training; three pages discuss guru yoga for manager's position. When they see what the new employee is obtaining empowerment; seventeen pages present ngondro worth then, if someone has specific qualifications, it is possible GARUDA FROM USSR practices particular to Dzog-chen including khorday rushan to get more interesting and financially more rewarding jobs ('khor 'das ru shan) and gosum jangwa (sgo gsum sbyang pa). quite quickly. The workers who are most in demand are those - Vladimir Montlevich, Lithuania The five page concluding invocation is by . Twenty for the hotel industry and in restaurants, in handicrafts and for pages of footnotes provide a wealth of information. hospitals. If you want to order this book, please contact: Here is the new address of Aline, responsible for the Dzog-chen Tsegyalgar Community Community in Switzerland: Aline Winterberg, P.O. Box 277, Conway, Mass, 01341 USA. Schwarzenbergstrasse 6, CH - 3007 Bern. Tel: 0041 - 31460651

PILGRIMAGES TO NEPAL AND TIBET SUMMER 1991 with and Jamyang Singe

NEPAL July 15-31 most sacred in the Dalai Lama's palace. We will BET BEGINS IMMEDIATELY We are thankful to you for mailing your newspaper. Unfortunately The pilgrimage will begin in world, sacred caves and ­ also spend time at the Barkor, AFTER THE ONE TO NEPAL ordinary Soviet people have no currency, and we can compen­ the Kathmandu Valley of Ne­ nasteries, will be balanced by the largest most fascinating SO YOU CAN SIGN UP FOR sate your expenses only by forwarding albums and books. pal , where we will be learning time in meditation. We will also market of Tibet which is around BOTH ATA REDUCED RATE We expect to publish the first number of the Journal "Garuda" the practices of Chod and Si- visit the self arisen Rangjung the Jokang Temple. We will . ENROLLMENT FOR BOTH in the near future. It was officially registered on November 19th mhamukha and Tibetan Yoga, Tara and statue visit Monastery, the TRIPS IS LIMITED. doing "ne khor," circumambu­ in a special office of our city, which handles these affairs. at Parping. oldest monastery in Tibet, bu- The cost of the trip to Nepal is lating sacred sites in Nepal. There were some obstacles in setting up the Dzog-chen Society $3400 US dollars and the trip Part of the day will be teachin­ to Tibet is $2545 US dollars. before Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche's visit to our country. His gs and practices and part of In Tibet we will be doing prac­ books are translated into Russian. The "Crystal and the Way each day will be group pilgri­ tices at the power places, of Light" has spread in many towns as a home publication. mages orfree time. We will be meditating for peace in the We also set up the Dzog-chen Community in Riga, and Dzog- staying in Tibetan Styles Inns, world, and as this is the Year chen centres in Leningrad and Kharkov. The groups in Moscow near the sacred Stupas. of Tibet to pray for Tibet is are based on 20 years of development and experience of Kathmandu Valley is atthe especially auspicious. The Dharma in the USSR. A blessing was given by our Teachers. base of the highest moun­ practices we do in Tibet will be There are followers of Dzog-chen in Buriatiya and Lithuania. tains of the world, and is those we have learned in Ne­ Only the Community in Riga is registered officially. The called the Valley of the Gods. pal. Therefore, in order to go opening of the Dandaron-centre of the Dzog-chen Community Amidst thousands of shrines, on the Tibet pilgrimage, you in Riga was on October 30th in a little wood house situated in temples, monasteries, and must attend the Nepal pilgri­ the old part of Riga. It's named after Bidiya Dandaron, the well- Stupas are the many shops mage, or have received the known Buriatian Tulku who in 1965 brought the spiritual tradition displaying some of the most practices of Chod and Simha­ We will be in Nepal for the full ilt according to the in the form of to West Russia. His teachings also beautiful handicrafts in the muka previously. moon and will connect with vision of Padma Sambhava. included Dzog-chen. world. Kathmandu is a major The price of the Nepal pilgri­ the Tibetan and the Nepali This imposing complex once We received a letter from Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche approving center for statue making and mage includes roundtrip airfa­ celebrations. There will also housed 108 temples. We will the calling of our centre by Dandaron's name - the name of the tangka painting. The narrow re on Lufthansa from New be ample time for individual also visit the seat of Machig great ascetic of Dharma who spent 21 years in Stalin and medieval streets are crowded York, transportation during exploration, walks in nature, Lapdron, Sangri Karmar and Brezhnev's "camps". with people, cows, pigs, dogs, group trips in Nepal, and din­ renting a bicycle, her cave, and the most sacred During the opening of this centre, we practised the rituals "sbyin rickshaws and . ners. The price of the Tibet shopping.and finding your fa­ place of Dorje Phagmo, Vajra bsreg", Guruyoga with the White A and Ganapuja. With the We will be accompanied by trip includes the roundtrip fli­ vorite places. Varahi. From we will blessing of Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche and his recommendation, Singe, a Tibetan tanka pain­ ght from Kathmandu to Lha­ TIBET July 31-August 10 make trips to nearby mona­ the places where Dzog-chen followers live have got thefollowing ter who was raised in Kalu sa, and all meals and tran­ The group will fly from Kath­ steries, Shigatse, the seat of names: Rinpoche's monastery in sportation in Tibet. mandu right over Mount Eve­ the and the Sangyae Ling Leningrad Darjeling. Singe comes from To register please contact: rest then into the 14,000 ft. only intact Tibetan Monaste­ Dorje Ling . Vilnus and Lithuania a of Tibetan artists Tsultrim Allione, 361 Old Mil- . The roof top ry. We will also visit Gyantse Rinchen Ling Moscow and he is fluent in English, Iroad, Valley Cottage NY of the world has been known where there is the Padma Ling Riga and Latvia Tibetan, Nepali and Hindi. He 10989 USA. Fax: 001-914- to the world for the powerful , the Pago Choten whi­ Ling Kharkov will act as our guide and tran­ 2684280. ch has over 70 interlocking Almost all the books by Norbu Rinpoche are translated into slator and will handle the mysterious spiritual energy temples spiraling into a huge Russian because there is a great interest in them. logistics of the trip. We will be which has been generated Deposit of $300 must be three dimensional mandala. Fabio Andrico will be in Moscow, Leningrad and at least three going to the power points as there for thousands of years. received by May 1, 1991 After returning to Nepal Au­ other cities in the USSR from the end of April until mid-July pilgrims rather than tourists. We will begin our pilgrimage All the profits from the pilgri­ gust 10, airtickets will be valid teaching Yantra Yoga and giving instructions in the Tun and Our visits to Bodha and Swa- by visiting the heart of Tibetan mages will be donated for Ti­ for three months. other practices. Riga's Community has also sent an invitation yambhu Stupas , two of the culture: the Jokang Temple in betan relief to Lama Tenzin Wangyal. Lhasa, followed by Potala, the THE PILGRIMAGE TO TI­ THE MIRROR* News 6 MARCH, 1991 ISSUE N° 7 THE YEAR OF TIBET A GLOBAL EFFORT TO SAVE THE TIBETAN CULTURE GREAT BRITAIN

Among its objects never exhi­ presidents at the University of chanting and exotic wind and The Dalai Lama will be in Great Britain in March, bited in the United States are Findlay in Ohio. This address percussion instruments. 1991. His Holiness will give a public talk on March 31 artworks lent by the State will be aired on public televi­ Nawang Khechog, a Tibetan 20th at Wembley Conference Hall, London. The title Hermitage Museum in Lenin­ sion later that month. flautist living in Australia, offers of the talk is: Compassion and its Relevance to grad and dozens of newly di­ New York will host a of a unique presentation of world Today's World. For further information contact: scovered early Tibetan pain­ Buddhist teachings in Octo­ music performed and created The Office of the Dalai Lama London, 071-3288422 tings. Four monumental ber by the Lamas of the four spontaneously using the flute, sculptures discovered at lineages to be held in the Felt the Australian wood instru­ Chaher, Inner , will Forum at Madison Square ment the didgeridoo, and the travel from Stockholm to San Garden. His Holiness the Da­ South American okharina. The Francisco for the exhibition. lai Lama will give the Kala- tour, "Sounds of Peace", will NEW ZEALAND The exhibition design reflects Initiation at the Felt be creating a soothing, me- the Buddhist concept of the Forum from October 16th diative environment across the His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama has accepted an sacred mandala. It begins with through the 24th. Unted States this March invitation to visit New Zealand. His Holiness' visit will the historical birth of the Shak- Other highlights of the Inter­ through the end of the year. be organized by a trust set up for this purpose with yamuni Buddha 2,500 years national Year of Tibet include The European countries, La­ representatives in Auckland, Wellington, The International Year of Ti­ tin America, India, Australia, ago, and continues through photographic exhibits by Ga­ Christchurch and Dunedin. It is envisaged that while bet, a series of exhibitions, the introduction of Buddhist len Rowell, whose new book Egypt, Hong Kong, New Zea­ programs, and events cele­ doctrine into Tibet, then tran­ "My Tibet" contains a text writ­ land, Great Britain, and Japan he is here His Holiness will give talks for the general brating the two thousand year scends historical time, moving ten by the Dalai Lama and have all organized events to public and teachings for the Buddhist Community (to old Tibetan culture has be­ deeper into the symbolic, spi­ portrays the fragile environ­ celebrate this auspicious time, which all will be welcome) and partecipate in inter- gun. Despite the recognition ritual realm of the mandala, ment of Tibet; "Without Tibet", making 1991 truly the Inter­ religious, Community and perhaps scientific events, achieved by the award of the ending in the "Pure Lands" of photos by John Smart, offers national Year of Tibet. in a programme that, if time permits, will encompass 1989 Nobel Peace Prize to the Buddhas. a look at Tibetans living in For further information please all four cities. The trust for The Visit of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tibet and Ti­ In collaboration with the exhi­ exile; and 'Tibet Today" pre­ contact: Peggy Shannon, Ti­ betan culture remain largely The Dalai Lama to New Zealand can be contacted bit, Harry N. Abrams Inc. will sents the contrasts of modern bet House, 636 Broadway, unknown and misunderstood through: Rosemary Friend, 32 Leckhampton Court, publish a 300 page catalogue and historic images of daily New York 10012 NY, USA. around the world. Dunedin or The Secretary, Trust for the Visit of HHDL featuring each object on a full life in Tibet as captured so Tel. 212-353-8823.. The purpose of the Year of to NZ, 23 Harcourt Street, Grey Lynn, Auckland 2, NZ. color plate with detailed. colorfully by Erhard Hursch. KALACHAKRA Tibet is to promote under­ Kalachakra initiation for world standing and appreciation of peace in October 1991 in New this beautiful yet endangered York city culture, and also to create DZOG-CHEN COMMUNITY widespread awareness about will be the situation in Tibet. There sponsoring this rare and hi­ NAPLES, ITALY has also become a realization storic event during October that the delicate Tibetan envi­ 1991 as part of the celebration ronment is severely threate­ of the Year of Tibet. ned. The Year of Tibet repre­ His Holiness the Dalai Lama sents an opportunity for all of will give the Kalachakra Ini­ us to work together in a global tiation in on effort to save the Tibetan cul­ October 21-23. His Holiness ture before it disappears. will give preparatory teachin­ A grassroots effort has pro­ gs on the Path of Compassion duced hundreds of events from October 16-19. The across the United States and Namgyal monks will perform internationally as well. Indivi­ ceremonial dances as part of duals are taking responsibili­ the preparations for the Initia­ ty for bringing local programs tion on October 20. to fruition and raising the con­ His Holiness' teachings will sciousness of Tibet in their be preceded by five days of community. Many opportuni­ teachings on Nature of Mind ties still exist to become acti­ given by preeminent lamas vely involved on many levels, explanations.The exhibit will Tibetan music, dance, and from each of thefiveTibetan from creating events to parti­ correspond with the Sand opera. religious traditions: cipation in their organization. Mandala exhibit that will travel The Tibetan Institute of Per­ October 11th Venerable In Naples, the Dzog-chen Community, in collaboration Information regarding names throughout the United States. forming Arts (TIPA) will be Lopon Tenzin Namdhak with Associazione Italia - Tibet, Amnesty International of regional coordinators can The touring North America in Bon tradition (Naples), Istituto (Rome), Associazio­ be obtained from the Tibet Four monks from the Namg- October and November. This October 12th Venerable ne Culturale dei Triangoli e della Buona Volontà Mondia­ House in New York City. yal Monastery of His Holiness company of performing artists Trulshik Rinpoche le (Naples), Progetto Agora and Neapolis 2.000, THE CALENDAR comme­ the Dalai Lama, will create presents the rich traditions of Nyingma tradition has organized: a series of video shows and conferences morating this sacred event mándalas representing Tibetan music, dance, and October 13th Venerable on different aspects of Tibetan culture (, archeo­ contains the year's events, Chenrezig, the Kalachraka, opera. The stories depicted Tenga Rinpoche logy, medicine, yoga) and on Dzog-chen teaching. both nationally and interna­ the , and the Guh- by the company are often co­ Kagyu tradition tionally, and is available from yasamaja. These seven foot mical and poetic, encompas­ October 14th Kyabje Sakya Tuesday, April 16th, 7 pm. the Tibet House.. wide circular artworks display sing episodes from the natio­ Trizin Rinpoche The Shang-Shung International Institute of Tibetan stu­ A major art exhibit, "Wisdom thousands of Buddhist sym­ nal as well as Sakya tradition dies with Prof. Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche and Compassion: The Sacred bols. The ritual consecration Tibetan legends, mythology October 15th Venerable Sunday, April 28th, 5.30 pm. Art of Tibet" will serve as the for this spiritually significant and fairy tales. The perfor­ Tara Rinpoche cornerstone of the events work will inaugurate a series Festival of : Christ and Buddha, a bridge between mance offers a kaleidoscope Gelug tradition sponsored by the Tibet Hou­ of performances, lectures, east and west, by the Associazione Culturale Triangoli e of sound and color with noble ( will transla­ se through the year. Organi­ panels, and films that will hi­ brocades, rich shimmering si­ Buona Volontà Mondiale, Naples te for Venerable Trulshik zed by the Asian Art Museum ghlight the richness of the Ti­ lks, striking masks, and an Friday, May 3rd, 7 pm. Rinpoche.) of San Francisco in coopera­ betan culture. assortment of drums and Tibetan Medicine tion with Tibet House, Registration materials A Dialogue Between East cymbals. Video and meeting with Dr. Luigi Vitiello, cost 5.000 Lit. "Wisdom and Compassion" with complete informa­ and West Chaksama-Pa, the first Tibe­ Saturday, May 18th, 5 prn, will open in San Francisco tion about the events, The Dalai Lama will be atten­ tan dance and opera company April 17th with a run through including locations, will Buddhist Teaching With the Master ding several forums throu­ to be established in the United August 18th, 1991 before be available in Spring Sonam Changchub of the Gelugpa tradition of Tibe­ ghout the year dedicated to States, will be making na­ travelling to the IBM Gallery in tan Mahayana Buddhism, cost 5.000 Lit. the Year of Tibet. Harvard tionwide appearances. The 1991. If you are not on New York October 15th until Friday, June 7th, 7 pm. University and M.l.T. will performers of this company the Tibet Center mailing December 28th 1991. This sponsor a symposium, "Mind are all former members of list and would like to re­ Yantra Yoga I ntroduction and video by the Associazione exhibit will feature master­ : A Dialogue Between TIPA, the premier institute for ceive registration infor­ Culturale Comunità Dzog-chen of Naples, cost 5.000 Lit. pieces of Tibetan art and East and West" on March 24th traditional Tibetan performing The programme will be held at l'Arcobaleno Fiammeg­ sculpture from museums and mation, please send your in Cambridge Mass. Cornell arts in the world. giante, Via S. Pietro a Marella, 6 (Piazza Bellini), 80138 private collections around the nameand address to: The University in Ithaca, New York Focal points of musical ve­ • world. Its pieces range from a Tibet Center, 359 Broad­ Naples, tel: (081) 455026 will host a lecture by His Holi­ nues include a tour of the three inch ivory carving of the way, New York, NY 10013 Further information: ness at Barton Hall. March Gyuto Tantric Monks co- Tibetan saint and poet, Mila- or call (212) 353-9391 to Antonio Fabozzi and Gabriella Godeña 28th the Dalai Lama will give a sponsored by the Grateful repa, to an eleven foot tape­ Via Bartolomeo Caracciolo, 39 teaching on "Compassion and Dead. Western audiences will leave your name and ad­ stry of the Buddha. Leadership" to a gathering of once again be able to expe­ dress. 80136 Naples statewide high school class rience the harmonic choral tel: (081) 5447415 7

