THE MIRROR

Newspaper of the International Dzogchen Community September/October 2000 • Issue No. 54 VLADIVOSTOK RETREAT

WITH CHÖGYAL NAMKHAI NORBU

RUSSIA

AVCL'ST, 2000

by Irina Pustovit

DIRECT INTRODUCTION TO THE STATE OF ATIYOGA Retreat with Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche teaching at Vladivostok with Grisha Mokhin translating

Merigar -|- t looked like this endless flight and because it was nine hours dif­ I which took many hours would ference between Riga and Vladi­ July 2000 never come to the end when the vostok we were sleeping in the day by Tuula Saarkoski pleasant voice of a flight attendant time and having fun by night, the informed us: "Ladies and gentle­ same as all the people from Eastern J~\irect Introduction to the State of Atiyoga, the new joined to the electric current. The joining cord in this men, in twenty minutes we'll get to Europe. On the beach a tent camp -Z-X Upadesha text of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, was case is the Master, the Guru. the place of Artems airport..." I had grown up. Fifty to sixty tents the basis of the teachings at the Merigar summer retreat Thinking of all those who live far away and do not looked out the window and thought. sprouted there. About six hundred in July, 2000. This text is an essential teaching concern­ have the possibility to travel to receive teaching and "Will we be able to land with such people took part in the retreat. I ing how to find oneself in the state of Atiyoga, the state transmission. Chögyal Namkhai Norbu has suggested a bad weather?". Or should we go and want to say THANK YOU VERY of Dzogpa Chenpo, and belongs to the cycle of "The solution which is based on the modern technology. It is look for another airport? Outside MUCH to all people who organized Innermost Essence of the Dakinis of the Radiant Clarity not that he thinks transmission can work through videos there was fog, or maybe they were this retreat. It was done very profes­ of the Universe". Chögyal Namkhai Norbu received this or telephone or any mechanical device, but these things low settled clouds, out of which sionally and at the same time every­ teaching through his dreams, the first time in 1972, can be used as a tool. So, he is suggesting that on the hills were sticking out. It seemed one was very kind and tactful. They again in 1978, and again in 1983, when he was finally anniversary days of Adzom Druizpa, Guru Padmasamb- like whipped cream generously found such a beautiful place for the able to write it down without any outside interruption to hava and Garab Dorje. when the entire Dzogchen Com­ covered the hills and nothing would retreat. Astonishing nature that was stop him from remembering. This text consists of the munity joins together in Guruyoga at the same moment be able to get through the barrier. unspoiled by civilization. There essence of the three testaments of Garab Dorje related to according to the international time table, he will give the The most gorgeous out of this world were a lot of huge butterflies, spi­ the state of tregchod and the three series of Semde, transmission and we can receive it practicing according sun rise and burning sun light were ders, sea stars and other creatures. Longde and Mennagde. to a rite on video which is being prepared, (see Mirror penetrating the clouds three times We got a sensation like the whole of Rinpoche started his explanation by speaking of the #53, page 3) In this case, the way to practice and receive before we finally landed on the nature was sounding A and Om A importance of Guruyoga in the Dzogchen practice, and is shown on the video, but the transmission comes from small (and I mean small) airport at Hum. Even in the sound of the sea so each day the teaching began with just that, the him, live, at that moment, in all the world, because dis­ Vladivostok. and scream of the crows we were Guruyoga exactly as he practiced it with his Master, tance is not an obstacle. Thanks to Rinpoche I traveled hearing it. The weather was spoiling Rigdzin Changchub Dorje, in the dream, when receiv­ Seeing that his old students are becoming older peo­ so far from Latvia, otherwise I us. ing this Upadesha teaching. After sounding a very slow ple. Chögyal Namkhai Norbu invited all to spend the would never have so many power­ continued on page 11 and long A, Rinpoche remained like that for some time. rest of their time on the island of Margarita, out in the ful and beautiful experiences which So I indissolubly unified my mind with his State and Caribbean, off the Venezuelan coast. There the climate I'll remember as long as I can. remained in the equanimity of contemplation. After a is pleasant all year round, old people would feel good, There was a short pause to get while my precious Master started singing the Vajra Song and the younger ones could follow after. A wonderful the luggage and our little group CONTENTS beginning with "Etna Kiri Kiri..." and I also joined in and considerate offer. from Riga was speeding ahead to a singing. That is what we all did in and around the Gonpa Every morning there was Yantra Yoga and Vajra boyscout camp called "Yunga". In 2 THE CAMP ON THE HILL at the summer retreat at Merigar. As Rinpoche pointed Dance. After the teaching there was Yantra Yoga and forty minutes the cab driver Chögyal Namkhai Norbu out, one has to be joined to the transmission, otherwise Vajra Dance again for beginners. Merigar was well pre­ dropped us off near a gate of the 4 INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATIONS the teaching is just words. He said to have a lamp is not pared and expected a large number of people, but the camp. In a few more steps we were 5 STORY OF SHAKYA SRI enough, it is just an object, but to give light it has to be final number may have still been a surprise. We were all standing on the beach surrounded Elio Guarisco by an enormous and beloved Vajra continued on page 11 family. Our Vajra brothers and sis­ 5 BOOK REVŒW ters welcomed by us with hugs and 7 Asia NAMKHAI NORBU RINPOCHE'S SCHEDULE 2000-2002 kisses. What was the most impor­ 9 KALACHAKRA IN INDIA tant for me - here in the water of the 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 Sea of Japan, Chögyal Namkhai 11 THE COMPLETE WORKS OF October 6th - 8th SOUTH AMERICA, PERU CHÖGYAL NAMKHAI NORBU Teaching retreat. Taipei.Taiwan February 1st Norbu was swimming and playing October 11th-15th Leave for Peru in the company of a fifty people. 1 13 "THE CAMERA is ALWAYS IN RIGPV Kaohsiung Longde Retreat, Taiwan rushed into a little building on the Interview with Russell Richardson and October 17th USA, WEST COAST Leave for vacation at Taidung Island or elsewhere May 1st beach to put on my swim suit and Dorata Czerner October 27th Public Talk jumped into the water. OK, Norbu 15 INTERNATIONAL Leave for Thailand May 2nd-6th Rinpoche is here and that means West Coast Retreat COMMUNITY CONTACTS Vacation in Sri Lanka May 13th-16th I'm at home. People around me are H.H. the Dalai Lama's teaching, Portland playing the new game - Samsara 16-25 COMMUNITY NEWS November 17th-19th May 18th-20th and Nirvana. It was so great to see 27-28 INTERNATIONAL GAKYIL NEWS Conference on Tibetan Medicine, Rome Portland Retreat the adults jumping and screaming November 21st RUSSIA, KUNSANGAR like their children. My friends Day of Azom Drukpa Santi Maha Sangha swam to welcome me again and SPECIAL ISSUE November 25th-29th May 27th-29th again. Rinpoche got out of the water Cape Town Teaching Retreat. South Africa SMS Base Level Exam THE MIRROR HAS ADDDED 8 December 3rd May 30th-June 5th and the sea got so lonely. So we Buenos Aires, Argentina SMS I Level Training decided to go on and find some MORE PAGES TO June 6th-8th place to stay and rented a room in a ACCOMODATE ALL THE SOUTH AMERICA, TASHIGAR SMS I Level Exam sweet house on a hill. coMMiiNrn-NEws! December 26th - January 1st June 9th-13th SMS Level II Training New Year Retreat, Tashigar Days and night were flying by,

continued on page 3 Chögyal Namkhai Norbu

aloundra, on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland, Australia, choice. But the other places where we started in the beginning Cis now on the Dzogchen Community map since Chögyal are in not such warm places; we are recognizing that we need Namkhai Norbu bought a family house there a few months warm places. ago. Tsegyalgar is very cold in winter, for a long time there is snow Caloundra has always been a combination of a quiet beach and it is very difficult. Also Merigar is not warm in winter, it's place to which many people move in retirement and a family very cold and damp and so we are looking for a place for Meri­ holiday place as it is only an hour north of the State capital, gar. Brisbane, and has both surf and calm water beaches. First we looked in Greece where there were some possibilities Rinpoche chose Little Mountain, an area a few minutes on the islands, but there was something not so comfortable, a from Caloundra. for his family holiday home as it is in view of little difficult for some reason to create something there. Then the Glass House Mountains, a group of old volcanic cores we looked in the south of Spain. Some Dzogchen Community which rise dramatically from the flat land around, and which people in Spain looked but they haven't found anything con­ Rinpoche feels have very powerful guardians. And the crete yet, and are still working on it. guardians certainly seemed to be active while Rinpoche was in In the United States in the beginning we created two Gars the area, stirring up the rain and some of the coldest days we because the United States is a big country; one in Tsegyalgar can remember around here. and the other on the West Coast. We bought land in California An early explorer named these mountains whose steep rock and called it Chungdingar which means Flying Garuda Place, sides looked like glass when seen from the sea. However, the because that place was a forest and eagles were flying every Aboriginal stories had older names for them. Tibrogar- day. We did two retreats there and it was not a bad place, gan. father mountain who looks out to sea. Beerwah the but there were complications with neighbors. They mother, who according to the legend remains always always disagreed when we did retreats, saying there pregnant, and Coonowrin. the son. were too many people coming by car Rinpoche's place, Illalangi in and not being quiet. They protested Aboriginal language meaning Camp strongly and we discovered it was not on the Hill, on the ridge of Little possible to continue, so decided to Mountain, has over an acre of grass, sell this land. fruit trees, a pond, native and rain for­ THE CAMP ON THE HILL AT LITTLE MOUNTAIN Then the West Coast wanted to buy a est trees and a view of the sky, the sea SUMMER AND WINTER GARS new place for this Gar. But then I to the East and the mountains to the thought that in North America it is Southwest. For the first Ganapuja in INTERVIEW WITH CHÖGYAL NAMKHAI NORBU sufficient to have only one Gar, not the house for local practitioners and two. But for one Gar we need a winter for the inauguration housewarming place and a summer place. We party in June which attracted over six­ by Carol Albert for The Mirror already have the summer place, ty Dzogchen Community members Tsegyalgar. Now we need a Tsegyal­ from different parts of Australia, the gar winter place. So I told the West "camp on the hill" became like a Coast Dzogchen Community to try small Gar. to take responsibility to get Tsegyal­ Although Rinpoche was at his gar a winter place. So we went to house for about six weeks of relax­ Mexico and the Mexican Dzogchen ation and quiet writing work, almost Community also was interested in the only "photos" I took were with finding a place. So I suggested it is the "mind camera". The images I better that the West Coast and Mexi­ have from the housewarming are of can Communities collaborate the elements. Fire - fires in braziers together and we try to find a place in on the verandah with glowing coals Baha, California, because the West and smoky wood, bamboo torches in Coast people said it's a very warm, the garden and strings of lights in the nice place. So the West Coast orange and lemon trees, fire under Dzogchen Community agreed. If the barbecues. Fire and water - float­ they need some 'small personal ing candles on the pond among the retreats, to build cabins, etc., it is lotus leaves as a light offering to also sufficient to buy a small place Rinpoche. Air - the sounds of Rin­ nearby near San Francisco or Los poche. Tenzin Tsewang and Tenzin Angeles. But the main Gar is Choegyal playing ñutes and singing Tsegyalgar, even though in two Tibetan songs, prayer flags over the places it's the same Gar. pond, streamers in the wind, bal­ Also in Argentina, Tashigar has this Glass House Mountains loons. Space - the expansive sky problem because it is a nice place, view. And Earth - always the Glass House Mountains in the we have, in some places more powerful local guardians and but not so warm in winter. Also South America is very big and background. some places less powerful. At Namgyalgar the mountains also it is a great distance from Venezuela and places in the north of Space, air, water, fire, earth, all integrated with Rinpoche's have local guardians, but the Glass House Mountains are very South America to Argentina, especially as South America is presence which remains with us even when he has left "the different even in shape, etc. So even if there are many kinds of not so organized as other countries so travel is very complicat­ camp on the hill at little mountain". guardians related with mountains, there are guardians related ed and expensive. So for that reason if we have Tashigar some­ to more positive activities or more negative activities. So when where in the North, in a warm place, and then we have benefit we are doing practice, in our relationship with the local for Tashigar and at the same time also people can participate guardians we are strengthening the positive aspect. more, northern people will find it easier to participate in things INTERVIEW WITH RINPOCHE Even if the local guardians have some negative aspect, we can like retreats. And we have the idea to create this on the island influence them in a more positive way. Sometimes we have of Margarita. I would like to stay there longer when I have free SUMMER AND WINTER GARS special rites for strengthening more positive energy of the local time because it's a very warm place and dry, and this is some­ guardians so we control the negative aspect. thing I need in my physical condition. In this case also we can The first time I came here we did a retreat at Mullumbimby get a place for Tashigar and we put together with Tashigar of by Carol Albert for The Mirror (about five hours south of the Glass House Mountains) and the Argentina. Argentina Tashigar is just like Namgyalgar, we already have organized many things and still we organize con­ Carol Albert for The Mirror: Rinpoche, you have chosen to person who had that land wanted to connect with the local tinually. We are not leaving that but physically it will become buy a house near the Glass House Mountains. What is their guardians and I had a dream the local guardians were not relat­ two Gars, North and South, winter and summer. But really it significance for you and for the Dzogchen Community? ed with positive activities but more negative. So I said we should do a ritual to control the negative force. One day I went will be one Gar with two places, for winter and summer. The on top of the mountain and did a puja rite and I put a vase there. same for other Gars, Tsegyalgar, Merigar, Namgyalgar, there Chögyal Namkhai Norbu: In general, when we find some Maybe it's still there or maybe it wasn't sufficient because lat­ will be one Gar but with two places, one for winter and one for mountains whose form, color and shape all manifest a little dif­ er they left and sold land. The new owner is not a practitioner. summer. ferently from other mountains, then we can understand that So local guardians can be very useful for Dharma activities those mountains are somehow connected with local guardians. Then we have Kunsangar which we will think about a little lat­ and particularly for strengthening positive energy. So these mountains are very special. It shows there are some er because there we still have so many things to finish. When powerful local guardians. So if we do some special spiritual we finish everything of course for Kunsangar also we will see activity, it is very important to have contact with the local The Mirror: Rinpoche, what inspired you to have winter Gars what is possible to create. guardians and we can educate these guardians in a positive connected with the present Gars? Where do you see thè winter way. We can strengthen their energy in a positive way and it is Gars being, for each of the Gars? What is your vision for the The Mirror: In particular, what is your vision for a Winter Gar also positive for the local countryside. For this reason I think it future for these winter Gars? near the Glass House Mountains? How do you see the devel­ is interesting in this area to have a seat for the Dzogchen Com­ opment of this? munity, and I'm very interested in these mountains and having ChNN: We need to slowly develop winter Gars in all the more contact with them. places because our Gars that we have for example in Italy, the ChNN: At Namgyalgar we have the present Gar already devel­ United States, South America, are all in places that are a little oped with a Gonpa, house, etc. and we still have many possi­ The Mirror: Are there powerful guardians associated with not cold because people have the idea when they think of a spiritu­ bilities to build a retreat place, cabins for personal retreat, only these mountains but also mountains near the Gars in gen­ al place they always think of a mountain and they feel fantastic because the land is not small, it's very big. And we know already eral? on a mountain. in Winter it's not so easy. It's very cold for people living there. So Only Kunsangar, in Russia, is a little different, because Russia then if we have a Winter place, a place that's a little warmer, we ChNN: In general there are some mountains with the places in general is high and cold in most parts, so there is not much can continue more activities. continued on page 3

2 Teaching continued continued from page 2

First Ganapuja at Rinpoche's new house in Caloundra THE STORY OF THE CAT AND THE MOUSE But my idea is not that we do every­ do personal retreat. So this kind of thing double because we don't need activity can continue even if it's THE VALUE OF THE TRANSMISSION to, only a place here around this cold. In Tibet many practitioners place (the Glass House Mountains live on snow mountains even in area), a place for having main place winter time. Compared to Tibet CHÖGYAL NAMKHAI NORBU of the Dzogchen Community, and Namgyalgar is not so very cold. So also if there are any possibilities to everything is possible. MERIGAR RETREAT create or build a meeting hall or teaching place even if it's not so The Mirror: What is the next step very big, and all possible activities towards this vision in this area? SATURDAY MORNING, JULY 22,2000 in the winter time can be continued. e are connected with the transmission through a fantastic". Then every day when the teaching finished Then it would not be like two differ­ ChNN: I think the first thing is that teacher and this is something very, very impor­ and the mice are going away, and the cat is taking the ent Gars, always one Gar. But of W we still have many things to finish, tant. You must really be careful, particularly in the West- last mouse. For a long time the mice didn't discover this. course, then for the people who are our projects at Namgyalgar, for em world. Today there are some Western teachers who Then one of the mice had some leg problems, and could­ taking care and being responsible, example around the Gonpa, a hall say. "Oh, we don't need a teacher, Dzogchen can be n't walk very well. One day this mouse disappeared, and it's easier for people participating, for the Dance, these projects we practiced by reading a book". We don't really know how then someone said, " Oh, this mouse was the last one most people, in the local place. should finish first. And when we we can learn Dzogchen through a book or without trans­ when we were coming out". Then they wondered and That's easier. And then in winter have less heavy problems there, we mission or being connected with the transmission. If said, "Oh, there must be some problem". Slowly, slowly time people from Namgyalgar who will go in a more concrete way here, there is a lamp, we must connect with the current. If we they checked and looked at what the cat was doing. are taking responsibility can come getting a place and developing it. If are not connected with the current, the lamp never mani­ Then the cat went to the toilet, his toilet, and after he did and spend it here. In Namgyalgar in we started now it would be a little fests light. Transmission is method, something very all his service he put earth on it. He was always hiding winter time maybe only a few peo­ difficult. important, and we are connecting the transmission with his feces. Then they said: "Why he is hiding it?". Then ple would remain because there are ourselves. Then there is a possibility to manifest. some of the mice went and looked and discovered that many things there to look after. So The Mirror: Thank you Rinpoche there were many hairs of mice inside it. Then they had a people would stay to look after Since the beginning, all these teachers like for your time.i meeting and said, "Oh, maybe our teacher is not seri­ things or even if it's cold people can Samantabhadra, Vajrasattva, then Donpa Nova Tonpa, etc., and also teachers of the Oddiyana lineages until ous". And in the end they discovered that was so and Chögyal Namkhai Norbu's schedule continued from page 1 today, not one of them said, "You don't need transmis­ escaped. June 15th-21st SMS n Level Exam sion". Sometimes in the Western world it's strange We don't follow a teacher that way. We must really Kunsangar Retreat June lst-5th because people follow, even if there is not really some­ open our eyes and check. If it is something serious, then SMS III Level Training Santi Malia Sangha thing basic or concrete to follow. Some people are even we can follow. If you followed a teacher and received June 22nd-23rd June 14th-28th writing interesting books; taking a little from here and some teaching, particularly like a Tantric teaching, you SMS II Level Exam Personal Retreat of Chögyal Namkhai there and then creating something new. Then every­ have already created some relationship with that June 24th-28th Norbu SMS III Level Training body says, "Oh, we will do a workshop". And then peo­ teacher. If you discovered that the teacher was like the July 5th-14th ple say, "Oh, it is interesting, it has benefit". To have cat, then that is your fault, not the fault of the teacher. ITALY, MERIGAR Dzogchen Retreat some small benefit it's easy. But you must understand The teacher was always like the cat since the beginning. July 6th-10th what "benefit" means. We are like travelers. Travelers But you didn't discover that. Now you have created Merigar Retreat ITALY, MERIGAR July 17th-August 6th July 18th are staying in a hotel for maybe one or two weeks, but something like transmission with this teaching, and in Personal retreat of Chögyal Namkhai Leave for Merigar not forever. We may live for a very long time, maybe this case, you must respect. Norbu one hundred years, but there is no one always living on Some people talk very badly against the teacher August 10th-19th Santi Maha Sangha earth. Then what is "benefit"? "Benefit" doesn't only Merigar Retreat July 23rd-25th when they discover this. That is not good at all. If you SMS Base Level Exam mean for this moment, but "benefit" means that we real­ have discovered that the teacher is not good, you stay Santi Maha Sangha July 26th-3oth ly need to get into our real condition and develop our away, but you don't criticize because it is bad for you. August 21st-23rd SMS I Level Training capacity to govern ourselves. When we are dying, for You are related with that transmission, so you could cre­ SMS Base Level Exam August 24th-28th August 10th-18th example, most people don't know what has happened. ate many problems. Paying respect means that you don't SMS I Level Training Dzogchen Retreat So that is our condition. Then if there is benefit, we are do bad things. But of course, if you discovered this then really one hundred percent sure what we do and how we you don't need to follow. These things are important for September 7th-17th Santi Maha Sangha go beyond our death. Vacation in Sardegna August 22nd-23rd Westerners. SMS III Level Exam Our consideration of the teaching should be that the Tibetans don't have this problem so much, we know Santi Maha Sangha August 24th-28th teachings are something that really have the principle of how it should be done in general. But Westerners do not September 23rd-25th SMS IV Level Training SMS II level Exam August 30th-31st these things. If there is nothing, then these small benefits have much of an idea; for example, some people follow September 26th- 30th SMS IV Level Exam are really not benefits: only to become satisfied in the Sutra or Tantra and they don't know very precisely what SMS III Level Training September lst-5th moment, and then happy, but these can also be the root the main points are. For example, if you follow SMS V Level Training October 7th September 8th-22nd . of suffering. You see, for example, butterflies are jump­ Tantrism, then you have samaya, commitments. If you Leave for Margarita Island Vacation in Sardegna ing in a fire; they like it because it's very nice and they are following Sutra, maybe you receive some kind of like it and they jump. That is the benefit because they vow and you must keep that vow. But if you are follow­ VENEZUELA, MARGARITA AUSTRIA, KALACHAKRA like it and it's nice. But what is the product? The product ing Tantrism the vow is not the principle; the principle is ISLAND October 10th December 26th-January 1 st Leave for Austria is death. That is an example. You shouldn't concentrate samaya, commitments. So if you create problems, you Margarita Island Retreat October 11th on small benefits only. We must understand that if we don't create problem for this teacher, but for yourself. H.H. the Dalai Lama arrives are following a path there is realization, that is its Particularly transmissions are governed by the 2 0 0 2 October 23rd source, and we must understand the base, path and fruit. guardians of the transmission and the teaching. The February 15th-24th H.H. the Dalai Lama departs Margarita Island Teacher's Trainine We must understand everything well. guardians are always looking after the transmissions. So March 29th-April 2nd ITALY. MERIGAR For that reason we also need teachers. Teachers have if someone creates problems - the teacher or student - Margarita island Easter Retreat October 28th so many problems in the Western world. When someone then the guardians punish. For the guardians, the most April 9th-23rd Return to Merigar Margarita Island Longsel Teaching is saying, "There is a teacher", then everybody is jump­ important thing is not the teacher or student, but that the THAILAND ing. You must check a little, if that person is really transmission is kept in the correct way. That's why prac­ USA, TSEGYALGAR November 4th titioners do Ganapujas. Ganapujas are for making May 3rd-7th teacher or not. Sometimes they are also not really a Dzogchen Retreat Leave for Thailand teacher. Someone is manifesting like teacher because peace, for purifying everything with the guardians. If we November 15th-17th have created some problems between practitioners, we Thailand Dzogchen Retreat there is some reason. We have an example of a cat. A Santi Maha Sangha must purify. So these are all related with transmission.. May 10th-14th very clever cat went to eat a mouse. And then the mouse SMS Base Level Exam SINGAPORE said, "Who are you ?" The cat said, "Oh, I'm a very November 22nd-24th May 15th-19th good teacher, and I will teach you how to live and get Singapore Retreat Transcript by Phil and Marina Smolkov. SMS I Level Training happiness". Then this mouse told another mouse, "Oh, May 21st-23rd checked and corrected by Oliver F. Leick SMS I Level Exam AUSTRALIA, NAMGYALGAR there is a very good teacher". Then they went to the cat; Edited by Naomi Zeitz May 24th-28th November 25th the cat is sitting there saying something interesting. Leave for Brisbane * SMS II Level Training Then they say, "Oh, that cat is really good teacher, it's May30th-31st December 26th-January 1st Namgyalgar Retreat

THE MIRROR SEPT/OCT 2000 3 he International Publications decide, but you discuss with TCommittee held a meeting in The International Publications Committee Meeting Shang Shung Edizioni and me. Merigar on July 7, 2000 in the Then we see which kind of condi­ MERIGAR Merigar Gonpa. Chögyal Namkhai tions we accept; not always offer­ Norbu, many representatives, IPC JULY 7,2000 ing all rights for others, but that members and interested parties doesn't mean we need all rights from all over the world were pre­ for ourselves. It depends. If an sent. The meeting was opened by external publishing house is Igor Legati, the coordinator for interested we can discuss with translate into German, for exam­ for example, is the Italian version Publications Committee. The translations and transcriptions, by them, otherwise if we publish the ple, most of us don't know Ger­ still considered the original publica­ Publishing Committee is a part of explaining the origin of the IPC and books ourselves we can see where man, but Germans know Ger­ tion and Igor replied that little by lit­ the Gakyil and the Dzogchen introducing the first topic of discus­ the best place to publish is." man. There is a committee of tle all the official versions will be in Community. Otherwise it sion as communication within the George Quasha, the owner of Germans who check and maybe English. becomes very complicated and Committee. The IPC was estab­ Station Hill Press in the United they don't understand something Ed Goldberg from the United we lose much time.' lished two years ago by Rinpoche to States, expressed his concerns about - maybe there are some doubts. States asked if everything is finally Oliver Leick, from Austria, check all books and publications how to know which publications are They can communicate with our checked by Adriano Clemente and addressed the issue of IPC control containing Rinpoche's teachings. available for the general public and main translators like Adriano Jim Valby and Rinpoche replied: and the relationship of Shang Shung According to Chögyal Namkhai which are limited. Also, when a pub­ Clemente and Jim Valby; they "No, we already said there are Edizioni to the German language Norbu there continue to be some lication goes to an external publisher, consult with them and establish a different committees for different publications. He asked if the IPC problems with communication; how they can be controlled. final version, but you don't need languages and they must be controls how people must work. He often people are doing translations Igor replied, "If the books are to do this for every word. We responsible for any book of their also feels that as the person in and transcriptions of which the IPC for the general public or not, the make too many complications language, checking and making charge of Shang Shung Editions of is unaware. There are particular original decision is up to Rinpoche. and time is passing and we lose all sure it can really be published or Austria, there is not enough collab­ teachings that must be carefully The books already published by good occasions for publishing. not. If someone is merely doing a oration with the IPC and the com­ checked because some parts related external publishers are for the gen­ This isn't good. We must be transcription, that's another munication is too slow. to certain teachings cannot even be eral public. We don't have an exact aware and if there is something question, but if a transcription or Igor replied that one member of published for people within the list but maybe it is not necessary, very important we can discuss it something is meant to be pub­ the IPC is sufficient for checking Dzogchen Community, and also by because if you have to ask some easily because today there is lished, in this case we must check the translation. If there is a problem not having the work centrally coor­ publisher for the rights then of email, which is very quick. Each it through the IPC members of of meaning, then maybe it takes a dinated we are duplicating efforts course that book is for the general language must have a small com­ that language. We think English longer time. Igor affirmed that there and losing time. public. In the Shang Shung Edizioni Regarding this, Chögyal catalogue the distinction between Namkhai Norbu said: "We have a books for the general public and problem of communication. books restricted to practitioners is Someone is doing a transcription INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE already made. As for any new book, in a particular language, but we of course we have to ask Rinpoche don't know where this transcrip­ which one is for the general public tion is being done. Sometimes MAIN CONSULTANTS FOR ANY PUBLICATION: and which is for practitioners. In people in two or three places are general books containing the expla­ doing the same transcription and nations of the practices are only for we lose time. We need a coordina­ practitioners. " tor, a central place of communica­ ADRIANO CLEMENTE Igor spoke to a few other related tion. From there we can check matters of concern stimulated by which kind of transcription is this discussion, "There is a problem [email protected] being done and in which lan­ regarding a book which was pub­ guage. This is very important. We lished in England many years ago also have many different kinds of entitled Dzogchen Ritual Practices. languages and it is not easy for Recently we checked it more care­ the Publications Committee to JIM VALBY fully and think that it's better not to check all languages because none translate this book because it is is expert in all languages. The [email protected] made in a style that was very com­ people within each language can mon in the past, so to reprint this old check their publications very well book or to translate it into other lan­ and communicate with the cen­ guages is not a very good idea. tral coordinator. If there is com­ COORDINATOR FOR TRANSLATIONS AND TRANSCRIPTIONS: I also want to talk about the new munication it becomes easier to system of the IPC code that we control." IGOR LEGATI started more than a year ago. This Igor went on to say that some­ IPC code is a way of trying to guar­ times people ask Rinpoche directly [email protected] antee in the long run this kind of if they can transcribe something and control since it is difficult to guar­ he agrees, and these people do not antee any continuity of this work. notify the IPC. Igor said the autho­ We have to follow this system of the rization of Rinpoche is of course IPC code. When an IPC member mittee for that language which is easier, but there are many other are no "bosses" in the IPC and the necessary, but notification of the has checked a book, he or she has to takes full responsibility. If they languages and there is a commit­ principle is always collaboration. IPC is also essential. ask me for an IPC code." have doubts they communicate tee for each of them. Adriano and There also needs to be a working Another topic of concern was Julia Lawless from England and ask just for that point, not for Jim don't know every language, relationship between internal pub­ language; which language to tran­ asked for more clarification about everything, otherwise it becomes so if there are some problems or if lishers and the IPC, even if the pub­ scribe into, should the translation be the actual membership of the IPC; very complicated. If there is a some IPC member has some lishers are not members of the IPC. done directly into the language who the members are, what the book that someone has prepared, doubt, they can communicate Ilkka Tanner, from Finland, being translated into or first into skills required are, if it is translation that person has already had some with Adriano and Jim, consult brought up the point of publishing English, what about old transcrip­ or the reworking of a language after contact with the Publications with them and clarify a specific books through outside publishers tions when Rinpoche taught in Ital­ something is translated, and a defin­ Committee, and to communicate point Not everything, this would and the question of money and ian, what if someone working with ition of various members' roles. She to the Gakyil is not obligatory be impossible. We already have copyrights, etc. Chögyal Namkhai the IPC doesn't have enough Eng­ also feels there should be a system because the Publications Com­ different committees for different Rinpoche replied in this way: lish language skill to translate from for IPC members to have a bit more mittee is checking and approv­ languages. Of course we need the English. Other problems were "When you discuss about flexibility relative to the time they ing." someone to coordinate the differ­ discussed related to differences copyright you must go in a specif­ have available. Then the group moved on to the ent places and in this case the ic way. How is the circumstance, within a language, like the Spanish Jakob Winkler, from Germany, discussion of how to work with a coordinator is Shang Shung Edi­ how is the condition, which publi­ from Spain versus Argentina and had a major concern about using the translation, directly to the language zioni. For many years Shang cation it is, how you can contact the English from America versus source of the teaching and compar­ being translated into or first into Shung Edizioni has controlled the and make an agreement with this England. Chögyal Namkhai Norbu ing it for accuracy with the transla­ English. Igor said that the policy publication of my books so that publication; there is not one way said this in regard to these topics: "I tion. Jakob feels that people can now of the IPC is that since Rin­ we can understand a little what is to go. For example, you commu­ have seen problems of language translate as much as they under­ poche is teaching primarily in Eng­ going on, otherwise there is no nicate with Shang Shung Edizioni everywhere; for example there stand but often it is not actually lish, it is necessary that the first way I can understand what is and Shang Shung Edizioni does­ are many problems for Spanish what Rinpoche has said. He feels transcription be done into English. happening. That's the reason why n't decide, if the book is mine they because the Spanish of Argentina people outside the IPC can be asked Som» members of the IPC not flu­ Shang Shung Edizioni is taking ask me. We decide each time for and Spain is different. The Span­ to participate here by reading the ent in English were concerned, and this responsibility." each book, there is not a universal ish say it is not perfect Spanish translation and comparing it with were told that they first needed to system. For publishing a book, for publishing. In Spain it is like There were concerns expressed the source. Here Nina Robinson receive a translated transcription for example, if you prepare it and this, but in Argentina not. We do by Karin Eisenegger from Switzer­ interjected asking if the IPC mem­ from English into a language they then the Finnish committee not need to take the responsibility land, about how information about bers can be given the tapes the could work from before they could checks it and decides that it can of reforming a language and we the IPC is disseminated and she felt translation came from, as the text is translate; i.e., if the person was flu­ really be presented as a publica­ must accept certain differences. it was the Gakyil's responsibility. not enough and Igor agreed. Chö­ ent in Italian and Spanish they could tion, then you make contact with The same is true with English; Chögyal Namkhai Norbu replied, gyal Namkhai Norbu reiterated work from the English translated the Publications Committee. The American or English style and "Yes, we must inform everybody Jakob's point by saying, "I think into Italian, and then they could do Publications Committee decides spelling, it doesn't matter. Other­ that there is a Publications Com­ that how the committee works is a the translation into Spanish. Tuula what they want and we discuss wise it becomes a very narrow mittee in all languages. This is not very important point. Different Saarikoski, from Finland, asked if together and decide. It means way of seeing, and becomes com­ particularly Gakyil work but committees must remember that plicated. For translations, if we there is a publication of a practice, mainly the responsibility of the that you are not the only one to and go in continued on page 23

