No. 87 July, August 2007
upcoming retreats with chögyal namkhai norbu
Photo: Romain Piro MERIGAR WEST October 5–11 Teachings and practice of the prayers to the 21 different forms of Tara by Buddha Shayamuni November 1–4 Chögyal Namkhai Norbu in Merigar East. Photo: Romain Piro Teaching and collective practice chögyal namkhai norbu’s fi rst retreat dedicated to all the dead at merigar east, romania Contact information: july 14–22, 2007 Merigar West 58031 Arcidosso (GR) sky and earth liz granger Italy Tel: 39 0564 96 68 37 vast empty dry plain stretching the sparseness, the impact of that huge sacrifi ce for the teaching. Many Western- Fax: 39 0564 96 81 10 to the horizon under a scorching white tent in the middle of nothing and no- ers may not have had this experience but Email: merigaroffi [email protected] sun. A local herdsman driving where leaves many of us in a state of word - when I was in Tibet we made many sacri- Website: www.dzogchen.it A his small herd of bony cows across an less surprise. fi ces in order to receive teaching. When expanse of sparse weeds. Dust billow- we compare these situations, this one is SPAIN, BARCELONA ing behind the car as it races along the Chögyal Namkhai Norbu’s opening words very comfortable. You may feel that it is white road that dips and turns through at the opening of the retreat summed up a long distance to walk here and there is November 25–29 the bare fi elds. Then a sharp left turn and the situation and gave valuable advice to nothing to see in the fi elds. I also saw peo- Longchenpa’s Nyingtam Sumchu there at the end of the dirt track is Meri- those attending: ple walking along the road to come here in (Thirty Pieces of Advice from the gar East – a fl at bare fi eld with an enor- “This is something new for us because it very strong sunshine. We have a few diffi - Heart) mous white rectangular tent, the teaching is the fi rst time that I have been here in culties but that is relative. We must think hall, fl anked by a smaller sister tent that Romania. Many of you may be a little sur- a little for the future. And of course then Registration and Information: serves as an offi ce and refectory at lunch prised. You had the idea that you were go- when we do retreat the most important Tel: 00 34 93 415 71 53 time. A few strings a fi ve-colored prayer ing to do the retreat at Merigar East and thing is the teaching and practice.” 00 34 91 315 43 46 fl ags fl apping in the wind between them. many people already had an idea about Email: [email protected] Behind, two rows of chemical toilets and how Merigar is. Then you think – ‘What The new Merigar East is located on the [email protected] little huddle of washbasins. A parking happened to Merigar! Here there is only Black Sea in southeast Romania south of Website: www.dzogchen.es area marked in white lines. Baking sun, sky and earth when you look around!’ But the Danube Delta very close to the Bulgar- occasional heavy gusts of wind lifting a it is really a very interesting place for us ian border. This strip of coast (litoral) is a Retreat venue: fi ne dust powder from the scorched earth. because all our preparations and program well-known holiday resort area in East Eu- C.E.M. la Mar Bella Welcome to Merigar East! are not only for today but also mainly for rope with its sandy beaches and bustling Avinguda Litoral 96, 08005 Barcelona the future of the Dzogchen Community. So night-life but also boasts historical links Brazil After hours (days for some people) of in this case it is a very interesting place. with ancient Rome as can be seen in the Sao Paulo traveling to this distant unknown place in This time we are in this big tent and archeological remains to be found in and December 7–12 a forgotten corner of Romania, the reality there are not many comforts for every- near to the urban centers. (The Roman Paltrul Rinpoche’s Shri Gyalpo’i Khyadchos is something of a shock. The simplicity, body. But in general we often make a poet Ovid, for example, was exiled here (The Three Lines Which Strike the Essence, >> continued on page 10 The Three Statements of Garab Dorje) Argentina Teaching Tibet Merigar East Buenos Aires December 15–17 Weekend of Dzogchen Teaching Chögyal Namkhai Luigi Ottaviani Sky and Earth Cordoba, Tashigar Sur Norbu M December 27–January 3 Shine and Lhagthong The trip to eeting the Longchenpa’s Choszhi Rinchen Phrengwa Galenting Romanian (The Necklace of the Four Precious Dharmas) gakyil Open Webcast » Page 2 » Page 3 » Pages 10, 11 THE MIRROR · No. 87 · July, August 2007
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n these days we have learned about how to get into a very agitated, with all your emotions and movement that calm state. This calm state is called shine. When we cause confusion, in that moment if you relax you are doing I are in that calm state, we can discover that our real a kind of practice of shine and maybe you fi nd a little calm condition is not only the calm state or emptiness, but that state. You think that this is really very useful and a good we have many thoughts and movement of energy. Our practice. In a real sense, you are resting in a calm state just thoughts are related to different kinds of emotions. We a little and even if you are resting in a calm state for one are judging, thinking and creating so much and most of hour and for that moment you have no confusion, when the time we are distracted. When we are in a calm state we you are in ordinary life and you have your function of mind know how to integrate with this movement. This is the in an ordinary way, then you are thinking, judging and ap- principle or base of what we call lhagthong in the Dzogchen plying, everything. If you notice, that shine did not help you. Teaching. In the word lhangthong, lhag means something Maybe you are more agitated now than before. This is the more, more than being only in a calm state, thong means reason why we need to become active for lhagthong. vision, we see, we notice and we discover something; the Some people like doing shine practice or being in a meaning of lhangthong is something like that. calm state. Then when they do practice and someone or In sutra teaching there is a different consideration. For something makes noise, for example a car or airplane or example, in sutra they always speak of shunyata or empti- helicopter arrives and makes noise, then you think how ness. According to sutra, when we go a little deeper and bad the noise is and how it is not easy to do shine prac- that knowledge becomes more familiar, one day there tice here. So you think this is not a comfortable place. will be some manifestations of lhagthong. It means some- If you have this tension and tomorrow this helicopter or thing that happens in a more passive way. It doesn’t mean car comes again making noise, then it seems worse than that we apply something in order to experience lhagthong, yesterday. In the real sense it is the same, but with your because then it becomes something we are waiting for. tension you feel it is much stronger today. Then tomor- What we should do is to continually be in a calm state. We row it is worse and you say that you cannot do practice have more and more knowledge of emptiness and then there and you want to go to a mountain somewhere. You one day this lhagthong arrives, something with which you renounce this place and go to mountain. Then you fi nd a can have more knowledge of wisdom, etc. So this is more nice cave. You think this place is very nice and quiet. No or less what lhagthong means in the sutra teaching. photo: romain piro one is making noise. Then you try to do shine practice and In the Dzogchen teaching, lhagthong is not that way. mosquitoes bite you, or in the night there are many night Lhagthong means that we discover that movement. From shine and birds making noise, and you think it is not so easy to be the beginning, when we learn the Dzogchen teaching, here. That is an example. There are always problems. Dzogchen being our real nature and the Dzogchen teaching a means for discovering that nature, the Dzogchen teaching lhagthong Integrating with Movement introduces you to your real nature. The Dzogchen teaching The only method we have to overcome these problems is talks about the non-dual nature of kadag and lhundrub; kadag calm state and movement in that we really know that our real condition is not only the means pure since the beginning and that is shunyata, empti- sutra and dzogchen calm state but also movement. We should integrate with ness, but that emptiness has infi nite potentiality. If we do movement. We don’t stay there and think, “Oh there is not have that knowledge, then only being in emptiness or someone making noise. I am here and I have a problem”. the experience of emptiness has no benefi t. So kadag means merigar east, romania, This is dualistic vision. We integrate. If you integrate with emptiness and lhundrup means its qualifi cation of the in- wednesday, july 18, 2007 this sound, you have no problem. For example, when we do fi nite quantity and quality of wisdoms, also infi nite in the the practice of Guruyoga or other practices of Dzogchen, ordinary way, for example, including all our thoughts and transcribed and edited by naomi zeitz we sound A or HUM, etc., so if there are some objects mak- judgments. We have many kinds of emotions. When we fol- ing noises that sound like A or HUM, that is very comfort- low each of these emotions we understand how we produce observe your thoughts. When thoughts arise you observe able. We don’t need to always pronounce A. I always think samsaric vision. This kind of movement, movement that is where they come from and where they go, etc. You practice that when I fl y in an airplane. Sometimes if you have a seat the consideration of pure and impure movement, movement this and when you discover how it is, you can get into a state somewhere in the back, then you can feel a very strong of any kind, is all part of lhundrup, the self perfected quality. of meditation.” They did this practice for two or three days HUM. If you think how noisy it is and that you cannot stay When we have that non-dual knowledge, this knowledge of and went to the teacher. He asked, “How is your mind, what there, then your tensions develop. You have more prob- Dzogchen, we can then understand what lhagthong means. does it look like?” They said they didn’t fi nd anything. Then lems. When you realize there is the sound of HUM, you he said, “You still need to research”, and so they thought become happy and can integrate. If all during the fl ight The Paramitas there was still something to fi nd. They searched again for until the arrival the airplane is always singing HUM, it is In sutra they always speak of the six paramitas. Paramita one or two days and could not fi nd anything. They went to wonderful. This is called integration with movement. means beyond. There are paramitas like generosity and the teacher and he asked what they found. They all said they To integrate with movement at the very beginning may morality or dana paramita and shila paramita, for example, did not fi nd anything, but there was one old man who said not be so easy. But when you become a little familiar with which are two of the six paramitas. Although they have the that maybe he almost found something. The teacher asked, it, it is really not so diffi cult. It is very easy. Then it is also name “paramita”, they are not really a paramita until the “What did you fi nd?” The old man said that when he sat and easy to be in a state of Dzogchen in ordinary life. Our ordi- sixth consideration, the last one, or prajna paramita. Pra- thought from where thoughts come or where they go, some- nary life is not always sitting in a Vairocana position. After jna means intellect, so if we have intelligence, that is pra- thing like a little red color appeared and disappeared. The a little while we fi nish sitting practice and we get up. We go jna. We can develop intelligence with our mental level. We teacher said, “It is better you don’t look too much at this”, to the toilet. We go to the kitchen to eat, drink, work, and establish everything with the three logics and we believe and said that the old man should do practice of purifi cation. everything is related to movement. If we have the capacity this is the correct way, but in the real sense we are not in the The teacher gave the old man a practice method of Vajrasat- to integrate, then everything becomes part of our experi- real knowledge. To be in the real knowledge we need to go tva and told him to do that practice for some days. When the ence and our experience becomes part of our practice. So beyond that. For that reason in the sutra teaching they say others explained that they didn’t fi nd anything, the teacher you see how you can understand the sense of lhagthong. prajna paramita. All other paramitas are something like explained that is real because there is nothing to fi nd. members of the prajna paramita. There are the explana- When you do not fi nd anything concerning where Wrathful Manifestations, Kadag and Lhundrub tions in the text of Shantideva, the Bodhisattvacharyavatra. thoughts come from, that is called kyewa mepa, which When I taught in Singapore some students asked me why All these secondary paramitas are for the purpose of the means non-birth. If you fi nd nothing concerning where Dzogchen practitioners always like to do transformation prajna paramita. That is why Buddha explained all the thoughts remain, that is called nepa mepa, meaning that with wrathful manifestations. In our practice thun book there paramitas. Prajna paramita is really the state of lhagthong, nothing remains and that is the basis of samboghakaya. If you are the manifestations of Dakini Simhamukha and Guru and being in the state of lhagthong means being in the pra- don’t fi nd anything concerning where and how thoughts Dragphur, etc. The students said that they prefer peaceful jna paramita. So it is not suffi cient that one day the para- disappear, that is called gappa mepa, without interruption, forms. They said that when they do a peaceful practice like mita will arrive by only practicing shine. Maybe we wait all the basis of nirmanakaya. Then the teacher gave this teach- Tara or Avalokitesvara, for example, they can get in a little our life and the paramita does not arrive. The paramita ing: “Now that you know that principle, you observe. Your more peaceful state. I explained that because we do these does not arrive at your door saying, “Now I am lhagthong”. thoughts arise and you don’t go after them and you only transformations does not mean we always like to manifest observe how they disappear.” My father told me that about in a wrathful way. We have a famous practice called Shitro. “What does your mind look like?” his experience. Teachers always teach in that way. Our real Shi means peaceful form and tro means wrathful manifesta- From the beginning, when we do shine practice in a state is non-dual, with movement and emptiness. tions. The peaceful mandala is in the center of our body. For Dzogchen way, we must understand what lhagthong is. When you search and a thought arises and you search example, we transform into Vajrasattva and in the center of For example, when we examine our thoughts, sometimes again, it disappears. You can repeat this hundreds or thou- that form is the peaceful mandala and in the head chakra is we say sem so, which means to research the mind. When sands of times, but it is always the same. The reason is the wrathful manifestation. Even if there are two different thoughts arise we observe from where thoughts arise, that the base of thought is emptiness. It doesn’t mean that kinds of manifestations, the essence is the same. There are where they go and where they reside. We can even search when thoughts disappear, no more will arise. Immediately not two kinds of beings, only the aspect of our real condi- for days and days and not fi nd anything. This is our real another thought arises. So this is lhundrup, without inter- tion is manifesting in two aspects. One represents the calm nature, but most people don’t know that. ruption, we have that quality or condition. So lhagthong state, kadag, and the other represents lhundrub, the wrathful There is a very nice example from my father. My father is related to that; there is not only emptiness but there is manifestation. So it is very important in our practice to in- told me that once he and his friends wanted to receive medi- also infi nite movement. In the Dzogchen teaching there is tegrate movement into our real nature, otherwise we never tation instructions from a Kagyu master called Trungram advice for practitioners to not only remain in a calm state. integrate our practice into our life. For that reason we use Gyatrul Rinpoche. This master lived on a mountain doing Some people are happy when there is no thought. They more wrathful manifestations so we do not have problems. meditation and my father and his friends went there to learn. think now they have realized more than a shine or dharma- That is an example. So this is very, very important when you The teacher said, “Now you should research your mind. You kaya state. But it doesn’t correspond. For example, if you are are learning lhagthong, the quality of lhagthong. THE MIRROR · No. 87 · July, August 2007 News
