The Mirror 52 February-March 2000

THE MIRROR

Newspaper of the International Dzogchen Community Feb/Mar 2000-Issue No. 52

Towards the New Millennium with Rinpoche in Australia Schedule of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu by Elisa Copello 2 0 0 0

SANTI MAHASANGHA

AUSTRALIA

March 3rd - 5th SMS Base exam March 6th - 10th SMS I level Training March 17th -19th SMS I level exam March 20th - 24th SMS II level Training March 25th - 26th SMS II Level exam

March 27th-31 st SMS III level Training

April 19th-23rd Namgyalgar Easter retreat

May 12th-16th Teaching for New Calendonia Island people

July 19th-July 23rd Summer Retreat - Merigar

August 11 th -13th Teaching Retreat - Singapore

August 18th - 22nd Teaching Retreat - Japan t is always a wonderful feeling to meet Rinpoche Rinpoche had begun the teachings talking about var­ Ionce again, but to meet him in such a place as Aus­ ious types of transmission and the importance of August 30th - September 3rd Teaching Retreat - Vladivostok tralia was a special experience. Gathered together in Guruyoga. After what was fortunately only a brief a group dwarfed by the gigantic eucalyptus trees at absence, he explained the Mandarava practice that September 22nd-24th Thailand retreat Namgyalgar, we saw a red car approaching and all the practitioners had done during the time he was heard a familiar voice calling out, "Italians! !". A sun­ unwell. Then he announced that he would give September 29th - October 1 st Teaching retreat - Singapore tanned and smiling Rinpoche kindly asked how our teachings on how to discover one's real condition by trip went and then told us to come in the afternoon to means of essential instructions on the inner and outer October 6th - 8th Teaching retreat - Taipei. Taiwan the warm atmosphere of his house, perched like an rushen, the practice of the sentait in general and the eagle's nest in the woods, with a distant view of the seven mind trainings. After this he spoke about the October 11 th -15th Kaohsiung Longde Retreat - Taiwan ocean glimpsed through the woods and green hills. dragyon practice, on how to integrate various There were still a few days before the retreat and sounds, in particular those related to the three active November 1 st-5th Cape Town Teaching Retreat - South Africa we had the luck to spend a few hours at the sea with elements of fire, air and water, into the state of con­ Rinpoche who joyfully swam in an ocean brisk templation. He went on the talk about the zernga November 10th -12th Teaching Seminar - Buenos Aires enough to discourage many of us from getting wet. practice and gave advice on how to integrate practice Those who were a little braver followed Rinpoche into daily life. November 18th A public talk in Cordoba city and splashed around happily. On New Year's day Rinpoche gave an interesting Christmas arrived and near the chorten under the talk on the Community explaining, among other December 5th - December 10th Klongsal Teaching - Tashigar enormous coral trees, home to a large snake which things, the importance of the responsibility of all Rinpoche has named "Maria", we all gathered for an practitioners to protect the precious Dzogchen teach­ December 26th - January 1 st Tashigar, New Year Retreat abundant picnic with Rinpoche during which he ing. At least twenty nine Gars and Gakyils through­ gave much of his precious time to telling tales and out the world were able to follow this teachings on playful jokes. In the meantime all arourtd feverish audio on the first day of the year at 10 am local time. preparations were being made for the retreat. In The passage into the new millennium was festive SPECIAL PRACTICES record time the excellent Australian practitioners after a very long sumptuous Ganapuja and an auc­ & INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY CONTACTS assisted by Luciano Rizzetto and other Italian vol­ tion in which Rinpoche patiently assisted in order to unteers, transformed a simple bam into a Gonpa raise funds for Namgyalgar, ASIA and the Istituto CONTENTS complete with a carpeted floor. Shang Shung. The New Year was calm but intense: a The retreat began under a leaden sky with around toast with the Master and then the A and the Song of two hundred forty people, almost half of them new the Vajra solemnly sung by Rinpoche to underline 2 MILLENNIUM ADDRESS Chögyal Namkhai Norbu people. The Master arrived smiling as the rain started that the best way to face the future is always and only to fall. The weather would be like that for almost all to find oneself in one's own real condition; in the the retreat, and even though the Master explained state of unification with the Master who guides us 4 MILLENNIUM ADDRESS His Holiness the Dalai Lama that it could be a sign of purification, he still invited and who shows us the path with patience, dedication us to do the serkyem practice to pacify the energy of and love. the place and attempt to stop the bad weather which A heartfelt thanks to all the Australian practition­ 5 STORY OF AYU KHANDRO TsulmmAllione was very persistent and troublesome. ers at the Gar who greeted us with open arms and Rinpoche unexpectedly developed a fever and made us feel at home. All best wishes that Namgyal­ was unable to give teachings on the third day of the gar may grow and develop for the benefit of those 5 BOOK REVIEWS retreat. The Gakyil immediately tried to make the who already practice and for those fortunate people place as dry as possible using plastic sheets and insu­ in Australia and in the world who in the future will 7 ART AND ARCHAEOLOGY TOUR OF TIBET lating panels. meet the precious Dzogchen teaching.

New Edition of the Santi Maha Sangha Foundation Text 10 & 11 SPECIAL PRACTICES CALENDAR "The Precious Vase" by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Now at the Tsegyalgar Bookstore! ! (all back orders have been filled) 13 INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY CONTACTS 'For new orders please, send $25/per copy plus Shipping & Handling ($6 for US orders/$12 for International) check, money order, international check, and credit cards accepted (Visa & Master card) to: Tsegyalgar Bookstore 15 COMMUNITY NEWS PO Box 277 Conway, MA 01341 19 REFLECTIONS Or contact Kathleen Bauerlein at: Tel: 413-369-4473 Email: [email protected] Chögyal Namkhai Norbu

appy New Year everybody, to the people here and also at em Tibet, Derge, which is not under the Central Government, Ha distance! This is a very important starting moment they made new block printings of all the works of Gorampa. because it means we have lived another thousand years. We That is why we had the occasion to study them. But Sangiun­ are saying good bye to the century, to the old year, to what we pa's books all disappeared. Later the Chinese Communists did - good or bad. But then we are always hoping for some­ arrived and the central Government had not much power, and thing new; particularly as practitioners - people who are fol­ people wanted to print the blocks again, but the blocks were lowing spiritual teachings - which means that we have more gone and they couldn't be printed anymore. So, people understanding or awareness of all sentient beings, not only believed Sangiunpa's work had disappeared, but recently human beings. We know the nature of our real condition. We somewhere in Bhutan they found a handwritten copy of all the try to do our best; how we have done until now, and we still try complete works of Sangiunpa and now they are published. to do better for the future. In this case, it is very important how The Dalai Lama is very supportive of these kinds of things. we start this millennium, century or new year. In the teachings He doesn't want this kind of attitude because it doesn't corre­ it says in general that there are periods of continued teachings spond with the teaching. That is an example; it is important we of Buddha: in the teaching we have mainly lung and togpa. know how to learn and understand point of view. I believe in Lung means how Buddha taught, how he explained so people point of view in that way also, studying Karumpa, for exam­ could learn and continue in that sense and try to integrate. ple. When I was young, I wrote an article negating some That is considered the time of Buddha and then later for many points of Tsongkhampa. Later I burned it in the fire, [laughter] centuries. In that period I believed point of In such circumstances, con­ view is something like this, but ditions, because the teaching Welcome to the Millennium! then I discovered what point of depends on circumstance, we view means really, concretely. pass into the period of teaching Finally when I met my teacher, called togpa; togpa means under­ Millennium message from Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Changchub Dorje, and received standing the sense of the teach­ the Dzogchen teaching, he told ing. Of course, in general, under­ January 1,2000 me, "Point of view doesn't mean standing the real sense of the you are looking at an object and teaching is more important then Namgyalgar, Australia doing analysis. If you have that words. But when there is the pos­ point of view you can't have any benefit". Maybe to show that sibility to learn and develop the trary way if we discover that it is the root of samsara, and we you are a scholar, you say, "In the point of view of this tradi­ teaching of Buddha with words, that means we have more liberate these kinds of limitations and really have benefit. So tion they are saying like this and this; a famous teacher said possibility within circumstance. And if we are getting more in the Dzogchen teaching we start at the beginning, not only like this and this; another scholar replied that way, etc.". You into the essence of the teachings, it means we have less possi­ judging and looking at an object. The principle is not looking can enjoy, it's interesting also, but that has nothing to do with bility on the outside. That's why people have concentrated in an intellectual way by doing analysis, but observing our­ realization and going into the essence of the teaching. more in the essence of the teaching. selves and knowing what the difference is between the func­ The period, for example, when Guru Padmasambhava tion of eyeglass and the mirror. I remember very well when Then my teacher Changchub Dorje finally gave me the arrived in Tibet, he increased the teaching of Dharma, like my teacher Changchub Dorje gave me this example. Even if example of the difference between the eyeglass and mirror. Tantrism, Sutra, and Dzogchen, That period is considered we have very good eyeglasses, the function of eyeglasses are Observing - when we are observing what do we discover? The more the period of togpa, understanding, but it didn't always to look at an object. If we can't see tiny things and we have first thing is our limitations. We have many kinds of limita­ continue in that way. Then we have also the famous Kaligyu- good eyeglasses, we can see better. If we can see better, we tions; sometimes when you really dedicate and you really feel ga. How did that happen or manifest? The teaching is also can do better analysis. Even if we succeed to do a very the Dzogchen teaching is the very essence, very important, manifesting with more form. When we remain mainly in detailed analysis, we are always in dualistic vision, so it never then immediately you create a limitation for yourself and you form, it means that lung and togpa are missing, even if there becomes the cause of liberation. We are always judging. are starting to build a small castle of 'Dzogchen' and then you are some places of essence - but not the normal way for all the So this is how we do with our intellectual study in general, are living in it. That is also the wrong way. That is also a limi­ aspects of Buddhist teaching. In our epoch we find mostly that way of seeing and intellectual analysis. If we are looking in tation. So, it is important that the teaching is used to discover condition. For that purpose, people are very concentrated on the mirror we can see our face, our existence, how it looks. that. building a nice temple, having a big group of monks, a That means we are discovering how our face looks. If some­ Many people belong to different Dharma centers and dif­ monastery, some ceremony, nice dress, nice performance; one says your face is very ugly, we are offended because we ferent teachers, and there are different kinds of practices. people feel that is Dharma. Of course if we observe well, it don't feel we are very ugly. Even if we are not so very beauti­ When they follow the Dzogchen teaching and we say, "You doesn't correspond, even if that is the situation. So it's very ful, but we look in the mirror and it appears that our face is integrate; don't limit", then some people feel uncomfortable. important we know how it is. very ugly or there are some defects, we don't have that prob­ There are also some teachers who remain in a limited way and In this case, many practitioners who are more concentrated lem, because WE are discovering it. We accept it more easily. say, "You should practice this way, have this way of seeing", in the essence of teaching, like Dzogchen teachers and practi­ That is an example. It is most important that we observe our­ and then you become a student of that and try to follow that tioners, are not associated with ordinary form very much. For selves, turn inward to look out ourselves; not by looking at way. But we can't say that these teachers are wrong. Other­ that reason we find many teachers of Dzogchen and Mahamu- objects, judging, thinking and doing analysis. wise why would we have so many traditions. We already have dra,practitioners, yogis. mahasiddhas,on a mountain or in a Through the Dzogchen teaching we learn in that way. On many traditions because those who started the different tradi­ village, among farmers, among nomads, instead of in a the path of Dzogchen teaching we have tawa, gompa and tions from their human condition, human dualistic vision, monastery. In this case, most people don't consider these are chödpa. These three things are most important. Tawa means they think, "Oh this way is correct, that way is not". Then really mahasiddhas or practitioners because ordinary people point of view. Gompa means application; application depends there will be a new tradition. We don't need a particular tradi­ are more interested in dress, form, and presentation. Why? very much on our way of seeing. Chödpa means our attitude. tion. You can use the name of the teaching Dzogchen by say­ Because we are in that kind of condition and epoch. That's the Our attitude is related to our point of view. So, in general, we ing the Dzogchen Community, but you must not consider that reason. It's a pity. Not so nice. But that is the situation of sam­ are learning in different traditions the different points of view. Dzogchen is a tradition and we belong to this tradition. sara. Particularly we say, "This point of view belongs to the Sakya- Dzogchen is transmission; transmission for discovering these When we are a Dzogchen practitioner, it is very important pa, Nyingmapa, Gelugpa, or Kaguypa tradition." For exam­ kinds of limitations. that we go mainly into the essence of the teaching, not the ple, "I am Gelugpa, so I try to learn what Tsongkhapa and his If you work basically that way, the teaching will really form. That is what I always ask our practitioners; I am asking most important disciples said". We consider that is the correct help you. Firstly, living in society, you will have less confu­ that you please try to learn what the essence of the teaching is. way of understanding the words of Buddha. Of course, the sion, less problems, because not only in the teaching but also Without limiting, without saying we need to have only Sakyapa point of view is a little different from Gelugpa, and in daily life, almost all our problems arise with our limitations. Dzogchen teaching; it doesn't matter if it has the title of then conflicts arise. What do I do if I'm Gelugpa? I defend the For example we are thinking, "Oh I belong to this nation, this Dzogchen or not. Even if we just call it Dharma, that is fine. If point of view of Tsongkhapa and negate the point of view of country, this political party. Our way of seeing is different we understand the real sense of Dharma - Dharma meaning the Sakyapa. from others". You increase more and more separation and then all phenomena - it doesn't mean we are learning all phenon- In ancient times there were very heavy problems related to we have more and more conflicts. Sometimes we say we are mena only, but we are learning the real condition or real this. For example, in the Sakaypa school there had been two sharing, we are opening, we are collaborating with people. nature of all phenomena. We can understand that through the very famous scholars called Sangiunpa and Gorampa. They That is good. But it is not sufficient. The best way is we are teaching of Buddha. If we want to learn the condition of all negated Tsongkhampa. So all the Gelugpas became enemies learning and definitively trying to be beyond or outside of any phenomena we need many lives, but even if we spend many of the Sakyapas. Then they wrote books to negate each other. kind of limitation. Of course, we live in a limited society. lives we wouldn't finish learning. But we don't need that; it is Kurampa, in particular, wrote so many books. I studied many There exist many things and we must follow limitations. But sufficient we go to the essence of the teaching of Buddha. of these for many years. When we studied the Prajnaparamita that is part of our awareness. Not necessarily that we believe That is like a key; if you have a key you can open the door and Alamkara, in the commentary of Gorampa from number one 100% that that limitation is the correct way. We know that this discover what is inside. It is the same way if we go into the to something like sixty; in this commentary Gorampa states is a limitation, but it is necessary to apply and accept. When essence of the teaching of Buddha, that is what we mean, the how Tsongkhampa explained in the wrong way. So when I you are observing yourself, your body, speech, and mind, and teaching of Buddha Dharma. Then we can discover all. studied Gorampa, I felt he was really correct, and that see it is very conditioned, you discover you are just like a So we don't need to call it Dzogchen particularly. The Tsongkhampa was really wrong. That is an example. small bird in a cage. You live and grow up in limitation. Because we are in this society, society has limitation, limited name is relative. Sometimes we go too much after names and Not only Sakyapa and Gelugpa, also Sakyapa and Kagyu- situations. If we don't learn and follow that, there is no way to forms and we create so many limitations. Instead of develop­ pa, Gelugpa and Kagyupa, with Nyingmapa, etc., each school live in society. ing our knowledge of the sense of the teaching, we always has so many of these kinds of problems. For example, in Cen­ develop limitations. We should understand that limitation is tral Tibet, the most powerful tradition is the Gelugpa. and that Maybe I have told you already about how when I went to the root of samsara. We try not to create samsara, increase is natural because they represent the government. So, all the reincarnation's meeting in Varanasi, I arrived and didn't samsara, but try to understand how the situation or condition books of Gorampa and Sangiunpa were completely forbid­ know where to go because I was a guest. There must be a of samsara is; to liberate samsara not only for ourselves, but den. At the residence of Sangiunpa there is a monastery where place to live. I asked some monks and they said, "Oh there is forali sentient beings. all of his writings were printed; they were forbidden to print an office". Then we went to the office and it was an office of How should we work in this case? When we increase limi­ them [Ed. note: by the Gelugpas] and the government sealed the Gelugpa tradition, because many there were Gelugpas. I tations it doesn't correspond. We develop samsara in the con- them away. The same for Gorampa, but in my country of East- told them 1 was an invited guest from Italy and asked where I

continued on page 3

2 cannot essence, why do we do all these remain in visualizations? What is the pur­ Teaching continued a limited pose? We discover, for having pure Practice of the Night way. If vision definitively, that is all. When continued from page 2 someone we have impure vision, that repre­ Partii is still liv­ sents samsaric vision. When we should go to live. "Oh we don't ing in limitation that is a manifesta­ have suffering, we have so many know", they said, "but which tradi­ Continued from Issue 51 tion; they are not realized, it is a problems, so to liberate that we tion do you belong to?" "Really I samsaric situation. So at least in transfer and transform everything don't know", I said. "Maybe I Teaching by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu our idea, we consider the teacher to into pure vision. Once you know should be Kagyupa, maybe Hawaii, October 30,1999 be an enlightened being. Then how how to transform you can use the Nyingmapa, one of these maybe". can we have problems between method of Kalachakra, Yamantaka, Then they went to the Kagyupa teacher and teacher, tradition and Hevajra, or Chakrasambhava, it office and Nyingmapa office and tradition? That idea that we have is doesn't matter. But always we are they discovered I am Nyingmapa. j^armic Dreams our problem, so we free that. transforming into pure vision, When they discovered this, then Somehow you can coordinate, practice and remember your dreams. We must learn the teaching and that's all. So the essence is being in finally I had a house, food, service, When you are doing a practice, first of all you notice that you have two apply it in that way. Already we are pure vision. You maintain pure and everything. Why? Because in kinds of dreams. One is called a karmic dream and the other is dream of in a situation, condition and epoch, vision in any circumstance, and Tibet, in the time of Padmasamb- clarity. Karmic dreams can be related to your karma, but mainly related to where mainly form is considered then liberate all confusions and haava, there were no different tensions. If you have had some very strong and deep tensions in your life, important, and knowing that, of problems, all emotions of samsara. kinds of schools. Later the Kagyu­ then you remember them in your dreams and repeat that dream because you course sometimes it is necessary in That is the example and essence. pa and Sakyapa schools,etc.,start- were touched deeply by those tensions. Sometimes we have also karmic a circumstance that we accept. It is In the Dzogchen teachings we ed, so before these new schools dreams of past lives. For example, we dream a kind of dream which is the not necessary that we reject any­ always try to be aware, and particu­ began all was called Nyingmapa. same place, same situation, same people, but we never had that experience thing, but we know that it is very larly if you have such knowledge So, the Dzogchen teaching contin­ in our life and then some bad things happened, and we have this dream important that we try to get into the and understanding of instant pres­ ued mainly in the Nyingmapa tra­ many times and didn't have that experience in this life; that indicates past essence of the teaching. Many ence, then you try to integrate your dition and that's why they called life. You were touched very deeply. These are all called karmic dreams. teachers have explained what the body, speech and mind in that me a Nyingmapa. But I am not sure In general if we have many karmic dreams very often, and if you want to essence of teachings is, like dimension, in any circumstance. if I am Nyingmapa or not, because train your dreams to change them, it's more difficult. If you don't have Hinayana for example. In That is the practice. In this case, we I have a name as a reincarnation many karmic dreams, but manifest mostly the present situation, like what Hinayana Buddha explained that don't need many things. If we do a recognized by the Gyalwa Karma- happened today, that is not a karmic dream. If you have more of these you don't create problems for oth­ Kriya Tantra style of puja, and we pa and that reincarnation belongs to dreams in general, then it is easier later to train with these kinds of dreams. ers, that is the main point, and that do a puja of Tara what we do? First the Kagyupa tradition. So then I Karmic dreams are related to very deep sleep, for example, if you go to bed you control your mind and your of all we prepare alter. Then there was thinking maybe I am Kagyupa. and after a little while you fall asleep and at that moment you have a very existence. That is the practice and are offerings which we say in the Then the next day when we started heavy sleep because in the daytime you did many things and you are tired the principle; the essence of the mantra, also corresponding with our meeting with our name tags, and finally you fall asleep very deeply; in that moment it's difficult to have teaching. In Mahayana the essence our enjoyment of senses. We are and mine said "Namkhai Norbu, dreams of presence, most of those dreams are karmic dreams. The reason is of practice is not only not creating not only saying and doing visual­ Nyingmapa", I was going to the because you have a very heavy sleep and only something that has touched problems for others, but particular­ izations, but we are attached to meeting and I met Chime Rinpoche you very deeply can manifest. Then when you are sleeping a little more, at ly how we can help them if there objects, in general. We prepare the from England, who knows my situ­ four or five am, then you can have dreams which are dreams with more are some problems, without limita­ alter with objects and put many ation very well, and he looked at presence. tions, without remaining in control my name tag and he said, "What waters, rice, flowers, candles, etc. of our body, speech and mind, like Then they explain what these offer­ happened?, [laughter], You are Dreams of Clarity Hinayana. So that is the principle ings mean; argham, drinking Kagyupa!". I said, "I am inno­ Then we can have dreams of clarity, which are very much related to and why we call it Mahayana. water, and why do we use it? cent." [laughter] dreams of presence because presence and clarity increase very much with Sometimes people explain the dif­ Because we need to drink water practice. What does it mean, a dream of clarity? It can mean dreams related That is an example of how in ference between Mahayana and very often, otherwise we feel with practice or dreams related to something we are going to do. for exam­ this world, in this society, if you Hinayana is that Mahayana has thirsty. We also think that Buddha ple, we have some project and in a dream we can have such clarity - some don't accept limitations there is no compassion. Or higher compas­ is thirsty, so when we invite Tara information. This is called a dream of clarity. Why do we have this dream in way you can live. For that reason sion, bigger compassion. I don't from the pure dimension she this moment? Because even if we have a project we are applying next year, we must accept, even if we know think that is the main point. Also arrived here thirsty so we offer and we prepared something already and therefore some secondary causes limitations are obstacles and the Hinayana has compassion. If peo­ fresh water, argham. Then we say are present, in this case it's easy to manifest that kind of dream. So if you root of problems and samsara. We ple follow the teaching of Buddha, padyam, another water for what? have these kinds of dreams very often, dreams of presence and clarity, then you should need to accept. When we accept how can we say that someone has Maybe Tara feels very tired from do practice and training of dreams, like changing your dreams, and it becomes very easy. and apply limitations in that way, no compassion. They know how the distance and needs to wash her The training of dreams can become very easy. First of all, you need to have aware­ then we are working with circum­ the suffering of sentient beings is feet. Padyam is water for washing ness of dreams. If you are doing Guruyoga and continuing in that state, and stances with awareness and are not and have started by learning the feet. Then later she feels fresh. In you are a good practitioner, maybe the dream becomes awareness. But if conditioned by that. We are not Four Noble Truths of Buddha. The the real sense it is not for Tara, it is you are not really sure if there is a continuation of presence, then it is a little convinced really that we are doing First Noble Truth is suffering, so our desire. We have that kind of difficult that the dream becomes awareness. In this case what should you in the correct way, but we know it is we couldn't say they have less desire. Then pushpe, dhupe, push- do? In daily life you need to have intention, "Oh tonight I want to have necessary. For example if there is a compassion. That is not the main pe means flowers, in the circum­ awareness of dreams", and you remain in this intention strongly it helps small bird in a cage, we say, "Oh point. The main point is the way of stance we make a nice looking very much, because the dream is very much related to the daytime, what is this bird is like a normal bird, it has working. . atmosphere, and we put flowers. happening, everything. Also you are training and it is easier to change the two wings for flying in space and it Then dhupe is smell, incense, also In Mahayana practitioners are dream; then also you should do practice in the daytime, thinking everything doesn't correspond that it is in a if there are bad smells, already Tara mainly working with their inten­ which is happening, our circumstance, is adream. That is another method. cage", and you free that bird. That has arrived tired and there is bad tion. There are very famous verses bird won't live very long, because smell, not so nice, so we make a We are thinking 'dream'. In the morning when you wake up and are eat­ of the Dzogchen Master Jigmed there is a hawk, cat, many beings very nice smetì, Then naividya, ing breakfast you think, "Oh this is a dream. I am eating now, now I am Lingpa, "If our thoughts and inten­ that will immediately eat that small food, maybe Tara is hungry, then dreaming I'm going in the office, now I am dreaming I am working, having tions are good, then the path and bird. That small bird has no capaci­ we offer her nice food, and when contact with people". You try to remember to do this kind of practice, for fruit is also good. If we act in the ty to protect itself because it does­ Tara is eating maybe she likes to two or three days, and you will notice that it really helps very much; firstly contrary way, then the path and n't know that experience of being have some nice music, shapta. We for your dreams, secondly it helps to diminish your tensions and your fruit are also not good." So it is free. In the same way, when we have prepared all these kinds of attachments. You see, Buddha is always explaining and saying, "Life is a most important is that we cultivate know everything is a limitation and objects. We consider this impor­ big dream". Everything is unreal. The dream is unreal. So we need this kind good intention in any circum­ we break all limitations - we do tant. of practice also. And then in the daytime you can train your mind. There are stance. That is characteristic of something strange going in the many things you can do. For example, you look at the ocean and think that Mahayana practice, the very contrary way of the situation in If you observe really well, does is not the ocean, it's the sky, and you know it's the ocean and not the sky. essence. society - then we have really seri­ Tara or Buddha really need that or Then you see a tree and think, this is not a tree, it is a rock, the contrary way. ous problems. That's why we need When we say we are integrating not? Because they are enlightened We call this milam trug; trug means agitated, it doesn't mean the ocean to accept. or learning the essence of all differ­ beings, they are beyond all these becomes the sky and the tree becomes a rock, it's impossible, but you train ent kinds of traditions, it doesn't kinds of desires, definitely. But we your mind in disordering, and then in the dream it is very easy to change Particularly with the teachings, mean we are studying everything have that kind of attachment so for things. But if you have sufficient awareness in the dream, then changing is if you feel uncomfortable with dif­ and doing practice one by one. It's satisfying ourselves we use these not so difficult. It becomes very easy. ferent traditions, etc., you must not possible. But we are looking for offerings for Tara and Buddha. understand that is your problem the main points that many teachers That is the example. When we and your limitation, not the prob­ Dream Awareness have already explained. For exam­ know the real sense like a lem of the schools and traditions Dream awareness is very important for practitioners. Not only having ple, the very famous Atisha in his Dzogchen practitioner, even if we and transmission. Even if some such kind of clarity of dream, that is a secondary thing. But most important teaching already said not creating make someone happy in a circum­ teachers teach you limitations and is for practitioners to use dream awareness, since we don't have much time problems for the others is the stance, we do, but not for me. If you can understand that doesn't to do practice in the daily life. Maybe we know many methods, we have essence of Hinayana, and training there are very nice offerings every­ correspond with teaching then you learned many methods, but we are always thinking, "One day I will do this to make benefit for others in any where, alters, etc., then of course don't follow. You don't need to practice". And that famous one day never arrives. We always do that. So if circumstance is Mahayana. There there is a nice atmosphere some­ learn limitations, we have that you are aware in your dream, you can use practice in the dream. And also are already these kinds of teach­ times, that is all, far a Dzogchen experience sufficiently in samsara. you can have more affect then if you do practice in the daytime, because in ings, so it is not difficult. practitioner. If you are not a When you are doing Gururyoga, the daytime we are dependent on the physical body. We are dependent on Dzogchen practitioner then you for example, and you can unify In Tantrism there are hundreds our senses with our organs of senses. If we close our eyes we can't see any­ have this idea, "Oh I did offerings teachers, even teachers belonging and hundreds of different kinds of thing; so what we close is not our consciousness of sight or eyes, but we are to Buddha and Dharma and Sang- to different traditions, it doesn't mándalas, deities, etc., and when closing the organ of the eye, so our consciousness of senses is dependent on ha, now I receive wisdom", some­ matter. We must think the teachers we are learning the development the organ. If we close our ears we can't hear anything. thing like that. You are doing an are enlightened beings, otherwise and accomplishing stages, there so But in a dream we are no more dependent on the organs of senses. In a exchange. I give you this and you doing Guruyoga has no benefit. It many things to learn and apply. But dream, all the senses of consciousness, the senses associated are composed give me your wisdom. they are enlightened beings they when we are going into the with mind: that is called the mental body. So the mental body is dreaming, continued on page 7 continued on page 7

