THE MIRROR

Newspaper of the International Community Aug./Sept. 2004 • Issue No. 69

Rinpoche teaching in Gonpa at Retreat in Margarita O LEICK Mandarava Chüdlen Retreat 12:00 o’clock. Afterwards, remained with us, practice of Chüdlen, which made them independent of Rdo Rjei Srog Thile Ge Gnad Kri Man welcoming everybody warmly who came to speak with gross nourishment, is what Rinpoche taught us at this him personally. retreat. Ngag Zab Mo In the afternoons around 3 o’clock, during the heat of My situation was quite a different one. I was practicing, From the Longsal Cycleof Mandarava the day, we reassembled in the assembly area. Fabio Chüdlen, but in an “all inclusive” hotel which had a buffet with Chögyal Andrico showed us how to apply breathing techniques. table ten meters long three times a day. I ordered only hot Tashigar Norte July 17th - August 1st, 2004 Nina Robinson gave explanations about the Mandarava water and rice according to our instructions. The rice some- Practice. Jakob Winkler prepared us for the transmission on times was mixed with tasty vegetables. Plain rice is not Integrating the Elements - the anniversary of . Adriano Clemente good enough for some pretentious hotel customers. Well, Independence and Overcoming Distractions went through all exercises that Rinpoche had given us in no problem, I was competing for who was the best ascetic. the morning. There were many questions, which Adriano It is not the main point to observe rigid rules, but rather to by Karin Heinemann patiently answered. Additional practice hours were offered integrate the essence of the elements. To accomplish this for Yantra and Dance. one needs to apply techniques of breathing which are much he “Vajra Long Life“ is promised to the practitioners It was so hot, that I put a wet cloth around my shoul- easier on an empty stomach. who are doing the practices of Long Life according ders. In the morning Rinpoche had told us about the wet The integration of experiences or elements can not be to the Tibetan Tradition. How is that possible? Is this clothes which were wrapped around the shoulders of realized through effort. One must begin by applying the T monks who were circumambulating their monastery prov- Master’s instructions in accordance with the transmission, functioning today in our busy situation in the West? This was the first Practice Retreat with Chögyal ing their realization of inner heat drying them quickly. but more importantly one has to be relaxed in instant pres- Namkhai Norbu organized worldwide.(see page 3) Independent of warm clothing, they wore only a thin white ence. This means not being distracted by fantasies such as Rinpoche explained and practiced with about 400 of his cotton cloth even during the cold Tibetan winters. Because the wish to repeat pleasant feelings or our attachment to students in Tashigar Norte, Margarita Island, and at the of that they were called “Repas”, those who only wear cot- food. Only a firm resolution to overcome our attachment to same time, with many more of the big family of members ton. Well, my wet cloth was drying also, but here in the food by itself is not enough to quickly and finely free us of of the International Dzogchen Community. Those attend- tropical Caribbean it did not verify my attainment. Today temptation. One has to apply very skillful means to become ing on the Internet did so either in groups or alone. They many Tibetan refugees live in and there are some independent of nourishment, clothing and the other gross could access the teachings by entering a password avail- who during the hot Indian summer wear cold elements. Even now the traditional exercises which have able to all members. For some the broadcast was nighttime weather clothing made out of sheep fur. Does that also been preserved in an unbroken from are and for others daytime, according to the part of the world shows a realization of mastering the elements? working under our quite different circumstances here in the where they lived. In Tashigar Norte on Isla Margarita, we In Tibet, with its hard living conditions, some practices West. Integrating the essence of the elements makes it pos- arrived at the assembly area most days around 8:30 AM. are obviously beneficial. There the sit in their cold sible to realize “The Vajra Long Life”! This gave us enough time before Rinpoche arrived to hear retreat caves high up in the mountains, far away from any May our Master live long! the local Gakyil give information about the organization. settlement and practice with a minimum of food. No prob- Practice and teachings filled the morning form 9:00AM to lem, if they had mastered the practice of Chüdlen. This Edited by Joe Lamb

CONTENTS

2 THEBUDDHADHARMA,PART III, TEACHING BY CHÖGYAL NAMKHAI NORBU 12 INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY CONTACTS

3 NEW SCHEDULE OF CHÖGYAL NAMKHAI NORBU 13 WORLD WIDE VIDEO TRANSMISSION INFORMATION

4 UPDATE ON THE MERIGAR MUSEUM 14 - 21 COMMUNITY NEWS

5 CONCLUDING TALK AT SMS TEACHER TRAINING BY CHÖGYAL NAMKHAI NORBU 22 DAILY LIFE IN THE MIRROR, FAMILY & PARENTING

6 - 8 SHANG-SHUNG INSTITUTE NEWS 24 HOW I MET CHÖGYAL NAMKHAI NORBU BY ROSEMARY FRIEND 9 BOOK AND FILM REVIEWS Rinpoche’s Schedule 2004 - 2006 10-11 ASIA, LIFE INSIDE TIBETAN SCHOOLS Chögyal Namkhai Norbu

Mahamudra, Anuyoga, that is called the “state of teaching called Atiyoga, &Dzogchen ”. Dzogchen, more related with our Mahamudra in the Kagyüpa tradi- mind, where we learn and apply o you see, the first path is tion is a little different because what is called ‘self-liberation’. So the path of liberation that is ’s specific, spe- what is the difference between Sthrough renunciation. cial teaching. In general, if you self-liberation and transforma- Tantrism is the path of liberation want to understand Mahamudra, tion? When we learn Dzogchen through transformation. Then we you must study. Pandita teaching, Atiyoga self-liberation, have Dzogchen. There is also said to an inquiring student, “If we say self-liberation is not trans- Dzogchen in Tantrism, called you study that, you learn a little of formation. So why we are not Anuyoga. Anuyoga is different. this. Then you can have perfect using transformation? What is the Anuyoga exists only in Tibet, in knowledge of Mahamudra as the difference? the Nyingmapa tradition, because final goal of Tantrism.” When you learn Tantrism, when Padmasambhava In the Gelugpa tradition there is Anuttaratantra, and Anuyoga, you arrived in Tibet, he taught the the Chakgya Chenpo. need a very precise idea of “pure teachings of Anuttaratantra, Mahamudra, which presents the vision” and “impure vision”. Anuyoga and Dzogchen. For that final goal of Tantric teaching. These two visions are represented reason, in the Nyingmapa tradi- Gampopa’s Mahamudra is com- with the symbol of the Vajra. In tion, we say the three - bined a little with Dzogchen and the center is our real nature, the Rinpoche at Margarita O LEICK , Anuyoga and Atiyo- Mahamudra together. That’s why same, but the two aspects of ga. For other traditions there is not there are the Four Yogas. In “pure” and “impure” exist. For much difference between T HE B UDDHADHARMA Dzogchen we have also that reason impure is transform- Mahayoga and Anuttaratantra; TWO NOBLE TRUTHS - PART III Four Yogas or Four ing into pure. When we look they are the same. Anuyoga is dif- (WEB CAST TEACHING) Contemplations. They are very through the Atiyoga way of see- ferent. NAMGYALGAR, APRIL 20, 2003 similar. In Dzogchen Semde it is ing that becomes a part of dualis- Anuyoga is a teaching used only something more and, in general, tic vision. If you have a concept in the Nyingmapa school and in to history, it developed in very, the beginning. In the Dzogchen seems more essential. of “pure” and “impure” it is dual- no other tradition. There are some very ancient times in Sri Lanka. teaching we say that we have infi- There is also Indian Mahamudra istic. practitioners of the Kagyüpa tra- We don’t know how it developed nite potentiality. There is no dif- translated and introduced from We also say that Dzogchen is dition who used Anuyoga meth- and how it disappeared. We don’t ference in Anuyoga and India. Many Kagyüpas say, “Oh, beyond effort, beyond action. You ods. Even though these practi- know how this teaching went Dzogchen. Anuttaratantra is dif- this is not only Gampopa’s already have that concept of tioners used Anuyoga methods, from Sri Lanka to Trusha; this is ferent and things should develop. method. It comes from India.” “pure” and “impure”, and now they always recognized that mysterious. Later Anuyoga In Anuyoga there is no need to But Mahamudra in India is an you also act. You try to transform Anuyoga is characteristic of developed in Trusha and Tibetan develop. How can we get in that explanation of the that “impure” into the “pure” Nyingmapa practice. Anuyoga scholars discovered it after going state? How can we realize that? when they are in realization, like dimension. It doesn’t correspond practice became important in the to Trusha under the advice of The Anuyoga system uses the Doha. Doha means the with the Dzogchen teaching. You Nyingmapa tradition because Guru Padmasambhava. Anuyoga transformation method and Mahasiddhas sing and give teach- can understand what the differ- Guru Padmasambhava gave this is not really accepted in other tra- Dzogchen Atiyoga uses the self- ings to the students. They do not ence between self-liberation and advice to his students: “I am giv- ditions, and that is why it liberation method. That is the dif- really explain something in the Tantric teaching is. ing the teachings of all three remained only in the Nyingmapa ference. When we transform in way it is explained in the Four In the path of self-liberation we yogas, but that is not sufficient. tradition. Then Trusha disap- Anuyoga, for example, we trans- Yogas, etc. It is a little different. do not give importance to “pure” This is a kind of presentation or peared, just like and form instantly, not gradually. We In any case, the path, the method and “impure” vision. For exam- introduction and then you must Shambala. Turkish soldiers occu- know that the seed syllable repre- we use in Anuyoga, is the non ple, we are in the human condi- learn and develop the and pied almost all of Central Asia sents our real potentiality. If we gradual Tantric system. When one tion, and, of course there are dif- original books of these teachings. and it became Islamic, so we transform into Guru Dragphur, realizes in Anuyoga it is called ferences in an ordinary way. We The Dzogchen teaching must be don’t know if Trusha disappeared for example, we use the sound of “realization”, like in Dzogchen. can’t say, for example, that when translated and introduced from or Islam converted it. Even HUM. HUM is the seed syllable They don’t called it we see a statue of a Buddha or a Oddiyana, because that is where though Trusha disappeared, today of the Vajra family. Sound is the “Mahamudra” because, since the statue of a pig we see the same Garab Dorje taught. There were we know where it was. We also root of three primordial potential- beginning, the idea of realization thing. A pig is pig and Buddha is many, many Dzogchen masters in know where Oddiyana and ities and how we develop mani- is similar to Dzogchen. Buddha. They are not the same; Oddiyana, therefore it is also the Shambala were, but it doesn’t festations. We use that sound and Dzogchen practitioners use the that is our relative condition. We source of all Anuttaratantras and help very much. It is most impor- instantly we transform. We do not Tantric Anuyoga system of trans- have dualistic vision and we see the Anuyoga teaching.” Guru tant that we know that this teach- build anything because manifes- formation because it is easier. We that. When we say we are in a Padmasambhava also gave this ing is still alive. That is some- tation is a kind of qualification, can transform directly, we don’t state of self-liberation, that means advice: “Later you should go to thing wonderful. our qualification since the begin- need to work too much, going we are in instant presence, not our the country of Trusha where the What is the difference between ning. We have that potentiality, state by state. For example, when in our ordinary state. teaching of Anuyoga is very Anuyoga and Anuttaratantra? just like a mirror. we use the practice of If you are in instant presence, in a developed and where you will Anuttaratantra, generally speak- The mirror has infinite potentiali- , Guru Dragphur, state of contemplation, “pure” find all the Tantras of Anuyoga. ing, is very similar to the ty to manifest everything. If you Vajrapani, or Vajrakilaya, all vision is a manifestation of You can translate them into Yogatantra style. We have that arrive in front of a mirror, your these kinds of practices are relat- Buddha Shakyamuni and Tibetan and develop the Anuyoga potentiality, but there is some- figure instantly manifests in the ed with the Anuyoga method and “impure” vision is a very bad method.” thing to develop. That’s why the mirror. It is not gradual. It is are non-gradual. devil, for example, something When the famous Vairocana went development stage is very, very immediate and total. Your color, Some Dzogchen practitioners ask ugly, terrible – there is no differ- to Oddiyana, he translated and important, the accomplishment form, size, everything manifests me, “Can we use the Anuyoga ence. Both are vision. developed Dzogchen Semde, stage with channels, and immediately because a mirror has system for doing the That is what Mahasiddhas under- Longde, Upadesha. One genera- then integration. In that way, we that potentiality. In the same way, practice?” That’s a little difficult stood in Tantrism in the end. For tion later there was a student of can get into the state of everyone has primordial poten- because in the Kalachakra there is example, there is a saying that Padmasambhava called Sogpo Mahamudra. tiality; we only need a secondary no non-gradual transformation some Mahasiddhas, and Palgyi Yeshe and his student Nup In Anuyoga we can use the name cause or method. The method is like in Anuyoga. We have never others, when giving advice to the Sangye Yeshe. In the time of Nup “development stage” and something like being in front of a received this kind of teaching, students said, “Vision is the not Sangye Yeshe they went to “accomplishment stage”, but mirror. If you go in front of the this transmission. For that reason problem.” That means it is not Trusha where there was a very, there is no need, like in mirror, you become the sec- we can’t invent it. If we invent it, necessary to always have pure very famous translator called Anuttaratantra. Anuttaratantra it ondary cause for manifesting that it doesn’t work or have a func- vision. If you have bad vision, Chetsen Kye who translated is very detailed. It is considered reflection. If there is nothing in tion. vision is not the problem; the many Anuyoga Tantras. Chetsen very important. For example, if front of the mirror, if the mirror is Recently I discovered one of the problem is attachment. Kye and Nup Sangye Yeshe you receive an Anuttaratantra in a box, for example, in the dark, teachings of my teacher, Attachment is not outside. You worked together sometimes, col- method of teaching, you have a it does not manifest anything, Changchub Dorje, in which there can understand that. So how can laborating and translating. In any or a book. Sometimes even if there is that potentiality. is a Kalachakra practice in the get in the state of self-liberation? case, the Anuyoga teachings were the book is very long, sometimes So you see, there is a difference Anuyoga system. I was very sur- For example, if I am a practition- all translated into Tibetan and short, medium, etc. When you do between slowly, slowly develop- prised. I always thought that er of Dzogchen and I am here and developed in the Nyingmapa tra- this practice, you must read the ing the manifestation and instant teaching did not exist, but it does. I open my eyes, when I open my dition. stages one by one and do the visu- transformation. So I am trying to develop this eyes I can see something. In the Anuyoga didn’t develop in the alization, etc. You build the In the Tantric system in general, practice in the Anuyoga system, same way also I can hear some- Sakyapa, Gelugpa or Kagyüpa development stage. You should not only Anuyoga or and I will teach this practice at thing with my ears, I can smell schools because they concentrate work that way. This is something Anuttaratantra, the principle of all Margarita [ October 18-29, 2004. with my nose, all my senses are very much on Anuttaratantra and similar to the teaching, the the methods is working with clar- (See page 3)] You can use the open. That means I have contact Anuttaratantra and Anuyoga are gradual system. That’s why also ity. You think, you do the visual- Kalachakra in the Anuyoga sys- with objects, objects of senses. different. These schools said, “We in the Gelugpa tradition there is izations, and then you have clari- tem if you have this kind of trans- That is part of vision. So that is didn’t find the Anuyoga teaching the famous teaching called ty of that manifestation. You do mission, otherwise it can become not a problem if I am in instant in India, there is no such teach- ; Lamrim is a gradual not remain in this clarity, you a kind of invention. Invention is presence. Any kind of vision, ing.” They do not consider path. only think there is this figure, etc., not good. good or bad, doesn’t change any- Anuyoga a pure teaching. That is Anuyoga is not that way. In but you are in real your nature, in Tantrism is a transformation thing. true, Anuyoga did not develop in Anuyoga, the consideration is the instant presence. You get into that teaching method more related The problem is, in general, that India. In ancient times, according condition of the individual since state through clarity. In Tantrism with our voice. Then we have a continued on next page

2 Teaching ChNN continued from previous page we immediately lose presence. mirror. If we are being a mirror, April 1 - 4 Baja California, Mexico Retreat We follow that vision. When we how we can get in its potentiality? Schedule see something very nice, we Somehow the reflections mani- Chögyal Namkhai Norbu USA think, “Oh, how nice that is! fest like the qualification of a mir- 2004 - 2006 April 13 -17 Los Angeles Retreat Wonderful! I like it.” What does it ror, somehow we discover and we April 27 - May 1 New York City Retreat mean, “I like it”? It means, “I are really being a mirror in a non- 2004 May 6 - 8 Tsegyalgar, Conway, want it also. I want to try to get dualistic way. MARGARITA ISLAND, VENEZUELA Massachusetts Retreat that.” If I can’t get it, there are If we are really being a mirror, May 11 - 12 Santi Maha II Level Oct. 18 - 29 Kalachakra Retreat of Anuyoga problems and I feel angry. Then even if there are reflections in the Exam, Tsegyalgar system according to theTerma of Jangchub Dorje other emotions arise, attachment mirror, objects outside of mirror, May 13 - 17 Santi Maha Sangha III Level Nov. 9 - 21 Complete teachings & practices plus others. So that is called, in infinite interdependent things, we Training, Tsegyalgar of Lhalung Sangdag, the Terma teaching of Heka the Buddhist teaching in general, have no problem. If terrible Lingpa Chag Dang. Chag and Dang. things manifest in the mirror, we RUSSIA Dec. 5 - 8 Birthday teaching and practice Chag means attachment, Dang have no problem. Manifestation June 3 - 5 Kunsangar, a course of of Tshedrub (Long life) means anger, we don’t like it and is our quality because we have Moxabustion (Limited to persons who know we refute it. If we are attached, that potentiality of showing our CHILE Medicine) we accept. qualification. Even if something June 8 -12 Moscow retreat Dec. 19 - 21 Chile Retreat We accept, reject, accept, reject, fantastic is manifesting, that is the even if it is not necessary. We ITALY same thing. It is only a qualifica- ARGENTINA pass our lives that way. That tion; that is all. Then we can July 1 - 5 Merigar, Italy Retreat 1 Dec. 26 – Jan. 2 Tashigar South retreat of means we are always distracted understand. We have no problem July15 -Aug. 5 My personal retreat, Merigar Gomadevi, Argentina with this. That is a problem. For and we are in a state of self-liber- July 22 -24 Moxabustion course for peo- that reason, when we follow the ation. This is the example of what 2005 ple who are familiar with medicine (Shang-Shung Dzogchen teaching, we say, “Try self-liberation means. Institute) Feb.9 Tibetan , Mandarava prac- to be aware, not always distract- But of course, being like the Aug. 10 -16 Merigar Retreat 2 tice, Argentina ed! That is not good.” With our nature of the mirror is not so easy. two legs of attachment and anger SPAIN For that reason we do retreats. For PERU we accept and reject. Now I that reason I am giving different Oct. 5 - 9 Spain Retreat Feb.18 - 20 Peru retreat accept, now reject, accept, reject, kinds of methods of practice and then we are walk, walk, walk that BRAZIL you apply, learn, and develop MARGARITA ISLAND, VENEZUELA way in Samsara; it never finishes. them, one by one. Oct. 14 - 18 Brazilian Retreat March 4 - 6 Retreat Then we add many actions and It is important that you know the March 9 -10 Santi Maha Sangha Base Level Exam accumulate many negativities. aspect of our body, speech, and MARGARITA ISLAND, VENEZUELA March 11 - 15 Santi Maha Sangha 1st Level When we say “self-liberate” we mind. We also have the paths of Nov. 4 - 8 Longsal Teaching Retreat Training should self-liberate that, be in liberation, the characteristic three Nov. 25 - 29 Santi Maha Sangha Base and instant presence. You don’t need paths. It is not necessary that you MEXICO CITY 1st Level Teachers Trainings, Vajra Dance and any antidote or some particular limit yourself because all is rela- Yantra Yoga 1st and 2nd Teachers’ Trainings March 25 - 28 Mexico City Easter retreat method to liberate that. Just by tive and related with your real Dec. 2 - 8 Tshedrup (Long life) teaching being in that state, everything lib- condition. BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO Dec. 26 - Jan. 1 Tashigar Norte retreat erates. So this is called “self-lib- For that reason in the Dzogchen eration”. teaching there is a saying, if we To learn about self-liberation, it is are becoming a Dzogchen practi- FIRST tive, AmbientiWeb Consulting site of the transmission, since the much better you know a little tioner we should work with our MANDARAVA offered the Community their line was considered to be stable through the example of the mir- circumstances, how our circum- RETREAT technical studio, the system set- enough. This improved the qual- ror. That is very important. You stances are. If there is a circum- WEBCAST up as well as all the work ity of the audio. know that the mirror has infinite stance to do practice, we partici- with Chögyal required for carrying out the web The Association’s server which potentiality, similar to our pri- pate, we do. If there is no possi- Namkhai Norbu cast, free of charge. is located at the web farm of one mordial potentiality. Everybody bility, we do not force. We work FROM MARGARITA The AmbientiWeb Consulting of our technological partners has has that. But we are ignorant of with circumstance. Also with ISLAND, VENEZUELA, team collaborated with the been designed to handle from that; we do not know it. In this practice, there are many possibil- JULY 2004 Community’s staff both in Italy 500 to 1100 connections at the case, even if we have that qualifi- ities of doing practices. We do not (Maurizio Mingotti) and same time in order to guarantee cation, it has no benefit. always need to do formal prac- he web cast of the Mandar- Venezuela (Amare Pearl, Grisha service even in the case of a con- In general, if we look in a mirror, tice. In some places we can’t do ava retreat given by Chö- Mokhin). After the initial set- siderable number of listeners. for example, we can see reflec- formal practices and it is also not gyal Namkhai Norbu at tling-down period, their collabo- The result of the web cast in tions. Our understanding is that so nice. Some people, for exam- T ration was productive and very terms of registered users (more Margarita Island represents one we know, “Oh, this is a reflection, ple, know very well what of the first products in the exten- satisfactory. than 550) and the number of con- this is not real.” That is a kind of “Ganapuja” means. “Ganapuja” sive project of reorganization ini- Technically speaking, we ran up nections together with the great understanding because under- means a practitioner is learning tiated by the Dzogchen Commu- against the obstacle of a limited amount of positive feedback that standing, “That is unreal”, does- how to consume food and drink, nity together with AmbientiWeb infrastructure for transmitting we received, has been very satis- n’t have much function. This is but not in an ordinary way. The Consulting with the aim of pro- from Margarita Island that at first fying. called “intellectual understand- practice becomes part of us. This moting growth and future support analysis proved to be quite inad- AmbientiWeb Consulting and ing”, like we speak of is a Ganapuja. for the Community. equate, together with some orga- the technical staff of the “Shunyata” and “Understanding We do not do a Ganapuja only by Merigar decided to propose a nizational problems at the Gar. Dzogchen Community in of Shunyata”. the preparation of some objects web casting service to all the For about half of the retreat, the Merigar, are currently working Like in a mirror, reflections are and doing a Ganapuja and chanti- other ‘gars’ and ‘lings’ in order transmission was carried out on developing still further the unreal. The reflection that mani- ng, etc. We must bring that that all Community members through a direct telephone con- web cast tech system in order to fests in a mirror is interdependent knowledge into daily life. In daily could have access to the teach- nection from Margarita Island to be able to offer to the Gars and with the object that is manifest- life, we are eating and drinking at ings, even at distance. The tech- the office of AmbientiWeb the bigger centers of the ing. We have that attachment and least three times a day. In that nological solution by which the Consulting where the digital Association as soon as possible we think that object is real. For moment we remember Guruyoga web cast service was carried out audio encoding was done. This both a web cast audio service as example, one day when there is or Ganapuja. Sometimes the cir- made use of the infrastructure set was because the stability of the well as a contemporary ‘real very, very hot weather, sunshine, cumstances are not so easy for up for the Community’s new IT line was not reliable. time’ audio-video transmission we enter a room and there is a big you to do a Ganapuja and to chant system. This brought about a For the second half of the retreat, service. mirror. We look in the mirror we something. Sometimes we have a sizeable reduction in costs and is the transmission took place see a very nice, big ice-cream. short Ganapuja or at least we are the first service produced and through a ‘dial-up’ connection Luigi Ottaviani You want that ice-cream because saying “AHO MAHA SUKHA- supplied by the Community. from Margarita Island, with the Yeshi Namkhai the day is very hot. You think, HO”, “OM AH HUM” something Examining in detail this initia- audio encoding done right at the AmbientiWeb Consulting Snc “Oh, I want to eat, I want to enjoy to empower. That is not so easy. [email protected] this ice-cream.” You do not go For example, if you are in a into the mirror to get the ice- restaurant and are eating, there cream. are many tables and many kinds INTERNATIONAL GAKYIL NEWS Because you have that intellectu- of people. Most people are not al knowledge already, you under- practitioners. And if you chant a International Gakyil Web site stand and know this is a reflec- short Ganapuja for example, they tion. Instead, you look here and all look and think, “Who are The new Web site of the International Gakyil is not yet available! It has been decided by the there. And you find the ice-cream they?” In this case it becomes International Gakyil to wait until the new Merigar web site is finished and working. and you eat it. You like it. So you fanaticism. It’s negative and not As most of you might know, Yeshi Namkhai and Ambienti Web have restructured Merigar’s economic see, that is not real knowledge. positive at all. and technical organization over the last year. That is still a dualistic situation It is important that you know, The International Gakyil has been kindly offered by the administrators to participate in this new project and doesn’t have much value. “Now I am going to eat food,” of the web site. Really having value means you particularly if you are eating meat We are happy to have been offered a “harbor” for our IG web site, but there are still a few months to go. must understand that we have and bread. There is not much dif- We have been working on the texts of the new web site and also on the new version of the little blue similar potentiality of the mirror, ference between meat and bread. booklet “The Dzgochen Community”. infinite potentiality. We are not Meat is dead animals. It is consid- Therefore, when questions within a Gakyil of a country, city or Gar arise and you need clarification, here and looking into a mirror in ered a more heavy karma. But please contact us directly: a dualistic way, and judging and how is bread produced? You go to Fabio Andrico: [email protected] thinking. We are being a mirror. It a farm and see how they work. Karin Koppensteiner-Eisenegger: [email protected] is an example. We are being the They kill millions and millions of continued on page 8