MARCH, 1991 ISSUE N° 7

YANG-TIG Association for International Solidarity in Asia DARK RETREAT HOUSE INAUGURATION IN FRANCE Project for the survival of an dia, at Arcedia Chanderbani, ancient culture. A.S.I.A. Dehra Dun. (Association for International This project is an enterprise/ Solidarity in Asia), is a non handicraft and service based governmental organisation, community, located near an founded in Rome under the urban area. direct guidance of Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche, in DEVELOPMENT OF THE December 1988, according to STOCK RAISING IN THE the Italian lawwhich regulates REGION OF TZACHUKA - all the activities and support TIBET for countries of the Third The project aims are to set up World. a net of meeting points where Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche has the nomads can find all kinds been teaching Tibetan and of technical and commercial Mongolian studies at the assistance. University of Naples for many years. He is the author of a 22-23-24 MARCH SCHOOLS, UNIVERSITY, large number of publications HOSPITAL AND GUEST Arcidossi (GR), Italy. on the history and religions of HOUSE IN GALENTENG, and, in addition, modern For further information contact: Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche will give teachings Tibet, and one of his main SULKOG, EASTERN TIBET science will be taught to fill a Andrea Dell'Angelo Via della goals is the preservation and In the province of on the cultural gap in this subject and about the dark retreat practice. Nocetta, 65, 00165 the continuation of Tibetan Eastern border of the help local Tibetans qualify for The teaching takes place 400 m from the Dark Roma, Italy telephone 06/ culture and civilization. His Autonomous Region of Tibet more employment oppor­ Retreat House, in the Tibetan Centre, Druk 6261749 -6223329- 5139229 work has aroused great in the People's Republic of tunities. The school will be for Toup Ten Tcheukor Ling, Bel-avenir, 56770 interest in many people all China, Tibetan lay people and a maximum of 100 children. In KHAMDOGAR, PROVINCE Plouray, Tel: 97348265 over the world, and they are , under the guidance of the hospital both Tibetan me­ OF CHAMDO, EASTERN now working to approach Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche, are dicine and Western medicine TIBET. Price: 100 French Francs - 20 US$ per day 300 Tibetan culture not only from engaged in an indigenous will be applied. The hospital Khamdogar is the residence French Francs - 60 US$ per 3 days retreat the historical point of view, development project with the will have around 50 to 60 beds. but also in humanitarian and of Rigzin Changchub Dorje Association Subscription: 25 French Francs technical and financial support The guest house will be built who was the principal Master 5US$ spiritual ways' Consequently, for visitors, foreign students an international cultural of Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche. association "The Dzog-chen In 1989 Namkhai Norbu There is also a possibility to do a dark retreat Community" has been formed Rinpoche visited Khamdogar after receiving the transmission. and has already established and after he met the local One day dark retreat: a number of bases in various authorities, they decided to Longer retreat in the dark: parts of the world. start the project. Changchub Dorje was a very 100 French Francs - 20 US$ A.S.I.A. is an extension of this association, to coordinate famous Master, very well 150 French Francs - 30 US$ internationally all the activities known in all the area for his (including food) concerning different projects spiritual teaching and also as (food is brought once a day) to help the survival of the a doctor. Tibetan culture in India and in In order to preserve his INFORMATION- INSCRIPTION: Tibet. At the same time A.S. I .A teaching, the local authorities Martine Guilloche, Roger Omnes aims to help the social and agreed to support the project: of A.S.I.A. Its purpose is to and technicians. economic life of the Tibetan PROJECT FOR BUILDING A La fontaine Neuve create employment and Timing of the project people in Tibet, India, Nepal PRIMARY SCHOOL, 56770 Plouray, tel: 97348113 educational opportunities, In 1989 Namkhai Norbu and . HOSPITAL, GUEST HOUSE, helping to reinvigorate and Rinpoche visited this area for the first time since his REBUILDING THE TEMPLE LODGING: The principal aims of the preserve the ancient culture departure from Tibet in 1959. OF THE VILLAGE, AND Tibetan Centre, dormitory : association are the following: of Tibetfor future generations. After receiving approval from REBUILDING A SMALL betterment of the living The project is to build new on­ 25F = 5US$ per night the local authorities he chose NUNNERY IN THE VILLAGE conditions of Tibetan going institutions: a primary meals: breakfast 15F - 3US$ the sites for the various OF KHAMDOGAR, DISTRICT refugees; preservation of their school, a secondary school, a lunch 40F - 8US$ buildings. OF GONJO, PROVINCE OF cultural heritage; develo­ university, a hospital and a CHAMDO, EASTERN TIBET. dinner 40F - 8US$ pment of their cultural guest-house. The local authorities have Timing Hotel: Tournebride (6 Km), Abbaye de heritage; development of The project at this stage is a - already given permission for langonnet economic activities (creation pilot project, in the area of the preparation of the building The first floor of the temple is 56770 Plouray, tel: 97239301 of new enterprises and Galenteng, among a materials. already rebuilt. We expect to Ferme auberge: Le Manoir (10 Km), 22110 employment opportunities in population of nomadic Another survey is planned for finish all the construction for the summer 1991. Giomel, tel: 96296004 material and non-material peoples. The close relatio­ April, with the participation of sectors); improvement of nship existing between the four technicians of A.S.I.A. The rebuilding of the nunnery social-educational and health leaders of the region and The construction of the primary has already started. The PRACTICE RETREAT conditions. Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche will school, hospital and guest project should be completed house should be finished in by summer 1991. We are There are possibilities of have a strong effect on the AND DZOG-CHEN TEACHINGS summer 1992. The secondary planning to start building the differenttypes of communities development of the project. school and university in 1994. school and the hospital in April IN MERIGAR to be created in India and As distinct from the restoration Cost 1991. The dead line should Nepal for Tibetan refugees of monasteries destroyed be winter 1992. from Tibet and Bhutan: during the cultural revolution, The project will cost around The guest house should be 1. Rural - agricultural based this development project has 650.000 US dollars; finished by the beginning of communities with some economic and educational Financial support 1993. enterprise and handicraft goals for the general The Italian Ministry of Foreign based activities; 2. Enterprise/ population and can be Affairs, E.E.C, and private Cost 450.000 US dollars handicraft based communities considered secular in nature. funds. Offerto help or requests Financial support located in rural areas; 3. for further information should Italian Ministry of Foreign be addressed to A.S.I.A., the Affair, E.E.C, and private Enterprise/handicraft and PRIMARY, SECONDARY non-governmental funds. service based communities, SCHOOLAND UNIVERSITY organization which is directing Contacts: located in urban areas. Since the cultural revolution, and co-ordinating the project Richard Eagleton 72 The choice will depend on the Tibetan children in this area 27th of March - 4th of April, 1991 in all its economic and tecnical Woodland Gdns background, the skills and the have not received even a aspects. The headquarters of London NW10 3UAGB practice retreat and aspirations of the nucleus primary education. Literacy in A.S.I.A. are based in Italy at Tel: (081) 8830426 group of refugees who will their own language and Merigar, 58031 Arcidosso Paula & Des Barry Dzog-chen teachings in Merigar form the foundation of the knowledge of their own cultural (GR) Italy, telephone: 0564/ RR2 Box 184 community. heritage is low among the This retreat will include teachings of 966837. general population, with Colrain, MASS 01340 USA Contributions can be made by Tel: (413) 6243222 Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche and sessions THE TIBETAN VILLAGE drastically reduced numbers check, Bank Draft or Brian Snowden of practices led by members of the PROJECT of those capable of International Money Order to 59 McBryde Street At the moment A.S.I.A. is transmitting their heritage. thefollowing account: A.S.I.A., Fawkner Victoria 3060 Community, who have been committed working for the resettlement The schools created by the account no. 3893, atthis bank: Australia of 1500 Tibetan refugees (300 project will emphasize Tibetan to the teachings for several years. Monte dei Paschi di Siena, families) from Bhutan, in In­ language, literature, history THEMIRR R MARCH, 1991 ISSUE N° 7 8

Practice calendar for special

It is important to try to com­ Wisdom Union" practice of Lamai Naljyor", the Gu­ Vajra sisters. If it is not pos­ NEW MOON municate with all practitio­ Long-life. ruyoga with the White A. sible you can do alone a Tibetan date: ners, linked to the same medium Tun or short Tun, 3rd Month, 30th day transmission, through en­ Tibetan date: Tibetan date: reciting the Long-life man­ Western date: tering together into the sta­ 2nd Month, 12th day 2nd Month, 25th day tra as much as possible. Tuesday May 14th te of contemplation. In this Western date: Western date: This is a particularly good way we all develop the Wednesday March 27th Tuesday April 9th FULL MOON day for practising the Puri­ potentiality of the transmis­ This is the anniversary of This is a day. In Tibetan date: fication of the Six Lokas. sion we have received, and Dragpa Gyaltsen (1147 - general a Dakini day is a 3rd Month, 15th day As it is also the anniversary through that we also deve­ 1216), one of the first great good day to reinforce the Western date: of the great Terton and lop our understanding, and Masters of the Sakyapa energy, so it is good to do a Sunday April 28th Dzog-chen Master Sang- our ability to integrate tradition, so try to do the Ganapuja with the tran­ This is one of the best days yas Lingpa, try to do the "A practice into the daily life. Guruyoga "A Kar Lamai sformation into the Dakini for Long-life practices, and Kar Lamai Naljyor". Naljyor", the Guruyoga with . Try to do a in particularforthe practice Tibetan date: the White A. Ganapuja or a medium Tun, of the "Union of Primordial Tibetan date: 2nd Month, 10th day alone or collectively. Essences". If you can, the 4th Month, 10th day Western date: FULL MOON best time to do it is early in Western date: Monday March 25th Tibetan date: NEW MOON the morning. This full moon Thursday May 23rd This is a special day of Guru 2nd Month, 12th day Tibetan date: day is also the anniversary This is a day of Guru Pad­ Padmasambhava, the an­ Western date: 2nd Month, 30th day of the day when Buddha masambhava, and it is niversary of the day when Saturday March 30th Western date: first gave the teaching of good to do the Guruyoga King Sahora tried to burn This is one of the best days Sunday April 14th Kalachakra, therefore it is of Padmasambhava. If you him alive, and he transfor­ for Long-life practices and On this day, which is the good to do a long Tun in the can, try to do a Ganapuja. med the fire into a lake. It is in particular the practice of birthday of the great Terton evening. Otherwise, do the Long- good to perform a Gana- "Union of Primordial Es­ Loter Wangpo^try to do the life practice "Union of Pri­ puja collectively, but if that sences". The best time for "A Kar Lamai Naljyor", Tibetan date: mordial Essences". is not possible do alone the this practice is from 7 to 8 Guruyoga with the White 3rd Month, 25th day Long-life practice "Univer­ o'clock in the morning. A. Western date: FULL MOON sal Wisdom Union". The Thursday May 9th Tibetan date: best time for this practice is Tibetan date: Tibetan date: This is a Dakini day as well 4th Month, 15th day between 7 and 8 o'clock in 2nd Month, 20th day 3rd Month, 10th day as the anniversary of the Western date: the morning. Western date: Western date: fifth Dalai Lama, a great Tuesday May 28th Thursday April 4th Tuesday April 23rd Terton and practitioner of This is the anniversary of In general the day of Guru This is the anniversary of As this is the day of Pad­ Dzog-chen. Try to do a long the of Buddha Padmasambhava is an the great Dzog-chen Ma­ masambhava, try to do a tun with yourVajra brothers Shakyamuni, as well as an excellent day to practise a ster Do Gyaltsen Yeshes Ganapuja with an intensi­ and Vajra sisters, or if you important day forthe Long- Ganapuja, together with Dorje (born 1800), disciple ve practice of the Long-life are alone, you can do a life practice "Cycle of Life's your Vajra sisters and Vajra of the first Do Drub Chen connected with the medium Tun. In either case Vajra". Therefore try to do brothers, with an intensive Rinpoche, who was a ma­ Guruyoga of Padmasam­ recite the heart mantra of this practice early in the recitation of the Long-life ster of Nyagla Padma . Usually it is best if as many times as morning, and in the after­ mantra. If you are alone, Duddul. It is therefore a you can to do it together possible. noon or evening try to do a you can do the "Universal good day to do the "A Kar with yourVajra brothers and Ganapuja.