4 followed his own unhindered way toward the attainment of total free­ Lives of the Great Masters dom of mind. Having attained this BOOK REVIEW goal he remained a simple man, shunning glamour and worldly involvements. RELATING TO A SPIRITUAL tulkus had to be strong Tannic prac­ TEACHER: BUILDING A titioners, they were not all at the Throughout his life he worked HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP. same level of the path. Only some selflessly and solely to preserve the by Alexander Berzin of many hundreds of tulkus were instructions and methods that New York: Snow Lion, 2000 fully enlightened beings. Depend­ brought him to liberation. His ing upon the circumstances of their unpretentious realization attracted subsequent birth, different poten­ an endless stream of disciples, tials may have ripened. Without the important and less important peo­ proper training and practice in order ple, to whom he taught the very to actualize their potential, some same instructions without discrimi­ tulkus may display very unenlight­ nation. ened behavior (p. 41 ). As His Holi­ He was known to be a severe ness the Dalai Lama has written and teacher and would ask disciples to said on various occasions, being perform the traditional preliminary recognized as a tulku does not nec­ practices (consisting of prostra­ essarily mean one is qualified to act tions, symbolic offering of all the as a gum. universe, taking refuge, generation of the altruistic mind of awakening Berzin also points out that the and the purification of Vajrasattva) titles "lama" and "rinpoche" are five times before bestowing the sometimes used very loosely. In quintessential instructions on some traditions those who have Mahamudra and Dzogchen. lexander Berzin is a scholar completed a three-year retreat are and translator who has worked given the honorific title of "lama" Though in his youth Shakya A closely with His Holiness the Dalai or "retreat lama," without implying Shri was not recognized as an incar­ Lama. Although his primary teach­ that they truly have the qualities of nate lama, later on as his realization ers have been Gelugpa, he has stud­ gums. Likewise, the graduate of a blossomed, his previous incarna­ ied with lamas of all the major Tantric colleges may be given the tions were revealed by the Vajra schools of Tibetan Buddhism and title of "lama" in the sense of "ritual Body of Padmasambhava, in part attempts here to create a text that is master." Among some Mongols it remembered by Shakya Shri him­ non-sectarian in spirit, quoting from was actually the custom to call any­ self and in part indicated by key texts of all the schools. The pri­ one wearing monastic robes "lama" Khyentse Wangpo and Kongtrul mary thrust of Berzin's book is con­ out of respect (p. 38). Similarly, Lodro Thaye, by Drugpa Yongdzin sistent with many statements His "rinpoche" could refer to a reincar­ and other authentic masters, as stat­ Holiness the Dalai Lama has made nate lama (tulku) or merely be a title ed in the long life prayers that they concerning guru devotion. of respect for the head of a composed for him. Any text on guru devotion will monastery or nunnery. The terms His previous incarnations Shakya Shri have limitations and surely this "geshe" and "khenpo" refer to hav­ include the arrow smith Brahamin book will not satisfy everyone. ing mastered a course of study of Saraha, who was the progenitor of by Elio Guarisco There is a mysterious aspect to the Buddhist texts, but do not necessar­ an ocean of realized beings, the (Excerpted from the forthcoming English translation by Elio Guarisco of the relationship between guru and dis­ ily imply any particular level of yogin Maitripa and the scholar biography of Shakya Shri) ciple, and over time one's under­ spiritual attainment (p. 48). Naropa. In Tibet he was bom as standing of it deepens and matures. Rigdzin Dorje Dudjom of the In terms of the cultural context, hakya Shri's (1853-1919) life as that Shakya Shri, still at a young During the early stages one may Nanam family, one of the nine Berzin points out that the majority a yogin started with his entering age, did not feel that the monastery develop mistaken concepts about S mind-sons of Padmasambhava, as of serious students and teachers in the Drugu monastery affiliated to was the life he wanted and left the the relationship. Guidelines on Ngamdzom Bodhiraja, the mind- Tibet were monks or nuns, with a the Drugpa Kagyu tradition. We monastery for the wildemess of guru devotion, like many of the son of Milarepa, as Lingrepa the limited knowledge of family life have to assume that he became a mountains and caves. statements made in the Vajrayana, Saraha of Tibet, as Nyagre Sewo, and secular manners. Ngagpas and disciple of Chögyal Rinpoche, the Kathog Situ Chokyl Gyatsho, need to be contemplated deeply the crown of all realized Kagyupa other non-monastic, married teach­ head lama of that monastery. The who belonged to a renowned lin­ before their true meaning opens up. masters, as Kunpang Avadhutipa ers were always a minority and gen­ Chögyal Rinpoche of that time was eage of incarnations of the Nying­ There is the danger of superficial, Sherab Gyatsho, who was the mas­ erally had a very small circle of stu­ the Vllth in an incarnation lineage ma Kathog monastery in Eastern fundamentalist, or one-sided inter­ ter of Pema Karpo, as the yogin dents. Students began their Bud­ that began with a great master and Tibet and was a nephew of pretation if one bypasses this ripen­ Amkar Lhenkye Dorje, who by a dhist studies at an early age and treasure-finder. The Vllth Chögyal Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo, wrote ing process. single lifetime of practice on the learned recitation and rituals, but Rinpoche was a disciple of the Vlth a biography of Shakya Shri whose secret path of the sky-farer which is Of course, on the deepest level often received little instruction as to Khamtrul Rinpoche, Tenpai Nyi- full title is 'The Story of the Libera­ the ultimate swift and blissful path the relationship to the spiritual the deeper meaning. In contrast ma, who was himself a great master tion of the Supreme Vajra Holder, flew to the celestial realms in his teacher will forever be beyond the Western students are generally non- and treasure-finder. the Venerable Master Shakya Shri rainbow body without leaving any grasp of concepts. Nevertheless, we monastics, often have only minimal Jnana', ('rje btsun bla ma rdo rje Though Shakya Shri was affili­ physical remains behind. In accor­ always try to "figure out" the rela­ opportunities to interact with their echang chen po shai kya shrii dznya ated to the Drugpa Kagyu school by dance with the disciples and beings tionship to the gum with our con­ teachers, and are impatient with naiii rnam thar me tog phreng ba way of the monastic institution he to be trained, Shakya Shri is said to cepts. Sometimes these concepts learning slowly. zhes bya ba bzhugs so). This is entered, and because his first main have manifested inconceivably in are soundly based, but often they While Western students may found at the very beginning of teacher was Khamtrul Rinpoche, infinite emanations in sequence and are half-digested fragments we feel disturbed at their infrequent Shakya Shri's collected works and one of the most important Drugpa simultaneously, like a single moon have heard from older students and contact teachers, Tibetan lay practi­ was published by Lopon Sodnam Kagyu masters, in the second part reflects in many ponds. may be only partially accurate. It is tioners do not necessarily react the Zangpo, the late outstanding of his life his relationship with helpful to have a broader context in same: "Tibetans do not feel the need Butanese Dzogchen master and a From the age of sixteen or sev­ Nyingma teachers shifted his focus which to place these concepts. to be with another person constant­ direct disciple of Shakya Shri. enteen he exhibited the magnifi­ of practice onto Dzogchen. This Berzin's book is an admirable ly, or even frequently, in order to cence of many inner qualities, each was partly because Khamtrul Rin­ From this biography it does not attempt at this. sustain a close relationship" (p. more noteworthy then the other. For poche was also a Dzogchen practi­ appear that Shakya Shri did exten­ In terms of the cultural and his­ 199) Indo-Tibetan cosmology sees example, at times he would sponta­ tioner and a treasure-finder. This sive classical studies in Buddhist torical context, Berzin explains that the current cycle of history as a neously experience the very nature shift enabled him to become a 'ter- philosophy and nowhere is it men­ the notion of tulku is more compli­ degenerate age. Therefore tradition­ of plain naked total awareness, ton', or discoverer of hidden trea­ tioned that he attended a monastic cated than most Westerners realize. al Tibetans are schooled to be suspi­ open like the sky. Though he had sure teachings, which he himself college or that he studied a classical A tulku is a reincarnate lama. It is cious of novel and unusual ideas great qualities, he did not feel the applied before teaching them to his philosophical Buddhist text. This not necessary that one's lama or and skeptical that new ideas repre­ slightest taint of pride in being a students. makes us wonder how much rele­ Vajra master be a tulku. Some very sent an improvement. In contrast. special person and maintained the The Dzogchen masters who vance these studies have on mysti­ great lamas never founded a line of Westerners who seek out the dhar- ways of an ordinary and simple most influenced him were certainly cal experiences and realizations, tulku. On the other hand, some lines ma are by the very nature of their practitioner of the teaching. He Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo (1820- and if in the ultimate analysis, they of tulkus were not officially recog­ situation attracted to something lived like a very hidden yogin with­ 1892), Kongtrul Lodro Thaye do not become an obstacle to that nized for political reasons. In Tibet, which seems "novel" in the Western out using his clairvoyance to make (1813-1899), Mipham Rinpoche intuition which plays an important the tulku system was intertwined context. predictions, neither praising the and Adzom Drugpa (an incarnation role in gaining realization. Howev­ with the mundane social system, good nor despising the bad. He nev­ Traditionally many Tibetans of the eighth Drugchen Rinpoche). er, we may presume that either he since historically the Manchu er put on a contrived appearance or viewed a "light scolding" to be a way All these masters belonged to a had a spontaneously bom under­ emperors had required certain lines behavior in order to impress the rich of showing loving concern (p. 199). stream of open-minded non-sectari­ standing or that his studies enabled of tulkus to act as imperial adminis­ and gain their favors. However, it is difficult for most an beings who contributed him to express himself, and became trators and tax collectors. Often Westerners to react in this spirit. In At Drugu monastery, Shakya immensely to the revival of all tra­ the holder of precious and deep there were political forces trying to fact, many Western disciples need Shri was first appointed as the care­ ditions of the Buddhist teaching in teachings such as those of advance certain candidates for or expect "a pat on the head" from taker for making and distributing Eastern Tibet in the early eighteenth Mahamudra and Dzogchen. recognition. Consequently, mis­ their teachers (p. 202). Many the tea for the monks. From time to century. His biography shows Shakya takes were sometimes made. Even Tibetans are shy about discussing time he was able to leave his Though Shakya Shri entered the Shri to have been a humble man, great masters have indicated they private affairs with their teachers, responsibility and pay visits to Drugu monastery, he did not who through stem dedication to the may have been mistaken in their and traditionally did so mostly in Tenpe Nyima, the Vlth Khamtrul became a monk, but took the five practice, unblemished pure vision recognition of a tulku (p. 40). the context of requesting a divina­ Rinpoche, who at that time was precepts of a celibate lay Buddhist toward his teachers and fellow Furthermore, although the tion. In contrast, many Westerners staying in secluded retreat at practitioner, a vow that he later human beings, and non-interfer­ founders of the various lines of gave up when he married. It seems ence in political intrigues, directly Book Review continued on next page continued on page 6

THE MIRROR SEPT/OCT 2000 5 final stages of the path such acts are tulku or lineage head (p. 213). He guru. In some cases the refusal to beyond the capacity of the disciple discusses Jagmon Kongtrul's tradi­ relate to other masters may reflect a BOOK REVIEW (continued from page 5) and would therefore be unwise. tional criteria for resolving such distorted understanding of one's Berzin cites the Fifth Dalai Lama's confusions, but points out there are guru as a truly self-existing entity are unabashed about seeking advice fy the meaning of the term root advice to lay disciples to give due some cases where applying these who is "the only one" (p. 223). on personal matters, unrealistically guru, which is sometimes used in consideration to the practical needs criteria still leaves the matter in Although Berzin's text does not expecting celibate teachers to different ways by various students. of their families and dependents doubt. Berzin suggests that if the pretend to be an authoritative pro­ advise them on their matrimonial He relates these terms to the notion when making offerings to the guru issue is one that is peripheral to the nouncement, it can be helpful in relationships. But. the teacher does of the "ultimate guru." (p. 130). Berzin also alludes Ash- central teachings of the means to terms of suggesting some of the not solve all our problems for us: The most delicate area that vaghosha's Gurupancasatika (Fifty liberation, and if the disciple is subtleties and ramifications of the "Spiritual mentors do not reveal Berzin attempts to address is the Stanzas on the Guru) which states unable to settle it by appealing to questions he addresses. Like the everything at once. Instead, they injunction to view the Tantric that under certain circumstances authority or to reasoning, the best Madhyamika approach, which cuts give mere hints or present only frag­ teacher with pure vision. Berzin one can respectfully excuse oneself solution may be to maintain a dis­ away at habitual conceptualizations ments" (p. 90). This encourages dis­ goes into a long and fairly technical from complying with the requests tance from the issue and to have no by tireless logical analysis, Berzin's ciples to not be mentally lazy, and to explanation of various levels of of one's Vajra Master (p. 135). This opinion (p. 215). In this he is taking detailed analysis may help readers develop perseverance and patience. meaning to seeing the guru as Bud­ text has also been quoted in the past the lead of the Dalai Lama, who has to question simplistic notions and to After discussing these cultural dha (p. 170-179). He suggests pure by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. often urged students to focus on the contemplate in depth. However, differences, Berzin goes on to dis­ vision does not contradict perceiv­ On the issue of "Westernizing" central truths of Buddhism and not some personality types find Mad­ tinguish the various types of rela­ ing that a teacher's action has Buddhism, Berzin tries to steer a spend too much energy on minor hyamika difficult and dry, and like­ tionships with teachers on the level caused suffering to someone. If this middle course. He agrees that the controversies. wise some readers may find of Sutra teachings and the special becomes unbearable for the disci­ way one shows respect to one's Berzin also discusses dealing Berzin's book too long and detailed. guru-disciple samaya at the level of ple, the Kalachakra Tantra permits teacher does not have to slavishly with the death of one's guru. He In this case, they might prefer to highest Tantra. Concerning Sutra, the disciple to keep a distance from imitate Tibetan cultural forms but points out that the relationship to consider a quotation from You Are Berzin delineates the finer levels of the teacher while still maintaining reaffirms that for Tantric Mahamu- one's guru does not end with death, the Eyes of the World (Snow Lion): differentiation that can be made. respect for the teacher's good quali­ dra or Dzogchen practice, the bless­ and may in some ways grow even "This process is constantly rein­ There are a variety of functional ties and appreciation for the ings from an unbroken samaya rela­ stronger after the guru leaves the forced by the presence of the roles - academic teacher, ritual teacher's kindness, (p. 169) tionship with a root guru are dis­ body. There is still the possibility of teacher in the flesh....unwilling to be captured by projections forc­ instructor, dharma teacher, spiritual Berzin points out that traditional pensable (p. (98). receiving inspiration from contem­ ing us to be 'just ourselves"'(p. 65). mentor, and refuge and vow precep­ tales of disciples who demonstrated Berzin also takes on the bewil­ plating the teachings one has tor - and the same individual may extreme devotion (throwing them­ dering issue of how to react when received, or directly through not necessarily fill all these roles in selves off cliffs, etc.) are meant as one has samaya with two gurus who dreams. At the same time, there is by Paul Bail the student's path of practice. Con­ inspiration rather than intended to support opposing factions - for no prohibition on fonning a new cerning Tantra. Berzin tries to clari- be followed literally. Except on the instance over the recognition of a relationship with another embodied

of The Great Compassionate One as tees. Thus a new door was opened without grasping at anything. Lives of the Great Masters Mind at Rest, the pure vision of for his charismatic activity and Nonetheless, without closing the Chandali the Mother of Life, The altruistic work. door of the wisdom that knows continued from page 5 Quintessence of the Dakini, the ini­ Those who "harbored wrong manifold appearances, he was very tiation, transmission and teaching ideas about him or belittled him felt cautious of the relative truth of of the innermost treasure of Aval- regret and undertook everything actions and their consequences. Lhadrag Yangdzong. On one of Monks and lay people devel­ okiteshvara Lotus King and the ini­ possible to confess their mistakes. When he undertook a second these occasions Shakya Shri dis­ oped a wrong view about Shakya tiation, transmission and the yellow Later when they had established three year retreat on the fifteenth of cussed his understanding of spiritu­ Shri's practice and began to shower scroll of the treasure of The Union their fortunate connection with the the third lunar month in the year of al matters with Khamtrul Rinpoche, a rain of criticism and abuse on him. of the Three Roots. Master with faith and respect and the metal snake (1881) he had the who dispelled his uncertainties on Viewing praise and blame as an After giving these teachings, became his disciples, he took them following experience. The red and the state of realization and in a very echo, he remained in the state of Khyentse Wangpo empowered under his spiritual care, gave them white vital essence of his body happy mood gave him a skull-cup contemplation greatly affecting the Shakya Shri and requested him to teaching and made them take up the entered the expanse of the central filled with curd. Thereafter, he gave enhancement of his realization. be the holder of these teachings. practice. In the course of time, channel (dhuti) through the lunar Shakya Shri the introduction Many auspicious signs indicating Shakya Shri spent many years in Shakya Shri became the pioneer and solar pathways, and met with known as 'The Great Seal of the the blossoming of his life, and his intense practice in the Long Vajra who established a wealth of great the ascending and descending wis­ Co-emergent Yoga' with the fol­ charismatic activities manifested Cave at Lhadrag Pema Yandzong meditators throughout the central dom or [element of] of 'rahu' or lowing words of advice, "Oh excel­ and his good qualities waxed like and in other places. When he was and ail the surrounding regions of 'fire of time'. As a result he experi­ lent son! You belong to the enlight­ the full moon. practicing meditation at a retreat Tibet. enced an extraordinary state of ened lineage. Remain in the undis- His first place of practice was place situated above Jogarteng, Khamtrul Tenpe Nyima, the contemplation of the innate nature tracted state. That alone is a suffi­ the great cave of Evam in Drugu, some stupid and arrogant young manifestation of the dance of the of the mind. Because of this experi­ cient practice!" otherwise known as the residence monks from his old Drugon Victorious Lotus-Bom, Jamyang ence, Shakya was able to foretell From that time on, whenever he of Drugu. When he undertook strict monastery strongly felt that there Khyentse Wangpo, the holder of the the day of the occurrence of the found time, Shakya Shri dedicated retreat there he had only a broken was a dirty situation going on in the entire teaching, and other great lunar and solar eclipses without himself to formal sessions, sitting clay pot for boiling water and a flat area of Chugosho, a mixture of pure masters, gave Shakya Shri the actu­ using any conventional astronomy. crossed-legged and with the proper stone as a bed. He wore simple cot­ and impure and spoke disparaging­ al introduction to the state of intrin­ One time in a vision of sheer gaze in a state of contemplation. ton clothes and went barefoot. He ly saying, "In that place there are sic awareness. On this basis, and lucency, he saw a woman with Baro Chokyong and other young practiced day and night. At night he lots of families and women". With with perseverance in the practice, orange eyebrows who gave him a monks of the monastery made fun knotted his hair on the top of his this and other evil rumors, these just like water and manure to nur­ plate of food resembling rice with and mocked him with nicknames head. Because of the protracted monks caused as much harm as out­ ture the field of his faith, Shakya vegetables saying, "These are the such as "Pema's nephew with the substance of the Ganachakra offer­ big nose". They asked him what he ings of the Dakinis". After eating all was doing and pricked his body Though he experienced countless pure visions, he the food, Shakya Shri experienced with needles and burning incense. an unceasing realization of (the His body would swell with bubbles, did not have the slightest impulse to hold on to them. union of) emptiness and bliss but remaining faithful to the four throughout body and mind. principles of being a good monk, he He let whatever he experienced vanish spontaneously As an external sign that he had never became angry. grasped the sheer lucency of the During the day he did not have like a bird that flies in the sky without leaving any mind, he could see the sun shining time to engage in formal medita­ in his (dark) retreat house. tion, but at night he would sit with imprint. During his waking state he wit­ his body upright next to the central nessed indescribable magical dis­ pillar of the kitchen of the plays of gods and demons. Howev­ monastery on a cushion made of periods of meditation, there was no side fundamentalists caused to the Shri put into practice the instruc­ er, he exhibited the definitive stones and remain there till dawn. part of his body and clothes that was Buddha. tions of his masters. For him the understanding that in the state of Apart from a short period of sleep in not white with lice and their eggs. This happened when the omni­ dream-like and illusion-like magi­ instant and total presence demons the middle of the night, he spent the When he no longer had any roasted scient Drugpa Yongdzin was travel­ cal display of all things of cyclic and gods are unreal, nothing but the rest of the time in a state of contem­ barley flour to eat, he walked to the ing in the district of Chamdo for the life, as well as that of perfect peace playful energy of emptiness. plation. He was an example of per­ vicinity of Drugu monastery to beg sake of the doctrine and the people. that is created by dualistic decep­ Not long after he had had these fect asceticism. for food. He lived on whatever he When Shakya Shri went to meet tions of observed and observer, experiences, while he was staying Then the lineage of the oral was given and dedicated himself him, Drugpa Yongdzin saw him as came to an end in their own place as in the Long Vajra Cave Secret Trea­ transmission of the Dakini on the solely to practice. Moreover, it was if he were Lingchen Repa in person, just transparent; sometimes there sury of the Dakinis, one morning at secret path came to him. The pre­ not his style to conform to worldly and the two teachers discussed and sometimes not. At all times he dawn he dreamt of meeting the dictions of his masters and a Dakini people and go around the villages experiences and realizations. Drug­ was unperturbed, in the state of accomplished master Lingrepa. urged him to take up that path and performing ceremonies or live off pa Rinpoche was extremely pleased naked awareness of the primordial From him he received numerous he took Chozang Dronma of the the offerings of devotees, monaster­ and said, "Oh, it is marvelous that purity, endowed with the three wis­ introductions to secret teachings in Thotsang family who exhibited ies etc. there is such a great hidden yogin in doms. Though he experienced a symbolic language. At the end, signs of being a Dakini as his secret Shakya Shri met Khyentse this place", and united his hands at countless pure visions, he did not Lingrepa dissolved into Shakya partner for training in the so-called Wangpo three or four times and on his heart in a sign of respect. He have the slightest impulse to hold Shri, becoming indivisible from his 'other-body' method of enhance­ these occasions and received from praised the master in a boundless on to them. He let whatever he intrinsic awareness. As this ment of one's realization. When one him the initiation, the • liberation way and gave him the name of experienced vanish spontaneously occurred, the knowledge of the state has reached the right level of prepa­ instructions and additional teach­ Shakya Shri. From that time on he like a bird that flies in the sky with­ of reality which is beyond any pos­ ration this method serves as a swift ings on The Master Chakrasam- became known as Togden (or real­ out leaving any imprint. He sible identification dawned in his cause for the experience of the vara, an innermost treasure of ized) Shakya Shri and came to be remained in the all-encompassing mind. highest bliss. Khyentse himself, the earth treasure held in great esteem by his devo- great yoga of dwelling in space continued on page 9

6 The Dzogchen Community Gramagon and the Dzogchen Community of Japan Gramagon is a big College of Practice belonging to the biggest monastery of Derge Gonche. It was founded by the MahasiddhaThantong Gyalpo and is the main Sakyapa monastery in Derge. Sponsorship of Monasteries in They need help and sponsors. Sibdagon or Simda Gompa College of Traditional Studies and the Dzogchen Community ofTashigar Tibet (** see details below)

Sibdagon is a monastery of the Nyingma tradition. They have already built a new College of throughA.S.I.A. Study and for years A.S.I.A. has been sponsoring a teacher there. They need help maintaining the College and assistance with their standard of living. uring his trip to Central and East Tibet in lf97, Chögyal Namkhai Norbu visited several Dmonasteries. Rinpoche had a special link with some of them, others were where he had spent part of his youth or places where his main masters had lived and practiced. In the meetings Dzolung and Tara Mandala with representatives from the villages and monasteries, Rinpoche received many requests for assistance and was able to understand the problems that the monasteries have to confront in this Dzolung or Dzolunggon is a small monastery of the Sakyapa tradition. This is the place where day and age. On his return to the West, Chögyal Namkhai Norbu drew up a program for a series Ayu Khandro spent most of her life in dark retreat. The young tulku of Ayu Khandro recognized of projects to assist some of the monastic communities he had visited and presented it for the first by HH Sakya Trizin has started to build a small College of Study there, and they need help to fin­ time to the international Dzogchen Community in 1999.(See Mirror # 48, page 5) Chögyal ish this project as well as assistance in building a new College of Practice. Namkhai Norbu asked people in the Community to take responsibility for these projects and suggested that A.S.I.A. act as a liaison between the monasteries involved in the projects and that the Community initiate the projects as soon as possible. DETAILS OF TWO PROJECTS FROM The day before his departure from Merigar this summer, Rinpoche met with the Gakyil and A.S.I.A other Community members and presented a generous sum of money to the Director of the Gaky­ il as Merigar's contribution to their sponsorship project of Galengon or Galenteng Monastery in *UPDATE OF THE RESTORATION OF East Tibet. GALENTING MONASTERY'S HISTORICAL Rinpoche asked that Merigar and other Communities not forget these projects and their com­ MONUMENTS mitments to them. He also stressed that it is now very difficult for individuals to visit Tibet, and by The A.S.I.A. working Committee we should use our already established a method for channeling money through A.S.I.A.. who Rome, June 2000 will, in turn, distribute the funds to the monasteries. It is not only a reliable method of sending the funds, but it could be detrimental to all concerned if individuals or small groups of people decide These more detailed accounts of the activities of to work independently, and therefore we should collaborate and use A.S.I.A. as our only means A.S.I A. and the Galenteng Monastery and Sim- to distribute the funds. Following are the names of the monasteries and the corresponding spon­ da Gonpa Projects are excerpted from informa­ sors: tion sent to The Mirror h\ A.S.I A.