T HE M IRROR A UG/SEPT 2004 3 ner for a foreign activity or foundation - we would be very happy to collaborate. It is important to open channels of collaboration to research financing even outside Italy. I think Update on the Merigar Museum that in Europe we could find ways to work together with another group which might be more effective in obtaining financing from the European Community rather than just oper- An interview with Giovanni Boni ating in a single country. July 10,2004 For example, if there is a foundation, say, in Germany, interested in sponsoring this initia- Liz Granger for The Mirror tive, it might be seen with different eyes by the European Community because it would be a collaboration between two countries, not just one. This type of collaboration is also more Last August at Merigar, Chögyal Namkhai Norbu presented his idea for building a muse- likely to receive financing on the European level. Through our contacts outside Italy we um at Merigar to house the many Tibetan would like to know what objects that have accumulated over the groups might be interested years - the nomad tents, the medical in the museum project. thankas and many other precious objects Even if financing is limit- (see “The Mirror” issue 66). At the time, ed, perhaps through dona- Rinpoche communicated his project to tions, etc., if we could put architect Giovanni Boni who has been together a package of peo- developing the idea. The Mirror asked ple who would finance the Giovanni how plans for the museum were project, we could present progressing. this list of people who had already donated to the pro- The Mirror: Giovanni, how are plans ject to possible future going ahead for the building of the museum donors. at Merigar? The Mirror: Have you Giovanni Boni: The Project for the muse- been able to make an esti- um at Merigar started about a year ago mate of the costs involved when we presented the idea to the local in construction? authorities. They were very happy with it and we started to prepare the initial project Giovanni Boni: The full that was examined by the local and provin- amount for the project we cial authorities who approved the general estimate at around two and idea in December of last year. Then we a half million Euro. Of started working on the project in its present course this is an estimate, form, the way you see it in these plans. The it could be more or less, new plans had to be in agreement with the depending on how things authorities’ regulations on the height of the go, the materials we use structure and its integration into the envi- etc., etc. We have calculat- ronment. They prepared a structural variant ed this hypothetical so that we could have planning permission. amount to give an idea, The variant was worked on but not although in practice in approved because of local elections. may be different. The previous Arcidosso administration was replaced by the new and at the moment we The Mirror: Could you are working with their architect to take up briefly tell us about the the matter with the new administration. I construction of the build- think that in a month or six weeks the vari- ing and the material that ant should be approved. will be used.

The Mirror: Once you have approval for the project, what is the next step? Giovanni Boni: The outer walls of the ground floor will be built of reinforced concrete poured inside a wooden mould which will also create some insulation. The walls will be Giovanni Boni: Once the project has been approved, we have to find a way to get financ- about 30 or 35 cm thick and insulated both internally and externally. You see, since we are ing - it isn’t enough to simply have local permission in order to build the museum. Up to in an earthquake area, we have to build according to the regulations for buildings in earth- now we have considered different possibilities but the financial help from the European quake areas and so the walls must be reinforced concrete that will be able to withstand Community that we were seeking for the construction of buildings for cultural purposes - tremors. So the walls on the ground floor will be built in this way to a height of six meters. going through the Province and the Region - has not yet been activated. Then there will be the main central pillar supporting the beams that spread like rays from There is European financing for other types of projects but not for cultural things such as the central pillar. There will be 16 beams spreading out from the central pillar, which rest the museum. So from our research we haven’t yet found a source for financing the project. on the external walls.

We have contacted various people who are expert in the field of financing in order to have The beams will be made of wood similar to the beams that we used in the Gonpa. They are some advice about which path would be best to follow. These people, however, are wait- made of layers of wood that have been glued together to a thickness of about a meter. ing to see that we have permission for the construction from the local authorities. Hence, The floor should be quite resistant, not made of wood that could be easily spoiled in a pub- at the moment, we are in this condition - we have some possibilities for the future but until lic place at least on the ground and first floors. Perhaps we might have a wood floor on the there is permission at the local level, we cannot go ahead. second floor, what we call the “Treasure Room” since it would be the smallest and most particular, both for security and accessibility. We’ll see. The Mirror: When the museum project was first mentioned last summer, you spoke about the creation of a virtual museum. What exactly does this mean? The roof will be a conical shape and covered in copper. It will house a long window that will wind up in a spiral shape, like a shell. That means that it will be a long single window. Giovanni Boni: The initiative of the virtual museum started along with the main project It will go up from the lower part to the top. It has been designed to give the idea of a shell. and it was intended to give a better idea of precisely what we want to do with the main pro- ject. The virtual museum, or virtual images on a web page, will give an idea or simulation The Mirror: That is a very unusual form for a window. of how the museum will appear. For example, photographing a Tibetan tent and showing how it would look inside the museum. Or creating a list of all the materials that will make Giovanni Boni: This was a cross between an idea that I proposed to Rinpoche and an idea up the museum collection. We already have photos of a good part of these objects and a that he had in one of his dreams some time ago about this part of Merigar. When I spoke rough copy of the virtual museum has been created, but it is not yet ready and will not be to him about this idea for the window, he told me about a dream he had had some time ago. until we need to use it. In the dream he had gone inside this building where he heard some music with the melody of the of the liberation of the Six Lokas. He said that the building had a lot of glass Our idea is to have it ready for the end of the year. At the moment we don’t need it so it is and was open and built in a particular form and from this the idea of the conch shell was not urgent. We had thought to have the virtual museum ready for the visit of the President born. of the Region, Mr. Martini, in August, but since he is unable to come there is no urgency to finish the virtual museum. ‘Ambiente Web’ is taking care of the graphic work and all The central column will be very large and contain a lift so that the upper floors will be other facets involved in preparing the web site. Then the Shang-Shung Institute (Italy) and accessible to all. We also had an idea to build a room below ground level but then we decid- ASIA are making all their material available in digital form together with all the works that ed to keep the project just to the ground floor and two upper floors because of the costs the Namkhai family is . involved.

Of course, this interview is a good opportunity to ask if other people would like to make Another important aspect of the museum will be the way it is managed. It would be a good objects available for the museum. We will be making a book of donors. Some people might idea to involve a public body in the management of the museum, not just try to manage it like to lend things for certain periods of time or for certain exhibitions. If someone has ourselves. A collaboration between a public structure and us. Since it will be a museum, something that they think would be interesting to exhibit in the museum, we would make it will be open to the public and will have opening hours. If a structure is open to the pub- sure that the articles were treated with the maximum consideration, insured, etc., so that lic, it should be easy to visit. We cannot ask the public to pay an exorbitant ticket for entry. the museum could really function beyond simply having just regular exhibits on show. For People will pay a normal price ticket. In order to do this, it will have to be managed pub- example there is a famous collector in Austria who is willing to lend us his objects for par- licly so those public funds will be involved in the running of it. ticular exhibitions. The Mirror: Thank you for your time, Giovanni. We look forward to hearing more news The Mirror: Since it seems very probable that approval by the local authorities for build- about the museum in the near future. ing the museum will be given, financing must surely be the most important issue to tack- le. www.istitutoshangshung.org Giovanni Boni: The first thing is approval of the variant by the local authorities and then we will concentrate on the financing. In fact, I think we could ask readers of The Mirror if any of them know of any type of opportune forms of financing in Europe, perhaps as a part

4 CONCLUDING TALK by CHÖGYAL NAMKHAI NORBU SANTI MAHA SANGHA TEACHERS’ TRAINING ISLA MARGARITA, JUNE 2004 transcription by Monica Gentile and have some training in speak- mission. Guardians are those who in the proper way and you try to things and then they started to ing. Somebody else, even if they make service for the teaching, the communicate in a more interest- laugh. Even then, however, they oday is the last day of the have practiced and learned and transmission and the teacher. So ing way. laughed in a ritualistic way. I was Santi Maha Sangha Base trained and have knowledge, they we cannot teach without this pres- I remember when I was in very surprised and kept repeating TLevel Teachers’ Training. do not have that kind of experi- ence. We ask permission and then Japan. There were some twenty- the jokes to enjoy that way of We have finished the teacher ence and when they start to talk we teach. So that is how we five people at the teachings. They laughing. John Shane understood training, more or less, and now we with people they find it difficult. understand why we deal with had all listened to teachings what I was doing and he was also must remind ourselves and under- But this is not the main prob- Guruyoga. before and had teachers. They all laughing a lot. You know some- stand what the importance of this lem because one can train and When you are speaking and sat in the meditation position, times things like that happen. training is. learn how to speak. The impor- communicating with other peo- with joined hands and it seemed So when we are teaching it is Teaching means that somebody is tant thing is to show that you are ple, you do not think, “Now I am they were meditating. Some peo- very important we know the going to teach. In general, there helping people and making ser- going to explain the Base of Santi ple had closed eyes, some had desire of people, what people like are many types of teaching, but vice for them. It is not like giving Maha Sangha according to this open eyes, but all were very sta- and how they understand. This is when we speak of teaching a spir- an intellectual lesson. Teaching is book, this argument.” You are ble. Then it seemed like they were very, very important. In the teach- itual path, that means that the not giving a lesson. In the teach- thinking, “Now there are people not very concentrated on what I ing of Buddha, for example, there teaching is going to deal with the ing, the principle is that you have who are interested to learn, and I was saying. Then I wanted to see are not only three yanas, but there real condition of the individual. some knowledge, some under- ask permission to my teacher and if they were really listening and are also innumerable teachings. So, if we are going to do standing and you transmit this to the Guardians and try to commu- started to give examples of very Nowhere did Buddha say that the something in the correct way, we others. nicate according to the interest of funny things and also some sto- teaching is set once and for all in can help that individual, but if we If, for example, you know these people”. ries of Drugpa Kunleg, but even a determinate way, because the do something wrong we can dam- how to repair a watch, then you If you observe somebody if I was explaining very funny teaching must work with the con- age the individual. We need to know how to open it and how to who gives teachings, you can see things and laughed myself, they dition of the individual. It is said understand what our capacities repair it. That means you have this very well. For example, were still not laughing. I was very in the Sutra that one should teach are and what our understanding that knowledge. If one is interest- sometimes if somebody is giving surprised thinking, “Why aren’t according to the condition, capac- is. ed to receive that knowledge, you a teaching, at the beginning, even they laughing?” I developed more ities and desire of the people. If In general, many people have show him how to open and close if we ask him to talk loudly this kind of explanation to try to we communicate in this way, the a strong ego. They understand person can understand and be always think, “Oh I In general, many people have a strong ego. They think, “Oh I know what they were interested. This means that the know everything”. feeling. Still teacher has to enter in the dimen- Some people even everything”. Some people even qualify themselves. They feel, “Oh I they were not sion of the student. It is never said qualify themselves. laughing but that the teacher decides to teach They feel, “Oh I am am not normal, I am a special person, I am a daka, or ”. This insisted on in a particular way and everybody not normal, I am a means one is not daka or dakini, but is conditioned by one’s ego. their medita- has to follow in that way. If we special person, I am a tion positions. work like that, even if there are daka, or dakini”. This Then I laughed ten different desires and capaci- means one is not daka or dakini, the watch and what one has to do. because we do not understand, and said, “Even though I am ties, everybody can understand in but one is conditioned by one’s Your really your duty is really that person still speaks in a low laughing you Japanese people ten different ways according to ego. This is very important to that the person understands per- tone and it is not easy to under- never laugh, even though I am one’s capacities and desire. In the understand. In fact, many teach- fectly what to do. Then your stand. After fifteen minutes that saying something funny”. Then real sense, the condition is ings explain that the cause of our teaching is fulfilled and you also person speaks in a very loud they started to laugh and contin- unique; there is no difference. human birth is pride. feel happy. voice. It means that that person ued laughing for some minutes. You remember that Buddha We have very strong pride, that is But we are not teaching how has enough voice to allow every- Later they changed their attitude said, “This is the really profound true. So it is very, very important to repair a watch. We are learning body to understand, so why did it and when I went to Japan the sec- luminous real nature of under- that we observe our pride. and transmitting the Base of Santi happen this way? It is because ond time, they changed their atti- standing”. That is what the Particularly, if one becomes Maha Sangha. The Base of Santi that person is thinking; “Now I tude and they became almost nor- teacher introduces, but then if we teacher, one does not have to Maha Sangha is to transmit the am explaining this argument to mal. only repeat those words of the think immediately, “Oh I am a global basic knowledge of the the people”. Then, of course, Another experience I remem- Buddha, then nobody can under- teacher, I have a position”. A nine vehicles, so in this case we when you try to explain you do ber was in a place near stand. For this reason we must teacher means somebody who has should first learn and train our- not have sufficient voice, but later Tsegyalgar, in a center where they work with circumstances and some knowledge and with this selves, do the practice, become you become more integrated with were having a Theravadan retreat. with the conditions of students knowledge he helps others. In this familiar with it and then we can This is some- case, this person should be very inform and teach. That is the rea- thing very impor- humble. son why we ask if one has really It is said in the Sutra that one should teach according tant to understand to One has also to be prepared to done the training sufficiently and become a teacher. make sacrifices if necessary. For not only read the words found in to the condition, capacities and desire of the people. If Moreover, by example, if someone goes to the book of the Base. In particu- practicing year after teach in a place where there are lar, one has to practice and have we communicate in this way, people can understand year, we should be not good conditions, one does not the experiences of the different and be interested. able to discover have to think, “I am a teacher, practices, because one needs to how precious the they must make good service for have this knowledge to be able to Dzogchen teaching me, prepare a good house, etc.” inform others. If we are not enter- that argument and your voice In the real sense, they were doing is and how it is really the essence Sometimes people say: “Oh ing in the knowledge with our develops. That is normal. the practice that we have in the of all teachings. How understand- they did not make good service experience, then we cannot com- If you know that if you are Santi Maha Sangha of the Base, ing the real sense of that teaching and we had difficulties”. A municate. So this is the way we giving a teaching, a public talk, and they invited me to give a talk. is something very difficult to teacher does not need any service. prepare the Santi Maha Sangha and you think, “These people are In that period they were having a have. Fortunately, I have suffi- You have two legs, two hands, and how we communicate it. interested so I will communi- retreat and when I arrived I saw a cient knowledge of the teaching you know how to speak and can We should not always think, cate”, then you can also have a very beautiful garden and there from the grace of my teacher, and arrange things for yourself. All “I am only explaining the Base of sufficient voice to make people were many people doing strange with my experience I can com- those are really manifestations of Santi Maha Sangha according to hear and understand. It is also things. They were walking very municate to other people who are ego. this book”, but when one is teach- very important that from the very slowly, slowly turning to one side interested. So maybe you already Particularly, when one ing one has to be in the state of beginning you talk loudly enough or the other, but very slowly. have at least that knowledge, and becomes a teacher, one has to what he is communicating. That so that everybody can hear you. It They were not dancing though, for this reason I prepared the remember that those things are is why when we do any kind of is not necessary that you slowly simply walking very slowly. I Santi Maha Sangha and made very, very important. You must practice and teaching we always develop your voice. thought they were like small chil- sacrifices in order that the teach- maintain the idea of only helping deal with Guruyoga. Guruyoga is This is an example of how to dren or doing exercise. Then I ing can be carried on in the future. others. That means maintaining the essence of practice, it is the communicate. Moreover, you do asked and they told me that they I hope that it is a kind of guaran- the idea of how you can help - knowledge of the Dzogchen not think always, “Now I will were doing some practice like we tee that in the future there will be how you can make someone teaching that we have received, explain this thing and then I will have in the Santi Maha Sangha some continuation of this kind of understand what is the real condi- and it is the transmission. Being say other things”. That means that and I understood they were mak- teaching. There really is the dan- tion. You are really ready to serve in the state of Guruyoga also you are preparing in an intellectu- ing a practice in Theravadan ger that the teaching will become others and make sacrifices until means that you are in the state of al way. You do not need to pre- style. only a form. Many people are they understand what the real presence with your teacher, even pare so much in an intellectual Then I went to the place dealing more with worldly situa- condition is. if he is not physically present. way. In particular, if you have a where I had to give the talk. In tions; people are interested in If you are not presenting The teacher represents all the little more experience of the that period I was teaching in place, position, money, etc. yourself as a teacher then you do three roots, and in particular, in teaching, you have more or less Italian and John Shane was trans- We are going ahead, day after your best, but you do not have relation with the Guardians. the idea, you need to work with lating into English. All the people day, continuously in that way and that particular duty. When you are When we deal with the Dzogchen circumstances and make people were sitting in meditation posi- then we completely lose the sense considered a teacher, that is your teaching in particular, this is also understand. When you are teach- tion just like the Japanese. So I of the teaching. We know that and duty. related with the Guardians. You ing, you can also read on the faces understood that they had that we try to keep our responsibility. Also, when one becomes a remember that I frequently say of the people. If you look at the same kind of attitude and I tried Keeping responsibility means we teacher, one has to learn how to when we are going to teach, and people you may see when they do to break that attitude a little by should do the Santi Maha Sangha communicate. Somebody may in particular teaching the princi- not understand, when they are not explaining something strange. It and make some really qualified have already have experience of ple of the Dzogchen teaching, we listening or hearing. That means was not easy for them to laugh. teachers who can carry on the teaching in a school or university always ask the Guardians for per- that you are not communicating Then I started to tell even funnier teaching in an alive way. continued on page 8