SHANG-SHUNG INSTITUTE Enrico dell'Angelo

gement and activation of pro­ Tibetan communities abroad stitute, the International Insti­ zation of the nomadic popu­ grams of study and research. are still researching its parti­ tute of Tibetan Studies. lation of north-east Tibet, af­ Exhibitions cular connotations (before I.S.M.E.O. (Istituto Studi Me­ ter the changes that have 1) We are planning an exhibi­ 1959 it was essentially based dio ed Estremo Oriente), the taken place during the last tion of private collections of on education given in mona­ Istituto Universitario Orientale decades, the Shang-Shung Tibetan art. Linked to this we steries); that the communities di Napoli (the Department of Institute will need the colla­ want to catalogue Tibetan of refugees in India and other Asian Studies) and Siena boration of all Tibetan scho­ works of art in private collec­ countries are at "risk of losing University will also partake in lars and people interested in The International Institute of scripts and in general the arti­ tions in Italy. their cultural identity; that until the organization of the con­ saving Tibetan culture in or- Tibetan Studies declared stic and cultural wealth of the 2) The exhibition "Prima della a few years ago the Tibetan vention. We are also contac­ derto define and realize these from the beginning its aim to Tibetan civilization; to promo­ Tempesta" of photographs by language totally lacked all of ting other national and inter­ projects as well as to find be the promotion of study and te and support the study and Fosco Maraini, shown lastyear the technical and scientific national corporations to re­ ways of financing them. research for the salvation of the spreading of the traditio­ at the Palazzo Pitti in Florence terms used in the modern quest patronage. All tibetologists and tran­ Tibetan culture. The Shang- nal Tibetan such as on the occasion of the visit of world and that both inside and 2) Convention on the ancient slators who intend to colla­ Shung Institute is in fact a medicine. The Institute also His Holiness the Dalai Lama, outside of Tibet there are still history of Tibet. The time and borate with the Institute tool for encouraging scienti­ aims to set up a museum will be mounted in other pla­ no standards for the adoption place of this convention has should send us their na­ fic research into and broa­ containing objects related to ces in Italy and abroad, one of new terras, are all elements not yet been fixed. mes, addresses, telepho­ dcasting knowledge of this archeology, art, anthropology, possibility being Amherst that illustrate the gravity of the Study and research projects ne and, if possible, fax millenial civilization in order and ethnology. The town College Museum in the United situation. In 1987 the Council 1 ) Project to catalogue Dzog- numbers. for Tibetan Education and chen texts to impede its disappearance. council of Arcidosso has offe­ States One of the ways to help the Educational Research to­ In order to favour research red a whole floor of the castle, Conventions This is a three year project to Institute is to become a mem­ gether with the publication free of individualism, which Rocca Aldobrandesca, to 1) Convention on Tibetan make a general bibliography ber by paying an annual fee department of the office of His would obstruct these aims, house this museum. His language of Dzog-chen texts from all of 150,000 Italian Lire. It is Holiness the Dalai Lama or­ the Institute has a scientific Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tibetan language isfacing one on this su­ also possible to become a ganized an international con­ rather than academic, politi­ Tenzin Gyatso, who presided of the most crucial moments in bject, including both Buddhist supporting member by paying vention in Dharamsala, India cal, sectarian or religious at the inauguration of the Insti­ its history. Both in its home and Bon sources. an annual fee, 1,000,000 Ita­ character. Instead it is based tute, wished thereby to em­ on the preservation of the Ti­ country and in the Tibetan 2) The translation of a series lian Lire or more for an indivi­ on the principle of collabora­ phasize the importance for betan language. About forty communities in exile it is under of Tibetan medical texts dual person; 5,000,000 Italian tion. We propose to organize Tibetan culture of the work Tibetan scholars participated, extremely strong external 3) The translation of a series Lire for a corporation or public archeological expeditions to that the Institute is doing and coming from India, Japan and pressure, and risks losing its of Dzog-chen works or private association. Tibet and the Indian subcon­ will develop. The Institute is various western countries. originality. The fact that Tibe­ 4) A study of the scholastic For all communications con­ tinent; to form a school of working on several projects to The organization of the se­ tans have become a minority system of Tibetan communi­ tact: Istituto Shang-Shung, Tibetan studies; to organize be realised in 1991, '92 and cond convention, which should in their own country, that the ties in exile Via degli Olmi 1, 58031 Arci­ conferences and seminaries; '93. We are organizing exhi­ take place in the Spring of educational system within the 5) A study of the scholastic dosso GR, Italy. Tel: 0564- to promote the restoration of bitions in Italy and abroad, 1992, has now been entru­ country is losing its Tibetan system of Tibetans in China 966940/1. Fax: 0564-966846. monuments, antique manu­ conventions, and the arran­ sted to the Shang-Shung In­ characteristics, and that the 6) A study of the social organi- MARCH, 1991 ISSUE N° 7 THE MIRR R 9 days Metal Sheep Year 2118

Tibetan date: Tibetan date: repeat the heart mantra of Rinpoche. This year, on the Universal timetable 4th Month, 25th day 5th Month, 10th day Ekajati as many times as 21 st of July, when it is eight Western date: Western date: you can. o'clock in the morning in Friday June 7th Friday June 21st (see the univer­ July 20th This is the anniversary of This is Guru Rinpoche day, NEW MOON sal timetable) Dzo- Chen (a great Master a good day to do Ganapuja Tibetan date: gchenpas all over the wor­ 16.30 Fairbanks, Hawaii of the'Sakyapa tradition with Guruyoga of Padma- 5th Month, 30th day ld will do a Guruyoga with 17.30 Dawson and initiator of the Ngor sambhava. If you are Western date: the medium or short Tun, 18.30 San Francisco lineage), therefore it is a unable to do this, try to do Thursday July 11th according to their possibili­ Los Angeles good day to do the Gu- the Long-life practice con­ This is a day for purification ties. Those who have the Vancouver ruyoga "A Kar Lamai nected with Guru Rinpo­ practices. It is best to do possibility can also add a 19.30 Denver Naljyor", either collectively che, called "Universal the Purification of the Six Ganapuja. Thus we will 20.30 Chicago or alone. Wisdom Union". Lokas either collectively or practise together, and Mexico City alone, preferably in the communicate all transmis­ 21.30 New York NEW MOON FULL MOON early morning. Otherwise sions in the same instant in Montreal, Lima Tibetan date: Tibetan date: you can do a medium or the state of contemplation. 22.00 Caracas 4th Month, 30th day 5th Month, 15th day short Tun. 22.30 Buenos Aires Western date: Western date: Tibetan date: 23.30 Rio de Janeiro Wednesday June 12th Wednesday June 26th Tibetan date: 6th Month, 14th day This day is the anniversary This is a special day for the 6th Month, 4th day Western date: July 21st of Nyagla Padma Duddul Long-life practice of the Western date: Thursday July 25th (1816-1872). He was one Dakini Mandarava, so you Monday July 15th This is the anniversary of 01.30 Reykjavic of the Masters of Chan­ can do 'The Cycle of Life's This is the anniversary of the third , Ran- Capo Verde gchub Dorje, the main Ma­ Vajra" early in the morning. the (the first gjyung Dorje. On this day it 02.30 London ster of Namkhai Norbu If you cannot do it at that turning of the Wheel of the is good to do "A Kar Lamai 03.30 Rome, Berlin Rinpoche. He discovered time, it is still good for you Dharma): the first time that Naljyor", Guruyoga with Oslo, Paris, Madric the "Tsedrub Gon- to do it later in the day. after his illumination, Bud­ White A. 04.30 Moscow, Nicosia gdus" which two of his dha Shakyamuni gave the Helsinki, Athens disciples, Ayu Khadro and Tibetan date: teaching of the Four Noble FULL MOON 06.00 Tehran Changchub Dorje, tran­ 5th Month, 25th day Truths, to his disciples at Tibetan date: 08.00 ODDIYANA. Delhi smitted to Norbu Rinpo­ Western date: . Onthisspecial day 6th Month, 15th day Kathmandu che. Therefore you should Sunday July 7th you can do a Ganapuja with Western date: 08.30 Rangoon try to do this Long-life This is a Dakini day and an your Vajra brothers and Friday July 26th 10.00 Ulan Bator practice, 'Tsedrub Gon- This day is the anniversary important day for the prac­ Vajra sisters. Jakarta gdus", "Union of Primordial of , the disciple tice of Ekajati. Therefore, Singapore Essences". The time to do of . Therefore it is according to your circum­ Tibetan date: 10.30 Beijing, Lhasa it is the early morning. La­ stances, try to do the long a day to do "A Kar Lamai 6th Month, 10th day Manila, Hong Konç Tun collectively with your Naljyor", Guruyoga with ter in the day or in the Western date: 11.30 Tokyo, Seul Vajra sisters and Vajra White A. It is also a day to evening try to do the Gu- Sunday July 21st 12.30 Sydney brothers, or the medium do the Long-life practice of ruyoga of the White A, "A This day is considered by 14.30 Wellington Kar Lamai Naljyor". Tun if you are practising on Amitayus, "Union of Pri­ many great Masters to be Marshall your own. In either case the birthday of Guru mordial Essences".

TIBET ALIVE MUSIC FOR WORLD PEACE PRIMA MAI projects to assist in the preservation of Tibetan cultu­ re. Further information about ART EXHIBITION these can be obtained from this office on request. 'Tibetan culture is a treasure Paintings & Drawings belonging not only to the Tibetans but to everyone on . . . and even one sculpture earth.' Let's help preserve this precious heritage. If anyone is interested in Here we are talking about culture and peace. I think helping to organize concerts when a human being is born there are not many in Paris or Germany, Tibet May 17, 1991 - June 14, 1991 differences, everyone is the same and I always believe Alive needs local coordinators. Please contact: Galerie Caspar Bingermer that when a human being is born we are free of any TIBET ALIVE, Richard Bismarckstrasse 56, D - 2000 Hamburg 20 religion, any ideology, any culture. However, we are Eagleton, coordinator,72 not free from human affection. Love" Woodland Gardens, London Telefon 040 / 408570 (H.H. the Dalai Lama) N 10 3 VA (081-8830426/ 071-3703130). "A series of concerts in a Dalai Lama talking about world number of countries across peace. The concerts will run the world to contribute from the end of September towards the fulfillment of the through the beginning of Dalai Lama's own vision of November '91. Concerts in Tibet as a 'Zone of peace' for London will be from October CAPENTI the sake of all peoples 15th-18th atthe Hammersmith throughout the world. Odeon. Dave Stewart Concert plans include venues (Eurythmies and Spiritual Park Hotel in England, India, Italy and Cowboys) has agreed to be . These will be filmed the musical director for the for a "Documentary special" event in India. A growing with the participation of number of artists of diverse Swim & Sunbath, eat, drink and dance. Tibetan musicians as well as styles are committed to this popular westerfi artists. project. Ride on horseback or just walk and talk in the natural surroundings. As the heart of each concert All funds raised from these there will be a short film of the events will go towards specific 58031 Arcidosso tel. (0564) 967355 THE MIRR R MARCH, 1991 ISSUE N° 7 10 SHAMANISM AND DZOG-CHEN An interview with What is your opinion of the increasing interest in shamanism Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche their realization such as different proofs and miracles. Yeshe among westerners today? Do you think it represents a genuine Tsogyal manifested the , or power, of reviving the dead, spiritual revolution? by Paul Walker but that is not the same as healing by laying on of hands. I think it is a kind of spiritual . People are interested So, it is considered to be more a siddhi? because originally there was some knowledge, some That is right. understanding which was useful, corresponding to our real Is it fair to characterize the Bonpo magicians of condition and nature. Then later, people forgot, they developed Padmasambhava's time to have been completely opposed to their countries technologically, and because they concentrated the spread of his teachings? I mean there seems to be this more on the economic level, they were no longer concerned generalized prejudice among scholars of Buddhism who say about nature or our subtle energy condition. But today that they were all obstructing the integration of Buddhism into particularly in economically developed countries, they are Tibet. Were there not magical traditions and practitioners who beginning to discover and understand that our real dimension, welcomed and accepted the new teachings? or condition, is not only the development of economy or In general, Buddhists have always felt contrary to the Bon technology, but that there is something else, too. religion. They do not agree with this tradition, but some lamas, Human beings have a physical body. If the body has some some masters integrated Bon, such as , and problems, we have many methods and possibilities to cure it they say that there is no real difference between Buddhism and with medical technology and drugs. So it is easy to deal with Bon. However, there are at least two types of Bon: white Bon, physical problems. and black Bon. White Bon is similar to Buddhism. So there is But we are also dealing with our energetic dimension and the no reason not to integrate it. It is really just a difference in name. natural world. The shamans learned all this ancient knowledge, The black Bon is more magically inclined, and that is the reason which is very much linked with natural energy, and they studied it could not be as easily integrated. There is a story of Guru and applied it for millenia in this way. Also, they understood that Padmasambhava which says that he eliminated or transformed the human condition is linked with the energy of nature. So, the black Bon, the Bon of provocation and negativity. Black Bon when someone has problems of energy imbalance, the shamans also practised the sacrifice of animals. work with nature and that person's energy together. So animal sacrifice was not part of the white Bon? I think that today many people understand more and more That is true. I did much research and believed for awhile that about this principle. That is the reason, in my opinion, why sacrifice was not at all a part of Bon, but then I found out that people are so interested. there is a line of Bon known as the Bon of Deer. This lineage The Dzog-chen teaching integrates many elements of principal root texts in all the universe. But, on earth, we have has many rituals which I have read about in their books where shamanism, does it not? only sixty or seventy texts. This is how the nature of these they kill all kinds of animals in the practices. But that is not really In the history of Tibet we have two sources of the Dzog-chen systems and dimensions is explained. Bon. Modern Bon is equal to Buddhism, only the name is teaching. One is from the old Bonpo religion, and the other is In regard to shamanism in particular, it is said that there are three different. It is recognized as a valid school now, one of the five Buddhist. From the Bonpo, there is not really a great quantity primary dimensions: upper, middle and lower. Are there any schools of Tibetan religion. But not much is known about the old of teaching, so widely taught, but it is a lineage which is more parallels to these in the Dzog-chen teachings? Bon systems. They are not considered important, that is why ancient than the Buddhist. This.however, does not mean that Yes.This is an ancient Bonpo system: the realm of Devas, the they are not known. the Dzog-chen lineage of Buddhism is not ancient, because the realm of Nyen and the realm of Nagas. Humans are an What about the nature and reality of such as , Buddhist Dzog-chen teaching was officially given by Garab extension of the Nyen class of beings, that is the middle realm. and of protectors such as Ekajati? How should one regard their Dorje just three hundred years after Buddha Shakyamuni's So there is this kind of teaching in Bonpo shamanism. actual reality? paranirvana. But in the history of the Bonpo Dzog-chen How do Bonpo shamans utilize these realms in healing? A is in principle a totally enlightened being, beyond form, lineage, it is said that there were twelve teachers before Tonpa It depends. Sometimes people can have many problems of beyond color. It has infinite wisdom, but it has no position to say: Shenrab (1000 BC), during many thousands of years on this influences, provocations of energy, as with certain classes of "Oh, this is my form, this is my system." So, as they have infinite earth. According to this history the Dzog-chen teaching is very, Naga. There are many methods of therapy to overcome these wisdom, they can manifest in different circumstances. If there very ancient, much older than even the Bonpo tradition. So, it problems. There is the consideration of an idea similar to the is a moment where a human being has contact with an is not very easy to say when it got started. Chinese theory of Yin and Yang. In ancient Bonpo, they say Yi enlightened being, it will manifest in human form for that Dzog-chen is considered a very essential teaching. The and Nam. Yi means positive and Nam means negative. They moment, and through this manifestation one can receive are not really the same, but the idea is similar. Each person has principle of Dzog-chen is understanding one's own condition. transmission and understanding, etc. Forthat reason, there are In the ancient Bonpo tradition, they also have the principle of their own configuration of Yi and Nam, and it is the same with many, many manifestations or kinds of deities. Most deities do having knowledge of nature and the relationship a person has beings of other dimensions. There are, for example, Nagas not take human form. Teachings are not only received from to its dimension. This is also important in the Dzog-chen which are positive and Nagas which are negative. So the deities in human forms; there are many different classes of teaching, though we are principally concerned with the principle of healing is to transform the afflicting Nagas which will, enlightened beings who give teachings. If we study a little how understanding of one's own real condition, more than working in turn, help cure the afflicted person. deities are presented in Tantrism, we would find examples of with theforces of nature as in shamanism. Dzog-chen integrates Padmasambhava, the historical founder of in forms of these universal classes of beings. That is what we call with shamanism, as well as with other Buddhist teachings on the 8th century, was engaged in many activities, such as Sambhogakaya, or the pure dimension. And deities can their respective levels of Tantrism and teachings, etc. conversion of negative entities and magical flight, which could manifest from this dimension to those humans who are receptive That is why it is considered an essential teaching. be termed "shamanic". Is it correct to say he was a shaman? enough. You mentioned Garab Dorje. Is he a very important master in It is difficult to call Padmasambhava a shaman, but he is a great Then the guardians such as Ekajati and Rahula...? the Buddhist Dzog-chen lineage? master of Buddhism, of Tantrism and Dzog-chen. He is particularly a Dzog-chen master beyond any limitations. He had There are many different beings, naturally in this world, or in Garab Dorje was the son of Princess Sudharma of Odyana, he great knowledge of all natural conditions, so he integrated general in samsara. They are not enlightened beings, but other was born three-hundred years after the paranirvana of Buddha everything. When he arrived in Tibet, he integrated many classes of ordinary beings. They are of different levels: some Shakyamuni, and he is considered to be an emanation of methods of the Bonpos, instead of destroying or eliminating of them have higher capacities, some lesser. They have power Buddha. For that reason he appears in the ancient scriptures them, and today we still have many methods of Bonpo we use to provocate and create problems for others. To control these of both Sutra and Dzog-chen. widely in the Buddhist tradition in Tibet. lower classes of beings, their energy and provocations, At least thirteen solar systems are said to have received the Would you tell us some of those Bonpo methods used in the enlightened beings have taken the form of some of these Dzog-chen teaching. Were the lineages found on earth Buddhist tradition? classes. For example, the form of Ekajati is of the class of transmitted from some distant solar system? beings called Mamo. Mamo is one of the worst classes which In general, most teachings of Anuttara Tantra, higher Tantra, For example, one characteristic Bonpo system we use is a provocate many things. Dakini Simhamukha, a totally the path of transformation, such as the Kalachakra Tantra, the purification, "san". It is done with four or five types of aromatic enlightened being and emanation of Padmasambhava, took Tantra, were taught by , realized beings wood. Then we make a fire and use the smoke to purify. In the this form of Ekajati like an ordinary Mamo, and then controlled in Odyana. Many Mahasiddhas of India went to Odyana and Bonpo tradition, they have both san and sentu-san. San means all this class. Ekajati is not really a Mamo, but for us, she is like received these teachings, and then introduced them back in to purify with smoke, and sentu means to purify with water. a bridge across which we can control this class. India. Most higherTantras of Buddhism originated from Odyana, When purifying with water, they use many kinds of medicines Similarly Rahula is a form of the class of Za. These beings but these teachings were actually received from other made from minerals and plants. Today in Tibet, for example, provocate human beings through certain illnesses. We cannot dimensions; many beings communicated teachings and when we perform the marriage ceremony, we use this tradition do very much about these provocated illnesses, except that methods to Mahasiddhas in Odyana. of mixing water, milk and medicines for purification. Then we Vajrapani, an enlightened being, took the form of Rahula, the In principle, if we are considering the material level, then we are perform a rite of purification for the couple and their home. That form of a Za, and as Rahula he controls all of this class. in time. If we are in time, then we have distance. In this case is also characteristic of Bonpo. Also, each family in Tibet has a These two are examples of what the guardians are. Most if we want to arrive in another solar system, it takes many light- small box, in which they put many ceremonial things, particularly guardians are realized beings who have taken the form of one years on the physical plane. But, if we are beyond time, which precious stones, etc. Then they do a rite for bringing prosperity of these provocating classes. is yet another example. is the capacity of wisdom, the capacity of realized beings, then to the family. That is called the Yang Cha, another Bonpo And then there are others, natural guardians, such as Dorje we are also beyond distance. Time and distance do not exist method. There are many of these kinds of rites. Legpa who was originally a very powerful being of the Nim for us. So "here" and "there" are the same principle. It is like When I think of healers in the Tibetan tradition, , class, provocating even Padmasambhava upon his arrival in today: the fact that we have the telephone g ¡ves us instantaneous the principle consort of Padmasambhava, comes to mind. Is it Tibet. In the end, he had a positive contact with Guru communications anywhere in the world. In a similar way, the correct to say she performed hands-on healings? Padmasambhava and took an oath, a vow, promising never to Mahasiddhas received many transmissions from other Many disciples of Guru Padmasambhava manifested signs of provocate again. Only then did he receive his name and dimensions. become an important guardian of the teaching of Dzog-chen in Also, the original text of Dzog-chen, the Datanjor, explains that particular, and of Tantrism in general. Dzog-chen is the there are many different dimensions where the Dzog-chen Paul Walker has studied comparative religion for essential teaching, so Dorje Legpa became a protector of the teaching exists. There are, perhaps, in this galaxy thirteen solar ten years, and works as a carpenter and freelance teaching, rather than being contrary to it. He protects all systems, called tawa (which means beyond this solar system), writer. Currently, he is travelling in Asia to do practitioners. This kind of guardians we call wordly guardians. where we find the Dzog-chen teachings and masters who are research for a book on Asian shamanism and to One who actually dealt with all these forces and who is Rigzin. There are many Rigzins in different dimensions. In study Buddhism, yoga and drumming. respected as an ideal practitioner in Dzog-chen history is general, there are said to be sixty-four-hundred-thousand Machig Lapdron, the originator of the Chod practice. What is THE MIRR R MARCH, 1991 ISSUE N° 7 7Í AND ORACLES IN TIBET by John Myrdhin Reynolds (Bibliography and notes)