Galengon or Galenteng Monastery and the Dzogchen Community of Merigar The Galenteng Monastery was founded as a (* see details below) Nyingmapa monastery but later became the resi­ dence of the important Sakyapa Master, Ga Galenteng Monastery, in Dege County, is one of the most ancient monasteries of Eastern Tibet. It Anan Dampa. Subsequently, the monastery was placed under the protection of the sovereigns of Dege, who affiliated it with the Sakyapa school, was founded in the IX century A.D. by Lha Lung Dpal Gyi rDorje, a student of Gum Padmasam- of which they were fervent supporters and patrons. Due to these peculiar origins, even today the bava, who sought refuge there when he fled from central Tibet, which was at that time under the practices used in the monastery combine methods from both the Nyingmapa and Sakyapa tradi­ dominion of King Lhan Dharma who was a ferocious enemy of the Buddhist religion. We would tions. like to build a College of Study and later a College of Practice there. Thus, Galen Gonpa became one of the seventeen main Sakyapa monasteries of the realm of Khamdogar and the Dzogchen Community of Tsegyalgar Dege, visited annually by the sovereigns during the summer season. On these occasions perfor­ mances of all kinds were organized for the king, his court and the general populace. These Khamdogar was the residence of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu's main teacher Rigdzin Changchub included ritual dances and religious ceremonies, as well as secular entertainments, such as horse races, contests of strength and skill, folk dancing, recitations of ballads, storytelling and all of the Dorje. Here we would like to build a College of Practice and one of Study. traditional performances of Eastern Tibet. Galen Gonpa became not only one of the most impor­ • Wontod and the Dzogchen Community of Germany tant religious centers of the realm of Dege, but also one of its most important cultural centers. The Monastery of Galenteng became known throughout the whole of Tibet because of the Wontod Monastery, in Dege county, Szechwan Province, is a monastery of the Sakyapa tradition great masters who lived and studied there, including Lha Lung Dpal Gyi rDorje, the Mahasid- and the residence of the famous Khanpo Wontod Khyenrab, who was one of the most important dhas A Gyi Dorje and Ga Anan Dampa, Drubwang Kung Palden and Kyentse Qosgi Wangqyug. students of Dzogchen Khanpo Zhanga. Chögyal Namkhai Norbu studied at this monastery for Thanks to the fame of these great masters and the long, rich history of Galenteng, Galen Gonpa six years. The College was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution and is now being rebuilt. It became one of the most important religious and cultural centers of Eastern Tibet. would be good if the German Community to help to finish the building of this College and help The monastery grew and developed with all of its buildings and places of communal worship bring better conditions to enhance the people's livelihood. including: the temple of the monastery surrounded by the living quarters of the monks, the resi­ dential houses of the abbot and great lamas of the monastery, numerous Chortens or Stupas (c); Ral u ng and the Dzogchen Community of France the Thunchor - votive offering caims (consisting of heaps of stones with mantras carved on them), buildings for the practice of Mani (Manikhang), the College of Traditional Studies and Ralung Monastery in Gyaltse County, TAR, is the original residence of the Dharmaraja and the the College of (meditation) Practice. In the past, the monastery housed about a hundred monks and lamas of superior knowledge and experience. source of the Drukpa Kagyud School. Here we would like to realize the project of building a new College of Study. As for the historical events of the last decades, the Monastery of Galenteng suffered an inevitable decline. Now, in line with a more open attitude to religious studies reflected in Chi­ nese policies concerning the Tibetan minority, the population of Galenteng has been able to start ; Ralung and the Dzogchen Community of Taiwan to reconstruct the village Monastery, and some of the local families have entrusted their sons to As well as a College of Study in Ralung Monastery as described above, we would like to ask the the Monastery to receive a religious as well as traditional cultural education. Dzogchen Community of Taiwan to sponsor a College of Practice at the same location and help The villagers have saved everything they could from the ruins. In particular, they managed to with better living conditions. keep in tact the ancient small temple of the Monastery, saving it from destruction. This temple contains original frescoes dating back to the X century. They have also reconstructed some of the Dzamthokgon and the Dzogchen Community of Singapore buildings that had been completely destroyed. The College of Traditional Studies and the Col­ lege of Practice have yet to be rebuilt. Galenteng Monastery today has forty young monks under Dzamthokgon or the Dzamthog Monastery, Jomda County, TAR, is a small monastery of the the guidance of the only three elderly monks who survived the tragic events of recent decades. Sakya tradition and a very sacred place of Vajra Kilaya. Some years ago the temple collapsed They are dedicated to imparting instruction in traditional subjects to the young novices. and they have asked for help to rebuild it. We would also like to construct a small College of The Social Composition of the Area: Study for the young monks there, and then later they can teach at this College. A community of one hundred and fifty families is related to Galenteng Monastery. There are roughly thirteen hundred inhabitants distributed in eleven small hamlets. The whole population Sengchen Namdrak and the Dzogchen Community of the West Coast is nomadic and usually goes on the move about three or four times a year to find fresh grazing for their herds. Sengchen Namdrak Monastery is the residence of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu's uncle Togden The local economy is based on the raising of yaks and horses and the sale or bartering of the Orgyan Tenzin. They have already a small College of Study and one of Practice, but their living excess nomadic produce to farming communities. Each family possesses an average of seventy conditions are very difficult and uncomfortable, so they need assistance for both Colleges as head of cattle, and this considerable quantity is thanks to the quantity and quality of the pastures well as living conditions. belonging to the village. The life of the population of Galenteng still follows the rhythms and traditions of long ago. Dzongtsagon and the Dzogchen Community of the Netherlands The village of Galenteng has no school and no health center. Its administrative center is the Kolondu municipality. For local matters there is a committee composed of the eleven heads of Tagzik Dzongtsagon or Dzongtsa Monastery is a very small monastery of the Sakya tradition. In the village, the administrative monks of the monastery and the elderly lamas, who meet whenev­ the 1950's Chogyal Namkhai Norbu took a commitment to look after and help the monastery. er there is an important decision to be made relating to the life of the village community or the We would like to help them build a small College of Practice and Study there. monastery. The monastery is also a principal reference point for the village people's important personal or family concerns. Close to the monastery, almost all the nomad families of Galenteng have a house where the old people can spend their last years of life to attend to religious activi­ Khrorugon and the Dzogchen Community of the UK ties. Khrorugon or the Khoru Monastery is one of the root monasteries of the Khoru Kagyu lineage Reasons for the Project: and the residence of a famous Tibetan Doctor Troru Tsenam. They have already built a small Following the Cultural Revolution, almost all the monasteries and religious centers in Tibet College of Study and a small hospital. Their living conditions are very poor and they still need suffered from decay and religious officials and followers lost their social and cultural position. help to better their living conditions and maintain their College and hospital.

continued on page 10

THE MIRROR SEPT/OCT 2000 7 As well as being a Relaxing Ourselves In The very well known His HOLINESS master of Natural State Of Mind Dzogchen and THE DALAI LAMA Mahamudra, I N Dugu Choegyal PRAGUE, Reöeat Wilh Dugu Choegyal at Merigar Rinpoche is an internationally CZECH REPUBLIC recognized artist, OCTOBER 17TH-18TH AUGUST 12-18,2000 and much to by David Ruiz everyone's delight His Holiness the Dalai Lama will visit Prague for he kept handing he first day, I was late. I'm never late (almost) but the two days. On Wednesday, October 18th, at 6 out small one- relaxed Italian country pace of life of Merigar had seduced p.m., His Holiness will give a public talk on "The T sheet photocopies me. Dugu Choegyal Rinpoche was sitting quietly waiting for Ethic for the New Millennium." For more infor­ of spontaneous the hubbub of the last minute preparations for the short Gana- mation please contact: drawings. He used puja that was to open the retreat to subside. He began by thank­ these endearing [email protected] or www.dalajlama.cz ing us for being there for that 'shining' Ganapuja. His delight at images to illus­ On Tuesday, October 17th, at 6.30 p.m., there just being there was more than obvious, and very contagious. trate specific will be a multi-religious meeting of representa­ Near the end of the Ganapuja he went directly into an intro­ transmissions of short mantras used, for example, to create a good tives of various religions with the His Holiness. duction of the Dzogchen teaching through what he stated as the cause for the thousands of insects we This will take place in the Cathedral of Prague's "three most important points" of purity, equanimity and great kill when walking on this earth. In one Castle. bliss. He explained that these were, in fact, only qualifications drawing, he suggested writing Om of a simple natural state of presence. He closed by saying that Mani Padma Hum Hri mantras of com­ whatever we do on the path, the whole thing comes down to the passion on the wheels of our cars so that simple point of "relaxing ourselves in the natural state of all might benefit from the spinning of mind", all the time, how it is. Obviously, in order to do this we the wheels. We received several of need to first recognize this nature. He then stressed the impor­ these drawings with mantras through­ tance of what he considered a fourth point, to add to the other out the retreat at the beginning of each three, which he called self-confidence. In order to arrive at session, like a small treat. His message, self-confidence, he explained, we first have to have confidence and his presence, were full of light and in a teacher and a teaching, and to follow instructions. We can compassion. then arrive to the clarity of our own natural state. After Rin­ poche opened the floor for questions and discussion, as he did He also warned us about the dangers of the Dharma with a quote at the end of many of the sessions. from Gampopa, which states that "if we do not practice Dharma according to the Dharma, then Dharma will cause us to destroy us". There is a very deep humility and soft naturalness continu­ Rinpoche then gave a teaching about the three ghosts of pride, ally emanating from Dugu Choegyal Rinpoche. Expounding competition and comparison according to Shantideva. He said all on equanimity, he stressed that the main quality that he had practitioners must be careful of these ghosts in all their varied guises seen the Dharma manifest in all great masters was a natural ranging from smiles and kindness to anger and hatred. Laughing relaxed state. The next day Rinpoche began by speaking about mischievously and full of apparently contradictory delight, he told us the View. The first couple of days were a deep lesson in humili­ how these ghosts had made a very strong impression on him when he ty; Rinpoche spoke about the five vehicles and how they were LAMA WANGDOR was young and had caused him to act and speak and act and given all equal in the view of the great equanimity of Dzogchen. He him much to deal with. He referred back to these three constant com­ reiterated that we should not see any vehicle as superior or VISITS TSEGYALGAR panions of a practitioner throughout the teachings. Rinpoche then judge which vehicle was wrong or right. took us through the Eightfold Noble Path and here insisted that the Rinpoche returned repeatedly to the point that from the SEPTEMBER 9&10,20O0 most important Paramita was the supreme knowledge or understand­ "rigpa point of view" we can learn from everything and any­ ing of interdependence and shunyata, which is like the all seeing eye. thing. Then he spoke of the mercury like Dzogchen view of ama Wangdor gave two days of teachings on the Rinpoche clarified the difference between Dzogchen and Mahamu­ Rigpa, untouched by all vehicles, but in which all vehicles are Tsig Sum Ne Deb: The Three Words That Strike to dra, the paths of no effort, and the rest of the paths involving effort. L included and for which all vehicles are necessary. From the the Heart as taught by Garab Dorje from September 9th- "great equanimity", although distinctions can still be made, We ended the retreat with a Ganapuja, and from what I could see 10th, 2000 at Tsegyalgar in Conway, Massachusetts. everything is equal. Beyond the clouds, the sun always shines. through the liquid accumulating in my eyes, a few people around me Approximately eighty people attended the retreat. Many All of this, he said, was like a symbol of open mind. The real were having trouble keeping their faces dry. Like clouds in the sky, thanks to Lama Wangdor and his translator Lena!« nature of mind, he insisted is not clouded by any particular, everyone disappeared back to their respective countries and Merigar limited point of view. became a beautiful quiet lush Italian mountainside once again. •

Dakini practitioners of Chöd. More referring to ancient texts and oral just above where his head "Laughter of than one hundred people would instructions of lineage masters, would lay on the bed, to practice Chöd together in the while other times he gave very kind remember the kindness of Dakinis" assembly hall from early morning and practical instructions from his his great master. During till late in the evening on important own experiences. After staying in the New Year Days, he days. Rinpoche's lineage of Chöd Japan for more than twenty-five would make tea with the THE CHÖD RETREAT WTTH comes directly from this tradition. years and traveling around the brick and deliver it to all VES. NYICHANG KHENTRUL RINPOCHE According to the tradition, his world, he is very aware of the situa­ the people who came so teaching started with a general tion of the modern world, so the that they could share the by Tetsu Nagasawa explanation on the basic topics of Merigar Gonpa was sometimes blessing. Telling this story, Sutra, the lineage and historical filled with bursting laughter tears started to slide down ive years have passed since I background of Chöd, etc., proceed­ resounding like that of the Dakini, Nyichang Rinpoche's face Ffirst heard about Nyichang Rin- ing slowly towards the initiation with his jokes, such as the "very lazy and his voice quietly went poche's plan to give teachings at and oral instruction of Chöd, and Japanese" who are too busy mak­ into a small cry. I was Merigar. Finally this dream came culminating in practical advice on ing money, etc. reminded again of the true this July. Nyichang Khentrul how to apply the essence of the There were two especially necessity of keeping the Rinpoche, one of the foremost inner meaning of Chöd in daily life. touching moments for me apart samaya pure and the zeal lama/scholars of our time within the The last day of the teaching was from the main corpus of the trans­ for the truth which have Nyingma lineage, visited Merigar ornamented with a Ganapuja of mission itself. The first one was kept the tradition alive and gave a one week retreat on the thanksgiving to the three roots and when Nyichang Rinpoche tried to until now. During his stay, Chöd of Longchen Nyingthig dharmapalas. explain the meaning of receiving everything went very (kLong-chen sNying thig) cycle of There are so many kinds of teachings from different masters. smoothly thanks to the Jigmed Lingpa. Being a student of Chöd, but the one Nyichang Rin­ Referring to Chögyal Namkhai kind effort and hospitality both Nyichang Khentrul Rinpoche poche gave is named "Dakini's Norbu Rinpoche as an important of Giorgio, Martha, Lauri, and our Master Chögyal Namkhai Laughter". Coinciding with its teiton of our time, he reminded all Mr. Inomoto, his sweet Norbu Rinpoche, I had the good name, many women practitioners of us of the rare and incredible luck attendant, and others. Rin­ Rinpoche, one of the main figures luck of visiting Merigar and attend­ attended from all over the world, we share, he explained how impor­ poche had a good time at Merigar of Rime movement during the 18th ing his teaching this summer. From mainly from Europe and American tant it is to follow a master in a cor­ and enjoyed very much the hot century and author of "The Words childhood Nyichang Khentrul Rin­ Continent. He was very happy and rect manner, without harming both springs and the food. He was espe­ of My Perfect Teacher" had a disci­ poche was brought up and educated grateful to the translator, Iacobella the mental and physical health of cially happy to see his long absent ple who was originally a great Gel- by the famous Shugsep Jetsunma, a Gaetani, for working with him. Rin­ the Master. "He may look like a friend Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche, ugpa Geshe. He came to have a lady practitioner of the Longchen poche was very happy to recognize human being, but actually he is who returned to Merigar just one debate with Patrul, but after being Nyingthig (kLong chen sNying thig) the quality and the enthusiasm of something else. You should follow day before Nyichang Rinpoche's defeated completely, became his cycle and great practitioner of Chöd those present and especially with and behave as best as you can, and departure to Japan. student and remained a pure monk who lived more than one hundred the young people who were really everything will manifest according­ all his life in his birthplace called I pray that the Masters may live and forty years. At the time of her eager to practice. It seemed he felt ly.", he told everyone in a very Minyak in Eastern Tibet. At the long without hindrance so that they death, it is said that her body shrunk good connections with those pre­ warm and sincere manner. Every time of his departure to his birth­ may see that all their intentions bear as small as the size of a five year old sent participant was moved and listened place, Patrul gave him, together beautiful fruits. May the whole uni­ child. Shugsep Nunnery, in Central carefully. The second moment came As is often the case with scholar with some Buddhist texts and a hat, verse be filled with the great Tibet, was situated nearby the when he couldn't stop tears when lamas, his way of teaching is both a small piece of Tibetan brick tea. resounding laughter of Dakinis sacred caves of Gyalwa Longchen- he was explaining about one of traditional and practical. Some­ The monk hung the small bag from until the end of this world!. pa and was very famous for many Patrul Rinpoche's disciples. Patrul times he would give explanations the ceiling in his small retreat cabin;

8 Ki Monastery Kälach afra

Reported for The Mirror by Steven Landsberg

Ki monastery, Spiti Valley, India

([email protected])

blazing sun in a cloudless sky greeted the thousands of guests at the Kalachakra empower­ Commenting on the three kinds of suffering in samsara, he related the suffering of suffering Ament hosted at Ki Monastery in August. The Dalai Lama, in the midst of his discussion on to the experience of those trapped in the lower realms of existence due to the intensity of the the importance of compassion and loving kindness, warned his audience afflictive emotions of anger, attachment, and ignorance. The suffering of impermanence is the against the perilous sun and requested they open their umbrellas. Suddenly plight of those wandering in the three upper realms; and all sentient beings, the monastery, located in a small northern Himalayan village in the Spiti val­ regardless of their status in samsara, suffer from compositional suffering due ley at an altitude above twelve thousand feet, was brightened with the sight of to habitual dualistic clinging. His Holiness noted that this all-pervasive suffer­ thousands of umbrellas spread open to protect us from a scorching sun so that ing is the cause of the first two; and unless it is eliminated, the former two we could listen attentively to the Dalai Lama's commentary on two important types of suffering cannot be completely removed. Kamalasila's work goes Mahayana texts: The Thirty -seven Practices of a Bodhisattva and Kamalasi- into an extensive discussion of the two truths and how they relate to relative la's Middling Stages of Meditation. These two texts formed the basis for the and absolute bodhicitta. He stresses that enlightenment is the result of causes preliminary teachings prior to the commencement of the Kalachakra initia­ and conditions which are the elimination of all afflictive emotion and the tion. accumulation of merit and wisdom. Merit is cultivated through the practice of Everyone who made the journey to the first Kalachakra of the millennium the five paramitas and wisdom gained through an understanding of the lack of had bussed or jeeped hundreds of kilometers over fifteen thousand foot passes inherent existence of self and phenomena. The Dalai Lama emphasized that and along roads that had recently been almost washed away by landslides due this did not mean that things do not exist, as such an extreme view would con­ to the unusual heavy rains that had plagued the Himachal community in late tradict personal experience. Although everything is without inherent exis­ July. It had been a tough pilgrimage and His Holiness was aware of it as he too tence on the level of absolute truth, things do manifest interdependently as an had just spent twelve hours in a car from Manali to the Ki Monastery. So with illusion or magical display on the conventional level. Just as one is liberated genuine human kindness he made everyone feel welcome and at home in from samsara by understanding the absolute truth of emptiness, one is freed spite of the difficulties that we all faced in this dry and desolate valley. from the extreme of nirvana by understanding the relative truth of illusory manifestation. The great middle way becomes the path to enlightenment. Ki monastery is the only visible building for miles. Constructed over one thousand years ago by Lochen Rinchen Zangpo, it remains one of the Gelugpa strongholds in the Lahul and Spiti After four days of extensive preliminary teachings and one day of the ritual dance before the region. Consisting of numerous small buildings all built on the side of a mountain, Ki monastery Kalachakra mandala, His Holiness began the teachings and empowerment of Kalachakra. He is home to several hundred monks who must navigate through narrow passageways and tortuous made it very clear that this was another level of teaching in which the primordial condition of the stairways to move from one small chamber to another. Clearly many improvements had been individual is used as a basis of transformation into the dimension of the deity, a path based upon recently made in order to host this empowerment ceremony. The monastery commands a spec­ understanding the result of enlightenment rather than the Sutric concept of eliminating and culti­ tacular view of the surrounding mountains and a one hundred eighty degree view of the river val­ vating particular causes. He advised the audience on the importance of having some understand­ ley below. Although there is considerable snowfall during the winter months and all roads in and ing of emptiness and compassion before engaging such a practice. Without such a basis, Tantra out of Ki are completely closed, water from the high glaciers had mostly melted by August and and the method of transformation would remain some kind of egotistical fantasy. there was not much water in the river. In the midst of his commentary His Holiness took time to emphasize to the Tibetan commu­ Literally thousands of tents were set up during the initiation as temporary housing for nity that their religious practice should not just remain a matter of custom and that they should approximately ten thousand pilgrims who made the journey from all over world. Thousands of seek a knowledgeable basis for their faith and ritual observance. To Westerners and those who Tibetans, both monks and lay people from India and Tibet, crowded into the area behind the were not Buddhist by birth, he felt it was important that they not depart from their roots and at monastery where the empowerment was held. Westerners were given priority seating up front least have some understanding of their own religious heritage. and close to the Dalai Lama. They were divided into several groups so that they could receive After giving refuge and bodhisattva vows to many participants, he began the main body of translation in their respective languages through FM radio transmissions. During the teachings the empowerment. On the last day of the empowerment many people witnessed a circular rain­ prior to the Kalachakra and during the empowerment itself, there was not a space left untouched. bow around the sun and other colorful auspicious signs in the sky. At times this visual event People were knee-to-knee, side-to-side, with hardly a space to get in and out. seemed to distract the audience's attention from the empowerment: but how could one avoid not Security was tight with two long lines of males and females making their way through a bag having a look at this miraculous event. In spite of His Holiness's request that scarves not be and body search. In order to find a proper seat it was necessary to reach the monastery at least thrown and offered, Tibetans could not resist flying a scarf. It was a beautiful sight to watch two hours prior to the teaching. People started moving up the hill from their campsites from 7 am white kadags (scarves) thrown from afar gradually make their way closer to the podium where for teachings that were to begin at 12:30. When it was decided that teachings would begin at 8 the Dalai Lama was sitting. The great feeling of devotion from the crowd was overwhelming and am to avoid the hot sun, people started leaving their tents at 5 am to make sure they could the Dalai Lama's responsive smile removed any difficulties we may have incurred. squeeze in somewhere. A massive and lengthy exodus from Ki and the Spiti Valley ensued following these eight Beginning with an extensive discourse on the importance of developing the aspiration for intensive days. The only way out is the same way we came in which just meant more twisting enlightenment through the four boundless thoughts, the Dalai Lama stressed that there was no roads, high altitude passes, landslides and broken bridges. The Dalai Lama was going to do it point in seeking enlightenment unless it was for the benefit of all sentient beings. Any lesser along with his entourage of security guards and Namgyal monks. They were going to return to motivation would not be sufficient for bringing about the highest state of liberation as it would Dharamsala. The rest of us were to be scattered in all directions of the planet, each now orna­ presume some subtle sense of grasping at inherent existence. mented with the seed of Kalachakra. •

Lives of the Great Masters quite a long time with a fever. When he finally recovered, one day at dawn in a state of sheer lucency he saw the magnificent continued from page 6Narop a seated at his right side on a white mat. His body was a dark brown color, and he was adorned with ornaments made of It was around this time that his state of meditative absorp­ out, "Now please come back. The night has come and it is pitch bones and wearing dry skulls as crown. With eyes bulging out tion during the day merged to become one with his post medi­ dark." "How is it when it gets dark?", he replied. This was a sign of their sockets, he was looking at a volume of the oral tradition tative state [at night]. At first he experienced a sense of fear in Jhat he was constantly living in an infinite state of indivisible real­ that was placed on a white piece of felt [made with white yak the dream, then he remained without wavering, constantly and ization as described in the following words of Naropa, and sheep wool]. When he opened his mouth he gave the Mas­ exclusively within the state of reality and spontaneousl the ter the transmission of the teachings contained in that volume from the first to the last page. Then he said, "I have given you sense of apprehension disappeared. "By the kindness of the master, the entire teaching without omitting or adding anything." His One night, he dreamt of meeting Phadampa Rinpoche. The dark cloud of thoughts has vanished; body dissolved like a rainbow and Shakya Shri remained in a From the body of Phadampa emanated four knowledge-ladies There is no [sun] rising and no [sun] setting state of contemplation within the sheer lucidity of the mind who united inseparably with Shakya Shri. While in this union, No day or night. until sunrise and woke within that state. Phadampa told him, The citadel of the senses conquered by great bliss, There is no hint of where to go and where to stay After this vision, Shakya Shri discovered The Cycle of "By practicing this highest secret path This comes from the yoga in which there is nothing to think: Instructions on the State of Sheer Lucency, but impressed on it As you experience the four joys Why should 1 bother to give in to thinking?" the seal of secrecy and taught it only to a few fortunate disci­ I will find the great primordial purity ples. These were extraordinary mind treasures or attainments E ma ho!" One night Shakya Shri arrived in the area of Lachi mountain of Shakya Shri that resembled the formation of masses of and became absorbed in the practice of the essential meaning. It clouds of blessing of profound teaching through which fortu­ Thereafter Shakya Shri, Phadampa and the four consorts was at that time that he first discovered the treasure teaching of nate disciples will be able to effortlessly gain the two accom­ dissolved into the inner expanse (of reality) within the infinite Means of Accomplishment of the Master [Guru Rinpoche] - Great plishments, the common and the highest. circle of clear light. Bliss together with its rite of ripening initiation and liberation The apparent and hidden constellations of his pure and In various dreams he met Labkyi Dronma. In one she told instructions. He himself put that teaching into practice, and thus impure disciples were as numerous as the particles of matter of him, nurtured common magical powers and the supreme attainment. our world. He exhibited a boundless kindness toward them, For three years Shakya Shri kept this treasure he had discov­ bringing the immature ones to spiritual maturity and the "The nature of the mind is emptiness beyond rational ered secret, then he gave the initiation and the teaching to a few mature to the wealth of numberless liberating qualities of the thought; fortunate disciples for the first time. In the course of time, this path. Whatever objectifying thought arises method spread and became known throughout all regions of Tibet. Among his disciples were many male and female house­ Proceeds to the expanse of the sky of sheer lucency and, Beside the Means of Accomplishment of the Master - Great holders and merchants. Hundreds of them attained the highest At the end, it is held in the kingdom of the unborn." Bliss, Shakya Shri discovered many other treasure teachings realization, many thousands attained some realization of the replete with very deep essential points. These include, for exam­ path and persevered to further their attainments, and some After saying these words she loudly sounded, "phat!" and ple, the treasure teaching on The Three Dimensions of Enlighten­ gained experiential proficiency of contemplation. Those who with that he became inseparable from her in a state of all-per­ ment: of Reality, Enjoyment and Manifestation; The Peaceful and heard his teaching and thus established a connection with vasive total sameness. Wrathful Master; The Glorious Kilaya; The Peaceful and Wrath­ Shakya Shri, were more than several hundreds of thousands. It One night when he went to the toilet to urinate, he ful Manjusri. was evident to all that there were none that having heard his remained there for a long time. One of his attendants called When Shakya Shri reached the age of forty-six, he fell ill for teaching and remained with him a little, did not experience continued on page 11

THE MIRROR SEPT/OCT 2000 9 ASIA continued from page 7 Tibetans. The villagers repaired and saved the walls of the old Manikhan of the village in 1993 and new internal plaster had been made. The building now needs the reparation of the roof and Ever since its origin, every aspect of Tibetan culture placed religion at the center of every new internal painting. field of interest, and on this basis the monasteries functioned not only as religious institutions, but also as educational and cultural centers. It was only in the Colleges of Traditional Studies of Restoration of the Residential House of the Abbot of the Monastery the monasteries that children could learn not only about religion, but also studied philosophy, The Labran ( Residence of the Lama ) of Galenteng is one of the few Tibetan houses that sur­ history, writing and grammar, prose and poetry, all the various modes of artistic expression, med­ vived the period of the cultural revolution icine and astrology; all aspects of knowledge of the highly developed civilization of Tibet. without big damage. The Labran was the residence of the Abbot of Galenteng used also for It was in the monasteries' Colleges of Practice that the majority of youngsters, interested in important guests of the monastery. The two story traditional building has been partially rehabili­ the store of mystic knowledge of the Tibetan religious traditions, could receive and apply teach­ tated by A.S.I.A. in 1997. The building still needs some substantial intervention of reinforcement ings under the guidance of masters or expert practitioners. The functions the monasteries per­ of some walls, foundations and the complete revision of the roof. All the work will be done formed as native cultural centers have not yet been well replaced by any new public institutions. according to the Tibetan traditional architecture of East Tibet, using local materials (stones, Therefore, the cultural decline of Tibetan civilization is becoming ever more critical. earth, wood) and employing local expertise. In recent years, following a more open attitude of Chinese policies related to religion, there has been a resumption of monastic activity, mainly aimed at the reconstruction of temples and places of worship previously **MORE DETAILS ABOUT SIM- destroyed. Taking the opportunity DA GONPA COLLEGE OF TRADI­ offered by this new policy and trying TIONAL STUDIES FROM to remedy the present situation A.S.I.A.: described above, the few elderly monks, masters in Tibet and cultural Simda Gompa College of Traditional experts living abroad, are making an Studies is located in the extreme effort to bring substantial improve­ Northeast of the Tibetan ments to present day Tibetan monas­ Autonomous Region and one of the tic institutions, trying to bring back most important Nyingmapa monas­ their function as centers for the main­ teries in East Tibet. It was founded tenance of Tibetan cultural traditions. about eight hundred years ago as the Nowadays it is vital to the mainte­ Dzogchen Gonpa and had more than nance of the cultural traditions of four hundred monks. The Tibet to save from the extinction the monastery's Colleges for Traditional historical places and monuments Studies and Practice were known which still exist in Tibet. throughout Tibet. During the Cultur­ al Revolution the monastery was Aims of the Project: completely destroyed and rebuilt in -construct an elementary school 1985. Today there are about one hun­ for the village children; dred monks there, thè maximum -construct a health center and number permitted under the new reli­ hospital where traditional Tibetan gious rules of 1996. medicine can be dispensed; Fortunately the fame of Simda -restore the remaining historical monastery in the past has not been monuments of the monastery; entirely lost. The current six reincar­ -construct a College for Tradi­ nations and various Khempos at the monastery are seriously committed in trying to maintain a tional Studies; good cultural level at the monastery and give precise traditional instructions to their monks. -construct a College for Practice; Monks from the Tibetan Autonomous Region as well as from Sichuan and Quinghai provinces Following these guidelines A.S.I.A. has already presented plans to some European sponsors study there. for the first two most urgent projects in the health and education sectors for the whole of the The project to be undertaken at the Simda Monastery involves participation in the construc­ county of Dege, including plans for the school and health center for Galenteng village; and is tion of a new College for Traditional Studies with accommodation for forty monks in the begin­ now seeking donations for the cultural aspects by preparing three separate plans for the restora­ ning and another forty later on when the College is functioning. The project has been prepared by tions of the monastic monuments and the two Colleges, the first of which is the one presented the Monastery and work began last year on building the stone walls of the temple. The temple below. itself will serve as a classroom with four lateral wings which will give space for a library and A committee, including representatives of the village and representatives of the monastery, chapels for statues. The external walls will be in stone with a wood structure, while the interior was established on May 17th, 1997, with the aim to actively participate in the implementation of will be decorated in the traditional way. Accommodation for the monks will be in two story hous­ all the phases of the project. The committee was officially recognized on June 4th, 1997 by the es at the side of the temple and will include kitchen facilities for monks in retreat. • municipality of Kolondu, to which belongs the village of Galenteng.

