THE MIRROR Newspaper of the International Dzogchen Community Seot/Oct 2006 • Issue No. 82
Teachings in Barcelona, Spain with Chögyal Namkhai Norbu photo by Romain Piro “IT’S NOT EASY TO BE LIKE Community groups such as ASIA, the Shang mandala. In preparation for the Guru Yoga all of which were led by older students. The MILAREPA, TODAY”… Shung Institute, The Mirror and the various empowerment he gave at the end of the ses- two-hour teaching sessions were transmitted LONGSAL ATI’I GONGPA NGOTROD publishing houses were able to present a col- sion, he emphasized that one should consider around the world by closed video and audio RETREAT orful array of initiatives, materials and publi- the master as a realized being in order to have webcast by the hard-working webcast team. WITH CHÖGYAL NAMKHAI NORBU cations by the Master. a high level of realization. The retreat was rich with special and unique BARCELONA This year the Teaching was entitled, “Longsal During another teaching session the Master moments. One of them was on the penultimate OCTOBER 26-30, 2006 Ati’i Gongpa Ngotrod”, the Upadesha of also gave a clear concise explanation of the day of the retreat during the afternoon Introduction to the State of Ati, which belongs Song of the Vajra which is so essential to Ganapuja, when Pamo and Pawo Dancers by Liz Granger to Chögyal Namkhai Norbu’s Longsal Cycle Dzogchen practice, adding that it is a power- stepped onto the Mandalas in the hall to per- of teachings. The dreams through which this ful mantra which can give a cause for libera- form the Dance of the Song of the Vajra. This nce again the Spanish city of upadesha was discovered are linked to tion simply through hearing it. In fact, was followed by a moving presentation by Barcelona, home to the painter Picasso Vairocana, to Rinpoche’s Root Guru, Rigdzin throughout the entire retreat Chögyal ASIA of their precious work in Tibet to pre- and the setting for the unique works of Changchub Dorje, and to his uncle, Khyentse Namkhai Norbu combined essential instruc- serve language and culture through distance O Rinpoche Chökyi Wangchug. tions on the Four Contemplations of Semde sponsorship and education and health projects the visionary architect Gaudi, became the ven- ue for a five-day retreat with Master Chögyal During the first introductory teaching session and the fundamental aspects of khatag and and finally by the lively ‘traditional’ lottery Namkhai Norbu. The city with its sandy palm- Chögyal Namkhai Norbu spoke at length and lhundrub, more familiar to longer-standing managed by Rinpoche and full of wonderful lined beaches and unique skyline combining in detail about his meeting with his Root students, with practical instructions and expla- personal prizes from the Master himself. dynamic modernism with the romantic tradi- Master and the significance of their relation- nations on more basic practices for those who The retreat was meticulously planned and tional welcomed more than 750 participants ship. He said that after meeting Changchub were newer to the teaching. He also gave organized by the Spanish Community whose from Spain and other parts of the world to par- Dorje he finally understood the real sense of many fascinating and, at times, humorous hard work on every level enabled the many ticipate in the Master’s Teaching Retreat from all the teachings he had received previously examples of historical figures and moments in participants to enjoy the retreat to the fullest. October 26-30. and the real value of the master and the teach- Buddhist history as well as much practical It was the last in a series of retreats in Europe As last year, the event was held at the spacious ing. advice. His instructions were, as ever, sharp, this summer/autumn before Rinpoche leaves La Mar Bella sports complex on the well- On the second day of teachings, Rinpoche down-to-earth and direct. on his teaching tour of South America and was groomed seaside boulevard. The venue explained the way in which Guru Yoga is the In addition to the Master’s morning teaching crowded with Rinpoche’s European students offered ample space for seating the numerous main practice in Dzogchen and the impor- sessions, there was a full range of activities eager to receive teachings before his depar- participants comfortably with plenty left over tance of the Master as the source of the teach- offered from early morning until evening ture. Once again, heartfelt thanks to the to easily house no less than seven Vajra Dance ings. He gave the example of Yeshe Tsogyal which included Yantra Yoga practice and Master, for transmitting his most precious Mandalas at the back of the hall. In a side hall, who, when Guru Padmasambhava manifested explanations for beginners, Vajra Dance prac- teaching to us with so much patience and place had been made for an extensive display the Vajrakilaya mandala, prostrated before tice and a course of the Three Vajras Dance as compassion. area where international Dzogchen him, the source of the teaching, rather than the well as explanations of some of the practices CONTENTS page 2 page 4 pages 10 & 11 page 20 Teaching/ Chögyal Interview with ASIA report on Tsunami How I Met Namkhai Norbu His Holiness the aide to Sri Lanka Chögyal LONGSAL Dalai Lama by Namkhai DZOGCHEN Raimondo Bultrini Norbu by NAMKHAI GYALPO Flavia Tomassini Chögyal Namkhai Norbu
ood day everybody! This is the Buddha, etc. Buddha was the last day of this retreat, so saying that if someone accu- GI will continue to explain mulates merits all his life or is Guruyoga and the Namkhai Gyalpo in a state of contemplation for teaching. In the Dzogchen teaching having realization for a short we refer to the base, the path and the time, that short time in con- fruit. Many explanations of templation is still much more Dzogchen are often explained with important. You see how the principle of the path, therefore important it is that we are in a we say dawa, gompa, chodpa and state of Guruyoga for purifica- drebu. Dawa, gompa, chodpa and tion. In the same way, when drebu mean the point of view, appli- all our sound, light and rays cation, attitude, and the considera- dissolve and we recognize tion of the fruit. So today we will that, in that moment we unify consider the aspect of the fruit. in the state of the mother and son wisdom. Immediately, we DREBU - THE FRUIT can cancel all our negative We apply methods and at the same karmas and achieve the mani- time we obtain more concrete fruit festation of total realization of in Sutra teaching and in many of the Sambhogakaya. So you see Lower Tantras. In that way we go how important it is. ahead. For example, in the Sutra In principle in the Dzogchen teaching we say lamgna, or the five teaching, we must under- paths. We start with tsoglam, which stand that Dharmakaya, photo by Romain Piro is the accumulation of merits. This Sambhogakaya, has different levels. Then there is Nirmanakaya, Rupakaya or jorlam. Jorlam means a kind of Dharmakaya, whichever is application and also has different LONGSAL DZOGCHEN explained or considered, is the levels. Then there is thonglam, fruit. In the real sense, that fruit is which means we have concrete NAMKHAI GYALPO since the beginning perfected in knowledge and understanding. Then our condition. It is not something there is gomlam, which means the AUGUST 15, 2006 that we develop or manifest from path of application and meditation. something we have constructed. At the end there is milob lam, some- For that reason we say it is impor- thing similar to what in Mahamudra tant that we have that knowledge is called gommed, and has a more or sometimes explained using two that we are in a state of contempla- dead until your mind wakes up is and we are in that state. less similar sense; but after that we kayas, Rupakaya and Dharmakaya. tion and are doing practice in a more called the Bardo of Dharmata. If go ahead to the first bhumi, the sec- Dharmakaya, Sambhogakaya and elevated state. The accumulation of you have the knowledge of the THREE WISDOMS/KAYAS IN ond bhumi, etc. There are a series of Nirmanakaya are the three kayas. merit means that we perform many teaching, experiences, and have OUR BASE bhumis. So this is the system of We have three kayas instead of two good actions and produce merit. In done some practice in your lifetime, The kayas and the real condition in Sutra applied with such realization. because we then have the considera- the Sutra it says in order to have at that moment, your primordial our base are the three primordial Sutric practitioners go ahead gradu- tion of the pure and impure dimen- Nirmanakaya or Rupakaya manifes- potentiality is manifesting in its wisdoms: essence, nature and ener- ally, one by one. sion. What manifests in the pure tations, we must accumulate these naked form. Sound, light and rays gy. The essence is emptiness, nature In Tantrism, there are similar sys- dimension is called Sambhogakaya. two accumulations [merit and wis- all manifest. You have received is clarity and energy is without tems and although these systems are dom]. In Tantrism, though, it is a lit- transmission in your lifetime, like interruption. The teacher introduces NIRMANAKAYA not completely similar, there are tle different. In Tantrism when we Shitro, of the peaceful and wrathful that to you and when you have that four Rigdzins, etc. There are many Nirmanakaya is the manifestation in apply and enter into transformation, manifestations. Now they are all knowledge you know that we have systems for gradually going ahead. the impure dimension; even the we are already accumulating both there and manifesting. When you all three primordial wisdoms in our When we go ahead in the Dzogchen manifestation of the enlightened merit and wisdom. have all these manifestations you base. This is called the three kayas, way, particularly as it is explained in beings like Shakyamuni. The supreme accumulation and recognize your potentiality. You are which we have already in our base. the Kunjyed Gyalpo Tantra, it is Nirmanakaya means that we can purification in the Dzogchen teach- the sound and light and rays and We need that kind of recognition. called Dzogpa Chenpo Sachigpa see, touch and have contact on the ing is to be in a state of instant pres- nothing else. When you have that and means the unique bhumi. What physical level. I have already ence, in the state of Guruyoga. It knowledge and understanding at THREE MAIN EXPERIENCES: does the unique bhumi mean? We explained what is meant by karmic doesn’t mean that we don’t care and that moment, you can then have SENSATION, CLARITY & are in a samsaric condition from the conditions. We have five or six sens- don’t accumulate merit as is done in total realization of Sambhogakaya. EMPTINESS beginning and it means that we are es and our senses have their corre- Sutra style. Practitioners of We use all different kinds of meth- ignorant and have not discovered sponding organs. We are totally Dzogchen are always aware. They PURIFICATION AND ods when we on the path. All the and do not know what our real con- dependent on our organs of senses. know what the circumstances are REALIZATION OF methods are related with our three dition is. Therefore when we meet For example, if I want to see some- and what benefit they can have for SAMBHOGAKAYA main experiences - sensation, clari- with teachers they introduce us with thing I must open my eyes. others. We always do our best. We How can you have total realization ty, and emptiness. These three expe- direct introduction. When we apply Otherwise I can’t see anything! I know the root and the most impor- at that moment without purifying all riences are related with our three and follow, we discover directly am totally dependent upon my eyes tant thing is to be in a state of con- the karma that has been accumulat- gates of body, speech and mind. We what our real nature is. What we and in the same way, on my ears, my templation, to be in a state of instant ed for many lifetimes? In a lifetime, apply the knowledge of that princi- have discovered is already the fruit. tongue, etc. All of them are the func- presence. So the supreme purifica- for example, when we do the visual- ple for having realization. When we There is no fruit before we discover tions of senses; when we open our tion is just that. ization and chant the mantra of apply knowledge in that way and go our real nature. For that reason we eyes we see only samsaric visions How can you understand that? For Vajrasattva we can purify negative ahead, we have realization. say Dzogpa Chenpo Sachigpa or because eyes have no potentiality or example, we say that we have three karma for one kalpa, for example. Realization means that we manifest unique bhumi. capacity to see the real nature. primordial potentialities. In a life- That is how powerful it is. Even if the qualifications that we have. In In a famous Dzogchen teaching it is time we receive transmission. The you did the practice and mantra of general we have many obstacles and SAMBHOGAKAYA said: rig tang marig - either you teacher gives you the transmission; Vajrasattva hundreds and hundreds particularly obstacles of our nega- have the understanding or you do Sambhogakaya is the manifestation maybe like a kind of initiation. The of times, and you still don’t feel that tive karma. That is related to our dif- not. The state of Samantabhadra is through essence or the nature of ele- initiation is to make you understand you are purified or your clarity has ferent kinds of emotions and our that knowledge and understanding; ments. What we see is karmic vision that you have that potentiality and developed very much, it doesn’t lack of understanding. All these without that knowledge one is very or the production of our potentiality can follow the teaching. Maybe you mean that you are not purified or obstacles become like very thick far from realization. Our problem is of karma. For that reason they are also apply the method and do prac- that it isn’t working. We have so clouds in the sky. Our primordial that we are ignorant of that knowl- explained as the three kayas. tice, like with the famous Tibetan much accumulation of negative potentiality and wisdom, all our edge. So we need the teachings, Book of the Dead. When you are karma; we still need more powerful qualifications of the self-liberated RUPAKAYA transmission, applications, firstly to dying you are in a state of the Bardo purification. For that reason, state, are just like the sun in the sky discover the state and secondly to When we say two kayas, Rupakaya of Dharmata; the Bardo of Buddha gave an example in the with infinite light and rays. We do successfully integrate it. That is is the combination of Dharmata means it is not the ordi- Sutra teaching. If someone is in a not see it and we have no contact drenbu [fruit] in the Dzogchen Sambhogakaya and Nirmanakaya, nary Bardo. Your mind is already state of contemplation that means with that. When we are purified teaching. For example, in general, as both kayas are the dimension of associated with the ordinary Bardo that you are in your real nature. So, there are no clouds. We do not pro- the explanation particularly in the the form. It can be either the pure or or Bardo of Existence through the for example, a small ant walks from duce a new sun in the sky; the sun is Mahayana Sutra, is that the fruit is impure dimension of form. consciousness of the senses. For that the top of your nose to your head already in the sky. The sun is shin- the qualification of the state of In Sutra teaching we sometimes use reason you also have your vision and that takes a very short time, ing and manifesting its light. The enlightenment. How does it mani- the invocations of Nagarjuna; we and your feeling of the Bardo of maybe one or two seconds. As you consideration of realization is some- fest? It is all related to the three accumulate the two accumulations Existence. The Bardo of the know ants walk very quickly. thing like that. kayas. In the Tantric style some- and then produce these two kayas. Dharmata is after the Bardo of the Buddha was comparing this poten- Now I want to go into what the times we explain the four or five This is characteristic of the Sutra Dead. The Bardo of Dead means tiality to the benefit of contempla- Namkhai Gyalpo says about the kayas. There are many ways of point of view. Two accumulations that all your senses, your elements tion. Someone has been accumulat- fruit. explaining different states of means the accumulation of merit and everything is dissolving inward- ing merits all his life. Merit means The state of Dharmakaya is perfect- enlightenment. In the Sutras it is and the accumulation of wisdom. ly. That is the Bardo of the Moment that you give benefit to others, help ed in its real nature since the begin- The accumulation of wisdom means of Death. The period after you are others, offer to the Buddha, pray to continued on next page
2 continued from previous page ning. The qualifications are called tice. For example, the Sakyapas feel grate everything and there is no Sambhogakaya and are all the man- that the most important practice is problem. ifestations like the five wisdoms the Hevajra practice. They try to do The most important thing to do in and twenty-five different kinds of that practice, but there are many daily life is to try and do Guruyoga. wisdoms, etc. other lineages and initiations. So, The best way is when you wake up The Nirmanakaya manifestation is when you are not doing practice, it in the morning; you immediately part of our impure vision on the becomes a kind of obstacle, because try to remember Guruyoga. If you material level. The production of you are not keeping your samaya or don’t remember you can put a white our karma is our body, speech and commitment. A and thigle in your house. People mind. All these are connected with like altars with many statutes and our real nature of primordial poten- UNIFY THE THREE VAJRAS offerings very much. I am not say- tiality. For that reason, there is the OF ALL TEACHERS IN ing not to do that; you can do what possibility to integrate in that state GURUYOGA you like. In general, it is not a very and that we say Nirmanakaya is also In the Dzogchen way we go more good idea because not everybody in perfected in that state. towards the root. The root means our dimension is a practitioner. We are in that perfect state when we that we receive initiations from our Maybe your friends and relatives have that knowledge. That is saying teacher, not from deities. For exam- are not practitioners. Showing that E Ma Ho! E Ma Ho! It means fan- ple, if you received the initiation of you are a Buddhist and have a tem- tastic! E Ma Ho! When we have the Kalachakra from the Dalai ple is not so very nice for them. If entered in the knowledge, it Lama, you have received it from the you put a white A nicely some- becomes not only knowledge but Dalai Lama, not from the where, they can think that is an also something concrete. This is the Kalachakra. You do not have the ornament in your room; for people We are very pleased to announce: conclusion on the fruit of Namkhai capacity to meet and see the who are not practitioners they can Gyalpo and this is how it is Kalachakra. You have live contact think it is Tibetan art. There will DZOGCHEN RETREAT IN explained. with the Dalai Lama, not with the not be a problem. For you, though, MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY When we consider the essence of Kalachakra. You have contact not it is very important because when the teaching of Namkhai Gyalpo it only with the Dalai Lama, but many you see this A, you remember NOVEMBER 17th.