T HE M IRROR A UG/SEPT 2004 5 shang shung institue

RINPOCHE: Do you have any Interview & Discussion by the Translators of the Second Translators’ he invented this tradition and questions about this text (The asked people to do this. Later the Marvellous Primordial State, Training with Chögyal Namkhai Norbu professor asked me: “Can you Changchub Sem Medu Jungwa Isla Margarita, Venezuela find something written by the [Byang chub sems rmad du byung Fifth Dalai about this sub- ba])? If you have questions then I May 2004 ject?” And I replied, “I don’t can reply or explain, but I cannot Shang-Shung know, but I think I can find some- explain the entire text. Do you Insti-tute thing written by Mipham.” In fact find this book easy or difficult? I went to the library and found the TRANSLATORS: Difficult. book of Mipham mentioning the RINPOCHE: Yes, it is not that drekar and brought it to him. easy. Some parts are not very easy for him to clarify. studying will study from that text Then the professor said, “Oh yes, clear. That is the problem. And ELIO: Do you want to say some- will consider it as correct. So if then it is true”. However he never that is the case not only with this thing about Mejung in general? there is something wrong they changed his version, he just put a text, in many Tantras there are RINPOCHE: Yes, when we are will follow that; they will not be footnote in his book saying, parts that are not very precise and learning about the Tantras of able to check the translation. “According to Prof. Norbu, Dzogchen Semde, we can find a For example, a professor wrote an drekar means White Fruit.” And very difficult to understand. because a few years before you list of the various Tantras and at article about drekar (‘bras dkar). that is all. This is an example of ELIO: We also use four different told me that it is not a good idea the end we find the Kunje Gyalpo There is a tradition in Tibet dur- people when they become intel- editions of this , the for one big ego translator to do and the Mejung; this is consid- ing the New Year about some lectual, they construct their own Tsamdrag (mTshams brag), the the translation. ered something important. There people called drekar. Those dimension and consider this is my Vairo Gyubum (Bai ro rgyud RINPOCHE: Yes, this is very are also other texts whose titles drekar come and put a mask on version, that is his version. Also ‘bum), the Tingkye published by important, because in general we are Mejung, but the text we are the face. ‘bras means “fruit” and in translating they consider a (gTing skyes) and have many problems with transla- trying to translate now is consid- dkar means “white” Those drekar word should be translated in a the Derge (sDe dge). The Derge tors. In general, they decide their ered a kind of root of Dzogchen get up very early in the morning certain way and they do not edition is often very different way is a unique way and they Semde. Maybe when we find of the New Year and go to various accept how others translate it. I from the Tsamdrag. It seems as if never compare their work with some difficult part we can also houses, particularly houses of think this is not very productive. the editors of the Derge have others and do not accept [input check other Tantras with the title rich people and say good things If there are some complicated added some extra words to try from others], and they use some of Mejung and see if there are any and then they receive food and words, like , clarify obscure points that are dif- words and it becomes also very explanations of those words we money in return because it is con- Nirmanakaya or Sambhogakaya, ficult to understand. These kinds difficult to work with these kinds cannot understand well. sidered a good omen. The profes- is much better if we use the of additions sometimes seem use- of people. I feel afraid to work ELIO: Where can we find them? sor misunderstood the word ‘bras word and later we can ful but sometimes it is not certain with these people who are limit- RINPOCHE: In the Tsamdrag, I as ‘dre that means “spirit” so he explain it. But when we translate if they really convey what the ed, because one cannot clarify think. There are two or three of understood the word ‘bras dkar those words they become really Tantra wants to say. What do you things in this way. They have such a text, I think, that can be as meaning “white spirit” instead complicated because they are think Rinpoche, what could be their own ideas and they always found in different editions. of white fruit. So once he asked very limited and do not corre- the version to use as the base for go with these ideas. ELIO: When you asked us to me: “Do you know some story of spond. In Tibetan there are some a translation? We should do translation like a translate this text, did you have in black spirit, black ‘dre?” And I words that are really not easy to RINPOCHE: How is the edition research. But how do we do mind some particular reason? replied “No, I do not know, I translate. So I think it is important of Vairocana? research? Also many professors RINPOCHE: Yes, because we never heard of it, but what is to collaborate. I think it is also ELIO: It is almost the same of say they do research, but in fact already know the main text of that?” He replied “I do not know, very important when translators the Tsamdrag. they already have their own ideas, Dzogchen Semlung, but when but as there are already white are together and work together, RINPOCHE: In the Vairo and in particular ideas related to a Semlung is quoted in other texts, spirits, I thought there could be that they can make a kind of col- Gyubum there are many mis- political situation, left or right the Mejung is considered a kind some story about black spirits lection of words which can takes, but this book must be more ideas, and when they do research, of root. Many years before, some- too”. Then I asked him, “But become a kind a manual that authentic they apply those ideas and it one wanted to translate some- what is this white spirit?” and he everybody has agreed upon and ELIO: The Tsamdrag and Vairo never becomes a research. thing and I told her she could try replied, “‘bras dkar”. Then I said, can use. When one person com- are very similar, almost the same, Research means trying to discov- to translate the Mejung and I pre- “You mean those people that go piles a dictionary by himself, oth- there are also some mistakes in er the real meaning, it does not pared everything, but then she did around saying things in New ers do not accept it because that is the Tsamdrag and in the Vairo, mean the relationship to fascism, not do it. I always thought it could Year?” He replied, “Yes”. But I human limitation. but they are very similar. The communism or any kind of poli- be important to translate it. I read said, “Those people are called Medu jungwa [literally: marvel, other two editions are similar tics. The thing is to discover what the text many times and some “‘bras dkar” white fruit not “‘dre wonderful, excellent], I like also between themselves, but different is really there. If there is some- parts are not so difficult, others dkar “ white spirit, in Tibetan. this name, Also I like when we from the Tsamdrag and the Vairo thing wrong one can also point are. If we could find some kind of However, he did not accept what say Kuntu Zangpo, Medu jungwa editions. out there is something wrong. commentary, it could be easier to I said because he had already Kuntu Zangpo. Much better than RINPOCHE: Yes, because when What is called research is some- clarify the difficult parts, but published some book about it, saying samsara, transmigration, they printed the thing very rare, and very rare that unfortunately no commentary to and another professor had fol- suffering, no? We already have all Gyubum, the editorial work was people are really doing serious this Tantra is available. If you lowed and wrote also something these things, but it is not neces- always supervised by Shuchen research. In translation we also do check the other Mejung Tantras, about it so it all had become sary to concentrate on them. We Tsultrim Rinchen (Zhu chen Tshul the same thing, we try to under- you can find some clarification. something public. are now perfected in our condi- khrims rin chen; 1697 - 1774). stand the real meaning and sense For example, the Rigpai Khujug So everybody who learns about tion. Being in that state, then we Shuchen Tsultrim Rinchen also and then we try to bring it in is only few verses, but when I Tibetan history keeps the books are happy. checked the printing of another language and try to read the Tantra called Rigpai of these two professors in high Good work! Go ahead with your and at Derge. At the end understand how to do it better. Khujug I then understood those esteem and that is the reason why job! It is time to eat, and also you of many discussions they also This is very important. So a group few words and the principle of he could not accept and change. I can go swimming sometimes. published the Nyingma Gyubum, of people work and exchange which he checked. So he had a those few verses. told him that drekar is a tradition Yes, that is good. JIM VALBY: I had the idea that ideas and it becomes something started in the time of the Fifth deep scholastic knowledge. I do very important. Translation is maybe in the future - if our capac- and that is why when Transcribed by Monica Gentile not know how his knowledge of important because in the future ities develop together - we could they recite it, they always men- and edited by Jakob Winkler Dzogchen was, but when he people who are learning and found something not clear it was do some translation in a group tion the Fifth Dalai Lama because The Second Training for Translators organization and financing of the training. from Tibetan This year was the second time that translators Isla Margarita, of the International Dzogchen Community May – July, 2004 from all over the world had the possibility to take part in the Training for Translators from A report by Oliver F. Leick Tibetan. In 2003, the training took place in Merigar, Italy, and the result of this first train- t was the wish of our precious Master, Chögyal ing - the new book of Chögyal Namkhai Namkhai Norbu, that a training for people with good Norbu called “Being Born, Living and Dying” capacity to translate texts from Tibetan into a Western - will be published soon. I This year, for the lucky participants, the train- language be offered. Rinpoche asked for this training so that the Dzogchen Community would be able to publish ing took place on Isla Margarita, near Tashigar various texts - especially the very important Dzogchen Norte, and Elio Guarisco guided and instruct- Tantras - in a very precise and correct way. The main trans- ed the translators again in a smooth and hum- lator of the Dzogchen Community, Adriano Clemente, is so ble way, so that everybody could benefit from overloaded with translation work that he cannot take on working together. Like last year, the Shang- anymore responsibility. The idea of this training is to train Shung Institute/Austria granted some scholar- translators so that they will be able, in the near future, to ships to those unable to afford to come and translate Dzogchen texts. Rinpoche appointed the Tibetolo- stay in Margarita. gist and the newly approved Santi Maha Sangha Base Lev- The training lasted for forty-four days and was el teacher, Elio Guarisco, to be responsible for the training split into two parts: the first one was May 20 - and asked myself, Oliver F. Leick, the chairman of the June 10, 2004 and the second one from June Shang-Shung Institute/Austria, to be in charge of all the 24 - July 15, 2004. Most of the people took continued on next page 6 Translators continued from previous page Project for Lhasa, where he and his assistants However, more help is needed if part in both parts of the training, but some could only participate in one. Preservation of the have access to more advanced this project, scheduled to take The task of the training in 2004 was to translate the Mejung Tantra, an Sacred Texts technology and a better environ- three years, is to be completed ancient and marvelous Dzogchen Tantra. Chögyal Namkhai Norbu of Changchub Dorje ment suitable for the preservation successfully. There is need, for chose this text. It was clear right from the beginning that this work example, for a computer, a would be very difficult, as the Tantra is extremely difficult to translate ver the years, all of our printer, a scanner, and other and would never had been possible to complete without the generous Vajra brothers and sis- necessary equipment, as well and compassionate help of our Master. Everyone was very pleased and ters have heard Chö- as office space, and living O expenses for the people work- thankful that Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche himself visited the group of gyal Namkhai Norbu tell translators and gave a talk on the importance of the training, and espe- many wonderful stories about ing in the project. To give you cially on the particular text they were translating. Adriano Clemente the time Rinpoche spent with an idea of the work involved, also found some time to collaborate with the group for some days. Changchub Dorje. When Rin- each book averages about 500 The outer situation for the Training was absolutely perfect: It took place poche was young man, he pages. The cost for entering in a wonderful house very near to Gar, where people could work in a studied and transcribed the each page in the computer is 6 very concentrated way and not be disturbed by anybody. For individual gongter of his teacher Yuan RMB (a bit less than one study the participants could sit outside on the veranda, where they Changchub Dorje dictated dollar). Each page needs to be enjoyed a smooth cooling wind, and if they wanted they could also take from an open window while checked against errors four a swim in the swimming pool. Changchub Dorje visited times, and the first control of For the collective reading of the text, everybody sat in the house around patients. Changchub Dorje each page costs 2 Yuan, and a big, wonderful wooden table on comfortable chairs, using their own was quite prolific and left for the second, third and laptops. The number of translators was just perfect as everybody had his behind a legacy of about sixty fourth it costs 1 Yuen for each or her own place to sit and to work on the table. Everybody had the nec- books, spanning in content page. The total amount need- essary materials that are used for translations, like different kinds of dig- from to tra- ed equals 374,096 Yuen or ital Tibetan dictionaries, and even a connection to the Internet was sup- ditional Tibetan medicine and $45,621 US. plied which is not at all easy to get on Margarita Island. astrology. It is not a huge sum, especial- Everybody was very happy and expressed their gratitude that such a Unfortunately, after ly considering the immense precious and unique possibility for studying, learning and becoming a Changchub Dorje’s death, due benefit to result from this ini- qualified translator in the future was happening. They were thankful to the political instability of tiative. In order to make this that they could read and work with this old and fantastic text, even if it the times, the turmoil of the extraordinary project a reality, was a very difficult work as the text itself was so difficult to understand. Cultural Revolution, and donations are necessary. The teamwork or collective translation was very important for most of other socio-economic factors, of the handwritten originals (pre- the translators and they especially liked it since, in general, translators about ten volumes were lost and viously, in Khamdogar, mice and Please send contributions to: are used to working alone. now only fifty volumes remain. a leaky roof in the granary where The work was very intensive, concentrated and with a strict timetable. Recently, Rinchen Samdrub, a the blocks were stored ruined Shang-Shung Institute in America They worked six days a week, Monday to Friday, and dedicated the Khamdo native related to most of the original woodblocks). Att: Will Shea, Treasurer whole day for translation work. Saturday mornings and Sundays were Changchub Dorje’s descendants At present, they have already PO Box 277, Conway, MA 01341 used to relax. Their work was divided into two parts: individual work via marriage, contacted Chögyal begun to enter the texts in USA on the text and collective reading and discussion of the translations. The Namkhai Norbu to ask for his Samboda script into the comput- collective reading and discussion of the text was very helpful for every- help to preserve this important er. This is a process that requires Or use the link below for contri- one and that way they could learn and progress. Much emphasis was treasure trove of teachings. painstaking work. The handwrit- butions on line also put in the explanations and discussion of the correct meaning of According to Rinchen Samdrub, ten script of the originals is often Tibetan grammar, as this seems to be the crucial point, as a translation currently the coordinator of the hard to decipher, and once the http://shangshung.org/cgi- can only be good and especially precise if the translator knows and is project to preserve Changchub text has been input in the comput- bin/merchant2/merchant.mv? following the precise rules of Tibetan grammar. According to Elio, Dorje’s writings in Khamdogar, er, it is revised at least four times everybody who took part in this training could proceed in their way of Tibet, the remaining treasure to make sure there are no mis- If you choose the latter option, translating and improved their capacity of translating very much; the books of Changchub Dorje are takes or typos. Simultaneously, after making your donation, progress is really visible. seriously at risk of disappearing delicate originals are scanned please make sure to write an The group managed to finish the translation of this Tantra. The transla- because the village does not have before they deteriorate further. email to our treasurer, Will Shea, tion will first be rechecked by Elio Guarisco and Adriano Clemente and the financial resources to preserve Eventually the entire works of [email protected], specifying then edited into correct English. Afterward, the text will be ready to be them. Changchub Dorje will be printed the amount donated and the name published. Compelled by the urgency of the in one thousand copies, to be dis- of the project. For any other The following people took part in the Training (in alphabetic order of task, Rinchen Samdrub moved tributed among monasteries and information please contact the countries): the project’s base of operation to various schools. [email protected]. Finland, Mika Sillanpana France, Jean-Luc Schneider Shang-Shung Institute, Italy Germany, Saadet Arslan and Jakob Winkler Hungary, Attila A well-owed thanks and a warm welcome! Italy, Monica Gentile and Fabian Sanders The management of the Shang-Shung Institute, Italy, would like to thank Rita Renzi and Liz Granger, who Russia, Grisha Mokhin and Alexander Pubants in the last seven months has collaborated in the office work, for their precious collaboration. Rita leaves the Spain, Oriol Auguilar Institute after five years although she will continue to work on promoting new courses. Liz will continue to Ukraine, Igor Berkhin translate various textbooks for the Institute as they are readied for publication. Rita, whose name was pro- Jim Valby from the USA helped as a coordinator in the first part of the posed for collaborating with the Institute by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, has had a fundamental role in the training. growth and development of the Institute over the years for which we are very grateful. Liz was able to flank Rita part-time from February until the present. The Shang-Shung Institute Italy, would also like to welcome The special training in 2004 is over now, but the individual work for the Ana Lopez who from August 16, 2004, will become our new secretary. We give her our best wishes for her translators is not finished. In order to become a good and qualified future work and for an atmosphere of active collaboration and communication within the Institute. translator it is very important that one trains oneself several hours a day. Most of the participants of the training are fulfilling these requirements, as they either study or work at a university or are writing their thesis. CALENDAR OF ROME: October 16-17 First part of KU NYE first level It is planned that the training in 2005 will take place in Italy in Merigar, TEACHING Sixth and final weekend of the Cost: 720 Euro for the entire as Rinpoche will stay in Europe next year for some months. ACTIVITIES course of KU NYE first level course including teaching mater- As the responsible for the Shang-Shung Institute/Austria, I don’t want 2003-2004 ial to miss the opportunity to inform you about the financial aspect of the DEPARTMENT OF FLORENCE: October 23-24 Training for Translators from Tibetan. Until now, we have spent more MEDICINE Birth and pregnancy according to DECEMBER 2004 – than 20,000 Euros for the two trainings, which covered all the expens- SHANG SHUNG traditional Tibetan medicine FEBRUARY 17, 2005: es for the scholarships, the rent of the location and the costs of the INSTITUTE - ITALY Cost: 120 Euro TOUR IN AUSTRALIA instructor. The Training for Translators has been established as a per- Venue: Lycopodium Studi Information and reservations: manent task of the Shang- Shung Institute and in that way continuity, MERIGAR: September 18-24 medici quality and stability is guaranteed. If you think this training is some- Second part of the intensive Tel. 055483463 Milan: Elisa Copello thing important and worth support, we would be extremely happy if you FIRST YEAR COURSE OF tel: 0233607505, could collaborate with us financially. With your support we can grant TRADITIONAL TIBETAN ENGLAND: October 27-31 email: [email protected], more scholarships and do more translations, which again is for the ben- MEDICINE, which will last four Intensive course of MANTRA years. HEALING mob: 3387027207 efit for all beings interested in the Teachings. To offer support, please Rome: Anna Marie Clos: contact our Institute or send your donations online via our web site. MERIGAR: September 25-29 ENGLAND: November 2-11 tel. 065885142, email: Five day intensive course of Intensive course of KU NYE [email protected] Austria & Germany: DREAMS & MEDICINE FIRST LEVEL Contact information: Oliver Leick, Shang -Shung Institute/Austria Cost: 250 Euro ROME: November 13-14 email:[email protected] Gschmaier 139, 8265 Merigar: Secretary of the Shang Gr.Steinbach, Austria OCTOBER First part of KU NYE second level Shung Institute: tel.0564966941, Fax: +43 3386 83219, Email: [email protected] GERMANY: October 1-10 email: [email protected] The course will start with a theo- Web site: http://www.ssi-austria.at Intensive course of KU NYE Karma Ling: retical/practical exam of admis- FIRST LEVEL tel. 00330479257800; email: sion. [email protected], lhun- Cost: 750 Euro for the entire BOLOGNA, ITALY: October 15 [email protected] Lecture on Tibetan medicine and course of six weekends including England: Peter White, massage all teaching material [email protected] Libreria Ibis of Cesare Pilati Naples: Fabio Risolo, fabio.riso- NAPLES: November 26-28 [email protected]

T HE M IRROR A UG/SEPT 2004 7 The Shang-Shung Institute, Italy is pleased to announce His Holiness the CONFERENCE ON MOXA GIVEN BY CHOEGYAL NAMKHAI NORBU July 22 – 24, 2005 Miami, Florida, September 2004

The course is particularly intended for those who have attended the Institute’s medicine and massage cours- September 19th - 21st, 2004 es in Italy and abroad. Those who understand at least the general principles of Tibetan medicine may also A Public Talk on: attend. Registration for the course is mandatory and should be made no later than June 30, 2005. For reg- World Peace through Inner Peace & a Two-Day Buddhist istration and further information, please contact the Istituto Shang-Shung, Tel: 00390564966941, Email: Teaching [email protected] Teachings on the Instructions on the Garland of Views (The only written teachings by Padmasambhava) Bagchen World Tournament 2003 Institute, Austria started a new initiative. In the Organized by the beginning of 2003, with the help of Igor Berkhin and Long Life Empowerment Shang-Shung Institute, Austria Michel Bricaire, the Shang-Shung Institute, Austria, of the Combined Practice of Amitayus and Hayagriva Report by Oliver Leick organized the first ever held Bagchen World- Tournament in the West. Several Bagchen tourna- Long Life Practice In his book about Bagchen ments had to be played by the participants that took The Glory of Immortality Igor Berkhin writes: place in Moscow and in Merigar in written by Dubthob Chaksampa “Bagchen (bag chen) is an 2003. All the games were very dif- ficult and most of the players ancient Tibetan game that These are the last scheduled teachings by His Holiness in showed their very good skill. originated several thousands America this year. years ago and traces back to The final round finally took place in Spring, 2004, at Isla Margarita. the powerful non-human tribe Note: Spanish translation will be available. called Masang that in ancient Four qualified people - Igor Berkhin, Grisha Mokhin, Igor times inhabited Tibet together http://www.odn-usa.org/ with humans. Tibetan legends Kopanev and David Zuricchio - say that Masangs possessed were present there and played for very highly developed cul- several hours in order to find out ture, art, and science. There who was the best player. In the end, was time when people could as a result of qualified playing and Prayers for immediately communicate also being lucky, Grisha Mokhin His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s with Masangs and even marry was the first winner and Igor them. Some of Tibetan clans Grisha Mokhin (left), winner, congratulated by Oliver Leick Kopanev the second winner. Oliver Long Life trace their origins to the children begot in such mar- Leick, the director of the Shang-Shung Institute, Here are the dates and suggested practices: riages. It was Masangs from whom people received Austria, could congratulate Grisha personally in much ancient knowledge and skills. Masangs invent- Margarita in July 2004 for his win and handed over November 4th, Dec. 1st -25th ed dice that were originally used for divination and to him the winning prizes. Even, if unfortunately, not Mani and Prayer of , as many as possible. not for playing, and it was on the base of dice that all interested people could take part in these tourna- Bagchen stones were created. Tibetans believe that ments, it was a great success and made Bagchen Please inform Tashi Lama at even though Masangs are now invisible for humans, know to a larger group of people. If there are enough [email protected] the number of prayers they still continue to patronize games of hazard and requests for another Bagchen World Tournament, the accumulated. Thank you. bring good fortune to those they sympathize.” Shang-Shung Institute is ready to organize it in the As playing Bagchen has become very common with- near future. in the Dzogchen Community, the Shang-Shung teachers of the Santi Maha when I was in the college there ChNN Teaching continued from page 3 Sangha First Level, etc. We try to was no tape recorder. We cannot animals and then produce bread. don’t need umbrella, even if you is no problem if you don’t. We go ahead as much as possible. remember how many things our What is the difference? What is have a very nice umbrella made live in time and with circum- You remember how important teacher use to say in a single day. very important is that we are of silk and rainbow colors, if stance. Time and circumstance this is, particularly for me. When Today we can register everything more aware. If there is a possibil- there is no rain, what you do with change every day. We don’t know I work, or even in the night when and this is a positive develop- ity that we can be in a state of an umbrella? Some people have a which kind of situation we will I dream, Santi Maha Sangha is ment, not negative. contemplation or instant pres- very nice raincoat. That’s a fine. have tomorrow. For that reason it always very important. In ancient times in Tibet there ence, for just one second, you can When there is rain you use it. But is very, very important that we I told you when I had cancer were no books. Even if we want- make a really good cause for any when there is sunshine, hot really use the knowledge of how and they informed me, I thought ed to read and study, there were being. That is very, very impor- weather, do you put on a rain- to work with circumstance. This that my life was finished, at that no books. But now it is very easy tant. coat? People think you are abnor- is very important. time the only thing I was a little to find them, we can even make For example, with everything we mal. That is real. So some people worried about was the Santi copies very easily. This is not work with circumstance. This is say, “Oh, I learned this teaching, Transcribed by Hans-Georg Maha Sangha. I was not worried negative, it is positive. So if we very important. I am always say- this Ganapuja. I should do this Meschede, Munich, Germany for the Dzogchen Community, know how to manage and inte- ing, if there is rain, we need an everyday.” If you always have Edited by Naomi Zeitz my family, or myself, I was only grate then everything is fine, that umbrella. If there is no rain, we that possibility, that is fine, there sorry that I could not go on with is what we call Kuntuzangpo. So SMS TT continued from page 5 Santi Maha Sangha. Knowing the we don’t worry thinking, “Oh we For this reason we have Santi Maha Sangha and how to communicate and become familiar with the Dzogchen teaching is very, very are arriving in Kaliyuga and in particular the Santi Maha Sangha teachers. This is practices. Then you can become a good teacher, and important. What I have under- tomorrow there will be a terrible something very important. Some people think that when you start to teach you can improve. After mak- stood and communicate to my earthquake or some disaster of the only translating book is important, only keeping a ing one, two, three retreats one can learn a lot from students and I wish that this ocean”. Many years before some- book is important, only building a nice monastery is their experiences. In this way I can be confident that knowledge continues in the body had this theory that important. All this is secondary. Maintaining the those who present are good candidates, not only future. If people continue this California would go under water. knowledge, understanding, alive transmission, this is because they know the arguments, but also because teaching, I am convinced there They even sketched a map of the important. So this is the purpose of Santi Maha they have real knowledge. will be some kind of evolution. area in US that would not be Sangha Teacher Training. Remember that we have tawa, gonpa and chöpa. Teaching really helps all beings, flooded and many people got We have already done Santi Maha Sangha Tawa, the View, is related more to intellectual stud- particularly human beings. Our worried and concentrated in the Teacher Training in 2002, and we have a book where ies, what we learn. Gonpa means being in the knowl- human condition is impermanent area where Tsegyalgar is. But you all the information regarding Santi Maha Sangha edge and dealing with it in one’s existence. Chöpa and changing. This change we do not worry in this way, you training is kept. In that year we qualified ten teach- means attitude, if one is too limited, does something call development. This is true. relax and enjoy and work with ers. That training was for fifteen or sixteen people, wrong and creates problems between students, then When I arrived in Italy for the circumstances. If there is rain you but only ten qualified. They are Jim Valby, Grisha your chöpa is not good. There is no need of the first time, for example, there were take the umbrella, when it does Mokhin, Igor Berkhin, Adriano Clemente, Che Goh teacher or anyone else to tell you. If you can under- only a few televisions, but after not rain you do not need it. That is from Singapore, Jacob Winkler from Germany, stand it yourself it is much better. So you check well some years it developed and now an example of how to work with Costantino Albini from Italy, Elisabeth Stuchbury if your tawa, gonpa and chöpa are sufficient for pre- everybody has television. The circumstances. You go ahead with from Australia, Elias Capriles from Venezuela, the senting yourself as a candidate. same thing with tape recorders, your awareness, knowledge, and special philosopher, and Angie Gilbert from Now we give the diplomas for becoming a etc., now we have computers and what you have learned. In this Australia. Now we have four new qualified teachers. teacher of the Base of Santi Maha Sangha. Here is internet and we think this is way, everything will go well. I want to say to all the new candidates who qual- my name and here is your name. And here is my seal, something very superior, but after Also our teachers communi- ify, the important thing is how we communicate, and it is an historical one, you can learn about it. There five or seven years there will be cate this knowledge to people and that knowledge does not only remain at the intellec- are also two gifts. One is the [drawing] Guardian other things. We don’t even know don’t complicate things. tual level because otherwise there is not much value. Dorje Legpa. He collaborates with you if you do the name of these new things. Otherwise they think they are That also means that when you have the possibility, everything perfectly, but if you do not do things in a This is how the world changes. developing and read this book from time to time, you can find time to make some perfect way, then Dorje Legpa is not happy and Many people consider this and that book, and in the end they qualified retreat. If you listen to how other people things manifest naturally. The other is Gomadevi. development is not very good. complicate things. Books are explain, you can also learn many things. Many Dzogchen teachings I give are connected with They speak of degeneration of always relative, sometimes if you We now have now fourteen Santi Maha Sangha the Longsal Nyinthig, so for this reason I am giving Kaliyuga, and problems. Maybe really have knowledge you do not teachers in total. We will also go ahead with the Santi you this. So, Jey Clark, Elio Guarisco, Alexander the condition is that way, but we need many books. Also in the Maha Sangha Teachers’ Training in the future. But Poubans, Fabio Risolo. Now you do your best, train must integrate with that. If we practice, going only with A is the please, if you want to present as a candidate in the your experience as a teacher and deepen your knowl- have the capacity to integrate, most essential. So we should go future, please prepare very well, not only on the edge in the various level of Santi Maha Sangha and then everything can develop. I directly to that point. arguments of the Base book, but you should train in in the future there will also be other trainings for always think that it is a pity that