Objectives of the Project ASSOCIATION FOR INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY IN ASIA, (A.S.I.A.) The project for the restoration of the old historical monuments of the monastery belonging to VIA S.ERASMO 12,00184, ROME, ITALY Galenteng Monastery is part of a bigger intervention ( health, education and culture) aimed to contribute to the improvement of the condition of the Tibetan community of Galenteng and to the TELEPHONE: 0039/6/77200880 safeguarding of Tibetan culture, history and traditions. FAX: 0039/6/77205944 Firstly, the conservation of the historical buildings of Galenteng will benefit for the mainte­ nance of the cultural heritage of the local Tibetan community. Secondly, the project will benefit EMAIL: [email protected] the economy of the village of Galenteng, through the improvements of tourist activities. The tra­ WEB PAGE://WWW.MELONG.COM/ASIA ditional sacred dancing group of the monastery, the ballet of the village, the horse races and oth­ CONTACT PERSON IN ITALY: ANDREA DELL'ANGELO, PROJECT MANAGER, ROME ers folkloric summer activities attract alot of people from all the Dege County to Galenteng. TEL: 0039/06/77200880

Details of the Project EMAIL: [email protected] The restoration project includes the following monuments: CONTACT PERSON IN TIBET GIORGIO MINUZZO, LOCAL PROJECT OFFICER, -the old Chortens at the center of the Thunchor; -the Manikhan (houses for the pratice of Mani); JOMDA, CHAMDO PREFECTURE,

-the residential house of the abbot of the monastery and for the guests of the monastery. TEL/FAX: 0086/8051/2130;

EMAIL:[email protected] The general plane for the project for Galenteng was discussed by the village representatives, monastery officials and A.S.I.A.'s personnel during Professor Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche's visit in 1997. BANK ACCOUNT IN US$ IN CHINA:

The project plan was predisposed taking into consideration the following criteria: BANK OF CHINA, TIBET BRANCH, LHASA -the usefulness of the project for the improvement of the living conditions of the local people; A.S.I.A. -the usefulness of the project for the maintenance of the cultural traditions of Tibet; ACCOUNT NUMBER: 1481200034 -the available local executive capacity; -the accordance with local traditions; Following these indications the technical organization was entrusted to Mr. Shon Shon, a BANK ACCOUNTS IN ITALY: local expert in traditional architecture who has worked on the restoration and reconstruction of 1- IN ITALIAN LIRE all of the major old building and monasteries in the County of Dege. A.S.I.A.'s expatriate and local experts collaborate to the predisposition of the projects. The MONTE DEI PASCHI DI SIENA, ROMA, AGENZIA 12

work will be done with full respect for and in accordance with the traditional architecture of the VIA S. GIOVANNI IN LATERANO 9 region. The execution of the project activities will be done by local expertise. A.S.Í.A.

Description of the Work to be Carried Out ACCOUNT NUMBER: 25789

ABI: 01030 Restoration of the Chortens The Chortens, sacred reliquaries, are the important traditional religious buildings for CAB: 03212 Tibetans. There is one main and four minor old Chortens that need restoration work. The original external plaster is almost completely deteriorated and many parts the supporting wood structure of the monuments is expose to the inclement weather. The intervention is to remove the external plaster too damaged and to make a new one.

Restoration of the Manikhan The practice of the prayer mill of the "Mani" is the most common religious activity of

10 Vladivostok Retreat continued from page I Lives of the Great Yongdzin predicted, "The place okiteshvara Resting in the Nature of where you are destined to fulfill the We were absorbing the teaching. Rinpoche kindly gave to lungs and the Mind' - with his right hand welfare of others is Cigchar in the short explanations on Upadesha's "Direct Introduction into the State of Ati". Masters behind his back and his left on his great power place of Tsari!". In Days were going by full of the teaching, swimming together with Rinpoche, knee, in an extremely beautiful way continued from page 9 accordance with this prediction taking a nap, talking with friends with a bottle of honey beer in the evenings to look at and as if falling asleep, Shakya Shri made pilgrimages to and walking under stars. On the third day we got a tiny typhoon; strong rain Shakya Shri withdrew his mind into that region several times, taking dif­ the ultimate realm. Thereafter, and big waves. Anyway we were spending all of our free time in the water. some special sign such as the per­ ferent roads: upper, lower and inter­ extraordinary signs manifested On the morning of the fourth day a strong wind tore apart the big tent of manence of body heat at the time of mediate. On these occasions, he which pervaded all the surrounding Gonpa. The people who came there early heroically were fighting with wind death, etc. dedicated himself to constantly area and lasted for many, many trying to fix it. It was almost done and the tent tore into two pieces down the The people who came in contact teaching ripening and liberation days.. middle. We turned one part and fixed it above Rinpoche's seat and we were with him became especially superi­ instructions to gatherings of fortu­ sitting under open sky. We were lucky - no rain, the wind gradually calmed or to the disciples of other teachers nate disciples. Edited by Liz Granger down and at the end of session the weather got better. The 5th day went by. by purifying their negative actions At the age of seventy-seven, on Rinpoche gave us the last instructions concerning behavior and some lungs. and developing their positive poten­ International Publications Meeting. the eighteenth day of the month of People had sparkling but a little bit sad eyes - the parting waited ahead. We tial through the preliminary prac­ continued from page 4 the constellation Spica Verginis in swam for the last time and had a closing Ganapuja and a charming party tices, and by attaining the sequen­ that direction. It is very true, the female year of the sheep (1919), after that. The end. Time to leave. The airplane was waiting and a long, bor­ tial experiences and realization of because people studied this and this adamantine master gifted with ing road is ahead. Good-bye Vladivostok and hello cold and wet Riga. What the main practice. that and philosophy and they such wonderful qualities, appeared can I say? It was the best week of the whole year. Dear Master, thank you so Shakya Shri's far reaching have an idea and then they to be slightly unwell. much for your precious teaching, kindness and patience. enlightened activity for the precious explain everything in the way In the Southern and Northern teachings was felt throughout all they understand and they are not Direct Introduction to the State of Ati Yoga directions of the sky, a rainbow-like regions of Tibet; he cared continu­ getting the real sense. Maybe I am continued from page I white light appeared resembling a ously for his humble and poor disci­ not speaking English well and together twelve hundred! Plus the organizers, children and dogs. A bigger lined pitched with a string. Without ples by feeding them, giving them don't know it so well and have a crowd than ever in Merigar. bending to the right or the left, the clothes to wear and spiritual teach­ poor vocabulary, but I try to go to Even though, everything went smoothly. The parking field tolerated one light went straight from the peak of ing; and for the common and impor­ the real essence. This point is night's rain and kept in shape, and the hundreds and hundreds of cars were a mountain to touch the Eastern tant lay people, lamas and incarnate something really important." safe. The white canvas canopy around the Gonpa sheltered hundreds of peo­ direction of the sky. In the Northern masters by giving them the teaching Ana Maria Humeres, who is in ple who could not get in. The Ganapuja was a bit of a problem for the orga­ direction of the sky there appeared a which conferred the realization of charge of Spanish translation, made nizers, but was enjoyed with a deep feeling of devotion and love by all. The white cloud, resembling a quadrilat­ the ultimate reality. some points saying firstly that she next day's picnic down in the forest was a total and complete success. eral ornamental canopy, and other felt more translators were needed The skies over the Tuscan mountains were high. The wind was refresh­ Shakya Shri also predicted that transforming signs that were wit­ and not so many checkers, as mem­ ing, the Merigar hawks busy on their daily jobs, and on the forest roads his enlightened activity was to be nessed by everyone, ordinary and bers of the IPC. Igor replied that hoopoes* realized their tendencies to guide the traveler. General joy and felt in India, Nepal, Lahul, Lachi, special people. Bhutan, Tawang, Tsari and other IPC members can be both checkers happiness prevailed and rainbows were seen. On the morning of the nine­ places. and translators. Another point she teenth day of the month, in a very made was that a centrally located *A hoopoe is a bird: a mythological, magical guiding bird, and is supposed to add a certain When he decided to make a pil­ balanced physical demeanor, nei­ record in an archive of every trans­ miracle like touch; " hoopoe birds follow their instinct to guide the traveler on the more grimage to the holy places of India ther tense nor loose, with his hands lation done is needed, as sometimes quiet roads". and Nepal, the all-knowing Drugpa placed in the position of 'Aval- it is necessary to review. They had a rT"1he Project of the Ngak-mang Fundraising: problem with the Spanish language when a translator who had done a A Institute was founded and Like all projects, our primary lot of work lost a CD containing established on August 3rd, 2000, by The Project of the Ngak-mang obstacle to initiating our Institute is many translations. Hungchen Chenagtsang and Dr. funds. Our concrete needs are as Nida Chenagtsang. The aim of the Institute follows: Fabio Andrico asked if there project is to contribute and spread was a glossary available for each the development of Ngak-pa culture FOUNDED ON AUGUST 3,2000 - Buildings language to translate each term, like according to its ancient tradition, to At present our office is located rigpa, for example, in the same continue the Tibetan cultural tradi­ BY HlNGCHEN CHENAGTSANG AND DR. NlDA CHENAGTSANG at Hungchen's personal residence. way. Chögyal Namkhai Norbu tions by giving both male and We need a new office in Xining. replied. "I don't think this is the female Ngak-pas the possibility of suitable practice poems in numer­ The location of the main activity work of the committee but of the studying their own cultural her­ places, the level ous magazines of the Institute is in Achung Nam people of the specific language. itage, to contribute to the prosperity of the knowledge and newspapers. Zong, Jianzha County. Huangan We are saying that we need a of the nation of Tibet and enrich the and culture of Dr. Chenagtsang Prefecture. Qinghai Province. committee for each language, so society by expanding the knowl­ these Ngak-pas is interested in Amdo. and here we need a wide you should work in this way. edge of the Ngak-pa culture into the is low. the traditional variety of structures to house all the Comparing with other languages wider population by teaching tradi­ Based on all medicine of his proposed activities from offices to and bringing all languages into a tions which were before limited to of the above, people and grad­ classrooms to a library, dormitories, uniform way is impossible, it is monasteries, and to give all Hungchen uated form the dining rooms, bathrooms, storage, not our work. I think you do your Tibetans the possibility to study Chenagtsang and Tibetan Medical and a museum to house relics. best in your language, see which is the possibility, how you under­ Tibetan culture. Dr. Nida University in The projected amount that stand the teaching, etc., and if you In general there existed two Chenagtsang 1996. At that would sufficiently cover the cost for have some doubt and don't kinds of spiritual life in Tibetan reli­ decided to estab­ time he was also building is$58.000US. understand something, then you gious society, the monastic and the lish the Ngak- studying and can also compare and communi­ Ngak-pas, or lay practitioners. In mang Institute ( meaning many practicing the Tibetan Ngak pa tra­ - Books cate with Adriano, Jim Valby or the ninth century the Governor of Nakpas) and has been granted the dition and has continued for ten Cost for collecting books for the me. and you can make it clear, but Tibet legitimized the separation of consent of the Buddhist Council of years. library is S2500US. that is not for all things. So we the two types of religious practice Qinghai Province. Qinghai. China, In 1998 he was invited by the must go this way otherwise it is respectively calling them "monks in to do so. Shang Shung Institute of Italy and - Objects too complicated." saffron vestments" and "those hav­ is now working as the Coordinator The cost for the new production ing long hair in white vestment". The Founders of the Medical Department of the of about 100 ritual objects is Anya Wiswiewska. from Throughout the history of Tibet Hungchen Chenagtsang was Institute. S2000US. Poland, asked if there was a dictio­ many Ngak-pas lived among the bom in 1968 in the nomadic land of nary of difficult words from the people and made great contribu­ Malho in Amdo. He completed four Location of Ngak-mang Insti­ - Museum teaching in every language and Igor tions to Tibetan culture through years of study at the West Northern tute: The cost of the ancient objects said that is available in English. education, medicine, spiritual life Nation University in Lan Zhou The planned location of the for the museum is S10.00OUS. Julia Lawless reiterated her con­ and practice. To name a few Gansu Province in China and his office is in Xining, the capital of the cerns about the requirements of IPC renowned Ngak-pas: Yutog Yonten specialty is the study of Tibetan Qinghai Province of China. The Any sponsors, individuals or members and she felt that transla­ Gonpo, whose teachings were Culture. Hungchen Chenagtsang planned place of construction of the organizations are welcome! ! ! tors were more important than peo­ among the greatest of all medical has worked as an editor and transla­ center is Achung Namdzong Vil­ Thank you very much and Tashi ple like herself, who have skills in and astrological treatises in the tor for films and from 1996 as a lage, Jianzha County, Huangnan Delek!!! refining the language, and how we Tibetan medical tradition, Marpa, journalist for the Qinghai Newspa­ Prefecture, Qinghai Province, Chi­ coordinate this. Chögyal Namkhai the famous translator and founder per Center in Xining, Qinghai na. Contact persons and addresses: Norbu replied to this. "The com­ of the Kagyu lineage and teacher of Province. He has collected the His­ Hungchin Chenagtsang mittees of different languages Milarepa, and the Dakini Yeshe tory of Ngak mang in Amdo, which Program of Activity Qinghai Newspaper Center must understand one thing, and Tsogyal and Machig Labdrön, two is has become a historically impor­ - Publication of books Department of Tibetan this thing is that what I transmit famous and accomplished female tant book and is over one thousand - Library and bookstore Tel: 0086(0) 971 8122755 is not language. I transmit the practitioners. pages. He is studying and practicing - Preservation of ancient items teaching. That is something the Ngak pa tradition for many important you must understand. During and after the Cultural - Manufacture of new of objects Dr. Nida Chenagstang years. Then you do your best in writing Revolution in Tibet the Ngak-pa used by Ngak-pas c/o Merigar what you have understood in that tradition did not escape destruction. - Teaching and study Arcidosso 58031 language, and if you can't under­ During the last twenty years some Dr. Nida Chenagtsang was bom - students (GR), Italy stand what I am communicating, old Ngak-pas have tried to recon­ in 1971 in Malho, Amdo. He com­ - teachers Tel: 39 (0)564 966 941 then you communicate, like I told struct temples and studios in an pleted four years of study at the - textbooks Mobile: 0339 8315081 you already, with Adriano and attempt to save the ancient tradition. Teacher's College in Amdo Rigong. Fax: 39 (0)564 968 110 Jim Valby and me and we try to Now more people are becoming During these early years he began Email: nidachenagstang@ make it clear. Language is a sec­ Ngak-pas and have begun related writing poems and at age seventeen hotmail.com studies, but due to difficult condi­ introduced his first works to the ondary thing; most important is tions, such as lack of teachers and public. He has published over fifty understanding what is transmit- conrinued on page 23

THE MIRROR SEPT/OCT 2 0 00 11 4. The Voice of the Bee (original 23. The Dance of the Three Dzogchen Teachings (extracts 4. Songs of Advice by Byang TO ALL GARS, GAKYILS AND title ti se'i gnas skor 'gruí zhor gyi Vajras (original title rdo rje gsum from the dran pa gser gdams by Chub Rdorje DZOGCHEN PRACTITIONERS myong ba las 'phros pa ' i glu chiing) gyi gar) 1997 gShen sras lha rje) 1995 5. Visionary Experiences by 1989 24. The Ati Treasure of Dhar- 6. The Vajra Songs of the Byang Chub Rdorje Dear Vajra Brothers and Sisters, 5. Journey into the Culture of madhatu: Third Level of Santi Rigdzins that Express the Essence 6. Terma Teachings by Byang The International Gakyil togeth­ Tibetan Nomads (together with E. Maha Sangha (original title Santi of the Eighteen Lungs of Semde Chub Rdorje er with Merigar Gakyil hereby Dell'Angelo et al., original title Maha Sangha 7' bslab rim gsum pa (original tide sems sde beo brgyad * All Next Levels of Santi Maha announce the project "The Com­ byang 'brog gi lam y ig) 1990 a ti chos dbyings dgongs mdzod) kyi dgongs pa rig' 'dzin mams kyi Sangha by Chögyal Namkhai Nor­ plete Works of Chögyal Namkhai 6. The Namkha for Harmoniz­ 1998 rdo rje'iglurbzhengspa) 1996 bu Norbu" which will be coordinated ing the energies of the elements 25. The Practice of Narag 7. Songs of Experience by by Adriano Clemente. (original title 'byung khams kyi nus Tongtrug (original title na rag dong Nyag Bla Pad Ma Bdud 'Dui (con­ Translations Scheduled for For many years, Adriano pa mthun sdeb nam mkha'i sgrig sprugs kyi lam khyer bla ma'i zhal taining six songs from the Nyams the Years 2000-2001: Clemente has been working full cha)1990 lung) 1998 mgur) 1995 time on the translation of Chögyal 7. Three songs for disciples of 26. The Precious Vase: Instruc­ 8. Four Dzogchen Invocations 1. Santi Maha Sangha - Fourth Lev­ Namkhai Norbu's works and the Changchub Dorje (original titles: tions on the Base of Santi Maha (containing kun bzang smon lam by el Text supervision of the work of other sgrub brtson bla ma mam rgyal la Sangha (original title Santi Maha Rig 'dzin rgod Idem, gzhi lam 'bras 2. Santi Maha Sangha - First translators. He has been enabled to gdams pa; bla ma tshe dga' lags la Sangha 7 rmang gzhi'i khrid rin bui smon lam by 'Jigs med gling Level Text (revised edition) do this work mainly through funds gdams pa; bla ma pad ma bio Idan chen bum bzang) 1999 pa, bar do'i smon lam by Klong personally raised by Chögyal 3. Santi Maha Sangha - Second la gdams pa) 1992 27. Direct Introduction to the chen pa, mar me smon lam by A Namkhai Norbu himself. Now the Level Text (revised edition) 8. The Authentic Principle of the State of Atiyoga (original title a ti'i 'dzam 'brug pa) 1998 time has come to ask the Interna­ 4. Yantra Yoga (Vairochana s Ati Dzogchen Community (original dgongs pa ngo sprod) 1999 tional Community to take responsi­ 9. The Total Space of Vajrasatt­ text and Rinpoche s Commentary) tile a ti rdogs chen 'dus sde'i yin bility for this work which benefits 28. Songs from the Hospital and va (original title rdo rje sems dpa' 5-6-7-8. Four Texts from the lugs mal ma) 1992 the Community as a whole and Other Poems(original titles ka nas nam mkha' che) 1999 Klong gsal Cycle by Chögyal which is essential for the preserva­ Namkhai Norbu tion of the Teachings. 9. The Thigle of the Universe by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu For that reason a broader project under the direct supervision of irE^OJBLllirECOMi™ Adriano Clemente has been started HOW TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE under the name "The Complete Works of Chögyal Namkhai Nor­ by Igor Legati PROJECT bu". This Project supports the trans­ lation of the complete oeuvre of The International Gakyil 9. On the Tibetan Language, dag pa'i dbyings; kun tu bzang po; Chögyal Namkhai Norbu by Adri­ Merigar Gakyil 10. The Phowa for Purifying The Basis of Tibetan Culture (origi­ sgyu ma'i lus; phyag chen by in the Three Kayas by Rig 'dzin ano Clemente and other translators nal title bod kyi shes rig gi rmang 'bebs kyi glu cluing; med pa bzhi byang chub rdo rje (original title under his supervision. gzhi brda sprod rig lam skor) 1992 bcu'igluchung) 1999 Please find below instructions OVERVIEW OF THE WORK OF 'pho ba sku gsum zhing sbyong) 10. From the Light of Kailash: 29. The Way to Enter the Teach­ 2000 for everybody to help by sending ADRIANO CLEMENTE on Shang Shung (original version of ing (original title bstan pa la 'jug money. EVERYBODY PLEASE HELP Adriano Clemente has already the first of the three volumes form­ pa'itshul) 2000 D) Original Works and Arti­ AS MUCHAS YOU CAN! translated twenty-nine of Rin­ ing zhang bod lo rgvus ti se'i 'od) cles: poche's books, edited fifteen prac­ 1993 B) Chogyal Namkhai Norbu's tice books and teaching transcrip­ 11. The Wish-Fulfilling Vase: Oral Teachings Edited and Prac­ 1. The Sgra Bla, Gods of the 1. Every Gar and Gakyil (and tions, translated ten works by other Instructions on the Base of Santi tice Booklets: Ancestors of Gshen Rab Mi Bo (a also any individual ) who wishes to authors, is currently working on Maha Sangha (original title Santi 1. Garab Dorje's Advice on study on a bon po bsang ritual from participate by sponsoring this pro­ eight translations of Rinpoche's Maha Sangha rmang gzhi'i khrid Contemplation 1986 the gzibrjid) 1994 ject, makes a PROMISE of donat­ works and is planning six more 'dod 'jo'i bum bzang ) 1993 2. Dzogchen: The Self-Perfect­ 2. The Supreme Source (a study ing a certain amount of money texts of teachings. In addition, he 12. Examination Questions for ed State 1986 on rDzogs chen Sems sde tradition within a certain period. (But also will take care of all future levels of the Base of Santi Maha Sangha 3. The Four Contemplations of and the Kun byed rgyal po tantra, single donations are very wel­ Santi Maha Sangha and all books (original title Santi Maha Sangha '/ Dzogchen Semde 1989 containing translations from the come). the Master is writing or will write in rmang gzhi' i rgyug byang) 1993 4. Explanation of the Short Tun Kun byed rgyal po) (co-author the future. 13. Shang Shung (original title 1989 Chogyal Namkhai Norbu) 1997 2. The promised amount (or sin­ gle donation) must be written in the Apart from all that, Adriano has Zhang Zhung) 1993 5. Milam, The Dream Practice Form (see below) which is sent by supervised (and continues to super­ 14. The Treasure that Introduces 1989 E) Works in Progress: email to the Supervisor of this pro­ vise) all first editions of all books Knowledge of Ati Contemplation: 6. Twenty-One Semdzins of ject: Igor Legati poche's teachings. From 1983, the (original title Santi Maha Sangha 'i 7. Santi Maha Sangha First Lev­ ment by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu year in which Shang Shung Edi­ bslab rim dang po a ti bsam gtan el Preliminary Practices 1994 (original title 'phrul 'khor nyi zia This form can be sent also via zioni was founded, to date, 90% of dgongs mdzod) 1994 8. Santi Maha Sangha Prelimi­ kha sbyor gyi dgongs 'grel dri med fax (0564/968110 - Italy) or air all books published by Shang 15. Drung Deu Bön (original nary Practices of the Base 1996 nor bu i me long) mail, both addressed to Igor Legati, Shung Edizioni have been con­ tide sgrung Ide'u bon gsum gyi 9. The Seventh Lojong: The 2. Ati Longsal Gongdzod, c/o Merigar, Arcidosso, 58031, GR, ceived and edited by Adriano, along gtamemaho) 1995 Experiences of Pleasure, Clarity Fourth Level of Santi Maha Sang­ Italy. with many other books published 16. From the Depth of My Heart and Void 1996 ha by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Everybody having email is by Italian or foreign houses. In the to My Mother (original title a ma ye 10. The Practice of the Seven (original title a ti klong gsal dgongs strongly requested to print out this new IPC register, which to date shes chos sgron la gdams pa'i sny- Semdzins 1996 mdzod) form and give it to as many fellow (August 2000) includes one hun­ ing gtam zab mo ithi) 1995 11. Instructions on How to Play 3. New Updated Edition of the- practitioners as possible that do not dred and eleven books published in 17. The Treasure of Primordial the Damaru in the Chöd Practice Santi Maha Sangha First Level have email and help them by return­ various languages under the control Bodhichitta: Second Level of Santi 1996 Book ing their completed forms to Igor. of the Committee, Adriano is the Maha Sangha (original title Santi 12. The Four Chogsag 1997 4. New Updated Edition of the sole supervisor of one hundred - Maha Sangha 'i bslab rim gnyis pa 13. "An Introduction to the Kun- Santi Maha Sangha Second Level 3. The money is sent directly to nine titles and co-supervisor of two ati byang sems dgongs mdzod) jed Gyalpo" in The Supreme Source Book the following Bank Account dedi­ other titles. 1996 1997 5. Ati Yoga, The Essence of All cated to the Project on each of the 18. Instructions for the Second 14. Purification Practice of Teachings by Chögyal Namkhai Expiry Dates as mentioned in the Level Practices of Santi Maha Vajrasattva and Mandala Offering Norbu (original title bstan pa form: BIBLIOGRAPHY OF Sangha (original title Santi Maha 1999 thams cad kyi snying bcud a ti Sangha 'i bslab rim gyis pa'i nyams 15. The Phowa Practice of yoga) Account number: 6840.82 ADRIANO CLEMENTE lenmdzub khrid) 1996 Rigdzin Changchub Dorje 2000 6. Buddahgupta's Small Collec­ Bank: Monte dei Paschi di Siena 19. Santi Maha Sangha Kumar tion by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Address: Filiale di Arcidosso, A) Works by Chögyal Namkhai Kumari Base Level: The Opening QTranslations of Works by (original title sbas pa'i rgumchung) Arcidosso (GR), Italy Norbu Translated from the Tibetan: of the Eye of Wisdom (original Other Authors: 7. The Necklace of Jewels by Name: Igor Legati titles Kumar Kumari'i Santi Maha Chögyal Namkhai Norbu (original With reference to: Complete 1. The Mirror: Advice on Presence Sangha 'i bslab rim; Santi Maha Vairochana's Secret Instructions on title bod kyi lo rgyus las 'phros pa'i Works ChNN and Awareness (original title dran Sangha'i Kumar Kumari 7 bslab the Four Signs (original title Vairot- gtam nor bu ' i do shal) Bank transfer code (Swift code): pa dang shes bzhin gyi gdamspa me bya'i rmang gzhi shes rab mig sana'i brda bzhi'i man ngag) 8. A Textbook of Tibetan Lan­ ABI 1030 CAB 72160.5 long ma) 1983 'byed) 1995 (together with Fabio Andrico) 1981 guage by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu 6840.82 2. Answers to Sixteen Questions 20. The Opening of the Door of 2. Twenty-One Semdzins by (original title bod kyi skad yig klog (original titles rdogs chen 'dus sde Intelligence: First Level of Santi Klong Chen Pa (from the Theg deb) or is handed over manually as ba mams kyi dris Ian bkra shis Maha Sangha Kumar Kumari (orig­ mchog mdzod) 1990 indicated below at point 6. (the last nags kyi grangs Idan; rdogs chen inal title Kumar Kumari 'i Santi 3. The Sang Offering by A is preferred to bank transfer which ba lha tshang bsod nams 'bum kyi Maha Sangha 7 bslab rim dang po 'Dzam 'Brug Pa (original title FUTURE PROJECTS is very expensive). dris lan shel dkar me long; rang gi bio gros s go 'byed) 1996 bsang mchod) 1992 N.B.: If using bank transfer, in slob ma Eugenio Amico'i dris lan) 21. The Mirror of a Clear Mind: 4. A Brief Biography of Adzom 1. Old and New Songs by Cho­ order to reduce bank costs it is high­ 1987 Second Level of Santi Maha Sang­ Drugpa by Lhun Grub Mtsho (orig­ gyal Namkhai Norbu (containing ly recommended to send one larger 3. A Request to All Those Who ha Kumar Kumari (original title inal title drin chen bla ma' grò 'dui various poems) amount instead of splitting it into are Part of the Dzogchen Commu­ Kumar Kumari mams kyi Santi dpa bo rdo rje'i mam par thar pa 2. The Autobiography by Cho­ several small donations. nity and Are Linked with Merigar Maha Sangha 7 bslab rim gnyis pa cung zad dran pa i s go nas gsol ba gyal Namkhai Norbu (original title rdogs chen 'dus sder bio gsal me long) 1997 'debs pa byin rlabs thugs rje'i lcags 3. Teachings from The Klong- 4. The Supervisor will check at gtogs pa i mi sua me ri sgar la 'brel 22. The Necklace of Zi (original kyu) 1992 Gsal Cycle by Chögyal Namkhai regular intervals if indeed the mon- yod kun la gsol zhing bzlo ba) 1987 title gziyiphreng ba) 1997 5. Visionary Encounters and Norbu contimiecl on next page