THE MIRROR F EBIM AR 2 0 00 His Holiness the Dalai Lama Millennium Address Talk at Sinai Temple, by Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles,

His Holiness the Dalai Lama October 11,1999 January 1,2000 Dharamsala, India as part of the Sacred Music Festival Los Angeles, California any people ask me what I Number one, while engaging in planet, some form of problem [is] Mfeel about the new millenni­ material progress and taking care of always there. If we pray, or express, um. People seem to be excited physical well-being, we need to or hope for a world without prob­ ood morning. I'm Rabbi Wölpe the sage drew it back and everyone about the millennium, but the lems - that, I think, is hypocrisy, Gand on behalf of the membership shook their heads, "No". And final­ new millennium in itself will not realistic. So, problems of the Sinai Temple, of our President ly he got the message and he went be nothing special. As we always remain. We need some Jimmy Delshad and Cantor David Sil- up and underneath the apple he enter the new millennium, method, some technique to verstein, who has done so much to opened his hands and the sage things will be the same. deal with the problems without make this morning possible, it is dropped it into his hands. There will be nothing unusu­ violence. That is very impor­ my pleasure and my honor to wel­ We are here this morning to al. Many people ask about tant. So, similar problems will come all of you. receive. Every human being is both my feelings about the millen­ always remain, but the way to When several months ago we a fountain and a vessel, but this nium. Sometimes I told resolve them should be dia­ talked with the World Festival of morning we are here to be vessels. them, 'Oh, the first night we logue and discussion. Sacred Music, about the possibility To learn, to receive, to imbibe, to should not sleep. Just wait, In fact, I feel that the con­ of bringing several of the events to take the wisdom that is given. wait, wait for the new millen­ cept of war is very much based Sinai Temple and when we spoke in And what is it we are here to nium. And when the sun on a concept of "we and they", particular, of course, of the possi­ receive? That is the subject of the comes and there is nothing my interest [and] their interest bility of bringing His Holiness the second story. This is the story about unusual, we go to sleep [as] something totally sepa­ Dalai Lama here, we had to decide one of the greatest Rabbis of the [laughing]. I'm only worry­ rate, unrelated. Under such cir­ as a synagogue what was our hope Hassidic tradition, Menachem Mendel ing whether my flight to Del­ cumstances, [there is] the con­ for this remarkable occasion. And I of Kotsk who lived about 170 years hi can take place or not. cept of war which means can summarize it, the discussions ago and in his small town someone That's my most worry today, 100% victory [on] our side, that we had, the thoughts and aspi­ came to him, a prospective disciple nothing special. 100% defeat of other, the so- rations that we shared, by telling who wanted to study with the Mas­ Time always moves. No called enemy. Now, today, you three simple stories. ter, and the Rabbi said "Why have one can stop the movement reality is not that. My interests The first is of a friend, a Rabbi you come?" And he said, "I have of time. That is out of our are very much linked with oth­ in Jerusalem, who went to visit the come to learn Torah, to learn the control. But one thing is cer­ ers' interests; others' interests class of a famous mystic. And the sacred books, and the Rabbi said, tain, we can use time in our life pay equal attention to developing are linked with my interests. So class was an already constituted "No, you can learn anywhere, why constructively or destructively, or peace of mind and thus take care of that's the reality. So, therefore, class and everyone had already tak­ have you come here?" And he said we can waste our time. That is up to the internal aspect of our being. according to that reality, destruc­ en lessons except for he, and he, he "Well if I haven't come to find learning then obviously I have us. Secondly, along with education tion of your neighbor, even who was the newcomer, and he walked come to find God." The Rabbi said So people who are going into which generally deals with only you call enemy, but in reality, into the class and the teacher, the "No, God is the same everywhere. the new millennium can be happy academic accomplishments, we destruction of your enemy is actu­ sage, held out an apple. And he Why have you come here?" And he or miserable. It is entirely up to us. need to develop more altruism and ally destruction of yourself. beckoned to him and he went to said, "Rabbi, I don't know. Tell me. So that is the point. If we are really a sense of caring and responsibility So in that circumstances the grab the apple and the sage drew it Why have I come here?" And the looking forward to a new millenni­ for others in the minds of this concept of one side 100% victory, back and everyone said, "No". And Rabbi said "You have come here to um, or next century that will be a younger generation studying in one side 100% defeat is outdated. he tried again and the sage held out find yourself." happy one, then we must make various educational institutions. So,[laughing], I love this [more the apple and he went to grab it and effort, we must work hard for it. This can be done without necessari­ laughing], the next century should Part of what we discover when That is my message for today. We ly involving religion. One could be a century of dialogue and discus­ we hear the wisdom of great teach­ Unless we are able to tackle this should have awareness of the prob­ therefore call this 'secular ethics', sion rather than one of war and ers is who we are. We find pieces or issue effectively, we will be con­ lem without losing hope and deter­ as it in fact it consists of basic bloodshed. ourselves that we have lost, or that fronted with problem of natural mination. Then not just through human qualities such as kindness, Fourth, we need to address the dwell in recesses and comers of our resources being inadequate for all despair, but through action, things compassion, sincerity and honesty. issue of the gap between the rich souls that we often don't explore, in the human beings of this earth. We can change. These negative things, Thirdly, this past century in and poor, both globally and nation­ the shadows of ourselves and we need to seriously look into these unhappy situations, can work. some ways has been a century of ally. This inequality, with some sec­ are here this morning so that we can matters that concern us all if we are Now, if we really want the next war and bloodshed. It has seen a tions of the human community hav­ know better not only the traditions to look forward to the future with millennium to be happier, more year by year increase in defense ing abundance, and others on the of others, but so that we can know some hope. peaceful and more harmonious for spending for most countries in the same planet going hungry, or even our own souls. So, lastly, I just want to share humankind, we will have to make world. If we are to change this dying of starvation, is not only And how should it change us one of my fundamental beliefs, that the effort to make it so. This is in trend, we must seriously consider morally wrong, but practically also when we leave? That is the subject despite many difficulties and what our hands, but especially in the the concept of non-violence, which a source of problems. Here, I want of the third story, one of the most in some cases seems like horrible or hands of this younger generation. is the physical expression of com­ to make a small suggestion. If you famous in the Jewish tradition. Told hopeless sorts of appearances, we The elder generation, like myself, passion. In order to make non-vio­ agree, then practice it. of the ancient sage Hillel who lived should not lose our determination. now, mainly, I think, the main part lence a reality, we must first work The first week of this 21st cen­ more than 2000 years ago, some It is very, very important, to keep of my life was spent or belongs to on internal disarmament, and then tury, those middle-class people, and 100 years before the founding of optimism so that, eventually, we the previous century. So the previ­ proceed to work on external disar­ certainly those rich people, rich Christianity and he was once can overcome all these painful ous century is the century of my mament. By internal disarmament I families, I think one day, should approached by a man who said to experiences or troubles. Right from generation. Anyway, the elder peo­ mean ridding ourselves of all the remain [with just] one meal. Some him, "I want you to tell me the the beginning, if we remain with ple are eventually going to say bye- negative emotions that result in form of a fast. So that could be a essence of your tradition while hopelessness or disgust, then even bye to this world [laughing]. The violence. External disarmament reminder that while we are enjoy­ standing on one foot." And while small things, which we can easily younger generation are the people will also have to be done gradually, ing meals without any difficulties, raising one leg in the air, Hillel said achieve, even that we can never who really have the main responsi­ step by step. We must first work on that there are millions of people "That which is hurtful to you, that achieve. So, therefore it is very bility to shape the twenty-first cen­ the total abolishment of nuclear who are with just one meal, some which disturbs and violates your important to keep self-confidence tury. So as human beings with mar­ weapons and gradually work up to even without that. On an individual soul, you must never do to another. " and determination. For that, an velous human intelligence, the first total demilitarization throughout basis, if they agree, as a reminder, So, why are we here? We are altruistic mind is the most effective [necessity] is education, proper the world. In the process of doing fasting with just one meal. here in the hope that we will leave element in order to keep determina­ education; and then determination, this, we also need to work towards Equally important is the issue of kinder, better, with more goodness. tion. So whether believers or non- self confidence, and a courageous stopping the arms trade, which is freedom. As long as there is no We are here because we pray that believers, please try keep a warm attitude. With these fundamental currently widely practiced because freedom in many parts of the world, listening to this gentle and holy heart inside. Then you, yourself, potentialities, then we can change it is so lucrative. there can be no real peace, and in a man, will make us a little more gen­ will be a happier person, and the situation. So the younger gener­ sense no real freedom for this effort tle, a little more good and a little When we do all these things we through that way your family will ation, please study well and mean­ to work. more holy. can then hope to see in the next mil­ be happier, and through that way a time keep a warm heart. This is the We welcome you all and we pray that lennium a year-by-year decrease in Fifth, for the sake of our future happier, more peaceful community most important thing I want to some of the aspirations and hopes that we the military expenditure of the vari­ generations, we need to take care of can be built. share with you. ous nations and a greater working our earth and of our environment. hai when we opened ourselves to this So according to my experience, We have had many experiences towards demilitarization. Similar Environmental damage is often wonderful opportunity, will not only be or view, in order to create a happy during this century, constructive as problems will, of course, always gradual and not easily apparent and realized this morning, but in all of your humanity, a happy world, and also well as extremely destructive ones. remain. I believe, one of the by the time we become aware of it, lives aixf the many, many years that God to include a safer world for millions We must learn from these experi­ sources of trouble is human intelli­ it is generally too late. Since most may grant you. of these small little animals or ences. We need to approach the gence. Because with human intelli­ of the major rivers flowing into many Amen. birds, and other sentient beings, we next millennium more holistically, gence we always find different parts of the Southeast Asia originate Atkliess Irani H H the Dalai Lima: human beings, with the help ol with more openness and farsighted­ ideas, different ideologies. And from the Tibetan plateau, it will not be Ifs a great pleasure aixl also a gieat human intelligence and a wider ness. If we are going to make these also, I think, [because of our] out of place to mention here the crucial honor for ine to have this opportunity to perspective, we must keep a wann right kinds of efforts to make the unlimited desire, conflict and divi­ importance of taking care of the envi­ participate in this ceremony liere today, heart, a compassionate heart inside. future of the world better, I believe sion usually happen. ronment in that area. and also to speak in this Mount Sinai the following matters are of great Therefore, so long as human Lastly, one of the greatest challenges TYanscribedby Paul Bail Temple. importance: beings are living, on this small blue today is the population explosion. Edited b\Naomi Zeitz continued on page h

4 Jamyang Khentsc Wangpo, i Jamyang Kongtrul, and ChoGyur ! Lives of the Great Masters Lingpa. three great lamas, gathered together to consecrate a special BOOK REVIEWS place. There we also met a lot of Regarding Tantric sadhana other teachers and great masters As It Is practice. Tulku Urgyen repeatedly and received much instruction. Volume 1. stresses the primary importance of When we returned to the Togden's by Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche. the completion stage. He says it is retreat place, he and my aunt went RanjungYeshePublictions 1999. possible to gain enlightenment into strict retreat. I began doing the Paperbound. 224 pages, $20. solely from the completion stage, preliminaiy practices of the ISBN 962-7341-35-5 Longchen Nying Thig in m\ spare but not solely from the develop­ lime, instructed by Kunzang ment stage, although this is not to Longyang. say that the development stage is unimportant (p. 121). In the ideal "When I was sixteen, in the Year practice the completion stage is of the Wood Tiger, 1854, my aunt present from the very beginning. and I went to see Jamyang Khentse He states that the visualization of Wongpo. When we arrived, we the deity in the development stage heard that he was in very strict should spontaneously unfold, like a retreat, but since we had come from rainbow, "without leaving the emp­ so far away with great self-sacrifice ty suchness samadhi of rigpa he agreed to see us. When we met behind" (p. 191). He contrasts this him, he told us that the preceding to a fabricated visualization in night he had had a dream which which the deity is constructed "one indicated he should teach us. He ulku Urgyen Rinpoche was a brick at a time" (p. 85) or is regard­ had decided to initiate us into the great non-sectarian teacher T ed with a concrete understanding, Pema Nying Thig, his White Tara who had a very close relationship like the meditator who grew horns Gongter. During the initiation he with His Holiness 16th Karmapa. from visualizing Yamantaka, and gave me the name Tsewang Pal­ Although well versed in Mahamu- then became trapped in his cave dron. For more than a month every dra, the Six Yogas of Naropa, and because the horns wouldn't fit time he finished a session he gave the Tantras, his main emphasis was through the doorway. us teachings. I began to get some Dzogchen. He was among the first idea of the meaning of the teach­ great lamas to openly teach Tulku Urgyen stresses the ings at this time and when we Dzogchen to Westerners, and was essential unity of all the deity returned to Togden's place I made a highly regarded by many distin­ forms, in that each of them is a White Tara retreat. guished Nyingma and Rime teach­ manifestation of the unity of pri­ mordial purity and spontaneous "When I was nineteen, in the ers active in the West, such as Dud- presence, basic space and original Year of the Fire Serpent, 1857, my jom Rinpoche, Nyoshul Khen, Dil- wakefulness. By realizing this parents andmy brothers and sisters go Kheyntse, and Chögyal essential principle we can "capture all decided it was high time I got Namkhai Norbu. the life force of all the deities" The Story ofAyu Khandro married. My aunt pleaded that I This new collection of Tulku (Chapter 7). He emphasizes the should be left to do what I wanted Urgyen's talks, As It is, would defi­ Dorfe P alaron three kaya principle and the prima­ and that my practice should not be nitely be one of the books I would ry importance of "original wakeful­ interrupted. But my parents insisted want to have if shipwrecked on a (Edited by Lidian King from part six of Women of Wisdom ) ness." Original wakefulness is on marriage—not for my happi­ desert island. The material in As It yeshe, non-dual wisdom, primor­ ness, rather for their gain. Is was culled from teachings Tulku byTsultrimAllione dial knowing, or "mind essence," "Towards the middle of the sum­ Urgyen gave from 1994 to 1995, as opposed to namshey, which is Homage to Dorje Paldron and Tu Tahang. In ancient times this mer the wedding took place. It was during the final two years of his knowing within the structure of Vajra Yogini! had been a very rich family, but a very happy occasion: even Tog­ life. Lovingly compiled by his stu­ subject and object. Emptiness does when I was bom we were neither den Rangrig came to the wedding dent Marcia Schmidt, this is the not eclipse original wakefulness. rich nor miserably poor. My and showered blessings on us. It first of a planned two-volume set. hen Chögyal Namkhai Nor­ "Everything is of course empty, but father's name was Tamdrin Gon, seemed as if we would be happy. As usual, the talks benefit from the Wbu was 14 years old, his not empty of the kayas and wis­ but he was called Arta. My moth­ crisp, fresh translations of Erik teacher from the Shakya College, "I stayed for three years with the doms" (p. 197). Recognizing mind er's name was Tsokyi, but she was Pema Kusang. The simple but ele­ Kenrab Odzer, instructed him to go Gara Tsong family, and my hus­ essence is extremely powerful. In called Atso, and they had three sons gant cover is a metallic reddish- to the region of Tagzi, where he band, Apho Wangdo, was very kind the moment that it is recognized, all and four daughters. All the sons brown, suggesting Padmasambha- would find an accomplished and generous. Then I fell ill and karma and obscurations are totally became traders and all the daugh­ va's copper colored mountain pure woman and great dakini named A- slowly weakened for two years. interrupted "for that moment" (p. ters did nomad's work. Since I was land, and is adorned with a mandala Yu Khandro. From her he was to The sickness could not even be 207). This is the fastest route, faster the youngest and the weakest 1 was of five thigles. A beautiful informal request Vajra Yogini initiation. diagnosed. Sometimes it seemed- even than the Vajrayana practice of sent to look after the small animals photograph of a smiling Tulku After a 3 days journey, accompa­ like a prana disease, at other times I mantra, deity, and samadhi. How­ and given the worst clothes. Urgyen graces the frontispiece. The nied by his mother and sister, he had convulsions like epilepsy; ever, Tulku Urgyen does not dis­ introduction contains reminis­ found her living by a river in a "My aunt Dronkyi was a strong sometimes- it seemed like a circula­ miss the importance and value of cences by all four of Tulku small stone hut. She was 113 at the practitioner and lived at Drag ka tion problem. In short none of the- Vajrayana deity practice. In fact, he Urgyen's talented sons, the broth­ time. At first their request for teach­ Yang Dzong near the cave of Tog­ doctors could help or even distin­ regards it as essential, while stress­ ers Rinpoche Chokyi Nyima, ings was in vain, as she insisted she den Rangrig, in another cave. From guish what the problem was. I was ing the primacy of Dzogchen. The Tsikey Chokling, There is no waste was just a simple old woman. But childhood she had been interested near to death when they finally recognition of mind essence is "not in As It Is. Every page is filled with finally, after an auspicious dream, in meditation, and I, too, was asked Togden Rangrig to come to an act of meditation, because it is heart advice, pith instructions, and she consented. Preparations were strongly drawn to the teachings. I see me. already naturally present" (p. 210). direct pointing at reality. I read begun for what turned out to be two went to this place when I was seven "He gave me a long-life initia­ In the beginning the moments of through the book making check months of extraordinary teachings and stayed there until I was eigh­ tion and performed a ceremony to wakefulness do not last long, but marks next to paragraphs I wanted and initiations from such cycles as teen. I assisted my aunt, bringing call the spirit back into the body slip away, due to distraction. A real to refer back to. In several of the the gongter of Jamyang Khyentse her water and fire wood. I also and many other rituals. Both he and yogi is one who continues to recog­ chapters I found I had put check Wangpo, Khandro Sangwa Kundu; assisted a disciple of the Togden, my aunt insisted that the real cause nize original wakefulness, again marks next to nearly all the para­ the Chod of Machig Lapdron; the Kunzang Longyang, and he taught was that I was being forced to lead and again. Tulku Urgyen's pithy graphs! Since this book is so filled Yang Thig from the Upadesha; me and his nephew Rinchen Nam- a worldly life. They told my hus­ instructions and exhortations con­ with essential teachings, I won't Longchen Nying Thig; the Sharpa gyal to read and write Tibetan. band his family that I must be cerning this in Chapter 13 are worth even attempt to summarize it. But I Vajra Yogini linked to the Kha When I was thirteen I received ini­ allowed to leave and follow my reading through again. will sketch out a few of the main Khyab Rangdrol of Nyala Pema tiation and teaching on the Longsal heart. My husband was a very kind themes just to whet your appetite. Dundul; her own gongter of Dorje Nyingpo. Although I had no man and agreed that if married life As It Is concludes in Chapter 14 Simhamukha; and at the end, the understanding of the teaching real­ with a discussion of "involvement" was endangering my life, it must be Tulku Urgyen stresses that the long life White Tara practice. Dur­ ly, I had much faith. and how to act in the world from a stopped. ultimate fruit of Dzogchen, ing the afternoons after the teach­ Dzogchen perspective. Tulku "A man called Apho Tsenga "As soon as I was strong enough, Mahamudra. and Madhyamika is ings she would sometimes answer Urgyen compares the way of rigpa came to receive this teaching. He he accompanied me to the caves of the same. He emphasizes that there questions about her life, and from to mercury, since a drop of mercury was from the rich family of Gara the Togden and my aunt. It took me is no essential difference between the notes taken at the time and does not become contaminated Tsong in the region of Nya Shi. a year to recuperate. I was helped the schools of Tibetan Buddhism. saved for many years, comes the even if dropped in the dust. Noth­ They were friends of my aunt. My very much because he made offer­ However, he does concede there following life story: ing sticks to it. Conceptual mind, parents also attended the teachings. ings to a nun there with the under­ are differences in emphasis. For on the other hand, is like water, "I was borh in the Fourteenth By the end of the teaching I had standing that she would help me example the Sarma. or "New which combines with dust to make Rábjung in the Year of the Earth been betrothed against my will to with necessities. He and his sister Schools." particularly the Sakya, mud. Obviously when one brings Boar. 1839, during the winter, on Apho Tsenga's son. I had no idea, also brought me food and supplies, stress keeping one's samaya links rigpa into ones actions, things are the day of the dakini. The Togden really, what it meant, but I under­ acting as my patrons. During this by daily recitation of the sadhanas less messy. But. there is a trap. If who lived on the nearby mountain. stood an interruption to my practice time I had a dream indicating that of all the deities one has received the meditator develops aversion to Togden Rangrig, named me was being planned. My aunt did her the passing away of Togden Ran­ empowerment for. whereas in the dualistic mind and fixation on rig­ Dechen Khadro, which means best to intervene but my parents grig was imminent. I asked him to Nyingma and Kagyu there is more pa, then he or she has once again Great Bliss Dakini. Some people were interested in the wealth of the give me a practice to extend his life: appreciation for "condensing all into fallen into the duality of hope and also reported some auspicious Gara Tsong family. I did this and he lived another three- one" in which the samaya of all the fear. However, that should not be a signs on the day of my birth. I was "When I was fourteen I went on years. I received teaching from him deities one has received empowerment big worry, Tulku Urgyen says, bom in Tagzi in the village of a seven day's journey with my aunt of Guru Nyang Ralpa on the Dzog for is automatically included within the Dzong Trang in the family of Ah- Chen of Nyima Dragpa and many main sadliana one is practicing (p. 116). and Togden Rangrig to see Book Reviews continued on next page continued on page 8

