No. 104 May, June 2010 Upcoming Retreats with Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Photo: G. Baggi 2010 Romania July 9–16 Merigar East Retreat July 19–22 Photo: Daniyal Ibragimov SMS Level I Exam July 23–August 1 SMS Level II Training Italy Nailing Mind to Its Nature Merigar West Retreat on Sri Simha’s Seven Nails August 13–20 Initiation and Instruction on the with Chögyal Namkhai Norbu in Moscow Practice of Gomadevi Mikael Kazaryan August 23–29 Teachers’ Training or the third consecutive year, our The teaching that Rinpoche bestowed commenting on the ancient text “Gold, September 3–10 precious Teacher Chögyal Nam- this time was called “Seven Nails” and was Refined from Ore” (rDo la gser zhun) of Personal Retreat Fkhai Norbu came to Moscow, mani- transmitted by the great Dzogchen master Manjusrimitra, the main disciple of Garab festing infinite compassion towards his Sri Simha to his student Jnanasutra. “Sev- Dorje, deepened our understanding even September 17–19 Russian students. We were happy to see en Nails” (Gzer-bu bdun) by Sri Simha is a further. As always, Khyentse Yeshi simply Zhitro Purification for the Deceased that Rinpoche was in good health. His profound Upadesha that consists of Seven and effectively expounded the teaching France smiling face was shining with knowl- Items-Statements, in which Sri Simha ex- about our primordial state in his unique September 24–26 edge, infinite wisdom and kindness pressed the whole essence of his knowl- manner. He highlighted many aspects of Teaching at Karmaling towards all his assembled students. edge and understanding of Ati Dzogpa the teaching from the deepest point of “For me my students in Russia are very Chenpo. Like the Three Statements of Ga- view, showing students its real essence. Spain important,” – with these words Rinpoche rab Dorje, these Seven Nails express the Breaks between the teachings of the October 1–7 filled our hearts with joy and inspired us to very essence of the base, path and fruit of two Teachers – Rinpoche and Khyentse Barcelona Retreat: listen to the precious teaching attentively. Dzogpa Chenpo. Over five days Rinpoche Yeshi Namkhai – were dynamically filled Ati Dzogchen Tregchod, a Terma of And then he started the retreat. explained in detail the true meaning of by the magical Dance of the Three Vajras, Rigdzin Changchub Dorje As always, the teaching gathered plenty these Statements, using his precious com- taught by Adriana Dal Borgo. By the fact of students (nearly 1500), who were lucky mentary, which he wrote specifically to ex- that all nine mandalas of the Vajra Dance October 11–13 to receive profound instructions from the plain the profound teaching of Sri Simha. were filled with people who wanted to Canary Island’s Retreat Master. Among them were old practitio- He also bestowed this commentary on learn (people even danced on mandalas in Venezuela ners, as well as many interested newcom- his fortunate students. Clear and precise two turns), we can say that interest in the October 22–28 ers, who were meeting the teaching for the instructions poured into hearts of those Dance is growing steadily. It was an amaz- Tashigar Norte Retreat first time. A huge hall with 4000 seats pro- students, bringing infinite knowledge and ing sight! It seemed as if the Teacher’s vided plenty of space; everybody could find endless blessings. knowledge was spreading through Adri- Costa Rica a comfortable place to sit and even the big The marvelous teaching that Khyentse ana towards all nine mandalas, involving November 5–9 stage was occupied by happy students. Yeshi Namkhai bestowed, explaining and >> continued on page 8 Costa Rica Retreat Brazil November 19–23 Brazil Retreat Teaching Teaching Focus Peru December 1–5 Chögyal Namkhai Khyentse Garab Dorje Peru Retreat Norbu Yeshi Silvano Argentina The Three Statements Namkhai Tashigar Sur of Garab Dorje Primordial December 8, 10–12 am Experience of Collective Practice of Mandarava Manjusrimitra >> continued on page 5 » Page 2 » Page 3 » Pages 10–13 THE MIRROR · No. 104 · May, June 2010 Chögyal Namkhai Norbu 2 The Three difficult, but the second time I studied it with the commentary it was much more difficult. The third time I studied it, it was really very difficult and at the end I really didn’t know what the conclusion was. I was very surprised because when I had studied other books Statements of once or twice they became really easy. One day I went to my teacher and asked him why I found this text more and more difficult to understand. He said that first of all this book explains knowledge, qualifications, qualities of Arhats in more of a Hinayana style with levels, secondly it explains Mahayana Garab Dorje and then the third level is qualifications of Enlightened Beings, of Dharmakaya, Sambhogakayadifficult, but the and second Dharmakaya. time I studied My teacher, it with the who commentary was also a Dzogchen it was much practitioner more difficult. and a London May 29, 2010 studentThe third of time Shenga I studied Rinpoche it, it (wasgzhan really dga’ very rin difficultpo che), andtold at me the to end try toI really understand didn’t knowit not Chögyal Namkhai Norbu thinkingwhat the onlyconclusion of the qualitieswas. I was of veryBoddhisattvas, surprised because Arhats andwhen Buddhas I had studied but to otherturn a books little London May 29, 2010 withinonce or myself twice theyand observebecame andreally think easy. and maybe it would help the text become a little easier.One day I didn’tI went understand to my teacher what and he asked meant. him I went why Iback found home this and text read more the and text more again difficult but Chögyal Namkhaiow Norbu I am going to give you the teachingChögyal of the Namkhai Norbu The Three Statements of Garab Dorje didn’tto understand. find anything He said that that I could first relateof all this to myself book explains and it didn’t knowledge, help at all.qualifications, London May 29, Three2010 Statements of Garab Dorje. ThisLondon is the root May 29, 2010 Thenqualities many of Arhatsyears passed in more and of latera Hinayana when I stylereceived with teaching levels, secondly from my it teacher, explains Changchub Mahayana Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Chögyal Namkhaitext of this teaching Norbu and was written down and LondonN May 29, 2010 Dorje,and then I found the third that levelit is necessaryis qualifications that we of discover Enlightened our real Beings, nature. of Dharmakaya, This is the principle of London May 29, 2010 38.40 transmitted Now I am by goingVimalamitra to give who you lived the at the teaching time of Pad- of the Three Statements of Garab Dorje. 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