12 Cúmplete Works Project continued fromlik e Zen, I have looked and listened and then thought, "Hmm, not really". their lives; that is very impressive. previous page But this Dzogchen feels very refreshing to me and it's the first time some­ M: Were there any surprises for you in this experience? ey comes in at the Expiry Dates and thing has come up to the horizon and I thought, " That's a possible way". D: What I didn't expect was that not only Russell got into this, but also our will gently remind the participants M: Did it seem refreshing to you from Paris or after meeting Rinpoche? camera man and sound man got really into it and they received transmission. of their Promise in case they forget. R: From Paris, because to actually get this far required an immense amount R: That was funny because I have known Richard for many years ( the cam­ of effort and it wasn't like we could just say, "Oh yeah, let's go and see"; it era man) and we hadn't seen each other for a long time. Richard was one of 5. Each year all participants will was really digging the trenches. Now we're there it's very easy, on one level. the few people I knew then who had integrated spirituality into his life. He be informed in detail about the We had to come to Merigar, that was important. had been practicing Tai Chi for thirty years. I also know his work as an artist work that has been done and the I suppose we should mention a couple of other projects because they are and a camera man and director. It was logical to get him involved in the pro­ Supervisor will send a message ask­ related to this film and our lives. We're trying to do the things we like more, ject and although he is very sought after all over the world, and expensive, he ing everyone again to make a new and the things we don't want to do, unless they are necessary, less, in terms agreed to do it for next to nothing and he had a very good friend he always Promise. of jobs, careers, etc. We have an idea of a series of documentaries about dif­ uses for the sound and so we agreed to use both of them. ferent authentic ways of thinking in the modem world, and at first we We brought them in from London to shoot the last day of the retreat to get the 6. Instead of transferring money thought we could put them altogether or parallel. The first film idea was to sense of the masses of people and we thought we would shoot the Vajra Song by bank, people can also bring mon­ come and speak to Rinpoche, to look at Dzogchen, and particularly to look at and then leave. We knew every day that Rinpoche began the teaching with ey cash when they come to Merigar its application in the Western world and why all the students are here now. the Vajra Song. So, we put the sound man and Richard in the Gonpa and or give cash to people that regularly The second film, on a much smaller scale, is about an Alquonquin Indian said, "When the Song is finished you come out". Then Rinpoche came in come to Merigar from the different Shaman and how he is trying to integrate his tradition into the modem world. and said, "OK, today we'll talk about this", and started talking for two hours Gars. This will reduce bank costs The third film will involve a Japanese architect who is also a philosopher and gave all the transmissions (lungs) to everyone, and then he sang the considerably and is therefore rec­ and is introducing new, traditionally based ways of living in space. He is Song of the Vajra at the end and we filmed it. and after Richard said, " That ommended as the preferred method building the capital of Kazakhastan and it's thirty miles long and one mile was amazing", because he had listened to all the explanations, all the (if possible).» wide. He said the circle is no longer a symbol and we now need a line; he's mantras. They just got it completely and we would stay up every night until making a nomadic city. We thought is would be easier to sell the films as two and three in the morning discussing. Richard said this was the most inte­ series then one by one. gral documentary shoot he had ever been on. The origin of this particular film was precisely to look Rinpoche D: This was the first film where there were no problems. Not the slightest in the eyes and say, "OK, we think there are things wrong with obstacle or argument. "The Camera is the modem world and we think that what you are teaching and R: And that's the thing about film making, the technical faults can happen to who you are teaching it to addresses that". We really wanted to anybody but the interpersonal things are often difficult. And it was perfect, it Always in Rigpa" do it from a point of view outside the Community, because if you couldn't have been better. are inside the Community you look for different things. M: So this you found consistently through the making of this film, that Our very first contacts were by email with Rinpoche. When we things went more smoothly than normal? The Making of Film about got the idea we wrote him and asked if it was possible and he R: No! From the moment we started to do what we believed and from when wrote back the next morning and said, "Sounds interesting, let's Rinpoche said yes to us in Paris, then I contacted Richard and Martin in Jan­ talk.". Later we sent another email and asked when, where and uary and February, and told them maybe we'd shoot in the summer. Then Chögyal Namkhai Norbu he said, "Come to Merigar." Then we decided we had to know many strange things happened and we had to confirm things, etc. There was exactly what we wanted to do and we wrote a very long email a period when we thought we would use another documentary producer, a Intetyiew and the reply was, "Fine, these dates are good. There's a lot of big one in Paris, but we discovered they had the wrong relationship to our things happening at that time, but we'll try and make it happen". film. They wanted to have all the rights and they didn't want us to have final with Russell Richardson So it was very important to get that email. say in the editing of the film as well. They wanted to put the film about the M: This is the first time you two have collaborated on a film? Indian shaman together with this one. and to take off with the idea. and Dorota C zerner Dorota: Yes. D: They showed a complete lack of understanding of the matter and its R: I started in experimental film making in England about twen­ importance and they wanted to make some kind of cocktail which would be ty years ago. Then I started writing screenplays. I tried to make exciting and trendy, with the Indian medicine man and the Tibetan lama and some of my own projects. There was a short film which I wrote glue them altogether and it started feeling completely wrong. and directed that went to Houston and won a prize. That film R: By this point I had committed to Richard and then canceled, thinking we made my credibility for making this film; but not for Rinpoche, would go with the other producer and hence another camera man. But I gave he wasn't interested in my cinema past, he was interested in what Richard a call and said, "Look this is what happened, are you still free?", and we were both saying to him about what we were wanting to do, he said, "Look I can be free". which is how it should be. D: For some reason he kept it free. He's a busy guy, normally he is complete­ M: So you had already presented this idea to potential produc­ ly booked up. At this point I decided we had to do this film from the right ers? '-'fc ' ••• " '•"«••- place and that the money issue not become primary, so that the content and R: Yes, all over the world and we've gotten to the point now integrity suffers. where people say it's a great idea, so we finished shooting yester­ R: So everything was going, well, we found a marvelous place to stay, and day and now they can see it, at least a bit of it. got tickets very cheap the day before. The camera man came with the latest M: Dorota, what is your background? digital camera and I tried not to think about the money, and he took about 1/3 D: I am a writer and I have a background is in Zen. I studied Zen or 1/4 of his normal wages, and everything was like that. When we asked for for many years, and I was even teaching. Then I took a step side­ time with Rinpoche and ended up getting seven hours of his personal time ways into Dzogchen. and that's what happened. M: How did you meet Dzogchen? M: So after the money was found and you arrived everything went smooth- D: Through friends. I met Rinpoche for the first time here now, ly? but participated with the Dzogchen Community in Paris for a R: Obstacle free. We had the camera man and sound man. both of whom we Russell Richardson and Dorota year. had total confidence in and no producer controlling us. So we arranged time Czerner are a married team of R: As soon as Dorota started to practice Dzogchen, she improved and was with Rinpoche for after the retreat. The camera man flew in on the last day writer/film makers living in Paris handling life better, infinitely. and we filmed that and then after the retreat ended we began shooting. who came to Merigar this summer D: Yes I felt many limitations in the Zen path. We went down and met Rinpoche and we said maybe we need a bit more to make a film about Chögyal R: Life is hard and can get you down, sometimes it's hard and we're not ther­ time than you have and maybe we could do it like this, one interview here Namkhai Norbu. The Mirror inter­ apy people, so to use meditation to calm and center yourself is one thing, but and one there, and he said, "OK. Arrange the times with Anna". We had viewed them about the process and I am a skeptic, and this [Zen] wasn't helping. It was not familiar. asked Rinpoche if we could film the Song of the Vajra and he said yes. what inspired them to make this D: From a practitioner's point of view, I cannot sit that long at home with a D: The first day we interviewed Rinpoche was in the library and he walked film. family, and I wonder if it is really necessary? It's a tradition of suffering and into the room and said, "Where are the lights?", and we weren't using them you must go past this point and somehow I didn't feel it's right, but I tried. and everything was ready. The Mirror: Can you tell me how But with Dzogchen you can get in this relationship and experience directly R: He's very smart about film making. you came up with the idea to make a in a more integrated way. It's not that it's more easy, some people understand D: Our camera man said he has done many portraits of big company execu­ film about Chögyal Namkhai Nor­ it this way, that you do whatever you want to do, but it's not like this. tives and you have to use seven different lights to make them look good, and bu? R: The Dzogchen sangha impressed me very much as people who are doing if they don't have enough lights they feel they won't look good, and Rin­ Russell: Firstly, Dorota is a mem­ their practice as well as having a social life. poche walked in and has one little light and he looks great. ber of the Dzogchen Community, M: When you were interviewing Rinpoche in the Gonpa for the film you R: By the time we started filming I had full transmission after the retreat: and and I am very interested and sympa­ said something like, "I have noticed that your students seem to have a long there were some delicate areas of filming for the general public and our thetic. In Paris I write screenplays way to go?". What did you mean by that? questions were can we film the Vajra Song and the Vajra Dance and the and make films. We developed this R: Because we're in Merigar, it's a center where people come from all over answer was yes and so we did. We asked if there were any parts we could not idea together with a number of oth­ Europe and the States as well, and it was part of a long conversation we were film and Rinpoche said we could do anything. So Prima Mai made deci­ er projects that would bring us having as we were making the film; the camera man and the sound person sions, we assume with Rinpoche. about what and how we could film and we together. With this film, Dorota and ourselves, until early morning. We discussed the problems we saw, made some choices, the camera man. sound man and myself. We discovered would provide the background, about intellectual knowledge and this was our access to that on this day. I that the sound didn't work with the filming with the mechanical music, and writing and frame of what the film was saying, "OK, Westerners have a rational, dualistic, intellectual bent, and the movements didn't work together. For filming purposes it was too slow was about, and I would organize the Dzogchen is not like that, so is it really possible to get that across to Western and we asked Prima Mai if she could sing it and the Dance became magical. shoot and find the camera man and people?". The answer from Rinpoche was that it's not really possible to get it Richard's specialty is dance documentaries, and he says he's never seen any­ decide how we would film. Doro- across to Tibetans either. It's really hard to get it across altogether and it thing so beautiful. We filmed it very well. ta's part was very important up until depends on your capacity. Also it is interesting to me that Dzogchen is very the moment we arrived in Merigar, D: Prima Mai said she hadn't had a practice like that for nine years, with that fashionable, and we wondered if is this a help or hindrance. and my part important for a week. level of concentration. So the singing also changed it. Rinpoche saw the M:In what sense? Now that we're finished shooting Dance of the Liberation of the Six Lokas first and asked why we didn't film we'll go through all the material and R: We wondered if perhaps Dzogchen is going too fast to the wrong places. the Vajra Dance also. We will still be very careful using the Vajra Dance and collaborate on the film. Rinpoche's answer was that a lot of Westerners practice for a year or two and most of that footage will probably go into the archive. We found that the force of Rin- then let it go. But the people who have the connection will do it irrespective R: In the film there will be three different montages, one will be fifty-two poche's personality is a window of whether they have money or not, or whether they can come to all the minutes long, most of what we shot in Merigar, and the next, something into a way of thinking and of being. retreats or not. That explains why he puts all the teachings out, why he trav­ longer, purely for the Community, can be put on a cassette, like two hours or Like most people, we've known els so much, because if he was only in Merigar or somewhere very far, or something, and the Vajra Dance could be on that. We've made an agreement lots of ways of orienting your life, you couldn't receive the teachings, it would be different. But that's not the verbally that all the material will be given also to the archive of Shang Shung case. Many people we met seem so very well integrated with the teachings in continued on page 23

THE MIRROR SEPTIOCT 2000 13 Shang Shung Edizioni Books & Practices Available from Tsegyalgar Italy

Songs from the Hospital and Other Poems Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Translated from Tibetan by Adriano Clemente Poems poesie poesías Published by Shang Shung Edizioni, 1999 Lire 35.000 20 US S Price$17 The Master collected and kept the This book contains three poems written by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu poems that children and grown-up in December, 1994 and January & February, 1995 during his stay at practitioners sent to him in the the Sloan Kettering Hospital in New York where he was being treated course of years and finally decided for leukemia, and two songs written in 1985. to publish them. As a result this book is reporting these poems in full The Mirror, Advice on the Presence of Awareness as they were written, with their Chögyal Namkhai Norbu drawings and illustrations. Translated from Tibetan into Italian & edited by Adriano Clemente "These poems like a mirror reflect Translated from Italian by Andrew Lukianowicz light and shadows, the hopes and Published by Station Hill Press, regrets, the discomfort and enthusi­ Barrytown, Ltd., 1996 asm of those practitioners who are Price$10 traveling in the same boat along this difficult route, difficult but impossi­ The Cycle of Day and Night, An Essential Tibetan Text on the ble to give up, towards total enlight­ enment" (from the Preface by Rita Practice of Contemplation Bizzotto). Chögyal Namkhai Norbu ' Translated & edited by John Reynolds Published by Station Hill Press, 1997 Price $14.95 Zernga Lire 10.000 US$6.50 Parting from the Four Attachments Revised and enlarged edition of the previous booklet containing the expla­ His Holiness SakyaTrizirt nation of this Upadesha practice which is a method applied to bring about Published by Shang Shung Edizioni, 1999 the reintegration of the material level into the wisdom level. Zernga is a Price $14 method of working with the five elements one by one in order to realize them in their natural condition. The Six Vajra Verses, AnOral CotnmentaiyonanAncienlDzogcIien Text Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche Oral Commentary to "The Cycle of Day and Night" Edited by Cheh-Ngee Goh Lire 20.000 US$13 Published by Rinchen Editions Pte. Ltd., 1990 An oral commentary, delivered by Rinpoche at Merigar in July 1998, to Price $15 his own text "The Cycle of Day and Night" written in 1993. A very essen­ tial Dzogchen teaching linked to the principles of Dzogchen Longde. This Blue Book ofTranscripts book contains both the original text translated by John Reynolds and the Talks in Oz, California, commentary. 1982 Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Translated from Italian into English by Barry Simmons The Phowa Practice First Edition, First Printing, 1998 translated from Tibetan and edited by Adriano Clemente Price $30 (hard cover) Lire 15.000 10US$ This book contains the translation of the original text "Transference for Green Book ofTranscripts Purifying the Three Kayas" according to the terma of Rigdzin Changchub Talks in Conway, Dorje, the deep and extensive oral teachings on Phowa given by Chögyal 1982 & 1983. Vol. I Namkhai Norbu during the 1994 retreat in Wales (U.K.), and the text of the Chögyal Namkhai Norbu actual practice as taught by the Master regarding the three Phowa of Dharmakaya, Sambhogakaya and Nirmanakaya. Translated from Italian into English by Barry Simmons Second Edition, First Printing, 1984 Price $30 (hard cover) The Garuda Practice Lire 10.000 US$6.50 *Direct Introduction to the State ofAtiyoga A concise but exhaustive explanation on the ori­ Chögyal Namkhai Norbu gin, the meaning and the way of applying the Translated from Tibetan by Adriano Clemente essential Garuda practice, according to a terma Published by Shang Shung Edizioni, 1999 Price $ 17 of the great Dzogchen master Adzom Drugpa, which is specially useful for overcoming nega­ tive provocations and diseases like cancer. *Namkha Besides helping practitioners to stabilize their Chögyal Namkhai Norbu integration with the transformation practice, it Translated from Italian by Nina Robinson also provides therapists with a means for protecting and strengthening Published by Shang Shung Edizioni, 1999 their energy when curing their patients. This booklet includes the drawings Price $17 of the mudras relating to the short opening invocation of the practice and the Tibetan text of Garuda's mantras. *For Those Who Have Received Transmission of These Practices From the Master

Tsegyalgar Bookstore An Oral Commentary to Longchenpa's "Precious Ship" Dzogchen Community of America (edited by Gina Perini and Jim Valby) PO Box 82 Lire 25.000 US$17 Conway, MA 01341-0277 A wonderful and extensive explanation, given in California in 1986, on Tel: 413/369-4473 Longchenpa's "Precious Ship" dealing with all of the major subjects of Fax: 413/369-4165 Dzogchen teachings according to the famous "Kunjed Gyalpo" root-tantra Email : tsegy algarbookstore@ yahoo.com

of Semde. This book, containing also an appendix on Kunjed Gyalpo SHIPPING & HANDLING CHARGES FOR TSEGYALGAR Guruyoga and a careful Tibetan editing of Tibetan terms made by Jim Val­ by, is a fundamental text for every practitioner interested in deepening $00-$19 $5.00 their understanding of contemplation. $20 - $39 $7.00 $40-$59 $8.00 $60 -$79 $9.00 All the prices are in Italian Lire and US dollars. Postage and packaging: in $80-$99 $10.00 $100 & up $12.00 Europe add Lire 4.000 per order; outside Europe $3US for every three books. To order please send the list of books you require by letter or fax. Postal shipments over 5-pounds are subject to additional shipping charges. Please make checks payable to Dzogchen Send an International Postal Money Order, Eurocheque in Italian Lire Community of America. Master card and Visa welcome. (from Europe) or a check (not less than $30US or equivalent) to Comunità Out-of-country shipping charges vary by country and package weight. Please indicate if you prefer airmail or surface Dzogchen (Shang Shung Edizioni), 58031 Arcidosso, GR, Italy. Tel.:0564 mail. For out-of-country surface mail please double the amount of shipping. For out-of-country air mail please multiply 966039, by three. Postal shipments over 5-pounds are subject to additional shipping charge. Email: [email protected] Out-of-country orders must be paid for by international money order, Visa or Master card. If shipping is not indicated, we will use surface mail. Alaska, APO-PFO, Hawaii, Puerto Rico please add $2 to the shipping charge. Contact us for quotes.n

14 ( INTERNATIONAL DZOGCHEN CONTACTS

CZECH REPUBLIC Junichi Chigira Email: kunzan@ c/o Slavica Voglar P.O. Box 277 VISIT THE MIRROR Centrum Lotus Email: si.computextos.netk Rudo I Conway, Mass. 01341 Komunita dzogchenu [email protected] Sp.23 st.232 WEB SITE AT Tel: 413 369 4153 Dlouha 2 POLAND HOOOBeograd Fax: 413 369 4165 WWW.MEL0NG.COM 11 OOOPraha 1 LATVIA Cezary Wozniak Tel: 381 11 4881731 Email: 74404.1141@ Czech Republic Padmaling 31-510 Krakow Email: [email protected] compuserve.com Tel.:0042-02-24 81 47 34 Beljutins Elena Ul. Rakowicka 21/3, Poland THE NEW A.S.I.A. Email: Lepju 5-55 Tel: 48 12 21 7835 Email of Belgrade Dzogchen Community of SITE IS NOW zelenj 1 [email protected] RigaLV 1016 Email: Dzogchen Community: Alaska Tel: 371 -2-437343 c wozniak@ bei .krakow.pl [email protected] Jim De Vincent ACCESSIBLE AT: DENMARK Fax: 371-7-187233 PO Box 22444 WWW. Anne-Grethe Nyeng Email: [email protected] PORTUGAL Jelena Zagorcic Juneau, Alaska Fax:45 33 11 32 43 Vitor Pomar Koste Jovanovica 9 99802 MEL0NG.COM/ Email: [email protected] LITHUANIA Fonte Salgada 713-Z 11000 Beograd Tel: 907 586 9776 ASIA Antanas Danielius 8800 Tavira Tel: 11-467437 Email: [email protected] ESTONIA Str. Baltupiyo, 47-69 Portugal Maret Kark Vilnius, 2057 tel 081 323780 SINGAPORE Lynn Sutherland ARGENTINA Sade T 9 Tel: 37 2 776824 Email:vitorpomar@ Ian Gan 5717 N. Washtenaw Ave. Tashigar* EE2400 Fax: 37 2 221618 mail.telepac.pt 98 Thomson Green Chicago, IL 60659 C.C. No.1-5155 Tártu Singapore 574965 773 784 4168 Tanti Tel: 372 7 380 038 Dorjeling Lydia Ferreira Tel & Fax: 4530387 Email: [email protected] Pcia. de Cordoba Email: [email protected] PO Box 1183 Rua da Nazare 2 Tel: 3541 498-356 LT-2000 Vilnius Vila Facaia Keng Leek Tan Dzogchen Community West Email: tashigar@datacoopcor- FINLAND Email:Lituania@ takas.lt 2560 Torres Vedras 110 E.Arthur Rd. Coast doba.com.ar Kaisa-Liisa Puonti Portugal Singapore 1543 Carol Fields Visantie 19 LUXEMBOURG Tel:351 -61 -911235 Tel: 65 447 2596 755 Euclid Ave. Berkeley, AUSTRALIA 05400 Jokela Katia Lytridou Fax: 65 532 6349 CA 94708 Namgyalgar Dzogchen Tel.+358 9 4172818 16, rue Paul Goedert RUSSIAN FEDERATION Email:kalatime@ Tel: 510 559 9753 Community of Australia* Fax: +358 9 140321 Creuthem L-3330 Kunsangar address is: singnet.com.sg Fax: 510 524 0933 Vicki Forscutt - Secretary Email: [email protected] "Sosnovi Bor", Email: [email protected] PO Box 14 Central Tilba, MALAYSIA Bolshedvorskoe Lesnichestvo, Tan Yan Tee NSW 2546 FRANCE Tham Wye Min Poselok Bolshie Dvori, Email: Dzogchen Community of Tel. and Fax: 61 02 4473 Association Dzogchen, 8669C Klebang Kechil Pavlovo-Posadski raion, [email protected] New Mexico 7668 Dejam Ling, Ix Deves 75200 Moscow reg., c/o Lidian King Email:[email protected] F30570 St Andre de Melaka Russian Federation SLOVENIA 25 B Big Tesuque Canyon Majencoules Tel: 60 35 6162 Tel/fax: (007-096-43) 21156 Changchub Ling Santa Fe, New Mexico Pamela Oldmeadow Tel: 33-(0)467824490 Ann Rudneva Director PO Box 19 SL-62250 87501 12 Fox Place Email: DzogchenFr@ Kwok Kee Chang ([email protected] Poetovio Tel: 505 988 5995 Lyneham ACT 2602 compuserve.com 11-A Jalan Jujor, 1/5 or [email protected]. Tel: 386 62 222523 Email: Tel: 61(0)2 6257 1177 Taman, Bakti Ampang art.ru) Fax: 386 62 29874 garuda@ roadrunner.com Fax: 61(0)2 6248 0335 GERMANY Selangor, W. Malaysia Email: pamelao@ Dzogchen Gemeinscaft Tel: 60 3 9847167 Moscow Dzogchen New York Dzogchen dynamite.com.au SOUTH AFRICA Helga Betz Community, Publishing group Jerry Smith Community Lindemannstr. 12 40237 MEXICO Shang-Shung, 10 Dan Pienaar Ave. 307 Prospect Place Gar Dusseldorf Communidad Dzogchen de Moscow and Shang-Shung Florida North, Gauteng, Apt 1C Gekoes of Namgyalgar Tel & Fax: 49 211 682657 Mexico Institute, Moscow: South Africa Brooklyn, NY 11238 Jonathan Schaeffer Email: [email protected] Reforma 199, piso 2 Puteysky tupik, dorn 4/2, Tel: 011 672 7250 Tel: 718.398.0584 Email:[email protected] Col. Cuauhtemoc stroyenie 4. Email: ed.goldberg@ Tel: 61(0)2 4473 7770 GREAT BRITAIN c.p. 06500 Moscow, 103064, Russia SPAIN thinkinc.com Amely Becker Mexico. DF Email: Moscow_DC Dzogchen Community, Laurence Mills 15 A Langdon Park Road Tel:546 32 81 Spain Susan Indich Bodhi Citta Buddhist Centre Member: Andrew Wright London N6 5PS Tel & Fax: 566 83 04 Apt. Postal 46220 129 Kaelepulu Dr. Kailua PO Box 8177 Cairns, QLD Tel: 020 8348 6253 Email: 28028 Madrid Hawaii, 96734 4870 Email: [email protected] [email protected] Tel: 808 261 3469 Tel: 61(0)7 4039 0470 Lyuda Kislichenko: home SWEDEN Fax: 808 524 4342 Email: [email protected] phone/fax: 095-3251378 GREECE Lennart Aastrup Alexander & Perniila Email: [email protected] (Secretary) Panayotis Stambolis Nino Artillero 33 Dobronravoff AUSTRIA Gregory Mokhin: office Marinou Antypa 38 Tepoztlan, Morelos Främlingsvägen 45 Jerene Peter Sochor phone/fax: 095-2673484. 14121 N. Iraklio Tel: 52 73950192 126 48 Hagersten P.O. Box 2181 Dzogchen Community of (SMS contact) Athens Stockholm Kealakekua, Hi. 96750 Vienna, Austria Email: [email protected] Tel: 30 1 2713765 NEPAL Tel: 08 744 27 17 Tel: 808 323-9714 Götzgasse 2/10, A-1100 Fax: 30 1 3411856 Vikki Floyd Fax: 08 508 20 134 Email: [email protected] Wien, Austria GTZ-PAS (UDLE) Buryatian Community Email: Tel:+43-1-602 91 16 Nikos Liberopoulos P.O. Box 1457 "Kundrolling" dobronravoff@ telia.com VENEZUELA Email: 18-20 Roikou st, 11743 Kathmandu, 1457 c/o Maria Fedetova Pablo Lau Rivera dzogchen. [email protected] 50 years of October prs. 44-26 Athens Email: vikkifloyd@ SWITZERLAND Lhundrubgar Pba. Res. Ulan-Ude 670034 Tel: (+301)9215901 hotmail.com Monique Leguen Pedermales Av. Oliver F. Leick Buryatia Email: [email protected] Res. Tel No: 00977-1- 12 D ch.Maisonneuve Paez Montalban II Dzogchen Community of Email:[email protected] 270106 (after 8.00 p.m.) CH-1219 Chatelaine 1021 Caracas Styria, Austria HOLLAND Tel/fax: 0041-22-7973721 Tel: 58 2 4421434 Gschmaier 139.A-8265 Ada de Boer (red Gakyil) NEW ZEALAND Olga Tsvetkova Email: leguen@ Fax: 58 2 340643 Gr.Steinbach J.W. Frisostraat 44 Rosemary Friend Kostromskoi Prospect 58/31 ¡nfomaniak.cn Email: [email protected] Tel.&Fax: 03386-8571 or 9717 EP Groningen 7 Radnor Street St. Petersburg 194214 0676-3221365 Tel: 7 812 5538121 Tel/fax: 31 503188606 (fax North East Valley TAIWAN Elias Capriles EMail: [email protected] Fax: 7 812 1307070 requires a call prior to send­ Dunedin S. Island Arm im Lee Apartado Postal 483 Homepage: www. ing) Tel: 64 3 4730886 Merida5101 cadmasters.at/dzogchen Tel : 886-2-23250697 Email: [email protected] Fax: 64 3 4779463 Denisova, Tatyana Fax: 886-2-23258857 Tel & Fax: 58 74 440026 Email: 2-Y Microraion-14 apt.3 Email: [email protected] BELGIUM ISRAEL [email protected] Elista, Kalmikiya 358000 Sophia Wu (most used) Katia Lytridon Noa Blass Email : twinklingstar@hot- OR eliascapriles@ 16, rue Paul Goedert Biltmore Street 15 Oni McKinstry Vladivostok mail.com latinmail.com L-3330 Crauthem 62194 Tel Aviv Apt 6B, 182 Federal St. DzogchenCommunity Luxembourg Tel & Fax: 972 3 605 75 43 Auckland, 1001 Kuleshova Natalia Merida Dzogchen Tel: 352 366591 THAILAND Tel: 09 307 2717 Tobolskay 12, KV.20 Geoffrey Blake & Lynne Community ITALY Email: Vladivostok, 690066 Klapecki Apartado Postal 483 BRAZIL Merigar* Comunità Dzogchen [email protected] Email: 33 Soi Lang Suan - Merida 5101 Muriella andWashington Clara Juliano -Secretary [email protected]. Ploenchit Rd Fax: 58 74 447550 Malaga Arcidosso, 58031 GR, Italy NORWAY ru Bangkok 10330 58 74 440026 Rua Pedro Pedreschi 71 Tel: 39 0 564 966837 Gordon Cranmer Thailand Email: guia@ 02372-000, Sao Paulo Fax: 39 0 564 968110 4157 Utstein Kloster Russian Email addresses: Tel. 66 -2-2543555 or bolivar.funmrd.gov. ve Tel-fax: 55-11-69536072 . Email: [email protected] Mosteroy VladimirKarpinsky: Tel. 66-2-2545532 or Email: [email protected] Tel: 47 4 514705 [email protected] Tel. 66-2-2549061 (direct Azamling VladimirMaikov: line) BYELORUSSIA Moreno Marcato Community Website: [email protected] Email: Rousland Malakhouski To SUBSCRIBE TO Via Culasso 2 http://go.to/dzogchen.no Updated information about [email protected] Ul. Odinstova 29-35 any events in Moscow 14053 Canelli THE MAILING LIST Minsk (Russia) region is on the AT 0141 PERU UKRAINE http://scil.npi.msu.su/pub/ Comunidad Dzogchen del Valéry Botsula OF THE CANADA religion/dzogchen (dzogchen) DZOGCHEN Tsugiko Kiyohashi Juan Bustamante 59 Kharkov 305- 11806 88th St. site. 5-11 -23 Shimomeguro Enrique Palacios 1125-C, 310186 COMMUNITY: Delta, BC V4C 3C5 Meguro-Ku Miraflores, Lima 18, Peru NORBUNET@ Tokyo Tel 4455003, Fax 4472984, SERBIA/EX YUGOSLAVIA USA Tel: (office) 81 3 3712 7507 eel 9310754 Dzogchen Community of Tsegyalgar* XS4ALL.NL Fax: 81 3 3716 7248 Yugoslavia Jacqueline Gens-Secretary

THE MIRROR SEPT/OCT 2000 15 \ INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY NEWS