THE MIRROR FEBIMAR 2000 5 Extrinsic Emptiness". The ship Shiva. Here the evil BOOK REVIEWS {continued from page 5) I told Naomi that I would finish this The White Dolphin Captain and crew of a fishing ves­ review for her three weeks ago. It is by Michael Katz sel relentlessly pursue tuna ignor­ a measure of the richness of Psychology Help Publications, ing all international fishing laws. since in the moment of again recog­ of the ultimate." (p. 186) Mipham's work, and of Pettit's New York Their evil and inhumane methods nizing mind essence the hope and In the contemporary Nyingmapa commentary, that it has taken me 1999 trap and kill helpless dolphins in fear dissolves. Based on these prin­ tradition, the main purpose of the this long to put the book down.. I the pursuit of catching tuna. But ciples, the yogi practices compas­ Beacon is the elucidation of the think the Beacon of Certainty will that's not all!!! this boat owned by sionate action. These honey-like teaching of Dzogchen. Pettit's be useful for a long time to come. an evil conglomerate uses tuna teachings from Tulku Urgyen are translation and extensive commen­ fishing as a cover for a narcotics truly inspiring. But the best thing is taries provide an opportunity for by Jay Callahan smuggling operation. Here we that we can look forward to a sec­ Western students to benefit in the meet arch villains. ond volume in the near future. same way in which Tibetan stu­ The dolphin world - here we are dents have, and perhaps in another introduced to the spiritual world of way, as well. The book provides by Paul Bail An Extract fiom Mipham's text the dolphins, the unique power of sixty pages of clear and readable their leaders and the coming of age explication of the development of "Therefore, even if one has ratio­ of Merlux, the Prince of the dol­ Indo-Tibetan Buddhist thought. nally determined the character of phins. This is useful for students of 'he White Dolphin, by Michael Mipham's Beacon of Certainty; the two realities, the fruition is the As one might expect, these Dzogchen, because, as the editor Katz, is an adventure story, a Illustrating the View of establishment of the inseparability r worlds collide, and an unusual con­ states, "Considered historically, fairy tale, and an environmental Dzogchen, of the two realities. This is the quin­ nection unfolds between Merlux Great Perfection texts should be awareness story. the Great Perfection tessence of all vehicles. and the environmental activist understood in the context of Indian Is there highly intelligent life on byJohnW.Pettit Like fire stirred up by a fire- heroine as the activists attempt to Mahayana philosophy and other our planet? Not us, but maybe the Wisdom Publications, Boston, stick, the fire of coalescent gnosis intervene into the activities of the forms of Vajrayana practice." dolphins. 1999,573 pp induced by the stainless analytical evil ship. In his story, The White Dolphin, The Madhyamika school of Indi­ wisdom of the two realities pacifies This book will appeal to those Dr. Katz portrays the dolphins as a an Buddhist thought is a rigorous all elaborations of the four extremes, concerned about the destruction of highly intelligent, spiritually devel­ critique of the metaphysical cate­ such as existence, nonexistence, the world's natural resources and oped community. This is the story gories of Buddhist and other both, and neither. This is the gnosis its spiritual fate; as well as fans of of Merlux the Prince of Dolphins schools, which states that all phe­ of supreme equipoise, and is con­ action adventure as science fiction. from birth to his coming of age. nomena ultimately have no intrin­ sidered the fruitional Madhyamika I found this book enjoyable and sic reality, no status as things-in- of coalescence. Instead of utilizing a typical entertaining. themselves. Conventionally, they chapter format, the book artfully Not falling into the extremes of are dependently originated and switches back and forth between the two realities-for the analytical by Gerald Steinberg conceptually designated. The three different scenes representing wisdom of the meditative after­ school employs critical analysis to three story lines. math, this may be considered the About the author: Michael Katz isa induce rational certainty, which, We are introduced to an envi­ "coalescence of appearance and long time member of the Dzogchen combined with meditation, leads to ronmental group concentrating on emptiness." Community, a Yantra Yoga instruc­ enlightenment. protecting the marine environment We his is an enormously helpful But for the great gnosis of tor, and editor of the book, "Dream are even given a glimpse into the per­ book for students of Prasangika Madhyamika, as inter­ equipoise, appearance, emptiness Yoga". The book is available T sonal and professional lives of two Dzogchen, or at least for me, any­ preted by Tsongkhapa (founder of and coalescence are not reified as through amazon.com main characters as their lives become way, who is a beginning student. It the Gelugpa school), has long been having some essence. Appearance intertwined. is an edition of a text by Mipham the dominant scholastic tradition in is the object of conventional valid (1846-1912), who was a teacher the majority of schools of Tibetan recognition, emptiness is the object Buddhism, and these schools gener­ from sDe dge in Kham, a student of of ultimate analysis, and coales­ happiness and a happy life. We can ally see a vital relationship between HH the DL continued from page 4 'Jam dbyangs mKhen hrtse dbang cence combines the two compo­ say that the very purpose of our analysis and wisdom based upon I would also like to express my po, and who was associated with nents. existence is for happiness. I think philosophical study and reflection. appreciation of the warm words of the Rismed movement. The text, Thus, as long as one meditates on according to those traditions whose The Nyingmapa school, and Rismed, welcome by both the president of "The Beacon of Certainty", is, as the two realities alternately, this is fundamental belief is faith and the on the other hand, often emphasize the Sinai Temple and the Rabbi. I the editor states, "an'exploration of analytical wisdom, and when there creator; the, very, purpose of çre- an organic connection between . would especially like to express my the critical philosophical approach is no such alternation, one attains .ation, I feel,'is happiness and joy- wisdom (the direct awareness of appreciation of the vocal perfor­ of Tibetan scholasticism, especially the coalescent gnosis. Then one fulness. So for that, according to one's true nature), and enlighten­ mance by the lady (Meredith in its traditions of interpretation of transcends bare emptiness that is my experience, and I learned not ment, in accordance with systems Monk) who gave us a wonderful Madhyamika (Middle Way) philos­ the absolute negation that is the only from my own tradition but of meditation taught in the Anuttarayo- performance without using any ophy, and the relationship of Mad­ analytical exclusion of the aggre­ also some other traditions, I think gaTantras. Some Madhyamika propo­ complicated instruments, but using hyamika to Dzogchen" (p. 1 ) gates. Negation arid negandum no the fundamental thing is self confi­ nents have criticized this second ori­ rather the gift of voice that we all It is not a teaching text, per se. longer appear separately. The great dence, determination and will, and entation, and Dzogchen in particu­ have. Especially when you per­ Why. then, might a student of unelaborated emptiness that is con­ then a sense of caring of others. lar, because, by advocating non formed the last piece without using Dzogchen study it? John Pettit, the summately endowed with the These two things are really very conceptual mediation, they appear any kind of instrument you created editor, provides one good reason. aspect of appearance as method, important. So, wherever I talk, I to contradict the Madhyamika method. certain sounds, like clicking; at that "Texts," he points out, "are raw Mahamudra of coemergence, and always emphasize these two things. moment I felt if you use your teeth material for conversation, with Mipham's text is an attempt to so forth, have many synonyms. Firstly, in order to develop self con­ that can represent an instrument, oneself and others. Studying a text demonstrate that there is, in fact, no Because these are all the gnosis that fidence, I think it is important to (laughter) Anyway, I really enjoyed can compel us to reassess unques­ contradiction between Dzogchen transcends mind, they are incon­ know that we are all human beings, it. Thank you very much. tioned assumptions, and in so and Madhyamika, and it sets out to ceivable by any other concepts. whether rich or poor or belonging doing, come to a better understand­ establish the philosophical coher­ Thus, the ultimate meaning, free In the Rabbi's address he to this race or that race, educated or ing of others and ourselves."(p. ence of Dzogchen meditation in the of reification and negation, that is referred to a story of a prospective uneducated, with physical defor­ 182) I don't know about you, but context of Madhyamika. His suc­ beyond all positions, the state of student who approached one of the mations or not, basically we all I've got more gross and subtle cess in demonstrating this coher­ awareness and the expanse insepa­ masters, and the master insisted on have the same potential. The Bud­ unquestioned assumptions than I ence is meaningful not only in the rable is held to be without any asking "Why did you come here dhists don't believe in a creator, but can count. context of the ongoing debate expression or indication f "this" or exactly?", and finally the answer it is clear we have all been created between the schools of Tibetan was he came to find himself, to And there is another reason to study "that". However, unlike the "thought­ with equal opportunity. That is Buddhism. Madhyamika can be a understand himself, and that is a this book. "In 'The Beacon'," Pettit less agent", it is not something that clear. So therefore we all have the powerful tool for the practitioner of very poignant point and something comments, "ultimate reality is cannot be known by anyone, same potential. But sometimes, Dzogchen to use in his/her attempt that we all ought to reflect on. And approached through the theoretical because the Dharma lamp of cer­ unfortunately due to circum­ to understand his/her true nature, then the second point that the Rabbi and practical convergence of the tainty is the consummate gnosis stances, especially for people of the and Pettit's triumph here is making raised was again illustrated in a sto­ rational and analytical methods of attained subsequent to the individu­ weaker segments, sometimes they this tool accessible to the Western ry, where the ultimate message was dialectical philosophy and the med­ ally cognized gnosis induced by the have a feeling of inferiority. That is student. that whatever is harmful or disturb­ itative practices of the Vajrayana. analysis of stainless reasoning, very unfortunate. Once you have ing to you, you should not do to The path to this convergence is The text of the Beacon is dense what appears directly to those some kind of feeling that you are others. summed up by a single word, 'cer­ with meaning, but Pettit's clear and (yogis) who are free of the darkness weaker, you can't imagine that you tainty', which characterizes defini­ accessible commentaries, and care­ of doubt. Wherever I go, all day my talk are not, then, often that feeling tive understanding gained through ful establishment of precise Eng­ In the Sutra path, both method touches these two points. Search develops a frustration deep inside dialectical philosophical analysis, lish equivalents to Tibetan terms, is and wisdom are considered in light yourself and be aware and develop and we have a more agitated mind. and definitive experience cultivat­ a tremendous help. His explication of each other, but here both method potential - and with that self confi­ And also because of lack of self ed in meditation. The content of of the differences between and wisdom are realized and culti­ dence with awareness or self confi­ confidence, it often becomes a certainty is expressed in coales­ Tsongkhapa's and Mipham's inter­ vated inseparably. dence with wisdom. Then one great obstacle for determination cence, which, means philosophical pretations of Madhyamika is, in Both the Great Madhyamika of should have compassion or a sense and will power. Then after a life­ insight beyond the distinction of itself, an excellent entry point for coalescence and the Great Perfec­ of caring for others. These are two time of failures, lack of the mean­ 'knower' and 'known', or where Western students into Indo-Tibetan tion of luminosity have the same basic things, not only as the essence ingful direction, lack of self confi­ the knowing and being are realized Buddhist philosophical thought, meaning, and their names are syn­ of all major world religious tradi­ dence, and because of the frustra­ as an identity. 'The Beacon', then, and is free of sectarianism. onymous." (pp235-37) tions, but also in our daily life. tion that arises from all this, there is is a text that explicitly concerns the He has also translated and These two things are fundamental a trouble source and even some­ nature of ultimate reality, which is included a previous Tibetan com­ things in order to be a happy per­ times violence. Therefore it is beyond concepts, while also speci­ mentary on "The Beacon", Khro son. So, I feel there is no need for extremely important that since we fying the ways in which rational shul 'Jam rdor's "Stainless Light", proof or reasoning that we want have the same potential, that we all analysis and experiential cultiva­ as well as a shorter text by Mipham, happiness. It is just our own experi­ have the same rights. We need full tion are used to facilitate realization "The Lion's Roar Proclaiming ence. It is very clear that we want confidence that wc can change our continued on the next page

6 CliNN continued from page 3 HH the DL continued from page 6 Art and Archaeology Tour to Tibet the mental body is working, that is called a dream, until we wake up. Then society, change the future, develop Coordinated by Shang-Slwng Institute of America and Select Italy we know when we become aware in the dream, and we know some impor­ better humanity, without that then I tant things we can get through that method, for example, that we can enter think much of our energy and much hang-Shung Institute in America and Select Italy, operated by in this practice and have this experience. If we have a really fantastic expe­ of our mental ability of vision can­ SAndrea Sertoli in Chicago have joined forces to coordinate an art and rience in the dream, when we wake up we have that influence. We already not develop properly; therefore archaeology tour to Tibet this summer. Such is the miracle of email that have that experience, we can receive that influence, we can develop our confidence is important. Some­ in a matter of days we were able to finalize an itinerary between tour practice so it's very, very important for practitioners. times there are cases of over self leader, John Bellezza in Kathmandu, Rinpoche in New Zealand, Enrico confidence. Over self confidence, Dell 'Angelo in Lhasa, Andrea in Chicago and Shang-Shung Institute in No Indifference blind self confidence, that is also Conway, Massachusetts with everyone offering advice and suggestions. When you sleep you remember your practice of night and when you dangerous. The emphasis of the tour will be to experience first hand significant wake up you remember Guruyoga. This is more or less is how we do the So as I mentioned earlier, we remaining art in and around Lhasa and the Yarlung valley of Southern practice of dreams. need confidence with wisdom or Tibet along with some of the archaeological sites and cave art John If you don't have much clarity of dreams, or you don't remember, or the awareness, that is important. So in Bellezza has researched n Northern Tibet for over a decade. These sites dream is not very clear, in this case, you should do practice. If you have a order to have better awareness then have been carefully selected. Tour leaders, John Bellezza and Glen problem of sleeping too heavily - some people when they arrive on the bed it is very useful to have a holistic Eddy, will be on hand to offer their expertise through informal lectures immediately they fall asleep - if you have this kind of problem where after view. Sometimes one individual in and discussions. Out of the twenty-one day tour, at least seven days will falling asleep, you have a very deep sleep and it is difficult to have dream of one particular field has alot of involve camping around the region of Lake Namtso, where the archaeo­ clarity; if you have this problem you should do another practice. And being knowledge, but then due to a lack logical sites are located which is considered among the most beautiful in that state, you relax and fall asleep. That helps these kinds of people. If of holistic view can't see repercus­ landscape in all of Tibet. For many years, John has visited this region certain practices damage your sleep and even if you're relaxed, the visual­ sions or implications because the where he has established friendships among the local nomadic popula­ ization here can disturb your sleep, in this case then you alter the visualiza­ reality is such that everything is tion. As a cultural historian , his work in archaeological survey and inter­ tion and that also helps with having clarity of dreams. So you should do interdependent, not only the past viewing local elders about the region has resulted in important scholar­ dream practice like this. It's very important in daily life because half of our sort of events causing today's ship about the history of Tibet hitherto unrecorded. life is night and knowing that, we don't sleep in indifference. If you don't events, even today, there is some­ succeed in this practice and forget some nights, you don't worry. We can thing happening here and the forget always. But we shouldn't be indifferent. effects reach far away. So that's the reality, everything is heavily inter­ Transcribed and edited by Naomi Zeitz dependent, interconnected. Under those circumstances if we just focus on one particular point and tried now to, for example, to focus CHNN continued from page 3 on one unhappy situation to devel­ body and that is a temple. That's op and we just pick one out of many true. For that reason the Dzogchen So it's very important we under­ hundreds causes and conditions teaching is very, very much the stand all these things. If you are and factors, if we just pick one. and essence; not very connected with really a good practitioner you don't then address that, it can't be solved. the outside. We can also do many need anything. Maybe you need a Reality is much wider, more com­ formal practices relative to the cir­ The tour is also, in part, a research mission to gain perspective on the white A and thigle if you are not plex. With awareness there ia a cumstance. We can do. But that is condition of the art by some of the tour participants. Following the tour very often in presence, maybe it more holistic, wider perspective. not the main point of the Dzogchen to Tibet, Glen Eddy will be in residence at the Golden Vajra Art Guild helps. Maybe you have something That is important. So, judging from teaching. So it is very, very impor­ with visiting Tibetan artist, Kelsang Lodo Oshoe, a Tibetan master artist like a crystal ball in your house and that window, we can see our own tant that Dzogchen practitioners currently in residence at the University of Massachusetts along with art when you see that, you remember interest and other's interest very distinguish that, and not think that conservator, Constance Silver for the Shang -Shung Summer Institute the state of Dharmakaya, you much linked. There is no indepen­ creating something on the outside Art Program. remember your state of potentiality, dent self interest. The very exis­ is the most important. It is relative. The tour is priced at $3,600 (excluding R/T fare to Hong Kong) and your energy manifestation, of tsal, tence of my life depends on many Of course if there is a Gonpa for includes key insurance. This competitive price is possible because the dang, rolpa, etc. Some symbols factors. It depends on others. In dai­ doing retreat, for doing collective tour will originate in Hong Kong rather than in Katmandu and thus save like mirror etc., also it helps for ly life in order to develop and sus­ practices, it should be comfortable. travelers approximately $800. The tour is limited to ten to twenty partici­ being in your knowledge and tain happy moods, you need smiles When there is nothing there, if pants. For complete itinerary with detailed information and to receive a understanding, that is all. Once I from others. Clear, simple, I mean many practitioners want to do col­ color PDF brochure through email, please contact either Jacqueline went to visit an old practitioner of if you remain in a dark room, lective practice it is not so easy. So Gens (802-254-9114 and [email protected]) or Andrea Sertoli of Select Dzogchen with my uncle in the for­ everything closed, no meeting with that means 'related to circum­ Italy ([email protected]). est. He was quite famous and my other people, that is also not a hap­ stance'. uncle said, "He is a very good prac­ py experience. It is much better to titioner, he spent many years in I remember when we arrived in go outside and take the fresh air and In modem reality, the economy, lems can be solved and everything retreat, personal retreat in the for­ India in 1959,1 heard some talks of see the different environments, the is heavily interdependent. Like the you want you can achieve. That I est. We will go to visit". At that the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama birds, sometimes even insects, environment, if we just consider think is a mistake; that's wrong. period I didn't have much knowl­ gave a talk at a meeting of all tradi­ mosquitoes even, bed bugs - some­ that the environment is something If we examine the nature of our edge of Dzogchen teachings. Then tions, all lamas, in particular big times they bring more discomfort - to be used by human beings, nature experience, of pain and pleasure, of I went to see him and in his cave Gelugpa lamas. I still have a copy some small insects, when we see is also limited, and one day will be happiness and unhappiness, we will there was his place where he sat of the talk which they published in their movements, their behavior, exhausted because of our behavior, see that there are two principal cat­ and slept and nearby there was a that period. He said and explained it's very interesting, isn't it? Partic­ water becomes scarce, the vegeta­ egories. One level of pain and plea­ table with some books, small first, and then was asking all the ularly, we are human beings, we are tion becomes dry, then ultimately sure or suffering and happiness. We books, that's all. There was nothing Khenpos of all important monaster­ a social animal, we need human we suffer, our humanity, ourselves. notice that they derive primarily there and I was very surprised. ies like Drepung, Sera, particulalry companionship and if that human Sometimes I think some people from our interaction with sensory Then I told my uncle, "It's strange, these two monasteries, and said, companion smiles, it really brings feel, maybe I'm wrong, I'm not objects, such as visual objects and this Lama is doing retreat and when "You have been very worried, for us inner peace or satisfaction and a really sure, but I feel that we feel so on, and then also we see another people do retreat they need torma, a years, about constructing gold and happy mood. that we have the capacity through level of experience of pain and painting of Tara, or a statue of Tara. silver ornaments and ornaments of science and technology to control pleasure which has more to do with Then we need some offerings, at silks in the temple. You are going to I think through money, nying to everything. Yes, to some extent, we our thoughts and emotions and so least, then it seems that person is China and India, sacrificing a lot, bring some smile, that smile is usu­ can change and control nature, but on, and of these two the first cate­ doing some practice. But there is and sometimes you succeed. ally an artificial smile. Not gen­ ultimately we ourselves are part of gory that has mainly to do with our nothing.", and I said, "Strange, is Where are they now? What kind of uine. The worst thing is showing nature, so ultimately we are at the sensory field; that level of experi­ this Lama really doing some prac­ benefit do you have?" The Dalai some force, the attitude of the bul­ mercy of nature. If the climate con­ ence is something that we human tice?", and he said, "Yes, he is a Lama tried to make them under­ ly; you may get some smile but that ditions drastically change, we can't beings share in common with other Dzogchen practitioner". That is an stand, instead of increasing the smile is out of fear. So the genuine survive, then all six billion human species of animals. I think one big example. teaching of lung and togpa, they smile, if you extend your warmth to beings have to die, there is no demarcation between * human were going too much after the others, your sense of caring, com­ Also one of my teachers who future, that's clear. That's the reali­ beings and other species of animals material level. passionate attitude and feeling, was very famous and did a retreat ty, so my interest and others' inter­ is human intellect, so therefore as a then others really respond with on a rock, in a cave, for eighteen Of course that is not the teach­ est are very much linked, and my human being it is something really genuine human feeling and years, when I went to see him he ing, but it becomes like a target future very much depends on oth­ important to utilize the human warmth. That really gives us inner had spent eighteen years in this when there are some problems, like ers, so therefore taking care of oth­ intellect. Therefore I believe to be a satisfaction or inner peace. With cave and in this cave there was only during the Cultural Revolution. ers' interest is ultimately taking human being, the peace of mind or peace of mind all other troubles, we a statue of Gum Padmasambhava Then they are saying what the care of myself. satisfaction is brought about by cannot avoid troubles, but those and some books, plates for eating, lamas did; that they collected mon­ human thought. That is most problems we can handle more effi­ Showing genuine sympathy or etc., nothing like alters, etc. So for ey from people and created every­ important. Because if you have cer­ ciently, properly. Otherwise if our affection to others, you will receive ordinary people that's not so easy to thing in luxury, so there is no corre­ tain thoughts or beliefs or a certain mental state remains very agitated, positive similar responses. That's understand, because when we think spondence to the essence of teach­ purpose, to fulfill that purpose, then these problems which we can't the proper way to develop a happy of teachers, practitioners, at least ing. If you have not too much to do even if we have some physical avoid - in any case we have to deal human society, human family, hap­ they should show something, some outside, you're not engaged too pain, we can bare it and feel proud. with them - because of our agitated py individual. So, sometimes we objects, so we can tell that person is much outside but more in the So the pleasure and pain on physi­ mental level it sometimes creates have some kind of illusion or false doing some practice. essence of teaching, like practice, cal level is not important...that is more unnecessary problems. So, perceptions, 'I'm independent, I knowledge, developing knowl­ secondary. The pleasure, satisfac­ But in the Dzogchen teaching therefore, in order to have more can manage myself, I don't need edge, to all people interested in the tion and joy on the mental level is we don't need very much. In the peace, more calm, a more happy others', so therefore whenever we teaching, that can really have bene­ superior. The reason is quite sim­ teaching it says we don't need a mood, we need human compassion have the possibility to exploit oth­ fit. And also if the times arc changing ple: the physical pain can be over­ temple where we do practice with and a sense of caring for others. ers, we forget about others. The and there are some problems, there is come by mental peace and physical an alter and preparations like That really brings immense benefit to worst thing is that you believe that no target. They couldn't destroy any­ pleasure cannot subdue mental suf­ Tantrism, it says we already have oneself, so therefore my happiness very if you have money, if you have thing. Maybe they are catching some- fering. the Vajra body; we have the Vajra much depends on others' happiness. material Illings, then all your prob­ continued on page 20 continued on page 9