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prestige and growth for every- Their wish is that Yeshi may be one. able to come back again and take care of the village. The Mirror: It must have been a The trip was also important portant terton with his residence very moving moment for the old- for collecting more information the trip to galenting, east tibet at the monastery). er disciples, the monks and the on the life of Khyentse Rinpoche. interview with luigi ottaviani, In fact, when we arrived there, local population … and a pro- It is precisely this aspect that has director of the shang shung institute, italy all the local people and those found experience for everyone. become a project at the Shang from the surrounding areas Luigi: It was moving to meet the Shung Institute, which has taken rushed over in celebration and old disciples who at this point on the responsibility to help the translated by liz granger in the following days the ritual were very old. They had the ut- monastery to carry out cultural dances taught by the last Khyen- most devotion and trust in their projects including a new writ- The Mirror: Luigi, you, Yeshi women) and bore themselves re- tse Rinpoche were performed in trulku (Khyentse Rinpoche/ Yeshi) ten work on the life of Khyentse Namkhai and Migmar Ciren ally proudly. honor of Yeshi Namkhai. who had come back to help them, Rinpoche. went to Tibet in August. Could Galenting is a small village you tell us about this trip? situated in valley with a river cut- The Mirror: What projects are Luigi: Our destination was Ga- ting through it. The houses have there for Galenting in the future? lenting in Derge Province, East all been built around the monas- Will you be going back? Tibet. tery, the heart of the village. The Luigi: Yeshi intends to go back We arrived in Chengdu by houses are mostly in wood and to Galenting again and, in the plane and from there we cov- plaster with stables in the lower meantime, with the Shang ered 1000 km overland passing part and the living quarters on Shung Institute and ASIA to go through the towns of Kangding the fi rst fl oor, practically without ahead with projects to alleviate and Ganzi. electricity and running water. some of the diffi cult situations The trip was quite tiring but The monastery’s college, which in the village. it helped us discover how very was recently built by ASIA, is set Galenting has no system to different Tibet and China are. above the village on one side of take care of non-biodegradable The most obvious differences the valley. rubbish, the current buildings at the monastery are in need of repair and the precious murals and frescoes there require resto- ration (ASIA has already started this work). Besides this the general level of education is still low and the monks who live at Galenting The trip itself was made at guide them and restore prestige have indicated the current lack the request of the population of to the monastery. of access to higher forms of edu- Galenting, and in particular on Nobody emphasized the fact cation. the part of the older monks who that Yeshi was a Westerner or that In the coming months the had known the previous Khyen- he didn’t speak Tibetan. They Shang Shung Institute will be tse Rinpoche and who wanted to saw their Master in him, beyond dealing with these problems meet Yeshi at least once in their any worldly appearance. by outlining a series of projects lives. It was interesting to learn aimed at helping Galenting. We go from the buildings (Tibetan Most of the population, For a Tibetan village a trulku is from the old disciples that they will keep you informed about houses are works of art in stone however, lives as nomads in the a reference point in every sense are happy with the situation in them and will be asking support and wood) to the lifestyle and surrounding valleys. The econo- and without one it is diffi cult to the village and with the fact that from all those who would like to to the landscapes which at over my is based on breeding livestock have development and harmony they don’t have any problems help us to realize them. 4000m. in the eastern areas are and crops of medicinal herbs, of among the people. with the Chinese government. beautiful green valleys. which the latter brings consider- The role of a trulku is a little The rural areas of China seem able wealth to the village. similar to that of village chief. He to be fairly poor; outside big cit- The inhabitants of Galent- is consulted about each problem ies people live with really very lit- ing are extremely courteous, or question in which a decision tle. East Tibet, however, appears respectful and ready to give a for the whole community has to to be quite well off even though hand. So much kindness and be taken, on every occasion of the main activities are still herd- formality in showing their re- birth, death or sickness. ing and agriculture. The differ- spect is almost embarrassing And if he is considered to be ence between the two cultures for Westerners. Then when the reincarnation of a very wise clearly emerges over 4000 m.; you manage to become a little Master, the population has the the ‘natural’ limit beyond which friendlier with them, you seem greatest respect for his each and it seems that Chinese develop- to become part of a large fam- every decision and is willing to ment has stopped. ily, even without understanding follow suggestions about behav- The little piece of Tibet that anything of their language. Men ior or practice explained by the we had the luck to see showed and women often wear elegant trulku. the great industriousness of the clothes and decorate their hats In Tibet where people often Tibetans in each and every de- with coral, turquoise and other abide by the laws of the nomads tail. During our trip we passed precious stones. rather than those of the Chinese by a great number of stupas, state, a trulku becomes both ad- monasteries, some of which The Mirror: Was there any par- visor and judge; when there are were very large and a large num- ticular reason for this trip? disputes between families, the ber of houses (some being built) Luigi: At Galenting, Yeshi Nam- village elders often come to ask all of which were in excellent khai is considered to be the his advice. condition and decorated in the trulku (reincarnation) of Khyen- The trulku is also considered greatest detail. The Tibetans, tse Ciokyi Wangciug Rinpoche to be a source of well being for whether they were monks or not, (who was the mind incarnation the village (and especially the were always dressed very well, of Khyentse Wang po and an im- monastery). His presence brings always working (especially the THE MIRROR · No. 87 · July, August 2007 News
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for written nominations before Members should choose (This article is based on the new coordinating gakyil of russian choosing the members of this practitioners who are willing to minutes taken at the meeting by speaking countries Gakyil. share information with every- Karin Eisenegger, red Inter na - It was Chögyal Namkhai Nor- body in their Community and tional Gakyil) bu Rinpoche’s expressed wish who are not interested in per- karin eisenegger that the nominations should be sonal power. Since the meeting the members red international gakyil sent to himself and the Interna- of the Gakyil of Russian-speak- tional Gakyil. “Especially as my “You should not always complain ing countries have been chosen On July 23rd 2007 Chögyal Namkhai Rinpoche asks all Russian Gaky- son Yeshi takes care of the In- about the problems of language and approved by Chogyal Nam- Norbu Rinpoche held a meeting ils and Lings to collaborate and ternational Dzogchen Commu- – you have to learn English, this khai Norbu. with about 200 of his disciples connect with each other. He also nity at this time”, as Rinpoche is the language of the Interna- from Russia, Ukraine, Estonia and said on this occasion that he per- stated. tional Dzogchen Community!” Svetlana Kollyakova, Estonia: Lithuania. The meeting took place sonally had not been informed One member of this future said the Teacher at the end of the [email protected] in the big white tent on the land of about how many groups of prac- Russian speaking coordinating meeting. Irina Pustovita – Latvia; Merigar East, Romania, close to the titioners or Gakyils existed at Gakyil is supposed to act as a [email protected] village of “23 August” at the Black the moment in Russia. To have bridge between Merigar East and The following regions will each Algis Lukoshavichus – Lithu- Sea, after the fi rst Retreat there had the situation of his many disci- Russia by also being at the same elect one representative for the ania; [email protected] fi n i s h e d . ples in Russia and adjacent coun- time a member of the new Gakyil Coordinating Gakyil of Russian Andrei Besedin – Ukraine; tries a little bit clearer, Chögyal of Merigar East. Speaking countries made up of [email protected] t the beginning of the Namkhai Norbu encouraged the nine people: Anastasia Zemskih – Far East meeting, Chögyal Nam- practitioners there to collabo- On this occasion Chögyal region; Akhai Norbu Rinpoche rate with each other and also in Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche also Five from Russia: [email protected] welcomed everybody and stated the new form that Rinpoche pro- advised those present that the 1 from the Far East of Russia Sergey Sablin – Baikal region; that an organisation such as the poses: most important thing for the 1 from Siberia/Baikal [email protected] International Dzogchen Com- His advice was that different members of the coordinating 1 from Central Russia Vadim Arzamastsev – munity is organised only for the regions should elect representa- Russian Gakyil was to keep 1 from St. Petersburg Central Russia region; purpose of the Dzogchen Teach- tives to this coordinating Rus- communication alive. “Then ev- 1 from Moscow who has already [email protected] ing. sian speaking Gakyil. Everybody erything becomes easy” stated been chosen by Rinpoche, Uli- Elena Polagayeva – Saint Peters- agreed that a Gakyil of nine Rinpoche, “and if things go ana Sokolova, who will also burg; [email protected] Rinpoche then spoke about his people would be suffi cient. This wrong, we are informed about it, represent the Gakyil of Russian Uliana Sokolova – Moscow ; plan to form a Gakyil for all Rus- would also avoid a complicated and we can immediately under- speakers by being a member of [email protected] sian speaking disciples. Chögyal situation for communication. stand and help.” “Choose well the Merigar East Gakyil Namkhai Norbu explained that who is the best for this,” said For all general questions you since his Teachings are now also Since only a few hundred of the Rinpoche, “it has to be someone Four from nearby countries: can write to the secretary of the transmitted via closed Webcasts, 1500 Russian speaking members who knows English, who has all 1 from Lithuania gakyil: the need for well organised of the International Dzogchen the electronic means of commu- 1 from Estonia Elena Glinskaya Gakyils, Lings and also Gars Community were present at the nication and who communicates 1 from Latvia [email protected] has become more important. meeting, it was decided to wait well and easily with everybody.” 1 from the Ukraine/Crimea
The inauguration ceremony was “i dwell in possibility” very impressive with the min- ister for the western province, pier francesco donati some of the local authorities and asia country representative in sri lanka the Italian Ambassador in Sri Lanka, his Excellence Pio Mari- dwell in possibility. This gional Observation of Coopera- ani, attending. The presence of is the motto from a poem tion for Development – OICS. the Ambassador was particularly I by Emily Dickinson, un- appreciated by the community der which the community cen- The community center because he had followed events ter complex of the Weregama The new complex has a commu- from the beginning of the con- resettlement was inaugurated nity center with a large multi- struction of the settlement: last on Saturday 21st July. This is purpose hall, a large covered year he had been present for the the second phase of the project entrance hall, two offi ces and a consignment of the homes. The started up by Asia Onlus follow- bathroom which will allow easy community participated enthu- The new community center. ing the tragedy of the Tsunami. access for the disabled. At the siastically and organized danc- The areas of Panadura and Wad- side of this building there is a es by the school of the hosting group of people that share the within the space of the commu- duwa on the western coast of semi-circular veranda which community and groups of young same village but a community. nity center. Sri Lanka, about 30 km south of unites the community center to people from the resettlement. In July 2007, precisely a year after Colombo, were also damaged by the nursery constructed by the Thanks to the new community the handing over of the houses to the extraordinary event which Italian NGO Ucodep. The com- “I dwell in possibility” because areas potentiality can become the benefi ciaries, the community struck the coasts of south-east plex encompasses and faces onto the development projects were possibility buildings for Weregama Village Asia on December 26, 2004. The a very pleasant public space: not meant to bring riches to plac- The possibility to build some- were inaugurated. ASIA’s inter- fi rst phase of the intervention by Piazza Italia, with an area paved es where there are troubles but thing together such as a com- vention here is part of the Project Asia Onlus in this area regarded in stone and a garden area. The rather access to resources and munity, to have a fl exible space called “Support for the revival the construction of a village with complex of buildings and the precisely the possibility to real- available that can be transformed of the Community of Fishermen 130 homes which was carried square are in the exact center of ize them. The Weregama com- into a cinema, a conference or and the Cooperative Society Sys- out together with other interna- the settlement at Weregama and munity center complex has an meeting hall, a place where vo- tem in the Southern and Western tional organizations. Asia Onlus will be a meeting area for the en- additional importance in that it cational training courses can be Provinces of Sri Lanka affected made it possible to resettle many tire community. can really strengthen and defi ne organized, a space where people by the Tsunami”, fi nanced by the families which had lost every- the lives of the inhabitants here. can spend time together. Region of Lazio and coordinated thing to the tsunami in a safe The buildings have wooden A year after the resettlement of Our best wishes to the Were- by the Interregional Observation internal area, close to a pre-ex- roofs, built in pine from Tren- the families at Weregama, the gama community to dream a of Cooperation for Development isting village. tino. All the areas lead onto the fi rst steps have been celebrated thousand possibilities to carry – OICS. In July 2007, precisely a year veranda facing the square and by those who are no longer a out, with the continuing sup- after the handing over of the there is an internal garden at port of ASIA for the community, houses to the benefi ciaries, the the back shaded by a bower of community buildings for Were- climbing plants. The spaces are gama Village were inaugurated. permeable and have been con- ASIA’s intervention here is part structed in such a way that, in a of the Project called “Support for country with a tropical climate, the revival of the Community of they permit the creation of excel- Fishermen and the Cooperative lent natural internal ventilation Society System in the Southern which brings about a general and Western Provinces of Sri lowering of the temperature in- Lanka affected by the Tsunami”, side the building. fi nanced by the Region of Lazio and coordinated by the Interre- During the inauguration. THE MIRROR · No. 87 · July, August 2007 Shang Shung Institute
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for the benefi t generations far and providing the main transla- oliver leick’s summer visit into the future. tors with fi nancial security in to the uk to talk about the old age. Tibetan Medicine Program: The shang shung institute 4 year educational program un- Production and Selling of prod- der the guidance of Dr Phuntsog ucts related to the Teachings: richard steven Wangmo is now well in it’s way Producing increasingly high to being fully accredited in the quality products and practice e were delighted to Rinpoche shared, through a very USA. There is also the Shang materials, online shop. Book welcome Oliver Leick moving experience, his deep con- Shung Healing Center that pro- publishing by Shang Shung Edi- Wto the UK and to Kun- cern and sadness that if action vides treatments and education tions. selling for the fi rst time this were not taken immediately, the in Tibetan Medicine that has summer to talk about setting immensely valuable traditions If you are interested in collabo- now been running for two years. Copyright Management: In order up a local branch of the Shang of Tibetan culture would wither rating with the SSI then a very The SSI is to organize confer- to preserve the original form of Shung institute in the UK. To and die. Seeing that this was very easy way is to become a member ences and symposiums on Tibet- the Teachings to benefi t all prac- conclude our Open Day on the close to the heart of the Master, of the institute or become a do- an Medicine, inviting eminent titioners and also future genera- July 7th, so as to celebrate our this inspired Oliver to devote nor. We are also in the process physicians from Tibet to come tions, and to protect Rinpoche’s tenth anniversary of purchasing what is now a large portion of of setting up a local branch in the and share their knowledge, and image, voice and writings to- Kunselling, Oliver gave a won- his life to the activities of the SSI UK so it will become even easier also organizes Ku Nye massage gether with all His Teachings derfully inspiring talk about ba- and is inspiring many others to to become involved here. There courses that take place world- from unchecked diffusion and sic Buddhist principles and the actively participate in the activi- are already over fi fteen people in wide. In the future, it also plans circulation, the Shang Shung In- aims of the Shang Shung Insti- ties of the institute both directly the UK who have shown an in- to organize educational talks on stitute has taken over the copy- tute to an enthralled audience. and indirectly. terest in this project and we will Tibetan Culture in general. right management (SSI). Over forty people attended the keep everyone informed of news Open day celebration at Kunsel- After introducing the SSI in this of this new and exciting develop- The Ka-Ter Translation project: Outsourcing for the Dzogchen ling altogether, many of who way, he explained how things are ment. If you wish to offer your The work on translation of unique Community: were local, and we were lucky to developing in the present with time or have any other resources and sacred Tibetan texts has al- a) The Shang Shung Institute blessed with a beautiful sunny regard to the reorganization of to offer, there are also many ways been an important task of coordinates and plans all Yantra day for the various events. the community as a whole and things that need doing, both at a the Shang Shung Institute. The Yoga and Vajra Dance courses. the SSI in particular. He also local and international level. crucial point of this work is to b) The Shang Shung Institute co- Then on Dakini Day July 16th, made the point that the SSI is guarantee qualifi ed translations ordinates and plans all courses Oliver Leick visited London in not just about publishing books, For more information about the of the ancient wisdom, knowl- on Santi Maha Sangha; further- order to talk specifi cally to mem- DVDs and CDs! (Which is what Shang Shung Institute in gen- edge and experience of Tibetan more all SMS data are kept and bers of the UK Community. After many people seem to think). In eral, please contact Oliver Leick: culture into western languages. updated by the SSI. the Ganapuja, he very kindly fact Shang Shung Editions was offi [email protected] But good and experienced trans- c) The Shang Shung Institute introduced to us the work and only incorporated into the SSI as lators are very rare, because it manages all data of the members aims of the International Shang recently as 2006. The publishing Now in 2007, the activities of is really extremely diffi cult to of the Dzogchen Community. Shung Institute (SSI), and also aspect of the institute is defi nite- Shang Shung Institute includes: become a qualifi ed translator as d) The Shang Shung Institute spoke about his own dedication ly the most visible but there are The Archive project: dedicated one has to put so much diligence, manages and produces all the to this project. many activities going on ‘behind to preserving all of the precious devotion and dedication into his web casts of retreats of Chögyal the scenes’ that require an im- teachings of Chögyal Namkhai studies and work for many years’ Namkhai Norbu for the benefi t Oliver became seriously in- mense amount of work, time and Norbu, related texts and materi- (SSI). This project also includes of all people interested in the volved with the SSI in 1986 after money (see below). als so that they may be available the training of new translators Dzogchen Teachings.