MERIGAR BEGINNING ON THE 24TH AT 10 AM 6:30 PM: SHORT GANAPUJA CALENDAR FEB. 24TH AND 25TH: RUSHEN

OCTOBER 2000 DECEMBER 2ND - 3RD SATURDAY THE 24TH OF FEBRUARY APRIL 2001 VAJRA DANCE PRACTICE RETREAT LOSAR - TIBETAN NEW YEAR - PRACTICE AT SUNRISE - GANAPUJA AT 12:30 AM MANDARAVA 6 MONTH PRACTICE DECEMBER 8TH - DINNER AND PARTY AT 8:00 PM CYCLE CHÖGYAL NAMKHAI NORBU'S BIRTHDAY FROM SEPTEMBER 28TH TO APRIL, ON 10:00 AM AND 4 P.M.: TWO SESSIONS MONDAY THE 26TH OF FEBRUARY - THE 1ST AND THE 14TH OF EVERY LUNAR WITH ADRIANO CLEMENTE 6:30 PM - THIRD DAY OF THE TIBETAN NEW YEAR MONTH ACCORDING TO THE TIBETAN TARA GANAPUJA WITH MARME SANG PRACTICE AT 9 AM AND INSTALLA­ CALENDAR (THAT IS TO SAY, THE DAY MONLAM (INVOCATION OF THE LAMP) TION OF PRAYER FLAGS (LUNGTA) AFTER THE GANAPUJA OF THE LAST DAY OF THE MONTH AND THE DAY BEFORE THE GANAPUJA OF THE 15TH DAY) AT 7:00PM THERE WILL BE THE LONG LIFE DECEMBER 9TH MARCH 3RD PRACTICE OF MANDARAVA IN THE 9 AM: KARMAYOGA FOR ALL AT 4 PM: EXPLANATION OF THE Excerpt from a Talk with the New Gakyil of Merigar MANDALA HALL. IF POSSIBLE (SEE 4 PM: SANGHA MEETING GURUYOGA PRACTICE OF GARAB DORJE ABOVE) LEARNING SESSIONS WITH THE 8:00 PM: DINNER AND PARTY FOR THE TRANSMISSION ON MARCH 9TH HELP OF VIDEO CASSETTES COULD ALSO Evolution of the Individual BE ARRANGED. DECEMBER 10TH MARCH 9TH Chögyal Namkhai Norbu 9:00 AM: COLLECTIVE PRACTICE 4:00 AM: GURUYOGA PRACTICE OF 10:30 AM: KARMAYOGA FOR ALL GARAB DORJE FOR THE TRANSMISSION SEPTEMBER 30TH - OCTOBER 1ST VAJRA DANCE PRACTICE RETREAT Merigar. August. 2000 DECEMBER 28TH - JANUARY 3RD MARCH 17TH - 18TH sually old practitioners should be getting better, becoming more aware, EXPLANATION AND PRACTICE RETREAT SANTI MAHA SANGHA FIRST LEVEL more present, but sometimes it seems to be the opposite. It may be that OCTOBER 7TH - 8TH U WITH ADRIANO CLEMENTE. EXPLANATION AND PRACTICE SANTI MAHA SANGHA EXPLANATION a 'new" person who comes to practice dedicates themselves and tries to be THE RETREAT WILL INCLUDE SESSIONS MAHAYOGA AND ANUYOGA AND PRACTICE more present than an old practitioner. At a certain point old practitioners OPEN TO ALL ON THE PRACTICE OF THE FIRST SIX LOJONG, THE FOUR seem to be fed up with everything, with their practice, with presence and VAJRASATTVA AND OF SHINE ON THE IMMEASURABLES. THE THREE PRACTICES BASIS OF THE TEXT "INTRODUCTION TO EASTER RETREAT WITH ADRIANO then it seems like they have to do everything kind of up-side-down. This OF SAMTEN ATI" TRANSMITTED LAST SUMMER BY CLEMENTE: TO BE DEFINED spoils things a lot. THREE SESSIONS: SATURDAY 10 AM AND THE MASTER, AS WELL AS SESSIONS I really advise all of you to try to work individually. It is important to do 4 PM, SUNDAY 10 AM. DEDICATED TO THE TAWA OF THE FIRST GENERAL NOTES things individually. For example, when I say that something isn't going well LEVEL OF SANTI MAHA SANGHA BASED then straight away you start to justify yourselves. This is people's habit. By ON THE SAMTEN MIGDRON TEXT, FOL­ OCTOBER 27TH - 28TH - 29TH justifying you mean, "I am innocent and someone else is guilty". That is the LOWED BY AN INTRODUCTION TO THE ABOUT VAJRA DANCE PRACTICE BEGINNING ON FRIDAY THE 27TH AT 4 truth of it because there is nothing else to justify. But the truth is not like that. PRACTICES RELATED TO THE VEHICLES OF RETREATS: PM I don't need any type of justification. If you justify yourselves then I know SUTRA AND TANTRA LEAD BY EXPERI­ COURSE ON THE DANCE OF THE THREE ENCED PRACTITIONERS. ALL VAJRA DANCE PRACTICE RETREATS very well that you are protecting yourselves, your position, your way of VAJRAS (OM AH HUM) BEGIN ON SATURDAY AT 10:00 AM AND being and thinking. And this is absolutely no good. So I don't need any type WITH MARGIT MARTINU of justification. DECEMBER 3 1ST AT 8 PM: DINNER AND END THE FOLLOWING SUNDAY AT 5:30 PARTY PM. What I do need is for you to reflect on yourselves because we are not only EACH DAY HAS THE FOLLOWING PRO­ NOVEMBER 1ST concerned with the Merigar Dzogchen Community, or the Dzogchen Com­ JANUARY 1ST AT 11 AM: LONG LIFE GRAM (WHICH IS FLEXIBLE AND CAN BE KARMAYOGA munity in general, or our Gakyil or practitioners. If we really wish to PRACTICE. ADJUSTED EACH TIME ACCORDING TO improve society in general, improve people, improve our future, then an THE PREFERENCES AND CAPACITIES OF evolution of the individual must arise. If this doesn't happen then no change THE PARTICIPANTS): NOVEMBER 4TH - 5TH JANUARY 5TH - 7TH 10:00 AM: PRACTICE OF THE GURUYOGA or improvement can come about. It won't be possible because everyone YANTRA YOGA BEGINNERS COURSE SANTI MAHA SANGHA BASE OF THE WHITE A exists with their ego. There isn't a single person without an ego. We don't WITH LAURA EVANGELISTI BEGINNING EXPLANATION AND PRACTICE notice our ego and we always protect it and problems arise from this. There­ ON THE 4TH AT 10 AM 11:00 AM: THUN OF THE DANCE OF THE PRAJNAPARAMITA PRACTICES: THE FOUR THREE VAJRAS (OM AH HUM) fore we have to work on this individually. Every so often each individual APPLICATIONS OF PRESENCE (TRENPA 12:00 AM: THUN OF THE COMPLETE should observe him or herself a bit. This is fine. This is the practice and this NYERSHAG) VAJRA DANCE is the way to become a good practitioner. When this is lacking then really NOVEMBER 10TH - 11TH - 12TH BEGINNING AT 4:00 PM ON THE 5TH OF 01:00 PM: LUNCH BREAK BEGINNING ON FRIDAY THE 10TH AT 4 everything is lacking. JANUARY 03:00 PM: THUN OF THE DANCE OF THE PM So I am only asking you to try to do these things. Then there is collabora­ LIBERATION OF THE SIX LOKAS COM­ COURSE ON THE DANCE OF THE BINED WITH THE DANCE OF THE THREE tion with each other and a way to respect each other. • LIBERATION OF THE SIX LOKAS VAJRAS Translated and edited by Li: Granger ( also text below) WITH RITA RENZI UNDER THE SUPERVI­ JANUARY 13TH - 14TH SION OF PRIMA MAI VAJRA DANCE PRACTICE RETREAT 04:00 PM: THUN OF THE COMPLETE VAJRA DANCE 05:00 PM: SHORT THUN Advice of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu JANUARY 27TH - 28TH NOVEMBER 18TH EXPLANATION AND PRACTICE RELATED ELECTION OF THE NEW GEKOES AND GAKYIL EXPLANATION OF THE GURUYOGA PRAC­ TO THE FIRST LEVEL OF SANTI MAHA THE GAKYIL HAS BEEN REQUESTED TO TICE FOR THE TRANSMISSION ON SANGHA, KRIYA, CARYA AND YOGA FIND A WAY TO PROVIDE A TV AND MERIGAR, JULY, 2000 NOVEMBER 21ST - AT 4 PM TANTRA. VIDEO CASSETTE DECK FOR THE MANDALA HALL SO THAT PRACTITION­ j would like to say a few words about the Gakyil. Every year we talk ERS OF THE VAJRA DANCE AND YANTRA ii NOVEMBER 21ST FEBRUARY 3RD - 4TH YOGA CAN WORK WITH YY AND VD 1 about what the Gakyil is and how it should be. In general we have a ANNIVERSARY OF ADZOM DRUGPA YANTRA YOGA COURSE OPEN TO THOSE TAPES DURING PRACTICE RETREATS, ETC. Gakyil because we are an association and there are legal aspects to take GURU YOGA TRANSMISSION PRACTICE WHO HAVE ALREADY ATTENDED AT LEAST (GIVING AT THE SAME TIME THE POSSI­ care of. But the Gakyil does not exist merely for legal reasons. That is some­ WITH CHÖGYAL NAMKHAI NORBU ONE BEGINNERS COURSE WITH LAURA BILITY TO ALL TO STUDY OTHER PRAC­ thing secondary. We are an association or spiritual community for the LIVE: ROME, 1:00 PM EVANGELISTI BEGINNING ON THE 3RD AT TICE VIDEOS). VIDEO: MERIGAR GONPA, 1:00 PM Dzogchen teaching. This is the precise point. We have to do things legally 10 AM because we live within society, under the legal framework of this country, WHOEVER IS IN A POSITION TO and we have to be aware of this. But we should not forget what the aim of the DONATE A TV AND/OR A VC NOVEMBER 24TH - 29TH Community is. The Gakyil has been created for this from the beginning, as DECK FOR THE MANDALA HALL COURSE ON THE SECOND PART OF THE FEBRUARY 23RD AND 25TH IS INVITED TO CONTACT THE you well know. DANCE OF THE VAJRA FOR BEGINNERS SANTI MAHA SANGHA BASE MERIGAR GAKYIL. CALL MAURIZIO We have only a few Gars in the world. There are a lot of Gakyils, but all AS WELL AS INTERMEDIATE STUDENTS EXPLANATION AND PRACTICE MINGOTTI, TEL. 0564-967705 of them are more or less concentrated at the different Gars. The number one WITH ADRIANA DAL BORGO FEB. 23RD AT 4 PM: PURIFICATION OF THE SIX LOKAS Gar is Merigar and it should be an example [for the other Gars], therefore the Merigar Gakyil should do things in the right way. If the Gakyil of Merigar New Gekoes & Gakyil isn't doing things in the right way it means that there is no hope for the oth­ with people. Otherwise we're not of Merigar ers. And this is the point. getting anywhere. Seriously. The Gakyil shouldn't be authoritarian or arrogant. The people who make First of all, for those who wish to Gekoes: Patricia Monti Gracis Blue: up the Gakyil should clearly have awareness to serve, to communicate and be chosen for the Gakyil and those Maurizio Mingotti, Vice Director collaborate with people in the Community because the Gakyil is chosen for who want to continue in the Gakyil, Flavia Tomassini these reasons. It is not chosen so they can become "bosses", or take up a reflect well on how things should be Lauri Marder position. This is something important, because sometimes it really doesn't because this is something important. work. Something linked to the teaching, Gakyil: Yellow: In general, there are a lot of places where the Gakyils don't work! When linked to transmission and to the con­ Red: Fabiana Mela people are in charge of something in the slightest way, they immediately get tinuation of the Community. It isn't Sicilia D'Arista, Director Silvana Pisani very arrogant. And at Merigar in particular this is not fine. So I would really only something to control this piece Cristina Leonardo Anna Dessole of land, the Yellow House, etc. ask those who want to be part of the Gakyil, please don't do these type of things. Piero Bonacina Don't become arrogant, don't think you are becoming "bosses", but collaborate Please remember this."

16 IHTEIKATIOHAI ence of breathing in and breathing COMMUNITY NEWS out (which is not as easy as seems to | be), and of the khumbaka-holding. Finally we went on to the third group of Yantras and the "Breathing of Humkara". Laura and Fabio explained in a very precise way and we had enough time to practice and experience the extraordinary meth­ ods. When we all sat in the position of Humkara and were slowly and directly exhaling with the sound of ; Hum, 1 felt again the humming, which is very similar to the hum- j ming of the bees flying around the | THE HUMMING OF THE nationalities gathered around Laura Evangelisti and Fabio Andrico in flowers in order to find nectar. We and limitation, and the effort it takes BEES IN THE TEMPLE OF order to deepen our knowledge and were not flying around, but every- ! VAJRA DANCE to learn them serves as a means to THE GREAT LIBERATION experience of Yantra Yoga in a body could feel the effect of this TEACHER TRAINING develop awareness and awaken our retreat which lasted six days. It was practice which is beyond words to COURSE infinite potentiality. pointed out very precisely that this describe. A REPORT ON THE YANTRA YOGA COURSE, Although everyone felt compe­ course is mainly for those people The main points of this Yantra IN MERIGAR THIRD SERIES tent enough to sign up for the train­ who have already followed a couple Yoga retreat for me were the inten­ ing, it became clear from the start MERIGAR, JULY, 2000 of courses of Yantra Yoga, that it is tion and the effort of Laura and JULY 13-18,2000 that all of us could become far more course for advanced practitioners, Fabio to make us experience the by Oliver F. Leick precise in our mastery of both the but not a teacher's training course. fruit of the practice, their diligent by LidianKing arm movements and our foot steps. In the first days, Laura and checking and advising of each of us, lready when we sang the Song Patiently and generously Prima Mai Fabio checked us doing the five and that Fabio and I were practicing he Capanone in Merigar was of the Vajra at the beginning of and Adriana corrected our individ­ A Tsigjong, eight Lungsang, five Yantra Yoga for the first time with the setting for an advanced our course I had the inner sensation T ual errors and offered insights on Tsandul, the Vajra wave, the Yantras the "yoga-skirts" (which are training course on the Dance of the of humming bees in the Gonpa of how to deepen our knowledge and and the Pranayama of the first and extremely comfortable). Liberation of the Six Lokas and the Merigar. We were singing it slowly expression of these two Dances, second group, and helped us in I really want to thank Laura and Dance of the Three Vajras this past and Fabio started to sing with a both of which are related in the state every possible way to get the posi­ Fabio and hope that next year we July. It was my second such train­ deep voice. Five days after the won­ of contemplation yet different in tions and the breathing more exact. will have a Yantra Yoga retreat ing, but the only time I have been derful and inspiring retreat of Chö­ their individual style and form of Both instructors put a lot of effort to again, where we will focus on the taught by both Prima Mai and Adri­ gyal Namkhai Norbu, about twen­ expression. Although the details are make us feel the correct way of fourth Group!« ana together. There were twelve of ty-five people from many different sometimes subtle and difficult to breathing, to get the direct experi­ us, and then a few more who came execute, it seems to me the more to review their training as the days deeply we are willing to apply our­ progressed. We were eleven plus selves in practical experience of the women, arriving from North Amer­ News from Dances, the more likely we are to ica, South America, Lithuania, actually begin to connect with the Europe; and a single brave man, Northern real meaning and develop our abili­ Hugo, from Merigar! ty to realize the dances. Prima Mai Greece Our meeting place was immacu­ and Adriana definitely have their late with a few carefully selected own style of teaching and dancing, thankas on the walls, a simple so it was refreshing to learn from e are happy to announce the shrine honoring Gomadevi and Rin­ both of them together and to know Wformation of a new Gakyil in poche, and the Mandala itself paint­ there is plenty of room for individ­ Northern Greece, based in Thessa­ ed on a wooden plank floor, radiant­ ual expression. On the last day Pri­ loniki, following our meeting with ly beautiful with a high gloss finish. ma Mai did a video of the course Rinpoche in Merigar during the All this brought to mind how magi­ participants dancing, and we all lat­ recent retreat. After a practice of cally transformed the Capanone has er sat down to enjoy viewing the Ganapuja on the Dakini day, lots been over the last decade since I greater and lesser results of our were drawn with the following out­ News from the Czech Republic was first introduced to the Vajra work. We ended with a fine Gana­ come: Dances by Rinpoche himself in puja together. n the last weekend of May the practitioners of Czechia and Slovakia October 1990. At that time the walls Blue: Stamatis Politis, Harris Ohad a weekend retreat in Prague with Irmgard Pemwieser, an older were lined with overfilled bookcas­ It was indeed a happy occasion Pantelidis practitioner from Austria. Irmgard gave an explanation on Khorde Rushen es and a heavy duty vacuum cleaner to be back in Merigar and to join Red: Dina Svoronou, Maria from the Santi Maha Sangha Base. sat close at hand, while a group of other dedicated Vajra Dancers from Giakoumakou Around twenty people attended this short but intense retreat. We had the us tried to imitate Rinpoche on a around the globe in this advanced training course. Although some Yellow: Thanos Svoronos, opportunity to understand and gain a little taste of the experience of practic­ blue synthetic carpet that had hasti­ hope to become qualified teachers Katerina Loukopoulou ing these profound and most effective methods. On the last day, which was ly been painted with the Mandala! in the near future in the various the day of Dakini, we did a wonderful Ganapuja with Irmgard and Margit It now seemed very appropriate Gars and local Communities, others Our first on-going project is the Martinu. Margit is the director of Czech Gakyil, a translator, good friend and to return to the Capanone for an simply find these courses an excel­ listing, in database form, of all was visiting Prague at the same time. She helped us with translations and advanced training course, and to lent opportunity to deepen our Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche's teach­ other activities connected with Community. continue the never-ending process experience and practice of the ings existing in the hands of the The next retreat with Irmgard was held on the September 1st - 3rd at the of refining and mastering the move­ Dances. The only thing I hope will members of the Greek Community, same place. This time she shared her knowledge and experience of the prac­ ments of these extraordinary change about these trainings in the whether in printed form or as tice of the seven Semdzins with about tMrty people from Czechia, Slovakia Dances of the state of contempla­ future is to have more men partici­ audio/video cassettes, which would and Austria. tion. It is always inspiring and pate and balance the excess of constitute a basis for a lending Thanks to help and support of older practitioners, we formed a Santi encouraging, rather than discourag­ female energy which invariably library for members of the Commu­ Maha Sangha study group of about thirty people. We had problems in a Bud­ ing, to know there is no end to seems to be present with the Dances nity. Our second step in this direc­ dhist center from the Theravadan tradition where we were forbidden to do learning the Dances, because the in general. • tion would be the digitalization of Ganapuja because of the consumption of meat and alcohol. For this reason Dances themselves are beyond time audio magnetic recordings, as many we are searching for a new space to install a library, an archive with tapes old cassettes are already beginning and pictures, etc. Moreover, we are looking for a retreat center near the city to deteriorate. which could offer us a calm and inspiring place for spiritual growth. In the future we plan to invite Jim Valby to lead a Santi Maha Sangha Please address all communica­ retreat and in two or three years we wish and hope that Chögyal Namkhai tions to: Norbu will come to our country for the first time. Harris Pantelidis & New Gakyils Maria Giakoumakou MORE NEWS FROM CZECH REPUBLIC V.Olgas 84B The weekend retreat on the 7th Lojong from the Santi Maha Sangha Base . 546 43 Thessaloniki will take place in Prague, Czech Republic at the Lotus Buddhist Center on Czech Republic Spain Email address: November 24th-26th, 2000. Blue: Lukas Chmelik Blue: [email protected] ([email protected], Oriol Aguilar or [email protected]) Rosa Foms (Adela Moragas) Thanos & Dina Svoronos News from Kunsangar Maida Hocevar Analipseos 32 Red: H.Chalupa 546 43 Thessaloniki (00420604 689624) Red: Email address: skyjewel 1@ n Kunsangar we've started to rebuildth e iron building (the summer theater); the Ramón Vázquez hotmail.com project which can be seen at . We are I Yellow: Milan Polasek Eva Useras still looking for sponsors. We have already collected about S7000US and ([email protected]. Bernabé Ramirez still need about $10,000US. The building is supposed to be used for the 004202 57 34 3450) Santi Malia Sangha training with Rinpoche next year, and generally for Yellow: Yantra Yoga, Vajra Dance, Santi Maha Sangha retreats and other collective Nuria Moro practices. It is planned to be a heated, all season building.! Julia Giménez Masha Zmcic

THE MIRROR SEPT/OCT 2 000 17 IHTEtHATIO V \ L COMMUNITY NEWS TEACHING RETREAT WITH CHOGYAL NAMKHAI NORBU Kunselling: NOVEMBER 25TH - 2»TH. 2000

The Place of INTRODUCTION TO DZOGCHEN CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

Complete VENUE: Nazareth House, Derry St., Vredehoek, Cape Town. COST: R350 (USS50) Clarity CONTACT: Darryl van Blerk. by Anne Barrowcliffe, Mike Farmer, 82 New Church St.. Julia Lawless & Colin Ellar. Tamboerskloof, Cape Town 8000, South Africa Tel: 27-(0)21-447012 unselling is an old stone farm­ house perched several hundred K theless, we have considerable prob­ meters above an idyllic secret used intensively for nearly three conservatory attached to the side of News from lems with dampness. It is very prob­ Welsh valley, in the area rapidly years. The secluded location is the present kitchen to give space for able that the foundation of the house becoming known as the Welsh excellent for meditation, with the people to eat, as well as providing a is in bad condition, which means we Tibet. Bought by the Dzogchen Paldenling solitude and the wild open moor supervised space for children to will have to take care of it. Palden­ Community UK in 1997 after a long land providing opportunities for play. We will need to refurbish the ling is in the mountains and sur­ search and a false start in far West both indoor and outdoor practice. kitchen at the same time. Extra rounded by a picturesque land­ Wales, Kunselling has become a Poland The UK Community uses Kun­ accommodation for individual scape. We have three pieces of land, central focus for the UK communi­ selling for regular group practice retreat cells for up to four people is which Rinpoche named according­ ty and is now starting to receive t the moment we are preparing weekends - these have included going to be provided and this has ly Nirmanakaya, Samboghakaya, increasing interest from other com­ Afor the Santi Maha Sangha memorable celebrations of the been designed to double-up for and Dharmakaya. In the place of munities in Europe. retreat with Jim Valby which is to Western New Year and Losar. eight people, two in a room, when start in the beginning of October. Dharmakaya which is the top of the Rinpoche stayed here in Our original vision of a simple there is a collective practice. These It is more than one year since we hill, the Longde house is to be built. November 1998 and consecrated retreat place within a reasonable cells will be oriented to the North­ got our new Gekoes, he is a disciple Paldenling is a good place espe­ the place. He changed its name traveling distance of most Commu­ west and will look onto a secluded of Tenga Rinpoche. He lives in cially for longer retreats as it is far from the Welsh (and unpronounce­ nity members has already been real­ meditation garden. Our last phase Paldenling with his family; his wife from any town. We warmly invite able) Llwydallt - which means ized and our plans now are to devel­ will be the construction of a and his little son. Grzegorz is a very everyone who would like to do "Grey Hill" to Kunselling which op the outbuildings and bam beside white/dark retreat facility, secluded, good Gekoes and he is of great help retreats in Paldenling, especially means "Place of Complete Clarity". the original farmhouse. We already but located near the house so that it to our Community. He is very good sisters and brothers of Vajra from Rinpoche was also shown the new have planning permission to trans- will be easy to support individual in all work to be done around the Slovakia, Czech Republik and Aus­ retreats. house is also a skillful carpenter; tria, who might find Paldenling We intend to make Kun- our land grows up under his rule. closer than somebody from North- selling available as a The previous summer, the house em or Center Poland. retreat center to all mem­ was plastered and warmed. Never­ bers of the Dzogchen Community - we will not Santi Maha Sangha in Poland just restrict its use to members of the UK com­ with Jim Valby munity. We are undertak­ ing a major project: and this is not so easy for such OCTOBER 2ND-13TH,2000 a small community as PALDENLING ours. How quickly the new Kunselling can be The Santi Maha Sangha base retreat with Jim Valby in Poland will take completed depends on place from October 2nd to 13th. how quickly we can get The retreat fee is S20US. sufficient funds for each The retreat in will take place in our retreat center. Paldenling, in the moun­ phase. We have already tains. If you wish to participate, please send the necessary data (your name, form the bam. outbuildings and received individual donations, date and place of your arrival to Poland), so that someone can help you to design for the Center at the recent courtyard into a practice space, including great generosity from get to Paldenling. Please bring sleeping bags. If you have already been in Merigar retreat and gave it his retreat facilities and a dance man­ Geoffrey Blundell, and many mem­ contact with someone from Poland, (we have heard some people from Ger­ enthusiastic blessing. dala respectively, but we have bers of the UK Community con­ many have), please inform us anyway, because we have to arrange a place On a more mundane level, light recently commissioned David Lea, tribute on a regular basis to the in Paldenling. and clarity completely suffuse Kun­ a leading architect from North Land Fund. However we are going Accommodation and food will cost $15US and $50US, respectively. selling: the hills stand out in perfect Wales, to provide a more exciting to need considerably more money Everybody is welcome! sharpness, while patterns of sun and vision of what Kunselling could be. to fulfill the wonderful potential Contacts: [email protected] or [email protected] cloud race over them. The space The designs that he has produced that Kunselling can provide. Any around is vast, constrained only by help that can be given will be truly will be executed in three or four Application: the distant Black Mountains and the welcome and we feel could benefit phases. First will be the bam con­ Name Brecon Beacons to the south, and all members of the Dzogchen Com­ version, which will become a col­ Surname the Mynydd Epynt with other munity - especially those who may lective practice space for fifteen to Nationality vaguer ranges of mountains away to wish to conduct a retreat in near ide­ twenty practitioners, approached by I want to stay from to October the North. There are no jets or cars a splendid new access stair and al circumstances. or television, only the occasional Contact address (snail-mail ore-mail) complete with new toilets, showers sound of a hungry raven, the mew For further information on and kitchen area. Outside in the of a buzzard wheeling in the sky arranging individual retreats at How to Reach Paldenling courtyard, we will construct a large and sheep in the fields around. Kunselling or providing financial or Dance Mandala which will eventu­ other help, please contact Julia Forthose who want to reach Paldenling: Kunselling is a perfect center for ally have a dramatic tent style cov­ Lawless on 0044 20 7722 2539 or By car: (Attention: the names of some Polish cities contain some specific individual retreat and for small ering. 00441453 860776.. diacritic marks, impossible to reproduce here.) group practice and has now been A second phase will be a The nearest big city is Tranow, located to the east of Krakow. From Tarnow you should go to Jaslo, then to Nowy Zmigrod, and then to Lysa Gora. The Vajra Dance in Europe village Lysa Gora is located on the way from Nowy Zmigrod to Dukla. When you have passed the first houses in the village, you should continue Vajra Dance in Geneva, Vajra Dance Courses in Vajra Dance in London with till the sign "Dukla 10" (a green sign with white letters). Then you should Switzerland Germany with Prima Mai Stoffelina Verdonk take the first path to the left (it's going up). Paldenling is the last house by this path. The house is white and windows are blue. By bus: From Krakow take a bus to Jaslo. In Jaslo you take a bus to Lysa There will be a retreat of the Dance The Dance of the Liberation of The first half of the of the Vajra Gora and get out at the first stop in Lysa Gora (after one and a half hours of of Om A Hum for beginners with the Six Lokas Dance is on the weekend of the driving), because later the bus turns to another part of the village. Then you Margit Martinu September 23rd - November 24th-26th October 28th to November 5th. follow the same (asphalt) road 1 km. Having passed the sign "Dukla 10 24th in Geneva, Switzerland with Dusseldorf, Germany For further information about cost km" you should turn left and follow the (non-asphalt) road up. The rest is the possibility of Friday evening Contact: Alexia Meyer-Kahlen and venue please contact Amely : the same as in "reaching Paldenling by car". also. Email: [email protected] 0208 3486253, The official address is: Lysa Gora 168,38-230 Nowy Zmigrod. Cost is around 150.-/ 200.- Swiss or Judy: 0207 586 7372 who both If you want to go together with some other Polish practitioners, please francs and we will try to arrange Dance of the Om A Hum live in London, UK. free lodging for everyone. December lst-3rd write. Contact: Jocelyne Carasso Frankfurt, Germany Greetings, Email: jocelyne.carasso@ Contact: Samya Roeder-Debus Viktoria Nikolowa wanadoo.fr Email: [email protected] [email protected]

1H INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY NEWS PASSAGES

Developing Our Capacity: BORN: to Gianpaolo Tondo and Renata Chiesa in Florence on May 16th, 2000, a daughter called Gioia Metog. Not Slipping into the Nothing or the Something MARRIED: Jay Callahan and Doreen O'Conner were married on September 16th, 2000 SMS Base Training with Jim Valby in Brattleboro, Vermont. Jay was the gekoes of Tsegyalgar for one year.