nism, see the Appendix of Self- 17. On the great goddess Tara, In the September and December issues of The Mirror was notes and to other source mate­ rials, so I cannot provide in detail Liberated through seeing with see H. Zimmer and Sym­ published an interesting article about Divination and here all of the usual apparatus in naked awareness bols of Ancient Indian Culture and Oracles in Tibet by John Myrdhin Reynolds. We comple­ terms of footnotes, page referen­ 9. On the sgrung Ide'u bon, see G. Civilization: see also S. Bayer The te the article in this issue by adding the notes and an ces and comprehensive biblio­ Tucci The Religions of Tibet, Stein Cult of Tara, Berkeley; and also inclusive bibliography for all who wish to have more graphy for both Tibetan and We­ Tibetan Civilization and Namkhai my Golden Rosary of Tara, Arci­ information about the ancient and magic knowlegde of stern sources. Norbu Rinpoche II Bon (see 13. in dosso divination. 2. The is the experience of bibliography) 18. A number of scholars have the individual which is intermediate 10. The two principal hagio­ pointed out that Aphrodite was of The bibliography: the Self-perfected State, London between death and rebirth. graphies in Tibetan for Shenrab Asiatic origin, being the Greek 1. Bayer, Stephen, The Cult of 1989 3. On the history of Tibet in general Miwo are the gzer-mig and the version of Astarte or Asherah of Tara, University California Press, 18. Reynolds, John Myrdhin, The and on the dating of the early gzi-brjid. Both of these two are Tseseg, as well the Babylonian section from the Klu-'bum has Berkeley, 1975 cult and practice of Zhang-Zhung period in particular, see D. Snell­ later rediscovered texts (gter-ma), Ishtar and the Sumerian Inanna. been translated in R.A. Stein, Ti­ 2. Eliade, Mircen, Shamanism: Meri, Bonpo Publications no.2, grove and H. Richardson, A Cul­ but both contain very early pre- Her cult appears to have been betan Civilization, London 1972. Archaic Teachings of Ecstasy, Berkeley 1989 tural History of Tibet Buddhist material in abundance. exceedingly ancientand extremely 31 The of Manjusri and the wide-spread in the Ancient near Princeton University Press, Prin­ 19. Reynolds, John Myrdhin, "The 4. According to the traditional hi­ For a number of the contents of cosmic golden tortoise is found in East and adjacent regions. We ceton 1964 Nagas: Ancient Bonpo Teaching stories written by Buddhist Lamas the gzer-mig, see Hoffman, The a Tibetan astrological text by Lo­ also find her on the Iranian Anahita, 3. Evans-Wentz, The Tibetan and the Nagas" in Merigar Rivista, during the medieval period such Religions of Tibet, London 1961 chen Dharmashri, 17°century, but the Zhang-Zhung sa-trig er-sangs, Book of the Dead, Oxford Univer­ no.2 Arcidosso 1989 as the religious of Bu- 11. Three periods in the historical it is also found in much earlier the Bon-po Jyamma (byams-ma), sources sity, London 1927 20. Reynolds, John Myrdhin, Self- ston and 'Gos lo-tsa-bo, in the development of Bon according to the Buddhist Tara, the Jain Pad- 4. Evans-Wentz, The Tibetan Liberation through seeing with time of the historical Buddha the noted Bonpo scholar Lopon 32. On Tibetan Astrology, see mavati, and the Hindu . Book of the Great Liberation, Naked Awareness, Station Hill Sakyamuni (his paranirvana was Tenzin Namdak. Oral communi­ Vajranatha, Tibetan Astrological Oxford University, London, 1954 Press, Barrytown NY 1989 881 B.C. according to Tibetan cation. 19. On the cult practice of the Calendar and Almanac, Kath­ 5. Evans-Wentz, Tibetan Yoga 21. Rutherford, Ward, Celtic ) most of the country of 12. On the bon shes-pa bcu-gnyis Guardians, see R. Nebetsky- mandu 1978 and Secret Doctrines, Oxford Mythology, Aquarius, London Tibet was a great lake and the see Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche II Wojkowitz, Demons and Oracles 33. See note 30 University, London 1935 1987 ancestors of the Bon (see 13. in bibliography) of Tibet, Graz 1975. See also A. 34. See R.A. Stein, ibid 6. Evans-Wentz, Tibet's Great 22. Rutherford, Ward, Shamani­ was still a band of red-faced 13. On the Nine Ways of Bon see Maddell: The Buddhism of Tibet, 35. On the Tantric magic of the Yogi Milarepa, Oxford Universi­ sm: The Foundation of Magic, monkeys. The Bonpo history gi­ Snellgrove London 1895. and the practice of the ty, London 1928 Aquarius, London 1986 ves quite a different account- a 14. The use of the terms smrang 20. There exist in circulation Dakini, see my The Secret Book 7. Hoffmann, Helmut, The Reli­ 23. Snellgrove, David and Richar­ long pre-history in Central Tibet and gto in the Bonpo tradition among the Tibetans many small of Simhamukha, Conway 1990 gions of Tibet, London 1961 dson, Hugh, A Cultural History of and the origin of various Tibetan appear to correspond to Greek mo-dpe or divination texts, both 36. From my personal observa­ 8. Karmay, Samten, "A General Tibet, WN, London 1968 clans from Nagas (klu) or serpent­ mythos and dromenon as manuscripts and as xylographs, tions of Tibetan shamans in India Introduction to the History and 24. Snellgrove, David, The Nine like chtonic spirits. According to 15. On the tsbe-dhang or Long- no publication dates are given and and Nepal. But also see Larry Doctrines of Bon", MRDTB no.33 Ways of Bon, Oxford U.P., London Prof. Namkhai Norbu, the traditio­ Life Empowerment, see Waddell often no author. These texts are Peters "Tamang Shamanism in (Toyo Bunko), Tokyo 1975 1967 nal Buddhist account represents The Buddhism of Tibet, London generally known by their generic Nepal" in S. Nicolson (ed.) Sha­ names sGrol-ma'i phreng-mo, manism, Wheston III 1987, and 9. Karmay, Samten, TheTreasu- 25. Stein, R.A., Tibetan Civiliza­ only an exercise in pre-Buddhist 1895 and The Cult of Tara. Also Arphyi mo, etc. Per-Arne Berglie "Preliminary ry of Good Sayings: a Tibetan tion, London 1972 propaganda designed to glorify my unpublished manuscript The Remarks on some Tibetan Spirit History of Bon, Oxford University 26. Trugpa and Freemantle, the civilizing note of Buddhism in Adamantin Essence of Life deals 21. On the archetype of the puer Medium in Nepal" in Kailash, Ka­ Press, London 1972 Francesca, The Tibetan Book of Tibet. He points to the long history with the process in considerable aeternus, see James Hillman, The thmandu 1976 10. Narain, A.K., The Indo- the Dead of the Shang-Shung Kingdom in details. Puer Papers, Dallas 1983. And Greeks, Oxford University Press, 27. Tucci, Giuseppe, The Reli­ West Tibet under the Bya-ru-can 16. The ultimate aspect or essence on the connection of the Druids 37. On Tibetan oracles generally Delhi 1980 gions of Tibet, RKP London 1980 Li-mi-rgya dynasties. See of , the basic foun­ with Shamanism, see Ward Ru­ and the State Oracle in particular, 11. Nebetsky-Wojkowitz, Rene, 28. Waddell, Austin, The Buddhi­ Namkhai Norbu, The necklace of dation of all being, is unconcei­ therford, The Druids: The Magi­ see R. Nebetsky-Wojkowitz, ibid cians of the West, London 1984, Demons and Oracles of Tibet, sm of Tibet, London 1895 gzi, Dharamsala 1981. vable by the intellect and inex­ 38. There also exist the possibility as well as his Shamanism: the Graz 1975 29. Vajranatha, Tibetan Astrologi­ 5. Here I follow the exposition of pressible in words, but in terms of of even more direct contact of Foundation of Magic, London 12. Nicholson, Shirley (ed), Sha­ cal Calendar and Almanac, Kala- Namkhai Norbu on the body, its being the basis one may speak Tibetans with the Bactrian Greeks, 1986, and his Celtic Mythology, manism, Quest, Wheaton 1111987 chakra Publications, Kathmandu speech and mind, see his The of its Essence, its Nature and its on the Bactrian Greeks see Na­ London 1987. 13. Norbu, Namkhai, II Bon (En­ 1975 Crystal and the Way of Light and Energy, corresponding to Greek rain "Bactrian Greeks", Delhi. glish translation of sgrung Ide'u 30. Zimmer, Heinrich, Myths and Dzogchen: the Self Liberated ousia, hypostasis and energieis 22. Many old Bonpo myths and Many of these Bactrian Greeks had become Buddhists and grea­ bon), L.T.W.A. Dharamsala. In Symbols of Ancient India Culture State, London 1989 (see my Self-Liberation Through deities have their Iranian coun­ tly influenced , espe­ preparation. and Civilization, Harper, New York 6. See H. Zimmer, The Philo­ Seeing with Naked Awareness, terparts. On Bonpo myths, see S. Karmay "A General Introduction cially the Gandharan style. It also 14. Norbu, Namkhai and Shane, 1955 sophies of India. Barrytown NY. 1989 and my The to the History and Doctrine of Bon", may have been Greek artists who John (ed), The Crystal and the 31. Zimmer, Heinrich, The Philo­ 7. I am dealing of psychic ener­ Golden Letters, Barrytown N.Y. in Toyo Bunko, Tokyo 1975 first developed the image of the way of Light, RKP, London 1986 sophies of India, Bollinge, New gies and their use in healing 1990). The parallel between the Buddha in sculpture and relief, 15. Norbu, Namkhai, The Neck­ York 1951 practice in Bon and in Tibetan Gnostic tradition in the West and 23. On the ju-thig system of divi­ basing this image on the form of lace of gzi, TLWA, Dharamsala shamanism in my Tibetan Sha­ theTibetan tradition both Buddhist nation, see Namkhai Norbu the God Apollo. The most famous 1981 Notes to part 1 and part 2 of manism and Healing (work in and Bonpo, in terms of Tantra and Rinpoche II Bon, (see 13. in bi­ bliography) . On the cult of Gerhod, Greek Buddhist was the Bactrian 16. Norbu, Namkhai, The Cycle John Reynold's article: progress) Dzog-chen, I deal with in my My­ see S. Karmay, ibid, and also my King Menandres (in , Milinda) of Day and Night, Station Hill 1. Because this paper was written 8. For a further understanding of stical Illumination in gnosticism monograph The Cult and Practice who appears in the text of the Press, Barrytown NY 1987 on short notice while on a visit to karma and its relationship to the and Buddhist Tantra (unpu­ of Zhang-Zhung Meri, Berkeley Buddhist dialogue The Milinda 17. Norbu, Namkhai, Dzogchen: Paros, I didn't have access to my question of free will and determi­ blished). 1989, which deals in more details Panha, "The questions of King with this deity and his mythology. Menandros" addressed to the Buddhist monk Nagasona. The SHAMANISM AND DZOG-CHEN 24. Nebetsky-Wojkowitz also de­ influence of Greek religion and als with phra, in the appendix of continued from page 10 philosophy on the development of his Demons and Oracles of Tibet, Mahayana Buddhism was se­ Graz 1975 riously considered by Edmund drum we can also use the bell. All sounds are linked with 25. On Gesar and Phrom, see Conze and E. Lariotte. See E. vibration, so when we go somewhere to practise, we are working R.A. Stein Tibetan Civilization, Conze, Buddhism: its Essence with the vibration of that place and different kinds of beings in London 1972 and Development, New York 1960 that place. We communicate with these sounds and increase 26. On the myth cycle, and his Thirty Years of Buddhist the purpose other practice? see Edmund Birnbaum, The Way the vibrations. Stories, Columbia sc. 1968. There to Shambala, Boulder 1989 She was a practitioner of Chod from around the Do these particular sounds actually attract specific beings? also exists evidence for even 27. On dream practice, see W.Y. A.D. She was born into the Bonpo tradition and she had a lot Yes. In general you call spirits and different kinds of beings with later and specifically Tibetan Evans-Wents, Tibetan Yoga and of experience with it. Later, she met a Buddhist teacher who a trumpet because it has a power for communicating, that is the contact with Greeks residing in Secret Doctrines, London 1935, she followed, and he was a Dzog-chen master. She mainly principle, or with the drum which has a mantra inside. So we the Sassanian empire. For exam­ and also my translation of Namkhai ple, in the 7° century B.C. the practised the Sutra teaching and studied many of Buddha integrate sound, mantra, singing, visualization. Everything - Norbu's The Cycle of Day and Greek physician Galenos was in­ Shakyamuni. Later still, she met another famous master body, voice and mind - is integrated. Only then there is the Night, Barrytown N.Y. 1987 vited to the Tibetan court at Lhasa named Patamba, an Indian master who came many times to capacity to call different kinds of beings to be present, and then 28. Tibetan geomancy or Sa-dp- by Songtsan Gampo, the first Tibet. She received many teachings of and of it becomes very concrete. yad is dealt with in the Vaidurya Buddhist king of Tibet. The tra­ Tantrism. She became a very learned lady with great knowledge. It seems that spirit possession is practised in many Asian dkar-po of bSod-nams rgya-mtsho ditional Tibetan history indicates In the end, she realized that one of the most important practices (16° century). See also Namkhai societies like the Tamangs in Nepal for example. Does it exist in early contact with Indo-European is to overcome one's attachments to the physical body. She Norbu Rinpoche, II Bon, (see 13. and Altaic peoples of central Asia the Dzog-chen teachings? noticed that this was also the main point of all the Sutra in bibliography) such as the Hor (Uighurs), the No, not really. The only place where Tibetans practise possession teachings. Then she developed the practice of Chod. 29. On the Tibetan Classification Tho-gar (Tokharians) and the sog- is at Monastery, now in India, where the Nechung of spirits, see G. Tucci, The Reli­ Chod is a practice that combines the Sutra teachings and the po (Sogdians)- although sog-po Oracle becomes possessed and then helps, giving advice. That gions of Tibet, London, and his may have more anciently been Tantra, the Mahamudra of Patamba, and Dzog-chen: she is about it. Tibetan Painted Scrolls, vol.II, referred to as the Saka or combined everything together. After that she also had to / see. Would you say that, aside from your physical travels Rome Is.M.E.0.1989; Nebetsky- Scythians. The American ar- practise Chod working with visualizations, different sounds, around the world, you are able to travel to other dimensions or Wojkowitz, Demons and Oracles cheologist W. Fairseteris has experiences, feelings, and emotions. That is her particular way of Tibet, Graz 1975; D. Snellgro­ found evidence of the Scythians places, either in dreams or other altered states of mind? of practising. She had many sons and students, and many good ve, The Nine Ways of Bon, London in Chou and pre-Chou China. Also In general, when we do practice, we have many effects of people became great practitioners of Chod. And the Chod 1967 and Namkhai Norbu Rinpo­ G. Tucci in his expedition into practices, different kinds of experiences. They can be visions, teachings then spread to all schools of Tibetan Buddhism at che II Bon, Arcidosso, 1990 Western Tibet found evidence of feelings, sounds that manifest in the day time, but particularly in that time. 30. On the Naga cult in general, the Scythians such as bronze pie­ the nighttime. During the night practice of , we can see my article "The Nagas An­ ces in the characteristic nomad In the Chod ritual, you use the kangling, or the human temor influence our dreams, and then we can have many kinds of cient Bonpo Teaching and the animal style of the Scythians. They trumpet, and the or two-sided drum. What is the dreams, very lucid dreams, dreams of clarity. Through dreams, Nagas", in Merigar Rivista, no.2, have comparison to the Luristan purpose of these instruments? we can apply many methods of practice. In the dream state we Arcidosso 1989. My work in pro­ bronzes, see G. Tucci Transhi- malaica. You know, when you use something like human bones, it can have many experiences which we couldn't have in the day gress, The Secret Book of the Hundred-Thousand Nagas will means you are not living in a limited way, with fears and with time. So if we speak of these kinds of experiences of mind, then contain much of this material hopes. These instruments produce strong sounds, and with the we speak of many, many years of practice. drawn from the Klu-'bum. Also a THE MIRR R MARCH, 1991 ISSUE N° 7 72