THE MIRROR FEB/MAR 2 00 0 7 Lives of the Great Masters

continued from page 5 other teachings. When I was twen­ in bitter cold winter. It was during your development. So go now and ty-seven in the year of the Iron this winter that I met my friend who practice as I have instructed. ' Tsegyalgar's Entry into the New Bull, 1865, and Togden Rangrig was the same age as me, a nun "He presented each of us with a Millennium was twenty-seven, he fell ill, and called Pema Yangkyi. We became Chöd drum, and after further or never under estimate the power one morning we found he had left close friends and traveled together advice and encouragement we saw of practice. his body. for years. no reason to delay and set off like "After the seventh day we found "When we were thirty-one, in two beggar girls. Our only posses­ by Kathy O'Connor that his body had shrunk to the size 1869, Lhawang Gonpo, Pema sions were our drum and a stick. of an eight-year-old child. As we Yangkyi and I went to try to see We visited many sacred places, "If any problems should arise, you should do were making the funeral pyre and Dzongsar Khentse Rinpoche with a encountering many teachers. Even­ Tara practice. " preparing the body to be burned Khenpo of Dzog Chen monastery tually we arrived at the caves of everyone heard a loud noise, like a called Jigme and ten of his disci­ Togden Rangrig, where I had lived t was 6:05 on New Year's Eve and the thunderclap. A strange half-snow ples. Along the way we visited as a girl. We found only an old dis­ Igroup of practitioners gathered at Tsegyal­ half-rain fell. During the cremation Dege Gonchen monastery and oth­ ciple, Togden Pagpa, an old nun, gar eagerly awaiting the New Year's message we sat around the fire chanting and er interesting places. When we and Chang Chub, a younger nun from our precious teacher had yet to receive doing the One 'A' Gum Yoga prac­ arrived, we found he was, in fact, in that I'd known, and Kunzang the call from conference call central. As tice from the Yang-ti teachings. At strict seclusion. We could not even Longyang. It made me very sad to everyone settled in, we began to become aware that without this call, (and the end there is a long period of uni­ send him a message, so we camped be there. When we said we were the number we were meant to receive), we would not be able to connect to fication with the state. among some rocks below his going to Central Tibet, Kunzang the conference call and would not be hearing Rinpoche's teachings with the When this was over we discov­ retreat and began to do some inten­ Longyang decided to come with us. rest of the International Dzogchen Community. By 6:15, excitement was ered that my aunt had left her body. sive practice. "It was the third month on the tenth giving way to anxiety. Everyone was talking; some joking, some wonder­ She was sixty-two at the time, and "We were there for more than a day of the Year of the Iron Sheep ing, others conferring, trying to figure out what might have happened and when everyone else got up she did­ month before a monk called Sonam that we made a fire puja and set off what could be done to get us connected. n't, she was dead. She was in per­ Wongpo came by one day to see for Central Tibet. We traveled with As a few people left the room and headed to the office phone to see what fect position and remained in the what we were doing. We told him about twenty other people. One day they might be able to do, Paula mentioned to the group that we had been seated posture more than three where we were from and what we we arrived at a big plateau called advised in the email that had been sent to all participating centers, that if for days. had been doing and that we hoped Gurchen Thang. We approached a some reason the connection wasn't working, we should all do Tara prac­ "Everyone was saying what an to see Khentse Rinpoche. One day large encampment of nomads to tice. It took a few minutes before everyone quieted. Paula suggested that we important Yogini she was. Previ­ a while later, that monk came back ask them for food. We stood at the should recite the Tara mantra. We all began and did so for a bit but slowly, ously no onehad said this. After and told us that Khentse Rinpoche edge of the camp and began to sing worried people began talking again and soon the recitation began to dis­ three days she was cremated on the would see us following his medita­ Chöd. A young robust woman solve into conversation once more. I remember thinking it was a shame that same spot where Togden had been tion period that morning. We were approached us and we could see we stopped, but continued reciting myself, internally, as I'm sure many oth­ cremated. I felt so elated and when she was crying. ers did. lonely after the we entered his "She said: 'Thank goodness you Kyu, who had been sitting quite near to me, suddenly stood up, saying death of both the room he called me Chödpas have come! Please help quietly, almost to herself, "We really need to practice.", then made her way Togden and my by the name Tse- me! The day before yesterday my out of the room. (I later discovered she'd gone off to gather up copies of the aunt, even though wang Paldron that husband was killed for revenge in a Tara practice for everyone.) I got up a few minutes later and made my way it was a good les­ he had given me. feud. He is still lying in the tent. It is to the office to see how things were going there. When I arrived, Ed was on son in transience He had decided to not easy to find a Chödpa in this the phone, very patiently explaining (it's seemed for the umpteenth time) and the suffering give us teachings part of the country. Please help me what the problem was and how he hoped the person on the other line might of transmigration. on the Khadro to take care of his body.' We were be able to help us. At a table nearby sat Verena and her young daughter Nyi- Many people con­ Sangdu between rather at a loss as none of us were raa, cutting paper and creating beautiful spiral and floral decorations for tinued to hear his meditation really experts at funerals, but she some collages they were making. I sat with them for a moment helping Nyi- sounds from the sessions, but we was so desperate we agreed to do ma untangle a complicated spiral she had cut. From the other room I could funeral pyre for were not to utter a our best. hear the agitated voice of man relating the apparent mishap of the evening many nights. I decided to do a word of this to anyone or it would "We asked her: "Is there a good to whomever was on the other line stating, "Nothing's happening here. I'll three-year retreat in my aunt's cave. become an obstacle for us. cemetery around here?"'She be heading home soon." I was assisted by the Togden's dis­ "Since in two day's time it would replied: "Toward the south, about a A few people were standing nearby Ed, lending moral support, as he con­ ciples and had good results. be the anniversary of Jomo Memo's half day's journey from here.there tinued his conversation. He was speaking to an operator at the company that "When I was thirty, in the Year of entrance into "the body of light," he is an important cemetery. If that is was responsible for linking us to the conference call. This was apparently the Earth Dragon, Kunzang thought that that day we should too far there are other, smaller ones the second or third time he'd been transferred to yet another person, all of Longyang and the nun that had begin the teachings. So in the closer' whom had been unable to help. This time Ed was trying to see if this woman been serving me and I began to meantime we went out begging to "We decided to go to the larger could give him the number of a manager who might know a bit more and be travel around practicing Chöd. We get enough supplies for ourselves one, and the next day in the morn­ able to assist us. The operator gave him another number. decided to visit Nyala Pema Dun- and to offer feasts when it was ing we set off with someone carry­ I heard Ed say to her, "Before I hang up, I just want to be sure that there dul, also called Chang Chub Ling- appropriate. ing the corpse. As we were will be someone at this number." Apparently he received that reassurance pa as had been indicated by Togden "We took much teaching from approaching the cemetery we heard because he hung up the phone and began dialing again. Rangrig. him and still had plenty of time to the sound of a beautiful voice As Verena and Nyima continued their work, the few of us gathered near­ "We visited many sacred places practice.Then we returned with him singing theChöd. As we entered we by Ed, stood still; listening, hoping and holding our breath. Then I saw Ed and various monasteries on the to Dzongsar, and along with hun­ saw a Chödpa at the center of the shake his head slowly and lower the receiver to the cradle. "Just what I way. When we arrived at Adzom dreds of other monks, nuns and cemetery. He was quite young, with thought", he said quietly, "No one's there." I wondered if this was our last Gar his uncle Namkhai Dorje was yogis we received the Nying Thig a dark complexion and a big turban chance. Then Ed calmly picked up the receiver and, with a renewed but qui­ giving teachings on Longde to Yabzhi, which took more than three of matted hair, wrapped around his et determination, began dialing another number. As he was dialing, I heard Adzom Drukpa and a group of months. It seemed to me that during head. He wore a dark-red robe and him state, very simply, "If I just get us connected for five minutes, I'll be about thirty of his disciples. We that period I really understood was singing the feast offering of the happy." joined the group and received the something about Dzog Chen. Chöd. At that moment we were I was amazed by his grace under such pressure, dealing with what teachings. "When we were thirty-two, in reminded of Nyala Pema Dundul's seemed to be a very frustrating situation. I walked back over to the table and "Toward the beginning of the 1870, we went to see Nyala Pema prophecy that we would meet a sat down again with Verena and Nyima. At this moment, from the other sixth month Nyala Pema Dundul Dundul in Nyarong, where he was Chödpa who would help us in room, rose up the first notes of our practice, "OM EH HO, SHUDDE, arrived. When he gave the great ini­ giving the Longsal Dorje Nyingpo Tsawa. SHUDDE...". Verena began singing along, faintly, under her breath. I could tiation on the Tshog Chen Dupa, we initiation and the Yang-ti Nagpo in "He asked us: 'Who among you hear Ed, speaking to yet another operator. Des stood nearby. The Tara invo­ were about one thousand people. a town called Karko. We were there is Dorje Paldron? Where have you cation began. I got up to go join the practice. As I passed by the desk, I heard He also gave teachings on Tara more than three months. come from? What are you doing Des ask Ed what was happening. He looked up at him and replied, "I'm not Gonpa Rangdrol the root text about "After this we went with Nyala here?"! said: 'I am called Dorje sure, but I'm finally speaking to someone who thinks she can do what the practice at the time of death, Pema Dundul to Nying Lung to the Paldron. These are my friends, Osel everyone else, so far, has told me it is impossible to do." and finally the Kha Khyab Rang­ area of Tsela Wongdo, where he Wongmo (previously called Pema Elated, I returned, quietly slipped back into my place, and joined in with drol his own Gongten Namkhai gave the Kha Khyab Rangdrol. Yangkyi) and Kunzang Longyang. the practice. There was no distraction now. Everyone was completely given Dorje and Adzom Drukpa gave When this teaching had come to an We are disciples of Nyala Pema over to the practice. We sang the mantras in unison. Less than five minutes more detailed explanations of the end he called for Pema Yangkyi and Dundul. We are going to Central and three mantras later the door opened. In came Des, followed by Ed. The essential teachings of Dzog Chen. me. He had named my friend Osel Tibet practicing the Chöd in vari­ phone rang. Ed snatched it up and through the speakers we heard the beauti­ "Kunzang Longyang and the nun Palkyi, 'Glorious Clear Light,' and ous charnel grounds on the way. We ful sound of a woman's voice saying, "Your conference call is now being I had come with decided to return me Dorje Paldron, 'Glorious Inde­ happened upon this situation and connected." Then, Rinpoche's voice filled the room and he was teaching on to Togden Rangrig's place and I structible Vajra.' During this teach­ the family requested that we take the overcoming of obstacles. decided to go visit Dzog Chen ing, and addressing us with these- care of this murdered man, so we As I was writing this, I remembered the first time I met Nyoshul Kenpo monastery with some of Adzom names, he said: 'Go to practice in brought him here. Who are you? Rinpoche. He had given the most amazing talk. As he finished, he told the Drukpa's disciples. When we cemeteries and sacred places. Fol­ "He replied: i am a disciple of audience that he would be happy to answer some questions for them, but arrived at Dzog Chen monastery, low the method of Machig Lapdron Khentse Yeshe Dorje, my name is that after that, he was most happy that we would be able sit and practice winter was approaching and it was and overcome hope and fear. If you Semnyi Dorje and I was bom in together. People began asking questions. One, then another, then another. becoming colder every day. A trav­ do this you will attain stable real­ Kungpo. I have no fixed abode. He answered them all, patiently and profoundly. He gave of himself com­ eling companion, Lhawang Gonpo, ization. During your travel you will Several days ago when I was pletely to them and when it was ascertained that all questions of the moment taught me the inner heat practice, encounter two yogis who will be between sleeping and waking I had been asked and answered, he then stated, ever so kindly, "Here we are. and the practice of living on air and important for you. One will be met received a communication that We have spent so much time talking and what do we have to show for it but mineral substances, and so, thanks in the country of Tsawa and the oth­ someone called Dorje Paldron was a lot of air. And, sadly, we've cut into the time we had set aside for the most to his skillful instructions, I was er in Loka, Southern Tibet. If you coming. Since then I have been important thing, which is our practice." able to live there quite comfortably meet them it will definitely help waiting for you. Welcome! But a

continued imparl' 12

8 Merigar retreat on the Seven Lojong MERIGAR, ITALY by Bob De Grandi RETREAT PROGRAM he long awaited retreat on the practice of the Seven Lojong took place at Merigar from December 29th, 1999 to January 2nd, 2000. Before it began one could sense a feeling of excitement on the part of all those who had T SUMMER RETREAT WITH CHOEGYAL NAMKHAI NORBU come to participate. The initial impact was remarkable - in fact as an introduction to the video of Rinpoche's explanations in Italian July 19-23,2000 and English, Adriano Clemente gave an explanation from a text by Adzom Drugpa (which up to now has not been Teaching retreat on "Dzogchen Ati and the Three Contemplations". translated) containing very precise step by step details on how to follow the visualization for the first training of the Further details in the next issue of The Mirror Seven Lojong related to the experience of sensation (Detong). For those who had already practiced this training, which is included in the Base Level of the Santi Maha Sangha, the explanation was really helpful in regard to deep­ April 21 -25,2000 ening one's experience. Of course for the novices not everything turned out to be so simple straight away... but the Retreat with practice and explanations by Adriano Clemente atmosphere in the Gonpa at Merigar always brings about progress. The retreat will be based on the Phowa of Changchub Dorje and some of In the days that followed, we started the "real" work under the patient guidance of Laura Evangelisti and Sergio the Semzin. Quaranta. First of all an hour of Yantra Yoga, indispensable in order to start to correctly practice the kumbhaka or During the same period there will also be a course on the Dance of the retention of breath necessary in the Seven Lojong. Then step by step, we put into practice the specific instructions of Three Vajras (including the 'irregular method') with Margit Martinu. the practices related to the three experiences of sensation, clarity and emptiness. The practice retreat with Adriano Clemente is free for up-to-date sustain­ The arrival of the New Year brought a little more movement and merriment, but above all was the message of ing members, otherwise Lit. 120.000 with a 30% discount for ordinary Chögyal Namkhai Norbu in a telephone conference direct from Namgyalgar in Australia. With his usual clarity he members. went over the history of the Dharma from the time of the Buddha up to today reminding us about the conflicts that The cost of the Dance Course is Lit. 100.000 with a 30% discount for all had arisen among the various Buddhist sects. He underlined the importance of knowing how to see things with hon­ up-to-date members. esty and explained that this famous "third millennium" is something relative. In conclusion he gave an explanation of the fundamental principles of the Teachings saying that knowledge of Dzogchen is beyond any type of sectarian July 3 -10,2000 point of view or limited concept to the point of being independent of the very name "Dzogchen" or any other type of NY1CHANG KHENTRUL RINPOCHE title or definition. It is really this nature beyond limits which makes it such a suitable vehicle for this era to come, the a Nyingma Master and disciple of the great yogini Shuksep Jetsun Rin­ "millennium" which has just begun. poche will give teachings on "The Chöd of Longchen Nyinthig, Kadro Gegyang - Laughter of the Dakini". Nyichang Rinpoche will give the lung, teach the melodies, demonstrate the practice and give explanations. Advice from a Dharma Friend means, how one must make effort would not be better to train children by Lauri Denyer in order to be able to practice not to make noise during practices. Dzogchen, how we develop our He said, in answer to the first, that August 12-18,2000 DUGU CHEOGYAL RINPOCHE im Valby passed through Italy capacity, and the function of the we must try to develop our capaci­ will give a teaching retreat on "Mahamudra and Ati-Yoga teachings in early in the year, remaining for a Santi Maha Sangha training! ty, and to the second, that if they J connection with Maha Siddhas and Khadro Yeshe Tsogyal". little over a week in Merigar to It was always clear that he spoke were going around pushing us, work on his translations of the from knowledge and experience, maybe it's too much, but otherwise, Further information on all these retreats will be given as soon a possible. Semde Tantras with Adriano and he did it in a friendly and natur­ "If we are really trying to under­ Clemente. This fortunate occasion al way. He ended his talk with a stand integration, we don't need Merigar, 58031, Arcidosso (GR), Italy. for Jim turned out to be fortunate brief question and answer period, total silence, and sometimes if there Tel: 0564-966837. also for others, when the blue responding to questions about is some noise we can notice if we Gakyil asked Jim if he'd give a lit­ something he said, in reference to are distracted or not." Email: [email protected] tle talk on Santi Maha Sangha being in the state of primordial It was very encouraging to hear before the Ganapuja on Gum Rin­ knowledge, "Maybe it means, if we Jim's talk, and demonstrated clear­ poche day, and he accepted. hear a sound, we don't say, 'Oh, ly that what he said in the begin­ py. and I also think as the time goes tual Jewish Community. And that Although many people have met that sound is bothering me; why did ning, when speaking of the value of on there will be more and more is wonderful. So, that is my talk. Jim as the able assistant for Santi that mother bring her child here?' Santi Maha Sangha, that the second acquaintance between different OK. Maha Sangha exams, or have even Maybe we recognize the sound as most important reason for this religious traditions. We especially (Applause) part of our mandala, it is not some­ had exams from him, far fewer peo­ training, the first being that it is a of the Tibetan Refugee Communi­ If we discuss the complicated thing outside of our state, it's an ple have heard him speak. It was a way Chögyal Namkhai Norbu has ty, right from the beginning we philosophy then we need a lot of ornament of our presence. Maybe rare pleasure for all those assem­ designed to help us realize our­ always talked and wondered, effort and a lot the thinking we have a pain in our knee, but just bled. selves totally, is that "if some prac­ "What is the Jewish secret?" or process. That way it is very useful for five minutes while we practice From the moment Jim said we titioners develop some capacity Jewish spirit, how did you keep to develop a firm conviction, but Anuyoga. we don't say, 'Oh. I have could do "Three purification and have some realization, then the your own spirit, your tradition over that is an intellectual level and in a pain in my knee, this is really bad, breaths, three A's, and three min­ practitioners also have some capac­ a long period, at different places our daily life maybe is not so very it's bothering me!' Instead we just utes of something (or nothing)," it ity to talk and think and explain to and in some cases under hostile cir­ relevant. So I prefer to exchange feel the pain and it's just part of our was clear he was speaking our lan­ other people." cumstances. The result is in the last some of our common experi­ mandala." People asked how to guage. How well he put it, when he forty years we have had quite a ences, it is better, isn't it? integrate this type of sound, and if it described what taking refuge number of occasions with Jewish So, thank you. that's all, now friends. So we really sort of admire some questions. your spirit and determination, and Question: Last night at the we make a correction of this false Il H fili DL continued from page 7 is your digestion suffers, sleep suf­ certainly your technique to intro­ Hollywood bowl you spoke emotion. This is a method to devel­ fers, and eventually your life is also duce your tradition to your younger about your own homelessness op tolerance. Tolerance is not a sign shortened. Therefore. I think peace generation, not through the hard since leaving Tibet. Could you If we examine our own experiences, of weakness, but of strength. of mind and happy mood are very work of reciting or learning by explain whether this homeless­ even some undesirable experiences positive factors for the body. So, all major world religious heart, not that way, but rather ness has benefited you spiritual- at the level of our physical reality Even non believers, if they have traditions bring out the importance through festivals. One of things we ly? such as pain and so on, these can be of compassion, love, forgiveness, a the sense of caring of others and are learning from the Jewish people HH the DL: Oh yes, No overwhelmed by certain thoughts sense of brotherhood, sisterhood: sense of self confidence - I think is more skillful ways of inculcating doubt. Sometimes I feel that if I and attitudes and ways of thinking, they all teach these subjects in dif­ these are very important for a good the values to the younger genera­ had remained inside Tibet with however, the experience of painful ferent ways, using different presen­ life, a happy life. This is what I call tion, a way in which the children old traditions and complicated emotions and the inner distur­ tations, different philosophies, but secular ethics. Very important. will enjoy the experience of the protocol, I could be a person bances at the level of thought can­ the essence is the same, so there is In order to develop these good whole process. Through that way more ignorant about reality, more not be overwhelmed by pleasurable common ground. And also there is qualities various major world reli­ you have really developed the spiri­ distant from reality. Being a experiences at the physical level. gious traditions have very impor­ in this ground a way to develop continued on page 12 Another way to explain is very tant rules. Through different faiths mutual respect for one another. On obvious; someone's mental state is and concepts, such as a creator, or that basis there is mutual learning. at peace, happy, satisfied, and then the Buddhist concept of liberation, Wonderful. physical discomfort doesn't matter. or emptiness; this philosophy is I am Buddhist, but as a result of It's not important. The other way, if really forceful to create these posi­ more acquaintance with other reli­ someone is mentally very unhappy, tive human thoughts. For example, gious traditions, I have learned then the physical level, even with using the image of God, in many things. So, the harmony that all the material comforts, that per­ Jerusalem one day this year I had a arises from the contact of different son can't be a happy person. So, short visit there, and after a seminar religious traditions is really useful, therefore, here generally, the sense about people dealing with students 1 think. There is immense benefit. of compassion, simply the sense of and a discussion about tolerance; This certainly helps to reduce reli­ caring' for others, that brings some after the seminar a student from gious intolerance, religious con­ inner strength. The result is less Palestine talked about how he was flict. And secondly, more impor­ fear, less doubt, more self confi- passing through a street and there tant, you can enrich one's own dence.and more inner strength. was some policeman there and he experience, one's own practice. I also believe that the basic tried to develop and visualize that There is also this fundamental­ human nature is gentleness. Some­ person, who he usually felt anger ist factor which is due to lack of one could argue that. The very towards, as the image of God. No awareness of the value of other tra­ nature of the physical and peace of anger, no hatred; it was wonderful. ditions, due to lack of contact, so mind goes very well together, we That is a the real practice of a won­ therefore the closer contact and have a more happy mood and it derful tradition. When we face exchange between different reli­ brings all this body element into some disagreement or negative gious traditions is extremely useful. more balance. More natural. The feeling towards someone, try to In that spirit in this temple of Jew­ result means good health. On the imagine or think that the other per­ ish people, I am Buddhist sharing other side - fear, strong anger, son or other group of people, try to some of my own experience with strong emotions create imbalance visualize them as the image of God. you, here it is mainly on the basis of of our body element and the result That brings immense benefit when human value. 1 am extremely hap-

THE MIRROR FEBI M AR 2 00 0 9 "...IT IS BEST TO METAL DRA DO THESE prac­ tices collectively practice of Ekajati so today try to April 2000 2000 2 0 with your Vajra do the Long-life practice "Cycle of FULL MOON. This is one of the These are important days for the practice of Ekajati, so try to do a Brothers and Life's Vajra" in the morning and the best days for doing the long-life Long Tun in the evening. If you practice of Guru Amitayus, with a Long or Medium Tun in the usual Sisters (at the don't have this possibility, you can Ganapuja if possible. Try todo it way, reciting the heart mantra of try to do the Long-life practice collectively or, if that is not possi­ Ekajati as many times as possible. recommended included in the Medium or Long ble, alone. 4th,Month, 10th day Sun. 11 th June Tun, with the rite of Ekajati, recit­ times), but if this 2nd Month, 20th day Sun. 23rd 2000 ing the heart mantra of Ekajati as April 2000 This is a special day of Guru Pad- is not possible much as possible. This is the anniversary of the great masambhava. If you can, try todo you can do them personally whenever you have free Double I st Month. 8th day Mon. Dzogchen Master Do Gyaltsen a Ganapuja, otherwise you can do time. The important thing is to try to communicate with 13th March 2000 Yeshes Dorje (bom 1800), a disci­ the Long-life practice "Universal This is an important day fordoing ple of the first Do Drub Chen Rin­ Wisdom Union". all practitioners linked with the same transmission. In the practice of Ekajati, so try to do poche and a master of Nyagla Pad- 4th Month, 15th day Fri. 16th the Long Tun either collectively or ma Duddul. It is therefore a good this way you develop the potentiality of your transmis­ June 2000 personally. If you don't have that day to do Agar Lama'i Naljyor, the FULL MOON. This is the anniver­ sion and your understanding and capacity to integrate possibility then try to do the Medi­ Guruyoga with the White A. sary of the Paranirvana of Buddha um Tun and in either case recite the your daily life into practice ..." 2nd Month, 25th day Sat. 29th Shakyamuni, as well as an impor­ heart mantra of Ekajati as many April 2000 • tant day for the Long-life practice Chogyal Namkhai Norbu times as possible. This is a Dakini day so try to do a "Cycle of Life's Vajra". The most important thing we can Geneva, Prague, Salzburg, Stock­ Double 1 st Month, 10th day Wed. Ganapuja with your Vajra Brothers Therefore try to do this do help maintain the good health of holm, Budapest, Vienna, Warsaw 15th March 2000 and Sisters or if that is not possible, practice early in the morn­ our precious master, Chögyal 06:00 (+3) Kuwait City, Riyadh, This is the day on which Pad- a Medium Tun, either collectively ing, and in the afternoon or Namkhai Norbu, is to keep our Tashkent, Helsinki, Athens, masambhava was ordained by or alone. evening do a Ganapuja. samaya as pure as possible and to Ankara, Beirut, Jerusalem, Tallinn, Ananta, or, according to Jigmed 2nd Month, 30th day Thu. 4th 4thMonth,25thday Tue. 27th June correct all errors by performing Vilnius, Istanbul Lingpa ('Jigs med gLing pa), the May 2000 2000 Ganapuja with our Vajra Brothers 06:30 (+3.5) Tehran day on which he left the kingdom DARK MOON. On this day, which Dakini day. This is the anniversary and Sisters. 07:00 (+4) Moscow, Murmansk, of Oddiyana to go to the cemetery is the birthday of the great Terton of Ngor Chen (a great Master of the Baghdad at Maghadha called Citavana. GLOBAL TIMETABLE Loter Wangpo, try to do the Agar Sakyapa tradition and initia­ 07:30 (+4.5) Kabul You can do a Ganapuja in the usual Lama'i Naljyor, Guruyoga of the tor of the Ngor lin­ World Time Table v2.0 08:00 (+5) ODDIYANA, Islam­ way or if you do not have the possi­ White A either collectively or eage), therefore it 1. ODDI YAN A time set to equal abad bility you can try to do the long-life alone, with a Ganapuja if possible. is a good day to Islamabad standard time (+5 UTC 08:30 (+5.5) New Delhi, Bombay practice linked to the Guruyoga of do the offset) 08:45 (+5.45) Katmandu Gum Rinpoche (Universal Wisdom 3rd Month, 4th day Sun. 7th Guruyo- 2. All times are calculated accord­ 09:00 (+6) Dhaka Union) either collectively or alone. May 2000 ga ing to UTC offsets. Daylight sav­ 09:30 (+6.5) Rangoon Otherwise you can do a Medium This is an important day for the Agar ings times (DLS) are considered in 10:00 (+7) Bangkok, Jakarta, Tun (Tundrin) with an intense prac­ practice of Ekajati, so try to do a the calculation. Saigon tice of the Guruy oga of Pad- long or medium Tun in the usual 11:00 (+8) Singapore, Beijing, masambhava. way, reciting the heart mantra of For example: Sydney Australia has Lhasa, Manila, Hong Kong, Kuala Ekajati as many times as possible. an offset of+10 in the summer Double 1st Month, 15th day Lumpur, Taipei, Perth (March 13) and an offset of +9 in Mon. 20th March 2000 3rd Month, 10th day Sat. 13th 12:00 (+9) Tokyo, Soul, the winter (July 4). The summer FULL MOON. This is an important May 2000 12:30(+9.5) Darwin, Adelaide offset of+10 represents DLS. day to do the Amitayus long life This is a special day of Gum Pad- 13:00 (+10) Brisbane, Melbourne, Locations that implement DLS practice, Union of Primordial masambhava so try to do the Long- Sydney have +1 hour added to their UTC Essences. If possible you should do life practice "Universal Wisdom 14:00(+ll)VIadivostok offsets during the summer months. it in the morning and a Ganapuja in Union" early in the morning or at 15:00(+12) Fiji. Wellington, Auck­ Northern hemisphere locations in the evening. sunset. If you have the possibility it land, Kamchatka red Italics use DLS. Southern is beneficial to combine this with a Double 1 st Month, 25th day Thu. hemisphere locations in green Ital­ *The time in Vilnius, Lithuania is practice of Ganapuja collectively. 30th March 2000 ics use DLS. considered to be the same as This is the day of the Dakini and in 3rd month, 15th day Thu. 18th Tallinn. Estonia ANNIVERSARY OF particular the anniversary of the May 2000 *It is considered that Katmandu RADMASAMBHAVA lady Master Ayu Khandro, so it is FULL MOON. This is one of the does not use DLS. Tuesday 8th August 2000 good to do the AgarLama'i Naljyor best days for Long-life practices, *If a location implements DLS but Lama'i 16:00(-11) ora Ganapuja with transformation and in particular for the practice of it does not fall on either of the Naljyor, 17:00 (-10) Hawaii into the Dakini Simhamukha. the "Union of Primordial Essences". anniversary days, the DLS designa­ collectively 18:00 (-9) It is best to do it early in the morn­ tion will not show on the time table. Double 1 st Month, 30th day Tue. if possible or 19:00 (-8) Fairbanks ing if you can. This is also the *This chart was composed with the 4th April 2000 otherwise alone. 20:00 (-7) San Francisco, Los anniversary of the day when Bud­ help of various members of the DARK MOON. This day is suit­ Angeles, Vancouver dha Shakyamuni first gave the 4thMonth30thday Sat 1st world wide Dzogchen Community able for purification practice so try 21:00 (-6) Denver, Salt Lake City, teaching of Kalachakra so it is good July2000 and with information from the web to do purification with the Ñaru­ Pagosa Springs, Edmonton to do a Ganapuja or Long Tun in DARKMOON.Thisdayistheanniver- site chos Shitroi Naljyor, the practice of 22:00 (-5) Lima, Quito, Chicago, the evening. sary ofNyag-la Berna Dud-'dul ( 1816- the peaceful and wrathful manifes­ Mexico City TJe, the main Master of 2000 ago, New York, Conway, Montreal, 2nd Month, 6th day Mon. 10th Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche. He dis­ This is a Dakini day as well as the Atlanta, Detroit, Havana, Kingston, April 2000 covered the Terma "Tsedrub Gong- 1st Month, 25th day Tue. 29th anniversary of the fifth DalaiLama, Indianapolis, Ottawa This is an important day for the dus" which two of his disciples, Feb. 2000 a great Terton and practitioner of 00:00 (-3) Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo, practice of Ekajati, so try to do a Ayu Khandro and Changchub Dor- This is the day of the Dakini and in Dzogchen, so it is a good day to Rio de Janeiro, Bermuda Long or Medium Tun in the usual je, transmitted to Namkhai Norbu particular the anniversary of the practice AgarLama'i Naljyor, way, reciting the heart mantra of Rinpoche. Therefore you should try Wednesday 9th August 2000 lady Master Ayu Kadro, so it is Gum Yoga with White A in the Ekajati as many times as possible. to do this Long-life practice, "Tse­ morning and Ganapuja with an 00:30 (-2.5) Newfoundland good to do the Agar Lama' i Naljyor drub Gongdus", "Union of Primor­ intensive practice of Ekajati in the 01:00 (-2) or a Ganapuja with transformation 2nd Month, 10th day Thu. 13th dial Essences". The time to do it is evening. 02:00 (-1) into the Dakini Simhamukha. April 2000 the early morning. Later in the day 03:00 (0) GMT, Reykjavic, This is a special day of Guru Pad- 1st Month, 30th day Sun. 5th 3rd Month, 30th day Fri. 2nd or in the evening you can do the 04-00(+1 ) London, Dublin, Lisbon masambhava, the day on which the March 2000 June 2000 Guruyoga of the White A, Agar 05:00 (+2) Johannesburg, Rome, King Sahora tried to bum him alive DARK MOON. This day is suit­ DARK MOON. This is a particu­ Lama'i Naljyor". Berlin, Oslo, Paris, Madrid, Ams­ and when he transformed the fire able for purification practice so try larly good day for practicing the terdam, Copenhagen, Brussels, into a lake, so try to perform a 5th Month, 1 st day Sun. 2nd July to do purification with the Ñám­ Purification of the Six Lokas. As it Ganapuja collectively, but if that is 2000 enos Shitroi Naljyor, the practice of is also the anniversary of the greatTerton not possible do the Long-life prac­ This is the anniversary of mChog- the peaceful and wrathful manifes­ and Dzogchen Master Sangyas Lingpa, tice Universal Wisdom Union. gyur gLing-pa ( 1829-1870) a tations, either collectively or alone. try to do the Agar Lama'i Naljyor. Ny ingmapa Master of Dzogchen, 2nd Month, 12th day Sat. 15th THIS YEAR THE FIRST MONTH 4th month, 7th day Thu'. 8th June one of the most important Rimed April 2000 IS DOUBLED 2000 masters of the XlXCentury. Try to This is the anniversary of Jetsun Double 1 st Month, 3rd day Thu. This is the anniversary of the birth do a practice of Agar Lama' i Naljyor. Dragpa Gyaltsen ( 1147-1216), one 9th March. 2000 of Buddha Shakyamuni, an impor­ of the first great Masters of the 5th Month, 10th day Tue. 11 th There is no 4th day in this double tant day for all Buddhists, so try to a Sakyapa tradition, so try to do the July 2000 month so the third day is a special Ganapuja with your Vajra brothers Guruyoga Agar Lama ' i Naljyor, This is a special day of Gum Pad- day for doing the Long-life practice and sisters. the Guruyoga of the White A. masambhava. If y ou can, try todo of the Dakini Mandarava. It is also 4th Month, 8th day Fri. 9th June a Ganapuja, otherwise you can do a very special day for doing the 2nd Month, 15th day Tue. 18th