-19th- 2006 is something like that. We have of you have contact also with many Guruyoga! Particularly when you learned just a little. Everything is other teachers. For that reason, we go to bed, you see this and think, with CHÖGYAL NAMKHAI NORBU relative with point of view, applica- unify the three vajras of all the “Oh! Guruyoga!” You do this prac- PRECIOUS DZOGCHEN TEACHINGS tion, attitude and its consideration teachers in Guruyoga. tice of being in the state of Hotel Ibis (Sala Mercosur) of fruit. When we have that knowl- For example, if you do Guruyoga in Guruyoga. You remember and you La Cumparsita 1473, Rambla Sur edge it is complete for our path, our the Medium Thun, you do the visu- do the practice of night. When you Montevideo - Uruguay vehicle and what we really need. alization of Guru Padmasambhava. wake up maybe you can see this A Cost of the retreat: This is the teaching of Namkhai But the thigle of the three places of from your bed and can remember, Full participation: $1500 Gyalpo. Guru Padmasambhava manifests as A, Guruyoga. ( aprox.U$S 60, at today official rates) Today is the last day of our retreat, the three syllables of vajra. These So the white A is important and in Registration and information: (00598) so I want to give a little advice to three syllables of vajra represent the the Dzogchen Semde there is a spe- people of how to apply that knowl- unification of all your teachers; all cial explanation. For that reason 2 4100334 or 2 7073417 or 4 2232347 edge. Many people come to me enlightened beings connected with there are also Dzogchen practition- [email protected] after the retreat and say they do not your practice. In that way you do er’s mirrors, small mirrors. Many know what to do, what practices to Guruyoga. Then you can also keep people think that the mirror is a do. your samaya by keeping all the kind of protection. It can also be DZOGCHEN RETREAT IN transmissions of what you have protection, but that is not the aim. TASHIGAR SUR GURUYOGA received. This is the Dzogchen sys- The mirror makes you remember to DECEMBER 26th - JANUARY 1st. 2007 Guruyoga is the best practice, if you tem, not the Sakyapa, Kagyudpa, or be present. The white A also helps remember! If you use different Gelugpa tradition. You must under- you to remember your state of With CHÖGYAL NAMKHAI NORBU methods like Rushen or Semzin, stand that if you are interested in the Guruyoga. When you wake up, any kind of practice and particularly Dzogchen teaching and want to fol- immediately you can sound A. By ATI´I GONGPA NGÖTROD practices related with contempla- low it. sounding A and doing visualization, tion, you always start with If you like to do Guruyoga with the your visualization becomes more Tashigar Sur - Tanti Guruyoga. white A and thigle and you have alive. For that reason, we sound A. Córdoba - Argentina Samaya and commitments are many things to do and not much You should also work with your cir- Cost of the retreat: maintained with Guruyoga, but you time for formal practice like the cumstances and remember in the Full Participation U$S 120 not only maintain samaya commit- Medium Thun, it is much easier to Dzogchen teaching it is very impor- Registration and information: (0054) 3541 ments related to Dzogchen teaching sound A and be in that state. You tant to work with circumstances. 498356 and transmission of the moment. know that the three vajras of all That means that many people who [email protected] Guruyoga helps people who are your teachers are dissolving and are married, have a husband or wife www.tashigar-sur.com.ar interested in the Dharma, in presenting in that white A, because or a friend sleeping with them, Buddhist teaching in general, and the white A is the symbol of the pri- when they wake up and immediate- particularly in Vajrayana teaching, mordial state. You remember that ly say A, their friend or husband or and have received many initiations this white A and thigle represent the wife becomes nervous. That means and the many instructions related symbol of the three primordial that you are not paying respect. In with those initiations and do not potentialities; all three primordial this case, you don’t sound A. apply the practices. You may want potentialities of all your teachers, It is not always necessary to sound to apply them but sometimes it is enlightened beings, and you are just A. You can exhale deeply and auto- PERU RETREAT WITH not so easy! In life we may meet in that state. Isn’t that wonderful! So matically, like the sound of A. It CHÖGYAL NAMKHAI NORBU twenty, thirty or even forty different you can do that in a very simple helps very much to make your visu- kinds of teachers. From our teachers way. I am not saying that this is the alization alive. If you can’t even do IN LIMA we can receive many kinds of teach- Dzogchen way and you should do that, then don’t sound anything, and ings and particularly initiations. For only that. only visualize the white A. You Shine and Lhagtong in the Dzogchen Way example, once I received initiations People say they only like the already know that with the white A January 19 – 23, 2007 of the whole collection of Tantric Dzogchen method and don’t like and thigle and relaxing in that state, transmissions. It is connected with doing the practice of the Medium you can have the knowledge of the Sakyapa tradition, which is Thun, for example, because it is instant presence and continue for For more information contact: called gyud de kuntu, Collection of more related to Tantrism. This idea some seconds or minutes. That is All Tantras. They were not only the is not correct because limitation is the best way to start your day. Paula Sablich: [email protected] Tantras of Sakyapas, but were all always the wrong way to go and is At any moment you remember your kinds. Everyday for nine months, negative. Guruyoga, you can do that practice we received initiations. Sometimes Many people who follow the and have that presence. You don’t within one day we received two or Dzogchen teaching say that because have to worry about doing too three initiations. Sometimes we Dzogchen means our real nature many Guruyogas, or that it needed to spend two or three days there, is nothing else we need to do becomes too much! If you are in a only for one initiation. Receiving an in a particular way. Many people state of Guruyoga forever, that is initiation is not only a kind of bless- have said to me that since the supreme. Even if you do not have ing. The teacher introduces to you Dzogchen teaching goes directly to that capacity, try to remember the path; it is really an introduction. the essence, why do we do a Guruyoga very often. The teacher introduces you to the Ganapuja. That is like religion. path so that you can enter in the They reject religion, but to reject dimension of transformation and religion is a limitation. Why don’t Transcribed by apply it. Otherwise there is no rea- you want to be free? Why do you Mae Chen and David Meyer son for the teacher to introduce to want to be conditioned? Why don’t Edited by Naomi Zeitz you the path. So, you understand you want to do a Ganapuja when that there is always commitment. Of there is the possibility to do so? course, after we receive nine Why not? You are free. It is not nec- months of initiations how can we do essary to limit yourself. To feel free all the practices? No one can do all doesn’t mean that you go after those practices, not one person everything and then have confusion. exists who can do them all. You Of course, you have your base and consider the most important prac- your knowledge. You learn and inte-
T HE M IRROR S EPT/OCT 2006 3 shang shung institute
IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM SHANG SHUNG INSTITUTE The First Four Years of the Translators’ texts that allow an easy grasp of Tibetan linguistic struc- TO ALL DZOGCHEN COMMUNITY CENTERS Training and the Plans for the Future ture and meanings, as well as to read sources using the terminology that is widely used in teachings in our Regarding the project of resizing prices of the International Shang Shung Institute’s products (this project will be also used by the Community to A report by Elio Guarisco Dzogchen Community. The basic requirements, as in the past, are: to know the define all kind of economical aspects), we ask all Gars / Lings / Gakyils of the Dzogchen Community to download the form at the address below, In summer 2006 we concluded the fourth year of the Tibetan alphabet, to know how to read properly, and to fill it in and send it to us by post-mail or by fax in original. All instruc- Training for Translators at Merigar. Throughout these have a general knowledge of written Tibetan language. tions are available in the document. four years a considerable number of people (some more As for the students who have already participated in the consistently than others) have participated with enthusi- four years of Translator’s Training, we would like to This is an important initiative and we ask the collaboration of all! asm to the training. The texts used as the basis of famil- now direct them toward the concrete application of the It’s important to have feedback from all countries and from many cities iarization with the understanding of the language ranged knowledge they have acquired. To do this we ask those inside each country to have the most precise data possible. from modern writings such as Birth, Living and Death among them who wish to continue on this path, to (written by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu); the ancient chose–individually, and not as a group–, a text of their Here is the link to download the document: Dzogchen Tantras (Mejung and Kamyam), to Tantric lit- liking to translate. The choice will have then to be http://62.149.193.71:61000/lifecost-ISS.pdf erary works such as Gyalwa Yangonpa’s Hidden approved by the coordinator of the training. The coor- Explanation of the Adamantine Body. dinator will follow and help the each translator, once he For any problems or questions please write to: These four years of training have provided some basis or she has prepared a rough draft of the translation. This [email protected] for the comprehension of the language and the princi- activity could be carried out at the same time of the ples of translation from Tibetan. Whether this basis will 2007 training for beginners, or possibly at a later time. Thank you very much in advance for your help! fully blossom into real knowledge and ability to trans- Details will be provided to the interested parties. late depends exclusively on the individual efforts in Since this new project will be entirely experimental, the The manager of this project, reading, studying, and expanding one’s knowledge of Shang Shung Institute will not grant any financial sup- Luigi Ottaviani the words and the meanings conveyed in Tibetan texts. port. In the event that a given translation proves to be of Director of Shang Shung Institute Italy I hope that the more experienced participants in the publishable quality, the publication will be done within Translator’s Training will put into practice the knowl- the frame of the Shang Shung Institute itself, or as oth- Ka-ter Translation Project 2006 continued edge they have acquired from the training for their own erwise directed by the Institute. Those who wish to par- ticipate in this last project should contact me, Elio and others’ benefit. To fulfill the aspirations of Chögyal used in teachings in our Dzogchen draft of the translation. This activity Guarisco, the coordinator, as well as the project manag- Namkhai Norbu, expressed in the passage quoted Community. could be carried out at the same er Oliver Leick. above, in the future I would like to continue to be of The basic requirements, as in the time of the 2007 training for begin- some help to those who wish to study Tibetan language past, are: to know the Tibetan alpha- ners, or possibly at a later time. Who can participate in future Trainings? in order to become proficient translators or in order to bet, to know how to read properly, Details will be provided to the inter- Everybody who has a basic knowledge of Tibetan have direct first-hand access to the Tibetan literature. and to have a general knowledge of ested parties. Language and Grammar and who can read Tibetan can We now need to shift the focus of the Translator’s written Tibetan language. Since this new project will be participate. If you are interested please send your appli- Training to new comers and beginners, in order to As for the students who have entirely experimental, the Shang cation and your short Curriculum Vitae to our Institute develop a new generation of translators. We hope there- already participated in the four Shung Institute will not grant any at
T HE M IRROR S EPT/OCT 2006 5 INTERVIEW WITH HIS HOLINESS THE DALAI LAMA MCLEOD GANJ (Northern India) INTERVIEW WITH THE VENERABLE LHAKDOR Raimondo Bultrini by Raimondo Bultrini century, before the beginning of the few days ago the XIV Dalai able to serve others, and partic- lineage of the Dalai Lama, the first lama of Tibet publicly ularly Tibetans and our nation. he Venerable Lhakdor, direc- Karmapa of the Kagyupa tradition Adeclared that his successor My usefulness to the tor of the Tibetan Library of reincarnated in a child of his choice, could possibly be chosen by a Buddhadharma and to the peo- Works and Archives, is a and a century later the Masters of method of democratic election, simi- ple is uppermost in my T Geshe, the highest grade attainable the Nyingmapa, the most ancient lar to the way the conclave of cardi- thoughts, as it was in my previ- in the study of Dharma, the Buddhist school of Tibetan Buddhism, did the nals elects the Pope – a sensational ous incarnations. As for my doctrine that is lead in Tibet by the same, followed in the XV Century innovation in the Tibetan Buddhist next life – sometimes I have a Dalai Lama. Lhakdor is relatively by the Gelugpa School with the tradition of rebirth, which is based feeling – how can I explain it – young for this diplomatic task, Dalai Lama. on devotion to a master capable of a sort of intuition. Yes, some- which has been personally entrusted The correct process of research to overcoming the barrier between life times it happens, but I don’t to him by His Holiness Tenzin Gyat- discover a reincarnation is to find an and death to reincarnate as leader think it’s the time to talk about it so, XIV in the lineage of Dalai intelligent and healthy individual of his people. yet (laughs). At times I feel I Lamas. For many years he was his who is able to reveal facts related to In his residence in the mountains of could be manipulated. personal translator of English and his previous lives and to recognise Himachal Pradesh this highly Sometimes I have the feeling I has traveled all over the world with objects that belonged to him. esteemed spiritual leader, assigned could be born in some place or him. There is nothing to say that he According to several traditions the the Nobel Peace Prize, has for the other, but it’s too soon to say could not one day be among those method is to leave, before dying, first time agreed to clarify doubts and also not very useful. destined to find the reincarnation of some indications of the place, the about the real meaning of this the Master. The Geshe knows the village or the family in which the apparent historic inconsistency. RB: Not even to reveal whether history and the meaning of the ritu- lama will again take a body. But people could also have a say in the it would be in the East or in the als and mystical preparations, as he even if this doesn’t happen, other H.H. Dalai Lama: Basically the criteria of the selection of the Dalai West? tells in this narrative journey reincarnated lamas, tulkus, are con- Dalai Lama is considered to be one Lama? through ten centuries of rebirths of sulted and specific divinations are of the highest lamas. Among the H.H. Dalai Lama:(Laughs) the sages of the Himalayas. performed. The research is done various cases in past history some H.H. Dalai Lama:I think so. In Recently, when I was in Mongolia, according to the results of the div- masters indicated clearly where they former times the only foreigners we someone asked me if the next Dalai Venerable Lhakdor: The present inations and the lama’s advice on would be born in their next life. In had close relationships with were could be reborn there. I didn’t reply. Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, was how to proceed. Finally, once a can- some cases the lama chose what his the Mongols. In fact, IV Dalai Certainly it is possible, but if I say born in the gya month of the Tibetan didate has been identified, his intel- future reincarnation would be Lama was a Mongol. But today cer- something the Chinese are always Wood Pig Year, corresponding to ligence is examined. before his death. In my case my tainly there are also people of the immediately ready to take every 6th July 1935. The person who dis- The XIII Dalai Lama had already reincarnation was discovered and Northern Himalayas, of India, who word I say and manipulate it. As covered him was Reting Rinpoche, expressed, through various signs, made head of this Buddhist tradi- are very close to the Dalai Lama, you know, I express myself freely, the Regent chosen by the committee his preference for his next rebirth. tion. However, some of the leaders like millions of people in other parts but the Chinese always think there of abbots and lamas after the death During a visit to the area where he of the various schools, like the of the world, so why not them too? is some political motivation behind of the XIII Dalai Lama. The first was to be reborn, he made an unusu- heads of the Yellow Hat Sect (the what I say, so I prefer to keep quiet. thing he did was to go to Lake al comment on the beauty of the Gelugpa School, that of the Dalai RB: Including Westerners? Lamo Latso, where Tibetans tradi- place, and also left a pair of shoes in Lama. Ed.) have always been elect- RB: Will Peking try to elect your tionally believe it is possible to fore- the monastery near the house, a ges- ed for their qualifications of maturi- H.H. Dalai Lama: Yes. You see, in successor? tell their own future, thanks to the ture that many considered very ty and wisdom. In other cases the the past the institution of the Dalai powers of a divinity called Rimati. symbolic. When he died in 1993 he guidance of a school passes from Lama directed both spiritual and H.H. Dalai Lama:Of course, for Reting stayed in meditation on the was transferred in meditation posi- father to son. Therefore there is temporal powers, but in the last six sure, but I repeat that the rebirth will banks of the lake for many days tion onto his throne in the Potala already a range of possibilities in the years we have already had elections not be in China in these conditions. until he saw a series of Tibetan let- palace in Lhasa and after some tradition and consequently it is logi- to proclaim our governmental and ters on its surface. These were A, hours his head, which was perfectly cally possible to take into consider- parliamentary leaders in exile. That R.B: What connects you mentally KA and MA, related to different upright, turned towards the wall in ation an election among qualified is why I have said for a long time with your predecessors? places and circumstances, which the eastern direction, where a spiritual masters. I’ve been saying that at present my position is one of later proved to be true. The clearest strange mushroom appeared in the this for years; it isn’t an innova- semi-retirement. In the religious H.H. Dalai Lama: There are indi- indication was (a vision like) a per- form of a star. However, in the his- tion.” field too there have been the heads cations in my dreams and also at the fect photograph of the place where tory of the reincarnations of the of the various schools for many cen- level of feelings and, as I said, intu- the rediscovery actually happened. Dalai Lama the signs accompany- Raimondo Bultrini: Is Your turies, such as Sakya Trizin, itions. Reting saw a three-storey ing the event are not always posi- Holiness thinking of a sort of tem- Karmapa Rinpoche, or the heads of monastery, the second story of tive, like rainbows or the arrival of porary Regent or a figure invested the Kamtsang Kagyu (Kam tshang; RB: Is there the possibility for those which was turquoise, with a path birds never seen before. For exam- with the title Dalai Lama elected by bka’ brgyud), the Drigung (‘bri who intend to follow your path to going eastwards from it to the foot ple, before the present Dalai Lama ballot? Gung) Rinpoche and Drugpa reincarnate in a better world? of a hill, on top of which was a low was born his father became serious- Kagyu, and the same among the house with a light blue roof. The ly ill and only recovered after the H.H. Dalai Lama: When I spoke Nyingma and Gelug. In the past H.H. Dalai Lama: According to regent wrote down his visions on a birth; also dozens of his farm ani- of the concept of an election I only these leaders had very little contact our tradition anyone can dedicate sheet of paper and sealed it until it mals died for mysterious reasons. wished to express or to demonstrate with each other but in the last forty their virtues to Buddhahood, but if was time to make the real search, one of the various possible ideas - years their contacts have been much you wish to attain it you have to conducted by four different teams RB: How does the selection of the not necessarily in line with the old more frequent and recently we have practice during your lifetime. It is of lamas and monks, sent out