Then we began to cover the iron The Stupa brings together absolute and relative truth. In frame of the Bumpa with wire its absolute reality the Stupa is the Dharmakaya: mesh. By this time it was getting indestructible, unconditioned, beyond words and con­ hot and it was very crowded THE STUPA STORY inside. One person had to be cepts, ever perfect. It is the Buddha mind. At the level of the Sambogakaya the Stupa is imbued with the pure completely bent up to get inside. Finally it came time to cover the and luminous essence of the joyful fields of and by Tsultrim Allione Bumpa inside and out with ce- Buddhas and in the pure dimensions. mentwhichwasverydifficult. The The energies of the Jnanasattva are called in and stablized Tolu and recognized the land­ them approach. They were so low , where he died, Lum- day it was finished was the full in the relative physical form. On the physical plane, the scape. The courtyard of the we could clearly see their fea­ bini where he was born, The Gre­ moon, June 8. This is the most Nirmanakaya, the Stupa represents the spatio-temporal Gompa (monastery) was also just thers. They were so close and at Stupa in Bodha Nepal, Swa- sacred full moon of the Tibetan manifestation of the Buddha, subject to birth, matura­ as he had dreamed and inside on there were so many, we gasped. yambhu Stupa, water from Lake year, Saga Dawa, the day of the