By John LaFrance MARRIAGES performed by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu at Gadeling, Merigar, July 2000: Jowita Niedzielska and Pawel Poniewski from Poland or nine wonderful days in Lucia Boschetto and Marco Baseggio from Italy Flate July-early August, twenty to thirty practitioners came together at Tsegyalgar GEKOES POSITION AT TSEGYALGAR to develop our capacity to connect with the primordial Tsegyalgar is now actively searching for a Gekoes. Our previous Gekoes, wisdom of our precious mas­ Jay Callahan, is recently married and decided to leave the position to live in ter, Chögyal Namkhai Nor- Vermont with his new wife. Doreen. We wish them a happy and loving life bu. With Jim Valby's very together. clear and direct guidance Our wish list for the new Gekoes would include: everyone came a little closer -Someone willing to devote a year or more to working the equivalent of to understanding what it full-time caring for our properties and the business of running Tsegyalgar. means to be a "Dzogchen This would include: practitioner". -Welcoming Guests -Caring for people doing Dark Retreats First, foremost and repeatedly, Jim emphasized the need to recognize that our Master lives in the state of primor­ dial wisdom and is transmitting knowledge from that state. Without the necessary capacity, it's unlikely that we can Maintaining the main building, the Dark Cabin and the buildings on the experience that knowledge. What's most important is the development of a strong foundation, all the elements of land in Buckland which are found in "The Precious Vase" written by Rinpoche as the Base text for Santi Maha Sangha. -Helping with the work in the office -Actively participating in practices and retreats In the broadest sense, Jim explained the various philosophical views in terms of their leaning more toward the We would like you to have the following qualifications: "Nothing", nihilism, or the "Something, eternalism. He carried this simple way of looking at the philosophical - Membership in the Community schools and at Sutra and Tantra through the entire training. What emerged was a strong understanding of the useful­ -Familiarity with the Dzogchen Community ness of Sutric and Tannic methods when one is clear about why each method is being used and what its limitations -Driving capabilities and a car are. For example, even though many Sutra methods may lean more toward emptiness, the "Nothing" , they are per­ -Some carpentry skills fect practices for developing the calm state. So, as Dzogchen practitioners we need to know both the philosophical -A welcoming kind attitude basis of the system of thought and the practice in order to use them to develop a strong foundation for entering into -Must be able to work legally in the US the knowledge being transmitted by our Master. You would be provided with a comfortable living space and a salary com­ Jim also spoke of developing five qualities or areas of knowledge. First, what's needed is faith, devotion and con­ mensurate with the amount of work hours you are able to provide. fidence in the teacher and the teaching. Second, we need active participation; while some may think of Dzogchen as the "effortless" state, Jim explained in detail why global knowledge and experience with Sutric and Tannic philoso­ phies and methods are important for developing the capacity to relax in the effortless state. Third, we need to practice If you are interested and want to find out more about the job please Con­ ordinary "mindful presence". Fourth, we need to develop "prajna" using both our ordinary mind to study and to tact: Paula Barry reflect on the real meaning of the teachings and then to meditate using whatever methods best suit our conditions. Tel: 413 369-4708 Finally, we can enter the knowledge of primordial wisdom. Email: [email protected]. At the heart of the entire training was the practice of Guruyoga. Each of the daily four Tuns began with Guruyoga similar to the Medium Tun. Jim repeatedly explained all the elements of the practice and how the practice can differ NOTICE OF PRACTICE RETREAT based on our view or attitude. The process of repeating the practice with the intention of developing the capacity to connect with our Master's primordial knowledge and wisdom grew more alive as the week progressed. He also for VAJRA DANCERS explained many of the Semdzin and Rushen practices and provided many short practice opportunities giving partici­ pants a taste of the methods and the confidence to practice alone. And, as an added bonus, since there were three Ganapujas during the training, Jim explained the profound meanings of the Marme Monlam practice, taught the melodies and added it to each of the pujas. Wonderful! Among the many benefits of the SMS training retreat, one of the most valuable was the awareness that most of us are very strongly distracted and conditioned. With this awareness we can begin to observe our condition honestly and apply the practices our Master has taught as the means of eventually entering his primordial knowledge. This was a truly wonderful training. While Jim's seriousness and devotion are self-evident, his style is very clear, simple, direct and humorous. He mixes didactic explanations with practices in a way that holds one's attention. And, since he's a Virgo, he began and ended each session exactly on time. The process of two morning sessions and two early evening sessions with four hours open in the afternoon allowed for lots of interesting interactions among partic­ ipants, including Jim's display of skill with both golf clubs and violin. Thank you Jim! And, thank you Tsegyalgar Gakyil and Gekoes Jay!. TSEGYALGAR VAJRA REQUIREMENTS: DANCE PRACTICE Previous instruction in the Vajra New Mexico Gakyil's Raffle donating prizes RETREAT Dance(s). for the raffle on the BUCKLAND This retreat is for people who want to get together to practice the drawing. Next, RETREAT LAND Drawing for the we sent out a Dance(s). Instruction will not be given. Con­ letter to local DATES: October 12th-21st, 2000 tact Merigar or Tsegyalgar or check Sacred Buckland Land Community LOCATION: Tsegyalgar, Norbunet or the Mirror for course members, Buckland/Conway, MA, USA schedules to learn the Dances. friends, and RETREAT FEE: By Donation. by Julia M. Deisler and Lidian King some regional PREREGISTER: Please contact the GENERAL INFORMATION: community Secretary at Tsegyalgar to preregis- As many people know the retreat land inviting them to ter. T ast spring our newly-elected Gakyil in New Mex- enter our raffle at Buckland, Tsegyalgar, is where Email: 74404.1141 -I—/ico received an urgent appeal from Tsegyalgar's drawing. We Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche yellow Gakyil to help raise funds to preserve the encouraged received the Dance terma while doing ACCOMMODATIONS: Sacred Buckland Retreat Land. (See article in Mirror them to send in a Dakini Mandarava retreat less than To reserve space in the Dormitory at May/June 2000 issue #53). At our first meeting we any amount ten years ago. the Schoolhouse: voted to send S700US immediately from our Com­ they could The schedule of practice will include Contact the Gekoes at Tsegyalgar. munity account. The Sacred Buckland Land where afford, but for practice of Guru Yoga, the Vajra Tel: 413-369-8073 or 413 3694153 Rinpoche received the major part of his dream trans­ every $25US received, we would enter their name for Dance, and Mandarava. We will be (and leave a message) mission for the Vajra Dances is of special importance for the chance to win a grand prize. working on cleaning the mandala on many of us here because we have a strong contingent of the top of the hill and if possible doing Our final event turned out to be a great success, with For Information regarding hotels or Vajra Dancers in our area, and some of us have danced some preservation work on the origi­ a grand total of $1,111.I4US raised in addition to our motels: on a weekly basis since 1995. nal mandala which is now in storage initial $700US contribution. The drawing was held Fri­ Contact the Secretary at Tsegyalgar As a Gakyil we are very small and don't have much at Tsegyalgar. day, September 1st, on Lidian King's lawn. Telo, the 2- business to attend to in any given year when we are not at: yr.-old son of Judy Herzl and Charles Hoy assisted (Further details of schedule to fol­ planning a local retreat with Rinpoche. For that reason Email: artist-donor Monika Steinoff's teenage daughter Melis­ low). we decided to make this fundraising our main "project" [email protected] sa in the drawing. Monika Steinhoff's painting "Flight", for Y2K. After a lively discussion, our Gakyil came up Tel: 413 369 4153 valued at $2000US, was won by Huisin Kim and Fred If you are interested in joining for all with the idea of holding a raffle drawing to be held late Fax: 413 3694165 Wingerd. or part of the time please contact: in the summer, where we hoped to at least match our ini­ Camping on the land is also a possi­ Jeweler-artist Anne Dankoff's watch-bracelet went CarisaO'Kelly tial contribution. bility. home on the wrist of Josefa Candelaria. Two other noted Email: [email protected] Meanwhile, we contacted Tara Mandala and several local artists, Carol Hoy and Geraldine Brussell. donated Tel/Fax: 1-415-731-2189 P.S.T. noted artists in our local Dzogchen Community about fine pieces won by :—-. ' continued on next page

THE MIRROR SEPT/OCT 2000 19 INTCtHATIOHAi COMMUNITY NEWS Santa Fe, Sacred Buckland Land continued from previous page Pina was strong also in her last days. Then Nicola came from Merigar. None of us believed, that she would Ellen Halben and Susie Marlow, blessed afterward by all attendees PASSAGES go as fast as she did because she showed no symptoms respectively. The two beautiful who chanted the Mandarava mantra of the sickness the doctors diagnosed. She also recov­ DIED: items generously donated by Tara with Craig to get things off to a ered very fast from the side-effects of the various thera­ Pina Pitton was 57 years old and died in Rome, Italy on Stapleton, a brocade cape and an good start. pies. Pina had many good friends she could trust, and August 10th. 2000. Pina was a practitioner in the Italian old Tibetan thangka of Buddha her brother also exuded the tranquillity that she needed We are grateful to our generous Dzogchen Community for 10 years and served as a Shakyamuni, were won by Julia the most. I stayed with her for twelve nights, and as she donors who made the event possi­ member of the Yellow Gakyil from 1997-98. She is sur­ Deisler and Carol Hoy, respective­ seemed on her way on to recovery, I thought it possible ble and all the people who sent in a vived by her 15 year old daughter Camilla. ly. Finally, a lovely thangka of Man­ to go to Merigar to attend the Retreat with Dugu Choe­ contribution to support our effort to darava, donated by Tara Mandala, gyal Rinpoche without weakening her. When I saw her help the preservation of the Sacred was won by Craig Fields and then Pina Has Gone last, she said: "Remember, we should never break the Buckland Land.. With advancing age we become ever more aware of Samaya with Rinpoche. It weakens him and us". Maybe the causes that potentially give us strength or those that these were her last words. weaken the fleeting life source. Sometimes a tragedy Due to circumstances, I had to wait for hours in the brings to our practice a full, authentic intensity. When California News courtyard beneath her window for the car to pick me up. Pina let me know of her grave illness, we envisioned to I marveled about the sudden calm in her room. I thought practice together under difficult but very intense cir­ she slept. Only on my way out of Rome I learned of her Summer Gar and City Center cumstances. sudden but peaceful death. There has been a lot of practice, activity and energy in the California Com­ So it was. We knew Pina as a very strong woman Once again I found that even if our individual char­ munity around finding a local practice place and researching the location with excellent intentions and a very clear cut spiritual acteristics are very different, we really need each other - for the Winter Gar (of North America). On the latter there have been several aim. Every day she declared that we all need that kind of as practitioners - in times of need, in the time of the diffi­ reconnaissance missions, including one to Baja California, Mexico. While faith, the kind that does not tum back any more. In this cult passage. Every death is a mystery, a confrontation, a we have not located "the place" yet, we continue to actively pursue this way she pursued her ideals, and she was very deter­ great opportunity to practice, a unification. Who is not project, learning a lot at every step. | mined. The way she tackled everyday problems remind­ our relative in this? As our Great Master teaches: It On the local front we turned up one very promising prospect of à city place ed me much of gifted musicians or artists who adopt a depends on us. if we have the Bodhicitta of a king, a fer­ in the last month or so and are looking at other possibilities, the level of very similar energetic attitude - one that is difficult to ryman or a shepherd. Do we want to go first, together, involvement by a large group of Community members in a wide range of bear for lesser talents. She was certainly gifted with tal­ or be even so strong to choose to be the last? capacities makes this feel to me like what Rinpoche means by collabora­ ents some of us needed. Nicola told many stories, like These few lines about Pina were written during the tion.. how easily Pina raised funds and donations, even from retreat with Dugu Choegyal Rinpoche who shows infi­ the poorer local shopkeepers, for our Community. Her nite patience to improve our practice. The Mantra of integrity made her very powerful. Also the nurses who Buddha Akshobhya which he taught is very helpful in were attending her praised her qualities in this context. Retreat in Peru this circumstance. It not only helps us to be physically Her mind was set on Dharma. Whenever she turned present, but also for those who have gone beyond, like with Chogyal Namkhai Norbu in her bed, aching in pain, she placed Rinpoche's picture our sister Pina.. to face her. During the days, on several occasions we February 9th, 10th and 11th, 2001 discussed paragraph out of Rinpoche's "Precious Vase" Bernard Seigel and at night her mind became calm. She practiced silent­ ly, sometimes for a longer time, sometimes less, as all of us. There will be a Retreat with Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche in Peru on February 9th, 10th and 11 th, 2001, with a focus on Chöd. Details to follow on Norbunet and in The Mirror.

Contact:Comunidad Dzogchen del Peru Juan Bustamante Enrique Palacios 1125-C, Miraflores, Lima 18, Peru Tel 4455003, Fax 4472984, eel 9310754 Email: [email protected] Tashigar News

Margarita Island Project Update by Michel Bricaire

Venezuela n Tashigar we are trying to take back in hand the activities of each color of Ithe Gakyil. This week the specialists of this country region are changing the roof of the Gonpa while keeping the same style of Quincho; the tradi­ ear International Community, will need to be given in full most [email protected] tional dry grass roofing. During the Karma Yoga days we are repairing the D probably within a period of thirty to As all of you may already know, several leaking roofs and renewing the main water tank of the Gar. People Above all we want to thank sixty days. The exact date will there are only thirty possible lots to are cleaning our Master's little house; repairing and cutting the grass of the everyone for all the support and appear later in Norbunet. Unfortu­ buy; country or city Communities garden, etc. We are also pruning the olive trees abandoned for several years interest given to the Margarita Sum­ nately there is no chance for any have preference, and already many to provide them the possibility to bear good fruit instead of a decorative des­ mer Gar during the last retreat in credit, so it is important to bear in have manifested their interest. It is tiny. Merigar. Here is some news we mind to have the remaining amount for this reason that we call on those The main thing lacking here is people. During the Master's retreats we would like to transmit: ready in your bank. Communities and individuals to can reach a number of one hundred twenty to two hundred people. During make a formal reservation as soon the beautiful winter - the dry and sunny time - we could do many kind of 1- The final project has been 6- As all of you already know, as possible without waiting for the activities but very few people are coming. Some of the ones who do come introduced to the official authorities Rinpoche will come to Margarita instructions on how to deposit the take Tashigar a little too easily, like an "Family Inn " (auberge de famille ), for approval. We believe that by the Island in October 2001, which is $5,0OOUS of the reservation fee. where you can, in the silence of the bird songs, sleep until 10:30 or 11 am in end of October we will be ready to very soon. He will be in Margarita Lots will be given to whoever the morning and after a couple of "mates"* be able to prepare the fire for the finalize the acquisition of the land. from October 2001 until May 2002, comes first. best meat of the world to be eaten in a delicious asado, watered with good where he will give various teach­ wine "black fire" and coffee! 2- As soon as we obtain the nec­ ings. We need to move in time; to At the moment we cannot give Good luck Tashigar ! ! !• essary permits we will have to pay begin to build his house and for the details and final information about the owners of the land immediately. development of the Gar. how big the lots will be, most prob­ This has been our agreement with ably they will be from 1,000 to NEW GAKYIL them. 7- In our next update we will 2,000 square meters. It is important Tashigar, Argentina inform about the details of how to to mention that individuals or Com­ 3- Due to the short time left, we reserve, where to transfer the mon­ munities will privately own their Blue: would like to begin to ask to those ey, etc. Also there will be a copy of lot. Ricardo Sued Communities and individual fami­ the document to sign between those Griselda Galmez lies or practitioners who have reserving and the Margarita Com­ We really appreciate your effort Marisa Alonso - President shown a true interest in buying a lot, mittee which will describe such and cooperation for supporting this to give a deposit of $5000US to transaction and its clauses. In order project for Rinpoche, all our love, Red: reserve their right. to know right now how many and Your Vajra Family, the Margari­ Adriana Battisti who are the Communities and indi­ ta Committee Horacio Toledo 4- The total price of the lots will viduals interested, we would highly Virginia Avedikian be $16,0OOUS which includes the appreciate if all interested parties let Gilberto Parrella & Monika Kli- development of the land and its us know immediately via email to etmann Yellow: basic services, such as water, elec­ the following addresses: Chuo& Berta Ortoll Luisa Duri tricity, etc. [email protected]>prat- Michel & Carmen Dubourdieu Paula Lucientes - Treasurer 5- After legally reserving, the [email protected] with a copy to Pablo Lau Beatriz Rossi - Secretary remaining amount of $11,000US jortoll(gjworldwidetravel.com.ve>j Laura Yoffe

20 INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY NEWS Dzogchen Teachings of Namgyalgar Chögyal Namkhai Norbu News Taiwan

by Jean Mackintosh October 6th-8th Taipei Retreat October 11th - 15th Kaohsiung Longde Retreat ATamgyalgar has been resting & Yantra Yoga Course with Fabio Andrico IN quietly in the winter months after the activity of Chögyal For more information please contact : Namkhai Norbu's generous visit to Armim Lee Australia and to Namgyalgar. He was in Australia from December, Tel: 886-2-23250697 1999 to June, 2000 and practition­ Fax: 886-2-23258857 ers in Australia and those who visit­ ed from many other places partook Sophia Wu of his presence and his teachings Email: [email protected] with gratitude. The farewell to Rin­ poche which took place in Caloun- dra in Queensland was a very beau­ tiful weekend. Practitioners came to Santi Maha Sangha visit Rinpoche there from the South and from the local area. Many of us stayed in the Hibiscus Caravan Park Study Program by the sea, in the center of town. We drank coffee by the ocean, lay in the Namgyalgar Land with Jim Valby sun by the blue Pacific Ocean, January, 2001 drove through the green sugar cane Coonowrin. His mother Beerwah, is still heavy with child as it takes a long Namgyalgar, Australia fields and enjoyed time with our long time to give birth to a mountain. Master playing Tibetan games and Following our happy weekend everyone made their way back to their Santi Maha Sangha Practice and Study Retreats with Jim Valby will be listening to Tibetan music and homes to put into practice the teachings Rinpoche had given to us. At Nam­ held in January, 2001 at Namgyalgar in Australia. singing. On the last day we had a gyalgar we have been resting a little and recuperating our energy in the short picnic overlooking the valley of the days and long nights of Winter. Jonathan Schaeffer, is our new Gekoes who The Retreat Program is as follows: Glass House Mountains where Rin­ came to us from Alaska and Tashigar, may be finding things a little slow at poche is interested in establishing a this time of the year. However he is very diligently keeping the fires burning Jan 6th- 12th Winter Gar. and the Gonpa warm and friendly for us. He is also testing his surf board on BASELEVELRETREAT The Glass House Mountains are the waves at Mystery Bay. Members - Aus$260. mysterious and ethereal, rising up We have some new local practitioners who are very interested to learn Non Members - Aus$ 330. into the clear blue horizon. Their the practices and to practice with us. We have an explanation and practice (less $50 if not having meals at the Gar) names come from Aboriginal group once a week with around twelve regulars. We have been going mythology, Tibrogargan, the father through all the main practices together. People bring food to share and after Jan 14th -20th and Beerwah the mother. One day the practice we sit around the big fire in the Gonpa and have a cup of tea. It is FIRST LEVEL RETREAT there was a great rising of the a very friendly time. Recently we were able to fundraise enough to buy a Members Only - Aus$260 waters and Tibrogargan fled with video and TV on which we can watch practice videos and talks by Rinpoche. 2 weeks - Base plus First level = Aus $360 his children to the mountains asking Our local members have also become more active in looking after Nam­ one child Coonowrin to help his gyalgar, meeting for regular working bees on the land. At present we are try­ Jan 22nd-28th mother to safety as she was preg­ ing to organize weed control, fencing the cows out, clearing around the SECOND LEVEL RETREAT nant. Coonowrin ran away and did retreat cabin and other hard work which is making us fit for the coming sum­ Members Only - Aus$260 not help so his father, very angrily mer. 3 weeks - Base plus First + Second level retreats = Aus$460 chased him hitting him with his Gakyil members come to the Gar once a month, and as well as the long club, dislocating his neck. The meetings, they also work on the Gar cleaning and ordering different areas The retreat prices include food (3 meals per day prepared by retreatants on mountain called Coonowrin has a and the garden. They have organized a retreat on Santi Maha Sangha with a shared roster basis). If you are not partaking in meals at the Gar please crooked spine rising to the sky. Jim Valby to be held in January, 2001. at Namgyalgar which everybody is deduct Aus$50 per week from the retreat fees. Please note that due to bush When the family returned Tibrogar­ looking forward to. Last weekend they joined in a retreat of Vajra Dance and fire danger self catering is not permitted on the Gar. gan was filled with shame at his Mandarava for which practitioners came to Namgyalgar from Canberra, son's cowardice and he wept copi­ Sydney and local areas. There were around thirty people at the Ganapuja on EVENING STUDY SESSIONS of Semde Texts ous tears which trickled along the Saturday night. During the retreats there will be evening sessions devoted to the study of ground fomiing a stream which Spring is now blossoming forth, and the days are warm while the nights ancient Dzogchen Semde texts. flowed into the sea. His brothers are still cool. The native clematis is flowering on the mountainside, flinging Non members: Aus$35 per session /AusS 150 per week and sisters also wept and today itself over the trees and bushes with it's white flowers seeming like lace on a Members: AusS25 p.s. / Aus$ 100 p.w. there are many small streams in the green mantle. Rinpoche's house is nestling in the trees and sometimes there (Additional cost if eating meals at Gar ) area said to originate from these is smoke curling up from the chimney when someone comes to do a private tears. Today Tibrogargan gazes far retreat. Hopefully the Dzogchen teachings will flourish with the warmth and CHILDCARE will be provided for the Base Level retreat (first week) out to sea and never looks around at the flowers, in the Spring and Summer at Namgyalgar.» only. Donations and help appreciated.

ACCOMMODATION costs are not included. Camping for both members and non members will be available at the Gar. Many Thanks!! The Mirror Reprint Book To book a camping spot send Aus$25 to the Secretary. New Namgyalgar Camping Fees are Aus$5 per day or Aus$20 per week. Namgyalgar Visitors Information is available from Secretary. Mirror Rep The Mirror is pleased to offer the opportunity to have teachings of Rental accommodation near the Gar is available, but must be booked as Chögyal Namkhai Norbu com­ early as January is summer holiday time. The Mirror would like to extend piled into one beautfiul soft bound If you stay in rental accommodation it is best if you consider hiring a car as many thanks to Joanna Tyshing of edition, Teachings of Chögyal there is no public transport near Namgyalgar. Melbourne Australia for all her Namkhai Norbu, Reprints fiom Accommodation and Transport Information is available from the Secre­ generous work as Mirror represen The Mirror, illustrated by master tary. tative in Australia. thanka painter Glen Eddy. The new Namgyalgar representa This book contains twenty teach­ REGISTRATION tive for The Mirror is Barbara ings from The Difference To ensure your place at this retreat and to ensure the retreat will go ahead Dombrowski of Melbourne, who is Between Sutra and Tantra; we must receive a Aus$75 deposit per person (which entitles you to a 25 % replacing Joanna Tyshing. Dzocgchen, the Path of Self Lib­ discount on the total retreat cost ) by SEPTEMBER 25th, 2000. If you would like to know how to eration; Helping the Dead and To register and for information on how to make credit card or other pay­ subscribe to the Mirror from Aus­ Dying to The Base in Dzogchen; ment please contact: tralia by way of a group bank draft Yantra Yoga and How to Follow a or for information on how to do so Master. For further information contact: yourself by direct payment, please Cost: $20US Namgyalgar Dzogchen Community of Australia contact Barbara at : Order from the Tsegyalgar Vicki Forscutt - Secretary Email: [email protected] Bookstore: POBox 14, Central Tilba, Tel: (03) 9527 5927. PO Box 82, Conway, MA, 01341,US A NSW 2546 A very big thank-you to Joanne Tel: 413/369-4473 Tel/Fax: 61 244737668 Tyshing of Melbourne and a warm Fax: 413/369-4165 Email: [email protected] welcome to Barbara!« Email:tsegyalgarbookstore@compuse rve.com ( for shipping and handling charges please see page 14 )

THE MIRROR SEPT/OCT 2000 21 ISTltSATIO S A L COMMUNITY NEWS

SHANG-SHUNG INSTITUTE

SHANG-SHUNG INSTITUTE NEW VIDEOS AVAILABLE Important AMERICA FROM SHANG-SHUNG INSTITUTE, MERIGAR Announcement & FOUNDATION COURSE IN TIBETAN MEDICAL SNOW LION PUBLICATIONS, ITHACA, NEW YORK, he Shang Shung Institute is THEORY GOES LIVE!!! Tpleased to announce that the The First Twenty Years videos containing the three trans­ HE SHANG SHUNG INSTITUTE in America is considering making mission practices related to Tavailable its Three Year Foundation Course in Tibetan Medical Theory Adzom Drugpa, Padmasambhava available this year as a live streaming video broadcast over the internet. Dr. A Short History of Merigar and Garab Dorje anniversaries, are Thubten Phuntsog will be returning to the Institute in late May or early ready and available for 35.000 lire June to teach the third year curriculum on urine analysis and pulse diagno­ fThe First Twenty Years is a histo- plus shipping expenses. They are sis. Because this final year involves a practicum of hands-on-training, with _Z ry of Merigar from its begin­ in VHS format suitable to European the possibility of a live broadcast, we will be able to reduce our residency nings to today. The story of how the standards. All European gakyils can at the Institute from two-three weeks to a five day program. first Gar in the Dzogchen Commu­ order them writing to my personal Although only five individuals have completed the first two levels on nity has grown, of Chögyal email address:<(?c'o/7@ar¿'./í'>. The site at the Institute in Conway. Massachusetts, quite a few individuals have Namkhai Norbu's dedication and videos won't be ready for shipping purchased the first two year curriculum on audio cassettes. commitment, of the problems that before the first week of October Since many of the participants in the course are professionals and leav­ the Community has had to confront because covers and practice book­ ing their jobs for two to three weeks to attend the program is a serious limi­ and resolve, of the important events lets are not prepared yet. The tation, the Institute feels that the streaming video or audio technology will that have taken place at Merigar: booklet's price has not been fixed greatly improve its enrollment. retreats, the Conference on Tibetan yet. All videos will be shipped in Medicine, the Ten Year Anniversary We have already received a bid for the proposal to broadcast Year time for the first anniversary day festival, conferences, the inaugura­ Three live from Conway as well as a another bid to encode, archive and (November 21st) tion of the Shang- Shung Institute store the previous two year curricula for a streaming audio presentation. The vidoes will soon be avail­ and the Gonpa with His Holiness The service we have contacted, Realimpact. is dedicated to developing able in Italian as well.. As for all the Dalai Lama, as well as the inau­ this type of programming for non-profits and charge break-even prices to other Gakyils, they should guration of the Great Stupa. the non-profits. They also train the non-profit organization to do a lot of EXCLUSIVELY address them­ the work themselves thereby reducing costs. This documentary also selves to their own Gar; in fact we It is estimated that the fee for setting up the live broadcast over twenty- describes the "places" at Merigar: have prepared beta cam masters to one days of Dr. Phuntsog's presentation which may include review ses­ the Gonpa with its paintings, the sell to all Gars which should pre sions of the previous years will cost $10,000 US. Serkhang (Golden House), the Bam pare copies in the format (and lan­ For the Shang -Shung Institute in America, this is affordable with a (Capanone), the woods where guage) suitable to their own situa subscription of just twelve people taking the course via the live broad­ the first retreats were held, the tion and then take care of distribut cast. retreat huts in the woods, Merigar ing them locally. Please note that The second component of the proposal - making the past two years Two, etc. videos are mainly for Gakyils, but curricula available on streaming audio, is more costly but has greater A Shang-Shung Production by they can also be sold to well- implications to generate income year-round even when Dr. Phuntsog is not Paolo Brunatto. known reliable single practition- in residence. The cost to encode, archive, store, and maintain is initially Duration 105 minutes. ers.but cannot be distributed to $35,0O0US the first year but less the second year since the encoding will $15US anyone! ! We do hope this can clar­ have already been done. Storage is about $12,0OOUS per year through the To order please contact: ify any possible doubts on this Realimpact network. Quite frankly, one of the only income producing rev­ The Shang -Shung Institute matter. . enue the Institute now relies on is the sale of it's audio cassette courses of Località Podere Nuovissimo The Shang -Shung Institute the Tibetan Medicine Foundation Course which costs S800US for each 58031 Arcidosso (GR) Italy Managing Board year or S1200US if purchased together. Using a credit card payment Tel: 0564-966941 option has greatly helped to assist individuals make this affordable. Fax:0546-968110 The Foundation Course is an extremely important part of the Institute Email: [email protected] different points on the body which General Introduction to and involves already a huge investment in the ongoing translation of Dr. can be treated to cure different Phuntsog's commentary on the Four Tantras of Tibetan Medicine which Kii Nye, Tibetan Massage kinds of disorders; points can be Dzogchen will eventually be published. No where else is this material covered in pressed, rotated, tapped with fin­ such depth in English. To be able to present this material in its entirety to gers or with a particular stick. Mas­ Westerners is a primary goal of the Institute. This program is intellectually by Nida Chenastang sage includes also other types of by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu quite rigorous and theoretical in approach but without such a foundation, external therapies like moxa, Westerners will never be able to receive the complete training of an Amchi Tn Tibetan Medicine there are four norme, cupping, fomentation and högyal Namkhai Norbu, a and become practitioners of Tibetan Medicine. Amain therapeutic approaches: the golden needle technique for CDzogchen master, gives a gen­ diet, behavior, medicines and exter­ severe disorders of lung. Part of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu's overall plan for the development of eral introduction to the essence of nal therapies. Massage is consid­ a training program in Tibetan Medicine is to first make available such a In the video, Doctor Nida Dzogchen Teachings and precious ered to be one of the most important foundation course followed later by on-site training at a Tibetan College of Chenagtsang, who collaborates advice on presence and awareness, external therapies, because not only Medicine where participants will receive some kind of certified training. with the Department of Medicine of based on experience, in a simple, does it contribute to the well being Dr. Thubten Phuntsog is currently negotiating such an arrangement. With­ the Shang -Shung Institute and is easy to understand language. of the patient, but, if well applied out the completion of the Foundation course such plans are a mere fantasy. the teaching Director of the Kailash Dzogchen is a knowledge which is with the right substances, it can also The overall lack of support for Shang-Shung Institute in America has International Massage School, neither intellectual nor conditioned be a valid therapeutic support and made it very difficult to realize this vision but through the efforts of a few explains and shows all these differ­ by a religious or philosophical ide­ definitely cure disorders of minor volunteers and exceptional generosity of a few donors, the Institute has ent techniques. The video is particu­ ology. entity. kept afloat financially to support several of its projects. larly directed to students of Ku Nye "Dzogchen does not ask us to and Tibetan medicine, but it can Individuals who are interested in taking the third level this Spring and Massage (or KU NYE in change religion, philosophy or ide­ also be a means to approach this have not attended the previous two years, may prepare through the audio Tibetan) is a very ancient therapy ology or to become different that ancient traditional healing art. cassette courses (about twenty-three tapes each year). The audio cassette already mentioned in the Bum Shi, what we are. We must only observe course comes with a transcript of the text. The sound quality is quite good, the very first text of Tibetan medi­ A Shang -Shung Production by ourselves and discover the 'cage' and the material is indexed. Yet, it is still a work in progress which will cine dating back approximately Spartaco Vitiello. created by all of our conditioning need to be edited and refined in the future. Please contact the Institute if four thousand years. It includes two Duration 120 minutes and limitations. Dzogchen teaches you are interested in this possibility or would like to donate to the Tibetan main phases: KU: applying oil, 18US$ us how to get out of the cage without Medical program to support its translation work of the Foundation Course moving joints, and applying heat on To order contact: creating another one, to become a text in the costly venture of bringing Dr. Thubten Phuntsog to the US.» the body and NYE: kneading, rub­ The Shang -Shung Institute - free being. It teaches us how to find bing, and tapping in order to work Località Podere Nuovissimo the original condition that everyone on muscles and tendons. Ku and possesses. 'Liberty' is a state in The Shang -Shung Institute of America 58031 Arcidosso Nye are both important for the gen­ which one is longer conditioned by PO Box 277 (GR) Italy eral well being of patients and are dualism, judgment, and all things Conway, MA 01341, USA Tel: 0564-966941/ ideal to balance energies and that create suffering." Chögyal Tel: 413-369-4928 Fax: 968110 remove tension, fatigue and ner­ Namkhai Norbu. Fax:413369-4165 Email: [email protected] vousness. Email: [email protected] Duration 90 minutes In case of specific problems, the This video will be distributed therapist works on points: there are soon by Snow Lion. approximately two hundred-fifty