teacher. The whole course was says it takes three years to learn healing and medicine. He was Wangmo), a dinner, informa- shang shung excellent.” astrology and a few days to for- awarded an honorary degree of tional tables, and the construc- institute USA Plans are underway to offer get it. However, these two teach- Menran-pa (T.M.D). Dr. Wang- tion of ‘butter sculptures’ by Kunye Level 2 at a location, to be ers were able to give students the yal was personally trained by several monks from the Gyuto announced in the winter. necessary tools to create charts, Dr. Tenzin Choedrak, senior phy- Monastery. Shang Shung Insti- fall 2007 learn the calculations and have sician to the Dalai Lama. This tute joins this event with an in- Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo contin- the means necessary to under- course was an unique oppor- formational table on the center, ues to be a popular speaker and stand the foundations of astrol- tunity for students to spend in medicine program, and intensive utumn has arrived to guest at many conferences and ogy. Knowledge of Astrology is the fi eld. 70% of the course was courses. Additionally, Dr. Phunt- New England: as the for interested students around essential to become a Tibetan spent outdoors with Dr. Wangyal sog Wangmo will give a lecture Aweather gets cooler and the world. As the director and Medicine Doctor. and Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo gath- during the event. leaves begin to turn, the Tibetan resident teacher for the Tibetan ering and recognizing herbs. Medicine students have begun Medicine Program, she is busy Fall Returns Accepting Applications for the Fall semester, and the sum- teaching, lecturing, giving Tibet- With the return of the fall sea- Shang Shung Healing Center February 2008 mer intensive courses in Tibetan an Medicine consultations, and son comes a new semester. The The Healing Center is offering a We are now accepting applica- Kunye Massage and Tibetan As- organizing events, while main- fourteen Tibetan Medicine stu- free introductory session for Tra- tion for the Spring 2008 semes- trology have come to a close. The taining the humble position of a dents are back in class and have ditional Tibetan Kunye Massage ter. Applications can be found Shang Shung Institute has al- Tibetan Doctor. She was a return already resumed their studies this fall. For information contact on-line. If you have any ques- ready hosted the Tibetan Herbal honored guest and lecturer at In- with Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo. The them directly at 413. 585. 1081. tions or clarifi cation on the cur- Medicine course with Dr. Kel- ternational Herbal Symposium Class of 2009 is now continuing Located in Northampton, Massa- riculum on the Tibetan Medicine sang Wangyal, and on the near held this past June where she pre- to receive herbal medicine lec- chusetts, the center continues to Program please contact Shang horizon are the Pioneer Valley’s sented at the following sessions: tures, while for the Class of 2011 offer Tibetan Medicine consul- Shung Institute by phone or The Many Flavors of Buddhism event Visions of Healing, Properly the curriculum is now focused tations and Tibetan Kunye mas- email: at Smith College, and incoming Harvesting & Processing Herbs on physiology. Both classes how- sage. Additionally, some of the 413. 369. 4928 applications for the new class in Tibetan Medicine, Treat- ever will attend jointly (together Tibetan Medicine and Tibetan [email protected] beginning in February 2008. ing Mental Illness in Tibetan with other outside students) Language classes are conducted Medicine, and Understanding & the Herbal Medicine course led on-site in the environment of Membership Summer Break? Treating Menopause. This sum- by Dr. Kalsang Wangyal and center’s Tibetan décor with vari- You can become a member of Summer break, you say? Well, mer she traveled back to Tibet, Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo. ous thankas, herbal medicine, Shang Shung Institute and share the Shang Shung Institute’s Ti- arranging books for students, and Tibetan arts. with us the honor of working for betan Medicine program was the collection of Tibetan Herbal Tibetan Herbal Medicine Course the preservation of Tibetan Cul- indeed on break for the summer, medicine for the school, as well with Dr. Kelsang Wangyal Many Flavors of Buddhism ture, Language, Medicine, Arts, but activities at the Institute con- as coordinating and working on At the beginning of September In its past incarnation, this local and Philosophy. For information tinued. the inauguration of Khyentse we had the honor of Dr. Kelsang Pioneer Valley event was known on the various levels of member- Rinpoche in Tibet. Wangyal, a Buddhism monk and as the “Many Flavors of the ship please visit: Traditional Tibetan Kunye Mas- Tibetan Doctor, joining us to Dharma”. It brings together the http://www.shangshunginstitute. sage Level 1 was offered in Con- Tibetan Astrology with teach on herbal medicine and various Buddhist groups from org/pages/mission/membership. way with Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo Dr. Chime Rabten plant identifi cation. Dr. Wangyal different traditions in the area to php early this June. Positive feedback Dr. Chime Rabtan and transla- studied Buddhism at the Jokhang celebrate the diverse expressions from students included: “Ex- tor Khenpo Sonam presented monastery in Lhasa, Tibet. Later of the Dharma. Held and hosted Available: Tibetan Literary Arts tremely benefi cial and exceeded Tibetan Astrology to a group of he graduated from the presti- by Smith College on October Catalogs all expectations.” “Dr. Phuntsog 20 people that gathered at the gious Tibetan Medical and Astro- 13th and 14th, this year’s event The Tibetan Literary Arts Cata- Wangmo is wonderful, compas- school at the peak of summer’s logical Institute in Dharamsala, features lectures, workshops (in- log was prepared for the recent sionate, very knowledgeable heat. There is an expression that India, in the fi eld of Tibetan cluding one with Dr. Phuntsog Tibetan Literary Arts Exhibition THE MIRROR · No. 87 · July, August 2007 Shang Shung Institute
6 to mark the visit of His Holiness Gens. It also contains a transla- Euro each. You can win ten prizes the Dalai Lama to Smith College tion of the Song of the Vajra. fi rst international in each level, and the fi rst three in May 2007. The exhibition fea- Catalogs are available to pur- shang shung prizes in each level will be amaz- tured the history of the Tibetan chase for $20 through Shang ingly beautiful, gold plated stat- written language from ancient Shung Institute. institute lottery ues. For a description of the prizes times to the 19th century. The see Mirror issue 86 or go to: catalog contains a collection Please contact SSI at he Shang Shung Institute www.shangshunginstitute.org of wonderful essays and poetry 413. 369. 4928 or is a multi-tasked orga- The drawing of this lottery from the exhibition, such as an [email protected] T nization for the preser- will be during the retreat with article on Tibetan Literature by vation of Tibetan culture and Chögyal Namkhai Norbu in Oc- Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, as Be on the watch for the release works on many important proj- tober 2007 in Merigar. well as poetry and prose by Per of the new, updated www.Shang ects like preserving the unique Get your tickets now, as we do Kvarene, Tulku Thondup, Thup- Shung.org website! and precious Teachings of Chö- not have more than these tickets. ten Jinpa, Steven D. Goodman, gyal Namkhai Norbu in a huge Please send an email with your Per K. Sorensen, and Jacqueline May All Beings Be Healthy! archive, making available the precise name and your address authentic teachings of Tibetan to Oliver Leick at: Medicine to Western students, offi [email protected] and indi- offering the possibility to study Garab Dorje. cate, how many tickets you want how to translate Dzogchen texts in which category. in Tibetan, or translating ancient international Shang Shung In- You can send us your donation Dzogchen Tantras into English. stitute. The total income of this by using our web-safe credit card The Institute also takes care of lottery is a donation for all our payment site, or by sending the Shung Institute will fi nd your in- the retirement funds of the main undertakings and every donor money to our bank account: phonya terest. translators of the Dzogchen can win really wonderful prizes. Name of the bank: You can download the Phonya as Community and guarantees Rinpoche has already agreed on Raiffeisenbank Ilz oliver leick, luigi ottaviani, paola a PDF-fi le. them a regular income for their our initiative and is happy that we Address: Hauptstr. 39, 8262 Ilz, zamperini Please also visit our updated translation work. all are collaborating in that way. Austria website: A detailed description of our There are only 600 tickets avail- Bank Code: 38151 Dear members, supporters and friends www.shangshunginstitute.org entire project was listed a few able and you can win 30 prizes Account number: 30387 of the international Shang Shung weeks ago, for more information – so the chance to win is 1:20. in the name of Shang-Shung Institute, Have you already got a ticket of please visit our website
– Austria. Right from the begin- the training for translators from tibetan ning his kindness, patience and at merigar west august 2007 generosity was evident, as he rose to the challenge of working fi rst year of the second series with the raw material presented to him. Each student brought report from paul medi and carisa o’kelly their own combination of with the kind collaboration of everyone strengths and weaknesses with the language, and Fabian’s style Literally: Words into effort collabora- Fast forward a thousand years of teaching, which he attributed tive ineffable nearby place. or so, and we fi nd a motley crew his teacher of the previous four Sort-of-English: A collaborative ef- of twelve aspiring students from years, Elio, allowed each student fort to place the ineffable nearby to different nations, converging to present their understanding words. together upon the Tuscan coun- of the text to the group, and to Sense of it: We worked together to stir tryside at Merigar, with the aim clarify any misunderstandings up this report on a hard to describe of studying and gaining skills and to develop greater under- experience. in how to render Tibetan litera- standing of the language and the A title: A collaborative report from ture primarily into English. The methodology of translating. the group physical journey is much easier The title of the text being these days. As for the journey studied is the bka’ babs dun ldan he Tibetan translators that is learning to translate from gyi brgyud pa’i rnam thar or Seven of yore underwent great Tibetan, well……… Transmission Lineages by Tara- T hardships, traveling from To facilitate this pursuit the natha. This work is a collection their homelands to the hot plains Shang Shung Institute, under the of spiritual biographies or Rnam of India in order to study San- auspices of Chögyal Namkhai thar of some of the ancient Indi- The translators group. skrit, the sacred language of an- Norbu, and largely in the person an Mahasiddhas; those of seven cient India, and to gather a variety of Oliver Leick, has organized a lineages as the title suggests. dinary nature of these biogra- The author Jo nang Rje btsun of texts to bring back with them. marvelous course of study. Each The stories include examples phies. These are stories of prac- Taranatha aka Jo nang Taranatha The fruit of their many journeys, course focuses on reading and of their amazing behavior and titioners who in the course of kun dga’ snying po lived from 1575 undertaken over a long period of translating a particular Tibetan Doha or spontaneous spiritual the lives being described and by to 1634. He is generally placed time, is found in the vast corpus text. songs, which express their real- the methods and teaching pre- in the Jo nang pa transmission of Tibetan translation literature Our instructor Fabian Sanders ization. Rnam thar is an abbrevia- scribed for them come to realize lineage. (From Gene Smith’s covering Buddhist, medical, his- was a participant in the fi rst four tion of or should we say is related what is called (in the case of the Among Tibetan Texts.) torical and other fi elds of knowl- year course, and this year had to the phrase rnam par thar pa, fi rst lineage that is) the state of Taranatha’s style, in this work edge. The Tibetans themselves, the responsibility of guiding the which literally means completely Mahamudra. These stories serve at least, is spare and concise. He from that time and continuing 12 students and members of the liberated or completely freed. It as inspirations and examples to does not go into grand elabora- down to the present day, added ISSI who came together at Meri- translates the Sanskrit term Vi- those who come afterwards pro- tions on the lives of the charac- to this body of works with their gar West to participate in the moksa and this inner meaning viding a glimpse into non-dual ters he is relating to us. This gave own literature. fi rst year of the second round of of the word “biography” right point of view. our teacher ample opportunity the TTT organized by the ISSI away clues us in to the extraor- to remind us to work with the THE MIRROR · No. 87 · July, August 2007 Review
7 words as they appear and to re- and a comfortable classroom. two sessions each day. The basic the content, the context, the style fact that for now we cannot be sist the temptation to make up a We were cozy there and the room format was to work for several of the author and a seemingly in- sure exactly what is being said story based perhaps on what we had enough electrical outlets for hours on a section of the text, defi nite number of other factors, as there is indeed ambiguity and have heard or read before about everyone. However, after one usually individually and for the which made what we were trying any number of readings may be Virupa or Luipa or Saraha, etc. serious electrical storm, which last hour or two work together to do a humbling and at times a as accurate as the next. From day one he cautioned us burned out the Institute’s mo- under Fabian’s patient, compas- daunting task. Nevertheless, be- All in all working with this on the dangers of adding things dems, we took to unplugging ev- sionate and skillful guidance to cause the text for this fi rst year text was challenging, instruc- that are not written. erything between sessions. So, divine, distil and decoct a coher- was chosen so carefully, there tive, interesting, and mind-bog- Jo nang Taranatha tells his we were happy to be protected ent meaning from the words. were moments where we felt gling – and often all of these story sometimes citing a source from the elements and our little One characteristic of the Ti- that we understood quite well, at the same time! It was a thor- and sometimes interjecting his group consumed great quanti- betan Language is that one word and also many more challeng- oughly enjoyable way to spend opinion as to the veracity or lack ties of tea in the wafting haze of or phrase can have quite dispa- ing moments which pointed out almost eight hours a day for thereof of a particular source. incense smoke. rate meanings so context is very to us the long term nature of our three weeks. (Revealing, in the process, his In the early days of the course important, as too is a thorough endeavor. As for the future: Through bias toward Indian versus Tibet- we set about organizing our com- understanding of how the gram- So far, our studies have intro- the kindness and generosity of an views.) But this is not a ran- puters with the text installed in mar works. We found that being duced us to the fi rst two of the our teacher and everyone’s tech- dom bias but an expression of PDF format. Additionally, most able to translate properly relies seven lineages, viz., the Maha- nical collaboration we are plan- confi dence in his teachers from people liked to work from the on a certain level of understand- mudra Lineage and the Chandali ning to meet in our virtual class- whom he received many of these paper copy. Surprisingly, there ing, and this understanding or Tumo Lineage. We are capti- room once or twice per month stories. was a very even distribution be- does not merely come from un- vated by the stories and the chal- to continue our studies together The people of the Shang Shung tween PCs and MACs. Lunch at derstanding the meaning of the lenge to fi nd a cohesive transla- and we look forward to meeting Institute at Merigar very kindly one thirty at the Yellow House words, but goes to a deeper level tion. Sometimes we have to just again where and as we may. provided us with refreshments was sandwiched between our wherein one needs to understand rest (for the moment) with the
(nyams mgyur) brings together review of tibetan literary arts catalog her expertise in museum exhibi- neilson library, smith college tion, library science/rare books, published by shung shung institute textile artistry and depth of spir- edited by marit cranmer, may 2007 itual understanding in a remark- able fusion that creates a con- crete introduction to Tibetan po- jacqueline gens etry combining both visuals and text at the same time. The cata- ome years ago I became in- particular, that infl amed my in- log she put together and in part terested in learning more terest and “lit my fi re,” as they sponsored by the Shang Shung Sabout Tibetan poetry. Not say. This was the entry for Tibet- Institute is not only aesthetically being a native or learned scholar an poetry in the gigantic and de- gorgeous and well organized but of the Tibetan language proved fi nitive academic reference book by combining multiple views in a great obstacle to my studies. for world poetry, The New Princ- the essays by diverse scholars, At one point, I wrote to a few eton Encyclopedia of Poetry and Po- for the fi rst time a new paradigm translator scholars and some etics. What I read there deeply, (I emerges that can begin to ad- lamas who responded without say deeply like an arrow through dress some critical issues such much interest or answers to my my heart), disheartened me for The exhibition at Smith College. as literary genre classifi cation, many questions about poetic unlike other non-western world ancient infl uences, formal stylis- forms other than good luck and literatures (Persian, Arabic, Tur- larly poetry, to a world-class level interest and enthusiastic discov- tic elements, and the rich display general encouragement. The kic, Burmese, Senegalese, Tamil, such as with other non-Western ery. People couldn’t believe what of literary diversity within the exception was Professor Robin Bengali, to name a few), Tibetan cultures. they were hearing. One such lec- Tibetan canon. It will serve as Kornman (1946–2006), a scholar poetry was characterized as un- ture included a room of about a tremendous resource for bud- and translator of the Gesar of evolved, codifi ed back in the 12th While an MFA candidate in thirty advanced technology stu- ding students of Tibetan litera- Ling epic, who engaged me in a century, and essentially a dead poetry back in 2004, I decided dents who, much to my surprise, ture and the general public. The lively conversation about doha, tradition. The two brief exam- to do my fi nal thesis on Tibetan were totally enthralled with the exhibit, largely inspired by Chö- Milarepa and the infl uence of the ples (selected from all the mag- poetry using the opportunity to topic, especially since Tibetan gyal Namkhai Norbu, to honor Gesar epic tradition before he nifi cent Tibetan literary canon) further my knowledge by investi- literature as it entered the mod- His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s was diagnosed with a rare cancer cited were so simple; one would gating the tradition from several ern era is no stranger to digital presence on the Smith campus and our conversation discontin- think that the Tibetan people vantages. At one point, my pro- technologies in its preservation in May of 2007, is homage to ued. The other exception is poet, were defi cient in literary imagi- fessor, a Patrician sort of fellow, strategies (a fact I exploited to Rinpoche’s own scholarship and Louise Landes Levi, who can nation. Here’s one uninspiring asked me with a note of dry sar- gain their interest). And so, contributions to revealing the speak about these literary tradi- example cited from the great casm (the kind of tone academ- shamelessly and without aca- importance of Tibet’s ancient tions with great fl uency, author- master, Longchenpa: ics know all too well), “You say demic credentials, I have made it literary heritage and toward set- ity and intimacy and who gener- Tibetan poetry is so great but my life’s mission to continue in ting the record straight. ously shared her knowledge over Life is impermanent like clouds where’s the proof? I don’t see any my quest to explore Tibetan po- long conversations in not a few of autumn evidence.” Even the work of the etry as an outsider and amateur The great tragedy of Tibetan peo- cafes, via email and by phone. Youth is impermanent like 6th Dalai Lama failed to rouse poet/scholar, speaking my mind ple in the modern era has in some fl owers of spring his interest, perhaps among free from the dreary sanctions of sense liberated Tibetan culture I’ve probably read close to every The body is impermanent like the most accessible and widely academic endorsement and rep- from the fl at plane of dogmatic article related to Tibetan litera- borrowed property translated poems for Western utation. However, I also deeply insistence on placing the origins ture including some rather ob- Wealth is impermanent like dew readers with their simple folk in- respect those many individuals of Tibetan language, and there- scure books in English ordered on the grass. spired lyrics, yet complex worldly who have taken the topic to task fore its literature, solely with the from India via inter library loan mix of mundane and sacred love, in a more conventional academ- onset of Buddhism that has mis- services to inform my interests. Even cultures long gone and far and politics. Amazingly too, ic context and the great effort informed the tradition for mil- After many attempts (at Louise’s more undeveloped had more to Milarepa fell on deaf ears. In required to study the Tibetan lennia. Unlike other cultures, recommendation), I fi nally lo- say about themselves than the fact, my professor/mentor, I lat- language in depth - not an easy Tibetan history has been subject cated a pristine book in English entry on Tibetan poetry. This er found out, had consulted that task as I’ve discovered numerous to the shackles of its own mak- in America of the infl uential just did not seem right to me nor mighty compendium over 1200 times when I have tried to take it ing in defi ance of archaeological Kavyadharsha 7th century text on indicative of what I had already pages long on world poetry men- up again and again. and historical records in service Sanskrit poetics by Dandin at the been introduced to over the past tioned above, which no doubt of spiritual orthodoxies far be- Amherst College library whose 25 years by the late Chogyam colored his perceptions of my This somewhat long winded in- yond any other world civiliza- only other brief visitor in thirty Trungpa through his magnifi - paper’s topic and to substanti- troduction is but a prelude to em- tion. Chögyal Namkhai Norbu’s years was a Professor Robert cent anthology, The Rain of Wis- ate his claim that Tibetan poetry phasize just how unique the Ti- book, the Necklace of Zhi (1974) Thurman. So we are not talking dom and the many poets from the was inferior. While my thesis in betan Literary Arts exhibit Marit seriously addresses this conun- about a mainstream scholarly Jack Kerouac School of Disem- his eyes was “shabby” (his own Cranmer curated for Smith Col- drum by placing the burden of presence here but a topic still bodied Poetics at Naropa infl u- word), barely passable, yet when lege and the accompanying cata- reconciling the historic record rather esoteric and unacknowl- enced by Tibetan poetics. Surely, lecturing with the exact same log is at addressing this essential on the young people of Tibet. To edged even among most Tibetol- with the millions of Tibetan pag- material to my poet colleagues question of what’s so great about some extent this is our legacy as ogists and certainly among most es surviving into the present and and general college students, Tibetan poetry. Marit’s curation well, since as practitioners we Buddhist scholars. However, it more discovered every day, there on the other hand, I discovered of this exhibit with its predomi- have benefi ted so enormously was one article (written by well must be something to say to el- something different. The re- nant emphasis on the experi- from the Tibetan Diaspora. We, known Buddhist scholars), in evate Tibetan literature, particu- sponse was one of overwhelming ential poems of great masters too, need to take up this ban- THE MIRROR · No. 87 · July, August 2007 Review