tion, and destruction, like all things in the physical top of a column was the Tara The night before we made our first Manasovar near , Buddha's birtht enlightenment world. In this form the Stupa may be perceived by all statue. Tsultrim'sfather developed offering, Ang Dawa dreamt that earth from the hot springs near and passing away. The first thing placed inside was a be­ beings and serves as an instantaneous connection with deep devotion for Rinpoche and her grandfather who was a Lama Mount Kailash where Yeshe Tsogyal did her Vajra Yogini re­ autiful red rose. It had bloomed their innate enlightened state. The form of the stupa he gave wonderful teachings be­ and Tsultrim's Guru had come to fore proceeding to Maratika where her and told her to get ready be­ treat, earth from a place near on that day and was the most symbolizes the form of the body oftheBuddha sitting on he received the Gongter of the cause the Buddha was coming. Kailash that looks like a big vagi­ beautiful rose I'd ever seen. the lion throne and, from the base to the pinnacle, also Long Life Practice of Mandarava. She then saw the Buddha arriving na, called the Vagina of Machig That evening we had planned a symbolizes the gradual path to enlightenment. Eventually Tsultrim married a on a kind of crocodile. Lapdron, earth from the place of Ganapuja for the full moon. Eve­ Sherpa woman, named Ang Tsultrim had planned to return to the last Cherokee capital, water ryone bought votive candles. The Dawa, which means Little Moon, begin digging on the night of the from the Ganges, sacred pills from whole Stupa was covered with This Spring at the Tara Founda­ with a phone call from my old full moon, but it was too close to one of the oldest saints in Tibet, a lights. It was warm and a little tion we built a Stupa dedicated to friend Tsultrim Lama, saying he the granddaughter of a lama who Ang Dawa's due date, so he asked long life pill from Tsultrim's guru misty and windy. Around sunset the Buddha Tara. It was a won­ was in Brooklyn. Tsultrim is a was very famous in Nepal. When who is already 104, mendrub we sat to begin the feast offering. derful experience, and I want to Sherpa, a group of Tibetans who this lama died, he sat in tugdam me to begin the work without him. (empowered medicine from Du- There was a misty rain, very light, share some of this experience migrated to the of Ne­ for forty nine days. Tugdam is the Every full moon and new moon I nothing you had to cover yourself with you. pal from East Tibet hundreds of time after the 'death' of a lama in meet with a group of women, and djom Rinpoche) and saffron. which they sit in meditation, the so this time I asked if they would Tsultrim all this together from. This is called by Tibetans Shortly before his paranirvana, years ago. Although they live in heart remaining warm and the help begin the Stupa. We began and we mixed it with the clay and 'the rain of flowers.' Then we all the Buddha instructed his stu­ Nepal their culture and religion is chanting the Tara mantra and went poured a bit into every plaster tsa went upstairs for a feast, Ang dents to cremate his body and very similar to that of the Tibe­ body not decaying. And a medi­ down to the place the Stupa would tsa. Many people donated things Dawa had made momos, Tibetan place his ashes and the remains tans Tsultrim is the son of a cine came forth from the palm of for the Stupa, everyday packages dumplings, and Sherpa soup. of his bones in a Stupa. People married lama and his mother had his hand which the family and be built. We very carefully opened arrived from around the world. Just as we got everything inside could visit the Stupa, venerate it, many children and a big garden. disciples collected. It has mira­ the earth with our hands all the lightening and thunder began and renew their connection with He became a monk as a child. He culous healing properties. Ang time chanting the Tara mantra. Including a small sealed bottle and we had a huge rain storm. his teachings. "Stupa" is a practised and studied under his Dawa was raised by her grandfa­ There were five of us. I was the from Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche A few days later, we began to " word which means "to father and his 104 year old lama ther as her mother died when she only Buddhist among these wo­ which arrived from Italy full of place the relics and symbols of heap" or "to pile up," and refers to who lives in a cave at 18,000 feet was young. When Tsultrim called men. I felt this meant that the many essential things. All during the mound-like shape of the overlooking . In me, I was very happy because I Stupa would transcend bounda­ the building and the tsa tsa making body, speech and mind into the earliest Stupas. The Tibetan order to support his brothers and had not seen him for several ye- ries and be an inspiration to many we sang and felt joyful. Stupa. My son was small enough word for Stupa is choten or "re­ sisters and the monastery, he At the same time David began to to fit inside and put things around. ceptacle for offerings." stopped being a monk at the age carve the spire from a large sas­ Finally, on June 15, we decided Stupas are said to promote har­ of nineteen and went to Kath- safras tree. It represented the to put the wooden spire up and mony, prosperity, longevity, good mandu and began to lead trekking thirteen levels of the then add things later from the health, peace, and freedom from expeditions. path, topped with an umbrella of 'cave' in the front where the sta­ ignorance. They subdue fear, victory and the sun sitting inside tue of Tara would go. When the I first met Tsultrim when he came corruption, and pollution, and the crescent moon topped by a fork lift came, David drove it to California during the Longde bring blessings to the environ­ crystal ball. The trunk we were down to the front of the Stupa. retreat of 1981. He was very ment in which they are built and using was about seven feet tall. There had been a mocking bird friendly and had such a beautiful to those who visit and venerate The round part of the Stupa, the who had been closely following natural way of behaving res­ them. The gazing at, circumam- "Bumpa," which means vase, the development of the Stupa. pectfully to our teacher. I'll never bulation of, and offering of incen­ represents the trunk of Tara's Everyday the bird would come forget the first moment they met. se, music, mándalas, food, water, body, and is where the relics and and inspect the work. It became The fluid motion of his body as he flowers or any other prayers to sacred objects which empower a kind of joke, because everytime bowed into a kneeling position the Stupa creates the same the Stupa are placed. we did something the bird would and rolled his hands forward of­ as if the offerings were made to go inspect it. We began to won­ fering his gifts. That gesture says The round shape could not be an enlightened being. der who she really was. On this something about the way that created with the wooden frames The Stupa also symbolizes the day the bird had been repeate­ Tsultrim Lama is. He does things we had used for the square parts. five elements and their relation­ dly looking inside, then cocking quietly, simply with a lot of heart So David found a metal worker ship to enlightened mind. The and beauty. He is very devoted to who constructed a rounded her head questioningly. Then she base signifies earth and equa­ the teachings and he also has a wrought iron frame. came over to me and fluffed her nimity; the dome, water and inde­ great sense of humour. The next thing we needed was the wings three times and then did structibility; the spire, fire and After his meetings with Namkhai Tsog Shing, the Tree of Life that the sameto Tsultrim. Justas the compassion; above the spire, Norbu Rinpoche in California, he goes in the center and represents fork lift was to pass in front of the wind and all-accomplishing ac­ went to Italy. He arrived around the spine. It has to be a cedar or Stupa it stopped dead. At the tion; and, at the very top, the the time when Merigar was first sandalwood tree. We found a same moment Ang Dawa was jewel signifies and all- purchased. Namkhai Norbu beautiful straight cedar tree down upstairs in the apartment feeding pervading awareness. It is a Rinpoche requested him to build a by the lake. The East side of the her son and she started shaking mandala, or sacred arrangement, Stupa at Merigar before he left on tree was marked and cut down all over and heard,'it's not ready containing all these enlightened a teaching tour. Tsultrim began to after a ceremony inviting the yet'. So she came running out to qualities. The Stupa also repre­ do this with the local volcanic wisdom beings into it. It was pe­ tell them to stop, which the ma­ sents the path to enlightenment stone which is soft and easily eled and Mantras were written at chine had done anyway. We un­ starting at the base and moving shaped. He was helped by Fabio the level of each cakra on the East derstood. The top was not to be through a gradual path to the Andrico who he gratefully men­ put on until the Stupa was full. thirteen levels of the Bodhisatttfa side. Then we wrapped it with tions everytime he talks about The mocking bird relaxed; we'd path at the top. It contains relics colored string representing the five that Stupa. When the Stupa was gotten the message. oftheBuddha and is built accor­ elements, with a medicine pill almost finished Tsultrim got very Over the next few days we added ding to a specific process which wrapped inside over each cakra. sick . He had an extremely high empowers it. Ceremonies must The medicine we were putting into many more things, and an artist fever and became delirious. The accompany each phase to truly the tsa tsa's was rubbed onto the who had been painting the Kar- people at Merigar were very wor­ create a living Stupa which has of the Tree of Life. mapa's monastery at Woodstock ried and wanted him to go to the the power to grant blessings, and When it came time to put the Tree arrived. She helped paint the hospital, but he refused to go, to benefit sentient beings for of Life into its place in the center spire. We put in many things and he got worse. Then when thousands of miles around. It of the Stupa, it was June 3, Guru representing the body speech they were about to force him to go must also contain sacred earth Rinpoche Day so we did a feast and mind of the Buddha. The Tsa to the hospital he had a dream of and water from specific places, offering and many prayers to Guru Tsa and Kutsa represented the a woman attacking him with se­ ars and wanted to meet his wife, kinds of people. representations of the illumina­ Rinpoche. This particular day Body, sacred texts in English and veral arms. He was able to subdue Ang Dawa who was very pre­ The next thing to be done was to ted body and mind. was the day Padma Sambhava Tibetan represented speech, and her, and afterwards he immedia­ gnant, and their sixteen month dig out the old cement and flag The shape of the Stupa here re­ promised to come to anyone who crystals represented the mind, tely recovered and finished the old son, Tsering. stone patio and the base of the presents the Buddha Tara, the prayed to him sincerely. All along as well as many people's perso­ Stupa. He said that the karma of The first night he was here, Stupa had to be poured. Tsultrim female Buddha who was told that the times for beginning or ending nal offerings, poems, and pho­ buildingastupais strong so karmic Tsultrim dreamt he was building a and my partner, David, poured she would have to take a man's important phases of our work tographs. obstacles will arise during the Stupa here, and needed some the first layers of the base. The body in order to reach full enli­ happened to fall on special days. buildingA few years later, Tsul­ help pushing a heavy wheelbar­ base of the Stupa, which repre­ We had all the essentials: sacred ghtenment. She refused and re- Before the tree was in place, trim invited Namkhai Norbu row up a hill, The same night I sents the throne of the Buddha earth from places in India and achedfull realizationasawoman. dreamt that his feet were cold and David made a plate of seven Rinpoche to come to Nepal. and the development of merit and Tibet and water from certain sa­ Thus she symbolizes not only I was trying to keep them warm. wisdom, began to take form. After metals to go under it and a "seat" In 1984 Rinpoche and a group of cred rivers and lake, and I put in compassion and availability, but his disciples went to Tsultrim's We talked about our dreams the Jigme Dorje was born, Tsultrim's was made of grains, silk and she is also an inspiration as a Ringsel which had come magi­ family's monastery, called Tolu next day and decided to build a family came to stay here until the crystals. Once the tree was in woman who becamefully awake. cally out of the Swayambhu Stu­ Gompa, on the way to the sacred Stupa dedicated to Tara. Stupa was finished. We invited place we all made offerings to the She is crowned and sitting in pa when I was living in Kathmandu cave of Guru Rimpoche and On March 7, two days before the people to come for several Stupa tree. The newborn Jigme Dorje meditation posture on a lion Nepal. This felt very special as Mandarava at Maratika. full moon, Tsultrim came out and building weekends. During the Sherpa was assisted by Ang Dawa throne. Her crown is the spire of it was the first place in the world Norbu Rinpoche has told that he where the Stupa was to be built, weekends, we made tsa tsa and in throwing some rice for the Tree the Stupa, her head is the square where I had really experienced a had been dreaming of a landscape we lit a fire in order to make the kutsa, little miniature Stupas and of Life. All spring the weather at the spire's base where the Stupa. Ringsel ( magical spheres with a certain formation of rocks smoke offering. We did the Riwo molds of Tara, Guru Rinpoche, supported our work, the days were eyes are painted; her body is the which appeared afterthe Buddha and forest for twenty-five years. Sang Cho and then the Chod and Manjusri out of clay and pla­ beautiful and we all felt so bles­ vase shape; her legs are the four was burned) are considered to He had also dreamt that in this practice. ster. In each one we put a crystal sed. Almost every evening we steps of the lower terrace; and be part of the Buddha's body. place there was a Tara who spoke and some 'medicine,' which was a made a small fire before the stupa the base is her lion throne. While we were making body offe­ When Lama Wangdor was here to him. mixture of earth from Bodhagaya, and did the Riwo Sang Cho The story of this Chang Chub rings during the Chod, we looked this fall he said that having a where the Buddha was enlighte­ Practice. The smoke would curl Choten dedicated to Tara started up and the sky was dark with Ringsel in the Stupa makes it ned, Sarnath, where he first tur­ up and around the form, wrapping Rinpoche had no idea where this circling hawks. Our eyes had truly like the Buddha or Tara her­ ned the wheel of the Dharma, it gently. place was until he approached been closed so we hadn't seen self, and when we make offerings THE MIRR R MARCH, 1991 ISSUE N° 7 13 we should imagine we are offe­ daughter Sherab painted the eyes Argentina USA ring to the Buddha Tara herself. in the four directions. She did a Dzog-chen Communita WORLD GAKYILS Dzog-chen Community beautiful job, the eyes are pro­ c/o R. Ramponi, Ave. F. c/o Aorman Lundell On Monday June 18, Dakini Day, found and wise. The Stupa was Lacroze 122 Pleasant St. we called the place where we finished the day before we left for 1395 9MO Piso DT060 France Nepal Santa Cruz, Ca. 95062 USA had rented the fork lift and the Bali. Then Tsultrim performed the 1426 Buenos Aeres, Argenti­ Dzog-chen Association lan Baker service man came over to see consecration, washing the Stupa. na USSR what was wrong. It was simply This was done by getting a mirror La Fontaine Neuve S.I.T. Box 1373 out of gas. The service man de­ and reflecting the Stupa in the 56770 Plouray, France Kathmandu, Nepal Vladimir Malikov cided to stay to help us. I had mirror and then pouring water Australia Sovietskaya 14-7 invited John and Virginia Davis to down the mirror and reciting Patricia Chandler Austria New Zealand Zheleznodorzhny, Moscow come up and add their blessings mantras at the same time. The 471 Canning St. Gemeinschaft Dzog-chen Lize Brooks USSR to the Stupa. John was standing rest of us circumambulated the N. Carlton, 3054 Vic. Ostereich PO.O Little Akaloa on the fork lift steadying the spire Stupa offering flower petals as we P.O. Box 60 Banks Peninsula, Victor Mateev which was wrapped in cloth. walked. The day was soft and Community Dzog-chen A 8200 Gleisdorf, Germany South Island, NZ STR. Sarcanarmiyas David and Tsultrim were standing sweet, perfectly clear and warm. House 18, Room 1 on the Bumpa ready to ease the David had been terribly sick with c/o Hamish Gregor huge tree trunk in. A few of us an undiagnosable stomach pro­ 6 Grant St. Marta Heinen Mario Franchini 226001, Riga USSR were standing nearby saying the blem and the day the Stupa was Stephen Blattmannstr. 25 8/148 Howe St. Mantra of Tara and praying. We finished it cleared up spontane­ Woodford, NSW 2778 7743 Furtwangen, Germany Freemans Bay, Aukland NZ Venezuela had lifted the spire almost all the ously. Ingrid Bertet way up, when it started tipping After it was finished we left for Brasil Greece Norway Apartado 60580 Chacao back and forth wildly. John's face Bali and Tsultrim went up to Tseg­ De Souza Clovis Evangelopulos Liakos Community Dzog-chen A-1060 Caracas, Venezuela was completely flushed and yalgar to Namkhai Norbu Rinpo­ Rua República Do Peru 481/ 10 Polythechniou Street c/o Marit Cranmer 4157 tense trying to hold it. It started che's retreat. From Bali I came to Dzog-chen Community to slip. Everybody's heart sank. visit the Stupa several times. 606 10433 Athens, Greece Uttstein Kloster It would have been tragic to see Viewing it from above I saw that Norway Merida the beautiful spire fall. But the it is a spinning white flower. From Rio de Janeiero, Brazil Svoronos Thanos Apartado Postal 483 fork lift driver very gently lowered this flower light spins out and 32 Analipseos St. Taiwan Merida 5101 Venezuela the beautifully carved and spreads around for a great di­ Cyprus Thessaloniki, 54643 LYH Corporation D. Cloutre painted tree trunk back to the stance. While Tsultrim was at the Koumoushi Anthi Greece No. 46 Lane 260 West Malaysia ground. retreat he heard that the roof of his Kysonergha Kuang FU South Road Chog Kwok Kee We reset it and secured it better. father's monastery had fallen in Pathos, Cyprus Holland Tapei Taiwan 11 -A Jalan Jujor Up went John and the tree again. and so Namkhai Norbu Rimpo- 1/5 T. Bakti Ampang Very slowly they edged toward che helped him to raise some Denmark Dzog-chen Stitching the Stupa. As the tree went up money and they went back to Community Dzog-chen Marcussstraat 2 USA Selangor, West Malaysia you could hear Tibetan Kangling Nepal. I have heard from them . co Jens Rasmussen 1091 TK Amsterdam Dzog-chen Community at trumpets and huge horns playing that they are all well. Pilegard Alle 5 Tsegyalgar Yugoslavia as they would have been in Tibet. When we came back from Bali I 2770 Kastrup, Denmark Italy PO Box 277 Chang Chub You really could. We made a went up to the stone people's lo­ England Comunità Dzog-chen Conway Mass. 01341 , Community Slovenia video of it and you can hear the dge (a sweat lodge) offered for Richard Eagleton Merigar P.O. Box 19 music on the video. Just as they Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche by 72 Woodland Gardens Ruthan Corwin 62250 PTUJ Slovenia wereabouttosetit in, Ang Dawa Thunder and Sparky after his one 58031 Arcidosso (GR) Italy Yugoslavia came running out of the house. month retreat. The next day, London, NW10 3UA England 94 Crest Rd She threw a kata, the traditional September 11,1 drove Namkhai Novato, Ca. 94945 white Tibetan greeting scarf, to Norbu Rinpoche down here. He Finland Japan Jovanovic Zelika David and he put it into the blessed the Tara Stupa, and we Kaisa Liisa Puonti Masuda Toshiaki Jack Ellison Zeleni Venae Bumpa, and then the tree settled did a feast offering in front of it Visantie 19 5-6-7 Kichijojii Kita-Machi 1 Old Colony Lane Beograd, Yugoslavia into place. This was the most with about thirty people. The day 05400 Jokela, Finland Musashino-shi Arlington, Mass. 6178/856 dramatic moment of the Stupa was gentle and the sunset pro­ Tokyo 180 Japan Zambia building. We all started crying. duced orange, lilac billowing France Malaysa Susan Indich Darryl VanBlerk The mocking bird flew up to the clouds behind the glowing Stupa. Isabelle Bienfait 11 Upper Rose St. top and looked at it all con­ Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche's visit Community Dzog-chen 165 Kunhale St. tentedly. The fork lift driver went and blessings completed the 9 Rue Jean Racine Malaysia Tham Nye Min Kaiula, Hawaii 96734 USA Newlands, 7700 Capetown home with a kutsa of Tara on his Stupa. Now it is glowing brilliantly Perpignan 66000 France 8669C Klebang Kechil Zambia dashboard. in the sun, the shadows of autu­ 75200 Melaka, Malaysia Over the next ten days we fi­ mn leaves playing on its white nished the Stupa. The special surface, the golden statue of Tara Black Pills from the Karmapa inside her cave poised gracefully arrived. Around the tip of the for her first winter. MERIGAR head, one in each direction we The cost of building the Stupa was put four pieces of a white crystal about $3000, with all volunteer rock from the sacred land of the labor except the ironwork. The THE YEAR 2000 Arrowhead in New Hampshire . whole process took 21 /2 months. The last thing that came was a Tsultrim and his family may be PLANS FOR THE FUTURE seed from South America brou­ coming backto build more Stupas ght by Jairo Gonzalez, called the in this country. Wehopethatthis 'eye of the deer'. It symbolizes Chang Chub Choten dedicated As far as the original plans are own members, not on Merigar the four elements. We placed to Tara will benefit all beings and concerned there will be four land but on plots allotted by this behind the third eye, along alleviate suffering. We wish to other cabins left to build as the various local authorities, with an emerald. When we star­ offer our thanks to everyone who well as all of the complex on creating more work for the ted to put the white stucco on the donated time and labour assisting the eastern side of the plan, residents as well as those who grey cement, the Stupa became in bringing the Tara Stupa to a the kitchen, the canteen, the want to build their own homes more and more beautiful. My dormitory and the offices of in the area. Shang-Shung Edizioni. Naturally these are only ideas Last December we received distribution. The old barn could Tsultrim Allione was born as Joan Rousmaniere Ewing in the Instead we are now thinking of to be developed, which will as a generous gift from a be completely restructured United States, in the state of Maine, and moved to New building the "old people's require a lot of research and member of the Dzog-chen and made into either a Hampshire when she was eight. Her grandmother's gift of a home" there and the "children's organisation. Anyone who Community , a large piece of carpentry work-shop or a book of sparked her interest in the Orient. house" nearby, thus wishes to participate in land, almost 23 hectars printing and typography work­ She travelled to India and Nepal in 1967 at the age of 19 and concentrating the social and planning the projects, doing bordering the land of Merigar. shop. The small house to the was ordained by Gyalwa Karmapa as a Buddhist nun, in recreational activities of the the work, organising, etc. both As we now have this "Merigar east of the old farmhouse could Bodhgaya, India and given the name KarmaTsultrim Chodron. community in this area. from the technical point ofview Two", which comprises two be reconstructed to make a She lived as a nun for three and a half years, spending We thought of forming a as well as administration, farm houses, one old and one single independent living extensive periods in solitary retreat, studying Tibetan language housing co-operative to taxes, etc. please contact: Ing. new as well as various space to be used for study or and meditation practices, and making in India and actualise the last part of this Giovanni Boni, Puianello di outbuildings, our previous retreats. The bread oven and Nepal. After several years in India she returned to America plan. The members of the co­ Quattro Castella, 42030 plans can be accelerated and hen-house can be renovated and studied with Trungpa Rinpoche.She decided to remain in operative could build the new Reggio Emilia, by letter or by slightly changed. The new and kept for their present America and her robes became a rather than a complex attheirown expense, fax: 0522/45325 farm house, after alterations purposes. simplification. She returned to India in 1973 and gave back her on the community's land, the If we manage to form a good to the ground floor, can vows to . In 1974 she gave birth to the first The present situation surface rights of which could group to tackle the technical temporarily house the Shang- of her three children and was also asked to begin teaching - the Gonpa has been built, be conceded to them. We will problems and another to deal Shung Institute of International meditation by Trungpa Rinpoche. This experience drew her complete with toilets, gas write a new article specifically with administration and taxes, Studies, as well as store­ into a search for relevant role models for women on a spiritual central heating and electricity dedicated to explaining how it will be possible to put our rooms and an apartment for quest and led to the writing of Women of Wisdom. In 1979 she f and water supplies; to become a user member and plans into effect and much the caretaker. The old house married Constanzo Allione, moved to Italy and has been -the "urbanisation" works have or a shareholder member of easierto obtain the information could be made into two studying with Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche since 1980. In 1984 been completed, such as: such a multiple unit property. that is indispensable from apartments: one for visiting she received her master's degree in Buddhism, and after the drains, mains water, electricity Naturally the housing co-ope­ every point of view. guests of the Shang-Shung publication of her book, she began teaching under the guidance supply, gas and telephones; rative would run both the "old Institute and the Associazio­ of Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche. She returned to America in 1986 - the preparative works and people's home" and the ne Culturale Comunità Dzog­ Outlines for the approval of and founded theTara Foundation.She lives twenty miles north the construction of the cabins "children's house", thus chen; and the other for offices the Gakyil, of the main of New York City with her partner, her three children, one dog, for study and retreats is creating jobs for people of the of Shang-Shung Edizioni, the objectives to be achieved in two cats and three ferrets. underway. The first cabin community. Dzog-chen Community's Merigar by the year 2000. should be finished by the end Tara Foundation, 361 Old Mill Road, Valley Cottage, New Italian publishing co-operati- of March (bureaucracy Afterwards this housing co­ York, 10989, USA. Telephone 914-2683050 or fax 914- Ve, which could use the ground permitting) and a second one operative could take on the 2684280. floor rooms for storage and by Giovanni Boni should be finished by May. construction of houses for its THEMIRR R MARCH, 1991 ISSUE N° 7 14