8 book and film reviews Buddhist Practice On review, I didn’t exactly begin sali- Movie Review: Spring, tionship, the teachings on cause natural medicines and the healing Western Ground: vating to read it. Summer, Autumn, Winter and effect, pacifying anger and process—a mysterious balance of Reconciling Eastern Nonetheless, the author does by Kim Ki-duk hatred through realizing the body mind harmonization con- Ideals and Western make some interesting points. Tartan Films, 2004 essence of the prajnaparamita nected to the primal energies of Psychology. One of the best aspects of his (In Korean with subtitles) teachings and finally, the necessi- the natural world. On a grander by Harvey Aronson book is the attempt to show how ty for purification. There are so scale, the film’s gorgeous cine- Boston, , 2004 some Western students distort the Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter many instances of humor, heart- matography contemplates the Teachings by assimilating them is a masterful Buddhist film that break, sexiness, and liveliness; I notion of timelessness in time When I first became seriously to Western cultural predisposi- conveys, with minimal language, wouldn’t want to spoil the experi- against the backdrop of the ele- interested in , in the tions. an authentic view of the ence of viewing the film by citing mental forces of nature. Spring is 1970’s, there were no good books Due to “the psychological path. Utilizing the them. Filmmaker, Kim Ki-duk, the time of the young child’s on the relationship between psy- emphasis found in modern majestic visuals found in a remote has crafted an extraordinary work curiosity and playful cruelty; Western culture” valley hermitage afloat on a pris- which manages to convey with Summer, —the youthful monk’s many will “use time tine lake with an eye to classic little dialog an action filled plot lusty experiments and heartbreak- on the cushion to aesthetic, this film illumi- with ordinary themes of suffer- ing tears roused like sudden rain- immerse ourselves nates the larger questions of life. ing, forgiveness, selflessness and storms; Autumn - the crisp bitter- in the contents of The film accomplishes this by compassion anyone can relate to. ness of betrayal and radiant dis- our mind, rather aligning the seasons with the Were it not for the few graphic play of forgiveness culminating than observe the unfolding story of a teacher/stu- scenes of sexuality and violence, in Winter - with the solitude of process” as instruct- dent relationship between an this would be a film you could the mature monk (his master long ed. Beyond this elderly monk and his disciple take your kids, your parents, and dead) now a sage in his own right, pervasive cultural whom we follow through life your grandparents to. returning to the hermitage to influence, certain amid the unchanging presence of On the richer symbolic level, the begin the cycle anew with a heart personality charac- the floating hermitage itself in the film conveys an atmosphere of of compassion at last unlocked teristics “lend them- seasonal cycles. mystery that subtly infuses the from its inner chambers. Spring, selves to particular The film’s genius lies in its syn- unfolding story without compro- Summer, Autumn, Winter evokes interpretations of thesis of a slowly revealed story, mising its integrity in easy resolu- the quietude of Zen art in which Buddhist teachings. season by season, of the mischie- tions. Like the hermitage itself, nature serves as a mirror for the Individuals who vous child’s coming of age with animals are actors in this drama unconditional purity of mind, find difficulty with an unpredictable but credible plot that serve to draw out the inner eternally present through the commitment and of one person’s path to realiza- qualities of the characters. Even cycles of change. Here we are motivation often tion. This young heart disciple is architectural details convey mul- brought to the evervesant state of find in no saint. The elder monk’s kind- tiple meanings such as the place- mind made famous by the Zen Buddhist language ness is ever present through his ment of a door dividing the sleep- poet, Issa, “The world of dew /in that counsels renun- laconic ordinariness and under- ing space and the shrine space the world of dew/And yet, and ciation and non- stated humor, even in sternness. without walls or the guardian por- yet…” This is a great film not to attachment. Such Practitioners will appreciate this tal at the shore of the lake through be missed. chotherapy and meditation. student see only what they psy- film for its lack of sentimentality which the film’s characters pass and Roshis had little to chologically need to see” rather about the master/disciple rela- in and out. Other unusual aspects by Jacqueline Gens say about it. And most psycholo- than what is actually presented in of this film are scenes relating to gists had a very primitive under- the tradition (p. vi). standing of meditation. The The author gives the example of a “best” psychology book available weeklong meditation retreat Buddha Mom: The Path and perfection of nature.” Once Jacqueline Kramer actually at the time was Herbert Benson’s attended by ethnic Chinese and of Mindful Mothering, Reading this love-fest initially gets on the path, however, with “The Relaxation Response,” white American participants. At by Jacqueline Kramer made me wonder what realm this the section comprising the rest of which viewed meditation one- the end of the retreat the partici- Tarcher/Putnam,2003; woman was living in. After feel- the book entitled “THE PRAC- dimensionally as a method for pants were asked to describe their $23.95 ing waves of inadequacy wash TICE on the PATH” she clearly calming oneself. The worst and realizations. The Chinese spoke over me, I was able to acknowl- hits her stride. She shares with us stupidest books equated medita- of repentance and of realizing Who is Jacqueline Kramer? She’s edge the judgments that were sur- how after becoming a mother she tion states with “regression” (a how selfish they usually were. certainly not a traditional facing (a true exercise in putting realized her path was not that of bad word in psychology) to an The white Americans spoke of Buddhist guru with retreat centers all that “Buddhist awareness” to the revered Buddhist nun but “infantile omnipotent state.” getting “in touch with them- and students traveling halfway work), and then simply kept read- instead that of a Buddhist layper- Lacking guidance from either selves” and gaining strength to around the world to hear her ing. After all, I reasoned, I didn’t son, a “”. She writes side, I had to struggle on my own “cope with the pressures of soci- teachings. Nor does she have an want to discount someone just “When I came to a crossroads in for many years to try to figure it ety” exotic name or an important spir- because they (unlike me) actually my life, with mothering and all out. Did meditation practice (p. 1). These were two very dif- itual title. But there is no doubt really, really, really, enjoyed householding pointing in one and psychotherapy ultimately ferent, yet culturally conditioned, that she has some serious experi- being pregnant. direction and the contemplative take one to the same place? Or responses. ence under her belt. My patience soon paid off, as I life in the other, I went to see my were they in opposition? In retro- Modern Western culture is indi- Kramer has been a practicing read about Kramer’s initial expe- teacher and sought her counsel. I spect now the answer is glaringly vidualistic, and many Westerners Buddhist for 25 years and a prac- riences with Buddhism. She was was enraptured by the beauty and obvious. When the Dharma are more “detached” from signif- ticing mother for 21 of those drawn to do her first retreat power of the spiritual life I was teachings address relative truth - icant relationships and from a years. In her debut book Buddha because of strong feelings of seeing. The rapture was broken such as behaving responsibly, sense of community than people Mom, she proves that her dedica- unaccountable anger that were by the sound of my teacher’s being aware of our motivations, from more traditional Buddhist tion to these two callings and her ever-present within her. Adding voice informing me, point blank, healing damaged relationships - societies. Some Western Dharma integration of them makes her an fuel to the fire was the Buddhist that if I was meant to be a some of the same issues can be students then “spiritualize” this authority on the subject. The nun Anagarika Dhamma Dinna Buddhist nun I would be doing so dealt with by psychotherapy. But state of indifference to others, book is part memoir, part parent- who became her teacher for the now. She said that since I was when Dharma teachings address falsely equating it with the more ing-manual, and filled to the gills next 20 years. Personally greeting clearly engaged in the life of a absolute truth, there is a parting of positive “detachment” that is with inspirational verse; Kramer at the gate of the retreat householder, I would get the most the way. Chögyal Namkhai described in the teachings. As a Jacqueline Kramer throws every- center, Anagarika takes one look benefit from committing fully to Norbu expresses this in his book- result, there is often not a strong thing into the mix. She shares at Kramer and says “So, you’re in that path.” Kramer then sets to let “”: sense of Sangha, and of connec- what she has learned during her the hate group”. Thinking back to work at seeking and finding holi- “What can happen to a person if tion among practitioners. personal journey and lays out the incident Kramer reflects that ness in what she had previously he mixes the Teachings with psy- Although the author makes other simple tools anyone can use to “She said exactly what I needed viewed as merely the mundane. chotherapy and then teaches it to points as well, these seemed to awaken and nourish the sacred to hear in order to get right down Kramer deftly outlines the basic other people? It doesn’t mean me to be the among the most sig- inherent in parenting and every- to the business of clearing up my principles of Buddhism in one cannot use psychotherapy in nificant. day life. murky consciousness. During straightforward language and their personal life. . .but one As a Buddhist mom myself, with that retreat there were many times then shows how they can be should also know the vast differ- by Paul Bail a new 18 month old guru, and I just wanted to scream, to leave.” incorporated into the experiences ence between the two. . .This meditation cushions now gather- The author leads us to this newly of everyday mothering. Her chap- does not mean Dzogchen needs ing dust between each use, I was edgy revelation, but that’s all we ters on Simplicity, Homemaking, psychotherapy to be complete. hungry for some tips on Buddhist get; she doesn’t share with us the Nurturance, Cleaning, Joyful Instead, Dzogchen neither rejects inspired “enlightened” parenting. process of how she got from Service, Self-Love, or accepts anything in life, but Kramer kicks off the book with undercurrents of anger to the Unconditional Love, Faith, and makes everything the path of con- her warm-and-fuzzy memories of dreamy love haze of pregnancy Meditation reflect deeply on templation” (p. 27-28). pregnancy and birthing. She three years later. She touches on mothering and the practice of the In the years since I began to writes: “I loved being pregnant. I her struggles but does not bring Buddhist teachings. She shows us understand this, some thoughtful loved the power and sensuality of us into their depths. This has the how enlightenment is really just books have come out on the topic, it. I loved taking a step out of my disappointing effect of distancing being present and mindful while by such authors as John Welwood egocentric world into a realm and excluding the reader. I had doing the everyday “chores” of and Mark Epstein. But, I must where I was just a function of this experience at various times motherhood and householding. confess I’ve only glanced at Nature, one piece of an enormous throughout “SETTING FOOT on She invites us to re-awaken to the them, because the subject just puzzle. Pregnancy brought me the PATH” which includes the sensual and healing qualities of doesn’t interest me that much into the moment and back to my first three chapters and comprises washing dishes and “creating nur- anymore. So, when Naomi Zeitz elemental, sensual earthiness, the whole first section of the turing meals”. handed me Aronson’s book to connecting me with the wisdom book. I read this book during the few continued on page 19

T HE M IRROR A UG/SEPT 2004 9 LIFE INSIDE TIBETAN SCHOOLS The mission of ASIA long-distance sponsorship project in Amdo by Linda Fidanzia

fter the monitoring mission carried out last autumn in the Tibetan region of Amdo – the Chinese Aprovince of Qinghai – I set out this spring with Wolfgang Schweiger, a German doctor who works with ASIA, in order to complete the work that had been started for the schools in Dongche, Grazingland and Thanggan and to collect all the information necessary to begin the new projects. In fact, starting next semester, ASIA will ini- tiate two projects for study bursaries (Project no.0592 and 0593) to permit students who have finished the middle school in Grazingland and Dongche to attend high school, and three new projects of long-distance adoption (Project no. 0526, 0527 and 0528) in the provinces of Qinghai and Gansu. It was very important to be there in person both to moni- tor the management of the project on the part of the local referents and to observe the impact of these projects on the local community, as well as verifying the results that have been achieved. In the three schools that are supported by ASIA in this area, the long-distance adoption project has had a very strong and positive impact for the entire village, increasing the literacy rate and improv- ing the living conditions within the school. There are three very different sit- uations: Dongche is a village of farm education system is the commitment of the teachers and the workers where Chinese colonization is solidarity of the village people. Since there are no beds at very pronounced (from 3% Chinese pop- the school and the distance to cover each day to school is ulation about 50 years ago to the current enormous, the families who live close to the school cur- 60%); the school in Grazingland belongs rently host from 4 to 6 children in their own homes while to a farm which manages a large part of the teachers have personally gone into debt in order to give the surrounding territory and which has the new generation an opportunity to study. ASIA has badly upset the lives of the inhabitants already begun the construction of dormitories, a kitchen (originally nomadic shepherds who now and a refectory here so that a greater number of children have to farm the land) and the environ- can attend the school next autumn. ment, more and more devastated by With the aim of supporting this population in their effort to desertification; the school in Thanggan guarantee an education for future generations in Tibet, is situated at an altitude of about 3,200 starting next semester (July 2004), ASIA is presenting new meters in the midst of the mountains projects in this area to guarantee not only a basic education which are covered in snow most of the and suitable living conditions within the schools of com- year and is inhabited by nomadic shep- pulsory education, but also the opportunity to go on to herds. higher studies and reach a higher level of education.

SAD Projects in the Tibetan Amdo Region

New Projects Shala primary school – Project 0526

Founded in 1993 by a nomadic shepherd con- cerned about edu- cation in the vil- lage, the Shala primary school is situated in a remote area of Malho Prefecture, in the Chinese Province of Qinghai, along 60 km of rough dirt road from Malho county. The area is inhabited by mary school in Meshi, Gansu Tibetan and Thanks to long-distance support, the number of children province has no kitchen and the dor- Mongolian enrolled in all three schools has greatly increased, so much mitories are not big enough for all minority groups so that the schools that originally were half-empty are over- the students. For this reason, the who make a liv- crowded today. Besides the economic possibility that sup- children, most of whom live at the ing raising yak port gives to the poorest families who otherwise would not school for about 10 months of the and sheep. 80% have been able to send their children to school, the living year, are fed for months on the food of the population conditions of the children within the schools have supplies that their parents provide when they are able and is considered “poor” by the government. The difficult cli- improved considerably, with ASIA covering the school which often deteriorate over time (usually tsampa: butter, matic conditions – very severe winters and scarce precipi- fees, these structures are able to manage the numerous toasted barley flour and tea). A large number of them sleep tation – make life extremely harsh at an altitude of 3,200 expenses to be met. They have a kitchen for preparing at the nearby monastery which helps as much as it can, just m., particularly for the children who often have more than meals, the quality of the food has improved, and there is as the village does. a two-hour walk to school. In 2000, with financing from medicine and heating for the winter months. Moreover the At the primary and middle school in Rigmo in Qinghai the Embassy of Holland, ASIA constructed two buildings summer training courses for English teachers and the pres- province, there are not enough chairs and tables in some of in place of the old stable which previously served as a ence of foreign teachers in some of the schools has the classrooms and the children have to follow the lessons classroom, and in the spring of this year began construction improved the level of knowledge of this very important sitting on the floor. The dormitories are overcrowded to the on nine classrooms and dormitories, thus permitting the language for a people who are so isolated from the rest of point that in some rooms up to 40 or 50 children sleep. school to host the 120 children who attend it at the the word. What strikes you the most is that entry to the school is moment. And, most of all, the inhabitants of these villages are never denied; the poorest children who cannot afford the In September 2004, long-distance support for 30 children becoming more and more aware of the importance of edu- school fees are supported by the teachers themselves who from the poorest families in the village will start which will cation for the future of their children and for Tibetan cul- in order to give a greater number of children the possibili- cover scholastic fees including all expenses for each stu- ture. ty to study are willing to renounce part of their own (mea- dent (food, lodging, heating, medicine, textbooks, exercise Visiting new schools in the provinces of Qinghai and ger!) salaries. books, etc.). Gansu, the difference strikes the eye immediately. The pri- Even at Shala in Qinghai province, the driving force of the continued on next page 10 dren belonging to the poorest families. with the external world. Rigmo primary and middle school – Project 0527 Scholarships for students of the Dongche (0592) and Thanks to the constant presence of foreign English teach- Grazingland (0593) Middle School ers, the Dongche School has become one of the most The Rigmo primary school is located in Gonghe county in renowned and sought after schools in the area. Hainan Prefecture in the Chinese province of Qinghai. At The Scholarships will offer the most deserving and needy The project that started in 2002 with 40 students now has an altitude of about 3,200 meters, it is situated in an area students who finish the middle schools of Dongche and 77 who are supported long-distance. inhabited by about 12,000 people belonging mostly to the Grazingland (Hainan Prefecture) the opportunity to attend Grazingland primary and middle school – Project 0522 Tibetan and Mongolian minorities. Along with another 8 high school. In order to select the 15 students who will ben- small schools in the village, the primary school hosts 1,300 efit from the Scholarships starting this year, besides their As in the other schools in the area, the children at students. In September of this year, it will also become a economic situation and progress at school, the aptitude and Grazingland in Hainan Prefecture in the Chinese Province middle school. The inhabitants of the area are of Qinghai, wake up at 6.30, have breakfast at 7.00 and nomadic shepherds but due to the harsh climatic start lessons at 8.00 which, with a break of two hours conditions they often cannot depend on provisions for lunch and an hour for dinner, continue until 21.00. from their own livestock and live in very poor con- They study with an uncommon earnestness and dili- ditions. The mortality rate is very high and about gence, taking advantage of all their spare time to go 10% of the students are orphans. over, repeat and study their subjects in depth. The area The school was founded in 1987 and makes use of surrounding the school has a desolate look; the desert an old military base from 1957. The buildings are is progressively consuming the meadows, advancing very old and the school is overcrowded. The long- before one’s very eyes and making the landscape distance adoption project will start in September almost lunar. It’s hardly believable. The agricultural 2004 with help for 30 children who are orphans policy adopted by the government is one of the causes and very poor and for whom a quota will be paid to of this dramatic desertification that, besides radically cover all the costs necessary for maintaining them altering the landscape, has impoverished the popula- within the school. tion and eradicated traditions and ways of life. In two years, from 2002 until today, the children sup- Meshi primary school – Project 0528 ported by the long-distance project have gone from 12 to 107. Meshi primary school is situated in a remote rural area 120 km from Xiahe county, in the Gannan Tibetan desire of each student to contribute to the development of Thanggan primary school – Project 0523 Autonomous Prefecture in the Chinese Province of Gansu. his or her own community will be taken into account. The It is an area inhabited by farmers who cultivate barley and objective is to train worthy people who will be able to give At an altitude of 3,200 meters, Thanggan School is situated rape. The land is subdivided into plots which are smaller their own distinctive contribution to society and keep the in the midst of the meadow-covered mountains where than the average size assigned to each person by the gov- culture and identity of the Tibetan people alive. sheep, goats and yak with their herders (often women and ernment (0.8 mu) and are often too dry, because of the children) are the only form of life to be seen for miles and scarce precipitation, to give a good harvest. Projects in progress miles. The children are dirty, often barefoot with very light More than half of the 108 students cannot stay at the school threadbare clothes yet always smiling and very curious. because it is too small and are hosted at the nearby Dongche primary and middle school – Project 0505 They come from the families of nomadic herders and are monastery founded two centuries ago by the Gelugpa sect, often seen only once a semester because they are too distant destroyed during the Cultural Revolution and today Farmers, who live off the harvests from their own land and too poor to afford the journey. Here the land is wild, restored or partially reconstructed. The school is located at (essentially barley, wheat, rape), inhabit the village of magnificent, uncontaminated. There is neither electricity the center of the district that includes another 3 small vil- Dongche in Hainan Prefecture in Qinghai Province. Three nor water – the women walk tens of miles to bring water lage schools and receives no support from the government. different ethnic groups - Chinese, Tibetan and Muslim - live from the well. Even the school has no water and the chil- It has no possibility to provide meals for the students (there together, not without difficulty, in the area that is under a dren sleep 10 and 12 to a room without heating on a single are no funds for either a kitchen or food) who are forced to strong Chinese influence. Thanks to long-distance support, bed made of concrete platform along one side of the room, live off the scanty provisions that their families bring on the children in the area have an opportunity to study and sometimes covered with carpets or mats, other times bare. and off. learn about Tibetan culture and traditions (by now many of The project was started in 2003 with 25 children assisted The long-distance adoption project will start in September them do not even know how to speak Tibetan) and an inter- long-distance. Today there are 48. 2004 and aims to assist the school by supporting 30 chil- national language which will permit them to have contact

ASIA CALENDAR& CARDS 2005

ASIA onlus Association for International Solidarity in ASIA Via San Martino della Battiglia 31 00185 Rome, Italy Tel: 06 44340034/35 Fax: 06 44702620 www.asia-onlus.org – [email protected]

T HE M IRROR A UG/SEPT 2004 11 INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY CONTACTS