in the child candidate proceed? tradition - that could be used if the established an Advisory Committee very difficult to practice without a four cardinal directions of the com- people want to keep the institution of the various religious heads, physical body. That is why you pass. Venerable Lhakdor: The first that I now represent. I wanted to put which will naturally have a very need to dedicate yourself, through The previous incarnation who pro- selection concerns his capability. forward this idea, so that when the important role in this context. So, I your virtues, to the project of a good claimed the independence of Tibet After having ascertained their char- Dalai Lama is no longer here some repeat, I have spoken of various future life. We can say that there are died when he was fifty eight years acteristics, the names of the various wise people with a steady mind possibilities, but it is no longer very millions of worlds in which there is old; leaving a testament that was candidates are put into balls of pas- might say, ‘Oh, yes, this or that spir- much my business; they are the ones the Buddhadharma. When you ded- worrying and incredibly prophetic. try and placed in a vase. Prayers to itual person could undertake this who will decide. icate your merits you can pray to He wrote, ‘One day the political invoke the divinity precede the task’. find yourself in a world where the system founded by the three shaking of the vase until one of the RB: Very few people, though, think Buddhadharma exists. It can hap- Dharma kings will be only an empty balls literally jumps out. At this RB: Maybe the idea would never that a master of your caliber could pen in your practice that you find name. The government officials will point special oracles are consulted, have come into your mind in the be substituted by an elected leader. yourself able to identify and visit be deprived of their wealth and who have demonstrated their years when you were in Tibet? one of these planets without your made slaves of their enemies and knowledge and power to enter into H.H. Dalai Lama: No? Think of physical body, and to say, ‘This is the people will be subjected to such communication with the divinities. H.H. Dalai Lama: One point I the Pope: it’s not just anybody who the place I’d like to be reborn in and suffering they will not be able to tell have already very clearly expressed can be elected; it cannot be someone to increase my virtues, because it is the difference between day and RB: How would you describe the is that if the situation remains as it is just found by chance in any group of a beautiful place. It is very possible. night’. Undoubtedly the coming of mind of a reincarnation? for several more decades, when the candidates, it has to be someone the Chinese corresponds with his end of my life comes, if the Tibetans from the College of high Cardinals. RB: It is considered that the Pope is prophesies. Venerable Lhakdor: The more one want to find a child who will be the These cardinals have already elected by virtue of the Holy Ghost. goes towards the level of the subtle reincarnation of the previous Dalai acquired their qualifications through You are considered to be the incar- RB: There remains the ineffable mind the more one is free from the Lama, it is certain that my rebirth many years of training and practice. nation of a god, in any case. mystery of his many lives. physical body. At the time of death will not be in Tibet; it will be in a Therefore, also in our case, the the body loses its component ele- free country, because the main duty choice would be made by truly qual- H.H. Dalai Lama:No. Let’s take Venerable Lhakdor: The concept ments: fire, earth, air and so on, and of a reincarnation is to finish the ified masters who can find an ideal Buddha Shakyamuni, he himself of reincarnation comes from at that moment the mind can sepa- tasks started in his previous life. candidate. That is why I think that said, ‘I am Buddha’, but at the same Buddha himself. He spoke of the rate itself from it. However, it is At the same time the Tibetan things will eventually go the right time he gave us the freedom to three ‘bodies’ of the Buddha: physi- only through practice that you can Community and the heirs of the tra- way. examine his words, to analyze them cal, spiritual and mental. A human obtain control over your mind. dition should take into account the and not to follow them with blind emanation who has attained the real When an ordinary being realizes he fact that the institution and the RB: Your predecessor and a series faith. All the other Buddhas that spiritual and mental ‘body’ can no longer has a body he feels afraid, thoughts of the Dalai Lama are not of divinations indicated many manifested in the past said the same manifest in many other forms such because his mind is connected with limited to Tibet alone, because there details of how and where the Dalai thing and so do the Dalai Lamas. I as a bridge for those who cannot his body and he doesn’t know how are people who follow or show Lama would be reborn. Are you too do not say you should take my cross or bread for the hungry. But in to live without it. The reason is that interest in Tibetan culture and spiri- in the same mental process today? words as the words of a god. This is India, where Buddha taught, there is normally we are all dependent on tuality in many parts of the world. the strength of the Buddhist tradi- no longer the concept of reincarna- our afflicting emotions and we are H.H. Dalai Lama:As you know, in tion. tion as it is understood in Tibetan unable to maintain a state of mind RB: Do you mean to say that these general my favorite prayer is to be Buddhism, where, in the eleventh that could take us to different places continued on next page
6 His Holiness Teaches at the Beacon Theatre The Blade Wheel of Mind Transformation and Green Tara Empowerment book review New York City September 23 –25, 2006 Hosted by Tibet House, US Dragon Thunder: My Life seems to share. She said, “Now, O Yamantaka, raise the weapon of karma over his head - Spin the with Chogyam Trungpa “Goodness no,” She was just a wheel three times fiercely over his head. Your legs of truth spread apart and Diana J. Mukpo with regular mom and wanted to keep it eyes of method and wisdom wide open, with your fangs of four powers Carolyn Rose Gimian that way. Unlike my friend and bared, strike the enemy.” Dharmaraksita, The Wheel of Sharp Weapons. Shambhala Publications, most of my generation, Lady (Mind Training: The Great Collection, Wisdom Publications, 2006) 2006 Diana leaves no stone unturned in the spirit of authenticity that illu- is Holiness The Dalai Lama recently visited New York City to deliv- eading Diana’ Mukpo’s minates her life’s narrative. er a powerful three-day teaching called the Blade Wheel of Mind Dragon Thunder My Life The first and only time I met HTransformation at the Beacon Theatre to a crowd of 3200 people. with Chogyam Trungpa, Chogyam Trungpa, taking my The text His Holiness taught on, called The Wheel Weapon Striking at the R hand he peered closely into my transported me back to the years I Vital Points of the Enemy, (Tib. blo-sbyong mtshon-cha ‘khor-lo), was com- spent in Boulder nearly twenty-five face saying “Welcome.” As I got posed by the great Dharmaraksita, a renowned 10th century Sumatran years ago. Chogyam Trungpa’s up to leave he would not let go of Buddhist teacher who wrote this important Mahayana text. Dharmaraksita vision of enlightened society contin- my hand that had the most amaz- was the teacher of Atisha, who was instrumental in establishing a second ues to inspire me in surprising ways. ing combination of ironclad and wave of Buddhism in Tibet. Dharmaraksita composed this text in a jungle For someone whom I barely met, his softness to it. Hence the crocodile where terrifying animals of prey roamed free. He then gave this teaching to presence in my life as a teacher has hold I previously mentioned at the Atisha, so Atisha could in turn help to “transform many sentient beings so left me caught in the crocodile hold beginning of this review! True to difficult to tame”. This teaching belongs to the cycle of Dharmaraksita’s of his grip. There was no one like his word, he has never let me go, mind training. him and I doubt in these times we nor I him. To enter his world was The text consists of one hundred sixteen stanzas that are broken down into will experience anytime soon such a to enter the family of Mukpo. three segments. The first corresponds to our personal responsibility for our manifestation of wisdom unleashed Lady Diana’s book is a further karma, the second to our karma’s root causes, and the third to the view on the western world—both wild mother-in-law’s affection is one of extension of the Mukpo family, beyond cause and effect. and yet totally immersed in cultural the more light-hearted stories in who like any other family has its tri- Each morning for about an hour and a half, His Holiness spoke more per- civility as the first Tibetan to bear Dragon Thunder. als and tribulations, dysfunction and sonally about the nature of reality and how to integrate our understanding the message of the Buddhist teach- Lady Diana, as she is known in the bonds of loving acceptance and yet, into the world and our daily lives. He spoke about how our self-grasping ings to the West. This particular Shambhala community, writes with the largess to open themselves to and self-cherishing undermines our capacity to help others and hinders our Tibetan, whose family descends an ingenuous candor and equanimi- public scrutiny while including oth- own realization. As always, with great wisdom masked by his ever present from the great warrior king, Gesar, ty when discussing even the most ers in their destiny—a whole lot of self-effacing humor, His Holiness transmitted profound wisdom in a man- broke the mould of conventional painful aspects of her life. And there others. ner that could be received by all present. After the initial presentation each mind with aftershocks still being felt are plenty of heartbreaks: her first While at times, the book seems to be day, he then taught and gave commentary on the text. decades later. Perhaps if his mani- born son, Taggie, a tulku recognized an apology for Trungpa Rinpoche’s On the final day His Holiness gave an empowerment of Green Tara. festation had lived up to the stereo- by the 16th Karmapa, would even- unconventional methods, it accu- As always, it was a deeply moving privilege to attend and receive teachings types expected of a spiritual teacher, tually be diagnosed with autism; a rately chronicles those countercul- from His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso. there would be less of a story to tell. nomadic lifestyle disruptive to cre- tural years perhaps some of us would like to forget or sweep under Interview with Ven Lhakdor, continued from previous page Whether other readers will find the ating a home base; Trungpa’s drink- book as captivating as I did, I’m not ing and many girl friends; the Vajra the rug—with its many scandals and and dimensions, besides allowing sure. But if anyone is seriously Regent’s scandalous behavior; bon vivant lifestyle, Yet, it also us to take control of another mind. interested in the life and work of financial difficulties; and Trungpa’s offers a remarkable view into his During what we Tibetans call the Chogyam Trungpa, it’s a must read final days when she pleaded with inner journey in bringing the dhar- bardo, the intermediate state evoking the incandescent and ‘crazy him to take care of his health to his ma to the West from the person who between this life and the next, the wisdom’ world that emanated from words that, “It’s too late.” She’s not knew him best. Her recounting of type of rebirth will depend on Chogaym Trungpa Rinpoche. above relating instances of hurt or Trungpa’s last days deeply pierced whether your actions have been mean spiritedness directed against me with a sadness that lingered for positive or negative. If they were Publisher’s Weekly sums up the her by jealous disciples or her own days but the legacy he left behind negative you could be reborn as an book: failings at key moments. I have no continues to shine two decades later. animal or a man who suffers, problem referring to Diana Mukpo Sharing her story with world is an according to the different circum- “That crazy wisdom manifested as Lady Diana. She deserves the ele- act of generosity. The hand of stances we ourselves have created, itself in a highly unconventional life vated nomenclature of royalty to Carolyn Gimian, the primary editor not only in our immediately previ- that (Diana) Mukpo shared for vir- have survived a most unconvention- for most works by Chogyam ous life but also in all the others. A tually all of her husband’s time in al life with grace and grit. But then Trungpa is clearly present through- real lama who has practiced is not Born in Italy in 1956, Raimondo the West until his untimely death in Diana nee Pybus is no ordinary out Dragon Thunder, lending the afraid of death, in fact he welcomes Bultrini is a senior journalist of the 1987. Rinpoche drank prodigiously woman. In the Shambhala lineage, publication an excellent literary it. leading Italian newspaper la and had numerous lovers. He was she holds the title Druk Sakyong consistency filled with heartbreak, Repubblica, with over 32 years also greatly gifted as an imaginative Wangmo, as appointed by her hus- humor, and above all else— dignity. RB: The Dalai Lama only spoke experience in journalism. interpreter of Tibetan Buddhism, band, the late Chogyam Trungpa, about intuitions with regard to his Bultrini spent the last 6 years trav- with its many esoteric practices, to Rinpoche. “Altogether we are happy to die,” next life. eling all over South and East Asia the West. The couple was uncon- Through out the narrative of her Trungpa Rinpoche wrote in his spir- as correspondent for one of the big- ventional from the get-go. An girlhood, teen years, the riveting itual will, “We take our joy along Venerable Lhakdor: A good prac- ger Italian editorial groups, La upper-class Briton educated at an story of her courtship and years of with us. It is unusually romantic to titioner doesn’t talk about things Repubblica/L’Espresso. exclusive girls’ school, Mukpo was motherhood, her unaffected pres- die: people cannot understand the mean- In 1986 he was first exposed to var- just 16 when she married the ence shines through, even if lacking ing of, and he doesn’t publicize his ious oriental philosophies and he Tibetan lama, who she recalls in some details, but still telling all. Born a monk, capacities. In our tradition, in the became director of the magazines couldn’t remember her name when It’s also an unusual document in that Died a king— past, obviously not all those who Merigar Letter edited by the Italian he broke the news of their marriage it recounts that even amid domestic Such thunderstorm does not stop. were recognised as reincarnations Dzogchen Community, while he to a friend. Such anecdotes form a turmoil, it is possible to live within We will be haunting you, along with were capable of controlling their was working for Paese Sera news- series of revealing private snapshots the realm of discipline and radiance. the dralas. own minds. Often recognitions paper. of the influential Buddhist teacher. Generally, in the lives of great mas- Jolly good luck!” were made to satisfy the wishes of From 1987 to 1988 he was travel- Mukpo makes sense out of his crazi- ters in the Tibetan tradition, little powerful or aristocratic families. ing thoughout China and Tibet for ness and also builds a good case for credence is given to the consort’s For example, there is the story of a one year and he published a book his brilliance. She is better at point of view. Diana Mukpo Review by Jacqueline Gens lama who recognized seventy eight “In Tibet” on his experience fol- domesticity than discipleship, how- changes this forever. Reading Brattleboro, Vermont tulkus, but very few of them were lowing Chögyal Namkhai Norbu in ever, so the value of this book is to through the book one begins to real ones. At times some children East Tibet and Mount Kailaish. open household doors and tell a appreciate that Chogyam Trungpa clearly show certain abilities, they On his return to Italy he started to page-turning family story by which chose the right partner for bringing know how to recite mantras and work for the Italian public TV Rai the controversial guru can be better forth his vision of Shambhala. What entire sacred texts without having producing social, cultural and understood.” I especially appreciated about Lady ever been taught them by anyone. political documentaries around the Reading Diana Mukpo’s book was Diana’s narrative in Dragon This has been documented by west- world. as astonishing as seeing a glimpse Thunder is that it includes both ern scholars also. The present Dalai In 2000 he moved to Bangkok in of a photo of Trungpa Rinpoche outer details of her day to day life Lama immediately recognized the Thailand. In 2001 he reported recently on National Public with Trungpa Rinpoche as well as a mala and the walking stick of the about the American/Afghanistan Television as part of Bill Moyer’s glimpse into her own inner life— XIII from among various others. He war from Peshawar and traveled in featured interview with Pema her dreams, her ambitions in the also remembered exactly the face of Afghanistan after the liberation Chodron, a senior disciple, in his world of dressage and for a normal the lama when he took him on his from Taliban regime. series “Faith and Reason.” It’s hard family life. knee and the names of the other In 2004 he covered the tragedy of to believe that this Tibetan master A couple of months ago, I ran into a members of the search party. When the Tsunamiin South Thailand and should ever enter the living rooms friend of mine from thirty years ago he saw them go away the first time Banda Aceh. Among personalitites of mainstream America. But maybe at my local supermarket. There the little Dalai Lama, who was of Asia, Bultrini had several meet- not surprising, as once Trungpa among the greens, we had a long called Lhamo Dondub at that time, ings with HH the Dalai Lama. Rinpoche was said to comment that catch up as my friend’s teenage son started to cry to go with them. In Raimondo is now living in Chiang if he could win over his unforgiving had recently been in a serious auto fact, he had been saying for a long Mai with his family, wife Orit and mother-in-law (for stealing her accident in which he suffered many time that he would have to go to children Daniel and Ben. daughter away at age 16), he could injuries. At some point, I asked her Lhasa. conquer the world. And to find out if her son knew about her own just how he won his recalcitrant {very} wild youth, a trait her son
T HE M IRROR S EPT/OCT 2006 7 INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY NEWS
MERIGAR CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2006-2007 2007 Annual Seminar: merigar west Guide to the study and practice of the Base of the Santi Maha Sangha
Merigar West The Seminar will be led by Costantino Albini and Fabio Maria Risolo and is intended for those practition- Arcidosso 58031 ers who wish to study and practise the Base of the Santi Maha Sangha. GR Italy The aim of the Seminar is to furnish a complete view of the complex articulation of the Base of the SMS Tel: 39 0564 966837 and to study the main aspects and the practices in depth. Fax: 39 0564 968110 Great importance will be given to the teaching aspect in order to facilitate understanding and practice of Email: [email protected] the Base; for this reason dialogue-collaboration will be encouraged and active participation through study and practice will be required of the participants during the yearly course. The seminar will encourage Website: www.dzogchen.it moments of exchange, question and answer sessions, comparing experiences, etc. The Seminar is divided into seven meetings: six weekends (Saturday and Sunday) and a seven day retreat in August. Fabio and Costantino will take turns with the sessions. The Seminar is meant for those who wish to devote themselves to the study and practice of the Base (but not necessarily taking the exam); therefore it will require a constant participation in the seminars in order to have a comprehensive vision of the Base. Nevertheless, at the same time, each individual seminar will be considered as a complete “module” that develops an aspect of the Base. Thus even those who do not wish to follow the entire course may attend.