10 L G O N YEAR

0 0 the Long-life practice "Universal add Ganapuja. 9th Month, 3rd day Mon. 30th Wisdom Union". It is also the anniversary of Yeshe 7th Month 19th day Sun. 17th Oct. 2000 Tsogyal the main consort and disci­ Sept. 2000 This is the anniversary of Rigzin 5th Month, 14th day Sat. 15th ple of Padmasambhava so if you This is an important day for the Jigmed Lingpa(1729-1798),a July 2000 have the possibility, it is beneficial practice of Ekajati, so try to do a great Dzogchen master who was Tliis is an important day for the to do a Ganapuja together with your Long or Medium Tun in the usual the author of many books, among practice of Ekajati, so try to do a Vajra Brothers and Sisters, if not way, reciting the heart mantra of which is the Longchen Nyingthig, Long or Medium Tun in the usual you can practice Guruyoga with Ekajati as many times as possible. which he wrote after having contact way, reciting the heart mantra of Padmasambhava and the Long-life with Longchenpa through visions. Ekajati as many times as possible. 7th Month. 25th day Sat. 23rd practice "Universal Wisdom Therefore, on this important day. statue of Avalokiteshvara. There­ Sept. 2000 5th Month, 15th day Sun. 16th Union". you should try to do Agar Lama'i fore it is good to do a Ganapuja with This is a Dakini day and also the July 2000 Naljyor, the Guruyoga with the the Gumyoga and the Long-life prac­ SEETHE GLOBAL TIMETABLE anniversary of Pagmo Drugpa FULL MOON. This is a special day White A. tice of Guru Padmasambhava "Uni­ (1110-1170), the chief disciple of for the Long-life practice of Am i- versal Wisdom Union" collectively. 6th Month, 14th day Sun. 13th Gampopa. Try to do a Ganapuja 9th Month, 10th day Mon. 6th tayus, so you can do the Long-life Otherwise you can do a Medium August 2000 together with your Vajra sisters and Nov. 2000 practice "Union of Primordial Tun on your own. This is the anniversary of the third brothers. If there are no other prac­ This is a special day of Gum Pad­ Essences" early in the morning. If Karmapa, Rangjung Dorje ( 1284- titioners nearby, you can do a masambhava. It is also the anniver­ 10th Month 11th day Thu. 7th you cannot do it at that time, it is 1339), a famous master of Medium Tun on your own. sary of the 16th Gyalwang Karma­ Nov. 2000 still good to do it later in the day. It Dzogchen Upadesa. On this day it In either case, when you trans­ pa and of Terton Tsogyal, a previ­ This is an important day for the is also the 'Dzam-gling spyi-bsang is good to do Agar Lama'i Naljyor, form yourself into the Dakini ous reincarnation of Sogyal Rin­ practice of Ekajati so try to do a (Lit. smoke puja of the world in Guruyoga with the White A. Simhamuka, recite her heart mantra poche and discoverer of many Ter­ Long or Medium Tun in the usual general) so if you know how to do as much as possible and then do an mas. It is therefore a good day to do way, reciting the heart mantra of it, you can do the Sanqod (bsang- 6th Month, 15th day Tue. 15th intensive practice of Ekajati. the Long-life practice of Gum Pad­ Ekajati as many times as possible. mchod) in the morning. August 2000 masambhava "Universal Wisdom FULL MOON. This is the anniver­ 7th Month, 30th day Wed. 27th 10th Month, 15th day Mon. 11th 5th Month, 25th day Wed. 26th July Union", which is included in the sary of Gampopa, the main disciple Sept. 2000 Dec. 2000 2000 Medium or Long Tun. You can do of Milarepa. Therefore it is an DARK MOON. This day is ideal FULL MOON. This day is consid­ This is Dakini day as well as an this in the usual way or, if you have excellent day to do Agar Lama'i for purification practices. Try to do ered to be the day to honor the Lord important day for the practice of the possibility, you can do a Gana­ Naljyor, Guruyoga with the White either the "Purification of the Six Buddha in general, and it is one of Ekajati, so try to do a Long or puja. A. It is also a good day to do the Lokas" or the "Namchos Shitroi the best days to do the Long-life Medium Tun in the usual way, Long-life practice of Amitayus, Naljyor", the Yoga of the Peaceful 9th Month, 15th day Sat. 11 th Practice with the Dakini Mandara- reciting the heart mantra "Union of Primordial Essences". and Wrathful Manifestations, either Nov. 2000 va particularly. Therefore try to do cfEkajatiasmany collectively or on your own. FULL MOON. This is a good day the Long-life Practice, "Cycle of times as possi­ 6th Month, 25th day Thu. 24th to do the Long-life practice of Ami­ Life's Vajra". Generally the best ble. If you August 2000 8th Month, 10th day Sat. 7th Oct. tayus, "Union of Primordial moment to do this kind of practice havethe This is a Dakini day, so it is a posi­ 2000 Essences", either collectively or is at 7-8 o'clock in the morning. possi­ tive day for reinforcing the function This is a very special day of Gum personally according to your possi­ But if you don't have this possibili­ bility of our energy and creating a vital Padmasambhava, therefore do a bilities, early in the morning and in ty, then do it in the afternoon or lat­ contact with the energy of the uni­ Ganapuja with the Gumyoga and the evening a Ganapuja. er in the evening when you are free. verse by doing a Ganapuja with our the Long-life practice of Gum Pad­ It is also a good day to do a Gana­ Vajra sisters and brothers. If there masambhava "Universal Wisdom 9th Month, 22nd day Sat. 18th puja. are no other practitioners nearby Union" collectively. Otherwise you Nov. 2000 you can do a medium Tun on your can do a Medium Tun on your own. This day is the important celebra­ 10th Month, 25th day Wed. 20th own. In either case, when you tion of Buddha Shakyamuni's Dec. 2000 8th Month, 15th day Fri. 13th transform into the Dakini descent to earth from the realms of This is a Dakini day, and the Oct. 2000 Simhamuka, recite her heart mantra the Divinities. It is called "Lha bab anniversary of Tsongkhapa ( 1357- FULL MOON. This is an important as many times as possible. dus cheti", the Great Time of the 1491 ), who made a synthesis of the day to do the Long-life practice of Descent of the Divinities. It is an previous schools and founded the 6th Month, 30th day Tue. 29th Amitayus, "Union of Primordial ideal day to do a Ganapuja with Gelugpa school. Try to perform a August 2000 Essences". It is best to do it early in your Vajra brothers and sisters. If Ganapuja with your Vajra brothers DARK MOON. This is a very the morning and a Ganapuja in the there are none nearby, you can do a and sisters or the Medium Tun per­ important day to do purification evening. Short or Medium Tun on your own. sonally. In either case recite the practices, especially the "Purifica­ 8th Month, 19th day Tue. 17th heart mantra of the Dakini tion of the Six Lokas". 9th Month, 26th day Tue. 21 st it is Oct. 2000 Simhamuka as many times as pos­ If you have the chance, you can Nov. 2000 bene­ This is an important day for the sible. also do a Short, Medium or Long There is no 25th day this month so ficial to practice of Ekajati, so try to do a Tun. the 26th is a Dakini day and the 10th Month, 30th day Mon. 25th add the Long or Medium Tun in the usual anniversary of the very important Dec. 2000 Ganapuja. 7th Month, 9th day Thu. 7th way, reciting the heart mantra of Dzogchen master Adzom Drugpa DARK MOON. This is an excel­ Sept. 2000 Ekajati as many times as possible. 5thMonth,30(hday ( 1842-1924), a previous incarna­ lent day to practice Purification of This is an important day for the Mon 31stJuly2000 8th Month, 25th day Sun. 22nd tion of Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche. the Six Lokas and a Ganapuja in the practice of Ekajati, so try to do a DARKMOON.Thisisaday Oct. 2000 He was a disciple of Jamyang evening. Long or Medium Tun in the usual for purification practices. It is best This is a Dakini day, and also the Kyentse Wangpo and a master of some way, reciting the heart mantra of 11 th Month, 8th day Tue. 2nd to do the Purification of the Six anniversary of two great Dzogchen of Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche's mas­ Ekajati as many times as possible. Jan. 2001 Lokas either collectively or alone, masters, Rigzin Kumaraja, who ters, including Changchub Dorje and This is a particular day for the prac­ preferably in the early morning. 7th Month, 10th day Fri. 8th transmitted the Dzogchen teach­ Ayu Kadro. tice of Ekajati so try to do a Long or Otherwise you can do a Medium or Sept. 2000 ings to Longchenpa and to the third It is therefore a very important Medium Tun with intensive prac­ Short Tun. This is the anniversary of Jomo Karmapa, and of Rigzin Tsewang day to practice Agar Lama'i Naljy­ tice of the mantra of Ekajati. Menmo ( 1248-1283), a very Norbu (1698-1755), agreat or, the Gumyoga with the White A, 6th Month, 4th day Thu. 3rd famous woman Terton, reincarna­ Dzogchen master of the Nyingma­ according to your possibilities and 11th Month, 10th day Fri. 5th Jan. August 2000 tion of Yeshes Tsogyal. She was the pa school. It is therefore an excel­ a Ganapuja. 2001 This is the anniversary of the Dhar- consort of the great Terton Gum lent day to do Agar Lama' i Naljyor, This is a special day of Gum Pad­ machakra (the first turning of the 9th Month, 30th day Sat. 25th Chowang. It is also a very special the Gumyoga with the White A. If masambhava manifesting in the Wheel of the Dharma): the first Nov. 2000 day of Gum Padmasambhava. you can do it in the morning, that is form called Padma Gyalpo and is time that Buddha Shakyamuni gave DARK MOON. This is a good day Therefore it is an ideal day to do Agar best. Then, if you have the time, the day on which he arrived in the the teaching of the Four Noble to do "Namchos Shitroi Naljyor", Lama'i Naljyor in the morning and a you can do a Medium or Long Tun capital of Oddiyana and became the Truths to his disciples at Samath, the Yoga of the Peaceful and Ganapuja and Long-life practice asso­ later in the day, with an intense prac­ prince of King Indrabhuti. If you after his illumination. To honor the Wrathful Manifestations, in the ciated with Padmasambhava, "Univer­ tice of Simhamuka, or a Ganapuja, if have the time and possibility it is Lord Buddha on this special day morning. It is also an important day sal Wisdom Union" later in the day. you have the possibility. good to do a Ganapuja collectively you can do a Ganapuja with your for the practice of Ekajati, so try to continued on next page Vajra brothers and sisters. 7th Month, 15th day Wed. 13th 8th Month, 27th day Tue. 24th do a Long or Medium Tun in the Sept. 2000 Oct. 2000 usual way, reciting the heart mantra 6th Month, 10th day Wed. 9th FULL MOON. This is the anniver­ This is an important day for the of Ekajati as many times as possi­ August 2000 sary of Tsarchen Losal Gyatso and practice of Ekajati, so try to do a ble. The best time for this practice The tenth day of the sixth month is Padma Karpo, a famous 17th cen­ Long or Medium Tun in the usual is around eight o'clock in the considered to be the anniversary of tury Drugpa Kargyupa Master. way, reciting the heart mantra of evening. the 'birth' of Padmasambhava by Therefore it is an excellent day to Ekajati as many times as possible. many masters. This year, when it is 10th Month, 10th day Wed. 6th practice Agar Lama'i Naljyor, the 8.00 am in Oddiyana, on Wednes­ 8th Month, 30th day Fri. 27th Dec. 2000 Guruyoga with the White A early in day 9th August, we Dzogchen Oct. 2000 This is a special day of Gum Pad­ the morning if possible, or later in practitioners all over the world will DARK MOON. This day is excel­ masambhava, the day on which he the evening when you are free. It is perform the practice of Guruyoga lent for practicing the "Purification arrived in central Tibet. It is consid­ also an excellent day for the Long- withTundrin orTungyas, accord­ of the Six Lokas". Otherwise you- ered that on this day, at the end of life practice of the Dakini Mandar- ing to our opportunities, and those can do the Medium or Long Tun or the 8th century, that King Sonzan ava, with a Ganapuja if you have who have the possibility can also a Ganapuja. Gampo dissolved himself into the the possibility.

THE MIRROR FEBIMAR 2000 11 continued from previous ¡yage H H the DL continued from page 9 Ayu Khandro continuedfrom page S with your Vajra brothers and sis­ Today it is good to do a Medium or refugee under difficult circum­ selves. That's important. When I murdered corpse is not a simple ters, otherwise you can do the Long Tun with intensive practice of stances, there is no time to pretend visited some countries in Africa I matter to offer to the vultures. If Long-life practice of" Union of the mantra of Ekajati. things are good or normal. You shared this. Now I think I want to you are not sure how to do it, Primordial Essences". have to accept the reality; you have tell one incident. When I was in maybe we can do it together. We 12th Month, 15th day Thu. 8th to tackle or handle the reality. So,on South Africa, in the town of Sowe- were very happy and set to work 11 th Month, 15th day Tue. 9th Feb. 2001 that basis in my life, the difficult to, I visited one ordinary family, immediately on the funeral. We Jan. 2001 FULL MOON. This is in general a periods are the best periods to have and I asked about their way of earn­ practiced togethe for seven days, FULL MOON. Today it is impor­ day for honouring the Lord Bud­ a deeper experience. And very use­ ing and livelihood. So the constitu­ and the relatives of the dead man tant to try to do the long-life prac­ dha, and in particular an ideal day ful. tion there has changed, the system brought us food. tice of Gum Amitayus "Union of for the Long-life practice of Gum And another thing. Living the has changed, but emotionally it "Togden Semnyi gave us teach­ Primordial Essences" in the usual Amitayus, "Union of Primordial last forty years as a refugee there may take a longer time to change, ings on the Zinba Rangdrol Chöd way, and if you have the possibility, Essences". If possible try to do a have been more opportunities to to transform. I expressed that self and we became a party of four. We a Ganapuja. Ganapuja in the evening. meet with people from different confidence on the side of the black traveled in a relaxed pace, slopping 11th Month. 25th day Fri. 19th 12th Month, 17th day Sat. 10th fields, scientists and different reli­ people is really very, very impor­ a few days here and there to prac­ Jan. 2001 Feb. 2001 gious traditions, so I have learned a tant. Then one African who intro­ tice at special cemeteries. We trav­ This is a day of the Dakinis in gen­ There is no 18th day this month so lot. For me, personally, tragedy also duced me as a teacher at one eled up and down in the area of eral, so if you have the opportunity the 17th is the anniversary of the brings benefit and new opportunity. school, he very sadly expressed to Chicha for a year and three months. practice a collective Ganapuja, great Dzogchen master Longchen So, looking from that angle it does­ me, 'In brain we are inferior, we In the sixth month of the Monkey with the transformation of the Rabjam Longchenpa( 1386-1363). n't matter and looking from the can't catch the white people' and I Year, 1872, Kunzang Longyang Dakini Simhamuka, and recite her On this very important day try to do negative angle it brings more and really felt very sad and I argued fell ill with a terrible fever. We heart mantra as many times as pos­ the Guruyoga Agar Lama'i Naljy­ more worry, and that's useless. with him and I said, 'NO, this is called the doctors and did many sible. Otherwise you can do a or, Guruyoga with the White A, Question: How do you set wrong. I also had the same experi­ practices, but he did not get better Medium Tun either collectively or either collectively or personally. intentions, motivations, proper ence. We Tibetans, unfortunately and towards the end of the sixth personally. motivations? Please give us steps some of the Chinese inside Tibet month he left his body. He was 12th Month, 25th day Sat. 17th on achieving and setting those consider the Tibetans barbaric and fifty-six years old. When we per­ 11 th Month, 30th day Wed. 24th Feb. 2001 intentions. backward. But then we, at least formed the funeral there were many This is a Dakini day, so try to per­ Jan. 2001 those Tibetans who are outside interesting signs, like a huge rain­ form a Ganapuja with the transfor­ HH the DL: Generally, once we DARK MOON. This is a special Tibet for the last forty years, we bow so large everyone for many mation of the Dakini Simhamuka realize that our future very much day for purification practices so try proved that if we have the opportu­ miles around saw it. The local peo­ together with your Vajra brothers depends on others, then the interest to do "Purification of the Six nity we can stand on our own feet, ple were convinced a Maha Siddha and sisters. Otherwise you can do a of the society, humanity, is my Lokas" and a Ganapuja if possible. we can study, we can do all sorts of had died. They honored us very Medium or Short Tun in the usual interest. If humanity is more peace­ ful and has more tolerance and work.' I explained all these experi­ much and we stayed there doing 12th Month, 10th day Sat. 3rd way. humanity, more spiritual brother­ ences and then at last with tears in practice for Kunzang Longyang. Feb. 2001 his eyes and with a low voice he 12th Month, 30th day Fri. 23rd hood and sisterhood, then I will get "After this we went to Jar and This day is the anniversary of Gum responded, 'Now I believe we are Feb. 2001 benefit. So once we realize that, then on to Lodrag. On the tenth day Padmasambhava's coronation as the same.' During that moment I DARK MOON. This is a good day whether directly or indirectly, of the tenth month we reached Prince of Orgyen at the invitation was relieved and felt immense joy. for purification practices. There­ regarding the benefit or improve­ Pema Ling and did a feast offering. of King Idrabhodi. We can perform 1 felt I had made one small contri­ fore try to do "Purification of the ment of humanity and the society, There is a huge lake at Pema Ling a Ganapuja collectively or do the bution for one person's mental atti­ Six Lokas". If possible try to do a then that is one way to develop and many saints and yogis have Long-life practice, "Universal Wis­ tude. So, this is the case, for those Ganapuja with your Vajra brothers proper motivation. lived around it, including Guru dom Union" either collectively or people who come from the weaker and sisters. It is also very important to real­ Chowang. That night we decided personally, according to circum­ section the economics are poor, ize the limitation of the material each to practice separately on dif­ stances. LOSAR METAL SNAKE YEAR health is poor, and then there is less benefit and the limitation of the ferent places around the lake. Pema SATURDAY 24TH FEBRUARY opportunity, What is even worse is 12th Month, 11 th day Sun. 4th self centered motivation. Then it Yangkyi went to a place called 2001 that some richer people may exploit Feb. 2001 automatically brings some more Rona and when she arrived she saw you, this is really unfortunate. That positive motivation. Then, of a yogi practicing there. kind of inequality is really the trag­ course, those people who have "He said to her: 'Three months ic thing. deeper religious thoughts or ago I was practicing in Ralung, the beliefs, then of course there are dif­ We have to change that, so long original seat of the Drukpa Kagyu ferent ways to develop the positive as this gap between rich and poor lineage, and I had a vision of Dorje motivations. remains. On a global level or Yudronma. She gave me a little roll Question: Could His Holiness national level, this is not only of paper about as long as my finger. explain to us what is Buddhism? morally wrong but practically the I quickly unrolled it and it said 'In (laughter) source of trouble. But how to the tenth month of the tenth day go HH the DL: (While I'm stand­ change that? How to transform in practice at a place called Rona. ' ing on one foot like our sage Hillel that? Not through hatred and slo­ She realized this was the yogi did.) The most simple answer is gans: it cannot be solved that way. Nyala Pema Dundul had predicted Buddhism is Buddhism, (laughter) Through hard work, through edu­ we would meet in Southern Tibet. Usually I describe Buddhism like cation, through self determination, After the evening practice he came this. The essence is if you can help self confidence and then here, in back to the main temple with her others, and if not, at least restrain this country, the constitution pro­ and thus we became four again. from harming others. Of course, all vides same sort of opportunity, This yogi's name was Gargyi THE PERFECT COLLABORATION usual skillful patience and warm sense of major religious traditions are the same sort of equal rights, so I think Wanchug, but he was called Trulzhi Santi MahaSangha Base Level Retreat humor. Oliver Leick held a Yantra Yoga same. The further clarification and you should use that. Garwang Rinpoche and he was a Weiz. Austria class. unique thing about Buddhism is the With more peaceful and proper disciple of the famous woman Min- December 29,99 - January 1,2000 There were fivedail y sessions starting at reason for compassion; why we methods we can overcome these droling Jetsun Rinpoche who by Beata Debarge of M oscow 8:30 am. and finishing at 9 pm Focusing on need the sense of caring for others. racial problems. Not only is this taught on the Dzog Chen Terma of Gunryoga as the starting point, we had the Then the Buddhist philosophy is racial, it is between rich and poor, Mindroling. He had a large follow­ opportunity to practice, under Jim's guid­ ' The essence, the starting point of Dzogchen involved. All things are interdepen­ and these divisions are very unfor­ ing around Pema Ling. His disci­ ance, many of the SMS Base Level methods teaching is the transmission from the Master. dent. Things are dependent in aris­ tunate. The care from the white ples requested Chöd teachings and : semdzin, ruslien, mind trainings, and Our Master Chogyal Namkhai Norbu lives ing. Things are complex. The theo­ people's side, or the richer families so we also became his disciples. in the primordial knowledge. Through the Mahayana meditations, firn repeatedly ry of interdependence or intercon- and communities, that side also has "We decided to go with Trulzhi practice of Gunryoga we connect with the pointed out that our rjrimordial state is the nectedness is really helpful to a responsibility to help and bring Garwang to Western Tibet. We transmission of the pnmordial body, voice same as the primordial state of our Master, broaden our mind. That is about the weaker segment into a more stayed at Ralung more than a and mind of the Master. Therefore, Guruyo- but we are totally distracted and conditioned Buddhism. equality. It is of nterest for every­ month while he gave some of his ga is the main Dzogchen practice."Thus Jim and therefore unable to be in this knowledge. Question: What can I do as one. disciples teaching in the Ati Zadon Valby began the twelve day retreato f the We need to apply effort and methods in order young person to overcome racism In American society there is in the tradition of Mindroling. We SMS Base Level in Austria. to develop our capacity. He spoke about the in the world and in America being a quite significant violence, even were happy to receive such a pre­ Thanks to the precious teaching of our view, path and fruito f different Yanas, and young African American woman? with young children, young stu­ cise explanation and were treated Master, everything manifested in perfect har­ explained in detail the SMS Base Level prac­ HH the DL: Firstly as I men­ dents. I think this is also related to very well. mony to enable 23 adults and 3 children to tices. Oliver taught a complete Yantra Yoga tioned before, to develop the real­ the very unequal economic situa­ "Then we set out for all the prin­ study and practice together. Oliver and course. ization that we are all the same. tion and some kind of frustration, cipal places inTsang. We did purifi­ Gabriele Leick from the Austrian Dzogchen Oliver and Gabriele Leick invited us all to Whether black or white or yellow deep inside, and it creates a certain cation and Chöd practice and then Community turned out to be perfect organiz- their beautiful house in the countryside for or if there is another race of people kind of atmosphere in the society in the summer arrived in Tingri ers. The retreattoo k place at the new school the New Year's celebration. We were very called blue, all the same. Physically that I think impacts or influences where Phadampa Sangye had lived. building for mentally harcficapped children moved to participate in the conference call there are little minor things, the size some of these young students. So a After staying there for a while we in the peaceful town of Weiz in Styria. Most from Namgyalgar and to sing the Song of the of the nose, color of the hair, little peaceful society, a friendly society, went to a place called Nyalam and people were ' 'indoor camping' ' at the school. Vajra with our Master and many other prac­ differences, that's minor, but physi­ is of interest for everyone. then with great difficulty we went In this regiono f soft rollinghill s known as the titioners around the world. cally we are all the same. Then into Nepal. "Austrian Tuscany", the Styrian people are This retreat, where so many rircurn- mentally and emotionally we are smiling and friendly. stances manifested in a perfect way to enable the same. No differences. So differ­ Transcribed and edited Peaceful energy truly permeated our us to study and practice together, was a won­ ences based on color are totally out by Naomi Zeitz Part Two of the Story of Ayu Khandro retreat as all of us from 10 afferent countries derful example of understanding how to of ignorance or prejudice. will appear in the next issue of The Mirror (Austria, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, realize our Master's wish for cdlalxmtion Here I want to share my firm Germany, Lithuania, Russia, Slovakia, between old and new students. I would like belief about people from the weak­ Switzerland and the USA), were unified in to express ourdeepest gratitude to our Master er section, that firstly the transfor­ cwrMaster'strarisnússion. Chögyal Namkhai Norbu for his precious mation must be initiated by the peo­ teachings, which made this perfect experi- Jim Valby kindly agreed to come all the ple from the weaker section them­ way from America to share with us, with his ence of collaboration possible.