ARGENTINA DENMARK ITALY NEW CALEDONIA “Kundrolling” Tashigar* Anne-Grethe Nyeng Merigar* Comunita Dzogchen Marie Lascombes Olga Ochirova Rosa Altamirano – Secretary Fax:45 33 11 32 43 Liane Graf-Secretary Noumea Email: [email protected] Comunidad Dzogchen Email: [email protected] Arcidosso, 58031 GR, Italy Email: [email protected] Tashigar Tel: 39 0 564 966837 Buryatian Community Calle pública S/N ESTONIA Fax: 39 0 564 968110 NEW ZEALAND “Namselling” Tanti 5155 Estonia: Email: Kathy Arlidge (temporarily) Alexander Vyaznikovtzev Pcia. de Córdoba Svetlana Kollyakova [email protected] [email protected] Email: [email protected] Tel & Fax: 0054- 3541-498 356 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Azamling NORWAY Kalmikian Community FINLAND Moreno Marcato Gordon Cranmer “Namgyalling” AUSTRALIA Mika Sillanpaa Via Culasso 2 4157 Utstein Kloster Mosteroy Denisova, Tatyana Namgyalgar Dzogchen Kuhankeittajankatu 22 14053 Canelli Tel: 47 4 514705 2-Y Microraion-14 apt.3 Community in Australia* 50190 Mikkeli AT 0141 Elista, Kalmikiya 358000 Vicki Forscutt - Secretary Finland Community Web site: Email: [email protected] PO Box 14 Central Tilba, Email: [email protected] JAPAN http://go.to/dzogchen.no NSW 2546 Tsugiko Kiyohashi Raisa Nemgirova Tel/Fax: 61 02 4473 7668 FRANCE 5-11-23 Shimomeguro Meguro- PERU ul.A-Sanana, 64, Email: [email protected] Association Dzogchen Ku Comunidad Dzogchen del Peru Elista, Kalmikiya 358004 Web site: www.dzogchen.org.au Dejam Ling, Le Deves Tokyo Dzogchen Community of Peru F30570 St Andre de Tel: (office) 81 3 3712 7507 Juan Bustamante (Hota) Vladivostok Dzogchen Gar Majencoules Fax: 81 3 3716 7248 Enrique Palacios 1125-C, Community “Kunsanling” Geköes of Namgyalgar - Tel: 33-(0)467824490 Miraflores, Lima 18, Peru Tel: 007 4232 266000 Bob Gardner Web site: www.association- Junichi Chigira Tel: 445 5003, Fax 447 2984, cel Email: [email protected] Tel: 61(0)2 4473 7770 dzogchen.org [email protected] 946 7542 morye.ru Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] GERMANY Edgar Cooke Bair Ochirov AUSTRIA Dzogchen Gemeinscaft [email protected] POLAND Email: [email protected] Peter Sochor c/o Svetlana Riecke Wspolnota Dzogczen Dzogchen Community of Ringstr.28 LATVIA Skr.pocztowa 331 Igor Drabyazg Vienna, Austria 35112 Oberwalgem Padmaling 30-950 Krakow Email: [email protected] Götzgasse 2/10, A-1100 Tel: 49 6426 967148 Beljutins Elena Email: [email protected] Wien, Austria Fax: 49 6426 967149 Lepju 5-55 Irkutsk Dzogchen Community: Tel: 0043 1 602 91 16 Email: [email protected] Riga LV 1016 Cezary Wozniak Tamara Dvoretzkaya Email: [email protected] Tel: 371 -2-437343 31-510 Krakow Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] GREAT BRITAIN Fax: 371-7-187233 Ul. 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Cape Town Email: [email protected] Budapest, H-1161 Vikki Floyd St. Petersburg Community 7925, South Africa Email: [email protected] G.P.O. Box 8974 “Sangyeling” Tel: 27-21-4470129 Milan Polasek - Yellow Gakyil CPC 069 Email: [email protected] Fax: 27-21-4221265 Tel: 00 42 0 604 878 100 ISRAEL Thamel Email: Email: Noa Blass Kathmandu St. Petersburg Shang-Shung [email protected] [email protected] Biltmore Street 15 Res.Tel# 00977-1-4270106 Editions 62194 Tel Aviv (after 8.00 p.m.) Email: [email protected] SPAIN Web site: Tel/Fax: 972 3 605 75 43 [email protected] Dzogchen Community, Spain http://www.dzogchen.cz Buryatian Community Apt. Postal 46220 continued on next page 12 WORLD WIDE TRANSMISSION: 28028 Madrid 5717 N. Washtenaw Ave. Chicago, IL 60659 ANNIVERSARY OF ADZOM DRUGPA SWEDEN Tel: 773 784 4168 9th Tibetan month – 25th day Alexander & Pernilla Email: [email protected] Dobronravoff Sunday November 7th 2004 Ulrikedalsvagen 6i #201 Dzogchen Community West 224 58 Lund, Sweden Coast Tel: 046 13 70 34 Dondrup Ling Mobile: 073 655 1968 2748 Adeline St. Suite D Email: pernilla_liedgren_dobron- Berkeley, CA 94703 [email protected] Tel: 510 644 2260 The Mirror Email: aha@dzogchencommuni- Newspaper of the SWITZERLAND tywest.org International Monique Leguen Web site: www.dzogchencom- Dzogchen Community of 12 D ch.Maisonneuve munitywest.org Chögyal Namkhai Norbu CH-1219 Chatelaine Tel/Fax : 0041-22-7973721 Dzogchen Community of New Email: [email protected] Mexico Main Office: Julia Deisler PO Box 277 TAIWAN PO Box 1838 Conway, MA01341 Armim Lee Santa Fe, NM 87504 ABOUT THE WORLD WIDE TRANSMISSION: USA Tel: 886-2-23250697 Email: [email protected] Tel: 413 369 4208 Fax: 886-2-23258857 Newcomers who want to participate in this Transmission must be truly Fax: 413 369 4473 Lidian King interested in the Teachings transmitted by our Teacher Chögyal Email: Sophia Wu PO Box 1014 Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche and practiced in our worldwide Dzogchen [email protected] Email: Crestone, CO 81131 Community. Participation of newcomers in this World Wide [email protected] Tel: 719 256 5263 Transmission should try to receive Teachings from Chögyal Namkhai European Office: Email: [email protected] Norbu in the future. After having received this Transmission, they The Mirror THAILAND should also try to train and collaborate with the Sangha of the Merigar Geoffrey Blake & Lynne New York Dzogchen International Dzogchen Community of Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche. Arcidosso Klapecki Community Originally our Teacher, Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, had the idea of a 58031 GR 33 Soi Lang Suan - Ploenchit Rd Email: kathydmcgrane@hot- "Transmission on Distance", because he wanted to help people in dif- Italy Bangkok 10330 mail.com ficult situations, who could not travel at that time to meet the Teacher. Email: [email protected] Tel. 66 -2-2543555 or The Transmission will enable them to practice the Dzogchen Teachings Tel: 39 3298865292 Tel. 66-2-2545532 or Susan Indich transmitted by him, without needing direct contact with the Teacher at Fax: 39 0564- 968 110 Tel. 66-2-2549061 (direct line) 129 Kaelepulu Dr. Kailua that time. Email: [email protected] Hawaii, 96734 Editorial Staff: Tel: 808 261 3469 Here is a short summary of how this Live-Video-Empowerment works: Naomi Zeitz, UKRAINE Fax: 808 524 4342 Tsegyalgar Kiev: Email: [email protected] 1. To receive the World Wide Transmission, new students need to par- Conway, MAUSA Alexander Kirkevitch ticipate with an experienced student who will host both the preliminary Email: [email protected] Jerene explanation as well as the actual practice. The explanations should be Liz Granger P.O. Box 2181 given by a long-time student of Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche, well in Merigar Kharkov Community Kealakekua, Hi. 96750 advance of the event. Arcidosso, Italy “Karmaling”: Tel: 808 323-9714 2. Hosts of the Empowerments with the videotape should be Members Igor Mironenko Email: [email protected] of the International Dzogchen Community. Literary Editor: Email: [email protected] 3. For new and interested persons, it is important to have seen the John Shane VENEZUELA explanation of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu that is also on the videotape, in Donetzk: advance. They should also have the possibility to clarify doubts about Advisors: Igor Berkhin Tashigar North Gakyil: the practice on the videotape with some serious, dedicated, older stu- Adriano Clemente Email: [email protected]; dhar- [email protected] dents of Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche before the Empowerment. Anna Eid [email protected] 4. Exactly at the given time (see timetable) at your place, you start the Barbara Paparazzo Tashigar Norte Transmission-Video at the starting point of the part of the Anniversary Des Barry Chernigov: Calle Bolivar Nro 32 of the Master Padmasambhava. At that moment - worldwide - students Jim Valby Alexander Belskiy Valle de Pedro Gonzalez and newcomers start to practice together with Chögyal Namkhai Norbu. Email: [email protected] Municipio Gomez, Isla de Master and students simultaneously practice together this session of Layout & Design: Margarita Thun, which ends with a dedication of merits. N. Zeitz Odessa: Taras Kravtchenko Carmen Rivas We wish you all a successful practice. Illustration: Email: [email protected] PO Box Apartado Postal 123 Please contact your local Community for details. p 7 Changchub Dorje by Juan Griego Nigel Wellings Crimean Community Margarita, Venezuela “Dedrolling”: Email: Schedule Web Site Managers: Valeriy Fesun [email protected] Malcolm Smith Email: malmayak@a- 01.00 Wellington, Auckland John Herr teleport.com Pablo Lau Rivera 02.00 Hawaii Lhundrubgar Pba. Res. 03.00 Fairbanks Printer: Simferopol/Yalta Community: Pedermales Av. 04.00 San Francisco, Los Angeles, Vancouver Turley Publications Roman Suhostavskiy Paez Montalban II 05.00 Denver, Salt Lake City, Pagosa Springs, Edmonton Palmer, MA Email: [email protected] 1021 Caracas 06.00 Chicago, Mexico City USA Tel: 58 2 4421434 07.00 New York, Conway, Montreal, Atlanta, Detroit, USA Fax: 58 2 340643 Havana, Kingston, Indianapolis, Ottawa, Lima, Quito Distribution: Tsegyalgar* Email: [email protected] 08.00 Caracas Tsegyalgar at Ed Hayes -Secretary 09.00 Buenos Aires, Sao Paolo, Rio de Janeiro, Santiago Conway, P.O. 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If not please 19.00 Bangkok, Jakarta, Saigon All material ©2004 by contact 20.00 Singapore, Beijing, Lhasa, Manila, Hong Kong, by The Mirror Pat Martin [email protected] Kuala Lumpur, Taipei, Perth Reprint by permission only Yellow Gakyil Thank you! 21.00 Tokyo, Seoul We reserve the right to edit Dzogchen Community of Alaska The Mirror 22.00 Brisbane, Vladivostok all subsmissions PO Box 35805 22.30 Adelaide Juneau, AK 99803 23.00 Kamchatka, Melbourne, Sydney Tel: 907-780-6643 ?? Lynn Sutherland

T HE M IRROR A UG/SEPT 2004 13 INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY NEWS

Merigar m e r i g a r Dzogchen Community in Italy Arcidosso 58031 Annual General Assembly at Merigar GR Italy Once again the annual general assembly of members was held at Tel:39 0564 968 837 Merigar in the Gonpa on Friday July 30, 2004. The first item on the Email:[email protected] agenda was the election of the new Gakyil with 5 new people stepping Web site: web.tiscalinet.it/merigar in to replace those who were leaving. The Gakyil for 2004 – 2005 consists of:

Blue Sergio Quaranta – Director Pia Barilli – Vice-Director Virginia Policreti

Yellow Marinella Atzeni Giorgio Dallorto Alfredo Colitto

Red Marco Almici Patrizia Moscatelli Andrea Calducci

Geköes Robin Bennett

Next, the budget for 2003 was briefly presented and it was noted that income had decreased over the year because there had been no big retreats with Chögyal Namkhai Norbu. It was also apparent that the Impressions of the Month Long Santi Maha Sangha, income from membership was not sufficient to cover the running costs Vajra Dance and Yantra Yoga Practice Retreat at Merigar of Merigar and there was a feeling that there was a need for change pos- sibly either reducing expenses or increasing membership or both. with Jim Valby, Prima Mai and Laura Evangelisti As far as expenses were concerned, the Merigar accountant, Pia Bramezza, explained that it was difficult to have a clear picture of why The Merigar Letter spoke to some Gloria: We had the chance to put that were difficult to understand in last year’s budget had been exceeded and that a clear budget for work of the participants and teachers into practice some of the things the text, The Precious Vase, which that needed doing had not been established before starting it. towards the end of the month long that were more theoretical in the is written in a philosophical lan- At this point, Yeshi Namkhai stepped in to explain that a big structure retreat at Merigar on the Base of book. guage. such as Merigar has high costs and a lot of income is required to sup- Santi Maha Sangha, Yantra Yoga port it, otherwise you need to start reducing the structure and the costs. and Vajra Dance. ML: What do you think of the fact Alexandra: The retreat was really a Then he gave some examples to evaluate expenses and assets - like there were sessions of Teaching challenge for moving, for staying dividing all expenses by the number of members to consider if it is Merigar Letter: What were your and practice as well as sessions of calm. It was very interesting to see worth keeping the structure as it is. impressions of the retreat? Vajra Dance and Yantra Yoga? in these three and a half weeks the Yeshi then launched into a long and detailed presentation of various After sitting for so long it must attempt to feel familiar in some- facets of the reorganization of the Dzogchen Community that was intro- Tea: Personally I was very happy have been good to do some activi- thing and just letting go. So this duced last summer. After officially introducing AmbientiWeb with the retreat because following ties and put into practice what was a nice experience to have. I Consulting, a company recently set up by himself and Luigi Ottaviani it for four weeks was very useful presence means. also liked very much to alternate in Grosseto, Yeshi spoke about the motivation for reorganization – the for me within my limits and I was between sitting practice and move- hope to continue to develop and spread not only within the actual struc- really able to get into it. Then there Jim Valby (SMS teacher): I ment even though it is a challeng- tures of the Community, but also towards the outside world. He was the fact of alternating teaching thought it was very nice in, say, the ing amount in one day. And every explained how important it is for the Community to have one whole with Vajra Dance and Yantra Yoga. Dance class that there was individ- day the energy increases. I noticed vision, rather than separate and different points of view so that we look I was very happy and recommend ual attention because with such a that it took me quite a few hours to and move in the same direction; to achieve unity and intimacy and anyone who has the opportunity to small number of practitioners get my energy level adjusted to my therefore move in the same direction, we need to have the same gov- participate not to miss it. dancing, each person was correct- physical state. erning principles. ed and we were able to learn. Yeshi went on to speak about the various fields within which the three Annamaria: I agree with Tea. It Often in a larger group we don’t do Christian: This is the second colors of the Gakyil operate and then the theme and objectives of reor- was a unique opportunity to go the dance steps correctly, we don’t retreat I’ve been to with Jim and ganization. Four main themes were presented covering all aspects of the into the Teaching much more pro- learn the details. But this time with now I understand much more than organization’s life – financial (our balance and results), members and foundly. only a few people, we learned bet- before. What was very important market (how we appear to members and people outside the communi- ter. for me was the differences ty), internal activities (our activities and what to do better), knowledge ML: Do you think that being 24 between Sutra, Tantra and and teaching (how to preserve and transmit). Later he gave statistics people together at the retreat was a Carla: It was the same thing with Dzogchen point of view and the related to our future performance, our objectives and how to reach good number? the Yantra. It was very nice to meet practices I do. Now I can look at them. together each evening and do the the different points of view. It was Yeshi’s presentation was very detailed and sprinkled with a terminolo- Silva: It was a good number. In nine movements, and perfect the very important for me to find this. gy more fitting for a high power business meeting rather than a very my experience, the dynamics of movements we had already done. It was quite difficult to understand mixed group of Dzogchen Community people. However, even though the retreat came out not so much on my own and now I feel much some of the business jargon may have been unfamiliar, the underlying from the group as a whole but from ML: What did you do with Jim? better about it. principle of reorganization was very clear and familiar to us all. The our personal reactions over the energy, innovation and know-how that will be available to reorganize four weeks. I think that each one of Carla: We laughed! ML: Do you have any advice for the Community will be very welcome and we can look forward to tak- us had at least one difficult day, Jim is a great teacher. We had the future retreats like this one? Does ing a more dynamic step into a modern world. either due to tiredness or for the possibility to listen and reflect on anything need to be changed? emotions that came up. It wasn’t so the teaching as well as do the prac- much a group dynamic but each tice. The best thing was the possi- Konstantin: I think the retreat was one of us coming up against their bility to listen to things we had really good for learning Yantra own limits because there were a lot heard before but from a different Yoga. It was quite intense and you PASSAGES of hours of work. I think the angle. For me it was important. can go quite far in that time, but it retreat was a little long. In fact, this Each day there was the chance to wasn’t so easy for the Vajra Dance. DEATH: Thursday August 12th, 2004, in the early morning, Claudia last week I really just want to go understand something better. Ciardulli died. She had faced serious illness already once in her life home and not see anyone. Just Nothing was taken for granted – Alexandra: For the Dance it was and that experience had given her a very deep awareness of imper- have the time to absorb it. Four even practicing a simple A. very difficult. For Yantra even in manence and the importance of practice. Still she never lost her weeks are just too long even Annamaria: The way Jim teaches the beginners group there were dif- open, solar and joyful smile. We will all miss her a lot, especially the though I agree that it was a great leads you to the experience of the ferent levels so it wasn’t too much Dzogchen Community in Rome, where she was very present and opportunity to really go into the practice in the most profound way. of a problem, because even if you active until a few months ago. We’ll try and be near her with our teaching in depth. It is like jump- didn’t do all the exercises, you practice, and also hope that it will be a comfort for Donatella, ing into the teaching that we have Carla: What I really enjoyed about could join in. But in the Vajra Claudia’s dear family and Vajra sister. received but with the possibility to the retreat with Jim was that we Dance if you reach your limits and understand more calmly. were able to understand concepts you don’t try your maximum, you continued on next page 14 INTERNATIONAL MERIGAR COMMUNITY NEWS e u r o p e PROGRAM The Dzogchen Community UK is proud to announce 2004 Tibetan Ku Nye Massage (Level 1) September 18-19 and Mantra Healing Course of explanation & practice Two courses led by Dr. Nida Chenagtsang of the Liberation of the Six Loka Dance. The course starts at 5 p.m. Tibetan Ku Nye Massage (Level 1) on Saturday, September18 An intensive residential course led by Dr. Nida Chenagtsang. Cost: 50 Euro with discounts for Part of an ongoing series of courses in Ku Nye and more generally members. Tibetan medicine to be held in the UK.

September 25-26 Dates: Retreat of Xitro practice & Tuesday, November 2 - Thursday November 11, 2004, (10 full days). practice Cost: Email: [email protected], GBP 500 all-inclusive (see below). The retreat starts at 10 a.m. on Venue: Kunselling Retreat Centre, Powys, Wales. This is a residential Saturday Sept.25th course and includes accommodation and full board. For more details contact the organizer. October 1 - 3 Maximum Places: 20, Minimum (for course to run) 10. In-depth Course of Song of the Contact Peter White Vajra Dance Email: [email protected] with Prima Mai Tel: 07900 496909, The course starts at 4 p.m. on 35 Finchams Close, Linton, Cambridge, CB1 6ND, to book your place Friday October 1st on this course. Cost: 105 Euro with discounts for members A GBP100 advance booking payment is required, returnable only on cancellations of the course due to insufficient numbers. The balance to ENROLLMENT be paid on the first morning of the course. If you wish to enroll for a course, seminar or retreat, please contact Description the office to book a place and send advance payment of 25 Euro Ku Nye is an ancient Tibetan treatment modality belonging to one of the to confirm your booking via four main therapeutic approaches: diet, behavior, medicines and exter- postal order at least 10 days nal therapies such as massage, moxa, the application of compresses, before the beginning of the stones, balneotherapy. Ku Nye can be practiced by anyone having the course, indicating the course you correct attitude, skills and training with an adequate knowledge of the are confirming your place on. The basic principles of Tibetan medicine. postal order should be addressed to: Associazione Culturale A Ku Nye session includes three different phases: ku or application of Comunità Dzogchen – Merigar – oil where different curative herbs and spices are added according to the 58031 Arcidosso GR. various types of disorders, nye or the actual massage techniques like You should make your booking rubbing, tapping, stroking, stretching of muscles, tendons, meridians with the office sufficiently ahead and the rotation and pressure of points, chi or removing oils by apply- of time since courses that do not ing chick-peas or barley flours to avoid or prevent possible unbalances reach a minimum number of par- of humors. ticipants will be cancelled. To take part in the activities of the Tibetan Massage includes also other therapeutic methods to balance Association you need to be a New Vajra Dance Costumes! chakras energy and the flow of lha, a very subtle energy circulating member. A first installment of 15 throughout the body according to the lunar calendar. Beside massage Dear Vajra Dancers, Euro for the ordinary member’s Ku Nye includes external therapies such as cupping, moxa, balneother- We finally received the new samples card will be required before tak- of the Vajra Dance costumes from apy, golden needle technique, tapping with a stick, the use of shells, ing part. A first installment alone Nepal, both Pawo and Pamo, and fomentation, blood letting. Ku Nye can prevent many illnesses, balance does not entitle you to the dis- they are really beautiful! They are the energies of the five elements and contribute to slow down the aging counts for members. Discounts professionally made in pure silk with process of the body. cotton lining. It’s really an experi- for paid up members are: 20% for ordinary members, 40% for sus- ence to wear it! The structure of the Ku Nye seminars given by Dr. Chenagtsang are in We thank you for being so patient taining members and 50% for stu- three levels with a final diploma level to complete the training. In this and waiting so long. We had differ- dents and retired people on a low first level course we will cover the following: ent sorts of obstacles that did delay income. the process. On the other hand, the Vajra Dance costume is quite elabo- For further information, -Historical outline and fundamental principles of Tibetan medicine. rate and, as you know, it comes contact: Merigar Office -Explanations and practice of Ku (oiling of the patient, mobilization of directly from Chögyal Namkhai MERIGAR joints and application of heat). Norbu’s dream. Dzogchen Community -Explanation and practice of Nye (treatment of muscles, tendons, Now we would like to inform you meridians and points). that we are ready to start the produc- in ITALY - EUROPE – -Explanation and practice of Chi (cleansing of the patient with specific tion and that the final price will be flours and powders). $300 US plus $30 US shipping costs, total = $330 US (or 250 Euros 58031 Arcidosso GR, plus 25 Euros shipping costs, total = 275 Euros). Italy We understand that there is a big difference compared to the price of a Tel.:++39 0564 966837 The first level includes 70 hours of teachings plus 20 hours of group few years ago ($120US), and that this difference is high enough to make Email: work within the course, the treatment of at least 50 patients and 60 hours someone change his/her mind, but please believe that they are beautiful, merigaroffice@tisca- of individual study for a total of 200 hours altogether. Course materials they are in silk (previously they were in viscose) and so the price is linet.it - http://web.tis- are included. worth it. calinet.it/merigar More information about the subsequent levels can be provided on Please consider also that it is a once in a lifetime purchase and for a request. very precious costume that is for our spiritual practice, not just a word- ly one. This is the best we can do at the moment but we’ll continue to Mantra Healing look for other solutions, to make it less expensive, with the collabora- A course led by Dr. Nida Chenagtsang tion of all Gars. We kindly ask you to inform us soon if you want us to proceed with your order. Passages Dates: Tuesday, October 26 - Friday October 29, 2004 Cost: GBP 200, (members contact the course organizer) The possibilities are: Died: Minimum Places: (for course to run) 15, maximum 35 1 - Confirm your order and send the difference of $210US (originally In the early afternoon of Venue: The October Gallery, Central London. you paid $120US each) Thursday August 26, 2004, our Contact: Peter White, Tel: 07900 496 909, 35 Finchams Close, Linton, 2 - Order and send $330US (for those who didn’t pay yet) Vajra Brother Leon Ghalichian Cambridge, CB1 6ND, Email: [email protected] to book your place on 3 - Cancel your order and ask to be reimbursed for what you deposited passed away in Frankfurt, this course. earlier Germany. He had been ill for 4 - Wait for other possibility to have less expensive costumes. some time. Those who knew A 20% (GBP 40) advance booking payment is required, payable to “Dzogchen Community UK”, balance to be paid on the first day of the To send the money, please send a bank transfer to: him will fondly remember him Monte dei Paschi di Siena (Bank), Branch n. 2760 Arcidosso-Italy for his loving generosity and course. Further details will be announced shortly. Account nr 7086.09 in the name of Adriana dal Borgo. kindness. He will be greatly Please send an email ([email protected]) to confirm the deposit. missed by all his friends. Description MANTRA HEALING is a healing practice employed in traditional Thank you in advance, Tibetan culture as a component of Tibetan medicine. The main points Our best greetings!!! dealt with in these seminars are: Adriana dal Borgo and Federica Mastropaolo continued on next page

T HE M IRROR A UG/SEPT 2004 15 INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY NEWS tsegyalgar east &west

Ku nye courses, UK, continued from previous page Tsegyalgar, Dzogchen Community in America, - An explanation of the origin of this spiritual healing practice. 18 Schoolhouse Road, Conway, MA 01341 - The main fundamental principles of Tibetan medicine. Tel: 413-369-4153 | Fax: 413-369-4473 - An explanation of natural sound, the sounds of elements, their colors Email: [email protected] and their associations with hands and fingers for healing purposes. - The meaning of : main mantras and mantras used to cure spe- cific disorders, the action of mantras. - Mantras and their transmission. - Explanations on how to use the mala and the meaning of different types of malas, the recitation of mantras, the posture to assume and many other necessary details for a correct mantra recitation. - Explanations on the use of other objects employed for healing purposes. - The therapeutic properties of some precious stones.

During the course students will have the opportunity of devoting a lot of time to practice in order to have the experience of mantra recitation. This course consists of an intensive seminar of four days.