8
The love poems of the 6th Dalai explanation of the Light of Kailash ther their education and to sup- Lama are not only beloved by all (publication forthcoming) also port the important activities of Tibetans but are widely appreci- by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu that Shang Shung Institute. Younger ated by Westerners for their in- outlines the general topics of practitioners in our community dividualized expression. Per K. each volume. Per Kvaene’s ex- have many years to develop their Sorensen’s essay on the 6th Dalai cerpt from his Introduction to the expertise and so make a contri- Lama, “Divinity Secularized,” History of Bon presents the evolv- bution to these exciting studies. also presents key literary analy- ing scholarship over the past Such efforts can benefi t many sis that discusses the formal ele- three decades regarding the his- people by introducing them to ments such as the prevalence of torical interdependence between the vast treasury of Tibetan liter- trochaic meter (long/short two Bon and Buddhism resulting in ature through well-crafted West- syllable) and lack of alliterative a far more complex relationship ern language translations that use that has its own distinct than previously acknowledged. will someday take their rightful quality so different than the Eng- place among the world’s great lish language predominance of In conclusion, I would espe- literary masterpieces. an iambic meter (short/long two cially like to thank Marit for her syllable). The modern sensibility inspired exhibit and beautiful The Tibetan Literary Arts catalog ner by supporting translation tically. We see here the hand of of the 6th Dalai Lama’s lyrics de- catalog. May we all manifest our is available through the book- projects, training translators, many fi ne independent transla- rives its potency from his artistic gifts in the service of our spiri- store at Tsegyalgar for $20.00 or funding schools inside Tibet and tors, including Erik Pema Kun- dilemma that presents a tension tual heritage. I would also like to through the Shang Shung Insti- respecting the multi-dimensions sung, Constance Wilkinson, between his worldly and reli- encourage the many young peo- tute. of Tibetan culture (much as the Thubten Jinpa, Steven Good- gious aspirations encapsulated ple in our community to make missions of Shang Shung Insti- man, the Padmakara and Nalan- within a succinct few metaphors use of online resources and Jacqueline Gens tute and A.S.I.A. aspire to). da translation committees and cast in a general context of rich training in Tibetan literature Brattleboro, Vermont Keith Dowman, among them. fi gurative language about nature and language (becoming more August 4, 2007 The good news is that the writing While most practitioners in the or society that one encounters sophisticated each year) to fur- of great and lesser poets every- Dzogchen Community can not over and over in Tibetan verse. where emerges into the modern view the exhibit fi rst hand, the “The poems,” Per Sorensen, is era as newborn as the day they catalog is an enduring represen- right to assert, “therefore paint a were composed whether named tation of a unique contribution canvas of a complex personality or anonymous, even in trans- to the fi eld of literary studies that and run the gamut of emotions.” lation, to speak directly to us. the Shang Shung Institute can be Ultimately, save a few scholars, proud of and which is available Steve Goodman takes great risks most people don’t care where for purchase. with his essay, “The Transmis- poems come from only that they sion of Presence in Tibetan Po- exist in every conceivable form In the catalog, each essay is laid etics of Ineffable Experience,” and culture being somewhat out with excerpts from the ex- with free-form translations of plastic in translation to commu- hibit – Tulku Thondup presents experiential poems, that brings nicate universally transcended a fairly traditional exposition on the interpretation up a notch themes, And to be really prosaic the fi ve fi elds of knowledge (rig from more traditional scholar- here – wow! Does Tibetan poetry pa’i gnas lnga: language, medi- ship. His translation are fresh, ever have universally recognized cine, logic, arts, Buddhism) in- contemporary and best of all transcendent themes! What can cluding Tibetan literature with – melodious. be more universal than the na- an exhaustive catalogue of key ture of mind, the heritage of all texts in all the genres and sub My own essay in the catalog, “A peoples throughout time? Thus, genres. While not particularly Small Stone Casts Its Ripple,” many ordinary people outside analytical, his essay does offer was an impossible challenge at the Tibetan spiritual traditions an important reference for the Marit’s invitation to write some- recognize the special contribu- breadth and scope of Tibetan thing about women poets of Tibet tion that Tibetan literary works texts presenting the convention- because after all Smith is a wom- This lunatic child convey when fi rst exposed to al categories according to tradi- en’s college and I’m an alumna. Who lost his mother long ago them. The exhibit for which this tional monastic training. For the Humm, well there just aren’t that Will soon learn by pure chance catalog represents proves this by uninitiated to read his essay, it many Tibetan women writers That he just failed to recognize her. the desire on the part of Smith would come as a great surprise translated into literary English, She was with him all along! College to extend the exhibit’s that he covers material that is let alone available in the original presence on campus. The truth but the tip of the iceberg. Tibetan to speak of much of a Perhaps mother is the yes and no of emptiness, of the matter is that people off women’s writing tradition com- As whispered to me by my father, the street have immensely en- Professor Thubten Jinpa’s is one parable to other cultures. Some- Dependent origination. All duality is joyed coming into the literary of the fi rst Tibetans seriously to how, by the grace of the lineage Mother’s benign smile; the cycle exhibit spaces and contemplat- examine Tibetan poetry on its masters and devas and dakinis Of life and death, her verbal display. ing the large-scale texts – some own terms but within some con- whom I invoked to help me out even daily. text of Western literary articu- here, I managed not to embar- Always truthful mother, you have fooled me! lation. Educated at both Cam- rass myself or Shang Shung too I now seek salvation through my father’s lore. bridge where he received a Ph.d much. After all, one can’t go Yet, ultimately it is in you alone and Ganden monastic college wrong with Yeshe Tsogyal or That I can hope for freedom. where he received a Geshe lam- Machig Labdron. The exercise dra degree, his understanding was actually a further indication If the world is really what it seems to be, of poetic versifi cation in both for me to apply myself to learn Even the Buddhas of the three times cannot save me. Tibetan and English has placed classical Tibetan. While many But this world of diversity and change him in the exceptional position songs of spiritual experience Is actually my changeless mother’s moods. to discuss subtle distinctions and (nyams mgyur) by female masters So I can hope for freedom! stylistic elements of versifi cation have been preserved and incor- rarely looked into or considered porated into other texts, they Changkya Rolpai Dorje’s “Recognizing my Mother,” especially relevant. In his essay, simply are not available for pub- 18th century, translated by Thubten Jinpa and Jas Elsner “Poetry and Spiritual Experi- lic distribution because they are ence in the Tibetan Tradition,” transmission based, which was a Jinpa discusses various types of limitation. Nonetheless, I found poetic composition. Through a lot to talk about after all. This his own poetry mentor, Ze- was in part, thanks to Tsultrim mey, Rinpoche, Professor Jinpa Allione’s groundbreaking book, brings the complex infl uence of Women of Wisdom. the kayadharsha training to life in the context of some of Tibet’s A number of other essays illumi- greatest writers and scholars by nate this catalog including Chap- It is a rare occasion to walk into examining aspects of his own ter Two from Chögyal Namkhai a room and see displayed large- training on the use of metaphor Norbu’s, The Necklace of Zhi on scale excerpts of the cream of in his essay. Tibetan language with the text Tibetan verse, translated with in both English and Tibetan. Do- elegance and presented so artis- natella Rossi contributed a brief THE MIRROR · No. 87 · July, August 2007 Merigar West
9 observe the thought that arises the september retreat at merigar west with chögyal namkhai norbu raimondo bultrini
hen you think: ted it to Zhenga Rinpoche who in what is the mind? turn transmitted it to Khyenrab “W That is the mind”. Chokyi Ozer, one of the masters But it isn’t easy “to understand its of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu. nature”. This then is the advice: “Observe the thought that aris- For many days there was a clear es”. If you observe it, the thought sky at Merigar, especially the disappears. What remains? “It’s last day of the retreat, so free real nature…”. As always it is dif- of clouds as to create a per- fi cult to explain, even more than fect, almost symbolic setting to thirty years after Chögyal Nam- help the hundreds of students khai Norbu’s fi rst teachings, gathered inside and outside the why the Master’s words continue Gompa to visualize the essence to strike the perceptive capac- of this teaching called Odsal ity of his students with so much Nangcha. Our real condition Rinpoche showing the photo of his teacher Khyenrab Chokyi Ozer. Photo: Romain Piro precision and at different levels. – explained the Master – is like a At times, for example, simply a sky without clouds: in space that consider that there is something ments and misunderstandings. ment. “Always remember the phrase can help to understand is without knots, there is noth- to liberate”, because “every thing Just like when Patrul Rinpoche, words of the Buddha: everything even more profoundly the es- ing to untie and liberate. For this is free from the beginning”. And the author of the commentary is unreal, just like a dream”. sence of Dzogchen. reason, “when a thought arises”, those who consider that libera- that the Master was explaining, Then why should you give im- it is easier to notice it. You recog- tion is gradual offer, in actual avoided being beaten up by some portance to everything? At the During the seven days of the fi rst nize it just like a face you already fact, only a type of logic which is Gelugpa monks who were look- relative level you cannot say that September retreat at Merigar, the know, like a cloud which sudden- unable to describe the state, our ing for any excuse to pick a quar- it is not necessary to go to work. opportunities for practitioners ly crosses pure uncontaminated real nature, and to explain how to rel with him. When they asked But there is no need to give it too to take an even greater leap into space. No cloud with its fl eeting remain in it. There is direct logic him which school he belonged to much importance and continu- awareness were so many that it nature can change or correct the (indicating an object such as a he replied that he was Buddhist. ously get agitated. Or then: you wasn’t possible to summarize nature of empty space, neither pen and saying “this is a pen”) When they asked him which are about to go on a dangerous them or separate them from can thought (nor concept, nor and indirect (there is smoke and, method he followed he replied journey and you ask the Master all the other advice they had al- method) modify the nature of hence, fi re). “Many things are that he practiced Tara which is what you should do. “The Master ready received in the past. Just the mind. established with indirect logic”, common to all the traditions and cannot tell you: don’t take the left like a string of pearls threaded explained Rinpoche. But when so on. road or the right one, but he can onto the same cord, the miracu- The Master repeated this ex- we have to describe what hap- advise you not to get distracted”. lous alchemy that unravels the ample several times during his pens after death, neither direct The consequence of a “way of knots of doubt was repeated this explanation of Patrul Rinpoche’s logic nor indirect are suffi cient. seeing” that has no limitations And now we come back to the time through a Testament (very commentary. Most of all to Then faith comes into it. If you and defi nitions goes beyond the principle of the mind and its na- similar to that of Garab Dorje), clarify the great difference be- are a Buddhist you believe what transmitted by the great master tween Dzogchen and the various the books attributed to the Bud- Migyur Namkhai Dorje who was schools that propose following dha say, even though others a disciple of Jigmed Gyalwai Nyu- this or that “path of liberation” don’t give much value to them. gu, in his turn a student of Jig- or this or that method which, by In this way we create limitations. med Lingpa. A Testament which modifying and correcting, actu- Dzogchen has no limitations. It is diffi cult to interpret without ally perpetuate the obstacles at goes beyond methods, schools the clarity of the commentary of the root of dualistic vision. “We and the criteria that create diver- Patrul Rinpoche who transmit- cannot free ourselves until we gences and frictions, disagree-
Children welcome Rinpoche at the Gonpa. Photo: Romain Piro
very concepts of the three levels ture. The Fruit is like a clear sky. of Base, Path and Fruit. If the If you do not follow the mind, Base of phenomena is self-liber- you do not produce karma, the ated (Dzogchen) from the begin- consequence of thought and of ning, there is no Path through action is neutralized “like a pen which to purify that which is writing in water”. perfect from the beginning, nor Fruit to desire or receive. “If you So we do not live searching for Photo: Romain Piro are a Dzogchen practitioner” nirvana while living in samsara – said the Master – “and the idea but like our two legs, the right uring the September re- Arcidosso and Castel del Piano, nity we are all connected and to kill arises, that thought arises and the left, which go ahead treat at Merigar West, a local Member of Parliament even though many people had and disappears from where it has spontaneously and relentlessly DChögyal Namkhai Nor- and a former Mayor of Arcidos- never visited here, the name Ar- come. Then how can you enter towards their destination. A des- bu invited local offi cials to visit so spoke briefl y to those pres- cidosso had become famous. In into action and produce karma?” tination which we already have the Gonpa to greet the partici- ent and then drank a toast with traditional Tibetan greeting, he In the same way when a positive within each one of us. “A great pants attending the retreat and Rinpoche. The Master thanked presented each of the offi cials thought arises, perhaps a “good perfection for every sentient be- those listening to the webcast them for coming and told them with a white kadag. idea”, the risk is to follow it, to ing”. around the world. The Mayors of that in the Dzogchen Commu- charge it up, to create attach- THE MIRROR · No. 87 · July, August 2007 Merigar East
10
After the Ganapuja on the eve- there and then Rinpoche decided sky and earth ning before the last day of the the story of the to choose the sunfl owers as the retreat, the by now traditional sunfl owers symbol of Merigar East. At the >> continued from page 1 ful eye on things. Rinpoche also end of retreat raffl e was held end of the retreat we offered him for 10 years by the Emperor Au- arrived well before the retreat with Rinpoche, as always, do- a Murano vase, hand-painted gustus in the 1st century AD.) It and an appeal was sent out to the nating many precious and some- gabriella schneider with sunfl owers. is also the area with the greatest Dzogchen Community to come times unusual personal objects. number of ethnic groups in Ro- to the Gar early in order to help The raffl e is Western style with have a little story to tell Yesterday, August 30th, I spoke mania with Turks, Bulgars, Tar- ready it for the many visitors that numbers up to 100 but based on related to Merigar East and to Duci, our yellow Gakyil mem- tars, Ukrainians and Bulgarians were expected. People gradu- the 5 Tibetan elements of Air, Ito the retreat there this ber. She had just got back to living side by side. ally started to arrive and helped Space, Fire, Water and Earth and summer. Merigar East from her holidays. with preparations which went participants can buy different She told me, that at the Gar, the Within this colorful ambient, the on night and day to ready the numbered tickets belonging to One day, I was driving Rinpoche area where the teaching-tent had Gar is situated just a short dis- enormous tent, the fl oor, the of- the different elements. This was and Rosa home from the Gar. It stood and all around it was full tance from the coast in a quiet fi ce/refectory tent, organize toi- followed by the auction of sev- was late afternoon and the sun of sunfl owers. You may have seen rural area, about 2–3 km from lets, water, the road and parking, eral objects to raise money for was shining in the West, in front Michael Moehle’s photos on Nor- the tiny village of 23 August and buses, catering, transport, web Merigar East and possibly help of us. We left the Gar behind us bunet and know that this area can be reached on foot or by car cast facilities and the myriad of towards building a Gonpa for on the right. After we had passed was only a harvested cornfi eld, from the village, however, dur- items and organization things future retreats. Rinpoche had by a small apple orchard, a fi eld between sky and earth. And ing the retreat a bus service was that go into making a retreat not already said the same day that of sunfl owers came into sight on now a sea of sunfl owers, which organized to shuttle participants only possible but comfortable. while we were now doing the our left. nobody ever seeded, is growing back and forth from different retreat in a tent, “Next year we Rinpoche said: “Look, Rosa, there... areas along the coast to the Gar. The weeks of hard work bore want to be in a big Gonpa if we at all the sunfl owers. They aren’t The open fi elds that surround the their fruit and by the opening are still alive”. In fact, after the looking towards the sun, they The story of Buddha recounts Gar are still and silent except for day of the retreat – July 14 – ev- fi rst objects in the auction had are looking towards our Gar”. that where his feet touched the the rustling of the wind over the erything was ready as Rinpoche been sold, when Rinpoche’s per- It was true; they were standing earth, lotus fl owers grew. plain or the merry chirping of took his place on his brocaded sonal melong was produced the with their backs to the sun, their the fl ocks of tiny birds that wheel platform in front of 500 people bids rose alarmingly in leaps and faces turned towards us. And For Rinpoche, sunfl owers... around in formation like small who had gathered from all over bounds until this precious ob- black clouds. One day during the Russia, Europe, Ukraine, the Bal- ject fi nally sold for 71,000 euro teaching a pair of them zoomed tic countries, the USA and Latin ($98,000 US)! An auspicious op- into the tent and raced up and America. The daily retreat ses- portunity for future development down until they fi nally came to sions were in two parts: during at the new Merigar East. rest on a metal rod at the side of the fi rst Chögyal Namkhai Nor- Rinpoche where they remained bu gave teachings on Shine and On the fi nal day of the retreat, quietly for the rest of the session. Lhagthong from the Dzogchen after giving advice for daily prac- Ati Yoga system while during the tice and the tridlungs of the col- But then it is important to back- second part Rinpoche and those lective practices of the Dzogchen track just a little to let readers attending the retreat did a simple Community, we did a short thun know how much hard work was practice of Mandarava Chüdlen. practice together. Rinpoche done by a small nucleus of prac- The teachings were successfully drew the session to a close by titioners in order to ready what transmitted around the world by kindly thanking the organizers was little more than ‘sky and web cast. of the retreat for their dedicated earth’ for the large numbers of work and giving each person a people expected to attend the As the days of the retreat pro- gift. He also said that when he Master’s teachings. When the gressed, I started to feel that fi rst came here he saw a big fi eld small group making up the Ro- there really was no difference of sunfl owers that had remained manian Gakyil arrived at the Gar between this temporary teach- in his mind and this fl ower would in June it was just a simple bare ing hall of white plastic and the represent that Merigar East. fi eld. There was an enormous elegantly painted Gonpa at Meri- amount of work to be done and gar – both places were equally Our heartfelt thanks to Rinpoche they began by getting construc- sacred in that they hosted the for giving us, once again, his pre- tion material to start putting up Master and his precious teaching cious teaching and to the core of a small building in which to store and gave us all the opportunity hard-working and dedicated or- material and took turns spending to receive them. ganizers who gave their very best the night there to keep a watch- to make the retreat possible. THE MIRROR · No. 87 · July, August 2007 Merigar East
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meeting the romanian gakyil ida pazman, attila frugyik and gabriella schneider
After the fi rst big retreat with Chögyal Namkhai Norbu in July 2007 at Merigar East, the current Romanian Gakyil talked to The Mirror about the activities to prepare the Gar for its fi rst international retreat. Drawing of Rinpoche’s vision of the new gompa.