February 24-25, 2007 Explanation and practice of the Base of the SMS with Costantino Albini Topic: The Precious Vase, Chapters I and II (up to and including 3.2.6.)
April 21- 22, 2007 Explanation and practice of the Base of the SMS with Fabio Risolo Topic: The Precious Vase, Chapter II (from 3.2.7. to the end)
June 16-17, 2007 photo by Liane Graf Explanation and practice of the Base of the SMS SMS First Level Practice Retreat with Costantino Albini Topic: The Precious Vase, Chapters III and IV (up to and including 5.5.) by Caroline Pirovano Jim insisted that every time we believe ourselves to be steeped in Samsara and July 21-22, 2007 rom 6th to 8th October Jim Valby hope for Nirvana or reject some emotion Explanation and practice of the Base of the SMS led a First Level SMS practice and and believe it necessary to transform it with Fabio Risolo Fexplanation retreat at Merigar. It into a wisdom quality, we actually “reject Topic: the Precious Vase, Chapter IV (from 6. to the end) was great: instructive, entertaining, prac- the master’s transmission” that “every- tical, illuminating and very down to earth. thing is already the wisdom of enlighten- August 13-19, 2007 It also felt very ‘connecting’, at least it did ment”. Explanation and practice of the Base of the SMS to me, as one of about 20 participants. He also spent some time describing and Combined with sessions of Yantra Yoga and Dance of the Vajra The three daily two-hour-sessions were dismantling various concepts and ideas with Costantino Albini, Fabio Risolo and Yantra Yoga and Vajra Dance teachers always framed by one of the practices of that are often associated with Rigpa or Topic: The Precious Vase, Chapters V and VI the SMS First Level practice booklet and instant presence. Some of them were dear within this frame Jim would illustrate to me, for example I had always been qui- September 15-16, 2007 various points. His explanations were etly sure that instant presence goes Explanation and practice of the Base of the SMS structured but felt spontaneous and free together with non-duality; and while Jim with Fabio Risolo flowing as he was speaking, it seemed, disassembled wrong views and mistaken Topic: The Precious Vase, Chapter VII following his inspiration. Sometimes he beliefs over the course of these three would alternate explanation and practice, days, I felt my muscles tense in a physi- October 20-21, 2007 having us chant a few lines or doing silent cal representation of my mental effort to Explanation and practice of the Base of the SMS concentration, while focusing on a partic- hold on to what so far had constituted with Costantino Albini ular experience. Sometimes he spoke what I believed true. In the end not much Topic: The Precious Vase, Chapters VIII and IX about Sutra or Tantra methods and how remained to hold on to... “Taking refuge we can apply them inside the context of in the master’s oral and symbolical trans- Dzogchen without being conditioned by mission”, “recognizing the raw presence their respective views. Then we would without any reference frame”, and recog- apply in practice - or try to - what he had nizing it again. just highlighted. Sketching the different I feel deeply grateful to Jim and all the views and practice methods from the per- other Vajra fellows, including Alessandra spective of Dzogchen he encouraged us and her seemingly effortless and precise to go directly for the essence and not to translation, who help us understand better get lost in endless details and particulars. and further, patiently explaining again Refreshingly unusual - for me - also his and again. And, of course, our gratitude varied use of timing for visualisation and goes to Rinpoche, without whom none of transformation practice. all this would ever happen. Shang Shung Institute Ku Nye November 2006 - April 2007 Rome, Italy Registration by November 25. with Michele Corrado For information and registration contact: Giovanni Ribotta : 335-7175582 The international institute of Tibetan CENTRO ZHENPHENLING studies has organized, in collaboration Email: [email protected] with the Dzogchen Community of www.zhenphenling.it Rome, course in Ku Nye, Tibetan advanced vajra dance merigar september 2006 Massage. Istituto Shang Shung The course consists of 9 weekends: Tel:0564-966940 (da Lunedi’ a Venerdi’ December 2-3, 2006 dalle 8.30-13.00 e dalle 15.00-18.30) January 20-21, 2007 Località Merigar NEW YELLOW GAKYIL MEMBER AT MERIGAR February 24-25, 2007 58031 Arcidosso (GR) As of October 12, 2006, Mrs. Luna Lattarulo is a new member of the Yellow Gakyil of Merigar. Italia March 24-25, 2007 ERRATA April 14-15, 2007 April 21-22, 2006 Email:[email protected] Email:[email protected] In the last issue of The Mirror, #81, in the article on page 3, incorrect information was given about the ori- gin of the webcasts. The webcasts were started upon an initiative from the Yellow International Gakyil on Venue: January 1, 2000 after a millennium conference call with Namgyalgar. After that event, eleven webcasts ZHEPHENLING, VIA GIOVANNI Michele Corrado were organized under the responsibility of the Shang Shung Institute USA, with Loek Jehee as a technical MIANI 5, 00154 ROME Tel:075-5913299 Mobil:339-1084991 [email protected] supervisor.
8 INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY NEWS
COURSES GIVEN BY THE MAIN YANTRA YOGA & VAJRA DANCE TEACHERS NOVEMBER 2006 - JANUARY 2007
Laura Evangelisti December 1-3 Paris, France Level 1 Yantra Yoga course Contact: [email protected]
January 3-7, 2007 Advanced Yantra Yoga Merigar Contact: [email protected] Vajra Dance Retreat with Prima Mai at Merigar, during the lengthy and intense morning teach- Adriana Dal Borgo September 27 – October 1, 2006 ing sessions and also kindly shared some of her November 11-15 Berlin, Germany experiences and insights into these unique Supervising the beginners course of Dance of the Song of the Vajra by Liz Granger terma of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu. Her expla- (Part 1) given by Karin Heinemann nations on the movements were clear and Red gakyil contact: Natalia Gerschevskaya: [email protected] bout 20 people attended a five day meticulous while her more profound clarifica- advanced course at Merigar for deepen- tion on the significance of the mudras and the November 17-19 Rome, Italy ing their knowledge of two of the Vajra essential meaning of the Dances gave partici- Advanced course of Dance of the Song of the Vajra and the practice of Komadevi and A pants a fresh and more penetrating understand- Dances transmitted by Chögyal Namkhai Nor- Jhana Dhakini bu: the Dance of the Three Vajras and the Dance ing of the practice. Gakyil contact: [email protected]; www.zhenphenling.it of the Liberation of the Six Lokas. The course The dancers were a mixed group of various was intended to investigate in greater detail the nationalities, ages and expertise but gradually December 27- January 2, 2007 Merigar, Italy arm movements, the mudras, the precise foot as they worked together during the morning Beginners course of Dance of the Song of the Vajra (Part 2) points and positions as well as the timing of the teaching sessions and the afternoon practice Blue gakyil contact: Marzia Spinelli, Lucia Antonelli, Rita Renzi: Dances. ones, a coordinated joyful group emerged on [email protected] Prima Mai went thoroughly into all these points the Mandala by the final day of the retreat. Dzogchen Community Practice lyon1.fr Retreat Schedule, France FEBRUARY europe December 2006 – March 2007 Feb 18: Dejamling LOSAR DECEMBER Dec 4-10: Feb 19-21: Dejamling, Retreat of Vajra Dance and Dejamling, practice of Mandarava and Vajra Training Course of the Dance of the Three Vajras Bagchen Dance Alps de Haute-Provence, France Contact: [email protected] December 8-10, 2006 Feb 20: Dec 8-10: Dejamling Lungta with Stoffelina Verdonk Sisteron: Advance Course of the Dance of the Three Vajras. MARCH The Dzogchen-Group of Sisteron - 04 (France - South - Alps de Haute- Provence) would Contact: [email protected] Mar 2-4: like to invite you for a training course of the Dance of the Three Vajras with the irregular Dejamling, explanation of the worldwide entries and exits for ADVANCED STUDENTS (for those who practice already the Dance Dec 26–Jan 1: transmission of Guruyoga of the Three Vajras) Dejamling, Retreat of Mandarava & Chudlen Contact: [email protected] practice with Nina Robinson Friday: 6-8.30pm - Saturday and Sunday: 10am to 6pm approximately. Contact: [email protected] Mar 3: The training course will take place in Sisteron (120 kms (74,5 miles) in the north of Dejamling, worldwide transmission Guruyoga Marseilles - Méditerranée). Dec 31-Jan 1: of Garab Dorje, 4am The price is 105 euros for 3 days - usual discount for the Members: Dejamling’s Christmas feast! Contact: [email protected] Ordinary, 30 %; Reduced, 50%; Support and Givers, 100 %. JANUARY For more information or to register please contact: Catherine Duez at Jan 2-4: CONTACTS FOR FRANCE [email protected] or by phone 0033 04 92 61 18 21 or 0033 06 14 39 80 48 Dejamling, retreat of Chöd and Namkha Indicate Pamo or Pawo and your membership information of the Dzogchen Community. Contact: [email protected] Côte d'azur, Hélène Lafage, [email protected] Dejamling, Jean-François Ayme, [email protected] Jan 5-7: Grand Ouest (Mont de Marsan), Zeljka, Dejamling, Retreat of the practice of the base [email protected] Santi Maha Sangha (open to all). Paris, Laurent Pourreau, [email protected] Semdzins, Lojong, Rushen Provence, Christine Perriguey, NEW GAKYIL NAPLES, ITALY Contact: [email protected] [email protected] Blue Gakyil, Maria Napoleone - [email protected] Jan 26-28: Rhônes-Alpes, Ermano Legana, [email protected] Yellow Gakyil, Lucia Di Tommaso - [email protected] Lyon, Dance of the Six Spaces of Roussilon, Red Gakyil, Salvatore Di Carluccio - [email protected] Samantabhadra Hélène Bureau, Contact: [email protected] [email protected] Dancing into the Infinite SANTI MAHA SANGHA BASE LEVEL The Vajra Dance course in Molise, AND YANTRA YOGA FOR ADVANCED IN LITHUANIA Italy DECEMBER 23 – JANUARY 1, 2006 – 2007 by the Molise Gakyil WITH IGOR BERKHIN AND VIKTOR KRACKOVSKI he little local community of Molise (in The Lithuanian Dzogchen community is happy to announce a Christmas-New Year south Italy), consisting of ten practition- retreat with Igor Berkhin and Viktor Krackovski. The retreat will be dedicated to SMS Ters, was formed in the last three years and base level and Yantra Yoga for advanced students. for the first time came together to organize a We are planning the following dates: December 23rd - January 1st. Of course, New retreat on the explanation and practice of the Year we will celebrate all together at the retreat place. The retreat will take place some- Vajra Dance. The study sessions, followed with where in the Lithuanian countryside. attention and dedication, took place in a large We cannot provide many details yet about costs and accommodation, but we want to luminous gym, between two enormous mirrors inform you about our schedule, so you can plan in advance if you want to come. Details that repeated the Mandala and the dancers into will follow. the infinite. The retreat will be held in the Russian language. The course of the Dance of the Three Vajras, led In order to organize suitable place (especially to have enough space for Yantra Yoga), by the local aspiring instructor, Enzo Terzano, we kindly ask you to register your participation at [email protected] indicating was held in Guglionesi, from September 15–17, your name, last name and membership number. under the supervision of Adriana Dal Borgo. Adriano and Enzo worked patiently day after day as the Dance gradually took form, outside and Thank you and all the best! inside us. At the end of the retreat we performed the Dance of the Three Vajras in a complete way, to the great joy of us all. Algis / Lithuania We are now starting the construction of an Earth Mandala, with a large center so that Dance prac- tice can become a weekly appointment in our daily lives and help to develop our contemplation practice and purification of body, voice and mind.