About Dr. Nida Chenagtsang

Dr. Chenagtsang is a fully qualified Tibetan Medical doctor, trained in Tibet. Since 1996 Dr. Chenagtsang practiced at the Traditional Tibetan Medicine Hospitals in Lhasa and Lhoka, Tibet. In 1998 Dr. Chenagtsang was invited from Tibet to the Shang-Shung Institute in Italy where he continues to work as the Coordinator of the Traditional Tibetan Medical Department. Here he teaches and facilitates the 4-year Traditional Tibetan Medical SMS Rockers N ZEITZ Course as well as leading international courses in Ku Nye massage, SMS ROCKS! put, it was wonderful. Jim show- ibly fortunate to be in. mantra healing, dream analysis, diet and behavior and many other ered us with his light-hearted wis- Practitioners, old and new, from Tibetan Medicine oriented subjects. Random thoughts on a dom and deep compassion, one all over the world, joined the SMS Base retreat with moment guiding us with clarity teachings, and it was amazing to SHANGSHUNG EDIZIONI Jim Valby, Tsegyalgar, and precision through the mdo sit in the Tsegyalgar Gonpa and July 2004 bcu, the “ten topics” or concise realize how truly global our com- Chögyal Namkhai Norbu teachings about Dzogchen, the munity is simply by listening to SANTI MAHA SANGHA by Paola Zamperini next carefully and simply the various accents (American, LEVEL ONE TRAININGS explaining the base of the Santi Czech, Macedonian, Italian, July 1994 to June 2001 ear after year, I would Maha Sangha practices. He Argentinean, and so on) echo in read in the Mirror ecstatic showed us the huge wealth of the words we read out loud from Edited by Jim Valby accounts of Santi Maha Dzogchen sources written in Jim’s skillful translation of one of Two Volumes, 622 pages, Euro 40,00 Y Tibetan and taught us to appreci- ’s works. Paula Sangha Base Practice Retreats Shang Shung Edizioni has published a new English language book with Jim Valby around the world, ate the challenges of translating Barry led the Yantra Yoga prac- with transcriptions from Rinpoche’s first thirteen Santi Maha and I would always finish reading them into English; he also made tices with her usual grace and Sangha Level One Trainings. Rinpoche’s explanations are arranged the articles feeling torn. I was sure we understood the contents kind enthusiasm, and our multidi- firstly by topic and secondly by the retreat dates. The content of the delighted that so many Vajra sis- and the practices contained in mensional Geköes, Cindy SMS Level One Training evolved over the years. Rinpoche added ters and brothers were following “The Precious Vase,” leading us Thibeau, once more produced new topics and explanations. the Santi Maha Sangha training. to and through them, with food and comfort for all around, But I was beginning to feel a bit patience and enthusiasm. He even while nursing a broken foot. This new book is intended for those who have already passed the left out; why was it that these often shared his own experiences The end of the retreat came SMS Base Level examination, received the SMS Level One teach- courses always seemed to happen as a Dzogchenpa with disarming too soon, at least for me, and left ings, and kept their Nine Samayas. when I had to work if they took honesty and humor and brought me feeling a bit homesick for all SMS1 practitioners who wish to receive this new book should con- place in the USA, or when I was laughter as well as understanding the friends, old and new, who left tact their Gar’s SMS coordinator. on vacation but could not travel to many of us. We discovered in the Gar to go back to their lives. Merigar: Igor Legati outside of the country? him a great scholar, a true practi- Jim left too, to continue his self- Kunsangar: Grisha Mokhin So it was with immense joy tioner, and a very cool friend. less task around the world. I hope Namgyalgar: Elise Stutchbury that I learned that, for once, I was We sang the Song of the Vajra that he realized how truly grateful Tashigar: Ricky Sued going to be in the right place at while floating (or trying to) we all were for his time and the right time, and that as of July together with newts and frogs in teachings. But even more, I hope 1st, 2004, I would be able to fol- the pond of Khandroling; we he will come back to Tsegyalgar Vajra Dance Course low a six-day retreat with Jim scared Conway dogs out of their soon to continue to offer to other Dance of the Liberation of Six Lokas Valby at Tsegyalgar. I wish I wits with our loud “Phat”, and practitioners the possibility to October 1- 3, 2004 could tell everything of those learned more about ourselves, open and unfold this wonderful with Rita Renzi days. Yet, words fail me. Simply each other and the wonderful gift that Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Berlin, Germany transmission we are all so incred- gave us, the SMS training. NEWS FROM down from her position of president. She will stay on We are happy to announce the following Vajra Dance Course of the TSEGYALGAR EAST, CONWAY as Blue Gakyil until May 2005, so you will hear still Dance of the Liberation of the Six Lokas with Rita Renzi in Berlin, a lot from her, but we would like to take this oppor- rd Germany from October 1st - 3 , 2004. Anyone is welcome to par- Dear Vajra Kin, tunity to thank her for all her hard work and incredi- ticipate who is interested, even without transmission. In the past few months so many things have hap- ble generosity as a president. She flew almost every pened here at Tsegyalgar that we feel it is about time month from Miami for our Gakyil meetings, and has The course will start on Friday 17.00 and end Sunday afternoon at to give you a brief update. First of all, we want to made a tremendous difference in the Gar and the 16.00. thank all the people who have left and are leaving the Community. We are all way more spacious as a Gakyil and the Gar, beginning with Andrea Nasca, result of having met her and we look forward to Fees: Euro 130. for non-members, 100. for members who recently left her post as the secretary. Many of working with her more. us found our way to the Conway thanks to Andrea’s “New entries” in the Gar are Lynn Newdome, our Booking in advance while remitting until 30/8/04 is Euro 120. for explanations, directions, either via email or phone, new Yellow member and treasurer; Patricia Shahen, non-members, 90. for members (reduced 108./ 80.). and we all owe her a great debt of gratitude. She is who has just been elected as Yellow this month, and Please remit to the account of the Dzogchengemeinschaft currently working hard for A.S.I.A. and we hope to James Fox, on Blue. Welcome to all of you! Also, as Deutschland e.V., Stadtsparkasse Düsseldorf, Knt.-Nr.: 11047891, always have her around, one way or another. We also many of you already know, we have a new full time BLZ: 30050110, IBAN DE 40 3005 0110 0011 047891, SWIFT/BIC want to thank Damien Schwartz, who many of you secretary, Ed Hayes, to whom we are already indebt- DUSSDEDDXXX may remember as the previous Geköes of ed for his hard work and efficiency. Tsegyalgar. As of last month, he has left the position The new president of the Gakyil is, well, myself, and For registration & more information please contact: of treasurer on the Gakyil, so we thank him I would like to take this opportunity to call on all of Regine Zettler, Email: [email protected], Tel: 0049-(0)89- immensely for all his hard work, and we hope to you to come forward and join us. We still need at 74298244 have him soon again among us. Another person who least one or ideally two new Reds (see announce- is leaving us is Marilyn Newberry, the part-time sec- ment below), and even if you do not feel you have PASSAGES retary at the Gar who has helped us to “hold the fort” the time and the energy to become a Gakyil member, as Andrea was leaving and we faced a rather-legally we are always very much in need of whatever time and financially- turbulent period. Due to drastic bud- and skill you have to offer. People often think that MARRIED: being on the Gakyil is the only way to actually help Waltraud Kranz & Alexander Sochor get cuts, we unfortunately have to let Marilyn go: we will miss her help and devoted work, though we are the Community, but the Gakyil is made up of volun- We are happy to announce our marriage to the International sure that she will have a lot of fun and success in pur- teers who simply try to figure out the work that Dzogchen Community! We met at the July retreat, 1999, at Merigar, suing her art career. Last but not least, Dominik needs to be done and how to organize it. We always Italy, and married on 07.08.2004 in Salzburg/Austria. Niceva, our “spicy Macedonian”, has decided to step welcome and need your help and support, in what- continued on next page 16 INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY NEWS

continued from previous page ever form or shape you want to fundraising, and so on and so offer them, from time to sugges- forth. tions, from skills and expertise to So, do not be strangers, stay in donations. Especially with touch, write us, and, regardless of Rinpoche’s retreat coming up in where you live, if and when you May 2005, we are looking to cre- can, come and practice with us! ate teams of volunteers to take Paola Zamperini care of publicity, advertisement, Tsegyalgar Gakyil

REDS WANTED! The Tsegyalgar Gakyil is looking for at least one and ideally two peo- ple to work on the Red Gakyil, whose task is to organize any physi- cal work that needs to be done, from looking after retreats cabins to maintenance of the gar, land keeping, road repairs and so on and so forth. To be able to become part of the Gakyil, one needs to have attended at least three retreats with Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, to have been Nina with practitioners inside Rinpoche’s cabin at Khandroling N ZEITZ involved in the Community for at least three years, and to be a current energy of dedication; commit- needles to sew the ribbons - all member of D.C.A. Please contact us at [email protected] with The Mandarava Practice ment and respect to this energy of was done by the fire warming the your submissions and/or queries, we will look forward to hearing Retreat truth and presence that we all early morning air. The teaching from you! with Nina Robinson July 9-15, 2004 wish to fully live and offer. It was and practice moved from the Khandroling, Tsegyalgar, a wonderful oasis of healing and cabin to the forest and back again. Conway, Ma strengthening in a world that feels Some practitioners camped on the increasingly contrary. As Nina so land. Food manifested in various by Sally Atkinson succinctly said, “Practice, prac- ways. We had one glorious meal tice, practice.” altogether around the table at the s always, as you walk up Nina Robinson led the retreat pond. the mountain to Khan- beautifully. Her very humble There was swimming, canoe- droling, the energy of the presence was as delightfully ing and long walks. Golden air. A refreshing as the air, her wisdom Conversations were gentle. land begins to permeate your body and by the time you reach and kindness were constant and Coyotes, bears, snakes and all the top of the land there is a her playful spirit was very patient varieties of wild animals visited. remembered sweetness, peace in teaching and very steady and The frogs put on an amazing con- and deep relaxation from the attuned when guiding the prac- cert rivaled by none with amazing earth. The light and shadows of tice. tones and sound all shifting and the forest dance and the sky blue. We gathered together Friday blending into harmony, moving in Rinpoche’s retreat cabin wel- evening for the teachings and space, in the absolute darkness of comed us all. Fifteen to twenty practiced the first morning, at the night. practitioners along with Nina sunrise on the . It was a It was a special time of Robinson, our guide, flowed in good beginning. Community, peace and healing - a and out from around the world We made dadars the first time to experience the clarity and came together in a play of morning in the cabin. We worked brought about by the practice – personality. All of us shared the in a focused way, closely togeth- living in the grace of the Sangha. er, cut the bamboo, threaded the Painting Universal Mandala N ZEITZ valuable hardwoods to fill in those openings. We will be The site has its challenges: being at the end of a long grav- Khandroling Update exploring the possibility of having a band saw mill cut the el road, with no electricity, or drilled well. Having the bath- August 2004 pines into boards for use as siding on the retreat cabins. house will make the retreat more hospitable, by providing Being enrolled in the program may allow us to cost share toilets, and hot showers. We are exploring the options for by Santo Santoriello additional projects with the government, except that the extending the electric and telephone lines to the site, but person acting as President has cut these funds. these may be very costly, and have to wait for fundraising. e were fortunate this year to be able to apply for a We were able to build the Universal size Dance Mandala The site is secluded and quiet for retreats, with a wonder- government program, The Forest Stewardship this Spring, with lots of help from the participants in the ful pond for swimming. Rinpoche has said that practicing Program, which paid for having a professional W Santi Maha Sangha retreat with Jim Valby, and many oth- at Khandroling for one week is like practicing elsewhere forester inventory the Khandroling and Pike’s land parcels. ers. It was constructed on the former site of the Dance for six months. It has special blessings. We made a start on the Mandarava long-life cabin, and the Thögal cabin. They should be ready to use next summer. There will eventually be three more cabins built, a little more secluded than these will. There is currently a small cabin near the pond, which we intend to make a handicap accessible cabin with parking. There is a very nice cabin which was built for Rinpoche, but which is available for anyone to do a personal retreat. Lastly, there is the guardian shrine that has a room that can be used by someone. There are also lots of wonderful spots for camping. The Community also has a dark retreat cabin on another site that can accommodate a number of people, and can be used for regular retreats, if no one is doing dark. This cabin has a toilet and kitchen, and is on a paved road. There will be a Community meeting on September 12, 2004, to continue the discussion of possible uses for the Pike land. One possibility is building a home for Rinpoche, which would also have an apartment for a Geköes, a Mandala sized room where small teachings or Ganapuja could occur, and space for smaller offices for Tsegyalgar. Another possibility is having lots, where people could build cabins. This property is on a paved road with utilities available. It adjoins the Khandroling property. This is the latest update from Khandroling. Assembling Universal Mandala D NICEVA Mandala, where Rinpoche had had a vision of dakas and She also plotted the corners of the properties with GPS, so dancing. It is now in the process of being painted. that we have a more accurate description of the properties, The earth size Mandala in the center should be ready for and they have been plotted onto a topographic map. She NEW NEW MEXICO GAKYIL the Vajra Dance retreat with Anastasia McGhee, August identified two old roads through the Pike property, which 20-22, when there should be an opportunity for the could be re-established to connect Khandroling to the paved retreatants to help paint the rest of the Mandala. RED: Chizuko Tasaka road, instead of having to travel miles on a gravel road. The bathhouse is to the point of painting the bathrooms, There were no wet lands issues with these paths to compli- BLUE: Julia Deisler installing the cabinets, and having the plumbers back to cate the process. The forests have good potential for long- YELLOW: Susie Marlow (Treasurer) hook things up. We have to order another water heater, term lumber income. She did concur with Rinpoche, that because the gravity feed water system does not have a high removing the low value pine trees would encourage more enough water pressure for the first unit we had delivered.

T HE M IRROR A UG/SEPT 2004 17 it was borderline unbearable, even with the windows up. INTERNATIONAL Now it must be said that speeding is inevitable with a 45 kph (27 mph) speed limit in many areas. If you want COMMUNITY NEWS to make the drive in under 5 days you might have to break a law or two. Don’t send me your tickets because I am not suggesting you speed. I’m only going to tell you that going 45 mph in a 40 kph zone will get you a $250 ticket...unless you’re accompanied by a beautiful woman. Then you only get invited out for a beer after baja tsegyalgar west a 10 minute plea for leniency. Speeding is easier on the long (long) stretches of straight narrow highways in the central sections of Baja Norte and Baja Sur alike. TOPES* AND TACOS TACOS by John Bidelman My companions and I were never sick from the road-food. We stopped several times and can recommend only our luck. I suggest not eating in Ensenada or larger towns. It’s safer to eat at the establishment that’s affiliat- The Drive to Baja Sur ed with the motel you’re staying at. Lacking that, stick with the medium sized restaurants and not the tiny lit- tle taco stands. Again, use your common sense and play the odds. We ate some great Tarjetas at a roadside Things to bring: stand near Santa Rosalia (mango and guava) that were still warm. Also, Liquados (smoothies) are good Driving skills although I was warned not to eat fresh prepared food, I never had a regret. The papaya and mango Liquados Passport or Birth Certificate plus Picture ID (Driver’s License is best) were absolutely reviving on a soul level. Insurance for driving in Mexico Good, recent map of Baja roads LA PAZ Decent Travel Guide for Baja Once south of the Baja Sur border and through the last checkpoint your trip will transform along with the A sense of humor scenery. La Paz is an example. First of all you must know this; people do not regard stop signs in La Paz as An elevated respect for speed limits a rule...only a general guideline and one-way streets are in no way marked not even in Espanol. This is some- what the case in Baja in general but not like it is in La Paz. We turned at least once the wrong way down a Do not bring: one-way street but were cut off by people running stop signs every other intersection. It’s every man for him- Stress and impatience self and this reflects the free-wheeling and bohemian style of life in Baja Sur. Pets But La Paz (The Peace) really is just that, so if cars are behaving in a different way than you’re used to, relax and just walk. The beach is wonderful and after all, this is the gateway to another Baja. In Baja a good byword for the road could be “keep your eyes peeled”. Tourism reigns in La Paz and all points south so the military presence is nil and even the policia seem to dwell If some of the scenery appears to be pulled right out of some western somewhat in the background. movie then that old saw of watch and wait and staying aware is right at home here too. The lack of guard rails and encroachments to the road THE ROUTE edges are some of the realities bound to keep a person wide awake. As luck would have it, if you’re going south to Baja Sur you need only to remember Highway 1. There’s a Several miles of panoramic views north of Loreto take on a more few turns most notably in Ensenada but once you’re on Baja 1 south of the U.S. border things get simple real thrilling aspect with the absence of any guard rails or even shoulders. fast. Heading south from L.A. in the early morning is best in order to avoid Ensenada and other northern Baja The fact that the few areas of respite on this stretch being littered with towns that are less than picturesque. shrines is not that comforting. Vista pull-outs were few and far between If you can it’s best to drive all the way to El Rosario or Catavina. In El Rosario there’s Mama’s Espinoza’s, so this driver missed all but a few adrenaline filled moments to share in a motel/restaurant with a long history of feeding travelers. Our stay there was pleasant and the staff afforded a breath-taking view. us a warm hospitality. There’s a local legend in El Rosario but I won’t spoil the mystery. We didn’t stay at Hotel Catavina in the town of Catavina but we did gas up there and the hotel looked like a CON QUIDADO* good bet for a night’s stay. It’s approximately 130 km’s down the road from El Rosario so if Mama Espinoza If anything can be said for the “rites of passage” on Baja Highway 1 it has no room for you your best bet is to drive on to Catavina. It’s also a good strategy to stop early at these would be “don’t do it”. Passing a swaying semi-truck on this narrow places especially during the tourist season as they have a small number of rooms and fill quickly. So you may road is not for the squeamish. But “faint heart ne’er won fair maiden” want to plan your trip so that you arrive at one of these places early enough to get a room. Both establish- really applies here as well. You can’t make decent time if you don’t pass ments have their own restaurants. If you have time, look for a small shop on the right side of the road just 60 the slow (slow) trucks. Picking the right place and moment takes some km south of El Rosario called The Trading Post. It’s run by architect Kim Williams. She has many beautiful common sense and good timing. Fortunately, truckers in Baja have a artifacts of Baja, fossils, shells and jewelry. She can help you if you are in need of information on just about fairly civil way of aiding the captive driver behind them. They’ll put on anything from food/gas to maps and hotels. their left turn signal when the coast is clear making it much easier to get The next leg of our trip took us deeper into the Baja Norte where we found a nice little roadside eatery; it’s around them. However, be aware that not every truck driver has the req- on the right side of the road in a little invisible town called Rosarito. I say invisible because the local facili- uisite judgment that you’d want to bet your lives on. After one such left ties, gas and etc, seem to have evaporated so that the small restaurant is the only business on the main high- hand signal we found ourselves literally being pushed off the road, way besides the mercandito (small store) next door to it. This is a good place to eat either breakfast or lunch necessitating a screeching emergency stop because the truck for some and the people are very friendly. However, I do not recommend the fried chicken or anything fried for that odd reason started squeezing us off the road as we attempted to pass matter. Stick to the frijoles, arroz, huevos and oatmeal. even though he signaled the “all clear”. Later, I passed on a wider lane. Be advised that about 80 km south of Rosarito is the border check- point of Baja Norte/Sur. Here you will The lack of shoulders and the encroachments make passing trucks and need to present your passport or combination of birth certificate and driver’s license to obtain a visa for entry other vehicles a veritable dice toss. Encroachments are the large and into Baja Sur. This can change overnight but for our trip at this time, those were the conditions. We were not sometimes deep gashes where the road edge is compromised by a asked for anything before this point, either at the U.S. border or anywhere else in Mexico. The nearby town miniature canyon, capable of throwing you off the road or taking out of Guerrero Negro is a largish town and looks less than inviting. your tire. Before passing it’s wise to check whether or not you can see 200 km south of the border is a good place to stay if it’s getting late and that’s the “El Morro” 1 mile south the “fog-line” (white stripe on edge of road) continuously down the of Santa Rosalia. They have a pool and an incredible terrace overlooking a romantic ocean vista. The food at road. If you see breaks in the line on your side, do not pass as you may their restaurant was noteworthy and the beds were everything a weary traveler dreams of. There’s also the have a serious encroachment in your passing lane. It may also be wise Hotel Las Casitas de Santa Rosalia. We didn’t stay there but it’s a newer building and also has ocean view not to assume that there is no fog in Baja. It has some seriously thick rooms. Failing both of these, check out the Hotel Frances that is a totally refurbished bed and breakfast in fog and can town with 17 rooms. Now, if it’s too early to spend the night in Santa Rosalia you will probably want to gauge whether or not you BUENA VISTA will be able to make it south to the eco-retreat of El Santuario 40 km south of Loreto. If not you might want But don’t let the caveats preempt the enjoyable ride. There are many to drive all the way to Ciudad Constitucion (215 miles) or even La Paz depending on your timing. Avoid incredible vistas to be had, most notably south of Loreto where the land- Loreto. It would be a good plan to make it to Santa Rosalia the evening (plenty of hotels/motels) and drive scape could be from another planet. Some of the landmarks of barren the entire way to Ciudad Constitucion where there are also good and plentiful accommodations. From Ciudad desert and high plateaus are enough to make you swear off airlines once Constitucion to La Paz it’s another 191 km (118 miles). The web site for El Santuario is: and for all. Also controlling your own destiny is one very high priority for some people making the drive. If you dislike being searched every http://www.el-santuario.com/ 200 miles or so then take a flight and forget driving. A burning paint can on the side of the road heralded one such stop. Another few hundred Getting advance reservations is recommended, as they are very popular. yards and another pair of burning cans. After coming around a sharp curve we were confronted by a mass of black-soot cans burning At any rate regardless of your schedule going south from the Baja Sur border you will want to drive the stretch kerosene and a medium sized armed Federale checkpoint. A hoarse but between Santa Rosalia and Loreto in the daylight hours due to the extreme hazards of the mountain roads. effective dog barked incessantly as they went through the vehicle. The Again, the lack of guardrails and narrow pavement makes night driving along this stretch somewhat danger- scene, with the sound of the frenzied dog and the smell of burning diesel ous. Another reason for the daylight drive is not to miss the spectacular views of both Sierra La Giganta to was apocalyptic. We were on our way in 10-12 minutes. You can expect the west and the Gulf of California to the east which is a special biosphere preserve and worth taking some to be stopped at the Baja Sur border and again just North of La Paz but time out to ogle. it’s the policy of the Mexican Government to change the style and loca- Just north of La Paz there is a beautiful monument and a final military check point. La Paz is a large city and tion of checkpoints frequently. We were stopped a total of 5 times on the has a sophisticated feel after the drive through Baja. You will want to pay for your visa at a bank here and per- way down. Sometimes they just want to ask you questions, other times haps eat at one of the many beach restaurants in town. they want to go through your vehicle. From La Paz it’s under a 2 hour drive (108 km) to Buena Vista and Los Barriles.