12 INTERNATIONAL DZOGCHEN CONTACTS

DENMARK LATVIA Lydia Ferreira Email:[email protected] VISIT THE MIRROR Anne-Grethe Nyeng Padmaling RuadaNazare2 Tan Yan Tee WEBSITEAT Fax:45 33 113243 Beljutins Elena VilaFacaia Email: [email protected] WWW.MEL0NG.COM Email: [email protected] Lepju 5-55 2560 Torres Vedras Riga LV 1016 Portugal SLOVENIA The new A.S.I.A. site is now accessible ESTONIA Tel: 371-2-437343 Tel:351 -61 -911235 Changchub Ling at: http://www.melong.com/asia Maret Kark Fax:371-7-187233 PO Box 19 SL-62250 Poetovio Sade T 9 RUSSIAN FEDERATION ARGENTINA Email: nirvana@apollo.lv Tel: 386 62 222523 EE2400 Kunsangar address is: Tashigar* Fax: 38662 29874 Tartu LITHUANIA "Sosnovi Bor", C.C.No.1-5155 Tel: 3727 380038 Antanas Danielius Bolshedvorskoe Lesnichestvo, SOUTH AFRICA Tanti Email: [email protected] Str. Baltupiyo, 47-69 Poselok Bolshie Dvori, Jerry Smith Pcia. de Cordoba Vilnius, 2057 Pavlovo-Posadski raion, 10 Dan PienaarAve. Tel: 3541 498-356 FINLAND Tel: 37 2 776824 Moscow reg., Florida North, Gauteng, Email: Kaisa-Liisa Puonti Fax: 37.2221618 Russian Federation South Africa Visantie 19 [email protected] TëL/fax: (007-096-43) 21156 Tel: 0116727250 05400 Jokela Dorjeling Ann Rudneva Director AUSTRALIA Tel.+35894172818 PO Box 1183 SPAIN ([email protected] Namgyalgar Dzogchen Community of Fax:+3589140321 Vilnius Dzogchen Community of Spain or [email protected]) Australia* Email: [email protected] Email:Lituania@ takas.lt Apt. Postal 46220 Vicki Forscutt - Secretary Moscow Dzogchen Community, Pub­ 28028 Madrid FRANCE LUXEMBOURG PO Box 14 Central Tilba, lishing group Shang-Shung, Association Dzogchen, Katia Lytridou SWEDEN NSW 2546 Moscow and Shang-Shung Institute, Dejam Ling, Le Deves 16, rue Paul Goedert Alexander & Perniila Dobronravoff Tel. and Fax: 61(0)2 4476 3446 Moscow: F30570 St Andre de Majencoules Creuthem L-3330 Främlingsvägen45 Email: [email protected] Puteysky tupik, dorn 4/2, stroyenie 4. Tel: 33-(0)467824490 12648 Hagersten Pamela Oldmeadow MALAYSIA Moscow, 103064, Russia Email: [email protected] Stockholm 12 Fox Place Tham Wye Min Email: Moscow_DC Tel: 08 744 27 17 Lyneham ACT 2602 GERMANY 8669C Klebang Kechil 75200 Fax: 08 508 20134 Tel: 61(0)2 6257 1177 Dzogchen Gemeinscaft Melaka Member: Andrew Wright Email: [email protected] Fax: 61(0)2 6248 0335 Helga Betz Tel: 60 35 6162 Email: [email protected] Lindemannstr. 1240237 SWITZERLAND Kwok Kee Chang Lyuda Kislichenko: home phone/fax: Dusseldorf Monique Leguen Gar 11-A Jalan Jujor, 1/5 095-3251378 (Secretary) Tel & Fax: 49 211682657 12 D ch.Maisonneuve Gekoes of Namgyalgar Taman, Bakti Ampang Gregory Mokhin: office phone/fax: Email: [email protected] CH-1219 Chatelaine Emaikgarl [email protected] Selangor, W. Malaysia 095-2673484. (SMS contact) Tel/fax: 0041-22-7973721 GREAT BRITAIN Tel: 60 3 9847167 Email: [email protected] Tel: 61(0)24473 7770 Email: leguen@ infomaniak.cn ChehGoh Amare Pearl MEXICO Buryatian Community "Kundrolling" Hewlett-Packard Laboratories, Bristol. 55 Burringbar Street Communidad Dzogchen de Mexico c/o Maria Fedetova 50 years of October TAIWAN Stoke Gifford, Bristol BS 12 6QZ Mullumbimby NSW 2482 Reforma 199, piso 2 prs. 44-26 Armim Lee Tel: 44 117 9228777 Tel & Fax: 61 (0)266845570 Col. Cuauhtemoc Ulan-Ude 670034 Fax 44 117 9229250 Email: armim@ms41 .hinet.net Email: [email protected] c.p. 06500 Buryatia Email: [email protected] Mexico, DF Email:[email protected] THAILAND Laurence Mills GREECE Tel .54632 81 Geoffrey Blake & Lynne Klapecki Bodhi Citta Buddhist Centre OlgaTsvetkova Panayotis Stambolis Tel & Fax: 566 8304 33 Soi Lang Suan - Ploenchit Rd PO Box 8177 Cairns, QLD 4870 Kosuomskoi Prospect 58/31 Marinou Antypa 38 Email: [email protected] Bangkok 10330 Tel: 61(0)740390470 St. Petersburg 194214 14121 N.Iraklio Thailand Email: [email protected] Lennart Aastmp Tel:78125538121 Athens Tel. 66-2-2543555 or Nino Artillero 33 Fax: 7 812 1307070 AUSTRIA Tel: 301 2713765 Tel. 66-2-2545532 or Tepoztlan, Morelos Irmgard Pemwieser Fax: 3013411856 Denisova. Tatyana Tel.66-2-2549061 (directline) Tel: 52 73950192 Kriemhildplatz 1/17 2-YMicroraion-14apt.3 Email: [email protected] Nikos Liberopoulos 1150 Vienna NEW ZEALAND Elista, Kalmikiya 358000 UKRAINE 18-20Roikou st, 11743 Tel/Fax 43 1 9857367 Rosemary Friend Valéry Botsula Athens Vladivostok DzogchenCommunity Email: 7 Radnor Street Komandarma Korka St. 42-59 Tel: (+301)9215901 Kuleshova Natalia [email protected] North East Valley Kharkov, 310186 Email: [email protected] Tobolskay 12.KV20 Dunedin S. Island Oliver F. Leick (yellow gakyil) Vladivostok, 690066 USA HOLLAND Tel: 64 3 4730886 Dzogchen Community of Styria, Email: [email protected] Tsegyalgar* Ada de Boer (red Gakyil) Fax: 64 3 4779463 Austria Jacqueline Gens-Secretary J.W. Frisostraat 44 Email: [email protected] Russian Email addresses: Gschmaier 139, A-8265 Gr.Steinbach P.O. Box 277 9717 EP Groningen VladimirKarpinsky: Tel.&Fax: 03386-8571 or 0676- NORWAY Conway, Mass. 01341 Tel/fax: 31 503188606 (fax requires a [email protected] 3221365 Gordon Cranmer Tel: 413 3694153 call prior to sending) VladimirMaikov: Email: [email protected] 4157 Utstein Kloster Mosteroy Fax:4133694165 Email: [email protected] [email protected] Homepage: Tel: 47 4 514705 Email: [email protected] www.cadmasters.at/dzogchen ISRAEL Updated information about any events Inge BjartTorkildsen Dzogchen Community of Alaska Noa Blass in Moscow (Russia) region is on the BELGIUM Welhavensgate 14, Jim De Vincent Biltmore Street 15 http://scil.npi.msu.su/pub/religion/dzo KatiaLytridon N0350Oslo POBox 22444 62194 Tel Aviv gehen 16, me Paul Goedert Tel: 47 2246 7582 Juneau, Alaska Tel & Fax: 972 3 605 75 43 (dzogchen) site. L-3330 Crauthem Luxembourg Mob: 47 90017359 99802 Tel: 352366591 ITALY Email: [email protected] SERBIA/EX YUGOSLAVIA Tel: 907 586 9776 Merigar* Comunità Dzogchen Dzogchen Community of Yugoslavia Email: [email protected] BRAZIL PERU Clara Juliano -Secretary c/o Slavica Voglar Muriella andWashington Malaga Comunidad Dzogchen del Peru Lynn Sutherland Arcidosso, 58031 GR, Italy Rudo I Rua Pedro Pedreschi 71 Dzogchen Community of Peru 423 W.Webster Tel: 39 0 564966837 Sp.23 st.232 02372-000, Sao Paulo Juan Bustamante Chicago, IL 60614 Fax: 390564968110 HOOOBeograd Tel-fax: 55-11-69536072. Enrique Palacios 1125-C, Miradores, Tel: 773 477-7280 Email: [email protected] Tel: 381 114881731 Email: [email protected] Lima 18, Peru Fax:773728-9556 Email: [email protected] Azamling Tel 4455003, Fax 4472984, cel Email: [email protected] BYELORUSSIA Giuliano Casiraghi Vìa Sempione 9310754 Email of Belgrade Dzogchen Rousland Malakhouski Dzogchen Community West Coast 14-B 24125 Email: [email protected] Community: [email protected] . UL. Odinstova 29-35 Carol Fields Bergamo BG Minsk POLAND Jelena Zagorcic 755 Euclid Ave. Berkeley, CA 94708 Tel: 39 35 225159 Cezary Wozniak Koste Jovanovica 9 Tel: 5105599753 CANADA JAPAN 31-510Krakow HOOOBeograd Fax: 5105240933 Peter Dimitrov Tsugiko Kiyohashi Ul. Rakowicka 21/3, Poland Tel: 11-467437 Email: [email protected] 305 - 11806 88th St. 5-11-23 Shimomeguro Meguro-Ku Tel: 48 12217835 Delta, BCV4C3C5 SINGAPORE Dzogchen Community of New Mexico Tokyo Email: [email protected] Ian Gan c/o Lidian King CZECH REPUBLIC Tel: (office) 81 3 3712 7507 PORTUGAL 98 Thomson Green 25 B BigTesuque Canyon Centrum Lotus Fax: 81 3 37167248 Vitor Pomar Singapore 574965 Santa Fe. New Mexico 87501 Komunita dzogchenu Tetsu Nagasawa Fonte Salgada 713-Z Tel & Fax: 4530387 Tel: 505 9885995 Dlouha2 7-17-14 Higashi - Oizumi, Nerima- ku 8800Tavira Email: [email protected] llOOOPrahal Keng Leek Tan Tel/Fax 81 3 39248965 Portugal Czech Republic 110 E. Arthur Rd. New York Dzogchen Community Email: [email protected] tel 081 323780 Tel.:0042-02-24814734 Singapore 1543 307 Prospect Place Email:vitorpomar@mail. telepac.pt Email: zelcnj [email protected] Junichi Chigira Tel: 65 447 2596 Api 1C Email: [email protected] Fax: 65 532 6349 Brooklyn, NY 11238 continued on next page

THE MIRROR F EB I M AR 2 00 0 13 BOOKS & PRACTICES THE EIGHT INTERNATIONAL CONTACTS AVAILABLE FROM TSEGYALGAR MOVEMENTS OF YANTRA YOGA Tel: 718.398.0584 BOOKS AUDIO An Ancient Tibetan Tradition Email: [email protected] Blue Book of Transcripts, Talks in OZ, *Shitro: YogaoftteRMceMarrìWrathfiil Deities by Chogyal Namkhai Norbu; instruc­ California, Audio practice packet w/text, explanation tor Fabio Andrico; produced by Shang Susan Indich 1982 & picture Shung institute and Angelo Fontana 129 Kaelepulu Dr. Kailua by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu S18.00US video with 32 page booklet $29.95 Hawaii, 96734 S30.00US The Eight Movements of Yantra Yoga Tel: 808261 3469 CD's video and booklet ate a practical and Fax: 8085244342 Dream Yoga and the Practice of Natural *Chod: Cutting through Dualism CD simple guide for learning and practicing Email: [email protected] Light Chögyal Namkhai Norbu this precious discipline. These eight movements are the prepa­ by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu S17.00US ratory part of the more complex teaching of Yantra Yoga. (PAL Jerene S12.95US available from Merigar). P.O. Box 2181 Precious Gems CD Kealakekua, Hi. 96750 Drung, Deu and Bon, Narrations, Sym­ Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Tel: 808323-9714 bolic Languages and S17.00US THE SUPREME SOURCE Email: [email protected] the Bon tradition in Ancient Tibet The Fundamental Tan tra of Dzogchen Semde by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Secret World An Introduction of Amiata's by Chogyal Namkimi Norbu & Adriano Clemente. 325 pp. $19.95 VENEZUELA S21.95US Secret World In this book, the Dzogchen teachingi s presented through one Pablo Lau Rivera of its most ancient texts, the tantra Kunjed Gyalpo or "The King Lhundrubgar Pba. Res. Pedermales Av. Dzog Chen and Zen 17 Selections of World Music who Creates Everything''—-a personification of the primordial Paez Montalban II by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu S17.00US state of enlightenment. 1021 Caracas $5 .OOUS Tel: 58 2 4421434 VIDEOS Fax: 58 2 340643 Dzogchen: The Self Perfected State *Chöd Video, Explanation and Practice Email: [email protected] by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Chögyal Namkhai Norbu SNOW LION S13.00US S40.00US PUB IICATION5 Elias Capriles PO Box 6483 • Ithaca, NY 14851 Apartado Postal 483 Green Book of Transcripts, Talks in Con­ *Ganapuja Video, Explanation and Practice SOO-950-0313 • 607-273-8519 [email protected] Menda 5101 way 1982 & 1983> Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Tel & Fax: 5874440026 www.snowlionpub.com by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu $20.00US Email: [email protected] (most used) S30.00US [email protected] *Mandarava Video, Explanation and Practice New Meeting with the 14th Dalai Lama, Envi­ by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu isdom Menda Dzogchen Community ronment and $20.00US Apartado Postal 483 Different Cultures with the Same Objec­ MlPHAM'S Menda 5101 BEACON OF CERTAINTY tive of Peace Demonstration of the Vajra Dance of the Fax: 58 74447550 lUitminating the View of S5.00US Liberation of the Six Lokas Video 58 74440026 Dzogchen, the Crem Perfection Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Studies in Indian Email: [email protected] Rigbai Kujyug/The Six Vajra Verses S20.00US and Tibetan Buddhism Series by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu John W. Pettit To subscribe lo the mailing list of the $15.OOUS *Demonstration of the Vajra Dance Video 608 pp.. 0-86171-157-2. 6 x 9. Pap«, S28 95 Dzogchen Community: Chögyal Namkhai Norbu . [email protected] The Crystal and the Way of Light, Sutra S20.00US "John Pcttit's masterful introduction Tan tra and and trami....on brings [Miphûin's Beacon öf Certainty] to Western readers INTERNATIONAL WEBSITES Dzogchen Teachings on the Vajra Dance Video for the first time.This is a riveting and collected by James Tan The Teachings of Namkhai Norbu Rin­ Chögyal Namkhai Norbu wonderful svork... Both readable and informative. Peuil's work gives the poche The Mirror S20.00US reader a real education in some of the - S15.95US most compelling issues of Buddhism, - <3ntp//riniAv.niek»ng.coin^> The Eight Movements of Yantra Yoga especially their impact on Dzogchen." —Anne Klein, Kiev Vnlvmtty The Golden Letters Video ASJA. The Three Statements of Garab Dorje, "It is my earnest hope that John Perot's translation will bring great benefit to ng.corri/asia Chögyal Namkhai Norbu foreign students and scholars in the study of both philosophy and meditation the 1st Teacher of Dzogchen Instructor Fabio Andrico intemotkni Dzogchen Community practice.This is a valuable work indeed." —tenor Rinpoehv Translation, introduction and commen­ S29.95US taries To order, call 800-272-4050 Dzogchen Community of Italy by John Myrdhin Reynolds Artwork by Glen Eddy Read excerpts at WWW.wisdompub8.org hBp"//vveb.tisc3ilir^ S19.00US Proceeds from the sale of these items go to For .1 tree 1999-2000 catalog, write to: the Shang -Shung Institute, the Golden Dzogchen Community UK Wisdom Publications : The Mirror Advice on the Presence of Vajra Art Guild and Glen Eddy. All deity 199 Elm Street. #MIR129 by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu during Glen's residence at Tsegyalgar. WISDOM PUBLICATIONS Dzogchen Community, Russia S9.95US PUBLISHER OF BUDDHIST BOOKS The Supreme Source drawings in black and white are suitable by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu for framing. They are available in two dif­ Dzogchen Community, USA S19.95US ferent sets of seven different drawings Pashmina Shawls including envelopes. International Gakyil Homepage *TRANSMISSON REQUIRED All prices in US dollars. S17.00US Ah $100 each Contact: Dzogchen Community in Norway Tikse of the Buddha's Head Monlom *Namkha Vajrasattva Yab-Yum by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Medicine Buddha New York City, USA Shang Shung • USA. S17.00US Vajrapani Tel:7182040409 (leavemessage) <"http://hypeTpress.œm/sl^ Odzer Chenma 7186934798 *Parting from the Four Attachments Snow Lion Holding a Butter Lamp Lock Jehee's homepage by His Holiness SakyaTrizin S13.00US Card Set Endless Knot $14 CommunaulE Dzogchen Contains: by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Goma Devi S17.00US Dzogchen Community Southern California Simhamukha Samantabhadra with Samantabhadri Anne Dankoff *The Precious Vase Garab Dorje Santa Fe, NM Australian Community by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Machig Lapdron

Tara Mandala *The Song of the Vajra [email protected] Posters of Thankas by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Refuge Poster, Large $21 Dutch Community S15.00US Refuge Poster, Small $ 6 A portion of sales helps support Dzogchen Garab Dorje Poster $ 6

:i Community Projects The.SlaiiwayloUb(Tc.jm Ekajati Poster $ 6 A itstrian Community by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu

14 INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY NEWS

A Proposal for Collaboration to listed below and send all available All Gakyils of the International copies of audio and video material TO THOSE INTERESTED IN PROTECTING TIBETAN CULTURE Dzogchen Community which you have not sent yet (including its Index) by registered e would like to give you some information about the activities of the Shang -Shung Institute in Italy up to This is a letter from the Internation­ mail to the following address: Wnow, and about our future programs. al Blue Gakyil (BIG) to all Gakyils - During last year we organized courses and lectures on Tibetan medicine and massage, thanka painting and Address: Tibetan language and culture, which were held in Merigar and various Italian cities. Hello everybody! Istituto Shang Shung It was possible to realize these courses thanks to the presence in Merigar of two Tibetan guests invited and support­ It is Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche's Podere Nuovissimo 58031 Arcidos- ed by the Shang- Shung Institute: Lama Gyurmed Rabgyus, a painter and sculptor; and Dr. Nida Chenagtsang. The explicit wish that there should be so(Gr) participation of Prof. Thubten Phuntsog, lecturer at the Peking University of Minorities, was also very important. only one archive, where his com­ Italy He taught the second year of our three year course in Tibetan medicine. plete teachings are stored, safe­ Tel0039-0564-966941 The success of these projects is also due to all of those who generously offered their collaboration in various ways guarded and made available from Fax:0039-0564-968110 in the organization of the workshops and so on. that archive to all practitioners. It is Email: [email protected] In the archives, work is continuing on the cataloguing and preservation of about ten thousand books in the library, the Shang-Shung Institute's impor­ Istituto Shang Shung four thousand audio tapes and about four thousand video tapes. Many of these are rare or unique examples, and so tant task to maintain an internation­ we are trying to put them into digital form to preserve them and to make them easier to use. al archive for all audio and video Audio-Video Dept. Email: Another task requiring a great deal of time and effort is the copying and postage of the audio and video tapes of material of Chögyal Namkhai Nor­ [email protected] Rinpoche's Merigar teachings to those who request them. Unfortunately our equipment is old and so the quality of bu Rinpoche's teachings world­ Merigar Email: merigar- the copies is not very satisfactory. wide. [email protected] Finally, we are collaborating with A.S.I.A. to mount an exhibition of Tibetan medicine thankas commissioned To fulfill this big task, the Istituto and owned by the Institute. It is the only collection of its kind in Europe. There are copies of the original set of Shang-Shung is dependent upon I would be happy to receive feed­ thankas preserved in the Mentsikang of Lhasa. This collection of thankas is not yet complete. Nineteen more are the collaboration of the Internation­ back and proposals from all (Blue) needed to complete the set, most of which are already finished but have not yet been consigned because we lack the al Dzogchen Community, and Gaykils in the world! funds to pay for them. especially of all Blue Gakyils With very best wishes to all, This year we plan to proceed with all of these projects and it is important to add new ones, but good intentions are world-wide. What you can do to not enough, especially as we want to give further boost to the Institute's activities. help is the following: The Blue International Gakyil This is why we need more availability of funds to add to those already at our disposition. Please send copies immediately (BIG) One way to contribute is to become a member or renew your membership of the Shang-Shung Institute after of all available audio and video Karin Eisenegger which you will receive communication about all of our activities and will have the possibility to participate in them. material of the teachings of The minimum ordinary membership fee is only L. 20.000 ($12). For a minimum of L. 300.000 ($158) you can Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche in your INDEXING INSTRUCTIONS become a sustaining member, which gives you the right to a 25% discount on all our courses. You are of course wel­ country which has not yet been sent come to offer more for both kinds of membership. For indexing the teachings of to Merigar. Please try to send these Chögyal Namkhai Norbu copies in the very best quality and PROJECTA with a detailed description of the Date copies were given to indexer: THE ACQUISITION OF ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT FOR DIGITAL REPRODUCTION OF AUDIO AND content of each of the tapes to the VISUAL MATERIAL. Tape code number Istituto Shang -Shung in Merigar. Location of Retreat For a relatively modest outlay it would be possible to renew the outdated technical equipment of the Audio and Please distribute this message, as Date of Retreat Visual sector of the Shang -Shung Institute, making it possible to offer a quicker and higher quality copying service. any other official message of the Language This would also make it possible to record the teachings held at Merigar directly in digital form, thereby guarantee­ International Gaykil (IG), to as Translation ing better preservation and duplication. many practitioners in your country Estimated cost: 15.000.000lire ($7900). as possible, so that this communi­ Indexer Information": cation reaches widely. Please for­ Name PROJECTB ward this message to any member Address COMPLETION OF THE COLLECTION OF TIBETAN MEDICAL THANKAS 'of your Gakyil who is not connect­ City, Country, ZIP So far the Institute has collected sixty copies, painted by local Tibetan artists, of the set of medical thankas in the ed to the Internet. Email address Mentsikang in Lhasa. The acquisition of the remaining nineteen will complete the collection which is of great artis­ The Blue International Gakyil Phone number tic and scientific value. Being a precious cultural heritage, it could be shown in exhibitions not only in Italy but all wants to remind everybody in the over the world. International Dzogchen Communi-, Thank you for indexing these ty and especially the blue Gakyils, precious Teachings. This work will Estimated cost: 25.000.000 lire ($13,200). that all teachings given by Chögyal be of benefit to many people, and Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche are his will help to maintain the Teachings PROJECT C legal property and that copyright not only in the Archives at Merigar, CATALOGUING AND PRESERVING THE CONTENTS OF THE ARCHIVES OF THE DOCUMENTATION laws are applicable. It is important but also for the Community world­ CENTER OFTHE SHANG-SHUNG INSTITUTE (CDISS) that we all do not ignore our pre­ wide, as they will make the We need to complete the cataloguing of the library and the audio and video tape archives. It is also necessary to cious Teacher's wish to have one archives accessible. increase the work being done to scan into digital forni the most precious texts and those audio tapes that are fading big archive where all his Teachings with the passing of time, with the risk of losing some of the recordings of the earlier retreats of the Dzogchen Com­ are stored and redistributed from. To index: As you listen to the munity. Every Gakyil which is not sure tapes, use the following example of To continue this work we need more up to date equipment and people with the necessary expertise. whether previous Gakyils have an "Index Sheet" to note the Teach­ Minimum estimated cost: 30.000.000 lire ($15.800). indeed been sending audio or video ing Topics. If you wish, you may indicate to which of these programs you would like your contributions to be destined. material to the Shang -Shung Insti­ First, write the number and side Please inform anyone you know who might be interested to contribute to our activities. tute, can contact the secretary of the of the tape you are listening to. It is only with these voluntary contributions that it will be possible to develop the projects for which the Shang - audio/video archives at the Istituto Then, as you listen, write down Shung Institute was created, among which are the preservation and documentation of the teachings transmitted by Shang -Shung, who will then look the key words that describe the Chögyal Namkhai Norbu and the testimony of cultures which are risking extinction like that of Tibet. up your request in the huge data­ teachings. It is important that you Even small contributions are important. At the end of the year we will publish a summary of funds received and base that has been created by now. only list those topics which Rin­ the way in which they have been used. If you want to send audio or video poche explains in some detail. This THANK YOU! ! ! Contributions can be sent by bank transfer to: copies to the archive of the Shang should be between one to five top­ do 5764.48 Istituto Shang Shung Shung Institute, please do so ics per side. Please do not list topics Bank: Monte dei Paschi di Siena, 58031 Arcidosso GR, Italy ONLY WITH AN INDEX! It is that are just mentioned without any ABI: 1030 CAB: 72160 very important, that you read the explanation. or by International Postal Money Order to: Istituto Shang- Shung. instructions and use the index sheet Thank you again for your collab­ Podere Nuovissimo (example below) created by the oration in this project. 58031 Arcidosso (Gr) Istituto Shang -Shung. Italy

Further information can he received from the secretary of the Data's Buddhist Astrology Natural hand-produced products. Monte Amiata Arcidosso, Iiatv. Istituto Shang -Shung: Ointments for daily use, tinctures, oils for Rita Renzi massage. Email: [email protected] Prepared from wild herbs grown in ecologicaly clean air, in accordance with planetary cycles using Regarding the help needed with the galenic methods. indexing of die material already existing Azzolini Salvatore e Rasa in the archives, the Shang -Shung Insti­ Giunco 68, 58031 Arcidosso. tute, together willi the International Blue Tel.: +39 0564 968172 or Gakyil, has worked ait a project which will be presentai soon toall Gakyils. www.buddhist-astrology.com +39 03478819044 Please follow the instructions as 1-800-819-2288 e-mail: [email protected]