T HE M IRROR S EPT/OCT 2006 9 W HERE THE T S U by Riccardo Ducci , De
Beneficiaries next to the rebuilt houses House destroyed on the banks of the Panadura
The plight of the evac
SIA’s interest and enthusiasm for the populations of Asia and in particular closely with the ONG UCODEP and with the UN agency UN-Habitat, working THE PLIGHT OF THE EVACUEES for Buddhist culture have meant that, after the dramatic event of the at the same time on the same project. The project was co-financed by the Italian One of these problems is the situation ATsunami, it has became a reference point for those who have always fol- Ministry of Foreign Affairs and by many local Italian groups including the evacuees, the so-called IDPs (Internal D lowed and sustained its initiative in favor of the people and culture of Asia and Region of Lazio, the Town of Viterbo and the Region of Tuscany. families forced to flee and abandon the those who wished to help the populations struck by the catastrophe. flicts or natural calamities, have be ASIA’s intervention in Sri Lanka arose from a request on the part of the Sri THE NEW PROJECTS AND THE CONFLICT Unfortunately, in Sri Lanka these two fa Lankan community in Italy following the Tsunami disaster. Representatives of WITH THE TAMIL rible situation. First of all the civil war in this active community contacted ASIA in order to have their collaboration for The good work carried out by ASIA in the territory and with the donors has per- lasted more than 20 years and has had transportation and widespread distribution of the essential necessities that the mitted new projects to be started this year, this time in the east of the country, in civilians, and which has separated ethni community itself had collected in Italy. In fact, the Sri Lankan community in the District of Batticaloa. For many years now, a violent civil war has been tak- then the Tsunami which swept away the Italy quickly rallied to collect various materials and money that were then trans- ing place in the north-east of Sri Lanka, in which the forces of the Government the whole country, killing more than 40 ported to Sri Lanka and distributed with the organizational support of ASIA in of Sri Lanka are pitted against the rebel forces or the LTTE, or co-called Tamil Over a long period of time and througho the area of Beruwala, in the District of Kalutara. tigers. Batticaloa is one of the towns that has been most affected by the conflict about the presence of settlements of ref After this first intervention, ASIA decided to contribute to the process of recon- and it is there that we are carrying out, along with the FAO, a project for social- nomic lives of families are interrupted a struction in view of the short-term post-emergency activities that had been iden- economic development in 3 fishing villages, while with the World Food and tensions. ASIA’s objective in the ne tified, realized and addressed to those with immediate and urgent needs who had Program (WFP) we are building new kitchen and bathroom facilities in the pri- tions both for improving the living condi been struck by the Tsunami, but with a long-term view to triggering or facilitat- mary schools in Batticaloa. room facilities, temporary shelters, etc.) ing the mechanisms of sustainable self-development. It is, in fact, traditional for In spite of the conflict and the everyday difficulties, the projects are going ahead, these families to permit their return to th ASIA not to limit its actions to fast emergency interventions, but to follow up thanks to the continued work of ASIA’s international staff, assisted by local staff with a series of coordinated actions and a common strategy based on local needs. that has been working with us for many months. COMBATTING CHILD PROSTITU Today Sri Lanka has become a country in which ASIA is known and appreciat- Another aspect on which ASIA is curren ed for the work it has carried out. In its turn, finding itself far from the rigid cli- THE FISHERMEN OF THE SOUTH prostitution that involves thousands of c mate of the Himalayan regions in which is it used to work, ASIA has learned to Recently we have started a new project together with the Region of Lazio aimed of Southeast Asia. love this important country and its people with whom it shares many values and at developing the skills of the fishermen of the south coast of the country that In Sri Lanka recent statistics reveal tha sentiments. was severely hit by the Tsunami. The intervention foresees the reconstruction of children are involved in the phenomena More than a year has passed since ASIA started its first post-emergency project the community centers and structures for the fishing cooperatives in the 3 towns increasing and today Sri Lanka is among and today we are able weigh up the first provisory results that have been of Panadura, Galle and Matara and the organization of professional training ed by what can only be considered as th reached. courses for members of the community. Their clients are mostly “tourists”, both areas are those in which the phenomeno GOING BACK HOME CONTINUING IN SRI LANKA Paradoxically, the Tsunami tragedy has a In July 2006 we inaugurated the new village of Weregama, an hour south of In the light of this experience, today ASIA is able to formulate a more precise devastating consequences of the Tsunam Colombo: 130 homes which have permitted a population of more than 600 peo- strategy in order to continue its intervention in this country. Parallel to the work titution, particularly in the areas with a h ple, mostly children and elderly people, to leave the tents or shelters (the shacks of managing and realizing the projects in course, ASIA is working to deepen In fact, the first victims of the Tsunami made of wood or sheet iron) in the camps for Tsunami victims and to move to awareness of two enormous problems affecting the country and on which it is killed by the wave immediately, or af their new homes, complete with bathroom facilities, a system of natural ventila- always difficult to attract the attention of the international community, more con- behind it; those who survived were the tion and a new external space for cultivating vegetable gardens to be used for centrated of “home” affairs. trauma from seeing members of their ow providing for the family. Then the children, and particularly thos The challenge was taken up shortly after the Tsunami tragedy. We collaborated the most exposed to exploitation. Left o
10 U NAMI TOOK US e sk Officer ASIA Onlus
Speech by ASIA’s Director, Andrea Dell’Angelo at the inauguration of Weragama village
uees and refugee camps
AND THE REFUGEE CAMPS work of protection, they risk finishing up in the ring of child prostitution, illegal CONCLUSIONS in which tens of thousands of internal adoption, organ trafficking or forced labor. There is a lot of work ahead of us and we always seem to be at the beginning of Displaced People), or people and entire In many cases, even though the family is still alive, the Tsunami brought with it our path. The complexity and beauty of the places in which ASIA operates and ir homes and lands because of the con- the destruction of their livelihood and a great number of Sri Lankan families the continuous meeting with ancient and distant cultures continually brings us een living for more than 20 years. found themselves completely lacking a livelihood from one day to the next. For new challenges and objectives which are stimulating for our work but which actors have meant an increase in this ter- this reason they became easy prey for organized criminals who “buy” children require constant renewal of energies and skills. n the north-east of the country which has for the markets of sexual tourism. This short article was written in order to let you know where ASIA is going more than 60,000 victims, in particular ASIA has recently presented a project proposal to activate a network of protec- today and how important it is to reinforce our connection with all those who ics groups and destroyed entire villages, tion for children who are victims of forced prostitution, by means of activating share our mission, who have followed us for years and who wish to continue e houses along two-thirds of the coast of an integrated system of services (accommodation, psycho-social support, mobile participating to sustain our initiatives. ,000 people. unit, individual project of socio-family reintegration, national telephone out the country, this situation has brought helpline, campaign to make people aware of the problem) which will permit fugee camps where the social and eco- them, finally, to give the children a new opportunity in life. and which are a source of new conflicts ear future is to try to develop interven- LEARNING FROM EXPERIENCE itions inside the camps (education, bath- The experience of these months in Sri Lanka has put emphasis on some sectors ) and for proposing definite solutions to in which it is important to work in the future because they are priorities for the heir place of origin. whole Asian area in which ASIA operates. Most of all considering the work and the role of ASIA in Tibet, it is possible to develop a synergy between these two UTION regions – that of the Himalayan region and that of Southeast Asia. ntly working is the phenomena of child The environmental question is a global warning and its consequences have made children and young people in the whole themselves felt mainly in this region of the continent that is very densely popu- lated and has quite inadequate conditions to control and protect that are barely at about approximately 38,00 – 40,000 tackled by the local administrations. a of prostitution, but the trend is rapidly In Sri Lanka, ASIA has already confronted the question of waste management g the countries in the world most affect- and sustainable energy by means of presenting a project with the Region of he most hideous crime against children. Lazio to the European Union. We feel it is important to repeat and broaden this h foreigners and locals, and the tourist specific experience and knowledge of this sector, which is also useful mainly for on of child prostitution is widespread. facing the same environmental problems that are affecting Tibet. aggravated the situation. One of the most We think to do the same type of address on the question of children and the mi has been a great increase in child pros- defense and protection of their rights. The theme is controversial in the whole of high influx of tourists. south-east Asia, and even in the regions of central Asia where it would be oppor- To contact Asia [email protected] or www.asia- were the children. Many of them were tune to do in-depth study into the characteristics of this phenomena (different to onlus.org ASIA Onlus - Via San Martino della Battaglia, 31 fterwards by the epidemics that came that in Sri Lanka) in order to program interventions on the prevention of AIDS. 00185 Rome, Italy Tel: 0039-0644340034, children most exposed to psychological Regarding this, at the beginning of 2006, a project on prevention and informa- fax 0039-06702620 wn family, friends and neighbors dying. tion on AIDS in Mongolia was presented to the European Union. e who were orphans after the wave, are on their own or without a sufficient net-
T HE M IRROR S EPT/OCT 2006 11 INTERNATIONAL IN ISRAEL, FOR THE FIRST TIME December 2006 COMMUNITY NEWS Santi Maha Sangha Base Retreat with Sasha Poubants
The Ati group of Israel is very happy to announce that we are about to merigar east have our first SMS base training course. Sasha Poubants will lead the course in December 2006 and give two full weekends of SMS: Dec. 7 - 9 in Jerusalem Dec. 14 - 16 at Kibbutz Tuval in Northern Israel You are all most welcome to join us. Warm greetings! Gisele Gordon
If you need any information please contact me. Mobile phone: 1-972-52-8964786, Email:[email protected] Many Flavors of the Dharma Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts by Paula Barry
n a crisp autumn day, penultimate day of September, with the leaves beginning to reach the peak of their annual display of brilliant color Ohere in the Pioneer Valley, some of the members of the Dzogchen Community of Tsegyalgar East met at Smith College in Northampton to add the unique flavor of the Dzogchen teachings to an annual event called The Many Flavors of the Dharma. The flavors in this unique Dharma soup were many. There were Zen Buddhists, Theravadas, Vipassanas, Insight mediators, Shambalaists, the Order of Disorder, Yoga practitioners of many kinds, as well as poets and performance artists, all adding their particular spice to the unique blend of sensory and intellectual experience-a veritable smorgasbord of offerings of A Retreat in a Juniper Grove spiritual paths. Santi Maha Sangha & Yantra Yoga in Crimea The Dzogchen Community at Tsegyalgar East hosted two tables of infor- September 24, 2006 – October 8, 2006 mation. One offered information on the activities of the Shang-Shung Institute and their program for the Study of Tibetan Medicine, information by Andrei Besedin about the activities about ASIA was also provided there. Another table offered books and information about the teachings of Chögyal Namkhai hen an activity becomes a tradition, after some time often it starts losing its original meaning. But some Norbu and the activities at Tsegyalgar in Conway that are the embodiment activities instead make more and more sense. It has become a tradition to have a combination retreat on of these teachings. SMS Base Level and Yantra Yoga in Crimea. This time, about 120 people, mostly from Ukraine and Rus- Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo gave a talk about the unique tradition of Tibetan W Medicine. Then accompanied by explanations of their origins and lineages sia, but also from Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Poland and Germany, gathered for the teaching and practice retreat led by Igor Berkhin and Viktor Krachkovsky. many members of Tsegyalgar demonstrated the Dance of the 6 Spaces of The topic of the retreat was “The view and the meditation of Dzogchen. Obtaining and developing experiences of Samantabhadra, and the Lungsang or Eight Movements to Purify the Prana. practice with the methods of base level of Santi Maha Sangha and Yantra Yoga.” An introduction to the Dzogchen Path and the teachings of the lineage of Our teachers placed special emphasis on the seventh lojong practice and throughout all two weeks we studied the Chögyal Namkhai Norbu as they relate to the Three Gates of Body, Voice correct breathing and slowly introduced ourselves to this practice. and Mind and Sutra, Tantra and Dzogchen was presented to interested lis- Generally, we had three thuns of SMS and one thun of Yantra a day, but besides that, people interested in Vajra teners. We at Tsegyalgar intend to have an ‘open house’ in Conway at the Dance could practice in the early morning and late evening. The soft music of the dance, though it was not loud, end of October (when the foliage is at the peak of its splendor) for those seemed to fill the whole place — the Laspi bay, which might be a most picturesque place in Crimea, a juniper wood interested to partake in more of the many facets of these precious Dzogchen at the seaside under a mountain range. teachings. The overall surrounding for the retreat helped us to relax and loosen all the tensions, which we usually accumulate It was really very wonderful to be taking our place in the many-flavored in our daily life. The sun was shining, the Black Sea was warm enough to enjoy swimming, so that only an occa- world of Dharma paths and offering our ‘free samples’ to all who might sional chilly breeze in the evening reminded that it’s already October. have a cause to enter the path of Ati Yoga and one day attain Liberation for In the middle of the retreat we received a message from Rinpoche that Merigar East would be located in Romania, all beings. not in Crimea. This was really a moment for everyone to verify — can we really work with circumstances or get stuck with our ideas? In the past year, many people have actively made efforts to search for different locations for New York City Schedule the Gar, to do fundraising or to help in other manner to make this idea real. Many people hoped for the Gar, where people from Eastern Europe could come without having to cope with visa problems or higher cost of living. But Khundrolling the circumstances changed, so we try to work accordingly. So it was really a useful point to check our practice, and 151 W. 30th St., #403, NYC to learn step-by-step to unify the experiences and the understanding in our daily life. Tel: 212-564 1024 With such approach, in any circumstances we can find relaxation and enjoyment, integrating it with the practice. Email: [email protected] So for sure this retreat was a real enjoyment – and hopefully a real integration – for all who participated. December 1 & 2, 2006 Dream Yoga tsegyalgar east With Michael Katz Regular events Mon: Contemplation practice 7-9pm Wed: Vajra Dance 6-8pm DCA Tsegyalgar East Thursday: Yantra Yoga 7-9pm PO Box 277 Conway, MA 01341 USA Tel: 413 369 4153 Fax & Bookstore 413 369 4473 Email: [email protected] Website: www.tsegyalgar.org
New ProgramsTsegyalgar East OUTREACH & ONGOING SATURDAY MORNING EXPLANATIONS
After the Many Flavors of the Dharma in Northampton (see this page), the public was invited to an Open House at the schoolhouse in Conway on October 21 and seven new people came. We created a new an on going Saturday morning session for newcomers to MANDARAVA CHRISTMAS photo by L Matthews explain the thun and explanations of the transmission PRACTICE RETREAT DECEMBER 26, 2006 - JAN 1, 2007 The New York Dzogchen Community was delighted to host an inspiring and practices. Jim Valby started it off on October 28th weekend of of the Dance of the Three Vajras with Anastasia McGhee, and we will continue with explanations by older stu- authorized to teach the Vajra Dance by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu. From dents. In conjunction with the Christmas Retreat with Chögyal Namkhai Norbu webcast from Argentina, Friday October 13th, through to Sunday October 15th, Anastasia taught a Tsegyalgar East will have a Mandarava practice retreat group of a dozen or more the inspiring VajraDance. Kundrolling’s one year and coordinate with the rest of North America. For anniversary party took place on the Saturday evening of the dance weekend more information: [email protected] and clearly the time spent on the dance mandala gave our celebrations a special energy, clarity and Community spirit.