TOPES FINAL NOTES Again, “Be Aware” is a golden motto but definitely worth it’s weight on After driving Baja Highway One it could be said that enjoying yourself will prevent any problems. If you’re the road to Baja. Topes are the name for those things we know as in a hurry, take a plane. Driving after dark is not advised in some areas (south of El Rosario, just north and “Speed Bumps”. At times they are flat and gentle and at times you will south of Santa Rosalia and north and south of Loreto). Rising early and making time in the morning is your wonder if a re-alignment might be needed before you proceed. Surely, best approach to a safe trip. Truckers almost always drive until 11PM and from 9PM until then is when they they are the best speed prohibitive that exists south of the CHP. are the most tired and present a problem. Also if you stop before or soon after dark you’re more assured of a Many times these yellow painted mounds will toss your passengers into room. Bottled water and a little intuition will also go a long way. We had no problems with gas (no pun intend- the headliner and other times you discover that it’s just a paint stripe ed) but you need to fill up when you get a chance and especially be aware that as the afternoon fades into with no mound. But do not take the chance....unless you are driving a evening the gas stations will close. Most maps have an accurate legend for gas stops. Very few that were on tank, it’s best just to slow down; there’s usually a good reason. our map (Borders $4.95) were closed. Driving through Ensenada and other large towns makes it perfectly Watching for cattle is also highly advised anywhere south of the border. Ganado is the local “sign term” for clear that there are absolutely NO emission laws enforced in Baja cattle and many drivers in Baja will flash their emergency flashers to let you know that you are approaching California. The exhaust was so bad there were numerous times I want- an area with cattle near or on the road. A good guide book for Baja is “Best of Baja” and is widely available. ed to stop and wait for the traffic to die down. There were times when It’s one of the most recent and is likely to be more up to date. continued on next page

18 book review mom continued from page 9 INTERNATIONAL will be an ecological develop- renowned authority on waste dis- COMMUNITY NEWS ment with composting toilets, use posal and to have one or two precious hours of the day when of grey water for irrigation, use of Yantra Yoga workshops with Jey my home is quiet. After each continued from previous page local materials for building, and Clark in early December. reading session, almost by osmo- Remember that with a little forethought and a lot of attention to safety attention to energy use. The gar- The Baja Gakyil has scheduled a sis, I found myself becoming you’ll enjoy some of the most beautiful scenery and warmest people in den will be an asset for all planning meeting for mid- more mindful in my daily rou- the world. Community projects in Baja and September in Baja and holds tines. It was fascinating to me managed by the Community. monthly conference calls. how even these slight changes in Vaya Con Dios, Also a Gakyil member and cur- Our blessed anonymous donor thinking could make my experi- rently hosting a growing number has pledged a $25,000 matching ence of life so much more enjoy- Los Tres Amigos - of boxes of our land’s legal histo- grant for the Baja project this able. The chapter on Self Love is ry in his office, engineer Rodrigo year, and has released $10,000 so a must read for every mother. In it *Topes are speed bumps. Villalobos works at an electrical far. If we can quickly raise anoth- she shares that it took being diag- *With caution lighting company in Cabo del San er $5,000 from the Community to nosed with chronic fatigue syn- Jose, and has been assisting us in help match this $10,000, we can drome for her to start loving and BAJA REPORT, AUGUST 2004: every way possible, helping to obtain the release of the remain- taking care of herself. Here she A Refugio and a Home Far From the Madding Crowd plan practices, meeting us at the ing $15,000. PLEASE send your realizes that she cannot give to airport, interacting with neigh- donations to the Dzogchen her child or anyone else what she e are entering a phase at around the Baja bureaucracy. bors at the land, providing techni- Community West Coast, Winter doesn’t have, and quotes the “Tsegyalgar West” in Andres has been essential in help- cal advice, and giving all-around Gar Fund, 755 Euclid Avenue, Buddha thus: “A mother best WBaja of preparing for ing us work through our relation- encouragement and enthusiasm. Berkeley, CA 94708, USA. All serves her child who serves her- more involvement ship with the To sum it up: we have a vibrant, US contributions are fully tax- self”. Yes, something we have all by Community current accoun- young, enthusiastic, and talented deductible. Obtain bank wire heard before, but it deserves members and wel- tant and deal group of spiritual practitioners information for direct transfer by repeating. coming them to with various helping to establish the Baja writing: [email protected] The basic tenets of Buddhism that this special place. complex land Winter Gar. We look forward to Check out the website: Kramer uses as her moral com- Because the land is transactions left offering a composting toilet http://bajasangha.org pass are similar to those of many so large, we have over from the workshop in early November of the great religious and spiritual found that rumors previous with Carol Steinfeld, a world- traditions of the world. Anecdotes about among the owner, which and inspirational affirmations local vaquero pop- impact our abound as she draws from an ulation about who land. eclectic mix of sources, including now owns it and Gabriel and Thanks to the Generous Contributions to Zen Masters, Jewish Mystics, Andres Orvananos & Monique Izcovich what it will be used Kitzia Baja Winter Gar, Tsegyalgar West Arabian folklore, and her own for (a motorcycle racetrack has Howearth are well known in the mother, Rose. Interestingly WITH TREMENDOUS GRATITUDE, THE BAJA WINTER GAR been mentioned) abound, and we world of permaculture, sustain- enough we discover later in the (TSEGYALGAR WEST) GAKYIL ACKNOWLEDGES THE FOL- realize that it is very important to able agriculture, and preservation book that she is also a practition- LOWING GENEROUS CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS PROJECT. establish a gradual presence on of species diversity with their er of Religious Science. Of this YOU HAVE HELPED US TO MATCH $20,000 IN ANONYMOUS the property, so that the neigh- work at the Buena Fortuna per- she says: “I learned from CHALLENGE GRANTS IN 2003 AND QUALIFIED US TO bors, in addition to Domingo and maculture gardens in La Ribera, Buddhism to look within; I RECEIVE ANOTHER $25,000 TO BE MATCHED IN 2004. Mauricio, who work for us, can on the Sea of Cortez side of Baja learned from Religious Science THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!!! begin to relate to what is actually Sur. Gabriel has discovered 50 how to heal the negative trends I happening and being planned on new species in the mountains of found while looking within.” Chögyal Namkhai Norbu our ranch. This is the basis for Baja, and informed us that our Kramer’s writing is fluid and lyri- Anonymous Challenge Grant Donor establishing the pioneer program. striking white fig trees on the land cal at times, but can get a bit Tsegyalgar In the broader picture, there are (Zalates) are in the Bodhi tree flowery (remember the dreamy Joan Casey major themes of our work in family and can live to be several pregnancy sequence?). Generally Jonathan Culshaw Baja: the first is to establish a thousand years old. Kitzia has her writing tends to take a back- Judy Daugherty practice and retreat Center on the created a Tara garden at Buena seat to the breadth of wisdom she Glenda Delenstarr San Miguel property and also Fortuna. Gabriel and Kitzia offer shares from her decades of inner Igor Devetak practice sites in surrounding ecological agriculture programs reflection and healing. Tom Garnett areas, such as on the Pacific side for school children and the local All in all Buddha Mom accom- Urban and Minoo Geiwald and on the Sea of Cortez side of communities on a regular basis, plishes what it sets out to do: it is Natalie Gougeon the peninsula (our property is as well as workshops in other a gentle guide for any woman, Carey Gregory more or less in the middle). The countries, and conduct a Saturday regardless of religious orienta- Ellen Halbert second is to insure ecological produce market. Gabriel and tion, who is trying to connect her Susan Harris preservation of our property and Kitzia hosted Rinpoche and many spirituality with her mothering. It Robert Harrison and Ruth Corwin provide opportunities for ecologi- Community members at a series offers comfort, reassurance, and Lynn Hays cal education in Baja. A third of delicious organic lunches at hope. After all, when was the last Dick and Avadhan Larson emphasis is the establishment of a their garden during the last retreat time you read anything that Nikki Leger health center/spa at San Miguel in in April, and provided food for encouraged you to view changing Tana Lehr collaboration with providing ser- Rinpoche’s visit to the land and a dirty diaper as a vehicle for Shanti Loustanou vices at the Hotel Buenavista on the first Ganapuja with him there. enlightenment? As someone who Judith Marcus the Sea of Cortez and in conjunc- They have joined our Community has been there, Jacqueline Nora McKay tion with growing organic food and the Baja Gakyil, and made it Kramer reminds us that mother- Gailen Moore and possibly producing organic possible for us to purchase land ing is indeed ripe with opportuni- Erica Moseley plant-derived products. across the street from them which ty. Carlos Munos Underlying all that we do in Baja is ideal for building 21 small Sarah Raleigh Kilts is a writer, Carisa O’Kelly is community building - the cre- houses for the shareholders, and poet and mother to one daugh- Susan Pottish ation of practice-based residential for growing marvelous organic ter— a “highly spirited” toddler. Elizabeth Pretzer community sites for Community fruits and vegetables on 10 acres She and her husband Tom (a Terry Satterthwaite members in Baja. of prime farmland, 3 minutes Buddhist Chaplain and Pastoral Stephanie Scott Our first project at San Miguel from the beach on the Sea of Educator) share a deep commit- Will Shea will be the completion of the 19 Cortez, 45 minutes from the San ment to their Buddhist practices Jim Valby unfinished casitas that we inherit- Miguel land. and living a contemplative life. ed on the land, and Andres This project in La Ribera, titled John C. Walker Rosanne Welsh Orvananos has obtained several “ Gardens,” is our first by Sarah Raleigh Kilts construction bids to aid this community-building project in Daniel Winkler process. Andres and his partner, Baja, fully endorsed by lama Monique Izcovich, also live on Rinpoche, and at the present date, WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS LIST GROW VERY LONG the Pacific side north of Cabo San there are 10 shares remaining WITH DONATIONS OF ALL SIZES - WE HAVE SO FAR RAISED ONLY $3,300 TOWARDS THIS YEAR’S CHALLENGE. Lucas, where they partake of a available at a cost of $6,400 each. you are the terma unique serenity offered by the (Contact Tana Lehr at greengaru- WITH SEVERAL PIONEERS ARRIVING THIS YEAR TO LIVE AND WORK AT THE GAR WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT! flower-filled Baja ranchland, [email protected] if you wish to have and we views of the Pacific, and the more information.) We will be Please send donations (which release and are automatically doubled sound of waves. Andres offers completing our purchase of the discovering you sweat lodges each week for spiri- land and convening a planning by our challenge grant) to Dzogchen Community West Coast, 2748 Adeline, Suite D, Berkeley, CA 94703, USA. All donations are fully tual growth and physical and spir- meeting of the shareholders in feel itual purification. He and February, to plan the building tax-deductible in the U.S.Bank account wiring information available by writing: [email protected] Monique have attended many process and layout on the site. miracle miracle retreats with Tibetan teachers and The projected cost of building a See the new Baja web site at: http://bajasangha.org are expecting their first child in small-to-medium-sized home on how could we be December. Andres is highly the site is between $15,000 and WE ALSO THANK THE MANY OTHERS WHO HAVE ATTENDED THE RETREATS IN BAJA, PARTICIPATED IN THE knowledgeable about land trans- $25,000. We will also be building so fortunate actions in Baja and has put us in a house for Rinpoche there, as AUCTION AND RAFFLE, AND WORKED ON THIS PROJECT touch with a fine lawyer, well as a practice palapa, and of FROM THE BEGINNING. Francisco Cossu, as well as with course, a swimming pool, which by Kathy McGrane an engineer who knows his way will then irrigate our crops. This The Baja (Tsegyalgar West) Gakyil

T HE M IRROR A UG/SEPT 2004 19 INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY NEWS south america tashigar north & south

Santi Maha Sangha Mahayoga and Anuyoga. Every Base Level Teacher candidate had one hour to speak Training about the theme that they chose The Gakyil of Tashigar del Norte in Margarita is happy to announce the following from an envelope. courses Margarita Island, The second participant was Venezuela Elio Guarisco, from Italy, who Yantra Yoga Advanced and Teacher Training June 12th, 2004 had to speak about the three Vajra Dance Teacher Training aspects and three classes of Yantra Yoga Teacher Training 2nd level by Ingrid Lücke Tantra. In the afternoon, the third par- with Laura Evangelisti and Fabio Andrico n June 12th, 2004, Rin- ticipant was Alexander Poubants, Dates: 3rd to the 12th of October (just before the Kalachakra retreat) poche gave an Introduc- from Russia, who talked about Duration/times: The course is for 10 days every morning tion to this year’s Teacher the Ancient and Modern Tantras. O Rinpoche sang the melodies of Cost: $125US with no further discounts Training. Sixty-five people attended the training. the practices of the Base Level to Advanced Yantra Yoga course On the first day, Rinpoche teach us how to do so in a perfect with Laura Evangelisti and Fabio Andrico spoke about how a real teacher way. should be: with the knowledge of On Monday, we had the train- Dates: 3rd to the 12th of October (just before the Kalachakra retreat) the three series as the base, being ing in the comedor because the Duration/times: The course is for 10 days every afternoon a teacher means your knowledge workers had to continue with the Cost: $125US with no further discounts and experience corresponds to new, big and very attractive your existence, you know how to Gonpa. Discounted Price for people who want to attend both courses i.e. the morning and the afternoon sessions enter into the dimension of others Fabio Risolo, from Italy, had will be: $200US with no further and have good communication the topic of the 5th Paramita. discounts. skills. The main point is that the Fabio also lead us through a Base teacher should know how to work practice. Please register as soon as possible by writing to our secretary with circumstances and to under- Rinpoche emphasized that we Michela: [email protected] stand chödpa (behavior). must be careful and use the cor- as places are limited. A person must know the rect singing, and playing sense of the teachings and inte- of the instruments. For example, when we finish the Ngagkong, we Vajra Dance Teacher Training Course 1st level grate - that means evolution. This with Adriana dal Borgo and Prima Mai person also needs to participate should not do several final drum- and collaborate with the beats. That is an invention. Dates: October 31st to of November 6th (immediately after Kalachakra Retreat) Dzogchen Community. For Rinpoche demonstrated how to Duration: 7 days example, you can have a problem play. Rinpoche also said that we Cost: $200US with no further discounts with a person and solve it, but you have to respect the voice of the cannot have a problem with the leader, not to sing louder, but to Please register as soon as possible by writing to our secretary whole Community. The necessity listen well to how the practice is Michela: [email protected] of a correct attitude is indispens- being done, and not always to as places are strictly limited. able. practice in our own way. At the The second day, the first par- end we had a Ganapuja. We had We are looking forward to seeing you here in our beautiful Gar. ticipant was Jey Clark from also several practice sessions with Please check out our new and updated web site: www.dzogchenvenezuela.org California, USA. He was asked to Igor Berkhin, including explana- It is full of helpful information. If you have any further questions or need any help, write to our secre- explain the difference between tion and practices, so the training was very complete. tary Michela: [email protected] Playing the Ritual Drum Revisited The Mirror printed the lovely drawings by Prima Mai demonstrating the playing of the ritual drum incorrectly in the last issue, Mirror 68. Here are the correct drawings. Tashigar Norte has a New Web Site!!! Another example of successful international collaboration within Dzogchen Community.

For a long time, we struggled to find the needed skills in our own Community. Many people helped, donat- ed their time and energy, but for some reason or another, they had to move on. So, finally we decided to “go international” and put a competition on Norbunet offering a free Kalachakra retreat to the lucky winner. The Gakyil of Tashigar del Norte in Margarita is happy to announce the winner of the web site competition. action Max Corradi, from Italy, put forward a number of beautifully designed web pages. Come and visit the site and see his work at: www.dzogchenvenezuela.org. From now on, we hope that we can always provide our Vajra family with accurate and up to date informa- inviting tion about Rinpoche’s teachings, the daily program and all the necessary help you may need to come and join us here.

tashigar norte new gonpa under construction

offering mandarava retreat

Winner of Mirror Camera Raffle! july 2004 Lilliane Busby of Montreal, Canada won the beauti- ful thanka of Dorje Yudronma authenticated by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu and painted by Glen Eddy, with lucky number 46. Congratulations and thanks to everyone! classified ad

LAND FOR SALE NEAR TASHIGAR NORTE

2000 meter square lot for $7500US. aloe sales at margarita Contact: [email protected]

20 INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY NEWS namgyalgar & pacific rim

Namgyalgar DzogchenCommunity in Australia Tashigar North PO Box 14 Central Tilba, Calle Bolivar Nro 32 NSW 2546 Valle de Pedro Gonzalez Tel/Fax: 61 02 4473 7668 Municipio Gomez, Isla de Margarita Email: [email protected] Venezuela Web site: www.dzogchen.org.au Tel: 0058 4165800 Namgyalgar Gakyil Email: Update - July 2004 [email protected] Tashigar North Gakyil: The Gakyil welcomes Bob [email protected] Gardner as the new Geköes of Namgyalgar. Bob, from the beau- tiful islands of Aotearoa (New Zealand), is a long-time practi- tioner of Rinpoche’s teach- ings. He will be here during some Tashigar South’s Mandala important building development work at Namgyalgar. Dear Brothers and Sisters: Retreat Cabins Here in Tashigar South, Argentina, there exists an outside Mandala built The small retreat cabin behind the at the first retreat that Rinpoche gave in this wonderful land, in the coral tree is now complete. Christmas of 1990. This Mandala was designed, financed and built by Installation of a small combustion clearing the drive of sticks and generated interest from five Rinpoche with his own hands and by the hands of the practitioners from stove has made the cabin very debris. There is a proposal to do households to pool resources to many countries who came to this faraway place to take teachings about warm and cosy. Solar lighting and more planting along the front buy a place to live together inde- the text of the Song of the Vajra. In those days, Rinpoche chose the one power point have also been drive. We have been donated pendently. location of the Mandala under three leafy pines (Lebanese cedars). He installed making it easier and some Cedrus Deodar Himalayan drew the Mandala on the earth with a handsaw and demonstrated the safer to read at night. Local prac- cedar trees which could be trans- Membership first steps of the dance of the Three in front us, singing the mantra titioners inaugurated the cabin on planted in September. Jacaranda Membership at Namgyalgar is OM AH HUM. May 29 with a Ganapuja. trees are planned for the front due for renewal as annual mem- With Rinpoche and under his direction, we cleaned the area, cut the paddock to bership extends from July 2004 to lower branches of the pines creating a green dome, made the brick line the June 2005. Please renew as soon drive. as possible to ensure your contin- foundations, placed the structural wood and the floor, prepared the sur- ued receipt of The Mirror and to face and finally drew and painted the Mandala with the five colors. Business ensure the continuing mainte- All the participants of that Retreat collaborated with the work in the Committee nance and development at construction of the Mandala, so that we all became full of happiness, TheNamgyalgar. because we were all working with the Master. We all chanted mantras Business and sang sacred songs. Rinpoche took that opportunity to transmit to us Committee & Tibetan Medicine many times that this work was also practice. has conclud- Further activity in the When the work was finished, on a beautiful morning, Rinpoche began ed its term Namgyalgar region in the last few to teach us the music, the syllables and the steps of the Dance of the and handed months has included planning the Three Vajras. When Rinpoche finished the teaching, he put his book of down a final tours of Michael Katz in August notes on the center of the Mandala and in a matter of minutes a fero- report. and Dr Nida Chenagtsang at the cious storm of rain, hail and thunder came - as sign of powerful energy While the end of the year. in movement. models and This long introduction is to explain that today we have, for all the prac- guidelines titioners of Dzogchen, the great necessity to protect this original Rinpoche has named the cabin for future business ideas are still Video History Mandala as a precious relic in our Community. This Mandala has been Tsamkhang 1 and it is now avail- being developed, it has been Graeme Horner’s video history of outside for fourteen years, exposed to all of the elements. From year to able for personal retreats to regis- agreed that the expansion of the Namgyalgar and the Dzogchen bookshop’s activities should ‘test year we have added new flooring and painted it again according to our tered members of a Gar. A huge Community in Australia is pro- thank you to the generous contri- the water’ for any future ventures. gressing well. If you have any possibilities, but this hasn’t been enough to preserve the Mandala. Not butions towards this project. The Bookshop committee is photos, stories, ideas, or historic until we build a roof and enclosure will it be properly protected? This The dark retreat cabin is progress- examining the feasibility of an items to contribute to this history is what Rinpoche has suggested that we do. ing very well with Stage 1 almost on-line business and it is intended please contact Graeme at gra- Concretely, Tashigar South asks the rest of the members of all the completed. The roof went up on that the plan will be completed [email protected]. Dzogchen Communities of the world to collaborate generously to the May 29 and everything looks and presented to the Gakyil for defense and covering of this sacred Mandala. beautiful. Peter Hellman (the consideration by November Proposed 2004-05 Namgyalgar This project will cost $12.000US. The Gakyil will begin with this work builder) placed an acacia cutting 2004. Retreat program on September 1, 2004, with the total trust that the necessary resources on the roof to signify the tra- will arrive on the part of our brothers and sisters of the Vajra from all ditional tree blessing when Spring 2004 over the world. For all of those who have contributed money raising a roof. Elise 25 September - 1 already to this project we thank you and appreciate the efforts you have Stutchbury had previously October made. performed a Sangqòd practice 2004: SMS Base at the site. Joanna Tyshing and retreat with Elise Please send your contributions to: Jean Mackintosh did some Stutchbury Greenfield Savings Bank Ngagong practices there and P.O.Box 1537 tied five colored silk ribbons December 2004 Greenfield, Ma. 01302 to the roof. Building will stop Tibetan Medicine for one month to plan the fit- Mantra Healing In the name of Glen Eddy (this account was established by Glen for out and test the insulation and Level 2 with Dr Tashigar South) ventilation. Nida (only for Routing/ABA : 211870799. If you wish to do a personal those who have Account: 1500024631. retreat at Namgyalgar please completed MH L1 contact Jean Mackintosh at or undertaken MH [email protected] Tel: 02 4473 weekend seminar Many thanks for your collaboration 7049. In her absence please con- with Dr Nida) tact the Secretary. SMS Scholarships Martin Bortagaray, President Gakyil of South Tashigar. Information regarding eligibility January 2005 Geköe’s House and applications for the SMS Namgyalgar 10 year anniversary Construction of the Geköes house Scholarship Program are being celebrations is expected to start soon after the prepared. Ngawang and Rabten SMS Base, Level 1 & 2: 1 - 2 completion of the dark retreat Lamas have discontinued their weeks depending upon interest Tashigar South cabin. Donations for stage one of SMS scholarships. They have left the Geköes’s house are being Namgyalgar and chosen to stay in Autumn 2005 Rosa Altamirano – Secretary sought. Contributions from Australia to pursue their own 25 March - 2nd April 2005: Comunidad Dzogchen Australian taxpayers are tax activities independently of the (Easter): Mandarava Retreat Tashigar deductible, please get in touch community. Rabgyi Lama has Calle pública S/N with the secretary or directly to taken a vacation from the scholar- This program is not yet con- Tanti 5155 [email protected] for ship; he has the option for further firmed. Retreats and events will Pcia. de Córdoba details. Approximately $60,000 is study on the SMS scholarship be publicised on Namgyalnet, Argentina required for stage one of con- upon his return. Norbunet and in the Mirror when Tel & Fax: 0054- 3541-498 356 struction and another $60,000 confirmed. Email: [email protected] may be needed for completion. Housing Cooperative A group of practitioners in Gar Beautification Melbourne have formed a hous- Local practitioners have begun ing coop as part of the Melbourne beautifying the Gar entrance by Community Housing Plan. It has