heard about Dzog-chen. A babies arid children were an continue my translations, small group of interested obstacle to my practice. I and hope that some people people was formed, and we enjoyed the retreat very much, will join me in the activity. invited some practitioners to and a month later I gave birth After Rinpoche left, I was explain the teachings. to twins, Ana Kunsal, and faced with my everyday life, In March 1988, John Reynolds Maria Desal. As they grew, I my babies, my son's school, came to Beograd, and talked was able to continue with translations of Dzog-chen about Buddhism. A few of my group practices with the texts, and normal life. I hope Dharma friends went to Community, and some months I can find light in that. Merigar and Greece to receive later I did another retreat. Now Only 1.2.3. and 13. are proper teachings from Namkhai it seems really possible to in­ books, the rest is only Norbu Rinpoche, and we tegrate all circumstances into photocopied, because it's started to do regular practices the teachings. quite difficult to sell many books in the Serbocroat As a young girl I became very together. For the first time, I Our Community was slowly language, as very few people interested in mystic religions, felt that it was really possible growing, and we invited Lama are interested. So, I make 10 and thinking that I might learn to practise here, inourcountry, Tenzin Wangyal to give or 20 copies at a time, and about "unity of subject and and that it wasn't really teachings at Beograd, at the when they sell, make more object", I tried to study necessary to stay in the East end of August 1990. He gave copies. 20% of the price goes philosophy, spent 5 years at babies, and soon after that I to be able to practise. We a one week course in town, to the Dzog-chen Community, the University, and never was pregnant, had a baby and 7 tried to were ten people now, and it and after that we all went on for organizing retreats, etc. graduated. It turned out that found out that it was impossible seemed like a real "Dzog-chen Mount Divçibare, where we be a nun, ZELIKA JOVANOVIC Blue they had too many theories, to do retreats, and intensive Community", and we tried to practised together in theforest, and discovered Gakyil of Yugoslavia but no answer to the real, practices. "collaborate", and to and did a Ganapuja, and really existential question. So, I went For the first time I heard of how understand what enjoyed it. Dzog-chen, and that it was really means, and how to in­ After that, Namkhai Norbu TRANSLATIONS PUBLISHED to India, and then to Nepal, uncontrolled met many Lamas (some of possible to practise 24 tegrate in ourdaily lives, which Rinpochefinally agreed to give BY EDICIJA ATI JOGA Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche them very famous and some a day I was." is not so easy in our conditions. a four day retreat in Beograd 1. On Birth and Life, 2. Zer Nga not so famous), listened to At that time EmmaMulholland For more than a year, we met (November 29th to December 3. Little Song of Do As You gave me some transcripts from regularly and practised. 2nd). That was the first BIG many courses, teachings, Please, 4. The Mirror Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche's time), was warm and I got pregnant again, and they received initiations, and spent retreat here. We had more 5. Dzog-chen and Zen, 6. The welcoming like a mother and told me I had twins, and now it many and months in teachings, and forthe first time than 100 people. There were Cycle of Day and Night personal retreat in many I heard of Dzog-chen, and that father and I could finally relax seemed that I would never be a dozen Greeks, one person 7. The voice of the Bee, 8. Yantra sacred places in the it was possible to practise 24 and stop worrying about able to do serious practice from Germany and one from Yoga Himalayan mountains. hours a day, without accomplishing something "on again, not to mention retreats. Austria. Rinpoche gave all the 9. Transcripts from the During the first two years, I renouncing the wordly life, the Dharma path". In October 1990, two mounths transmissions for TUN and Teachings given in Conway, 1979 (first book) tried to be a nun, and without trying to transform our In 1986,"I requested Rinpoche before my babies were born, practices for special days, and 10. TUN and short Tun, 11. energies, which turn out to be for his permission to translate Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche told he also had time to talk with discovered how uncontrolled I Practises for Special Days so difficult to transform. Soon and'publish some Dzog-chen me to do a retreat, and I was people, and to answer all their really was. I met some (9.10. and 11. only for people after that, in 1984,1 met Norbu texts. In Yugoslavia, we had surprised when I discovered Tantrikas, spent a long time in questions. The retreat was with transmission) retreats, depriving myself of Rinpoche, asked for the almost nothing translated, and that IT WAS ACTUALLY held in an old school in the Dujom Rinpoche 12. The all the luxuries, but teachings, and felt that I was Dzog-chen was completely POSSIBLE. My son was 6 center of Beograd, and Alchemy of Realization occasionally craving coffee, accepted. Thefirsttimelwent unknown. Norbu Rinpoche years old, and in spite of being although it wasn't a "proper Tsultrim Al Mone 13. Women of nice clothes, a warm bed, and to Merigar, I felt at home. There agreed, and even urged meto like a large balloon, I did a 10 retreat", meaning that people Wisdom Lama Tenzin Wangyal 14. company. By then I was were veryfew people, and they do that. Since then, I have day retreat. That was the first stay in the same area, and Dzog-chen Teachings (from a getting "older", secretly envied seemed like a family. Norbu translated and published many retreat since my son was born. spend all the time together, I talk given in Venice) (as we called him at that texts *, and many people have Somehow, I always felt that think that there was a feeling people who had families and 15. Song of the Vajra ( a booklet of togetherness, and that many with text, music, parts of "new people" are actually on Available at A MANDALA IN Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche's CARMEN'S HOME the path. So, in our depressive Teachings from various books Shang-Shung Edizioni and grey city, its name "Beo­ and one part from Women of videos of: grad" means "white town"!, we Wisdom) Timeless Present in finally had all the colours of At the moment I am working Inglish and Kailash the rainbow. A proper Gakyil on: 1. Transcripts from Rinpoche's was formed, and now we are Yantra-Yoga in Inglish teachings given in Beograd and Italian. trying to figure out how our 1990 Available with Gakyil should function. 2. Transcripts from Lama Shakya Dorje is passing Shang Shung Edizioni international track. Tenzin Wangyal's teachings through Beograd in June, and given in Beograd 1990 he said he would stop for one week and give a Tibetan me­ Zelika Jovarfovic dicine course. I'm planning to Director of the COMPASSION Yugoslavian Gakyil IN PRACTICE

Tashidelek to everyone. I'm THE ART OF GOOD SITTING handicapped and I move in a Kunga Legpa from Singapore wheelchair. Attheinaugu-ration of the new Gompa I visited CORDOBA, ARGENTINA - Caracas, February 13th 1991 Fabio Andrico, arrived in Cordoba after a journey of some 1,000 Merigar for the second time her knees sticking out like sor.e without a fixed person to help kilometers, to give a program of teachings of Yantra Yoga. thumbs, unless he/she is doing me. This is considered rather He taught first of all in the city of Merida, the capital of the State some special Yantra posture. unusual among people who need of Merida. This city is situated at the base of Mount Boliva, one However, this is easier said than much help because there is a of the range of snow mountains about 5,000 meters above sea done. When pain comes like "risk". Nevertheless, everything level. Amongst the luxurious vegetation with colorful flowers, endless waves you begin to realize what it is like to be victim went on well because there was Fabio was hosted by Elias Capriles and members of the Community of Merida. A Mandala for the Vajra Dance was of prolonged torture. And your always somebody ready to help mind, so serene awhile ago, is painted on the patio of Carmen's home in Merida and the me and, as always, I could stay in now experiencing the realm. the main building of Merigar. This Community had the opportunity to practise the steps and You simply havetogive in. Stretch gave me the chance to movements of the Vajra Dance under the guidance of Fabio. out your legs, .massage your experience collaboration and Then Fabio made a generous gesture of a contribution towards numb toes and relax for awhile. compassion as something very the handcrafts cooperative for exporting our national handicrafts. That would be the natural course ' smooth and precious and I never He was very impressed with the beauty and vibrant colors of our of action. But then you notice after years of practice that you had to suffer about my being handicrafts. are still fighting the same losing disabled. So, on this occasion, I This cooperative can be an example for all Communities and battle. Pain still doesn't go away. would like to thank everybody help inspire everyone to collaborate in similar ways. But your capacity to endure very much, both those who helped me in Merigar and my Dr. Pablo Lau Rivera, seems to have diminished. So travelling companions. The builders of the Gompa have also A practitioner of sitting you finally convince yourself it is thought of us handicapped and/or old people: there is a flat Tapes meditation always has to face all right to sit like a Garuda with its entrance at the back and a big toilet without steps. To pain. leg sticking out if you are practising Dzog-chen. After all conclude, a little remark: if collaboration can be so easy in an Whoever wants to receive the tapes of Good sitting does not imply good the mind is what counts, isn't it? evident situation like that of a physical handicap, it shouldn't be Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche's Teachings meditation. But good meditation Maybe that is correct. Maybe a very big step to a larger compassion and more friendliness or the tapes of the practice, can write to: can be borne out of good sitting. And all good meditators I know future generations of western towards all situations, people and feelings, even more can sit very well. For practitioners yogis will be depicted in thankas complicated ones. In this sense my experience can become a Enzo Terzano of Ati-Yoga, the highest vehicle, sitting in an armchair or with their stimulusfor better collaboration and more compassion, because 58031 Arcidosso Grosseto Italy who are committed to realizing knees up. But at the moment, traditional masters of meditation on a relative level suffering goes beyond a physical handicap. Specifying: Name, Surname, Address, Telephone the , and vowed to liberate all mother sentient beings, sit impeccably. And Tibetan Number and the dates of the required Teachings. there is no excuse to sit with his/ lamas, even those who are not With sisterhood, Aline Winterberg Switzerland THE MIRR R MARCH, 1991 ISSUE N° 7 Í5 connections We are all connected with each other on the level of the Mind, still sometimes it is pleasant and useful to speak one's mind. Connections is a section of the Mirror, where we can air our views, send messages, ask for advice, whatever. When you, for instance, wish to sell your Afghani rug, make a connection. When you want to buy a house in Argentina, make a connection. When you want to exchange your fake leopard coat for a baby's pram, make a connection. In the Mirror connections is a space for everything between and earth. Write to: The Mirror, connections, Comunità Dzog-chen Merigar, casella postale 47, 58031 Arcidosso GR, Italy. Or telephone the office 0564 - 966039 (tel. & fax) or Leena Larjanko 0564-967449.