12 INTERNATIONAL Chicago COMMUNITY NEWS CHICAGO DZOGCHEN COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES December 2006 - March 2007 RETREAT AND PILGRIMAGE SITE AT KHANDROLING TARGET DATE JULY 7, 2011 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE THE VAJRA DANCE December 8 - 10 Vajra Dance: Dance of the Song of the Vajra, Part III Taught by Anastasia McGhee he Gakyil of Tsegyalgar East recently Contact: Tanya Andguladze at [email protected] announced plans to realize Rinpoche’s vision Tof building a retreat center on the sacred land February 16 - 18 at Khandroling in Buckland, Massachusetts. In End of Year/Losar Retreat keeping with Rinpoche’s wishes, our goal is to Lead by George Blaha and Lynn Sutherland th complete the project by July 7, 2011, the 25 Contact: Lynn Sutherland at [email protected] anniversary of his first dream of the Vajra Dance. When he visited the land in May of 2005 to dedi- February 23 - 25 cate the world’s first Universal Mandala, Santi Maha Sangha Base Retreat Rinpoche offered specific instructions for how to Taught by Jim Valby develop and care for the treasure that is Contact: Lynn Sutherland at [email protected] Khandroling. First, he requested that a Vajra Hall be built over the Universal Mandala, which is cur- March 2 at 9 pm rently exposed to the elements for much of the Mandarava cabin Oni McKinstry Worldwide Transmission of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu for the Anniversary year, and sealed under tarps to protect it during the of Garab Dorje. winter months. He said that people will begin pilgrimages to the sacred points of Vajra Dance around the world, Contact: Lynn Sutherland at [email protected] and that Khandroling will always be the primary one since the Vajra Dance was first revealed to him in dreams there. For that reason, he said, we must build a Guest House to accommodate those who come, and renovate the TBA old barn near the farmhouse for community use as well. Vajra Dance: Dance of the Song of the Vajra, Part IV and V Rinpoche also asked us to begin clearing away the scraggly pines and hemlocks from the land, leaving only the Taught by Anastasia McGhee hardwoods. In addition to the existing structures (Rinpoche’s cabin, the Guardian cabin, the pond cabin and bath Contact: Tanya Andguladze at [email protected] house) the retreat center will also include six personal retreat cabins and a dark retreat cabin. We will also reopen an old logging road in order to improve access to the land and minimize the impact on our neighbors. TBA We estimate that the entire project will cost roughly 1.5 million dollars to complete. We have already received Yantra Yoga: The Preliminaries seed money in the form of a generous bequest from our vajra sister, Georgette Kelly, who was an organizer of the Taught by Lynn Sutherland first retreat held at Khandroling in 1989. We are also very pleased to have member Jill Riley, an architect who Contact: Tanya Andguladze at [email protected] studied Buddhist architecture in Tibet and Nepal as a Fulbright Fellow, as our Project Manager. Jill has generous- ly offered her time and expertise as an in-kind donation, which has allowed us to move ahead with the project. Since announcing the project, a number of members have also stepped forward to offer financial assistance. Our goal is to complete a general plan detailing the design, schedule and cost within the next three months, at The New Mexico Dzogchen Community has which time we will also launch a major fund-raising effort. Meanwhile, we are happy to accept early donations. elected a New Gakyil: If you would like to make a donation to the project, checks can be sent to:
Dzogchen Community in America Blue Gakyil - Josefa Candelaria P.O.Box 277 Red Gakyil - Janet Mason and Becky Page Conway, MA 01341 Yellow Gakyil - Susie Marlow USA
Donations can also be made directly on the Tsegyalgar website at
Tasks will include, but may not be limited to: Bodhi Krause will teach the Dance of the Six Spaces of 1. Revision, consolidation and update of the Shang Shung office databases [with application to be determined]; Samantabhadra after Christmas. 2. Implement an annual marketing plan in a timely manner coordinating the design and production of publications (brochures, posters, flyers, on-line announcements, & newsletter); direct mailings to local, regional and national Lynn Sutherland will teach Yantra Yoga, including the Yantra venues promoting SSI programs and mission; design and placement of ads; writing and sending press releases; Preliminaries, the First and Second Series of the Main Practice, (pranaya- 3. Revision, development and consolidation of office procedures and protocols finalized to the maintenance of the mas and yantras), and the Vajra Wave. Institute’s records and documents, as well as the donors and SSI members database, including any of the related correspondence; CHÖGYAL NAMKHAI NORBU WEBCAST 4. Processing and filling of the orders from the SSI online store keeping the pertinent documentation on file; DECEMBER 26, 2006 TO JANUARY 1, 2007 5. Participation in the recruitment of students for the 4-year Tibetan Medicine course: sending out information to There will be the webcast of Rinpoche’s retreat Longsal Ati’i Gongpa prospective students answering inquiries, processing applications and maintaining the pertinent records on file; Ngotro, the Upadesha of The Introduction to the State of Ati. It is a 6. Attending and keeping track of all board meeting minutes and distribution of formal board communications restricted webcast so participants must have received transmission from and in general being the point person for Students, faculty, and BOD. the Master to attend. 7. Special Projects: as requested. To apply please email your cover letter and resume at POST RETREAT WORKSHOP: SELF-HEALING [email protected] or fax it at 413-369-4473. AND WELL-BEING JANUARY 10-14 Position will be filled as soon as a qualified candidate is found. In your cover letter please refer to your date of Song Park availability and your pertinent skills. Also please include the contact information of references that can attest to Drawn from the wisdom of Chinese medicine, Chi Gong, and Martial your professional skills and experience. Applicants must provide their own lodging and be able to work legally in Arts. the United States. COST: Shang Shung Institute In America All-inclusive cost (retreat, campsite, food, and airport transportation) is PO Box 277 $350US/Week, $60US/Day 18 Schoolhouse Road Dzogchen community membership discounts apply. Conway, MA 01341 (40% sustaining, 20% regular, 5% introductory) Telephone: 413-369-4928, Fax: 413-369-4473, htpp: www.shanshung.org Pre-Registration and Inquiries contact: [email protected]
T HE M IRROR S EPT/OCT 2006 13 INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY NEWS south america
passages Tashigar South Comunidad Dzogchen BORN: On September 3, 2006 Emmett Jules Tashigar Flynn was born to Arthur and Jennifer Calle pública S/N Tashigar North Flynn in Ventura, California. Tanti 5155 Finca Tashigar Pcia. de Córdoba Prolongación de la Calle Argentina Bolivar Tel & Fax: Valle de Pedro González. 0054- 3541-498 356 Isla de Margarita JARDIN DE LOS NARANJOS (TSEGYALGAR WEST) BUSINESS PLAN FOR Email: Tel: 00 58 295 415 5800 FALL 2006 – END OF 2008 [email protected] Email: [email protected] VISION Web site: www.dzogchen- venezuela.org Nurturing the spirit and body in nature, Jardin de Los Naranjos Retreat Center in beautiful Baja California Sur, Mexico, offers current and future generations of spiritual practitioners, health seekers, ecology students, and everyday refugees from busy lives, opportunities to encounter and New Gakyil of Chile become familiar with the spiritual teachings and practices of the Tibetan Dzogchen tradition taught by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu; regain and Blue - Lorena Hume, [email protected] strengthen health and energy with advanced Chinese, Tibetan and Indian Yellow - Francisca Fuentes, [email protected] yogas and health treatments; relax and rest; explore Baja Sur and experi- Red - Konstantin Korotkov, [email protected] ence its living tropical dry lands and rich maritime ecosystems; and take advantage of a wide range of inspiring, hands-on workshops. MISSION namgyalgar & the pacific rim Body, Mind, Energy, Environment Integration—helping you discover that you are the eyes of the world!!! Being Active Sangha OBJECTIVES & PLAN at Namgyalgar Santi Maha Sangha Obtain anonymous donor contribution of $50,000 annually, matched by in Daily Life Community donations (including casita subscriptions & endowment) Facility and casita rentals bring in $45,000 in revenue annually by 2008. On a mountain top in one small Keep salary expenses below maximum of $25,000 annually and continue room, just big enough. A vista of zero debt. sacred mountain lake and ocean. Establish 2 to 3 paid, residential, supervisory staff positions Exactly the right place for a year of Provide orientation and conflict resolution training for all staff and volun- study and practice. Two helpful teers teachers, a lama monk for grace Designate a person or several persons responsible for ongoing publicity and example, and a Sangha offering and outreach for the Baja Gar, including creation of new website, outreach the strength of collective practice, a to magazines and newspapers, notices within the Community, and local challenging context for integration. events. A boringly simple routine – shop- Complete 12 casitas with toilets and furnishings, put roofs on all 19, and ping, cooking and eating, launder- Rinpoche’s house at Namgyalgar get cistern operable. ing and cleaning – provides the sim- Sangha, and the assistance of teach- strain or coercion. Survey perimeter, mark GPS sites, mend fences, and install gates and plicity and elegance that keeps the ers. I very much wanted and needed Now, some months later I am again signs. study and practice going steadily. a time away to focus on studying reflecting on this period as I write. I Conduct major Dzogchen retreat accompanied by supplementary health Beauty, tranquility, measureless and practice, to sharpen my under- recommend this year on an SMS programs from mid-December, 2006 – mid-January, 2007 as well as offer time, exactly what I needed. standing and gain precision in my scholarship to anyone who needs a additional retreats and webcast retreats and transmissions. I cannot speak of the fruit of all of practice. How wonderful that felt! boost on the path, a way of refresh- Host supervised student volunteers to prepare trail guides, improve water this accurately, except to say things Exactly the right opportunity at the ing and renewing study and prac- system and fences, plan and initiate compost system, landscape and plant seem easier. My behavior is calmer, right time! I was more than happy tice, whether a young starting prac- as needed. cleaner, clearer and more loving. I to make every effort to meet the titioner or a jaded older student. Complete court case successfully against squatter. hope my understanding and actual- expectations to maintain a high Potential magic. Not easy, because ization have also improved. I value level of commitment, practice and there are substantial challenges, but my time at Namgyalgar more than study; to develop a Dzogchen atti- magical. any other Dharma practice I have tude of both view and behavior; to Let’s begin with the physical set- ever done. My life feels very differ- work to the limits of my capacity, ting. Imagine on a quiet slope of ent. collaborating actively with the local mountain, a Gar of simple elegance, Angela Sands, March 2006 Sangha and engaging in Karma a retreat cabin and above it all, Yoga, collective practices and the Rinpoche’s house, Gawaling, where Early in 2005 I was offered an SMS everyday business of being there. I had a room. scholarship. I saw this as a great gift It seemed best to approach my time The simple retreat cabin where I did and wonderful opportunity to deep- there as a retreat, integrating, so I many personal retreats is one of the en and intensify my understanding was not very concerned with week- rich resources offered; a little cabin and practice in a place devoted to ends or breaks and attempted to set of unassuming fiberboard with a the precious teachings of our up a routine without a lot of speci- small verandah. Open a glass paned Master, Chögyal Namkhai Norbu. I fied “down” time. As I relaxed and door into a jewel of a room, lined was also invited to use my time as entered into a natural flow, a mix- with warm honey coloured wood an opportunity to contribute to the ture of activities sustained my ener- and golden yellow walls, square development of the Gar and the gy without strain, time off, or dis- paned windows. It could be Hansel Sangha, in accordance with tractions. Through this, I established and Gretel’s cottage but it’s a retreat Rinpoche’s wish, and was honored a workable daily routine. For me, an cabin. Everything you need exactly to be the first to take up the SMS important aim was to develop an where it needs to be! The bed is firm scholarship. integrated practice routine that I and wide enough to turn in comfort- Preparing for the move from my could then take back with me to my ably; a little wood heater easily home and change in living situation, normal living situation. This routine keeps you cozy and toasty in winter; I sensed that the basis of the year’s included two hours of practice early an ensuite of correct proportions activity would be developing prac- in the morning, another thun in the with a great shower; a wall of sim- tice in order to sustain continuously afternoon or evening, about three ple kitchen appliances and cup- the Dzogchen state: the attitude of hours of karma yoga, usually tran- boards; above the bed a wall of hon- maintaining Bodhicitta, motivation scribing, or assisting in setting up eyed wood hung with thankas; at the and application; self-responsibility; the library, and some two to three foot of the bed an extended shelf collaboration and contribution to the hours of study. The domestic activi- and desk. Solar lights and a gas frig Gar’s activities; and the wellbeing ties fell in around this and the result- work well, and kind persons bring of the community. This was the ant variety of activities and move- wood for the heater. Yes, this is the inner focus for the outward prepara- ment was quite self-sustaining, so retreat cabin on Namgyalgar. tions. that I did not tire easily. When I Here there is nothing to do but prac- The Dzogchen Community of needed a change I visited a friend tice, study, listen to recordings of Namgyalgar offered some financial and listened to music, and I went to Rinpoche, listen to the sound of support, an excellent physical and the movies a few times… A good quiet and the birds, cook and eat Dharma environment, a local balance and easily sustained without continued on next page
14 INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY NEWS Namgyalgar, Dzogchen Community in Australia PO Box 214 Central Tilba continued from previous page NSW 2546 simple small meals. No talk, no gered. Rabgyi, of all the people I retreat cabin, an exquisitely beauti- words, no sound except mantra and have met, became a model to me of ful space, was ready just after I left. Tel/Fax: 61 02 4473 7668 birds, no people. Just exactly the generosity, equilibrium, kindness Sometime I will return to Email: [email protected] place to practice and ‘observe your- and effortless grace; his conduct Namgyalgar, and develop my prac- Website:www.dzogchen.org.au self’, that monkey mind, the move- was impeccable. Working and liv- tice more and to do a dark retreat. ment from contemplation to distrac- ing in a small Sangha, with two For now, I appreciate the way prac- tion, the curious inner waves of con- other people on Namgyalgar, and a tice and study is embedded into my passages centration and tumult, thought and local Sangha of about ten people daily life. I continue doing tran- emotions rising from nowhere helped tune my conduct. scriptions, and now also assist on going nowhere, judging, thinking, There were good supports too in the the SMS Scholarship committee, clarity, emptiness, contentment. teachers Rinpoche has appointed, determined that others should bene- However you go in you come out both of whom live quite close. Elise fit as I have done, and that refreshed, grateful and content. Stutchbury and Angie Gilbert made Namgyalgar is strengthened and Perfect. themselves available generously. enlivened by a small Sangha contin- The accommodation at Rinpoche’s When you are here you too will uing to live and practice there. house is only a little different. I learn a lot from them. Their advice The setting is great, the opportunity BORN: found my room very pleasant, com- on practices, support during and unsurpassable, the support and Beautiful boy Surya Dewa Phipps was born on July 15, 2006 into the fortable and workable. The same before personal retreats, their under- resources excellent. It is all there loving family of Melbourne practitioners Suzana Dewa and Peter beauty of outlook and serenity pre- standing and skilful explanations of now – offering all that is needed for Phipps, his brother Gabriel, and his sisters Sylvia and Arya. vails. Rabgyi, one of the monks the SMS course were invaluable. a year’s steady study and practice, Rinpoche invited to come to The local Sangha attends Ganapujas for those practitioners who really Namgyalgar to study, and and collective practices regularly so want to engage with the precious Catherine, our Gekö, shared the that one feels very much part of a Santi Maha Sangha. Think about it! house with me. The space was just community of practitioners, the Once in this lifetime, take a break adequate, powered by solar energy, Dzogchen Community. Karma from your usual activities and come water limited by what we collected Yoga weekends and retreats attract a here for a year’s study and practice. when it rained, a good wood heater; gathering from Canberra, Sydney, You won’t regret it! help support asia and so we learned to live with Melbourne and elsewhere. Gakyil You can contribute to and benefit awareness of ourselves and the meetings happen regularly, either by from this wonderful program, even asiacalendar 2007 environment. Of course we did our conference call or in person. The if the possibility of participating in best to live harmoniously and col- Gar is big enough to be quite chal- the program here at Namgyalgar laboratively. That is our practice! lenging to care for, however mainte- does not present itself to you right And I worked with myself when I nance activities progress quietly: away, or even in this lifetime! observed my reactions to others and tree planting, weeding, road mak- Donations and continuing financial when my negativities were trig- ing, wood chopping. The dark support for the SMS Scholarship