The Mirror: Can you tell us about books and the DVD were issued making them available in the your community in Romania and in time for the retreat. language of Romania are things how you had your fi rst contact Attila Frugyik, Ida Pazman, Gabriella Schneider. Photo: Liz Granger Intensive work was also need- that are also part of our work. We with Rinpoche? ed for making our website in two have been very fortunate because Ida: The people in the Roma- and at that time we found this building because this land is ag- languages and also for organiz- – as I mentioned – we have had nian Community are based in piece of land. We sent Rinpoche ricultural so we had to get lots of ing the retreat program, inviting very precious and generous help Oradea (north Romania, close to photos of it and a description of licenses before we could do any- teachers, asking for Vajra Dance from the Shang Shung Institute the Hungarian border) and the the area and he replied imme- thing here. And then we didn’t Mandalas, etc. up to now. And I think it will be group came together in 2003. diately that the place could be know until the end of February Ida: At the end of May the real the same in the future. There is a We are a small community with bought. that there would be a retreat here physical work started. The fi rst good collaboration. very few people. I met Rinpoche Gabriella: A few days after Duci in July because Rinpoche hadn’t thing that was done was get the We also want to underline that in 2003 through the worldwide (Ida) and Attila moved here, I announced his schedule so then road here made, the parking and Merigar East, even if situated in transmission. We fi rst came to visited them and we went to the we had very little time to prepare one hectare of land was prepared Romania and even if it is open this area last year in November land. On the road we met a lot of everything. for the retreat. The company to all Dzogchen practitioners when the Community bought goats and remembering the story A short time ago there was worked here for 3 weeks and then from around the world, is main- the land and the house where of Merigar West, we took this for nothing here, just a piece of a company came to dig a well. ly the Gar of the East European Rinpoche lives. a good sign. The land was only a land. And then after February In fact all the water here comes countries and, regarding future Gabriella: I was born in Roma- vast space between sky and earth we started to look for a company from our own well. The well was plans, we have to pay attention nia but have lived in Germany and I found this vast space sim- to make the road and a company dug after Rinpoche’s arrival here to the circumstances and needs since 1982. My fi rst contact with ply beautiful. that could bring a good Internet on June 30th. of the practitioners from each of Rinpoche’s knowledge was in Why in Romania and at the cable here. There was parking, these countries. We think that 1992 through “The Crystal and Black Sea? These are Rinpoche’s water and everything else needed The Mirror: And what about the after Rinpoche’s meeting next the Way of Light” but I really decisions. We knew that the land for the retreat to get ready. future? week with participants from met Rinpoche in this life for the in Crimea couldn’t be purchased, Gabriella: Parallel to the con- Ida: We have received some plans Eastern Europe, we will be able fi rst time in 1998 when he came and Rinpoche looked for another struction on the land we looked from Rinpoche and we will see to say more about the future of to Germany and gave Dzogchen place at the Black Sea and so it for teaching materials in the Ro- what happens. We have a plan Merigar East. [Please see the ar- Teachings at Chiemsee. Since was in Romania. manian language. We translated for a big Gonpa that is more than ticle on page 4, “new coordinat- then I have followed retreats the ‘Thun’ book and ‘Collective 700 sq. meters that Rinpoche has ing gakyil of russian speaking with him at different places The Mirror: We’ve had a fantas- Practices’ into Romanian and drawn by hand. Then there are countries” about the meeting] like Merigar West and Tashigar tic retreat here at Merigar East. organized the publication of a plans for a building for the offi ce Norte, etc. There were about 500 people second (corrected) edition of the and a shed that we have already The Mirror: Thank you all for participating and it must have “Crystal and the Way of Light” started to build. your hard work that contributed The Mirror: Could you give us been an enormous job to prepare because only about 60 copies Gabriella: What we want to do to making the retreat possible. a little background on the land things from scratch. When did were available from the fi rst edi- in the future, too, is to translate and why this area was chosen? you start preparations for the tion. Also a Romanian version of Rinpoche’s books and DVDs into Ida: Rinpoche chose it. I came retreat and what kind of things the DVD “The Three Paths of Lib- Romanian, of course respecting here for the fi rst time with Fabio had to be done? eration” has been made. Through the copyrights, because people in July of last year and we found Ida: Attila and I moved here last great collaboration with the are asking for them. It’s a big some land near the lake but it was year in November and we now Shang Shung Institute and the job but besides the actual mate- Photos: sold before we could buy it. Then live here. The fi rst thing we did Arania publishing house, the rial construction here, preserv- Left page: Michael Möhle we came here again in August was to get legal permission for ing Rinpoche’s teachings and Panorama: Romain Piro. THE MIRROR · No. 87 · July, August 2007
12 west Merigar West merigar Arcidosso 58031 phone: 39 0564 966837 merigaroffi [email protected] GR Italy fax: 39 0564 968110 www.dzogchen.it
able to meet the Master. This can take October 20–21, 2007 November 25–29, 2007 A Dec. 27–Jan. 3, 2008 A place by following one of his Teaching Explanation and practice of the Base of the Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Chögyal Namkhai Norbu calendar Retreats or by participating in one of the SMS Open webcast from Barcelona, Spain Open Webcast from Tashigar South, Worldwide Direct Transmission days. with Costantino Albini Teaching retreat Argentina Topic: The Precious Vase, Chapters VIII Longchenpa’s Nyingtam Sumchu (Thirty Teaching Retreat of events October and IX Pieces of Advice from the Heart) Longchenpa’s Choszhi Rinchen Phrengwa October 5–11, 2007 A Start: Saturday October 20 at 10.00 (Sung Thorbu, vol. I, p. 354) (The Necklace of the Four Precious Dharmas) 2007 Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Cost: 60 € (with discounts for members) (Sung Thorbu, vol. I, p. 247) Teachings and practice of Buddha Shakya- December General Program muni’s Praises to the 21 Taras November December 8, 2007 December 27–January 3, 2008 In case of any changes to the current The retreat starts on October 5 at 16.00 November 1–4, 2007 A Master Chögyal Namkhai Norbu’s Dance of the Song of the Vajra calendar, we suggest you check our Cost: 350 € Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Birthday course for beginners (Part 2) website – www.dzogchen.it – from (with discounts for members) Teachings and collective practice dedicated with Rita Renzi time to time for confi rmation of the Open webcast to the dead December 8–9, 2007 Start: Thursday December 27 at 10.00 courses. Cost: 200 € (with discounts for members) Green Tara practice retreat Cost: 200 € The Tibetan letter A in this program October 11–14, 2007 A (with discounts for members) indicates events that are particularly Yantra Yoga course for beginners suited to those who are approaching the with Tiziana Gottardi Dzogchen Teaching for the fi rst time. Open to everyone We would like to remind those who are Start: Thursday October 11 at 10.00 genuinely interested that it is indispens- Cost: 60 € (with discounts for members) upcoming is coordinated and harmonized, so as to upcoming Rome: October 27–28, 2007 Merigar West: March 7–8, 2008 Yantra Yoga for Beginners let the mind fi nd the authentic balance Courses of Yantra Yoga for Beginners with Tiziana Gottardi Rome: April 5–6, 2008 October 12–14, 2007 and relaxation that is the basis for get- October 2007 – March 2008 Explanation and practice of the 9 pu- Explanation and practice of the second Led by Tiziana Gottardi ting into contemplation. with Laura Evangelisti and rifi cation breathings, the 5 tsijong, and series of yantras. Yantra Yoga or the Yoga of Movement Tiziana Gottardi the fi rst part of the exercises for the Who can attend? For more information contact: is an ancient system of Tibetan yoga Rome and Merigar West purifi cation of the prana or the Eight This course is open to all. Rome: tel. 0658 30 03 46 based on the text The Union of the This Yantra Yoga Course will take place Movements (lunsang). The course starts on [email protected] Sun and the Moon, written in the 8th over 4 weekends: the fi rst 2 weekends Saturday October 11 at 10.00. Rome: November 10 –11, 2007 www.zhenphenling.it century by the master and translator will be spent introducing the prelimi- The cost is 60 euro with discounts for Explanation and practice of the second Merigar West: tel. 0564 96 68 37 Vairochana. Chögyal Namkhai Norbu nary exercise, the 5 exercises to loosen members. part of the movements of the purifi ca- merigaroffi [email protected] wrote a detailed commentary on the the joints, and the coordination of the tion of the prana of the Eight Move- www.dzogchen.it root text and started to transmit this Important! For organizational pur- breathing through the 8 movements. ments (lungsang). teaching in the West at the beginning of poses, we ask that you please register The next 2 weekends will be spent intro- * the seventies. before the course starts, by email or ducing the fi rst and second series of Yan- Merigar West: January 3–6, 2008 Yantra Yoga is a fundamental method phone. It will also be possible to register tras. Each series includes 5 sequences of Rome: February 2 – 3, 2008 to integrate the profound essence of the on the fi rst day of the course with the movements linked to diffe rent phases with Laura Evangelisti Dzogchen Teaching in the three doors secretary of Merigar. and types of breathing. To deepen the understanding of the (body, voice and mind) of the practitio- Telephone:+39 05 64 -96 68 37 Eight Movements (lungsang) and expla- ner. Through positions and movements Email: merigaroffi [email protected] nation and practice of the fi rst series of combined with breathing one’s energy * yantras.
Throughout the course, Fabio advised them on how to teach the segments and how to observe whether people were doing it correctly or not. The participants found the class rewarding and valuable in terms of the their own understanding of complete breathing and also came away with more tools and methods that they can incorporate in their own practice of Yantra Yoga, as well use when helping their students understand the principle of breathing in Yantra Yoga. This course based in Fabio’s vast ex- perience and willingness to help us with our understanding of breath through his skill, patience and humor, was, as always, a delightful and rewarding time! Yantra Yoga Advanced and Teacher Training A course in breathing methods for of various very useful and helpful * with Laura Evangelisti and Fabio Andrico, August 24 –31, 2007 instructors techniques taken from his experience in * with Fabio Andrico different forms of yoga, as well as the by Naomi Zeitz & Oni McKinstry many years he has dedicated as a one Breathing and Kumbhaka In the Merigar Gonpa, from August of the two main international teachers with Fabio Andrico 20 –23, 2007, a group of about 12 of Yantra Yoga authorized by Chögyal September 1–3, 2007 practitioners came together to expand Namkhai Norbu. Fabio’s intention was their knowledge of different methods keep the class smaller so that he would and techniques of breathing taught by have more opportunity to observe how Fabio Andrico. A good percentage of the people were doing and how much they class was already Yantra Yoga instruc- were really understanding the principle tors and very interested to learn new of the complete breathing, as well as the passages methods, not only to help themselves many positions and techniques taught. by deepening their own experience of In this kind of small group, people had Born: On Wednesday June 6 at 15.00 in breathing within the context of Yantra more time to ask questions and clarify Tuscany, Italy, a baby boy, Darien, was Yoga practice, but also to learn tech- doubts and concerns. born to Mila and Fabian Rawnsley, the niques that may help their students be The participants learned how to Gekö at Merigar. All the member s of able to have a more benefi cial and sat- focus awareness on different aspects of the Merigar Community and the Gakyil isfying experience of breathing; a kind the complete breathing, on how to feel express all their best wishes for a long of warm up exercise for the breathing. the breath move in separate areas of and prosperous life for the new arrival! Fabio has devised a wide assortment the stomach, the chest and the ribcage. * Photo: Naomi Zeitz THE MIRROR · No. 87 · July, August 2007
13 merigarwest
Accommodation Service at Merigar Accommodation Service Information for people who intend to (Information available in English, German, We cooperate with local hotels, family come to Merigar for retreats or to follow French and Italian) pensions, residences, agriturismo, courses Information service and reservation of Community members who have rooms or If you are looking for accommodation, accommodation during retreats, local houses to rent or sublet. Also we can advise airport transfer, local car hire or only transport, & logistic solutions: on car rental (at airports or locally), on logistic assistance, you can contact the the best itinerary and time tables of trains following information and reservation Christina von Geispitzheim and buses, and we have now a circuit of service: Email: [email protected] residents who offer various useful services Phone: 0039 0564 957542 like transfer from the airports, local taxi Mobile phone: 0039 339 1370739 service, translations, baby sitting, etc.