We are in Argentina, land of silver. And there is silverhere. THE INAUGURAL RETREAT SUMMER RETREAT AN OFFER THE COMMUNITY Tiny silver black mirrors on AT KARAMEA FROM IS STARTING the road and in the rocks, in IN ARGENTINA the fields, amongst the IN JANUARY 1991 VENEZUELA A NEW ARCHIVE flowers,' everywhere. Silver Impressions of Jean Mackintosh and gold shining and sparkling This is to include Norbu from the earth and through From 5-15th January we had, Commercial venture utilizing Rinpoche's talks at Universi­ the water and the sand in the in New Zealand, our second the excellent handicrafts of ties, Colleges, Embassies etc., river beds, welcoming the annual retreat at Jean's hou­ Venezuela Dzog-chen Community to se in Karamea, at the north We now have fifty practitioners not on retreats. Norbu end of the West Coast of the Argentina. The Dzog-chen and interested people in the Rinpoche has requested an South Island. This year many Communities of the world cities of Caracas, Merida and archive of his lectures at va­ people were busy with their were welcome at the inaugu­ Matur. We are collaborating rious Institutions and Centers own affairs and so the retreat ral retreat on this new through helping, friendship of higher education around the group was small, consisting of land.Tashigar, in Argentina. refully back down the hill at Year's Eve before our midni­ and experience. world to be made. We would nine people including Jansi's Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche night. The retreat began on ght dinner, Rinpoche led a With the objective of having appreciate your help in ga­ eight month old daughter arrived some days before the December 26th and Rinpoche team of practitioners, sanding more communication and thering this information and Gloria and two visitors, Victor retreat and after spending a taught under the trees in the boards, singing while they economic movement, we providing us with an index and from Canada and Fay from few days in Buenos Aires, he open air. When it rained we worked. Many people helped created a Commercial ventu­ a collection of audio cassettes squashed into the small ve­ Holland, who had been tra­ came to Cordoba, a large city to construct the large Manda­ re utilizing the excellent of his lectures in order for usto randah and main room of the la painted in five colors under velling here, met members of in the foothills of the Andes. handicrafts of Venezuela. This transcribe and produce a Tashigar house. The retreat the pinetrees at Tashigar. And our group and shown an inte­ involved all the countries of written record. The archive Many of us from different rest in the teachings. Perhaps seemed to me very much a then towards the end of the South America where there ought to become as complete countries stayed on the ou­ because of this filtering pro­ retreat of light, of lightness and retreat Rinpoche began to te­ are Dzog-chen Communities. as possible, and date back to tskirts of Tanti at the Hotel cess and the subsequent size of the elements. During the ach the Dance of the Vajra on We are happy to send his earliest talks in different Bosque, a faded colonial ho­ of our group there was a deep retreat there was a lightness the Mandala. Many people information about our countries. Please, make sure tel, with rambling gardens, intimacy and an atmosphere in our being, a lightness in the stayed at Tashigar for two handicraft items such as that the tapes are in relatively and ancient pink and black of committment and partici­ air, inthesun, inthe water and more weeks with Rinpoche to baskets made of moniche ( a good condition, and contain tiles loosing their grip on the pation. Each day, after being in the warm rocks. We inte­ learn the dance and continue palm that grows near the river the entire lecture. In the index, wide verandahs. People woken by the birds, we would grated with the elements, we their retreat. And so we pla­ and lagoons) necklaces, please include the date, year, had begun to arrive from all begin with the preliminary swam with the master in the ced our steps together day by carpets, espadrilles (slippers), the name and address of the countries, they settled into the pool in the pouring rain and in Yantra Yoga excercises. Af­ day in the Mandala of the Song wood carving, etc. institution, and the nature of Hotel Bosqua and then began the brilliant sunshine. We of Vajra. Tashigar seemed ter breakfast we would do a CONTACT: Comunidad Dzog­ the event. Send everything the hours climb up the winding bathed in the sun on the warm like a place apart, discon­ practice (a different one each chen de Caracas, Apartado soon to: Rita Bizzotto, Via 4 dirt road with expansive views rocks by the natural rock pool nected from reality as we day) such as a Tun or a Long- Postal #60580 Chacao'l060 Novembre 21, 35123 PADO­ to the distant pale blue sier­ near Tashigar. We gazed into walked in the hills over the life, afterthis we would prepare A, Caracas, Venezuela. VA, Italy. Tel: 049- 8801329. ras and over the distant town deep blue space by day and ancient rocks that appear like for the adventure of the day, and lakes at CarlosPaz. Fi­ the soft blackness of the sky at archaic beings turned to sto­ and be led by Sean to one of nally the top of the hill, down night reaching far out to stars ne. We sat in caves gazing the local wonders. We visited a little track, the ducks beaches reminiscent of tropi­ and other universes. During into the sky and the distant CHARTER A BOAT and the young men on their the retreat Namkhai Norbu mountains. We lay in the cool cal island paradises, we swam ponies, across the rocky Rinpoche gave many tea­ water of the river with the little in ice-cold streams coloured Katamaran "Monna Lisa" cruises stream and up through the chings but the essence was fish biting our legs. There was brown by the dense vegetation main gate into Tashigar. the explanation of all the ver­ no one there but us, a little like and heavy forest floors, and along Portugal's south coast (Algarve) and the south of Spain During the retreat an amazing ses of the Song of the Vajra, in a dream. We learned about we re-visited the labyrinth li­ (Atlantic Coast). Nicola Rinaudo has offered his boat, the old bus, driven by the senor which is the key to Dzog-chen, the Song of Vajra, about Dzog­ mestone caves and arches, Monna Lisa, for cruises anywhere in the world. Nicola will with his faithful wife, the se­ to our real nature. A large chen, about our natural state, some of which contain Moa captain the boat and supervise the crew of adventurers. The ñora, always sitting beside wooden platform was con­ as we rrjoved from color to bones and glow-worms which boat is a 42 ft Katamaran, speedy, stable and comfortable. At him, made its way up the structed and the Mandala for color, as we danced together, appear (and probably are) present, she is harboured in the Mediterranean. The cost of winding humpy road carrying the Dance of the Vajra was with our Vajra brothers and untouched by man. We spent a cruise will be very reasonable for Dzog-chen Community people, and part of the fee will be donated to the Community. us all to the retreat and ca- painted onto this. On New Vajra sisters. some time on the land gene­ rously donated to the Dzog­ Accomodation comprises 3 large double beds, 1 small double chen Community by Sean and bed, and 1 single. THE ART OF GOOD SITTING planted some Rimu trees and THE PRICE FOR A GROUP OF 6 PEOPLE FOR 15 DAYS did some practices there. On WITH SKIPPER IS : continued from page 14 the third-to-last day we built a PESETAS 500.000 (Food and harbour fair are not sweat lodge on the land included). (thanks to Victor's enthusia­ FURTHER INFORMATION: NICOLA RINAUDO, C/O deemed to be great yogis can sit is emptiness, emptiness is pain. sm and Ron's timely arrival to OFICINA DE CAMBIO MOUELLE DE PORTUGAL, naturally and at ease for a long Repeat it to oneself many times. show us how), and on the fol­ time. So I think it is worth our 6. Ignite the tumo fire. When it AYAMONTE HUELVA, SPAIN. lowing day six of us did a effort to train ourselves in our burns through all the nadis, pain sitting. With time and will, we can will dawn as bliss. sweat ritual, dipping occasio­ learn to sit like some great yogi. 7. Imagine you are taking on the nally into the pond on the And perhaps gradually we can suffering of all mother beings land. become one. throughout the three times. TIPS ON HOW TO HANDLE Through your voluntary suffering, PAIN DURING SITTING: they are relieved of all future 1. Let it liberate into intrinsic suffering and pain. Those who LET'S SWOP ON ZON SU presence. (If you can do that you have good capacity to dramatize HOUSES need not read further) can elaborate on it through Foot massage, On-Zon-Su is creative visualization. A good 2. Ignore it. If you can apply one of the oldest techniques practice to accumulate merit and Would you like to live strong fixation on an external/ based on the Taoist concept wisdom. internal object, pain will diminish. some months in Italy, of equality between the mi­ And when you reach the stage of 8. Invite all your countless debtors. near Merigar? I should crocosm and macrocosm. physical pliancy, pain will Pay back your debts through your like to live a while in a This course is both theoreti­ disappear. pain and agony. Then visualize warm place, preferably in cal and practical, and shows Designer labels 3. Analyze it. See where it comes they go back satisfied. A good the participants how to use from, where it abides and where practice for purification. India. Can we exhange the technique both on LAURA BIAGIOTTI it goes. Use it as an object of 9. Meditate on the Four Noble houses and benefit both themselves and others, in analytical meditation. A feeling Truths, especially the Truth of of us? order to diagnose and heal a ROBE DI KAPPA of detachment towards pain will suffering. A good practice for great number of diseases. develop. generating renunciation. Write to The Mirror/ The course will be given by NAZARENO GABRIELLI 4. Ask "Who is in pain?". Many 10. Pray to your lineage Guru. Connections if you are Gaetano Ruvolo in Bologna, Zen masters experienced 11. Cry for Mama. interested. Leena. Centro Gymnasium, 6-7th from this. 12. Learn to live with it. (Ms. Leena Larjanko, The April. Cost of the course Tel. 564/967392 5. Apply Madmika's view: Pain The Dzog-chen practice means to Lit. 150.000 For information The Best which arises dependent on long overcome our limitations. So we Mirror / connections, CP Via Lazzeretti Arcidosso please contact: Leo Anfolsi • of sitting, stiff joints and our should learn to handle the pain, to 47,58031 Arcidosso GR, 051-367120. "made in Italy " perceiving mind is empty of spur us on to greater heights and Italy.) Residence "Lo Scoiattolo" Inherent existence. Hence, pain capacity. MARCH, 1991 ISSUE N° 7 FIRST YEAR THEMIRR RNEWS

THE INTERNATIONAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DZOGCHEN COMMUNITY Founded by NAMKHAI NORBU RINPOCHE

A VISION IN THE DANCE OF THE VAJRA Alice Presley by Jacobella Gaétan!

Practising the movements of the Vajra Dance on the Mandala, coordinates the energies and purifies oneseif.

Certain experiences are the revelation on the Vajra beyond time, when there is Dance, which he had had du­ the awareness of a certain in­ ring his last retreat in Conway, tense state, here, now. Yet in 1990. This Dance, its tea­ these experiences are linked ching and mandala, were re­ If the tiny baby's eyes were not possibility of schooling, would together, in our memory, with vealed to him by the of gooed together: how wonderful eagerly run up introducing their time. Odyana. The mandala was If the breast the baby sucks sisters and brothers and friends were not dry: how wonderful as potential students. They Himalaya's paths and peaks soon outlined on the capan­ If beggar children on the streets were no longer begging for food come in my mind, caves and none floor in Merigar, and danced together wih us, could attend school: how or money, they were now heaps of stones, red rhodo­ Rinpoche himself started to seemed almost impossible to wonderful begging for education and dendron blossoms, smells of dance, to teach and to transmit master the new steps becau­ Rinpoche read aloud various Thoughts of a mother knowledge, with the expectant burning incense, kind smiles, this supreme, sacred Dance se every step was like a new passages from the book. Ata big eyed wonderment of young Every morning at 8 am. children and an inner reflection of an tous. The Vajra Dance offers beginning. certain point he quoted from children. On enrollment day we from some of the local villages external blue luminous sky. us the possibility to integrate To Rinpoche dancing the Dzog-chen Tantra, 'Nyi would come to the Thai Temple had to rely on translators' gracefully, spinning without da kha gyor', where it says valuable local knowledge. The And yes, this state, familiar to contemplation with movement. in Bodhgaya where I was effort, his body seemed not to that by practicing the Song staying, sit their little bare children do not have birth me through my pilgrimages to The concentration in executing undergo the laws of gravity. and the Dance of the Vajra, bottoms on the cold marble and certificates nor do they have a sacred places, I rediscovered the movements and singing one will obtain the realization begin chanting Pali prayers and close relationship with their while dancing the Dance of the Song of the Vajra, totally Through his example he slowly local Hindi songs to Lord parents. All the children the Vajra. Externally moving involves our body, our speech losened up our movements, of the Vajra body. I remem­ insisted on being 6-8 years old Buddha, their heavenly voices across the mandala of the and our mind, leaving little too. For me it was very exciting bered then, that a few years filling the Temple and hearts of as this was the age we agreed to follow Rinpoche's steps ago, while I was translating to enrol. Parents could not be Dance harmonized my inner space for distraction. Rinpo­ fortunate listeners. Any food through the mandala, letting Rinpoche's mind treasure of found for most of them so a dimension, just as traveling to che started to teach .us gra­ donated was distributed as the my body move in harmony, the Practice of Long Life of group left in a row through the guardian was chosen to be power places has led me on a dually, a few steps at the time. overcoming my mental blocks Mandarava, (tzhe sgrub rdo- door. It was tourist season, responsible for the children pilgrimage through an internal At the beginning it seemed January, February, when many attending school regularly. We mandala, reawakening ener­ very difficult and if one missed that prevent me from moving rje srog thig) that I had come could accept only one child per people on and off the "Dharma gy, reawakening potentiality. an afternoon of the teaching, it and turning in the self-per­ upon this line, in the Ganapuja family for the first class. A trail" meet up. I had had It was not the dance in itself, I fected condition. section: experience working with the teacher trusted by the villagers Dancing through the manda­ had to be found from the imme­ was not interested in becoming poor and with Mother Teresa's la, I feel the others circling and "With the Vajra Song and with Sisters of Mercy, and with street diate vicinity. No advertising, a dancer. For me dance, was passing around me, we meet the Vajra Dance children. From this background in 'Situations Vacant'. Again a means to discover my self, I saw the possibility of bringing through local information we my potentialities. This interest and part. I see my self re­ We enjoy the inner Ganapuja togetherthese scruffy, loveable found aretired teacher speaking brought me to Southern India flected in their movements and of the practitioner a little English and prepared to urchin beggars who were to learn Katakali, an ancient from each other, too. We be­ in order to progress in our sometimes regarded asathreat dedicate six days a week gin to learn the Dance. experience and knowledge." teaching30children forthefew dance drama that represents by tourists. Rinpoche says that by perfor­ rupees we could offer. The the ancient Hindu myths. I After pestering the abbot and school was blessed by a young also went to Orya, south of ming this Dance, one coordi­ I immediately had a wish to promising him 'no problem', he local woman with the , attracted to the tem­ nates ones energy and purifies be able to learn this supreme reluctantly allowed 'washing educational skills that we ple dance called Orissa. Then oneself. As one of the many Dance and I tried to visualize day'. That day over 300children needed. in Nepal, I studied the Charia consequences, for example, how it would be performed. experienced a deeper dreams become more clear. Now, in these difficult times, understanding of the foreigner Dance, a sacred Buddhist When we checked through the On the 22nd of November, Rinpoche, once again has on a "getting to know about enrollment papers, signed with dance linked to visualizations Rinpoche finished writing the opened a path for us, to step you, getting to know about me" a left thumb print, the number of Tantric deities, particularly day. Proud parents'unbelieving of girls was twice the number the Dakinis. mind treasure of the Dance of from the confusion of our li­ eyes, watching wealthy tourists of boys: thè patriarchial system You can't imagine my joy and the Vajra, after having worked ves, and into the immaculate bathing and washing their places women in the home as surprise when Namkhai Nor­ at it unceasingly for weeks. Mandala of the Vajra. children. Absolute delight of child bearers, and the girls now bu Rinpoche made us part of That evening, after having Jacobella Gaétan! young girls having their hair attending the school have coiffeured into the latest style opportunities. exotic braids, which were still The school has been named "The Mirror must be a bridge for all the being worn weeks later. 'Prajna Vihara School' with the My son's 21st birthday was a people in the Dzog-chen Community." motto "Universal Knowledge THEMIRR R few days away and I had with Wisdom and Compassion". (Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche, in September 1990) promised him in that for his THE INTERNATIONAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DZOG-CHEN COMMUNITY It has temporary premises in Most Dzog-chen Communities have their own newsletter, 21 st birthday there would be a FOUNDED BY NAMKHAI NORBU RINPOCHE , Mastipar, which serves as a link between individual practitioners. party, and here I was in India Bodhgaya. The room we use, is The richness of all the newsletters, of all our different cultures, planning a school for the Published by Associazione Culturale Comunità Dzog-chen a monks' dormitory. habits, our "local flavors", viewpoints, events, can be reflected children of the Harajana (the Merigar, P.O.box 47, 58031 Arcidosso GR, Italy. Hungry rumbling tummies make Tel.0564-966039 and 966608 Fax 0564-966039 name given by Gandhi to the in The Mirror, which is a link between us all in the world's too much noise for children to untouchables). Ispentthenight perspective. This newspaper can be njany things:a news hear a teacher, so each day we Direttore Responsabile: Raimondo Bultrini under the at the medium in the global Dzog-chen Community, and a bridge give out food. stupa and I resolved not to between individual practitioners all over the world, on this Edltor-in-chief Technical secretarles The school is running return to New Zealand. planet which is our home. We are all still learnng how to make Hamid Assem Tiziana Goliardi (subscrptions) successfully on a very low From the survey carried out, we Paola Davico (lypingsetting) budget at the moment., any The Mirror realise its function. To learn to communicate is not Managing editor established that the children of donation of money or clothes easy; not for us who now form the editorial team, nor for you. Tuula Saarikoski Photo editor the village of Mastipur had the will be most welcome. Wewould The editorial problems are concrete but, as problems are, also Alex Siedlecki greatest need for education like to extend an open invitation relative and they can be solved by talking, negotiating, using Editorial collaboration opportunity. The village elders Leena Larjanko, Nina Robinson Layout to anyone visiting Bodhgaya to were respectfully approached our brains, imagination and experience. But a newspaper Paul Walker, Jacobella Gaetani contact Kabir Saxena, Root for advice and approval. cannot be produced without news. This is what we all have to Elias Capriles Monica Amodeo Institute (near Tourist Untouchables are not seen as learn: to communicate with The Mirror. In this sense also you Bungalow) to see the school Graphics "educatable". Long daily are not only a reader, you are active part of the process of Editorial management and give the children the Dr. Elisabeth Crouzet Perla s.a.s., Grosseto meetings and evening meetings opportunity to be in touch with making The Mirror. What we want to produce is a real bridge, Printer 9 followed. Invaluable assistance foreigners in the role of students a true mirror of the Community, in the spirit of Dzog-chen; and International corresponden! Tipografia Vieri, Roccastrada with translations and local rather than beggars. that means living this life in today's society, learning what it is coordinator knowledge was given by Naomi Zeitz Prof.Artsa Tulku, to be a human being; not a saint, not a slave, not a hypocrite, Anaruddha, Mrs.Roy and Rick You can also write to: but open, realistic and human: in order to be able to go beyond. @1991 Ass. Cult. Comunità Dzog-chen C.F.00839940533 Petterson from America whose Alice Presley 3 Halcyon Place, And to share this effort with each other. Therefore, let's make dynamic kept the Papatoetoe, Auckland, New this newspaper what it should be. Registrato presso il Tribunale di This Newspaper project moving. Zealand Grosseto al n. 5/1990 "I think it is really very important to strengthen the function The children, empowered by the Rick Peterson, PO Box 2207, del 26 Aprile 1990 is not for sale Lake Isabella, CA 93240 USA of The Mirror. " (Norbu Rinpoche, in September 1990)