Namgyalgar Programs for 2006 – 2007 & Gakyil News
Namgyalgar retreat program 2006 - 2007 The first school that ASIA Onlus built in Tibet was the Dongche The Blue Gakyil has been developing a retreat Primary and Middle School in Qinhai Province in 1993. The inhab- program for the forthcoming year. Highlights itants of the village has greatly wished to have a school and partic- include the following retreats at Namgyalgar: ipated keenly in its construction. Today the school has more than 500 Tibetan students. December 26 – January 1 This positive experience led to the construction of Schools in Shala, Closed webcast – Upadesha of Introduction to Thanggan, Tarzè, Golok and other places, in rural areas populated State of Ati by nomads where the distances on the plateau and the lack of means Chögyal Namkhai Norbu of communication and infrastructure make it practically impossibile for children living in these remote areas to have access to education. Purification of 6 Lokas, and Short, Medium and The rate of enrolment at schools of compulsory education is still Ganapuja Thuns related to Refuge, Bodhicitta, very low and there are a great number of older boys and girls who Guruyoga do not know how to read and write. Furthermore, because of the with Cheh Goh lack of education, nomadic families have fewer and fewer possibil- ities of participating in the process of economic development which Retreat cabin at Namgyalgar Study Groups for SMS Base and Level 1 is taking place in China and are becoming poorer and more margin- alised. Yantra Yoga With the aim of preserving the ancient spiritual heritage of Tibet, with Emily Coleing ASIA has rebuilt Buddhist study and practice colleges that were destroyed during the cultural revolution. These colleges have January 2 – January 8 always played an extremely important role not only as religious Dance of the Song of the Vajra Practice institutions but also as centres of culture and education for young with Lynne Geary people. The experience of creating these schools and colleges has shown April 6 –April 15 that, in spite of the difficulties, the Tibetans want to become organ- SMS Base and Level 1 ised in order to defend and perpetuate their patrimony of knowl- with Jim Valby edge. Interventions such as those proposed by ASIA are able to stimulate September 29 – October 7 the nomadic community to become active in order to guarantee an Meditation and Contemplation education for their children. Both schools and colleges, built using by Costantino Albini bio-climatic technology, will continue to allow many young Tibetans to study with regularity and with profit in a friendly envi- ronment which respects Tibetan culture and traditions. Donations starting from 8 euro accepted. The Campers’ Kitchen Contact: [email protected], or by post to Via San Martino Della Battaglia, 31 – 00185 Rome, Italy) The Campers’ Kitchen project is nearly ready to go – apart from one crucial aspect. We need (quite a lot) more Over 13 years ASIA has built numerous money! Madeleine Fogarty is the Yellow Gakyil member co-coordinating fundraising, so if you want to donate, schools and Buddhist colleges in the most remote and inhos- or have any fundraising ideas (or even more importantly, the energy to pursue them), please contact her: pitable areas of Tibet. [email protected], or on (61 3) 9388 9144. The 2007 Calendar is dedicated to the children and the nomadic community that are benefited by it. Power to the Gar Payment can be made by: As anyone who has been to the Gar lately would know, the power system needs to be upgraded. The Gakyil has Bank draft: now chosen a contractor for the project, and is in the process of raising the necessary funds (the overall cost will ASIA Onlus– donations be about $35,000, some of which we have already). Money from the maintenance raffle is being put towards Monte dei Paschi di Siena c/c n. 389350 the power project, so please buy tickets! Just as importantly, if you are able to help by selling raffle tickets, ABI: 01030 – CAB: 72160 please contact Madeleine. Post Office account ASIA Onlus– donations C/c n. 89549000
T HE M IRROR S EPT/OCT 2006 15 Interview with Laura Evangelisti Kiev, Ukraine on April 7th, 2006 Andrei Besedin: Laura, how did you become Fabio was already teaching publicly and in would be concentrating on the Yantra book order to be corrected. Going to retreats is not a Yantra Yoga teacher? 1995 we became the official International and be called away by some very urgent work indispensable. Maybe it is better to attend a Laura Evangelisti: I met Rinpoche in 1980 Yantra Yoga teachers. Rinpoche wrote a very and have to put it off until next time. Things regular class, going once a week or twice a and in 1983 we had a retreat in Merigar where precise indication of just go slowly sometimes. week. That is very useful; the teacher can real- Rinpoche went through the complete book of how to proceed to Now we are very satisfied ly see your problem and correct or help you. Yantra with his commentary for many days. become a Yantra with the book, so hopeful- Regular classes are much more useful than He was reading the text and the people who Yoga teacher, so he ly we will have it soon in condensed retreats because with regular prac- already knew Yantra Yoga were in front of asked Fabio and I to English published by tice you really develop. Of course, your own him and doing the exercises. Rinpoche was do the teacher’s Snow Lion and later in practice is the most important. guiding and correcting them. We went through training courses for other languages, so it will the entire book, which was at that time only in all the teachers to be be available for practition- AB: Who can lead such classes? Tibetan. supervised. We start- ers. LE: The general process of becoming a After the retreat he asked, “Who would be ed to do that and we Yantra Yoga teacher is like this: a practitioner interested to teach Yantra? Oh, then we can do are continuing it. AB: So many differences who is interested in teaching Yantra Yoga can an exam!” I was one among the interested and corrections appeared go to teacher trainings with Fabio Andrico and people. Anyway, it was quite a simple exam; AB: Why has the day to day; does the cor- me, maybe not only once, but several times. not very complicated. I passed, he gave me a Yantra Yoga book rected text of Yantra Yoga After that, if there is a group of practitioners in diploma and said; “Now you can do more offi- not been published now differ greatly from his town, he can lead the group. Of course, cial courses, like in the city, and you have this yet? the original of the old this person should first inform us about that. diploma as a kind of authorization.” LE: To make such a book is not easy and is a days? Later, if we see that this person has enough At that time I was living near Merigar and one very big work. First of all, the original transla- LE: The Yantra Yoga book comes from the experience, we can arrange a supervision day Rinpoche called me and said, “There are tion was in Italian. We also thought it would original text by Vairocana, which is very short course like this one in Kiev. If the person pass- two women in Arcidosso, a town near be very good if the book was published by a and condensed, but there is also Rinpoche’s es the supervision, we can present him to Merigar, and they came to me and asked for publishing house with a more widespread net- commentary on it. Sometimes we found, for Rinpoche and he/she has to pass an exam in advice, they had some problem, depression work and we had a proposition from Snow instance, things that didn’t correspond front of Rinpoche. Only after receiving a and like that, so I advised them to learn Lion Publications. Therefore, we decided to between the root text and the commentary, so diploma from Rinpoche, he or she is author- Yantra, so could you go to their place and publish it with Snow Lion and the book need- Rinpoche asked us to correct it. This was pri- ized to teach and give courses, not before that. teach them?” I said that I would try, I had ed to be translated from Italian into English, marily regarding the initial and final phases of If there is a group of practitioners in the city never taught Yantra before, but I would try. because at that time Adriano Clemente was the movements; we had to do some correc- and they want to practice once a week and That’s how I started to teach Yantra. I went to not translating into English, and then the book tions. Tibetan is not an easy language and, of there is one who knows better among this the women’s house twice a week and taught was given to Andy Lukianovich to translate course, to describe a movement when you group of practitioners, one who maybe wishes them very basic Yantra because they did not from Italian into English and that took more translate, if you change the order of one word, to become a teacher, then of course this person know anything about it. After this, I started to time. After, we had to review it again and that that changes the details of the movement. Of can lead the practice. That doesn’t mean he or teach Yantra at Merigar because I lived there took more time. Then, we needed drawings course, Adriano did his best, but sometimes she is a teacher, just a more experienced stu- and there were practitioners who wanted to and photos and that also took a lot of time. We we had to go over the movement again and dent, training to become a teacher. That’s the practice. started the project of drawings about eight again in detail, going deeper into the text to way it should be. Anyway, this person must I started teaching at Merigar and in 1985 I years ago and made photos of all the yantras find out what might be the correct way. inform the Gakyil of the activity, and of started to give courses in a little town near and the variations. Bruno Irmici made all the Anyway this is in regard to the details; the course should not get any money out of it. Of Merigar to local people who were not from the drawings and that took a lot of time; first to main practice is as it was since the beginning. course, if you need to pay for a room you col- Community. I did that regularly on a weekly make all the photos, then to put them in order, The main thing is that we are trying to correct lect some money for that purpose. basis for a few years. In the meantime, I also one by one, and then to send them to Bruno – the details slowly because otherwise it will go taught at Merigar to practitioners. In 1985 all this took years. So the book had many in a different way, like one teacher teaches in AB: Why do the retreats on variations happen they started the translation of the famous book obstacles. one way and another in another way, so we try so rarely? Are they kept secret? on Yantra Yoga. I remember the year because After five years the work was finished and we to coordinate all this. LE: Oh, no, they are not kept secret. I did a it was the time when my second daughter, collected everything: the text, the drawing variations course in Margarita and also one at Yesan, was born. In the beginning four people and the photos, and gave it to Snow Lion for AB: So many people don’t have the physical Merigar in the summer. The thing is that very divided the book into four parts and each editing. Now we have decided to have Dan capacity to do many yantras. What is the best few people are able to do the variations. You translated one part. That was the first transla- Zegunis of Shang Shung Institute, Italy, do the way to develop them? Can hatha yoga help? can see that even with these second level tion; years passed. final graphics and that is where we are at pres- LE: The best way is to practice. Of course, if yantras we are doing now, 80% people are not The translation was a rough one and needed to ent. you do hatha yoga it can be helpful to be able prepared for them. That is a difficulty. There be put together and edited, etc. So Adriano to do the yantra after. Most of all it is the mat- are several people very dedicated and also Clemente took on this job and because we AB: Is it being finished at last? ter of practice, because if you do things regu- very fit that can probably do them, but most of were living together at the time and I was LE: Every time we think it’s finished, or we larly, then your body really changes and slow- the people usually cannot. Even Fabio and I practicing Yantra, I helped him with the book. have reached the last review, we go through ly you are able to do things that you thought cannot do many of the variations, but at least I slowly started to go into more detail and and find something incorrect, and that keeps you couldn’t do, so it is most of all a matter of we can teach and show, so that young people compare the text with the practice, and a few going on and on. Now it’s at a very good practice. can start practicing and so we may have the times Adriano, Fabio and I met with Rinpoche point. I don’t want to say it’s completely fin- complete Yantra Yoga practice. That is why I to correct the translation. Rinpoche probably ished, because we have already said that so AB: Which is a best way to build our Yantra thought to teach the fifth group, the variations, saw that I was very interested and very pre- many times, but we are now at a very good Yoga practice? Do we need to go through the and seven lotuses - to finish it before we get cise. point. Last May I brought the final version to retreats again and again for corrections? too old. Already we are quite old! (laughing) At the end of 1994 he wrote a letter to all the Rinpoche, with all the drawings and pictures, LE: Well, no. The best way to build your So that is the thing I want to do in the near Gakyils and said that he had decided to and he said he liked and we did a very good Yantra Yoga practice is to practice as regular- future. appoint two responsible teachers for Yantra job. He was satisfied. Now we can really fin- ly as possible and to develop your understand- Yoga and two for Vajra Dance. So the two he ish it. ing, because only with personal practice you Interview by Andrei Besedin appointed for Yantra Yoga were Fabio and I must also say that the book took such a long understand and develop. Only attending myself. I was a little surprised. “Oh, wow! time because Adriano is busy with so many courses is not enough. It is useful to attend That’s a big responsibility!”, I thought. books and working very hard. Sometimes he courses now and then, maybe once a year, in
The Bedbug Lineage:Memories of a Buddhist Retreat by Gerald Reilly India, about to receive the Lamdre latrines had been strategically locat- watched them flee and marveled at guns and lethal weapons that might [email protected] (Taking the Result as the Path) the ed alongside a cow field. On a typi- the precise angles of attack and the provide fitting protection for the central teachings of the Sakya cal morning, thousands of flies dark scabs lining the uncovered great teachers. They called us big-man ling. All School of Tibetan Buddhism, buzzed between the cows and the parts of our flesh. We tried to pre- The scene was filled with outright three of us were living in the cell descended uninterruptedly to the latrines, and the simplest act of tend it was not interfering with our craziness too. I arrived to find an closest to the monk’s central dormi- present day from Virupa, the great waste management was necessarily sleep. By mid-retreat, I had given acquaintance from New York City tory, and we were big, bearded, mahasiddha who lived in sixth-cen- an act of high humiliation, a losing away my mattress to a friendly leaving the retreat in the midst of a unmistakably Western. The Tibetan tury India. and mind-numbing battle to keep monk whose tough reddish skin nervous breakdown. She had been monks loved us for our size. How All three of us laughed loudly and buzzing flies from entering the very wasn’t so appetizing to the insects. I so traumatized by the preparatory could they not love such big, boisterously at our tribulations at the orifices that were being emptied out. fled our tiny room and slept the teachings on the hell realms that she sweaty, overfed Westerners? There retreat, and the Tibetans loved our And the blessed bedbugs! How remainder of the teachings on the had begun to actively hallucinate was Dag from Sweden who was six- humor and cheerfulness. We could one not laugh at the bedbugs, roof.The three of us laughed and that her residential cell was located feet six inches tall, Mike from laughed about the Tibetan cook, for even if the laughter began to grow a meditated and laughed some more. somewhere in the lower worlds. Berkeley, California (or example, a layman without religious little strained with the relentlessness What is funnier than Westerners Another Western visitor grew even “Beserkeley” as he liked to pro- inclinations, preparing our food in a of their assaults. Our mattresses and journeying thousands of miles to more unhinged. One night in the nounce it with yet another giant- loincloth towel (without under- room were infested with them. At receive impossible teachings and middle of the tantric empower- sized laugh) who was six-feet-four pants) but soon there were absurd night, if one of us leaned up and endure unrelenting humiliations? ments, this Spanish-born woman and not a pound less than two-hun- tears to be shed too. The poor man’s flicked on the switch for the over- Many monks, intrigued by our size broke down. It was a rare night of dred and twenty pounds, and wife had recently died, and deep head bulb, the wall would shine to and our beards, joined our laughter. drizzling rain. We were near the end myself, the smallest of the group into the retreat, he appeared incon- life with the scurry of insects And the variety of monastic types of the dry season and the monsoons from New York City who stood an solable in the kitchen hours after instinctively fleeing from our beds was as varied as our backgrounds were coming late that season, even six-feet and weighed just over dinner and cleanup, bemoaning his and flesh and climbing to safety up and appearances. We met a monk although from the monastery roof, two hundred pounds—at least loss and throwing pots and pans at the wall, out of reach from our who wanted to see movies in Dehra we could see the storm clouds of before my retreat in India. angry ghosts. vengeance. But of course, we hadn’t Dun at least as much as he wanted to dark rainy season accumulating to We were seekers after enlighten- We laughed about the latrines, just the slightest intention of being take part in yet another puja, anoth- the South. By midnight, as the light ment. It was the summer 1987, in four of them pretending to serve the vengeful: we were bodhisattvas, er monk planning on hiking back to rain fell, word slowly circulated that the middle of the hot season, and we needs of approximately three hun- every night practicing our love for Tibet to visit his aging mother, a were at Sakya College in Rajpur, dred monks and visitors. Our two the blood-sucking insects. We third monk eager to discuss hand- continued on next page