THE MIRROR E E H ! M AR 2000 15 ; V r f « .V 4 r i o .* i i Vajra Dance Courses COMMUNITY NEWS with Prima Mai Tsegyalgar Program Spring/Summer 200 0 San Francisco INTERNATIONALGAKYIL ORGANIZES CONFERENCE Vajra Dance Course - Song of the Merigar,Jiily24-25,20Ò0 Vajra-Part II Recenti) the IG discussed ways to improve participation and active involvement TSEGYALGAR PRACTICE PROGRAMS Taught by Prima Mai of people in its work and to make clear which arc our intentions with the IG. The Dates: March 17th-22nd, 2000 outcome of our discussion was the idea to organize an International Conference. March 19-20 Guardian Practice and Long Tun Location: San Francisco Bay Area The IG will organize a twoday International Conference at the end of the Merigar For confirming dates and registra­ summer retreat, on July 24th and 25th, 2000 (pending final confirmation of Meri­ April 2-23 Yantra Yoga Weekend led by Paula Barry tion: gar Gaky il): Contact: CarisaO'Kelly - Place: Merigar ( in the Gonpa or the Capanone). May 20-21 Mandarava Week-end will be held on the Buckland Retreat land Email: [email protected] - Topic: "The Preservation of the Work of Chogyal Namkhai Norbu for the in Rinpoche's cabin Future". Hawaii/ Big Island - PaleakuGar- - Participants: Representatives of the Gakyils of all Gars and other Gakyils. of the June 17-18 Community Practice & Work Week-end with ari emphasis on den: Institutions and Groups (Shang -Shung Institutes, Edizioni, the Minor, ASIA etc.) the Medium Tun and all people committed to actively work for this goal. April 6th- 12th, 2000 There will be an advanced course The theme of the Conference can be divided into the Blue. Red and Yellow issues: July 29-August 6 of the Vajra Dance of the Song of Blue - the preservation of the teachings, the lineage and transmission in future Santi Maha Sangha Base Practice retreat with Jim Valby the Vajra. It is required to know and of all transmission material (texts, library, tapes, books etc.) Transmission from Chögyal Namkhai Norbu required to attend this retreat. the female or the male part to fur­ Red - the preservation of the Dzogchen Community as an active group of practi­ Emphasis will to explain and do the Mahayana, Mahayoga, Anuyoga, and ther deepen and correct one's tioners (organizing events, retreats,communicatio n etc.). Atiyoga practices for the purpose of understanding and practicing Guruyo­ movements, steps, and mudras, Yellow - the preservation of the property and land of the Community (Communi­ ga as presented in the base text, The Precious Vase. Four practice Tuns daily etc. This course contains a lot of ty projects and activities to increase the prosperity of the Community and its with each evening ending with Chöd practice. practice as well. members). For confirming dates and registra­ The firstda y we wish to evaluate the present situation together, involved in the Tantra Club Dates: Monday evenings tion contact: Jerene Conference as much as possible. The Conference should have the atmosphere of (except on Ganapuja night at 7:30 PM: April 10,17,24; May 1,8,15,22,29) a "work group" event We should work and think together on finding ideas and Email: [email protected] suggestions on the issues mentioned above as well as finding solutions for the California Community News All Practice Retreats are free of charge. Dormitory accommodations avail­ bottlenecks we encounter in our work. able for $10/night. Please contact the Gekoes, Jay Callahan, at 413-369- The second day we should draw conclusions, build teams that will work together Audio Tapes from the Lake Tahoe 8073 in future and plan future activities. The exact program will be worked out in fur­ Retreat: ther detail by the IG. Tapes from the Lake Tahoe Personal Retreat at Tsegyalgar Further details about this Conference will be published in the Mirror and on Nor- retreat are now ready. There were During the winter months, practitioners are invited to do personal retreats at bunet as soon as they are available. many people who wished to pay by Tsegyalgar, staying either in the dormitory or in the practice cabin. Please With warm greetings, The IG credit card, but this is not an option contact the Secretary to discuss your schedule. Fee: $5/night in the dorm for us at this time, so we are asking when there are no practice week-ends and $ 15-$25/night in the cabin. Vajra Dance Retreat people to send a check in payment Tsegyalgar, January 2000 for the tapes. Tsegyalgar by Jay Callahan Payment should be made to: PO Box 277 Dzogchen Community West Coast Conway, MA 01341 he Month of January is usually cold in New England, and it's dark by and sent to the Treasurer: USA T4:30pm. The roads are often covered in snow. Most people rush home Amy Beddoe, 219 Appleton Drive, Tel: 413 3604153 after work. They retreat into the warmth of their houses, and go to bed early. Aptos, CA 95003 Fax:4I3 3694165 Flowers and leaves are long gone, and life waits underground, in seeds and Email: [email protected] roots. Spring is a distant country, far, far away. Video Tapes Prima Mai taught a retreat of the second half of the Dance of the Vajra The video copying is also under­ and Tuns forming the basis. port around the place. here at Tsegyalgar this year, from January 22nd to 27th. The students way, but not yet completed. Depending on the weather and the arrived in the hall outside the Gonpa every morning, took off their heavy For Los Angeles videos contact Dani location sometimes we bring the Our Santi Maha Sangha study coats and boots, and entered the Mandala. At first, I spent most of my time Colajacomoac [email protected] Mandala for the opportunity to group continues at the home of there worrying about the cold, about the next step, about where my feet For Lake Tahoe: Jey Clark at: dance. We cook and eat as a group Steven Goodman and is well should be. As the days went by, though, I noticed that something new was [email protected] and the cost is usually $20-25 (this attended. It has been threatening to dawning. pays for food and some basic outgrow his living room for some Dzogchen Community West Coast Prima's patience, clarity, and kind smile, helped me step outside of my expenses). Attendance varies for time now. Practice Schedule: worry and my other hindrances. Her own dancing seemed a manifestation three to twenty nine people. The Community here gets of some beautiful dimension which is ordinarily hidden to me; and inspired The Gakyil continues to put ener­ together each month at someone's Weekend practices : by her. I began to see that I may someday be able to move in the true nature gy into both of our real estate pro­ home to practice together for a few of the dance. March (will most likely be) 17-19 jects: days. The schedule is decided weekend. On the last day of the retreat, we danced the Dance of the Vajra six times 1. Locating a site which would ahead of time with SMS practices April - Easter w/e 21 -23 in a row. There's nothing to say about that experience, except that I will not function for the West Coast half of May - Memorial Day forget it. There is. it seems, a vast flower of compassion and light that Tara Maiulala con't the North American Gar and Locations to be announced. blooms in silence always—even in the depths of winter. July28-August24 2. Finding a place for local practice Thank you. Prima, for your teaching. Tseyalgar is a better place for your Retreat with Adzom Rinpoche (Those which we could call home. This lat­ Other good intentions which we having been here, and we hope that you will return soon. not staying for the whole month ter will be the focal point for prac­ have include: must come the first week) tice and study for the Community Tara Mandala glen: "The Practice of Turning the Painting a portable Mandala in here and we envision it to be in the Programs 2000 Mind to Compassion: Giving and For Details: Check our web site : tara- the coming months. Research is Bay Area. Does anyone have suggestions on Receiving" with Tsultrim Allione mandala.com or receive the newsletter The Bay Area is quite large and Saturday, March 18 Full Moon this matter? Our current Mandala is by sending $10 to: many people commute around the , 10am -12:30pm and 4 pm June 11,2:30pm on canvas and so is quite heavy Tara Mandala bay for group practice. Those who Bhakha Tulku teaching on the Out­ Guru Rinpoche 'Gana Puja' Feast which is fantastic as it takes a very P.O. Box 3040 Pagosa Springs live further afield to the North and er, Inner and Secret Meanings of Offering with Bhaka Tulku and strong wind to budge it; on the oth­ Colorado,81147,USA South (Santa Cruz area and Sono­ the Seven Line Prayer of Guru Rin­ Lama Sonam June 12-16) er side it can hardly be considered Td:970-264-6177,Fax:97026*6169 ma area) also get together locally poche, Padmasambhava. portable. But it is the one we trans­ June 12-17 Vajra Kilaya Drub Email: tarajnandal [email protected] for group practices. April 29 - 30 Tree Planting and Chöd Practice Intensive with Bha­ Garden Preparation Weekend ka Tulku

May 3 - May 7 Jetsun Nyingtig June 21 afternoon -June 25 morn­ Teachings with Tulku Sangnag ing Yantra Yoga Retreat with Anne May 17 - May 21 Chöd with Dankoff Tsultrim Allione June 22-25 May 27 - 28 Set up and Gardening Kliandro Tugs Tig; The Heart Essence Weekend of the Dakini, Yeshe Tsögyal Sadhana. June 2 initiation, oral transmission and expla­ Public Lecture in Pagosa Springs nation (wongjung and tri) with Bhaka by Tsultrim Allione: Tulku Introduction to The Mandala Prin­ June 18-24 Permaculture Workshop ciple with Joel Glanzberg June 3 4th of July Tara Mandala Open House: 10am Join Grandmother Bertha and Grandfa­ to lunch: Exploration of The Man­ ther Vincent Grove in The Stone Peo­ dala. Bring a picnic lunch. 3 pm ple's Lodge commonly called "Sweat tour, and introduction to the land, Lodge' our practice and our plans for the future: late afternoon evening bar­ July5 -July 16 becue. Free and Open to the Public. Family Retreat and Vision Quest for Teenagers June 4 One Day Retreat on Ton-

16 INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY NEWS heirachial. Buddhist "No-Self and Jungian "Self" will also be examined. Contact Shang -Shung Institute to register: Istituto Shang-Shung Tel: 413-369-4928 Courses Shang -Shung Institute of America Email: [email protected] Italy www.shangshung-usa.org Spring Schedule Dr. Nida Chenagstang will be giving Friday, June 16,7:30pm a series of courses in the following 2000 Subtle Body Energies in Tibetan Medicine cities: FREE at the Lotus Center, Hadley MA A public lecture by Tibetan Doctor Kezum Bhutti, on the subtle life forces March 6-18 ROME evidenced in our material, spiritual and mental worlds. Also learn about Dreams and Medicine Foundation Course in Tibetan Medical Theory: Level 2 various ancient healing methods using oils, herbs, massage and meditation. Daily seminar taught by Dr. Thubten Phuntsog. February 12 -13,2000 Contact Shang -Shung Institute for further information: 72 CEU credits in ancient medical system with useful applications for The course is organized in collab­ Tel: 413-369-4928 health practitioners and individuals seeking a balance of subtle body, mind, oration w ith the Gakyil of Rome. Email: [email protected] spiritual energies. Participation quota: 150.000 lire www.shangshung-usa.org Audio tapes also available. Venue: to be decided Contact: Enrollment and further informa­ June 16-July 8 tion from: Shang -Shung Institute of America Art & Archaeology Tour to Tibet with John Bellezza and Glen Eddy PO Box 277 in collaboration with Select Italy. Massimo Facchini, Tel:06-5885142 Conway, MA 0134 LUSA 21 days, $3,600 excluding R/T airfare to Hong Kong. The tour will focus on Tel: 413-369-4928 significant artistic sites in the area surrounding Lhasa, the Yarlung Valley, Tibetan Massage Email: [email protected], www.shangshung-usa.org for further and key archaeological sites in Northern Tibet and the region of Lake The first level course is subdivid­ details. Namtso, considered by many to be the most magnificent region of natural ed into three levels to be held on: (Also being offered March 25-April 17 weekends only) beauty in all of Tibet. February 19-20 Contact the Institute for a color PDF brochure, March 18-19 March 17,7:30 pm or Andrea Sertoli at Select Italy May 13-14 Tibetan Medicine in Our Time Tel: 847-853-1661 Participation quota: 150.000 lire A talk by Dr. Thubten Phuntsog Email: [email protected] each week-end Lotus Center, Hadley MA Venue: Galleria Bonomo, Via S. Drawing the Bow: A Writing Workshop for Practitioners. Apollonia 3, Rome March 19 ' July 14,15, and 16 Enrollment and further informa­ One-day Seminar in Tibetan Medicine with Dr. Thubten Phuntsog and Eliot Tokar An introduction to classic forms of sloka, doha, hiaku, haibun, twilight tion from: Morning session on Tibetan Medicine and Mental Illness songs of realization - among methods of writing wisdom mind for practi­ Lucia Antonelli.Tel: 06-6892916 Afternoon session on Diet and Health tioners. Participants will experiment with exercises in attention and fresh or Istituo Shan» Shung, Tel: 0564- perception as entree into poetry mind drawing on inspirations of ancient 966940, Email: Thursday, March 2.3 and contemporary masters with special attention to the Tibetan lineages and [email protected] 4:00pm, Amherst College Campus, Tibetan Medicine, History their Indian Tantric precursors. No previous writing experience required. MILAN and Astrology: Part 1 Taught by Louise Landes Levi and Jacqueline Gens by Dr. Thubten Phuntsog, visiting scholar from Beijing, China. Sponsored There has been considerable by Amherst College Department of Religion interest in the course in Tibetan July 16 Tel: 413-542-2181 or massage and the Istituto has decided to repeat it in order to Shang -Shung Institute Reading and Performance by Louise Landes Levi Tel: 413-369-4928 give a possibility to attend to those who have expressed an Call for further details. Saturday, June 17 interest. Wind, Bile and Phlegm: Subtle Forces in Tibetan Medicine Dates: Thursday, March 30 S95.00 at Shang Shung Institute, Conway, MA. 4:00pm, Amherst College Campus February 26-27 ($85.00 prior to 6/1/00) Tibetan Medicine, History and Astrology: Part 2, March 25-26 Identify and examine subtle life forces existing in nature and the body by Dr. Thubten Phuntsog May 6-7 according to this ancient Asian theory of medicine. Helpful overview Sponsored by Amherst College Department of Religion Participation quota: 180.000 lire course for healers and those interested in an integrated healing system. Tel:413-542-2181 or for each week-end To register contact: Shang -Shung Institute Venue: La Giocoteca, Via Bra­ Shang -Shung Institute Tel: 413-369-4928 mante 29, Milan Tel: 413-369-4928 Call for further details. Enrollment and information from: Email: [email protected] Elisa Copello www.shangshung-usa.org Thursday, April 13,4:00pm, Amherst College Campus Tel: 02-33607505 July 9-15 Tibetan Medicine, History and Astrology: Part 3 Email: [email protected] Week I of Shang Shung Summer Institute by Dr. Thubten Phuntsog Tibet Awareness Festival and Tibetan Children's Camp Sponsored by Amherst College Department of Religion Dreams and Medicine Public exhibitions, lectures and film Tel: 413-542-2181 or March 4-5 Shang Shung Institute, Venue: Centro il Mandala, Milan July 9-22 Tel: 413-369-4928 Participation quota: 150.000 lire Shang Shung Summer Institute Call for further detail s Enrollment and information from: Exciting, interactive programs in Tibetan Language, Culture, Art, Food, Email: [email protected] Medicine and Dance Spring Weekend Series: Integrative Modalities Mantra Healing July 15 April 15-16 Venue: Centro Natarajy, Firenze Friday, April 28,7:30pm Outdoor Festival in Conway Massachusetts Tapas Acupressure Technique, Participation quota: 200.000 lire Enrollment and information from: FREE at the Lotus Center, Hadley MA, July 15-22 Public lecture/demonstration on simple acupressure technique for lasting Tel: 055-482804 Week n of Shang Shung Summer Institute Email: [email protected] relief from mental, physical and emotional trauma. The following courses will take place: Contact Shang -Shung Institute: Golden Vajra Art Guild Tel: 413-369-4928 Milan Art Program with Glen Eddy & Kelsang Lodo Oshoe Email: [email protected], Mantra Healing Beginner-Advanced intensive in the Golden Vajra Art Guild studio. Indi­ www.shangshung-usa.org for further details. Venue: to be decided vidual and group instruction. Participation quota: Lit.200.000 Morning class: iMaterials & Techniques April 29-30 Enrollment and information: Afternoon class: Open studio with visiting Tibetan artists Tapas Acupressure Technique: Training Program Elisa Copello $ 195.00US (prior to 4/10/00 $ 185.00US) Tel: 02-33607505 Art Restoration Program with Constance Silver: Two day "hands-on" training program taught by Tapas Fleming in an acu­ Email: [email protected] An Introduction to the Conservation of Cultural Property and Tibetis Artis­ pressure technique that instantly relieves accumulated stress residing in the tic Heritage. This lecture series will cover the international code of ethics depth of the body ceil memory without re experiencing trauma. SUMMERAT MERIGAR for protection of cultural property, a survey of Tibetan artistic and architec­ Contact: tural heritage, and a summary of conservation efforts to date in Tibet. Shang -Shung Institute in Conway, MA for registration Dreams and Medicine, Level 2 Cost for art and art restoration program: $ 175/week Tel: 413-369-4928 July 15-16 Email: [email protected] Tibetan Language Reading Course taught by Jim Valby : www.shangshung-usa.org Mantra Healing Jim Valby will offer an introductory week-long version of his unique July 29-30 "Tantra Club" for serious practitioners interested in reading original texts Friday, May 19,7:30pm Participation quota: Lit. 150.000 related to the Dzogchen tradition. Using a variety of computer dictionary The Bliss Queen programs, Jim has developed over the years, a lively and direct entre for with Dr. Georgette Kelly Geomancy According to the Prin­ accessing relevant teachings in their primary language. FREE at the Lotus Center, Hadley MA ciples of Tibetan Medicine No previous knowledge of Tibetan required. August 5 - 6 Public lecture on Tibetan Buddhism and Jungian Psychology as seen Cost for Tibetan language course: $ 175/week through the lens of the female deity, Yeshe Tsogyal, whose image hints at Participation quota: Lit. 150.000 possibilities for our own radically energized passion and bliss. Contact Shang Shung Institute for further information: Dr. Georgette Kelley is a faculty member of both the New York and Philadelphia A Week of Health and Well-being Jung Institutes, and long time student of Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche. According to the Methods of Tibetan Shang -Sluing Institute of America Medicine at the Tenne of San Filippo PO Box277 Saturday, May 20 August 26 - September 2 Conway, MA01341, USA Radical Interdependence: The Bliss Queen Tel: 413-369-4928 with Dr. Georgette Kelly Istituto Shang-Shung Email: [email protected], wwwshangshung-usa.org $95.00 at Shang -Shung Institute, Conway, MA. Merigar, 58031 Arcidosso (GR), ($85.00 prior to 5/1/00) Italy.Tel:0564-966941; A one day interactive seminar experiencing the potent imagery of Yeshe Fax:0564-968110: Tsogyal, a Tibetan Buddhist deity whose image points beyond dualities Email: ssinst(ä amiata.net leading to embodied passion and bliss which is non-oppositional and non-

THE MIRROR F E B/M A R 2000 17 Dzogchen Community of "the only" opportunity to receive News From Greece Volunteers for Audio-Video Czechia and Slovakia the transmission in the next two Archive Needed! years, at the end forty people man­ by Lukas Chmelik The First Greek Book of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu aged to came to the Merigar retreat. Dear Gakyils of the World, Dzogchen, the Self-Perfected State or many of us the first contact About ten people went later to Kun- We have recently nformed the Now in Print! Community about the Audio-Video with the teachings of Chögyal sangar also. F Archive of the Istituto Shang - At the end of summer the idea of Namkhai Norbu was the encounter he first Greek book of Rinpoche is now ready Shung and its big task to be the only doing collective practice with prac­ with his book "Mirror - Advice for Tand in print and will be available by March, archive where tapes of Namkhai titioners from Austria was finally Presence and Awareness", which 2000. The book is Dzogchen, the Self-Perfected Norbu Rinpoche's teachings are realized. A retreat was held in was translated by Margit Martinu, State. This work on this book was done by Thanos stored and safeguarded. Prague, in the Lotus center, led by To fulfill this big task, the Istituto followed by "Crystal and the Way (Thanasis) Svoronos and Panayotis Stambolis. of Light" one year later. Irmgard Pemwieser from Austria. Shang -Shung is dependent on the The publishing house is Somanous (lit.: Bodymind), a new, small publish­ collaboration of the International Reading these books generated a She spoke about integration of ing house publishing only Dharma publications. The translation of anoth­ Dzogchen Community and espe­ presence in daily life through the strong impulse for some practition­ er Chögyal Namkhai Norbu's classic, The Mirror, is also ready and we cially of the Blue Gakyils around practice of Vajra breathing and ers to go and meet Rinpoche during hope will be published before the end of the year 2000. the world. his retreats at Merigar, Easter, 1998 through the practice of the night. The Istituto Shang-Shung in She asked us to do the Vajra breath­ Merigar can provide all Gakyils of and particularly in Cracow, Poland, New Greek Gakyil ing for the whole weekend in any the world with a list of available in May of the same year. From that Panayotis Stambolis: Blue time on we did practice regularly activity we were engaged in. She audio and video material, if the Elpida Kokkinidou: Red material has been put into the data­ once e week in Prague . said this practice could help us very Stamatia Rori: Yellow. base. Much work has been done. much to overcome usual distrac­ In November, 1998, in Paris, Rena Moulaki: assistant Red But much more needs to be done tion, increase our presence and help Cergy, we asked Rinpoche if we Fany Xenou: assistant Yellow NOW. could become a part of Internation­ to develop clarity. FOR THIS MANY HOURS OF In October we did a five day WORK VOLUNTEERS ARE al Dzogchen Community and if we Triskelion, New Greek Community Newsletter could form a Gakyil. Rinpoche was Yantra Yoga seminar with Oliver NEEDED! The Istituto Shang- After several months of preparations, the Dzogchen Newsletter is printed Shung has created an Index-Sheet very happy and agreed and told us Leick. This was a first task for our and on its way to its recipients! In 1994, Triskelion (Gakyil in Greek.) - a which will be supplied to volun­ to be in contact with Merigar. Gakyil, consisting of Lukas Chme­ small photocopied publication made with a lot of heart - finished publica­ teers who are willing to help index lik (blue), Jiri Mravec (red) and Jiri We did our first weekend retreat tion. The first issue of the new Triskelion is a forty-eight page/A4 format the tapes that already exist in the Kucmas (yellow) guided by Margit during Christmas '98 - on the days magazine, covering a variety of subjects. A minimum subscription of (the archive. For your information you Martinu as director. We translated can receive instructions and the of Padmasambhava and Ekajati - equivalent of) US$15 per year, which will make the publication feasible. and four people participated. We and prepared booklets of Yantra index sheet from the Istituto Shang The editing team plans and hopes to have three to four DN issues per year. -Shung in Italy. did the seven line prayer of Gum Yoga, made publicity, etc. About Editorial team: - Volunteers for indexing tapes Rinpoche one hundred times. forty people came and attended the Svoronou Sandra, need to have very good English or first part of the retreat (for people In March 1999 an important Stambolis Panayiotis, Italian without transmission); about thirty event happened; a new Dharma Liberopoulos Nikos. - They have to be familiar with received further instruction on more or less all teachings of center called Lotus was opened in Editor in chief, co-ordination, magazine design and lay-out, production: Prague. At that time Oliver Leick tsadul, rhythmic breathing, yantras, Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche, which Liberopoulos Nikos came from Austria and gave a pub­ etc. We started every session with a means that beginners unfortunately must be excluded. We think volun­ lic talk for the Buddhists who gath­ Tun, followed by two Yantra Yoga sessions, and in the evening we had teers should have an approximate ered from all traditions. He spoke experience of five years of practice explanation and again a Tun. about the Santi Maha Sangha base in the Dzogchen Community. level, the importance of Dzogchen Our last retreat of 1999 was with Yantra Yoga in Athens with Laura Evangelisti - They need to have time and skills Community and particularly about Margit Martinu at the beginning of by Nikos Liberopoulos to listen to one set of teachings of the essential practice of Guruyoga December. We learned the practice Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, create a and Song of the Vajra. of the Purification of Six Lokas fol­ or the first time after several years, the Greek practitioners had the short index and type the index into the index-sheet. lowed by talk on Bodhicitta from Fopportunity to receive Yantra Yoga instructions in the convenience of In June, we asked Rinpoche to The volunteer can keep the set of their home town, from one of the very few official Yantra Yoga teachers of send us somebody who would be the Santi Maha Sangha base. audio-tapes at the end of the work Dzogchen Community, Laura Evangelisti. able to give some public talks about We also had Gakyil meeting as a thank-you" for the collabora­ The event took place from Monday, 24th to Sunday, 29th of January, 2000, Dzogchen teachings in various where we discussed many points. tion. in downtown Athens, in a spacious sixth floor art gallery - the room of towns in Czechia and Slovakia. We talked about the function of As a Blue member of your Gaky­ which was generously sponsored to our Community by the Gallery owner- il you could start a very concrete Rinpoche was again very kind and Gakyil and the importance of com­ for this purpose. collaboration with the Shang- munication with other members of asked Oliver Leick to come again. Though Greeks, in general (and in particular), are not very famous for Shung Institute right now. If there Oliver spoke mainly about the pre­ the Community. The idea of a our exhaustingly detailed organizing skills in advanced planning, the semi­ is any national Shang-Shung Insti­ cious opportunity of meeting such a Newsletter came about to inform nar shaped itself and was executed in a smoothly natural and self-perfected tute in your country emphasis Master like Chögyal Namkhai Nor­ people in other cities throughout way - as it was more or less expected. Laura's gentle presence was definite­ should be put on collaboration with bu. about the value of human life, the Czech and Slovak Republics ly a strong inspiration for everyone - and a living connection with the Yantra it. spiritual teachings, practice and about various events and activities. Yoga teachings and the Master himself. Take into consideration any practitioner in your country or Gar about the possibility of achieving We also talked about forming a Though the publicity policies of the seminar/workshop was kept very low-profile, some twenty-five to thirty people participated. Not only mem­ who could work on a set of audio or total realization through the authen­ Santi Maha Sangha study group. bers of our local Dzogchen Community, but also some practitioners from video tapes of teachings and bring tic Dzogchen teachings. There are various translation pro­ other Buddhist groups; and even three or four from outside any organized the work to a good result within jects under way, and we talked On the last weekend in June we group or formal system of practice. Surprisingly enough, most of them were two months time. Please contact the practitioners who you think did a retreat with Margit Martinu. about the importance of unifying also able to pay the fees, so our Gakyil managed to effortlessly fulfill all the could be interested and make sure She talked about the Seven Mind Dzogchen terminology and about basic guidelines in regard with the organizing of such events (as they had they are willing to collaborate. The Trainings of the Santi Maha Sang­ organizing future retreats. been lined-up and announced last July by the International Gakyil on Nor- person can then order a set of tapes bunet). In addition, our organizing Gakyil made a very small profit (of ha base level. Besides learning the We would like to thank all the and keep it at the end of the work. Ganapuja and the Song of Vajra in a older students who dedicated their rather symbolic nature). Given the circumstances, this is not only very Before sending the index back to precise way, this retreat was a kind time and helped us not only through much okay, but is also offers enough encouragement for more such events the Istituto Shang-Shung at Meri­ to be scheduled in the near future. of preparation for the July teaching formal explanations, but also through gar, it should be handed back to the Yet, the most important outcome of this workshop was that a number of in Merigar. Knowing that this was their humor, advice and inspiration. Blue Gakyil for a last check of the practitioners had the chance to establish a good connection with Laura work done. If you feel the result is Evangelisti. So, a small Yantra Yoga practicing group has already started to not satisfying, please collaborate News from Latvia News from Tashigar meet regularly, revising and training the Eight Movements, and getting pre­ with the person who did the index­ pared for Laura's next visit to Greece - which shall hopefully take place on ing for a better result. On the night of the Millennium all Tashigar has organized a variety of the second half of September 2000, as planned. This whole procedure may of our people gathered together and different activities during the sum­ In general, there is the intention and the will to have Laura Evangelisti sound a little bureaucratic to you, but it is necessary as there are very after the telephone conference with mer such as: the Practice of the visit here once every six or eight months in order for the local group to few people working at the Shang- the marvelous and treasure of all Seven Lojong, the Dance of the progress. If this is made possible, then some kind of practice continuity is going to be developed and that's for sure going to be a very auspicious prac­ Shung Institute at Merigar and as existences and so much dear to our Vajra and Yantra Yoga retreats, col­ ticing factor - and an important asset for all practitioners, especially the much burden as possible should be hearts, Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche, taken from their shoulders and put lective daily practice, a course of ones who can not get the opportunity to travel abroad very often. we practiced Guruyoga and then a thanka painting and karma yoga. on the shoulders of the Blue Gaky­ collective Rushen practice. We ils of the world. Michel Bricaire is the new were very relaxed, and together We also had karma yoga tasks of Practice Evenings in If you need further information Gekoes of Tashigar and was invented a lot of new methods of working in the vegetable garden, Amsterdam please contact : received very warmly by all the Istituto Shang Shung peaceful entertainment. collecting fruit, making mar­ Audio-Video Department members of the Dzogchen Com­ malade, etc. We have finally fin­ Our practice evenings are on the Galina -the one who always has Email: [email protected] or munity of Argentina. He has been following dates: the magic capacity to join all mem­ ished with an old problem of Merigar Email: organizing Community work with 10th and 24th April bers of Padma Ling on the Vajra garbage storage in the Gar. We also [email protected] the neighbors of the Tashigar and 8th and 22nd May Dance Mandala - became a grand­ made an agreement with neighbors Tel: 0039-0564-966941 karma yoga with Community mother on January 24th to a baby Mr. Viano and Mario to adjust the I-58031Arcidosso(GR) members. The neighbors prepared Italy girl called Ksenyja, and now main road to Tashigar and their Location: Maytreya Institute on the an asado, a typical Argentine barbe­ property very soon; just after the Brouwersgracht 157- 159. Ksenyja's grandmother is really Or: the International Blue Gakyil, cue, with much work and collabo­ The evenings begin at 20.00 h. dancing well. rainy season. Karin Eisenegger-Koppensteiner at ration. These neighbors also asked for Please be there in time so as not to Victor Matveev has begun nego­ All this activity was enjoyable [email protected] infoimation about the Teachings and the disturb the practicing people. tiations with the government to and gave life to Tashigar. We are activity of the Gar, some Community There is an optional explanation of I wish us all the very best collab­ have them grant us a little house still trying to rebuild the samayas members informed them about the Master the practice for new people at oration and hope to receive feed­ with just enough space to put the and apply with presence the Sacred 19:15. To make an appointment for back and proposals from the Blue Mandala inside and not one inch and the Community and this was very Teaching of our Precious Master. this please contact Annalen: Gakyils all over this world. more. positive. We feel that Tashigar is integrat­ (020)6424325 That is our news! ing with the people of the surrounding area The blue International Gakyil in a spontaneous and friendly way. (bIG) Karin Eisenegger