T HE M IRROR A UG/SEPT 2004 21 Family. Parenting words of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu & the Teachings Educating Children what they must and mustn’t do, well what to do when children Family and Parenting this is just the first step on a long Teaching them to considering that it is important start reasoning, because the prin- A Group of People and at times arduous path which Understand their that children be educated and that ciple of the Teaching is to find Related to Each Other becomes more challenging as the Dimension parents also have an important oneself in one’s dimension and child grows. responsibility and a role to play in through this to be able to respect y Collins dictionary So while we may find it difficult Some excerpts from a teaching by this. other people’s dimensions, too. describes ‘family’ as ‘a dedicating our waking and sleep- Chögyal Namkhai Norbu This is certainly important. If And if children feel this, then they group of people who ing hours to a tiny individual’s The Mirror, Issue 17, 1992 parents did not take responsibili- also understand what it means to Mare related to each other, especial- every need (baby size circum- ty, children would surely find find oneself in one’s dimension. ly parents and their children’. In stances), by the time we have fol- here are many ways in the many problems because of their Finding oneself in one’s dimen- other words, a social unit. In times lowed his or her teetering first world of educating chil- lack of experience. So, it is true sion also means being responsi- past, families were very extended steps with anxiety and joy, sup- dren. People of all kinds, of that until children are capable of ble. In this way, explaining every- social units in which they counted ported him in his first agonizing Tdifferent social categories, and reasoning enough – i.e. until they thing and collaborating, parents numerous offspring, armies of day at school, we find ourselves above all parents, know very well are about ten years old or even make children feel that they cousins, aunts and uncles and a with a strapping teenager bounc- that children represent the future less, even seven or eight, since it themselves are responsible. full set of grandparents in the ing around the house – circum- of the world. Just thinking of a also depends on the children and They can do this not only background. But more important stances that are infinitely broader single country, we can see how its their individual capacity – parents through explanation, but by giv- than size, I think that there and more complex. future depends on its children and try and explain, teach, follow ing them a chance to be responsi- was an interdependen- This requires how they grow, how they are them, to defend them from all the ble as they grow up, instead of cy among family consider- brought up. So everybody consid- problems. always cuddling them, saying, members, support ably more ers that it is very important for There are some theories that “Oh, my little one!” reminding for the elderly daily life in skill and children to be well educated. say that children should be totally them of how it used to be when and the sick and aware- When they are born, children free and be left free to do any- they were in mummy’s lap, as if care for the the mirror ness. have their own ideas that are thing they want. I don’t think that they were their parents’ toys. young. Essen- In this fresh, innocent, beyond dualistic this is a good idea, because chil- Some parents like to think of their tial services that day and concepts and limitation. Then dren have no idea of freedom or children in this way, even when are today often age, par- they have to grow up with their “non-freedom”, they simply don’t they are adults. They may have provided by the enting has parents who love them and try understand because they lack a fun like this, developing their State were taken care become a and do their best, teaching them precise idea, and so they may attachment to the children, but of within the family. The multi-faceted job what they have learned, not only have a lot of trouble. In this case, children can’t always live in this members of these families lived requiring a variety of through education but also leaving them alone means aban- way, as if they were on their and died, married and were born skills that continually need to be through their experience in soci- doning them, failing to give them mother’s lap. They have to live usually within a radius of a few developed. It requires sensitivity ety, through how they have lived, help and collaboration. Giving their own lives, be able to face all miles. The family in this context towards another individual, to knowing what one has to face, them assistance from the begin- the problems in society and those has practically disappeared. society and what it expects from how many problems there are. On ning when they are still very relative to their condition. And to A modern twenty-first century our behavior. Of course, every the basis of all this, parents try small means we are helping them. be able to face all these problems family in a developed country is parent loves their child and tries and do their best, and then many This is a very important part of they must be aware and responsi- quite another story. Yes, there are to do their best for him or her but of them try and limit their chil- education. ble for themselves. parents and children, aunts and frequently, the attitude of parents dren’s dimension, telling them Above all, when parents are uncles, nieces and nephews, but is colored by their own experi- practitioners, they know very while the mother and children ence and upbringing. If a parent may live in London, the father lacked something during their Confessions of a “The best practice is to be in a moments are self-liberating), lives in Edinburgh with the rest of youth, they often want to make Buddhist Mum state of contemplation or at the there are two possibilities, reac- the ‘family’ dispersed through sure that their child does not suf- least try to be aware” (I para- tion or awareness. Err on the side Great Britain and the rest of the fer from this lack. Sometimes it by Ilona McGavock phrase). Despite the best efforts of habitual conditioned reactions world. We are related by ‘blood’ may not be the most educational of , Chögyal and family life is doomed, choose although we may only see each attitude. hirteen-year-old: “Mum Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche, and awareness and you have greater other once a year and share noth- The best advice I have ever can you stop singing (the myself, I am not in a constant success in moderating behavior ing in common apart from our received on parenting came from Song of the Vajra) when state of contemplation. For me, AND you model a way to be. blue eyes or upturned noses. Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, who Twe get near my school?” parenting is very much in the cat- Naturally we are talking percent- Our twentieth century nuclear suggested that we make our chil- egory of “at least try to be aware”. ages here; I have my share of family is small, unable and dren be responsible for their Me: “Why? No-one can hear me It happens at that subtle interface knee-jerk responses. It is proba- unwilling to carry out all those actions. This principle of taking in the car.” between the “rising” of your bly healthy for children discover services of caring for the sick, the responsibility could be consid- that you too have elderly and the young. Today we ered to be the cornerstone of not Thirteen-year-old: “But foibles, but own up, have hospitals, hospices, nursing only how to educate children, but my friends will see your all is forgiven and and retirement home and kinder- of how to be a member of our lips moving!” everyone moves on. gartens. Young or old, we tend to own family, whether it is our tiny My children (includ- live our lives as individuals, each nuclear one, the international Isabella is winding me ing the butter-steal- aspiring separately to his or own family of practitioners or the up, but I still have a lit- ing, black, furry one) goal or path. That quality of car- global family spread across our tle episode that demon- teach me the value of ing, of giving of oneself, of mak- planet. strates the inverse of all wrath over anger. The ing some sacrifice that was intrin- the paramitas, sulking boundless energy of sically a part of being a ‘family’ Liz Granger for The Mirror about how much I have my children and their member has become something to do for my children capacity for manifest- alien in our brave new world of and how little time I get ing in a rebellious ambition and self-esteem. In fact, to practice and how I way when I am at my how can we even begin to consid- Parents and families are some- am begrudged air play lowest ebb has been thing we all have in common, er what a family might be. in the car. (a little bit of Ilona and children an important dynamic And then there are, naturally, the have experience with on a day to self-flagellation), If I to observe. This is children in a family – the raison day basis and absorb so much of was really integrated then the child’s behavior, your reaction, where wrath cuts through. Wrath d’etre for the existence of the our daily lives. Family and par- whining sound of the (imperfect- and your interaction with the ris- has the energy, demeanor and family social unit – as a means for enting certainly provide infinite ly serviced) car engine could be ing. It is the string of these voice of anger, without a skerrick continuation. In today’s nuclear circumstances to work with as my Song of the Vajra and I could moments that creates the family of the emotion. Play-act anger family, however, it sometimes practitioners, so for this reason, be completely with my children culture, the boundaries, and the and the kids stop dead in their seems that children have simply The Mirror chose to include it in when I am driving them to school conditioning that propels your tracks. Tip over hysterically into become the products of people’s this section of Daily Life in The instead of thinking I have to sing, children into life. real anger and you lose credibili- passions, the end-result of a pas- Mirror. and probably it is unfair of me to I am sure children come into the ty, at the same time depleting sionate relationship, an accident Please feel free and encouraged impose the Song of the Vajra on world with a little booklet, “1001 your energy. or even a lever to try and hold a to participate in writing for future them (even though as I said the Ways to Completely Provoke Standing back from the usual sagging relationship together. topics. The next six issues’ topics car engine is very noisy) and your Parents.” Other people expe- myopic view of family life, I Whatever their reason for will be: maybe I could just run away from rience your children as charming, observe that my children are nat- entrance into this human dimen- home. even well behaved, but parents ural and expressive, while (usual- sion, children need caring for Politics October 1, 2004 I have a dream memory of anoth- know otherwise. Kids save their ly) respecting other people’s until they are old enough to look Addiction December 1, 2004 er life, a monastic life, protected, most boundary-pushing behavior rights. I notice a confidence and a after themselves. This is when the Money February 1, 2005 almost silent. It is simple and I for a safe environment, for the humor that is not the childhood job of parenting steps in. Madness April 1, 2005 contemplate my own universe. people who love them the most. heritage of either of their parents, At the very beginning, it is a basic Fear June 1, 2005 Now some pragmatic wisdom has There is some rule that says chil- and I have to concede that parent- job of fulfilling a small individ- Creativity August 1, 2005 thrust me into a chaotic and noisy dren will reveal your shadow ing-awareness practice is proba- ual’s basic needs - cleaning, feed- universe. This one involves three side, demonstrate just how much bly doing OK. ing and giving affection. Thank you, children (one of the barking incomplete business of your own I have been doing weird Tibetan Learning to care for a tiny totally The Mirror kind), full-time work (caring for exists. This is where there is stuff since Isabella was two. She dependent individual at any time others) and a partner. This is the potential to cut through both at would sit on my lap as a two and of the day or night. This is when cauldron of my practice, this is the level of family karma and for three and four year old as I prac- the first inkling of ‘giving of one- where I discover how much there yourself. When children confront ticed and invent plausible defini- self’ may arise in the parents. But is to integrate. you, (given that not many of my tions of . Every now continued on next page 22 continued from previous page and Anuyoga (although I didn’t Children & Karma times, you know that the unfold- and then we trekked off to retreat, know the name). The truly ing of it is definitely your karma. The Dawning a fifteen-hour drive from thrilling moments in the by Paul Bail Often the things that disturb me Melbourne to Myall Lakes, (north Teachings for me were the the most about my children when Dzogchen pointing moments, the they copy my negative personali- You won’t believe me of Sydney) in a dodgy student car. think I must have been born at but I’ll tell you anyway Now we trek from Perth to Tilba simple paradoxes that turned my the wrong moment of history, ty traits! mind inside out. By conditioning Children teach you about not Tilba (four hours in a plane, five squeezed in the crack between I called to her in a bus). I am a perfectionist and dualistic Itwo opposite worldviews. As a being attached to the fruits of beckoned her becoming At a retreat as a five-year-old, she striving is my frequent compan- child, I was told that I should be your actions. They require all drew lots of pictures of maidens ion on the spiritual path. The only grateful to my parents for feeding kinds of nurturing, from waking real path for me, cuts through up in the middle of the night to Made known to the universe and stakes and dragons (respond- me, and clothing me, and not my waiting womb ing to the mood of the retreat?) striving, a path to teach me to beating me severely. When I feed them, when they are infants, and ran feral with the other kids. relax and open to what is, rather became a parent I tried telling my to working an extra job to help than trying to get there. I began to finance their education, when Invited the crowds As a twelve year old, she spent children these same things, but of beings lots of time reading, made a see that I would have to move they informed me it was my moral they are older. Yet, for all the beyond the obstacle of a whole effort you put into doing the right to gather mobile with Gracia (from Italy), duty and legal responsibility to at our love making and discovered there are other new language and a change of feed and clothe them, and that if I thing for them, there is no guaran- kids out there with strange par- gear. Now I revel in this pro- were to beat them severely the tee of how things will work out. foundly pragmatic and compas- You cannot truly control the Sent out to them prayers ents. This time the other child ran police would come and take me to of passion feral. (Ranging through an open sionate path requiring nothing jail. The culture must have behavior of a teenager or young natural environment with a mob less than the total integration of changed while I wasn’t looking! adult, as many a parent has found my primordial condition with out after recovering from nervous Hoping for the One of kids is not an activity to be Whereas before I was expected to whose time it was underestimated..) Both my kids every moment! be subservient to my parents, now breakdown. For one thing, In the moment by moment prac- teenagers have much more ener- to be swept love the ambience and food of a I am expected to be subservient to from the in-between World Ganapuja. Sometimes (not tice of mothering I aim for aware- my children? Is this fair, I ask gy than their parents do. They enough) we have children’s med- ness, I try to remember dedicate you? I put my foot down and could stay up till 4 a.m. arguing - my work, do formal practice long after the parent has given up Blown by karmic winds itation with yoga, shine and sto- shout, “No way!” but no one lis- into my welcome chamber ries of the Buddha. Three months when I can, and look forward to tens. and gone to bed, too tired to care retirement years as a . I may anymore. after returning from a month at Chögyam Trungpa said the Whoosh! (and it happened, it Namgyalgar, Rosie, the six-year be back for another life! role of the guru was to insult the Another thing is, the more “Work with your circumstances,” you try to control a teenager, the happened) old requested a return visit “It’s ego. Does that mean that my millions of lifetimes been about a year since we were says Rinpoche simply and repeat- teenagers are a kind of guru for more rebellious they often edly, for me, THE most profound become. So, from your children at the Gar!” Isabella echoed the me, forcing me to go more deeply Converged sentiment. teaching. Boundless love, com- into practice? There are many you learn prudence, patience, passion, joy and equanimity, gen- humility, a recognition of the lim- to create this I (re) discovered The Teachings lessons that children teach you. One eleven years ago when my father erosity, morality, patience, perse- They teach you the nature of true its to which you can control died unexpectedly. On reading verance, meditative stability and commitment, because there’s no things, and the wisdom to choose discriminating wisdom; every your battles carefully. And, they and then “The Tibetan Book of Living and way you can get rid of the pesky a million more Dying” I discovered page after moment of my day is a reminder creatures. You can’t divorce teach you that you need to prac- that the perfection of these quali- tice a lot, in order to develop page of truth, answers to inarticu- them, and they will probably out- Growing already lated questions about Guru and ties in immeasurable portions live you. You are stuck with them, deeper and deeper compassion, would make life a lot smoother! deeper and deeper wisdom, and to within her lineage, and the surprising real- so make the best of it now. within me ization that I was already a Children also teach you about retain your health and your sanity. Two days later Children can definitely help to Buddhist. Nothing for it but to karma, because there are definite- You may not believe it launch into practice. The follow- ly strong karmic relations break down your selfishness and ing year (first born now three) I Six-year-old: “Mum can you stop between children, their parents, your rigidity, if you use the situa- singing (the Song of the Vajra) tions that arise as an opportunity But as I cradle her commenced five years full time and each other. No matter how this sweet girl child study of a Masters Degree. Rosie when we get near my school, difficult the situation becomes, at to observe yourself. you’re embarrassing me! My was born at the beginning of my I do final year of study. We had moved friends can see your lips mov- worse situation. You adapt to this worked up and we do it. We know ing.” to a new city, my partner studied way of life, get more sophisticat- we should give them the opti- I do. concurrently for nearly four ed, learn the right speech to ask mistic feeling that any weakness Me: (Sotto voce ) “So much to years, we were impecunious and I for what you want, the right or defect can be transformed into by Sarah Raleigh Kilts had undiagnosed but sympto- integrate.” movements to get where you its opposite, that life is fluid, rich matic colic disease. want to get, you try to be more and challenging, but are we able Most would recognize enough and more like those big beings to do it? The list is endless! There stress factors to have one reach- Family & Parenting that seem to be the kings and is a certain amount of frustration ing for the heavy medication. “If you have a goat, queens of your world. A difficult that builds up in parents with not Instead my partner and I per- you have the problem task as they seem quite out of getting it completely right formed above average at univer- of a goat” reach, things are never really although we might start off with a goat”. Once you are born, you sity, raised our kids with little smooth, you think that what the the best intentions. have the problem of life, so you mishap and none of us developed by Giada Manca big powerful beings say or do is It was quite strange to hear have to cope with whatever cul- new emotional scars. My ground right, and it can’t be wrong even that for the Tibetans, children are ture or family you are born into was the Dharma, (secretly) form- he family is the cell of soci- if they are not always friendly. karmic debts, whereas in the West and maybe it is also thanks to all ing the foundation of my univer- ety, where everything But things, oh yes, things - things seem to work the other the obstacles that you have to sity study of osteopathy and pro- begins. You are born and those must be friendly. So you way round; children are consid- overcome as a child and subse- viding a methodology for surviv- Tonce you realize you are there, touch the stove and get burned, ered karmic credits - exclusive quently as a parent that you meet ing. The option of turning you are there, there is no way to run in the rain and catch a cold. property to be molded following the Teachings. towards suffering and obstacles escape, choose, Basically that’s all there is about one’s own inspiration and desires. rather than rejecting them and an change..….you’re a little helpless being a human child in the family It takes a life span of therapies to awareness of con- thing that can only hope that those nest, being trained to refuse and elaborate the karma of being born veyed a stoical endurance to our big beings around can understand to want, to be rewarded or pun- from such and such parents. family. We developed a capacity you. Have you forgotten what you ished. The big beings (that we are Maybe this has to do with the for taking one day at a time, an have done in previous lives? Of now) seem to have this awkward great cultural difference high- hour by hour juggling of one course there is no ‘because’telling attitude of forgetting what it was lighted by H. H. the Dalai Lama. child at school, the baby in class you why you are there. The big like and repeating the same sce- His Holiness notes that in the with me, grueling 6-8 hours of beings must have always been narios with their own children West, we say to our children, “I passages lectures every day, city traffic,10 big, they are a different race, and and the story starts all over again. love you if you are good” as if Books, manuals, TV shows about exams per semester, dharma they are very mobile and commu- there were an unspoken business BORN: how to raise children might give classes two evenings a week and nicate in a very different way. transaction between parents and Congratulations!!!! intellectual understanding, but all the samsaric necessities of life. They are strong and forceful. children, whereas in Tibet one To Jennifer Peters and Jinesh doing it the right way is another When I started to feel limited or They also have this ability to hide would just say, “I love you Wilmot, Indigo Ireni thing completely! overwhelmed, I had only to bring and disappear when you are in because you are my son”. Montgomery Wilmot was We know we should avoid Sogyal Rinpoche to mind as an need. So you start to suffer when As we have the luck to be part born at home in Melbourne, telling them what they are or that example of limitlessness. mama and milk, cuddles and of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu’s Australia, at 3.45 PM on they behave just like auntie Maria Chögyal Namkhai Norbu warmth are not there. There you Community and to be in touch Sunday June 20th, 2004 because they will feel to be just appeared in a peripheral kind of are, trapped. That’s where it all with a completely different point weighing 3426 grams. that or take auntie’s identity, but way early in my involvement begins (in this life you are con- of view, we can at least cultivate Everyone is very well and we do it nonetheless. We know with the Dharma. I had been to a scious of, at least); the craving and the intention to avoid this materi- happy! teaching he gave in Melbourne, I the time it takes for fulfillment we shouldn’t tell them all the alistic attitude and, although the think in 1997. However recogniz- and straight afterwards the cling- time, “Do this and don’t do that society in which we live pro- ing my connection with him was ing to things just in case they dis- …” or “Couldn’t you be just a bit motes us in the direction of its a bit like turning around a large appear again. more like so and so, a bit more own models of behavior, we can boat, requiring the completion of So it all starts off with the tidy, punctual, respectful … less at least be aware of different ways my degree, a change of city and a wrong apprenticeship. Nobody to lazy, casual, demanding …” but it and possibilities and do our best new life for the whole family. tell you that you are lucky, that continues slipping out of our to apply them. Over a period of years I had the cat that seems to have no mouths. We know we should Anyway, quoting Chögyal begun to understand there was a problems whatsoever is in a much never be harsh or tell them off in Namkhai Norbu, “If you have a different View between Tantra front of other people but we get goat, you the have the problem of

T HE M IRROR A UG/SEPT 2004 23 HOW I MET CHÖGYAL NAMKHAI NORBU by Rosemary Friend Throwing away the return portion Relaxation, collaboration, becom- very big wind almost causing the is my samsara nirvana cake. Rin- of my plane ticket back to Australia ing aware of and respecting my plane I am in to crash. I sound A, poche signals and calls me to play. was born in Australia into the initially felt difficult, but was in limitations and yet developing my and breathe. The plane pulls out He says, “what colour do you family of Joy and Derek, two fact a gift in terms of my life having capacity became the themes of my just before crashing and stays close want?” I reply, “yellow”. He says, Ibeautiful people who were very any real meaning. Several long life. I had no doubt about my con- to the ground. Elemental dreams of “I’ve already chosen yellow”. I loving and attentive to the needs of retreats with Lama Zopa Rin- breathing under water and reply, “red then”. the three of us, my sister, brother poche and Ngawang Dhar- breathing air from rocks also And so now that I have met Rin- and me. They devoted their time gyey, in the exquisite Coromandel occur during this time of poche, I find myself in the strangest and energy to our development in Peninsula /north island New attempting to integrate the situation. Having spent the last two all ways. During a chaotic parental Zealand, wet my appetite for teaching into my daily life. years working to sell up New separation during my adolescence, more. Almost ready to leave down A personal retreat at Gawaling Zealand life and move to live in I found cannabis to be a worthy south for Dunedin to study with in Namgyalgar in the late Margarita and be there for the soother of my new found anxiety, Geshe Dhargyey, Jerri (my now 1990’s was a point where I felt whole of 2004, especially the Man- which (I just can’t seem to escape husband & Geköes of Tashigar it was time to do some Longde darava retreat, I find myself in an that old pattern of causal thinking Norte) spied an advert for a cook and work with Garab Dorje’s idyllic island half way between sometimes) seemed rooted in the for our Master, Chögyal Namkhai second statement of no longer Jamaica and Cuba, here for three complete breakdown of family Norbu, at his first retreat in New remaining in doubt. The retreat months (their hurricane season), structure and a temporary solution Zealand in 1988. When listening was very important as I had swimming in the clearest waters I of boarding school. A few years lat- to Rinpoche for the first time, I become passive and allowed have ever known, working in the er, my venture to university to knew I was receiving the most myself to be damaged energeti- GP department of a government study medicine was a journey extraordinary teaching I could cally in my work and life. How- hospital with great people, living in toward the notion of healing which, imagine and had little capacity to ever I was so charged when I a gentle community that has a in retrospect, was as much about do justice to this most precious arrived that I had to spend the strong presence of Africa, receiving the wounded healer as a deep feel- space jewel. first few days just doing Yantra the teachings of a lifetime via web- ing of altruism. I did my time in Dunedin, not very Yoga, and walking cast and experiencing the profundi- In the mid 80’s I embarked on a far from the Antarctic ice shelf, and nection with the transmission gently around the house in order to ty of this transmission beyond my new adventure to the country of my am forever thankful to the Commu- because of several dreams I had. I relax and be in a fit state to do any wildest dreams, beyond time and mother’s childhood, New Zealand. nity there for the opportunity to live felt strongly the need to develop the other practice. space. Within two weeks of arriving there, and work in a beautiful environ- practice of the night and was atten- I don’t think, at this point, I had still What to say? How fortunate we I was naively surprised to find ment and the time to begin to inte- tive to develop my awareness in the really met Rinpoche. But I think I are, no? There are no words that myself imprisoned for three grate my body, speech and mind dreaming state. was beginning to develop a base, a come close to expressing the months for possession of hashish with presence. Dreaming, Chögyal Namkhai Nor- place in myself from which to meet deeply, loving gratitude I feel while catching up with an old An overwhelming desire to bu puts his hands on my head and a him. I only really met Rinpoche towards our precious Master, lin- friend, a woman of the underworld. immerse myself in the Dzogchen diffused light energy filled my around the time of the Longsal eage, Buddhas, dakas, dakinis, This ‘behind bars’ experience felt teachings led to several retreats body from on top of my head and I retreat in Margarita in early 2002, protectors and all of our commu- like my first retreat, as I was with Rinpoche in Australia, New experience ecstatic bliss. Dream- when I had several experiences and nity. As I finish writing this, I am blessed with a friend’s gift of Yeshe Zealand and Japan. However, in the ing, there is pure water flowing and dreams. with the beautiful metaphor from Tsögyal’s life stories. They con- mid 90’s, I realised that I was in a nearby a river of faeces which is A year later, last year, I enjoyed the The Supreme Source: “And vision sumed my body, speech and mind place where I needed to stop just beginning to mix with the clear emergence of play in my dreaming. becomes like a vast sea and the so completely that she has continually going to teaching stream. I am aware and feel uncer- I am making a cake and it has fae- non-discursive state as immense remained one of my great inspira- retreats and actually do something tain but realise not to worry. Every- ces in it. I am aware that others may as the sky, the sphere of experi- tions. with the practices I had received. thing is fine. Dreaming, there is a find it difficult but I am ok with it. It ence of .”

orm & Emptiness: The Dalai Lama teaches the Heart Sutra • Meredith Monk on DZOGCHEN F dharma and creativity • Attending to the Deathless, by Amaro • Forum: Bodhi, Jeffrey Hopkins and Jan Chozen Bays debate the law of karma • Community Profile: Foundation for the The Self-Perfected State Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition • Five teishos by Maezumi Roshi on breathing, energy and the practice of qi gong • Dharma Dictionary: Thanissaro Bhikkhu defines satipatthanna • Thich Nhat Hanh explains why sangha is a deep spiritual practice • Norman Fischer on the controversy over “Nanchuan Cuts the Cat” • Roger Jackson reviews The Third ’s Mahamudra Prayer • Readers’ Exchange: Being a Buddhist parent • Forum: , Joseph Goldstein and Judith Lief on the need for more full-time practitioners • by Chögyal Mahamudra teachings by Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso • on awakening “the One Namkhai Norbu Who Knows” • Diversity Practice at Spirit Rock • Pure Attention: A conversation with S.N. Goenka • Eido Roshi on the “True Man Without Rank” • Ask the Teachers: What In this classic work, do I do when my practice isn’t working? • Dharma Dictionary: Charles Muller defines yogacara • Rinpoche clearly explains Unpublished teachings by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche • The centenary of Shunryu Suzuki Roshi • Dzogchen and then on the meaning of • Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche on the three kayas reveals what is meant by • The inspiring story of Dipa Ma • Gehlek Rinpoche on the practice the practice of Dzogchen. of taking and sending • B. Alan Wallace on purity of the dharma • Forum: Understanding Master Dogen • Vipassana teachings by U Pandita • From “A fine introduction Servants to Practitioners: Jan Willis on why things are getting better for the nuns of to Dzogchen for the Western reader.” —THE TIBET JOURNAL Subscribe to Buddhadharma 150 pp. • 5 line drawings THE PRACTITIONER’S QUARTERLY $14.95

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