16 special practice calendar november 2006 - february 2007
9th Month, 30th day in particular. Generally the best the transformation of the Dakini collective Ganapuja with your Vajra Mon. 20th Nov. 2006 moment to do this kind of practice Simhamuka, and recite her heart brothers and sisters in the evening. is between 7 and 8 in the morn- mantra as many times as possible. DARK MOON This is a good day ing but if you don’t have this Otherwise you can do a Medium th th to do Namcho Shitroi Naljor, the possibility, then do it in the Thun either collectively or per- 12 Month, 18 day th Yoga of the Peaceful and Wrathful afternoon or later in the sonally. Mon. 5 Feb. 2007 Manifestations, in the morning. It is evening when you are also an important day for the prac- free. It is also a good day This is the anniversary of the great to do a Ganapuja. 11th Month, 30th day Dzogchen master Longchen tice of Ekajati, so try to do a Long or th Medium Thun, reciting the heart Fri. 19 Jan. 2007 Rabjam (Longchenpa, 1306-1363). mantra of Ekajati as many times as On this very important day try to do th th possible. 10 Month, 25 day DARK MOON This is an the Guruyoga Akar Lamai Naljor, Fri. 15th Dec. 2006 excellent day to do purifica- Guruyoga with the White A, either tion practice so try to do the collectively or personally. 10th Month, 10th day Today is a Dakini day and Purification of the Six Lokas Thu. 30th Nov. 2006 the anniversary of Tsongkhapa and a Ganapuja in the evening. (1357-1491), who made a syn- 12th Month, 25th day th This is a special day of Guru thesis of the previous schools and Mon. 12 Feb. 2007 founded the Gelugpa School. It is a 12th Month,10th day Padmasambhava, the day on which th he arrived in central Tibet. It is con- very beneficial day for reinforcing Sun. 28 Jan. 2007 Dakini Day. This is very positive 11th Month, 10th day sidered that on this day, at the end of the energy of the universe so try to day for reinforcing your energy and Fri. 29th Dec. 2006 the 8th century, King Songtsen perform a Ganapuja with your Vajra This day is the anniversary of Guru creating a stronger contact with the Gampo, the ancient king of Dharma, brothers and sisters. If there are no Padmasambhava’s coronation as energy of the universe so try to do a This is a special day of Guru vanished dissolving into a statue of other practitioners nearby you can Prince of Orgyen at the invitation of collective Ganapuja with your Vajra Padmasambhava called Padma Avalokiteshvara. Therefore it is do the Medium Thun on your own, King Idrabhodi. We can perform a brothers and sisters. If that is not Gyalpo: it is the day on which he good to do the Guruyoga of transforming into the Dakini Ganapuja collectively or do the possible, try to do a Medium Thun arrived in the capital of Oddiyana Padmasambhava with the Long-life Simhamuka and reciting the heart Long-life practice, “Universal alone. In either case recite the heart and became prince to King mantra and a Ganapuja. Otherwise mantra as many times as possible. Wisdom Union” either collectively mantra of Ekajati as many times as Idrabhodi. Therefore it is an excel- you can do the Long-life practice or personally, according to circum- possible. lent day to do the Guruyoga of “Universal Wisdom Union”. If it is stances. th th Padmasambhava with a Ganapuja. possible, the best moment to do the 10 Month, 30 day th th th Guruyoga is early in the morning Wed. 20 Dec. 2006 12 Month, 30 day th th th between 7 and 8. You can do the 12 Month,11 day Sat. 17 Feb. 2007 11th Month, 15th day th Ganapuja later in the afternoon. DARK MOON This is an excellent Mon. 28 Jan. 2007 Wed. 3rd Jan. 2007 10th Month 11th day Fri. 1st day to do purification practice so try Today is the last day of the Fire Dog Dec. 2006 to do the Purification of the Six This is a good day to do a Medium year. It is a special day for purifica- Lokas and a Ganapuja in the FULL MOON Today it is impor- or Long Thun with an intensive tion practices so try to do tant to try to do the Long-life prac- This is an important day for the evening. practice of the mantra of Ekajati. “Purification of the Six Lokas” as tice of Guru Amitayus, Union of practice of Ekajati. much as possible. You should also Primordial Essences, in the usual try to do a Ganapuja with your Vajra 11th Month, 7th day way, and, if possible, a Ganapuja. 12th Month, 15th day brothers and sisters. th nd 10th Month, 15th day Mon. 4th Wed. 27 Dec. 2006 Fri. 2 Feb. 2007 TIBETAN NEW YEAR – FIRE Dec. 2006 th th This month, the 8th day is missing. 11 Month, 25 day FULL MOON This is in general a BOAR Sat. 13th Jan. 2007 FULL MOON This day is consid- This is a special day for doing the day for honoring the Lord Buddha, ered to be the day to honor the Lord practice of Ekajati so try to do a and in particular an ideal day for the This is a day of the Dakinis in gen- Buddha in general, and it is one of Long Thun, collectively or alone, Long-life practice of Guru eral, so if you have the opportunity the best days to do the Long-life reciting the heart mantra as many Amitayus, “Union of Primordial practise a collective Ganapuja, with Practice with the Dakini Mandarava times as possible. Essences”. If possible try to do a
Bedbug lineage continued from previous page the Spanish visitor was standing feel superior because I couldn’t of the Sakya lineage, and verifying stall, past monkeys that mocked our By taxi we returned to the central naked in the center of the courtyard, muster the courage or the madness the loss of this famed master who solemn, monastic demeanors were bus terminal in New Delhi, past looking up towards Sakya Trizin’s to eat the Indian mystery meat or to had been his own teacher. His replaced by equally striking images army barricades that were set up at quarters. She appeared completely test the Indian ice. Bite after bite Holiness took the news without any of ancient lamas chanting Tibetan various highways and avenues. psychotic. She was brought back to sated his mysterious yet understand- visible emotion. Instead, he focused mantras as they walked into East Tensions in the Kashmir had spread her room and a while later would able craving for meat. And later that on me, the brand-new student, Village galleries for teachings, past to the rest of the sub-continent, and appear again, naked, staring with night and the next two days, when reminding me that even this sad street junkies on a darkened, New a curfew had been set for the city. It mysterious devotion at the lighted my friend was racked with nausea news could deepen my understand- York City street. was past midnight. We were looking windows of our teacher’s temporary and fever and the wildest discom- ing of the impermanence of the phe- Surely this remains the age of radi- for the missing passport and ticket residence. fort, I said numerous vajrasattva nomenal world. cal and often surreal intersections that would allow the lama to return On the following day, meetings mantras for him, although at the So what to make of it? between east and west. Nowadays, to America. We inspected hundreds were held and finally the woman time the one-hundred-syllable For me, the extreme conditions and for this new age without borders, the of empty buses in the darkness, and was driven to New Delhi so she prayer didn’t seem to offer anyone the madness and the remarkable secret tantric instructions arrive by we couldn’t find any trace of our could recover away from the scene much solace. Indian setting worked well in set- airmail. Lineage teachings, like the bus, let alone the missing papers. of her madness. There was nobody In fact, I was haunted by the thought tling my impressions. There were ones Sakya Trizin delivered in his Talk about complete enlightenment to leave her with. The Spanish of death throughout my entire visit undeniable physical costs to be paid accomplished but accented English, in this very lifetime! A final time we Embassy refused responsibility. In to India. In New York City, I had by the other visitors: two nervous are recorded on videotape, not to solemnly circumambulated the bus truth, as with the other woman from departed with the news that the great breakdowns, an outbreak of giardia, mention a circle of private tape graveyard before giving up: two New York, she quickly regained Dezhung Rinpoche, the founder of an ongoing variety of other intestin- recorders. This world is illusion, the Buddhists at midnight in New equilibrium apart from the retreat our center, had just passed away in al maladies. Here were obstacles, teaching proclaims, and I am slowly Delhi, a frail monk in maroon robes setting. Weeks later, just before the Nepal. A wonderful and extensive arising as necessarily as the obsta- becoming adept at recognizing that and a bearded American, searching end of the teachings, she returned to biography of his life by David cles in the lineage accounts. truth. As if in instant affirmation, a for a passport or a visa or even a pay respects to His Holiness. This Jackson has lately been published. Certainly I wasn’t ready for the Hollywood actor, famed for action ticket home. time, she kept her clothes on. And in 1987, at the time of his vastness of the teachings. Nothing movies, materializes in Tibetan- I have not even mentioned karma. death, I had not even met him! was simple or one-dimensional. We style garments while on a different During one of the breaks in the Arriving in India, I realized that weren’t shown a single inner-heat red carpet, a recognized tulku raises teachings, I accompanied a fellow nobody had heard the sad news. I (tummo) exercise: there were fifteen money to finance his latest movie. Gerry Reilly is a new student of Westerner up the mountain to tried to tell one Tibetan teacher, but of them. Countless yogas and prac- Sachen Kunga Nyingpo meet Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, receiv- Mussourie to enjoy a few hours of his difficulty understanding my tices, empowerments and commit- Marshal McLuhan! And the Lamdre ing transmission in March 2006. coolness and fine a hamburger. It English left me a little shaken at the ments were showered on my transmission continues. He lives with his wife and two was a homesick urge that I could prospect of such an announcement. unskilled and unsteady shoulders. A final fleeting, telltale memory. children in Northern New Jersey gladly share, but not on this day: I It was just as hard with the In fact, after Lamdre, nobody just After the teachings, I traveled by where he teaches writing at had no desire to eat the hamburger Westerners. In fact, the woman in returns to western life. Alone, express bus from Dehra Dun to New Bloomfield College. His story or whatever spurious meat was charge of the retreat arrangements sleeping on the roof, I had begun Delhi with a New York-based lama, “Nixon under the Bodhi Tree” offered under its name. I studied my openly dismissed the trustworthi- dreaming of my wife in New York sharing several hours of exhilarating was the title story of a collection friend’s face as he devoured his ness of any such news coming from City long before the teachings were talk about Lamdre and the dharma. of Buddhist fiction published by food. In his face, I saw what attach- the mouth of a neophyte like myself. finished. And for several years after We checked in together in a swank Wisdom Publications. ment was, intermingled with his I nearly began to question my own my summer in India, it felt as if the hotel in New Delhi, and suddenly expression of pleasure. He drank sanity. And later I had the complete- teacher had trailed us back home to my lama friend realized he was two ice-cold lhassi (yogurt) drinks. ly disorienting experience of con- New York. Fond memories of the missing his wallet and passport and He ate the entire hamburger. I didn’t versing with Sakya Trizin, patriarch evening stroll to the Rajpur chai plane tickets.
T HE M IRROR S EPT/OCT 2006 17 ACCOMMODATION SERVICE AT MERIGAR
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Zeitz YAMAMOTO MUNESUKE Illustrations: Many Buddhists, one Buddhadharma Fire Dog by Bepe Goia pg 17 Web Site Managers: Thomas Eifler Malcolm Smith Printer: Turley Publications Palmer, MA USA Distribution: Tsegyalgar at Conway, MA, USA Subscription Rate/6 Issues: $35US available through Tsegyalgar 35 Euro through Merigar Visa and Master card welcome J.Crow's® ON LINE MIRROR www.melong.com.melong.com Mulling Spice All material ©2006 Folk Medicine-Tibetan by The Mirror Medicine Reprint by permission only We reserve the right to edit SpicedCider.com all subsmissions fax or phone 1 800 878 1965 603 878 1965 [email protected] T HE M IRROR S EPT/OCT 2006 19 HOW I MET CHÖGYAL NAMKHAI NORBU by Flavia Tomassini sions, which lasted a number of When it was over I asked most part they were young people, days (this session was actually Barrie to explain things to with smiling dreamy faces, male ears ago I was a teacher, liv- 10 days on a beautiful farm near me but he didn’t say any- and female, with long hair and ing in Rome. My marriage the Taro River in Emilia thing there and then but one wearing colorful heavy wool jack- Ywas in trouble – my husband Romagna), I had my “first reve- of the other three started to ets. They all seemed beautiful to me and I didn’t get on very well, even lation”. talk to me about Tibet and and I thought they looked “like though we had a wonderful son - and It happened at the end of a day the Guru. So I decided that I angels”. it seemed I had come to a critical of work on our “minds in diffi- would absolutely have to I moved closer to the group, point in my life. I had been smoking culty”. I saw Barrie and another meet him. pushed my way in between a couple and drinking for years but at that two participants (equally large, In the meantime, after hold- of them and there He was, the point I realized that my life was at bearded and robust) hide away ing several retreats in various Teacher of my life - that was the stake if I didn’t manage to stop in a small room at the farm- parts of Italy, the Guru had way Chögyal Namkhai Norbu drinking and smoking my usual 20 – house. Soon after I started to decided to hold another one appeared at my first meeting with 30 cigarettes a day, so I decided to hear sounds and songs coming in Tuscany, not far from the him. “Here is the person I have been consult a Gestalt psychotherapist from the room which I found monastery of Pomaia, at the searching for up to now,” I thought called Barrie Simmons. As soon as I beautiful and fascinating … A villa of an American lady, to myself. “That is why there has saw him, I was struck by his lively few evenings later I asked one of the had to go in there. I ran to the door, Joyce, who had invited him. I under- been so much hardship and suffer- penetrating eyes and the shining other people at the therapy session if flung it open and literally threw stood that the “sine qua non” condi- ing until now.” For me, that first melong that stood out on his large they knew anything about the myself onto the chest of one of the tions of Rinpoche were that all dis- retreat with the Master was, and still pink shirt and covered an equally sounds I had heard and this person people who was playing the cym- ciples could participate in the retreat is, fundamentally rich with memo- large strong chest. When he saw me, told me in quite an ironic and con- bals and bell. He was completely if they wanted to, but Barrie felt that ries, sensations, certainties, great Barrie told me straight away, “Your ceited way that they were “Tibetan unperturbed and went on playing my participation was still prema- strength and beauty, unforgettable problem isn’t alcohol”. His reply songs”. and singing. I remained there the ture. When I insisted, he introduced and beyond words. really surprised me until, with the At school I had heard of Tibet as the whole time with my ear stuck on the me to his wife, Nancy, who was And from that moment on, I started passing of time, I started to under- “roof of the world” and on televi- huge chest of this person who was organizing in Rome. Nancy was to follow the new sacred therapy of stand how right he was. Even today, sion I had seen a handsome monk in sounding internally and externally very kind and gave me the neces- continually discovering and re-edu- years after stopping drinking and important brocade robes during an that which at the time was called the sary information and around cating my mind, and not only, since smoking, just the sight of wine and official ceremony. They had called Rite of the Guardians - today, the Christmas 1978 I drove onto the there is also a body and energy that cigarettes makes me feel sick. him the head of Tibet, the Dalai Long Thun. For me it was like redis- Aurelia highway in the direction of flows through it. And from that time I started having sessions of individ- Lama, and his smile; his hat and his covering sounds that I had always Livorno. up to this moment, not withstanding ual therapy, and after several bearing had struck me. For the rest I known but had not heard again until I remember that the morning I my poor personal results, I bless the months I asked him if I could move confess that I was totally ignorant that moment. It was, for me, the arrived at the villa, as soon as I saw circumstances, the day and the on to group therapy. This was to be about Tibet at the time, its appalling beginning of the Great Discovery. I the front door I felt my heart leap up moment in which I met our Master, a very important experience because tragedy, its historical importance was spellbound as I listened and to my mouth. I went into a large the Dharma King. you come into contact with other and its culture. watched the three singers while a kitchen and straight away noticed My meeting also helped the circum- people in an authentic way, and if it One evening, still attracted to those feeling of peace and joy took hold of Barrie, who indicated with a slight stances with Barrie, who I remem- isn’t authentic you know that you fantastic sounds, in spite of the fact me. The door was gently closed movement of his hand, a large group ber with gratitude and affection. are pretending or play-acting. In one that we were not allowed to go into again and we remained there, the of people who were standing, of these so-called ‘marathon’ ses- the little room, I decided that I just four of us, until the end of the Rite. crowded around the table. For the INTERNATIONAL GAKYIL Yellow IG Yeshi Namkhai, Italy & Gakyil President, [email protected] Mark Fulton, USA, [email protected] Blue IG Fabio Andrico, Italy and World, [email protected] Red IG Karin Eisenegger-Koppensteiner, Switzerland, [email protected] 20