have this vast crowd of almost mandarava initiation, practice 700 people come up one by one and ganapuja to receive the initiation. This passage went on for more than the gonpa at merigar west one hour. The weather changed august 31, 2007 several times during the day and as the crowd went to leave the n the last day of Chö - the practice he received while Gonpa, the initiation concluded gyal Namkhai Norbu’s on retreat. People came from all with a torrential downpour de- Omonth long personal over Europe, South America and scending like an expression of retreat of Mandarava done in even New York City to participate the unending outpouring from his retreat cabins at Merigar in this glorious day. Some people our supremely generous Master West, Rinpoche granted almost traveled hundreds of miles only and the realm of the infi nite Da- 700 new and old practitioners to remain long enough for the kinis. the marvelous opportunity of initiation and then to return The Mirror participating in the fi nal Man- home immediately after. After darava practice and Ganapuja. Rinpoche said that there were Rinpoche also gave a Mandarava too many people for everyone to initiation and explanation that pass by for the initiation, with included some changes, as well his enormous compassion and as some new indications about tireless energy he proceeded to Photo: Naomi Zeitz
The Vajra Dance Group of the Czech Mandarava practice and then with enced psychologist. His seminar was the importance of the dream practice. Europe Dzogchen Community organized a the practice of the Dance of the Three intended to help to develop the capacity We also worked with the dreams some small retreat of the Dance of the Vajra Vajras. Afterwards Margit showed us to dream lucidly and to enhance cre- of us had during the collective practice combined with short Mandarava Prac- some of the mistakes that we made ativity, self-exploration and spiritual/ or during the Saturday night, both lucid Austria tice. The number of participants was and sometimes commented briefl y in psychological growth. and usual, using various techniques Upcoming limited to 12, and the key issue was a few words concerning the context of The seminar, which about fi fty based on Michael’s broad psychological Course on Breathing and Kumbhaka that one of the participants was Margit the Dance, so that we could understand people took part in, was located in knowledge and experience. This was led by Fabio Andrico Martinu. Margit is an instructor of the it more thoroughly. We continued the the gymnasium equipped with a soft particularly worthwhile, because we October 26 – 28, 2007 Vajra Dance. Her presence motivated us same way with the Dance of the Six surface comfortable to lie on. Michael’s could then better discriminate among Vienna, Austria to present ourselves in the best possible Spaces of Samantabhadra. We also relaxed way of teaching was refreshing several kinds od dream experience and way and to get as much as we could danced the whole thun of all the three and we appreciated the depth of his un- understand their relative value. Time: Friday 26 October 10:00 from her advice concerning our way of Dances of Vajra a few times. derstanding and experience. Together The seminar proceeded in relaxed – Sunday 28 October 18:00 dancing. We concentrated on the posi- During the two breaks we read with presenting several practices in- and friendly atmosphere with lots of Place: Shambhala Taichi Zentrum, tion of hands and correct timing, with excerpts from Rinpoche´s dreams relat- cluded in the second edition of Dream fun. Bennogasse 8, 1080 Wien further emphasis on the moments of ing to the discovery of the Vajra Dance. Yoga, he also shared his knowledge of Thanks to our precious Master that Costs: 130.- euros with the usual Pawo and Pamo passing by on the On Sunday afternoon we practiced different kinds of lucidity with people we can study and practice together discounts Mandala. It has helped to each of us to Ganapuja with Marme Monlam and we who introduced their personal experi- these precious teachings! May the discover that we are not alone on the concluded the whole retreat singing ence. We used various means to bring teaching lead us all to liberation! For registration and further information Mandala, but that there are also others Marme Monlam once again on Mon- closer the day and night consciousness, please contact Elisha Koppensteiner at and that we are relating to each other in day afternoon. We spent a great time trying to create in ourselves the aware- [email protected] space and time. I’m writing it in plural together. ness, that our everyday life is a dream. because there were more participants of Though I must confess that I do not Michael taught us different ways to Czech Republic the retreat who were expressing similar participate at the Dance regularly and increase our capacity to become lucid Vajra Dance Retreat impressions in our discussion breaks. that I still don’t remember steps of the in the dream. He clearly explained the with Margit Martinu We started Saturday morning with second part of the Dance of the Song of difference between dream yoga and the May 16 – 18, 2007 near Prague Short Thun to create contact with the the Vajra, this experience has helped practise of natural light and stressed by Jiri Kucmas Protectors. We continued with the me a lot to better understand the Vajra Dance and as I have already mentioned, according to my Vajra brothers and sisters, it was not only my experience. It was an intense meeting with a really strong atmosphere. I really want to ex- press my gratitude to Rinpoche for his teaching and to the organizers of this retreat, without whom all of that would not have been possible. * Summer Seminar of Dream Yoga with Dr. Michael Katz June 30 – July 1, 2007 in Prague by Petr Lisý Since Rinpoche sometimes points out the importance of the practice of the night, Czech Community was happy to welcome Dr. Michael Katz from New York, editor of Dream Yoga and experi- THE MIRROR · No. 87 · July, August 2007
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(Bardo Thödol) and the list of basic Europe (continued) rituals used in Tibet within the context of death. He mentioned Mingyur Dorje, August retreat of Shitro practice from whose cycle of terma teachings, with Jakob Winkler namcho, the form of Shitro we practice August 24 – 26, 2007 in Prague in Dzogchen Community. by Petr Lis During the explanation of the The Czech Community was happy to practice itself, Jakob shared his broad welcome Jakob Winkler again in Prague, knowledge of peaceful, joyful and this time to lead the retreat on the prac- wrathful manifestations and some tice of Shitro. The retreat of about forty fundamental principles of their setting people, was located in our Prague Gon- in mandala, which we found especially pa. In the beginning, Jakob talked about interesting and useful. Later we did Anuyoga principles of non-graduality, several thuns of the Shitro practice. We things into wider context, as well as urday we did large Ganapuja together. since the Shitro practice belongs to the appriciated the depth and breadth of with his particular sense of humor. Thanks to our precious Master that Anuyoga system. Then he presented Jakob’s knowledge he willingly shared The retreat proceeded in friendly, we can study and practise together the Tibetan view of the process of dying with us, his precise and structured way concentrated atmosphere with many these precious teachings! May the based on The Tibetan Book of the Death of explanation and ability to put the questions and discussions, and on Sat- teaching lead us all to liberation!
We can also play Bagchen in the Ganapuja upcoming The cost of each session for ordinary France evening – and if there are interested For the full moon day on September Two Yantra Yoga courses in Paris members is of 150 ¤, of 75 ¤ for low sal- upcoming persons, we can invite Michel Bricaire, 26th, we invite you to spend a day Level I, Level II ary members and free for meritorious Vajra Dance Course – Six Spaces of a great expert of this fantastic Tibetan with us in Mont de Marsan, around a November 10th–November 18th, 2007 members. Samantabhadra in Dejamling game. For this you should calculate Big Ganapuja. We can also watch the Level 1 from November 15th to 18th The course will take place in: with Stoffelina Verdonk some additional expenses, which will be DVD of the Gana Puja with Rinpoche’s with Tiziana Gottardi Compagnie Blanca Li — Calentito October 28 – November 4, 2007 decided between the participants. explanations. We invite newcomers This course is focused on the Yantra 7–9 rue des petites écuries From October 28th to November 4th, who would be interested in discussing The fee for the Vajra Dance course: de- Yoga preliminary practice: the eight 75010 Paris the local Council of Mont de Marsan is different practices, and particularly the pending on the number of participants movements. Level 1 course is open to kindly letting us use a hall for the Vajra Ganapuja. We kindly ask you to register before it will be between 32 ¤ and 45 ¤ a day, all. Dance and we have invited Stoffelina If you feel like it, we can continue October 31st. with the usual reductions for Dzogchen Thursday, Friday (18.30 h– 21.00 h) Verdonk, our local dance instructor, for the feast in the home of the Frenglish Registration will be confi rmed upon Community members. There’s no fi xed Saturday, Sunday (10.00 h–12.30 h + a Vajra Dance course of Six Spaces of couple in Bourriot-Bergonce (not far receipt of the registration form and a charge for the other days of dance, but 15.30 h –18.30 h) Samantabhadra, from October 28th to from Mont de Marsan) – with other deposit of 75 ¤ to be sent to: we will gladly receive any offering. 30th, 2007. practices, a healing visit to the magical Level 2 from November 10th to 13th Elisabeth Dong, 14 square Dunois – Apt Then, on October 31st and Novem- Lodging: you can stay in Zeljka’s place healing water springs of Les Landes, a with Laura Evangelisti 260, 75013 Paris ber 1st, we invite you to practice a Vajra for free, or with Marie-Neige Lefeuvre taste of foie gras (it’s the season now! This course is intended for practitioners Please consider that there will be a Dance of Six Spaces, in order to learn (in a mobile-home, with modest par- nyams!) and a game of Bagchen. who have already follow a Level 1 course limited number of 30 people for each it even better. November 2–4, we will ticipation). Otherwise, if you need, we and will be focused on the fi rst and the session. NB Frenglish = Thomas (English) and continue to dance (the program to be can look for a hotel in town for you. second series of Yantra. Marie-Neige (French) Contact: decided, depending on the wishes of Saturday, Sunday (10.00 h–12.30h + Transport: train station Mont de Marsan, Contact: Arianna De Toni the participants), with a possibility to 15.30h–18.30h) TGV to Bordeaux or Dax, then TER. We Zeljka Jovanovic, tel + 33 558 06 82 76 Phone: 0033 67 88 259 51 deepen our understanding of other Monday, Tuesday (18.30 h–21.00 h) can fetch you at the Mont de Marsan Marie Neige and Thomas [email protected] practices (for example the Shitro, at the train station. + 33 5 58 933 622 Elisabeth Dong same time as Rinpoche does the prac- email: [email protected] [email protected] tice for the dead in Merigar). * *
Dream Yoga Retreat with Dr. Michael Katz July 27–29, 2007 in Paris * Advanced Course of the Dance of the Song of the Vajra with Adriana dal Borgo August 3–8 2007 at Dejamling *
When I arrive, I’m shown to the 17th century precincts of a Welsh and inside there is a traditional and integrate the energies of the Moving on the campsite. It’s a long time since farmhouse – to the Temple of the altar with a massive statue of dancers within the instant pres- Mandala I’ve slept in a tent. Dark green Vajra at Karmaling in the hall of Padmasambhava on one side of ence of the Vajra Master’s trans- pines press close together on the a 12th century monastery in the the room and a huge photograph mission, the source of each move Vajra Dance retreat at steep slopes above my one-per- French Alps, in order to fi nd the of the 17th Karmapa on the other and mudra of the Vajra Dance. Karmaling son tent. More pines crowd the state of instant presence with side. A mandala of Chakrasam- The intention of all the dancers slopes on the opposite side of the another dedicated combination vara adorns the ceiling and the at this retreat is to perfect the Des Barry river. The water roars down the of Vajra Dancers. wooden fl oor is painted with timing and precision of each valley toward the hydroelectric I’ve been to Karmaling once the tigles and triangles of the dance step in harmony with the ’m on a train from Kunsel- power plants. before so I enter the grey stone Vajra Dance mandala. Fifteen other practitioners who share ling to Karmaling going to a The mandala of the Dance of building and follow the ancient people, led by the dance teacher the space of this dimension of Iretreat to deepen my knowl- the Vajra represents symbolically arched cloister that runs beside Prima Mai, take their places on the Dzogchen teaching. edge of the Dance of the Song of the earth we live on, its connec- a lawn. Above the gardens, on the periphery of the mandala From the fi rst somewhat un- the Vajra. Karmaling is housed in tion with our individual and col- the steep hillside is a huge white for the opening practice of this coordinated steps of the dancers a chartreuse, or monastery, that lective energy, and our state of stupa. It’s bell clangs as some retreat. We begin with the A-kar who adjust between the Gurd- originates in the 12th century. instant presence as it connects unseen practitioner spins the Lama’i Naljyor and then we start jieff-like ‘objectivity’ of Roberto The Dzogchen Community and with the transmission of that prayer wheel inside it. to dance. The clear piano notes Cacciapaglia’s recording and the the Sangha Rimay of Karmaling state from teacher to student. I climb broad stone steps, of Roberto Cacciapaglia’s play- sitar-based swirls of Costantino is now connected through the So my journey is from the man- worn down over centuries by ing of the Song of the Vajra mark Albini’s music, which is punc- Damdrog, or Samaya Fellowship, dala at Kunselling – situated in the feet of contemplatives, and step onto precise points within tuated by shawms and cymbals, agreed between Chögyal Nam- a courtyard that nestles in the make my way to the upper fl oor. the thigles: the meaning of the over the course of the days a khai Norbu and Lama Denys. centre of a low stone tower in the I open the heavy wooden door dance being to activate, resonate harmony emerges, so that these THE MIRROR · No. 87 · July, August 2007
15 arms and feet rise and fall in participating in the Vajra Dance initiation of Jnana Dakini Man- perfect patterns; transitions and Retreat. The traditional orchestra darava, in company with over passages fl ow along the path- of Karmaling offers the blast of seven hundred other practitio- ways around the mandala; and horns, drums, the clash of cym- ners from all over the mandala each movement helps the practi- bals, the skirl of shawms as the of the world, which is given on tioners to fi nd a state of presence sun sets over the distant rock ridg- the last day of the retreat of the and grace; the Dance for each es behind Chambery. source of the Vajra Dance teach- practitioner becoming far more The teaching, practice and lo- ing and the Dzogchen transmis- than the sum of its parts, as each cation of this retreat of the Vajra sion, our Vajra Master, Chögyal dancer pays attention to, and be- Dance are an expression of the Namkhai Norbu. comes more aware of, the whole Damdrog of the Sangha Rimay, mandala to which each of them the Karmaling Community, and belongs. the Dzogchen Community, in ac- On the night of the full moon, tion. And as we fi nish the retreat Lama Denys and the Sangha Rimay in Karmaling, many of the prac- practise a ganapuja of Mahakala titioners decide to go on to Meri- together with the Dzogchen Com- gar, by car or by ship, where we munity practitioners who are arrive just in time to receive the
Cost: Info and Registration: Blue: Anna Diogène Germany Sustaining: 62 ¤; Reduced: 156 ¤; Natalia Gershevskaya Spain [email protected] upcoming Ordinary: 250 ¤ Phone: +49 (0)211 917 90 47 New Spanish Gakyil [email protected] Advanced Course of the Vajra Dance Email: [email protected] Yellow: Yolanda Ferrándia Peter Guest Address: of the Song of the Vajra in Düsseldorf [email protected] peterguest@fi lnet.es Waldorf-Schule, Diepenstr. 15 Dzogchen Gemeinschaft Deutschland e.V. with Prima Mai Rosa Forns [email protected] 40625 Düsseldorf Stadtsparkasse Duesseldorf September 29 – October 2, 2007 [email protected] Lella Guidotti account number: 110 478 91 The German Dzogchen Community is Tentative course schedule: [email protected] [email protected] BLZ: 30050110 pleased to announce that Prima Mai Friday 18.00 –20.00 pm Trinidad Ortega [email protected] For transfers from other Euro-Countries: will teach the course of the Vajra Dance Saturday–Monday 10.30 – 12.30 am + [email protected] IBAN: DE40300501100011047891 of the Song of the Vajra for advanced 16.00–19.00 pm for practice [email protected] BIC: DUSSDEDDXXX practitioners in Düsseldorf, Germany. Tuesday 10.30 – 12.30 am + afternoon Red: Antonio Gómez This is a special opportunity for by request [email protected] advanced Vajra Dance practitioners to [email protected] deepen their knowledge of the practice Carlos Jáñez and make it more precise. To attend this course one should know one part (Pawo [email protected] or Pamo) of the Vajra Dance of the Song [email protected] of the Vajra well. Adela Moragas Membership in the Dzogchen Commu- [email protected] nity is required. [email protected]
east Merigar East 23 August 907005 phone: 0040 746 26 08 61 merigar Asociatia Culturala Comunitatea Dzog-Chen Constanta offi [email protected] Romania wwww.dzogchen.ro