18 REFLECTIONS off more, was going deaf. Eventu­ Without any intention of doing so, I about the first words, the transition PASSAGES ally she became too weak to go out found myself sitting next to the to solid foods, the first attempts to and sometimes became confused woman who had asked the question walk. With my mother, the periods Born Meditation on Death about things. Then episodes of sud­ about how to help her dying friend. of hopefulness over signs of Benedetto Kunsan (boy)was bom to by Paul Bail den weakness and disorientation "Coincidence." I later learned that improvement, were quickly replaced Cristina Leonardo and Paolo Simona- led to a couple of hospitalizations. in the middle of celebrating the by disappointment at the next to on December 24, 1999. They are y first taste of death was as a A mini-stroke was suspected but tsok, just before the first of the three reversal. Since I had been prepared, very happy and the baby is very nice Mpreschooler when my dog, couldn't be confirmed. My mother feast offerings, my mother had I did not feel any sudden stab of and calm. Dutchie, died. Besides my own began to require nearly round-the- died. She had stopped breathing. As grief when I first learned of my sadness about this, the house would clock assistance at home. The new we consumed the tsok food I heard mother's death. It seemed like a Montana Jade Sim Godbehere was periodically be filled with an millennium arrived and on January a cracking sound, and large chunk continuation of everything that had bom to Leilani and Brent Godbehere atmosphere of gloom when my 22nd, two weeks after a big birth­ of one of my teeth came out. Anoth­ gone on before, even though a cer­ on February 4th, 2000 in Honolulu. mother would reminisce about my day celebration for her, my mother er reminder of impermanence. By tain landmark had definitely been Hawaii. She weighs 61bs., 8.5 ozs. brother Vincent who died at age was hospitalized again without def­ coincidence one my mother's reached with the cessation of the Marriage four, before I was bom. When she inite diagnosis. nieces, who was very close to her, life functions of her physical body. Maria Yiakoumakou and Haris Pante- got into these melancholy moods The following weekend, while also cracked a tooth that afternoon. But, as I was preparing for the lidis were married on Sunday, October my mother would sit at the piano my mother was still in the hospital, The teachings on impermanence funeral, I observed a sign that my 3rd. 1999, in Thessaloniki.Greece. and play an Al Jolson song called I received an email from a friend tell us that we are dying every mother's physical death was Sonny Boy. This sentimental bal­ recommending that I go hear her moment. Over the past year I had becoming real to me. When 1 paid CLASSIFIEDS lad, about the death of a young boy, Guru, Garchen Rinpoche, a very watched my mother dying by attention to what was running ended with this refrain: "And then loving Drikung Kagyu Tulku, who degrees. She had not become ill up through the back of my mind, I the angels got lonely, took you was going to giving teachings until recently, but the inexorable noticed I was remembering an ear­ Remote retreat cabin for Dzogchen 'cause they're lonely, now I'm briefly my area. I attended his Sat­ process of aging had caused a grad­ lier death and the grief it had practitioners, 25 minutes east of lonely too, sonny boy." By the time urday morning teaching, at the end ual erosion in her vigor, clarity of caused. I had mourned at the death Santa Fe, includes use of outdoor she sang these lines she would of which a woman in the audience mind, and memory. In addition her of my maternal grandmother, my dance mandala, with small self- con­ invariably be in tears. asked him a question. She wanted hearing worsened considerably, so father, and several of my aunts. But tained kitchen but meals can be pre­ After my pet Dutchie's death, my to know how she could help a dying that over the last few months it it was not their deaths I found pared on request. $ 100/wk. parents found me another dog. One friend who had never had a medita­ became very difficult to talk to her. myself remembering. In high Call Anne Dankoff: day that dog got sick. We drove to tion practice. Rinpoche suggested Conversations were clumsy and school a good friend had been 505-466-4280, the veterinarian's office - my par­ giving the person a "precious pill" had to be kept brief and simple, like killed in an automobile accident, Email: [email protected] ents, myself, and my dog. They (chulen) empowered by mantra. talking to a foreigner when you and in my early twenties a very walked into the building with my Shortly after this talk I received a have only a rudimentary grasp of close friend, Yvonne, had been dog and came back without him. I message that my mother was not their language. In the summer of tragically murdered. The shocking, sat alone in the car - an apprehen­ doing well. When I arrived at her 1999 I had to begin managing all sudden deaths of these two young sive little boy - while they took the bedside I found her to be asleep. my mother's bills and finances. people had grieved me ver}' deeply, dog inside. I don't remember feel­ Periodically she would wake up for Forced to begin making decisions but it was not those deaths either ing anything - just an emptiness. a few moments and ask for water. I for her, the reversal of our roles that crossed my mind. became stunningly concrete. I real­ On the ride home my parents told dissolved a "precious pill" in a The death I found myself think­ ized that in some dimly lit comer of me the veterinarian had "put my spoonful of water and gave it to her. ing of was that of my dog. when I my mind I had enshrined the illu­ dog to sleep." I don't think 1 made a I spent the evening there, alternat­ was just a little boy. That was my sion of a permanently solid and real THE MIRROR fuss. But a few nights later I woke ing silent mantra and visualization first experience of death, and it had "parent," an external being whom I NEWSPAPER OF THE out of my own sleep, crying. I was with periods of contemplation. apparently become the symbol, the could always rely upon for advice INTERNATIONAL DZOGCHEN still young, an only child, living in a When I returned in the morning she template, the harbinger for all and help. Now this illusion could deserted rural area. The dog had was completely unconscious, future deaths and losses. It seems COMMUNITY been my only playmate. Even so, I unable to take even water. Over the no longer be maintained. strange to my adult logic to equate founded by never got another pet dog. course of the morning she seemed So, I had been prepared for this the death of a dog to the death of a Chögyal Namkhai Norbu to open her eyes once, but I could Flash forward forty years to the death. The sense of loss, the fore­ parent, but the teachings say all not tell if she could see me or rec­ 1990's. Six years ago my father seeing of what was to come, had beings were our parents in past Main Office: ognize me. lives. Perhaps we'd had a special died at age ninety. Then, over this occurred in stages. I had minutely PO Box 277 past year I watched the gradual That afternoon Garchen Rin­ observed the daily fluctuations in karmic bond from the past. Or Conway, Massachusetts 01341 decline of my mother, who was poche was concluding his teach­ my mother's physical and mental maybe it was just that a dog meant a U.S.A. approaching age eighty-nine. She ings with a Milarepa tsok (Ganapu­ powers with a keen interest similar lot to a lonely child. Tel 413-369-4208 and began to move more slowly, doze ja). I decided to attend the tsok and to when my children were little. In Coincidentally. in going through FAX 413-369-4165 dedicate the merit to my mother. those years there was excitement my mother's belongings the night Email: naomimirror@ before the funeral, among them I compuserve.com contined from page 14 Calendar-agenda for the Metal Dragon Year found a notebook that I had written European Office: in as a young child. Opening it. I The Mirror Merigar. 58031 To Order (2000-2001) found the following words written Arcidosso GR Italy Checks or money orders payable to > USSI0, Lire 15.000 in a clumsy, childish hand, with lots Tel and Fax 0564-966608 Dzogchen Community Visa and Master card Pocket agenda con­ of spelling errors: "My real dog Email: LizMirror@ welcome. Out of country orders must be paid taining concise Dutchie, he died. 1 could ride on compuserve.com Email: [email protected] for by International Money Order, Visa. Mas­ indications of the him. He was a good dog. He is dead tercard or Postal Money Order in US dollars. now but I will not forget him. I will practices recom­ EDITORS For Overseas Surface Mail delivery, please mended by Chögyal always like him and love him. Naomi Zeitz. Tsegyalgar double he shipping and handling charges. For Namkhai Norbu for Don't you too?" Apparently I had Liz Granger. UK Overseas Air Service, multiply by three. Ship­ special days, posi­ been true to my word. Now that my Tiziana Gottardi, Merigar ping and Handling tive and negative last parent lay dead. I was thinking Orders: .. days for the Naga again of my beloved dog. LITERARY EDITOR under$20, $5.00 Practice, astrologi­ We buried my mother the next John Shane $20-$40 .': $6.00 cal data of the day. In her coffin 1 put the tagdrol I ADVISORS $40-$6() : $7.00 Tibetan Calendar had been wearing for several years. Anna Eid $60-$80....;. :.. $8.00 and thé individual I had wondered whether to put that Des Barn $80-$ 100 59.00'. aspects for those one in her coffin, or a fresh one. Barbara Paparazzo $IO0-up. ., $11.00 : bom between 1912 When I examined the one around Jim Valby and 2000. my neck I found the cord had • Adriano Clemente Indispensable for finding out favorable and unfavorable days for daily become frayed and it was literally DESIGN AND PRODICTION Mail orders to: "hanging by a thread." The poetic- activities and to remember special practice days. N. Zeitz Tsegyalgar Bookstore Chögyal Namkhai Norbu . ,, irony of that seemed to suggest this PO Box 82 Key lor Consulting the Tibetan Calendar (*) was the one that should go in the ILLUSTRATION Conway.MA01341 Edited by M.R. Leti . coffin. Glen Eddy USA L. 15,000 10USS A few days after my mother's Gene Balicek Lama Gyurmed Tel:413 369-4473,Fax 413 369-4165 Much information on Tibetan astrology and on its application to daily burial one more symbol of imper­ Email: [email protected] life. A practical and complete manual, indispensable for the consulta­ manence manifested. We had taken PRINTERS tion of the annual astrological calendar. a number of photographs at the Turley Publishers All the prices are in Italian Lire and US dollars. Postage and packag­ wake, the funeral, and the meal Palmer. MA ing: in Europe add Lire 4.000 per order: outside Europe 3US$ every afterward. Due to a camera mal­ three books. To order please send the list of books you require by let­ function, not a single one of these DISTRIBUTION ter or fax. Send an International Postal Money Order, or Eurocheque photographs had registered on the Tsegyalgar at in Italian Lire (from Europe) or a check (not less than 30USS or film. All of those moments that we Conway. Massachusetts equivalent) to: thought we had captured perma­ SUBSCRIPTION RATE/6 ISSUES New Email Address nently with the click of the shutter Comunità Dzogchen (Shang Shung Edizioni), 58031 Arcidosso. GR. $35 available through Tsegyalgar Italy. Tel. 0564 966039, Email: [email protected] had escaped, and had turned out to 55.000 It. lire through Merigar There is a new email address for Note: Italian bank charges are high on dollar checks. When ordering be as ungraspable as a dream... Shang -Shung Institute by check, please try to do so with other people so that the check totals All material @IW8 by The Mirror. at Merigar: Reprint by permission only. more than 30USdollars. merigarl i brary@ amiata.net We reserve the right to edil all submissions.

7"«ir MIRROR FEB/MAR 2 000 19 ChNN Teaching continued from page 7 I remember very clearly when I particularly Dzogchen teaching is. wanted the teachings and to leam knowledge, being in that knowl­ arrived in India, after one year I And what our duty is, everybody. something. So this is the best way edge, dealing with that knowl­ one and putting them in prison. arrived and many Tibetans came For many years I tried to guide the to develop the teaching and knowl­ edge, that is the continuation of That is all. out of Tibet, including Gyalwa spiritual practice of Dzogchen and I edge, by all our practitioners. When the teaching, the essence. Some people have the idea that Karmapa and later the Dalai lama, hope very much many people hav; you are forcing and saying, "I am a I really hope very much that the once there were problems like the then many Tibetan lamas, and also understood something and practitioner, I am student of this Dzogchen teaching is something Cultural Revolution, but that is his­ Tibetan people who had more apply. If they apply, firstly they can teacher", and you ask the teacher to automatically spread in the future, tory. Now there are no problems, Tibetan knowledge. That period have benefit for themselves, and please give you a letter so you can more and more. In Tibet, for exam­ we can go ahead comfortably how continued maybe for three or four secondly there can be benefit for teach, etc., then that means you are ple, since Tibet is a Buddhist coun­ we like. But that is not true. We are years; fantastic Tibetans arrived, all the Dzogchen Community and that no more gold. You are something try, there are many teachers and stu­ always in time, time is related to cir­ Tibetans fantastic, why? Because means practitioners of Dzogchen to like brass but you want to be gold. dents, but never in the history of cumstance, circumstances always everybody was really following whom I transmitted the transmis­ Then I must say this person is not Tibet have Dzogchen teachings change with the ideas of people, body, speech, mind in a one pointed sion. And through that we can also brass, but is really gold. So it has no spread like today in the Western people can always change their way; following the Dalai Lama. bring such kind of benefit in soci­ value. Also some teachers are actu­ world. Never. Sometimes some ideas, people believe, they are There were no problems. There had ety. We are not going to change ally going around with letters say­ monasteries invited some lamas, thinking, "Oh this is not the correct been some meetings of different society, we are not doing anything ing, "This is a qualified teacher". Dzogchen teachers, and they gave way, not the best way, but I have schools and that was fantastic. That like political activity, but evolution When some of my friends, formal teachings, but there have some idea better than that". Then had never been in Tibet. exists and evolution means some- Tibetan lamas, who I have had such never been people learning Dzogchen they are creating something, but to That was the fruit of having the confidence in, thinking that he is teachings or applying or integrat­ discover that that is an illusion problems of escaping from Tibet good practitioner, has such knowl­ ing. So that means that the takes a long time. And then in that and now arriving in India. There edge etc., but then they show me Dzogchen teachings are manifest­ period they are fighting and creat­ was nothing. So in that period the We only need to know the some kinds of letters saying they ing and spreading more and more. I ing problems, etc. That is the cir­ Dalai Lama performed many good received this letter from this lama hope very much that they manifest cumstance, the situation. So we actions, for all Tibetans. But then condition of illusion and and that lama, saying that they are a still more in this millennium, much know, samsara is always samsara. later - five, six, and seven years - do our best in any qualified teacher etc., it makes me more. So the continuation of our We don't need very much illusion. the Tibetans who arrived in India circumstance. nervous. Before I had a little confi­ teaching is related to you. Particu­ We only need to know the condi­ relaxed already, rested already, and dence, but it disappeared. Really. larly young people. It doesn't mean tion of illusion and do our best in everybody had a small nest, house, So we must not force. It is really that immediately after you have any circumstance. and had jobs, and lamas built small important that we go into the received the Dzogchen teaching you go somewhere and say, "I am So it's very, very important that monasteries, increasing year after thing related to our knowledge and essence of the teaching and live teaching Dzogchen". That is not people who are following Dzogchen year; lamas were traveling around understanding. It is not impossible. with that essential teaching of good, because there is no qualifica­ teaching learn and apply that way. also and then they remembered and In 1959-60, Christmas time, I Dzogchen, tion. But if we are becoming good Practitioners always have a respon­ woke up, "Oh, I was a Sakayapa, I arrived in Italy with a small suit­ We know how important in the practitioners, perfect practitioners, sibility of maintaining that knowl­ was a Kagyupa, Nyingmapa", and case, nothing else. I had not a single different places we have in the the qualification manifests itself. edge and tradition. The Dzogchen then the conflicts developed. student and no single friend in the world, Gars and Communities, practi­ teaching taught by Garab Dorje Now this period is very sad. It is Western world. Today you see how tioners, and we can't practice in the Also there are many ways to from the time of Garab Dorje until very sad because we also have many people are in the Dzogchen same place because there are so leam better, apply better, today today, the teachers, practitioners many problems with Chinese Community everywhere. That is many of us. But we are always in with the program of Santi Maha are doing practice, and are also authorities. They don't accept how called evolution. That is not only the same boat. We are in the big Sangha, for example. So I hope teaching and continuing that the Dalai Lama wanted Tibet, as an my history, it can be your story for boat and we are traveling to the very much people all over the knowledge until today. That means autonomous region. They won't the future, everybody. For example, final realization, so it is very, very world, our Dzogchen Community not only did they realize, but they accept that, so we have many diffi­ I believe that among my students important that we are collaborate. people, do in the correct way and also took their responsibility. We culties, but even if there are diffi­ today, at least two thirds have The way of collaborating is to rec­ go more into the essence of the can see, for example, some impor­ culties I am thinking personally, knowledge of the Dzogchen teach­ ognize that we have individual teaching. Always. tant teachers in the lineage, we are "We have many problems but we ing even though they don't have a dimensions; this is very, very Our teaching has less form. not only saying, "Oh that teacher are fortunate because we have real­ high level of knowledge, but they important and not to create political Once I said that when my students practiced Dzogchen and realized", ly a fantastic Dalai Lama". I have know what it means, the human power in a group. We have that atti­ use only the letter A and thigh, not only that, but they left their great confidence in the Dalai Lama, condition, and how we must be in tude. If there is a group, for exam­ using the visualization and chanti­ teaching and method and their writ­ not only as the head of Tibetans, but the society. What the relationship ple, forming a Gakyil, then some­ ng only A, then I will be very satis­ ings and instructions. That means also spiritually. It is very difficult to of individual in society means. one says, " I am the president of the fied. Instead of chanting the Long that they took their responsibility find this kind of Dalai Lama; one When we have this kind of knowl­ Gakyil", and they feel they are Tun, Medium Tun, Short Tun, and for maintaining the teaching. And who is not falling into limitations edge then that dimension, where something important. But it doesn't this practice and that practice, all particularly in the instructions or and has really the same spirit of all that person lives, can develop. And mean we have a position for com­ these are relative in the circum­ explanations, they go more and the teachings and is integrated. But one day society will go better manding like a chief of the military. stance, but what I need is really that more to make us understand how even if we have this kind of Dalai because society is guided by human It is very important that we pay people integrate in the essence. we should follow the teaching, and Lama, in front of the Tibetans and beings. You see, for example, when respect to each other and know that This is my hope. For as long as I am how we can overcome limitations the Dalai Lama we also have pow­ there is a good president it can each person has their dimension alive I don't feel there will be a and problems. erful Chinese authority. Then the change many things in a country. If and we pay respect. If you are problem, the way of continuing the In the Dzogchen teaching in Tibetans form some small groups there is a bad person it can create going with this principle then really Dzogchen teaching and knowl­ learning tawa, point of view, and and they are against the Dalai many problems in that country. you won't have any problems. All edge, because I am strong enough only doing analysis, details, that is Lama. For me it's impossible. I That is an example. people. for protecting my transmission and not important. But what is impor­ couldn't believe it. In general, there I don't believe very much in I hope very much that this New teaching. But when I am not with tant is knowing that we have are some Tibetans against the Dalai revolution, for example, or in the Year, this century, this millennium, you, then I don't know. So it responsibility, and we continue that Lama, particularly in this situation. idea that people have of changing we start with the principle of the depends on you. Even though our and continue doing practice, and But all this is some developed limi­ society, etc., I don't believe in that Dzogchen teaching and also I hope samsaric vision, this samsara is also according to circumstance, tations, that is all. really. But I believe very much in very much with our next genera­ unreal, like a big dream, but this which kind of activity we need to There is a group of people doing the evolution of mind, knowledge; tions start again with the spirit and dimension always continues for do. So that means practitioners are the practice of Gyalbo Shuden, and that is something real. 'When there knowledge of Dzogchen. That is other human beings. So we must not only thinking, "I am a practi­ the Dalai Lama asks people not to is some valuable knowledge, it what I need. The Dzogchen teach­ not plant a bad seed and always cul­ tioner and I am doing practice for do that because we don't need to do always increases, even if we are not ing is not saying, like the Sutra tivate good seeds. Good seeds are my realization", but at the same a practice of this kind of spirit. We making publicity or not doing a teaching of Buddha says, that it has related to circumstance and then time remember this is a very pre­ have many, many manifestations of political movement. limited time, because circumstance grow up. If we put only one wrong cious teaching, knowledge and wisdom, even guardians, so we You remember Milarepa, a is not always the same. But in the seed, that one can become two and understanding, and that under­ don't need this practice. But then Tibetan yogi, who lived alone all Dzogchen teaching there are some two becomes four, eight, and six­ standing we need to protect. We these people are saying that the his life, didn't go anywhere for Tantras saying that this knowledge teen. This is how it develops. need to take that responsibility. I Dalai Lama is not giving them free­ teaching and spreading his knowl­ already exists, develops and contin­ Because time doesn't stop and feel that is really very important. dom to do practice. And some peo­ edge. Today not only in Tibet, but ues until people are living to a always goes ahead and becomes Some people have the idea that that ple, particularly in America, are also in the West, everywhere, most medium age of only ten years and negative for many sentient beings. is the responsibility of Tibetan doing a kind of demonstration say­ people know Milarepa and some­ that means before this time our So for that reason it is very, very lamas. The Dzogchen teaching is ing these things and that they feel thing about his teachings, spirit, globe was destroyed. Why do only important to keep the teaching in a not Tibetan. Dzogchen teaching has something real. But the Dalai Lama and knowledge. That is an example Dzogchen teachings remain and qualified way. Also, our practice no passport, not even of Oddiyana. never said you couldn't do this of how when there is something others disappear? Because if we are done in a qualified way is very It is knowledge and understanding; practice, that is his opinion, he is valuable, somehow it manifests. If going into the essence of important. understanding has no particular asking; when people are not are not there is gold under the earth very Dzogchen teaching, it has nothing So it is very important that we shape, color or nationality. If you listening he is asking: IF you still deep, one day it will come out, to do with the outside. That is really are being in the essence even if we are learning and have such knowl­ that practice please don't come in someone brings out. Why? Because Dzogchen. have learned many methods, many edge of Dzogchen, and a Tibetan is my teaching. That is normal. He it has value. It is the same thing if If you have this dress, that is things, but always not losing that learning and also having that also has his human right. You we are becoming perfect, our sacred dress of Dzogchen for me. If essence. That is very important. knowledge, there is no difference. couldn't say the Dalai Lama is not knowledge and application is in the you have another dress, that is your Then we can have much benefit. So It is universal. giving freedom of applying teach­ correct way, then we become like Dzogchen dress. You don't need this is our first day of practice or So we are trying to be in that ing. gold. Our spirit, our knowledge, another dress for showing we application of the Dzogchen teach­ spirit and go beyond those kinds of So you see how limitations everything. Shining, manifest. We belong to this group or that, or that ing in this millennium, in this cen­ limitations. With Dzogchen peo­ manifest. Limitations create prob­ don't need to force anything. we are monks and nuns shaving our tury, so I think it is very important. ple's limitations and problems dis­ lems with the political and spiritual I had no idea when I arrived in heads. So in that way we can go Now we dedicate a very good appear a little; people are a little aspect, so we Dzogchen practition­ Italy for the first time that I would ahead in society and not have Guruyoga and dedicate merits. calmer, they have more space, there ers know we don't need to struggle, teach and have students. Only in a any problems. But our knowl­ are not so many problems, and then or criticize, that is not our job. But very simple way I came there to edge, the essence of body, Transcribed & edited by Naomi Zeitz problems develop. That is the we know and are aware of how the work, but then later people came to speech and mind which we call human condition. global situation of teaching and me. I was not asking them to; they the three Vajras, having that

20