original Merigar has now be- the countries which have no Blue: Gabriella Schneider for the place and climate and forming the new come Merigar West. Gakyil, should try to form one. [email protected] that are not too expensive. He merigar east gakyil Up to now the new Merigar In that way each of the coun- Yellow: Ida Pazman underlined the importance of us- East has had a small Gakyil of tries involved would have their [email protected] ing the money of the Community July 23, 2007 – Merigar East three people who worked very own Gakyil and could put for- Red: Attila Frugyik carefully and in a correct way. Shortly after the fi rst interna- hard to organize for the fi rst ward a representative from their [email protected] tional retreat fi nished at Merigar recent retreat held there. As the country to be a member of the Gekoes: Josef Imre Liz Granger & East last July; Chögyal Namkhai meeting progressed Rinpoche Merigar East Gakyil although [email protected] Karin Eisenegger Norbu called a meeting to select gave a very clear outline of how this person would not necessar- Russian speaking countries International Gakyil a Gakyil for the new Merigar the new Merigar East Gakyil ily need to be from their own representative: Yana Sokolova [email protected] East. He opened the meeting should be made up. First, there national Gakyil. He asked the [email protected] by saying that the Gars in the would be nine people on the Gakyil of each country to send Dzogchen Community are im- Gakyil, with the three people the name of their representative The meeting drew to a close with portant because they are all who had worked in the Gakyil up to the International Gakyil who the Master’s advice about build- related to the Dzogchen Teach- to now, continuing their work. would forward it to Rinpoche for ing the large Gonpa and other ing, which he has taught and Rinpoche said that they had al- approval. buildings that he has designed continues to teach. The fi rst Gar ready had plenty of experience for the Gar. He urged the Gakyil to be formed in Italy where the and should take the main re- At the time of writing, the mem- to investigate the situation well Master lived was Merigar, which sponsibility for the Gakyil and bers of the Merigar East Gakyil and look around for building became the origin of the other become like a “pillar”. are: materials that are appropriate Gars around the world and a ref- Then there would be six more erence point for European people people who should collaborate in the Community. As the Com- with them. The Master said that munity steadily grew around he would like people from near- the world, Tashigar was formed by countries to be on the Gakyil in Argentina and Tsegyalgar in and suggested one representa- the USA. As things progressed tive from each of the following and the Community continued countries: Hungary, Bulgaria, to develop, Tashigar North was the Czech Republic, Slovakia, also created in Venezuela later Moldavia and Poland and a newly on and the old Tashigar became elected representative from the passages Tashigar South while in the USA new Gakyil of Russian speakers. Tsegyalgar West came into being Rinpoche pointed out that it was Married: On 17th August 2007 Dorjo in Baja, Mexico while the origi- essential for people on the Gaky- Dugarov married Natalia in Ulan-Ude, nal Tsegyalgar in Massachusetts il to be active and in particular Buryatia. became Tsegyalgar East. collaborate and communicate. Dorjo is the son of Batodalai Dugarov, a Now with the growth of the Since there were not a large celebrated Buryat artist and Dzogchen Dzogchen Community in Eu- number of people present from practitioner who is known in the rope there was need for another those countries at the meet- Dzogchen Community for his precious Merigar, Merigar East while the ing, Rinpoche suggested that work decorating the Gonpa at Merigar. THE MIRROR · No. 87 · July, August 2007
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east DCA Tsegyalgar East tsegyalgar PO Box 479 Phone: 413 369 4153 [email protected] Conway, MA 01341 USA Fax & Bookstore: 413 369 4473 www.tsegyalgar.org
November December October 13 November 4 December 5–10 December 27–Jan 3 retreats Karma Yoga at the Schoolhouse, Conway Anniversary of Adzom Drugpa Advanced Song of Vajra Open Webcast with Chögyal Namkhai Worldwide Transmission of Guruyoga Dance Course with Adriana Del Borgo Norbu Rinpoche October 27 Retreat of Teaching on Longchenpa’s and Karma Yoga Day at Khandroling November 9–11 December 8–9 Choszhi Rinchen Phrengwa [Sung Thorbu Introduction to Yantra Yoga Bagchen Practice Weekend in honor vol. P. 247] courses October 27–28 Course of the birthday of Chögyal Namkhai Purifi cation of the Six Lokas Practice Norbu. Retreat Weekend November 17–18 Weekly Practices Medium Thun December 8 Collective Practices: Sundays at 9:30 am October October 28 Practice Retreat Weekend Rinpoche’s Birthday Vajra Dance: Sundays at 11 am; October 5–11 Explanation of the practice for receiv- Mandarava Long life Practice Thursdays at 7 pm; Fridays at 9 am Open Webcast with Chögyal Namkhai ing the Worldwide Transmission of November 25–29 Yantra Yoga: Tuesdays at 6 pm Norbu Rinpoche Guruyoga 3 pm Open Webcast with Chögyal Namkhai December 9 Teachings and practice of Buddha Norbu Rinpoche Ganapuja and Birthday Party Shakyamuni’s Praises to the 21 Taras Teachings on Longchenpa’s 30 Nyingtams [Sung Thorbu vol. I P. 354]
eral practice meditations that New online bookstore upcoming santi maha sangha base level retreat can be done not only in the con- We are happy to announce that our new SMS Base Level Retreat with jim valby text of a thun, but also on a daily online bookstore is now up. We had to Kundrolling NYC basis given a few free moments. rebuild it due to problems with our old with Jim Valby site. To visit the new site, go to: yantra yoga I’ve been lucky enough to attend Jim Valby will be returning in November www.tsegyalgareast.org/bookstore with paula barry and oni mckinstry retreats with Jim twice before, 2007, to offer the following: SMS Base
but every time I feel like I leave Practice retreat emphasizing Anuyoga Best wishes, vajra dance the retreat with a huge amount Friday, Nov 9, 5–7 pm, Matthew Schmookler with bodhi krause of new information. Shitro Ganapuja explanation Tsegyalgar Bookstore Paula Barry taught Yantra Friday, Nov 9, 7:30–9 pm, khandroling, tsegyalgar east 413-369-4473 (Ph/Fax) Yoga in the afternoons. The New Moon Shitro Ganapuja massachusetts, usa PO Box 479 classes were held outside, where Saturday, Nov 10, 10 am–12 noon, summer 2007: base level, aug 3–11; level 1, aug 13–21 Conway, MA 0134 1 Paula instructed us on the eight 2 pm–4:30 pm
movements. It is always helpful Sunday, Nov 11, 10 am–12 noon, laurie blumberg to practice yantra with a group, 2 pm–4:30 pm and this was no exception, espe- $25 per session, $100 for all weekend, he Santi Maha Sangha structor, taught in a simple, cially with such a patient leader. New York City 10% discount to kundrolling donors upcoming Base Retreat on Khan- clear manner, and instructed us In the evenings, a group practice and sustaining members T droling with Jim Valby not only on the body level physi- was offered in Rinpoche’s cabin. Dream Yoga and was an absolutely wonderful ex- cal steps, but also the voice and There was a different practice ev- “Lucid Dream Theater Work” Best wishes, perience. The days were full of mind components. ery night, including the Medium with Dr. Michael Katz the New York Dzogchen Community activities, but never overwhelm- It was a pure pleasure to re- Thun, Chöd, and Shitro. And Location: Kundrolling 151 West 30th St. Sponsored by the ing. This was my fi rst time at ceive Jim Valby’s teachings twice certainly not to be forgotten, the 4th Floor, New York, 10001 NY Dzogchen Community Khandroling, and as much as a day. The teachings were held food was wonderful. www.nydzogchen.com I’ve heard about the sacredness in Rinpoche’s cabin, and sitting All in all, about thirty prac- 4 evening classes Monday hotline: 212 564 10 24 of the land, it could not prepare there seemed like the perfect titioners attended the retreat, September 17, 24, Oct 1, 15 * me for actually being there. I environment to work with the and it seemed that we really (no class on Columbus day 10/8) upcoming have heard stories of other prac- transmission and continue our came together as a group, and at Kundrolling 151 W. 30th Sat. 4th Floor Yantra Yoga titioners’ experiences, such as learning. I’m sure many practi- formed wonderful new connec- Kundrolling NYC Cost; $ 20. per class; $ 75. full course seeing Goma Devi rising over the tioners would agree that the book tions. I feel it was a perfect ex- November –December 2007 pond, and of course Rinpoche’s The Precious Vase can be over- ample of the collaborative effort Michael Katz, editor of “Dream Yoga There will be a beginner’s weekend experiences. While I did not have whelming in that it is so packed that Rinpoche has requested of and the Practice of Natural Light” by and intermediate on going Yantra Yoga such experiences, I did have the full of information. Jim was able us. I would highly recommend Chögyal Namkhai Norbu and author of course at Kundrolling, New York City, intense feeling that I was never to break it down and explain it in the retreat to anyone who is con- “The White Dolphin” is a psychologist led by Naomi Zeitz. alone, and was surrounded by digestible, understandable sec- sidering attending next year. who has lectured and led workshops in Beginner’s Weekend the Guardians and many other tions. The teachings were also The land, the practices, and the over 10 countries on dream yoga and Open to all sentient beings. very applicable to daily life. When Sangha are certainly something lucidity for personal growth. He is the November 16 and 18 To wake up early in the morn- listening to him, it was easier to to be experienced. originator of “Lucid Dream Theater Friday November 16 7–9 pm ing and practice the Vajra Dance recognize how I get caught up in Work, and is also completing a book on Sat + Sun 10 am to noon + 2:00 – 4:00 pm was an invaluable experience. my emotions and spiritual trips. dream work to be published by Snow Bodhi Krause, the dance in- Jim also walked us through sev- lion Publications spring 2008. Intermediate Course For those who know the tsijong and The course is intended to develop the 8 movements at least. capacity to dream lucidly, enhance Focusing on the yantras and pranayamas creativity, and transpersonal spiritual/ of the 1st and 2nd series. We will also psychological growth through powerful review the preliminary series focusing techniques of dream yoga and psycho- on the 8 movements. drama. November 15 – December 13 Dr. Katz has practiced Tibetan Bud- 5 Thursday evenings 7 pm – 9 pm:No- dhism and Dzogchen meditation since vember 15, 22, 29 + December 6 and 13 1974. December 1, Saturday morning, 10 – noon www.nydzogchen.com/dream.html Cost: http://picasaweb.google.com/ Beginner’s Weekend zak10016/DreamYogaPrograms? $ 20 per session authkey=bY6orHk90Ok For all 5 sessions prepaid $ 80 Please register in advance to hold a Intermediate place; $100 for 5 Thursdays and one Saturday [email protected] to be paid at the beginning session * Location: Kundrolling 151 W. 30th Sat. 4th Floor Contact: Jane Fulton SMS Base Level Participants and Jim Valby. Photo: Joey Mella [email protected] THE MIRROR · No. 87 · July, August 2007
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west Tsegyalgar West/Baja Mexico [email protected] tsegyalgar Dzogchen Community West Coast 755 Euclid Ave. carolfi [email protected] Berkeley, CA 94708 www.bahasangha.org upcoming Retreat in English, simultaneous where the land of Jardin de los Naranjos Our special needs for Pioneers at this SMS Retreat, Mexico City Spanish translation is located. It is a forty-fi ve minute drive time in order of preference: ability to with Dr. Jim Valby For more information: to the international airport from the lead practices including the Ganapuja; Oct. 25–Nov. 4, 2007 [email protected] property. Spanish language fl uency; construction hosted by Pelzomling * Currently, we are in the process of and fi nish-work skills; cooking skills; pioneers needed for baja planning the completion of 22 one- ranch or rural background including October 25th: Public Talk dzogchen community land at room casitas already on the property, experience with fencing and domestic 7:30–9:30 p.m. $ 5.00 dollar donation the tsegyalgar west winter the water system, the toilets, and other animal control water systems, and or “The Three Paths of Liberation: Sutra, gar, jardin de los naranjos, related structures. composting; ability to identify plants Tantra and Dzogchen” baja california sur, mexico We are looking for members or close and create trail guides and markers. October 26th–November 4th: s many of you know, we have friends of the Dzogchen Community who We are seeking candidates who have SMS Retreat and Participation in the been given a wonderfully large would be comfortable living in this wild one or more of these competencies. Worldwide Transmission webcast A(3,000 acres) and beautiful piece and unspoiled landscape, and who would Pioneers are responsible for their with Chögyal Namkhai Norbu at 6 a.m., of wild ranch land in Baja California Sur, be able to commit themselves to a stay of transportation to and from Baja. While Nov. 4th. Mexico, near the towns and beaches a minimum of 6 months, but preferably working at the Gar, they are supplied attend Dzogchen Community events on which are most attractive to tourists and up to a year if this is agreeable to them food, camp lodging, transportation, and the land free of cost. Schedules: Weekends: 9:30 a.m.–7:30 to ex-patriots who have retired there. and to the Gakyil. All volunteers are on coverage of sundry expenses. They also For more detailed information, and an p.m. Weeknights: 7:30 p.m.–9:30 p.m. Small groups of rural ranchero families probation during their fi rst three months earn credits toward personal retreats application form, please contact: Closing Day, Nov. 4th: 6:00 a.m.–1:00 live scattered throughout the valley and may be invited to stay longer. at Tsegyalgar West/Los Naranjos and offi [email protected] p.m. $ 180.00 dollars
norte Tashigar North /Finca Tashigar Prolongación de la Calle Bolivar Tel: 0058 0295 2580332 tashigar Valle de Pedro González [email protected] Isla de Margarita www.dzogchenvenezuela.org
Omission: lot to consider because of the position tool shed as this is also an agricultural In the last issue Mirror 86 we omitted of the retreat house. If the house was building serving as a storage shed for the name of the new gekö of Tashigar on stilts it would be too visible because the tools necessary to plant and main- Norte, Margarita Island. It is Ales the stilts would need to be 2 meters and tain fruit trees and keep them watered. Ryznar from Czech Republic. Our 20 out of the ground. Wood is not an Foundations will be one meter at the apologies. option, as it would get eaten in a short back with steel and concrete under- * time, and concrete would be ugly, so ground to anchor the structure down. we have carved into the mountain after This is a serious retreat house that First Retreat Cabin doing the necessary sang with the Com- will be built in adobe bricks to keep great drainage. This retreat house is in Venezuela. Many luxury condos are munity. This option provides shelter the temperature of the practitioner’s going to be the yogi and yogini’s dream. being constructed like this in Mar- by Robin Bennett, Red Gakyil from the sun on three sides. It is quite body down. High-tension cables to the The adobe brick is part sand mud and a garita, so why not the Tashigar North We are working away at the famous hot at the site. The carved out shape is a retreat house would be expensive, so little cement, compacted by a huge me- adobe retreat house? We hope people retreat cabin. We have unfortunately half moon and the front will face north. there will be no air conditioning, there- chanical compressor that gives it stone will fl ock to it. encountered some obstacles, however All of the half moon will be cover ed, but fore the idea of the adobe half inside the like durability without the heat. This is a we are going ahead all the same and only a quarter of it will be the retreat mountain. There should be no problem method developed by an American that have started the foundation. There is a space and the other part will serve as a with humidity because the ground has is now getting governmental approval
sur Tashigar South Tanti 5155 Phone & Fax: 0054 - 3541 - 498 356 tashigar Comunidad Dzogchen Tashigar Pcia. de Córdoba [email protected] Calle pública S/N Argentina
Yantra Yoga Tashigar South place if there are not a minimum num- fi rst one and 85 for the second. If the January–February 2008 ber of participants. number or participants is high, the fees passages Dear Vajra brothers and sisters, To participate in these courses it is can be reduced a little. The Gakyil of Tashigar South has the necessary to have a good knowledge So please, if you are really interested Died: Dear Vajra Brothers and Sisters intention to organize a Teacher’s Train- of Yantra Yoga, as the fi rst one is in- and you think you will be able to par- We are sorry to inform you that Dante ing course for the First Level of Yantra tended for people who want to deepen ticipate, communicate your intention Kabakian, 27 years old, a member of the Yoga, led by the two main teachers, their practice or aspire to become an to our secretary as soon as possible at Dzogchen Community from December Laura Evangelisti and Fabio Andrico, instructor of the First Level of Yantra [email protected], with copy to 2006, died on July 24, 2007, at 14.30 hs from next January 29th to February (preliminaries, fi rst and second group [email protected]. in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Please do 2nd, and also a course on the Variations of Yantras with their pranayamas and Thanks a lot and best wishes to all of you practice for him. of the Yantras, with Laura Evangelisti, Vajra Wave), and the second one is for Gakyil of Tashigar Sur Gakyil of Tashigar Sur from February 13 to 16. people who already know the yantras As the organization of these courses and now want to learn the variations. [email protected] represents a very important amount of The price for the courses (no dis- www.tashigar-sur.com.ar money for our Gar, they will not take counts available) is 150 dollars for the Tel: 03541-498356 /885
Namgyalgar PO Box 214 Central Tilba [email protected] namgyalgar Dzogchen Community in NSW 2546 www.dzogchen.org.au Australia Phone/Fax: 61 02 4473 7668 and pacifi c rim passages Born: Tara I Te Rangi (which translated into Maori means Tara – top not or pin- nacle of the sky). Tara I Te Rangi was conceived on pilgrimage to the Mara- Errata tika caves. She was born to Rinpoche’s students Paora Paul Joseph and Janine In the last issue of The Mirror, #86, there was an error in a photo caption on page 10 Martin on June 29th, 2007 in Taranaki, in the ASIA article “Golok traditional Tibetan school”. The man referred to was not New Zealand. the Dutch Ambassador, but Tsering Tar from Amdo, Tibet. THE MIRROR · No. 87 · July, August 2007
18 passages Dharamsala, but he had never an extremely dangerous pass, met Norbu, as we used to call and Tsewang thinks it could Died: Dear Vajra family, him then. have been months before the day We are sad to inform you that our Vajra When he stepped off the bus fi nally came when the Lama said, sister Marina Kiseleva tragically died outside the retreat place, I was “Now is the time.” Anam looked August 16th at 11 p.m. Moscow time (7 there to meet him and greet up at the blue sky and roused the p.m. GMT). She fell down to her death that grin again. When he met entire party of relatives, yaks, from a rock at Caucasus where she was Rinpoche he knew immediately, goats, and horses and told them away on holiday with her husband and as we all did, he had met his mas- to start walking. teenage daughter (both are also from ter, and after the retreat Tsewang Tsewang remembers walking Community). joined our Sydney Dzogchen through the high snowy pass, practice group. which could have erupted, into Tsewang became an impor- a blizzard at any moment; the tant part of our spiritual com- place was strewn with frozen munity, a friend to all of us, and bodies. There were so many of a real Vajra brother, never once them that they couldn’t walk using his status as a Tibetan ex around them, they had to walk monk, to differentiate himself in right over top. Tsewang remem- any way. In fact for a long time we bered seeing a man sitting bolt knew very little about his past. upright in the lotus position, It wasn’t until years later that frozen solid. He also saw a horse I learned all the stories of his standing upright, frozen solid. childhood and his journey out His grandfather told him to keep of Tibet. His then partner, Sa- walking. Before the end of the bina Lauber, and my ex partner, day, they were clear of the pass; Marina was one of the most active Brian Joyce, Tsewang and myself just as the party had made it safe- people in the Russian Dzogchen Com- collaborated on his biographical ly through, the sky clouded and munity – she was a member of Moscow theatre show, Hanging Onto The a blizzard began behind them. If yellow Gakyil and also offi cial director Tail Of a Goat. This was a very not for the Teacher, they surely of Moscow Dzogchen Community. She special time for us as we listened would have joined the frozen was sincere and openhearted person and work-shopped all the stories dead. and many people loved her. of his earlier life. Later when I Please do Shitro practice for Marina. was working on the script alone The second of Tsewang’s impor- Take care, I remember being so happy every tant teachers who I want to men- Gakyil of Moscow DC Rinchenling day to sit down and step into his tion was of course the Dalai Lama shoes, becoming Tsewang - the himself. Tsewang was placed young boy playing with his goats, Tsewang and Kirsty Barclay. Photo: Erin Wallis in the Namgyal Tantric College or meeting the yak that led them in Dharamsala, His Holiness’s passages across the diffi cult mountain Tsewang told me he had about private monastery, and stayed terrain to Nepal, or later as the Kirsty Barclay, Tsewang’s wife 200 teachers in his life. But to- there through his youth, until Died: Tenzing Tsewang passed small boy in a Nepalese school – from her Verbal Tribute at the day, I want to mention three that he reached his early 20’s. He was away unexpectedly on Monday who never gave up hope of being Memorial Service on Salt Spring came across to me as being espe- very privileged to receive direct evening, August 13 in Canada, reunited with his family. Island, BC, Canada, cially important. When he was a teachings as a monk. This period where he had been living for the The show was a success and August 25, 2007 little boy, as you may know, he of his life was extremely valuable past 2 years. He was healthy and had repeat performances at the traveled out of Tibet to escape the to him, but he left the monkhood happy and had taken an evening Sydney Opera House and toured sewang left us a great in- Chinese army, with family mem- and chose to become a layman. walk, when he had a heart attack. to other venues over 3 years. We heritance. The nature of bers. On the way his party en- Many years later in Australia, He was rushed to hospital but started work on another one- T his death is itself a teach- countered a very high Lama lead- he encountered Chögyal Nam- they were unable to revive him. man show about the Bardo Thö- ing on impermanence, and on ing another party. They decided khai Norbu. Tsewang was one of drol – A series of instructions for the importance of life. One of the to stay together for some time, Rinpoche’s early students, and Tsewang was one of Rinpoche’s liberation at the time of death, things he gave to me was a teach- and Tsewang's entire party re- therefore he got to spend a lot of early students, and was very with the same team. We even ing on how to enjoy a cup of tea, ceived direct transmissions from personal time with the Master. committed to the teachings. His performed a work in progress really enjoy a cup of tea. He used this teacher. It was a very special They watched a lot of Bollywood grandfather and father in Tibet at Carnivale Festival in Sydney to say to me “Relax, relax and time for the family. They had to movies, they cooked together, practiced Nyingma Buddhism, but were forced to shelve it when just enjoy the tea.” So instead of eventually move along through a and Chögyal Namkhai Norbu and Rinpoche’s teachings were a funding for the next year’s fes- thinking about other things I felt very dangerous area. The Lama also sang on one Tsewang’s CDs, profound connection to his heri- tival was cut. Tsewang was to I should be doing, I would just sit began to pray for guidance. Gawala (How Happy). tage. As a musician and actor, play a chödpa, a lone practitioner and take an extremely stress- One day he fi nished his This was a wonderful time Tsewang touched many people who made a living performing busting pause to deeply enjoy a prayers, and he told Tsewang's for Tsewang, and he remained all over the world with his beau- sky burials on a high Tibetan cup of tea. He often said things grandfather, Anam, that a very devoted to Chögyal Norbu and tiful music and stories. plateau. The play would also like, “Baby, a millionaire can't large wild yak, a dong, about his Dzogchen teachings to the be an instruction on the Bardo buy this,” and “As for Samsara, double the size of the domestic end of his life... Tsewang really – the in between period between this is as good as it gets.” He yak, would come to lead them liked the directness, the subtle- From Jan Cornall, Long Time death and rebirth. We had many also knew how to really focus at through safely. Shortly there- ty, the fully integrated practice, Friend, Co-Creator of Tsewang’s long discussions about how to work, really be there and make it after, one night Tsewang was and the lack of outward show One Man Show, Hanging on to the approach this topic. Tsewang a meditation. That's what was so awakened by a loud commo- that Dzogchen offers. He record- Tail of a Goat, Australia wanted to wake people up, to amazing about him, and prob- tion outside. He could hear yaks ed his feelings in his life story, shock them and inspire them ably why he touched so many fi ghting and struggling, and which has only one chapter left fi rst met Tsewang in the ear- with a very real experience of the people. He was really present. trampling toward the tent. He to be fi nished. I intend to write ly 90’s at an Australia-Tibet Bardo, and to show them – if you alerted his grandfather, who that chapter, with a little help I Youth function in Sydney. I are prepared for death, there is I think Tenzing Tsewang was looked out and saw a huge crush from his loved ones. can still see him standing across nothing to fear. well prepared for death. He had of yaks surrounding a large wild the room in a white shirt, hand- read the Tibetan Book of the dong who had come into their some, laughing, as if lit with a Early in August when I heard Dead many times, worked on midst. They were stampeding glow, in the way all the impor- news of Tsewang’s death, I re- a script about it, had copious straight toward the family tent. tant people in my life seem to be alized he had jumped the gun notes in his fi les, had written a Anam ordered everyone out of on our fi rst meeting. on the Bardo performance. It rough translation of it himself, the tent just in time before the We met again when I was sell- worked. It shocked me, woke me and read the entire book of the yaks completely trampled it. ing books at a street stall to raise up, and made me remember what Bardo cover to cover earlier this In the morning, the dong was money for our Sydney Dzogchen is in store for all of us. Death year. He was very inspired by its standing up high on a ridge, Community. I gave him a bro- caught me out again – showed beauty. Also, despite his appar- away from the domestic yaks. chure about the visit of my teach- me what a fool I was to expect ent good health, he used to say He seemed just to be waiting for er, Tibetan Dzogchen Master one day to have more conversa- to me, “we shouldn't put off our them. The Lama said, “there he Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, who tions with Tsewang about our practice in life; death comes sud- is, he will lead us out of here.” was coming to lead a retreat in play, to blithely assume that I denly.” I thought he was talking They began to follow the Dong Australia. Of course Tsewang would bump into him again … about me. and he led them all the way to the had met many Tibetan teachers most treacherous mountain pass and spent 12 years as a monk in How did such a person evolve? of all. There they had to wait and HH Dalai Lama’s monastery in again the Lama prayed. This was THE MIRROR · No. 87 · July, August 2007 Playing
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sions, we can discover how we someone to play with and … have and substitutes the black counter mig-mang relate and observe our minds. fun! with a white one (fi g.2a). Perhaps it is because ‘it is only a a tibetan game game’ that we are able to main- You need: a board with 9 squares In order to ‘eat’, a player has to tain the slightest detachment along the sides, 30 white coun- be active in imprisoning his op- adriana dal borgo from our emotions that allows ters and 30 black (or two differ- ponent’s counters. For example, us to observe them. ent colors, you can use shells, if the black moves between two inpoche said, “Mig-mang games got to do with the Teach- We train in presence especial- stones, colored chips). white counters (fi g.3), in this is an old Tibetan game. ing? ly when we play mig-mang. The case the black isn’t eaten. RSakyapandita (12th–13th Chögyal Namkhai Norbu: game becomes more interesting How to play: two people sit on century) wrote in one of his “Here in Margarita, every Sunday when we play quickly, without opposite sides of the board, each When you have a little more fa- books, “You should be present we relax and play bagchen…” And thinking too much about pos- chooses a color and places part miliarity with the game, you without getting distracted, as in not only does this happen in Mar- sible moves, and leaving more of their counters along the side could try this variation: the rules the game of mig-mang”. Sak ya- garita. The Master often gives us space for intuition. When we of the board as shown in fi gure 1. are the same but you can move pandita said that you should be a little of his precious time and play, we develop a vision of the The person with the white coun- the counters in all directions – present and should not reason, spends entire afternoons play- whole game rather than concen- ters starts the game and the vertically, horizontally and also you should not get distracted ing games. The favorite games trating only on details and then players take turns. A player wins diagonally. just like when you play mig-mang. are “bag-chen” and “mig-mang” being inevitably distracted by when his/her opponent has only Mig means ‘eyes’, mang means but there are also others such them. We should also be atten- 3 counters left on the board. Some advice: try to move your ‘many’, and so the name means as the Tibetan dice game “sho”, tive and, at the same time, fl ex- counters quickly, without rea- ‘many eyes’”. and “the horn and the hare”. ible in order to be able to modify Rules: you can move the counters soning too much (use your clar- Games are an activity that Like all the activities we do with our game according to circum- any number of squares horizon- ity…). Keep your attention on is often underrated and in fact, Rinpoche, these games are not stances (in this case our adver- tally and vertically, backwards the whole board as much as pos- people say, ‘it’s only a game’ to just pastimes, but opportunities sary’s moves). Why don’t we try and forwards. When one player sible, otherwise you will fi nd make something seem less im- to receive profound Teachings. to train our presence together closes one or more of the oppo- your counters rapidly decreasing portant. However, at the same When we play, we relax and, playing mig-mang? nent’s counters between two of in number! It is important not time, we all know the great edu- in a less serious and formal con- It isn’t necessary to wait for his, we say that he ‘eats’ them to move – as long as you are not cational, social and relational text, a little freer than our usual the Master to be with us. We can and removes his opponent’s forced to – the counters at the value of games. But what have limits, expectations and ten- ‘practice’ in any circumstance counters substituting them with corners of the board (each player and with anyone. the same number of his own col- has two of them) because they The rules are simple and ev- or. E.g. the white moves next to occupy a strategically important eryone can prepare the materials the black (fi g.2) imprisoning it position. You’ll fi nd out with necessary at home, and then fi nd your fi rst game!!!
fi g. 2a fi g. 3
fi g. 1
fi g. 1a
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gave me the complete teaching about the ego. I saw myself in the mirror. I saw my how i met attitude, I saw the people who were wait- ing, I saw the impolite manner of my ac- tion, and I understood all this in the in- chögyal namkhai norbu stant when I met his gaze. After a break, which seemed endless gabriella schneider to me, and in a tone that seemed to disap- prove fully of attitudes like mine, Rinpoche said, “It is a mantra”, and turned his face n 1991 I saw the name Chögyal Nam- three days I was still the same. Chögyal back to the girls. I felt paralyzed, realizing khai Norbu and the word Dzogchen Namkhai Norbu talked about things like how narrow-minded, egotistic, and igno- I for the fi rst time in a book with the Tantra and Sutra and Dzogchen, but for rant I am. I was unspeakably ashamed of title “Der Kristallweg”. This book was a me it was too much for the fi rst time, even myself and sad, very sad about my image milestone in my life, which was a good after having read his book, it wasn’t clear in the mirror... life with a family, children, job, holidays for me what exactly the difference was be- and so on. Then, in 1997, I discovered that tween them, and what was Dzogchen. After a while, my fi ghting Aries nature there was a Dzogchen Community in Ger- was ready to act again. “Oh, yes, I know many and I joined the Düsseldorf group. It In September 1998, I decided to go to my now how my attitude should be. No, I can- was there that I heard for the Song of Vajra second retreat with Rinpoche, in Cergy, up to see him. Chögyal Namkhai Norbu not leave this situation as it is. I must apol- for fi rst time and I couldn’t stop crying, France. On the fi rst day I bought a picture was the fi rst Master I met in this life, and ogize. I have to do it all again, this time in while my mind thought: “That is it. You’ve of Rinpoche in a Yantra Yoga position and I didn’t have any experience with Bud- the correct way”. arrived home”. after the teaching I went to him quickly, dhist masters. I was an innocent, ignorant I went to the end of the line of people and asked him to sign it. He did. Happily, Westerner. waiting. It was a very big line and it was In March of 1998, I went to my fi rst I went back to my place where I discovered late. I was terribly afraid of the thought Dzogchen teaching with Chögyal Nam- that he had drawn for me an unknown and So, I went directly towards the throne. I that maybe they would close the line and khai Norbu in Chiemgau. It was a short mysterious sign. I wondered how that let- went directly through the middle of the I would not be able to talk again to the weekend retreat, and I expected a kind of ter sounded. Curious to fi nd it out, I went hall and stopped in front of Rinpoche’s Master. Finally I arrived to Rinpoche, wonder; the Master would do something, back to Rinpoche. A big crowd of people throne. Rinpoche was talking with two this time in the right way and at the right I would have some kind of special expe- was waiting, to the left of the throne, to girls, looking to the left, at them. I didn’t place. I didn’t know if Rinpoche remem- rience (no idea what kind of experience, talk to him. care. I said, stretching my hand with the bered me, but I apologized for my attitude but I thought that all people who follow picture almost under Rinpoche’s nose, and showing him the picture with the Rinpoche would have the same experi- Here, at this point, I must tell you, I didn’t “Rinpoche, Rinpoche, what is this?” Like mysterious letter, I asked him, “Please, ence), and then I would become someone know anything about the rules of behavior in slow motion, very, very slowly, Rinpoche Rinpoche, can you tell me, which mantra else, another being, something special, toward a Master. In Chiemgau I didn’t go turned his face to me; like an elephant to this is?” Rinpoche smiled kindly and said, already illuminated. Don’t laugh, please! up to see Rinpoche and I also didn’t follow a mosquito. His eyes looked directly in my “It is a mantra for all, like OM A HUNG”. Nothing happened, and at the end of the what other people were doing when went eyes. Hedewa*! In this moment, Rinpoche He smiled!!! At me!!! Oh, thank you, Mas- ter, you forgive me...
Chögyal Namkhai Here we are explaining Tsalung practices which The next day, during the Song of Vajra, I Norbu put a lot of emphasis on heat. If people are living in recognized deeply and sincerely my faults Mandarava Tsalung a warm place they wonder why we need even more and felt the genuine wish to unify my state Practices heat. Even if the weather is warm it doesn’t mean with the state of the Master. In this state, Transcription of oral we have developed our inner heat. What we need I had a vision. It was for me the beginning Teachings on The pro- to develop is inner heat because it is important for of “no doubts” about the Master and his found Crucial Upadesha discovering and developing sensation. The sensation teaching. And the beginning of my under- of the Long Life Prac- of pleasure is one of the most important means for standing of Dzogchen. tice “The Vajra Vital Es- having knowledge and realization. If we don’t develop sence” inner heat we don’t have that possibility. Oh, yes, I forgot to tell you, what Rinpoche Tashigar Norte, Isla When you do these practices in a perfect way, re- wrote on my picture was the mantra of the Margarita, Venezuela, laxing in the sensation of the pleasure feeling and Longsal teachings. August 2004 staying in this presence, combining it with the vi- sualization, you can obtain the following benefi ts: * hedewa - state free of mental activity, startled, The Tsalung practices all the self-perfected, lhundrub qualities arise; also shocked surprise without concepts. contained in this book you automatically overcome attachment to food and belong to Longsal Cycle of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu. you can easily integrate and stay As Rinpoche explained: “The most important part in instant presence forever. It of all Tantric practices is Tsalung. What does this also becomes a very important word really mean? Tsa means channels; lung means purifi cation of negative karma prana energy – so altogether it means how the prana and any kinds of obstacles. Your is related with the channels and how we should work clarity will manifest and develop with these. and you will be able to go beyond We always prepare to do the Tsalung practices by your limitations.” doing the main practice of Mandarava. Also you re- member that Mandarava manifests the three Kayas. Shang Shung Edizioni books can We stay in the presence of whichever aspect is neces- be ordered on-line visiting the sary for the particular practice we are doing. website http://shop-it.shangshung institute.org
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