22 International Publications, continued front"The Camera is Always in Rigpa" continued from page page 4 13 ted. Then you try to do your best Institute of Italy. The revenue from the film will go to Rinpoche. There will was wonderful. Then he told us about how he met his Dzogchen master, with the language, that's why also be a television edit, classical documentary style, which we will try to sell, which he kind of glossed over, and the whole story of the dreams and signs what was said before is very cor­ and the rest will go into the archives. and the meeting. He was 100% comfortable and 100% there. rect. The committee must take I've done my own shoots and been on other people's shoots and have worked On the last day I wanted to get a bit more into the difficulties of the Western responsibility and do translations for films and TV, and I have never had the pleasure, the emotional satisfac­ rational mind, like my mind. I wanted to say I understand you, I am very and everything in different lan­ tion, like in the relationships with all the people from the Community. impressed, but it's still outside me, it's not part of me and I am wondering if I guages. It is not very complicated, Everyone was fantastic and all of them had a real care and respect for the can integrate Dzogchen. We have been taught so many things to rationalize, but if you go after secondary public image and all would come and say, so what do you really want to do systematize, and is it really possible? How can I really integrate that into my things then we have no conclu­ here? They were not being police, but they were checking and cautious, and being, and we asked if there was really time to integrate all this and the sion, only talking. We must go that was very nice for us. It's important, because films have a momentum answer was, yes, however perfectly or imperfectly, related to one's capacity. more into the essence." that can carry you along and it's important you give up the power of the hold­ Personally, for me, I am thinking maybe more and more about my life and Ed Goldberg asked about web ing the camera. I think one of the reasons Rinpoche agreed to the film is that living it more in relationship to Dzogchen. I feel maybe more sympathetic sites and how they relate to the IPC. when I wrote and said I'm interested in this and I respect what you are doing, and but still feel on the outside. Igor replied that the IPC had dis­ but the documentary we want to make is not only about student/teacher D: For me I feel closer to the center. This was the first time I had met Rin­ cussed this newly developing prob­ devotion or turning on the camera and saying "Speak", but we gave him an poche. I had been practicing with the French Community for a year and the lem with Rinpoche and they will explanation of what we wanted to do and that we wanted to know about first time I heard the Vajra Song I lost my place in the text and found myself appoint an Internet Committee Dzogchen, what it means, about his life and the integration of it into his life, singing along without "knowing" the words, but somehow I knew them. inside the IPC to review web sites. and Dzogchen comes out in every sentence without a formal description or And now I have transmission. And I have to learn the Dance. That I know. The suggested members of this teaching. He is very direct, natural and human and I thought, very logical. M: What is the future of this film? Committee are: Cheh Goh (Eng­ We also gave Rinpoche final cut and said if there's anything he doesn't like R: The future of this film is that we have shot mostly what we need and there land), Maurizio Mingotti (Italy), we can change it and when it's finished we'll send it to the archives. probably is another line we have to introduce and we have a lot of editing Loek Jehee (Holland) and Grisha M: What was it like working with Rinpoche and do you feel more interested and technical work to do. We can finish it slowly. We don't know about dates Mokhin (Russia). in Dzogchen practice, Russell? yet. We may need more collaboration in the future with Rinpoche or Adriano George Quasha brought up the R: I will be honest. It was very gratifying to be able to ask certain questions for clarification, and we hope something will be ready by the end of the year. idea of a public internet space with in a certain way, and we constructed a couple of lines to follow and one was We hope we'll have it by the Merigar retreat next summer. limited access where there could be his biography and we listened very well and there were a few points when M: Thank you both.. some dialogue about translation we would go back to things that we felt were important. In the library he decisions discussed by members of talked about the education of children from a Dzogchen perspective, this the IPC with Adriano Clemente and Jim Valby. Igor said that we could easily make a kind of open commu­ inform us, then later we know. printing and selling them, but nication network through the IPC But today we can't decide these before printing the books the pub­ members list. things. We know only there exist lishers should submit the texts con­ Jakob Winkler proposed that different languages, so in this case taining Rinpoche's teachings to the Notecards and Posters there be a list of suggestions of how for each language please form a IPC which has to check their style one works on transcripts and how committee and inform us. In each and content and to get an IPC code. available at the one does a translation with guide­ country they know very well who 2. If an internal publishing lines based on experience. Igor sug­ should be in the committee house cannot be set up, the local Tsegyalgar Bookstore gested that Jakob make this list. because they know their language Publications Committee is respon­ and culture and we don't. I think Adriano Clemente made a state­ sible for planning the books meant that is not our job. Our job is to ment taking into account his long for publications, finding the transla­ inform and we are asking: please Notecards with term experience as a translator say­ tors, checking the translations and form your different language Artwork by ing, "I would like to say something printing them in some way. committee and inform us who is Glen Eddy because I have some experience Both the publishers and the local on the committee." working with transcriptions of Rin- Publications Committees should be poche's teachings; if something autonomous from their Gakyils in seems strange then we go to the Transcribed by Naomi Zeitz the sense that, for instance, once a source. I can give you an example; Edited by Igor Legati and year they could present to the Gaky­ VajrassatvaYab/Yum someone wrote in one book that Naomi Zeitz il their plans and financial budget Rinpoche said "the five darkness­ and, upon approval of the Gakyil, es", so I was wondering what it was, go on by themselves. This is not a Komadevi Notes Regarding the IPC from and it was the five Dakinis. This rule, of course, but it is a useful sug­ Igor Legati: book has been published all over gestion based on a long and con­ In order to follow this last the world. This person who pub­ crete experience. advice of Rinpoche that every local lished the book knows the teaching A close collaboration between committee should decide if they very well. So also the practitioners the publishers and the IPC members need any changes, we must remem­ who know the teaching very well is not only welcome but necessary, ber that we can increase the number can make mistakes and therefore it and they have to help one another in Machig Lopdron of members only if the original is important that the IPC checks order to reach their common goal. committee was made up by very these transcriptions and transla­ Any kind of collaboration is useful, few members, otherwise the new tions, like Igor and Jim Valby. but especially in planning the books members should replace some of Mainly Igor is doing this job these to be published. the old ones. Color Thanka days and then he can ask me. Of In short, the Gakyils have to We can set a deadline for the end Reproductions by course, it is always good to publish supervise the publishing activity of September. The Committees Nick Dudka many books, but we have to be sure without interfering with it and grant which do not communicate to me that the teaching remains pure, and the utmost autonomy to the autho­ by that date will be confirmed as also that the transcription or transla­ rized persons; the publishers (where they are presently. The new propos­ tion of Rinpoche's words corre­ an internal publishing house exists) als will be submitted to Rinpoche sponds one hundred percent to what publish and sell the books, and the and after his approval the new list of he means. That is why I am always IPC should guarantee that the books IPC members will be published in working for the Shang Shung Edi­ containing Rinpoche's teachings The Mirror. zioni, to keep the teaching pure." are correct for style and content. In Moreover, I would like to share In wrapping up the meeting, general, their different functions are my personal opinion about a ques­ Igor brought up the issue of new clear enough. These three bodies of tion that was often raised during the members for IPC, Paula Barry, from our Community should be ground­ recent IPC and IG meetings, and the United States, suggested voice ed on the principle of collaboration that is the relationship between the recognition technology as a solu­ and not on authority (for a clear Gakyils, the publishing houses and tion to faster transcriptions, and Rinpoche's explanation of this the IPC. point see the article, "On Publica­ Maurizio Mingotti, from Italy, Deity Cards by Master Thanka Painter Glen Eddy replied that the software is not high­ In general the Gakyils are tions in the Dzogchen Community". These deity cards are exquisite line drawings suitable for fram­ ly developed enough and then made responsible for everything in the The Mirror No. 50, Aug./Sept. 1999). sense that they have to guarantee ing. a few proposals for the IPC regard­ I conclude expressing my pro­ that every useful activity of our The)' are available in two different sets of seven drawings. ing: a mailing list of the IPC like an found gratitude to our Master who Community is carried out in a cor­ Part of the proceeds from these sales go to the Shang- Shung I PC/net, to always make the first is guiding us with his unsurpassable rect way. But in the case of the pub­ Institute. transcription word by word in the clarity and compassion and I give lishing activity, which requires a Cardsets:S14US same language Rinpoche is speak­ my heartfelt thanks to everybody particular competence and continu­ ing in, and that the IPC should make for their precious work and collabo­ some guidelines so that members ity, the Gakyils are invited to ration.. Color Thanka Reproductions by Russian Master have a method to follow. appoint some practitioners granting them indispensable autonomy. Thanka Painter Nick Dudka Chögyal Namkhai Norbu's l'inai At this point there are two possi­ These beautiful color reproductions are available in a variety of statement of the meeting was, " I bilities available: sizes and prices, from small cards to larger posters by this unique- think we cannot decide here who I. If there are the conditions for lv talented painter. are the members for the different having an internal publishing languages. We can inform every­ house, its staff is responsible for For more information regarding sizes, prices, shipping and han­ body that the IPC members of planning the books to be published, dling costs contact: Tsegyalgar Bookstore ( seepage 14) each different language have to lor having them translated and for check who should be member and

THE MIRROR SEPT.'OCT 2000 23 REFLECTIONS

LOSING HENRY THINKING OUT LOUD: ABOUT S-X sort out the mundane confusion about ordinary desire do not match our own. If our meditation sex-for-pleasure. practice accelerates our confusion about sexuali­ by Naomi Zeitz The type of sexual guidance I have encoun­ ty, our partner can be left bewildered. This can by Paul Bail tered in Buddhism is along three main lines: for lead to a multiplicity of further interpersonal the monastic sangha there are vows of celibacy, complications, and at moments one may envy the enry died in the very moment n my Catholic childhood the shadow of s-x was for the householder there is the precept against celibate lifestyle. the snow fell softly. Henry's H always present. While there was not much sexual misconduct, and for the advanced tantric There are other ways in which one's practice death was a combination of grace I open discourse about sex, there was plenty about initiate there are secret techniques for transmut­ can seemingly magnify one's sexual neurosis. and great suffering. In his dying s-x. In fact, as a student in an old-fashioned ing coarse sexual energy into wisdom and bliss. For example, sexual passion and aggression are Henry displayed the same qualities Catholic parochial school ran by celibate nuns, s- But what about the middling practitioners, we closely intertwined. At moments the two energies that endeared him to everyone in X seemed to be the primary topic of religious pre­ aspiring householder-yogis, who are neither celi­ may feel almost indistinguishable. This can be life; a gentle sweetness and dignity, occupation by our preceptors. S-x talk consisted bate nor Tantric adepts? What is our relationship seen in the animal kingdom, where the instinctual even with his funny crossed eyes of stem admonitions about the grave perils to sexuality? mating rituals often contain elements mirroring that looked out at you from a seem­ human sexuality posed, all the poor sinners burn­ combat and surrender. For fighting wolves, the ing wisdom. The general precept is not to harm others ing for eternity in hell because of their unquench­ through sexuality, which certainly makes sense. neck's jugular artery must be protected at all cost, The morning after Henry's able lust, all of it stemming from poor Adam If you want the implications of this spelled out, since a bite there is necessarily fatal. For humans death the sky bloomed pink and being seduced by Eve into eating the "apple" and you will find treatises with highly detailed sets of in the throes of passion, kissing or biting the neck luminous blue and snow draped the then realizing they were both naked. medieval mies that often do not seem relevant to is highly thrilling, and accentuates passion and trees and blanketed the earth in hon­ AH this talk was scary, yet oddly titillating, contemporary life. Modems have trouble relating intimacy. For some, scratching, pinching, or of his passing, it seemed. Santa like the medieval paintings of saints and martyrs. to such medieval prohibitions as no sex during wrestling, and other aggressions are mutually Fe had been having a drought, so There was a strange, subterranean eroticism to the daytime, no lovemaking with a pregnant enjoyable aphrodisiacs. An ancient Indian text the snow, as well as Henry's release the classical iconography of Catholic martyrs, woman, and no oral sex. It doesn't make sense to says, "Cruel bites are acts leading to much greater from suffering, came as a relief. We who were depicted with their faces ecstatic while modems, any more than the Catholic ban on enjoyment than loving behavior" (The Complete were both tired, Mariannah and I. as their scantily clad bodies were being scourged, birth control. Even if one were to follow these Kama Sutra, translated by Alain Danielou, Henry's death took a long time and pierced, and tortured by the "pagans". I remem­ behavioral mies to the letter, they still do not pro­ p. 159). the last hours were quite painful. ber a Jesuit summer camp where in place of vide the greatly desired hints on how to work Still images of Henry's time of On the other hand, meditation practice and the campfire tales the counselors treated us to with the energy of passion on the path of practice. dying come again and again. contemplation of dharma teachings sensitize us detailed bedtime stories about the excruciating It has been my experience that intensive med­ to aggression. We become more aware of the suf­ Henry was a cat. My friend Mar- physical torments of the martyrs. itation practice can accentuate the rampant con­ fering around and within us, on both gross and iannah's cat. I liked to call him In contrast to this overheated atmosphere, the fusion about sexuality that is already present. subtle levels. When we become deeply aroused Hank. Mariannah has many ani­ Buddhist attitude towards sex seemed quite sane. Having highly blissful meditation experiences by certain images, sensations, and daydreams we mals, but for me Henry had always In Tibetan Buddhism in particular, the iconogra­ can lead to periods when ordinary sexual plea­ may begin to question the elements of subtle or been a kind of special one. Maybe it phy of deities with their consorts posed a favor­ sure seems less attractive, even somewhat coarse. not-so-subtle aggression that are intertwined in was the way he stood in the yard able contrast to the Catholic statuary of profusely After the buildup of energy in sexual foreplay our eroticism. Again, this can lead to mercurial when I arrived, big and dignified bleeding martyrs. In Buddhism, it seemed, there there can be a sense of "let-down" at the climax reversals and counter-reversals in our attractions, with his little crossed eyes waiting was an openness toward sex, rather than s-x. But, of ordinary sexual activity. In one's subsequent moods, and impulses that bewilder both our­ to be fed and petted and just chatted on closer inquiry I find a lack of practical day-to­ meditation session one may seem to notice a selves and our partners or potential partners. with. It always seemed that Henry day guidance on understanding this extremely drop-off in the energy, clarity, or bliss. Some saw a lot from his perch next to his When I turn to the dharma teachings that are powerful force. degree of aversion to sexual activity can develop. food bowl, and reminded us all of readily available, I do not find much discussion One has to tread the fine line between "being the patient and knowing potentiality Not everyone agrees with me that sexuality or guidance concerning these issues. Of course, skillful" in balancing sexuality and meditation, of our existence waiting to arise. gets minimal coverage in dharma teachings. Per­ there are general guidelines about how to work haps my sense of this is distorted by my Catholic versus falling prey to naked hope and fear. Then with emotions but not much specifically about For me the days and hours of childhood, where there was so much emphasis on just as quickly as it vanished, "coarse" physical the kinds of twists and turns one's relationship to Henry's passing were and are very sexuality. Sex is not a uniquely privileged cause desire can suddenly snap back with a powerful sexual desire can go through. meaningful. Watching him dissolve of damnation in Buddhism as it is in Christianity. rebound punch that completely submerges one in The available books dealing with sexuality before our eyes, knowing he wasn't Nor is marriage a special sacrament for Bud­ the undertow of passion. With these mercurial and spirituality consist mostly of New Age style going to last very long, journeys to dhists as it is for Catholics. Marriage is just a changes of one's course, the twin afflictions of popularizations of Tantra, in which Tantric sexu­ the litter box became laborious and legal arrangement, not necessarily superior to liv­ hope and fear, which have accompanied sexual ality is equated with prolonging intercourse and difficult, eating stopped at a certain ing as consorts. In Buddhism sex seems to be attraction since puberty, are not only unmasked having multiple orgasms. We all know that the point and then, at the very end, nothing special, just another manifestation of but even heightened. real esoteric teaching is much more profound water was not even required. Mari­ desire. Sexuality is just one of the many forms While one's moods and desires are ricochet­ than this, but what is it? Perhaps we are not ready annah gave him such loving care that desire and attachment can take. Of course in ing wildly in this way, the situation is further for it. But what do we do in the meantime? Just and washed his sheets and changed the higher y anas there is the rumor of yogic prac­ complicated by the fact that sexuality is a part­ continue to muddle through our confusion? I've them often, tenderly picking up his tices that can use sexual energy as an aid to liber­ nered activity. One's own conflicts, shifts, been doing that for so long already. Time is run­ almost skeletal body to keep him in ation. But most of the people I know are on the ambivalences are amplified by partners or poten­ ning out.» clean comfort. He was not at all ground-floor level where they are still trying to tial partners, whose own shifts in mood and demanding and made no sounds or gave any indication of pain; the only terribly poignant expression that came from Henry was the very last moments and the actual process of death; how the body purring that lasted up until the very THE EIGHT last moments before the heavy pain closes down and the energy and ele­ I DON'T GET set in, as he was stroked and com­ ments slowly dissolve and turn I T MOVEMENTS forted the whole time of his dying. inward. OF YANTRA YOGA At the very end I witnessed in It was beautiful, brutal and very Mariannah and Henry a most mov­ sad. I also saw my own limitation in Stuck in mud of a French provin­ An Ancient Tibetan Tradition ing expression of love and compas­ my attachment and inability to stay cial town by Chogyal Namkhai Norbu; instruc­ sion. Henry began to suffer and out of terror, so I could really be I can't figure out hectic life in tor Fabio Andrico; produced by Shang Mariannah and I sat with him, I there for Henry. So the gift not only Paris Shung Institute and Angelo Fontana mostly weeping from the inexpress­ came from Henry, it came as well video with 32 page booklet $29.95 ible and sometimes expressed from my friend Mariannah as I Fed by leftovers in this rich coun­ The Eight Movements of Yantra Yoga desire to give him an end to the suf­ watched her care for him through try video and booklet are a practical and the whole ordeal with a steady and fering, but Mariannah maintained a No way to feel the hunger in Bel­ simple guide for learning and practicing stable kindness; a real compassion presence and composure that I am grade this precious discipline. These eight movements are the prepa­ sure helped Henry in his last and presence. ratory part of the more complex teaching of Yantra Yoga. (PAL moments as he groaned and looked Still the vision of Henry comes Totally deprived of contact with available from Merigar). for relief. Mariannah touched him and goes. He was buried in the gar­ practitioners and talked with him and he would den with his sister Zelda. Marian­ I envy their hot vajra family quar­ THE SUPREME SOURCE knead his paw in her hand; at one nah calls it Henry and Zelda's gar­ rels point she got up to go into the other den now. I did a shitro practice with The Fundamental Tantra of Dzogchen Semde room and he cried and reached out his body the next day. I try & try to feel Buddha's com­ by Chogyal Namkhai Norbu & Adriano Clemente. 325 pp. $19.95 asking her to stay. It was not long Life is a precious and precarious passion In this book, the Dzogchen teaching is presented through one after that that he finally, in a violent thing, and goes by very quickly. As to spread light & love of its most ancient texts, the tantra Kunjed Gyalpo or "The King convulsion, vomited and died. Rinpoche always says, it is so My world is too small who Creates Everything"—a personification of the primordial important to live as if you never Then the stillness and the snow. afterTRON there's always DU state of enlightenment. know when your death will be, as His ears twitched a bit. I said some that is the reality, we never know. Vajrassatva mantras in his ear. We Every evening lit a candle and sat with Henry's Thank you Henry, for all the I walk to my garden body. The light around him beauty of your life and your death. I in the forest SNOW LION PUBLICATIONS changed. Great relief and sadness will try and learn how to weather to water the plants the transit of death with the same PO Box 6483 • Ithaca, NY 14851 came. Henry gave a great gift to instead 8MW50-0313» 607-273-8519 humble grace and surrender as you. allow us to help him die. Although [email protected] there have been some deaths in my Omahhum.« Zeljka, 26th March 2000 www.snowlionpub.com life, I was never a witness to the Mont-de-Marsan

24 REFLECTIONS

When We Die 'properly' and the mother was left to sleep off awareness those responsible for doing this for you will only be able to numbing drugs. Now, the dying process is still like this. In Vic­ give you the kind of send off you want if you leave clear and toria, when someone dies, the body is removed as soon as pos­ precise instructions with your will. It is also advisable to tell Funeral Information for Practitioners from Australia sible so as not to be upsetting or offensive to others. It is imme­ family members that you have done this as sometimes the will diately placed in a cold storage facility (fridge) until the mortu­ is not read until after the event. Also, other practitioners cannot by Lily Giblin ary attendant can prepare the body. Preparation can be a simple help you if they do not know you are dead or dying, so it would matter of packing orifices, stitching the mouth and dressing the be good to take the time to leave contact numbers as well as corpse, or it can incorporate embalming as well. Many compa­ instructions as to what you want done with your body. nspired by this article and the death of a close member of the nies like to do this as a normal part of basic body preparation so Community in Italy, Mirror Editor Liz Granger, wrote a let­ As we are all getting older, it seems time to be thinking of I that the deceased person looks more life-like when people ter to Chögyal Namkhai Norbu to ask some advice on a few how, as practitioners, we can have good deaths and support come to 'view'. Embalming is done by pumping the fluid from topics related to preparation for and activity after death. Here is each other at this most important point in our lives. I would like the body cavities and organs by means of a suction instrument Rinpoche's reply: to see some retirement domiciliary planning for those of us inserted directly through the abdomen. Blood is then replaced "Yes, there are many problems for the practitioners at who would like to ensure that our passing is preceded by full with the chemical Formaldehyde, which is dyed to give the the moment of death in our modern society. On the other time practice and preparation. Body, speech and mind. And I skin a pink color. As most funerals are arranged to take place hand, it is not easy for me to give precise indications on this would like to see us take care of our own if our families have within a day or two of death, this process is often performed subject. There are so many different circumstances. Natu­ no ideas about our practices and the great opportunity that within hours of the person being medically pronounced dead. rally, when it is possible, we try and keep the body for some death provides, especially if our bodies are treated in accor­ They are then placed in a coffin or casket and returned to stor­ time and do the appropriate practices. That would be very dance with our wishes.B age until just prior to viewing. positive. I also think that those practitioners who want to donate Legally, the body belongs to the family. There is no law Lily Giblin lives in Victoria, Australia and is a funeral their organs should do so, because this is something posi­ requiring its removal to a mortuary. If a person dies in hospital, director. She arranges and conducts people's funerals, as well tive and a part of compassion. But there cannot be one the family can request the funeral company to take it home as helps with the service, if it is not a religious ceremony held solution for everybody. where it can stay for a number of days until disposal. In Aus­ in a church. She is trained in mortuary work (i.e. looking after For the preparation of practitioners for their own tralia, this is done by burial or cremation. If the weather is dead bodies) and often collects them from homes or hospitals. death, they should think which is the best way for them­ warm and there are concerns regarding hygiene, air condition­ She decided to do this work five years ago when her mother selves and, with awareness, leave some instructions." ing and simple precautions like plastic under sheets can allevi­ died and she discovered that people need practitioners in this ate most problems. Funeral companies will supply practical area of work. She saw that people who do not view death as a advice if requested but it is better to check before it is necessary negative thing were needed in the funeral industry. The empha­ orking in the funeral industry has been an eye opener for which ones are open to being co-operative in this regard. I dis­ sis is still on a 'rubbish collecting type of mentality and often me. I decided to write a short article to inform other W covered, when my own mother died, that the family can do the public is not informed of their rights and/or choices. She practitioners what to expect when someone dies here, in Aus­ almost everything itself, except dispose of the body. We used a tries to encourage families to keep their dead at home as long tralia. My experience is limited to the state of Victoria so some funeral company only for transferring the body home and to as possible so that family can see them and say good-bye. She procedures may differ from state to state. It is worth checking. the crematorium on the day of the funeral. My mother's body tries to influence the industry from within to leave bodies alone People's wishes will usually be attempted to be carried out if was never put in storage or touched by anyone except the fami­ if the families do not wish their dead to be tampered with. It is you leave instructions with your will, however if there are no ly. We ordered a solid wood casket to be made by a cabinet not easy as people do not know what goes on in mortuaries and instructions or they are not found in time, family members or maker and it was delivered to the house next day. The cost was what is done to dead people to make them look like they're still those responsible for arranging the funeral are likely to be a fraction of that charged by the funeral company and the cas­ alive. guided by advice from the funeral company. Having worked ket had no glue, nails or varnish so it burned cleanly and quick­ for family owned as well as multi-national funeral companies, Lily writes articles for newspapers and through company ly, leaving no residue with my mother's ashes. We all know I have found there is little difference in attitude and ethos. Not advertising tries to open people's minds to the idea of doing it how important it is to be able to die well. Preferably awake to mention an across the board reluctance to suggest alterna­ their way; thinking about their own funerals and planning with no drugs to dilute the experience. The teachers tell us that tives to traditionally accepted ways of dealing with deceased them in advance. That way they will have what they want and if our consciousness may stay with our body for some days after people. they are practitioners their bodies will not be cut open, drained death, even if we die like this. I have seen many people, clini­ and filled with chemicals by well meaning funeral people who Ideas in the funeral industry are very similar to those held cally dead but who have clearly not finished the process, put by the medical profession half way through the last century in think it's good to do this and who often don't tell the families into freezing storage facilities, their bodies handled and invad­ what they do. relation to childbirth. Then, the medical staff were responsible ed by workers unaware that consciousness is still present. It is Lily met Rinpoche in 1993 or '94 at an Easter retreat in for the baby's delivery and the mother was told what to do, very shocking. where, and even when, to have it. Once bom, the baby was Australia. Since she has been to every retreat since except one. immediately removed to a place where it could be taken care of Like a wedding, a funeral ceremony can be held anywhere and can be conducted in any way you wish, but remember.

UNTIL THEN MY FRIEND JACK I cannot give my heart to a house: by Diane Campbell Until you can find wallpaper with the grass green of a bright field, rippling with dark ometimes we seekers congratu­ his hat. He bundled the unconscious ercloudshapes; Slate ourselves for having found man in his garments and went in Until you can make a border with the "real thing" in our Guru and in search of help. He knew that expo­ the textures our practice - enough so that we sure to the elements could result in and colours of hedgerows, a dozen come to regard others as lost in the hypothermia and subsequent death. greens surprised wilderness without a hope of find­ By giving the man his clothes he did by the stiff white froth of may bios ing their real nature. I'd like to tell not guarantee the man's survival som; you a little story about Jack. and had certainly made his own a Until you can make a picture that Jack is a middle aged man who little doubtful. He managed to reach stops the heart married when he was nineteen and his truck and radio for emergency Like sudden hedge-apples unfold has probably worked six days a assistance. It took more than an ing tender week ever since. He didn't go to hour for the assistance to arrive. The pink-and-whiteness; college, rarely reads and loves man in the wreck survived, albeit Until you can fit under a roof American football on television. He with some frostbite and several bro­ a layered horizon of distant uncer is a crop-duster and a soybean ken bones. Jack suffered hypother­ tain hills; farmer. He is a lapsed Mormon who mia and was in pretty rough shape Until your walls surround the likes his beer and thoroughly enjoys as a result of the rescue. sounds of springs and streams, gambling in Las Vegas. He chews Two months later the man Jack and the fugai voices and flights tobacco. He is a man of few words. saved killed himself. It seems that of the divine messengers of airy When he speaks there is often a wry the wreck on the highway was his realms; humor about him, and his eyes initial attempt at suicide. I asked Until then I say, a bare rock on a sparkle and smile. His friends are Jack how he felt about all this. tall hillside fiercely loyal and everybody who "Well, I was devastated because I is better than armchairs and the knows Jack says, "His word is his felt connected to him, but I wasn't sniail warmth of stove-,. bond." angry or anything." "How do you Until then, the spirit dances in the Earlier this year Jack was dri­ feel about having risked your life to landscape, ving his jeep through a high moun­ save this man?", I asked. "Oh wishing-waiting to emerge tain pass in the pre-dawn hours of a shucks, I'm sure I'd do it again. from its spontaneously arising cre­ dangerously cold and snowy winter That's how I'm made. I wasn't ation day. He noticed a truck that had thinking or judging; I was just pre­ to merge with an opening heart. gone off the road and was over­ sent and I did what came naturally. turned well down the side of the You know what I mean don't you. " This spirit dances at Kunsel Ling. mountain. Jack stopped and Yes, Jack - we know what you May it be sought and found here! climbed down the snowy boulders mean. At least we try to, moment by to the wreck, where he found a man moment. Chris Gilchrist. Max 19th, 2000. amongst the crumpled vehicle. Jack took off his parka, his gloves and

THE MIRROR SEPT/OCT 2000 25 $ 2.- each when 10 to 20 cards are ordered Postcards of $ 1.60 each at an order of 20-50 cards Computer $1.40 50-99 copies Komadevi $ 1.10 more than 100 copies Needed

We can vary these prizes for countries with difficult exchange- Liz Granger, an editor of The Dear Gakyil Members all over the World. rates to the us dollar. Mirror, is in need of a "newer" model laptop computer, preferably There are two different sizes of colored postcards The smaller postcard is size 10 cm x 15 cm Macintosh. She is working with an of a painting of Komadevi with a Vajra Dance Cost: US $0.60to0.40/each. old model we purchased already Mandala available now. The original was painted 20 to 101 copies ordered. refurbished some years ago. If any­ by Dugu Choegyal Rinpoche and is now in pos­ one has a laptop computer they session of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche. Please send your orders by email to: would like to donate, sell cheaply The Istituto Shang- Shung has the copyright, but [email protected] or contributions for a computer Garuda Verlag. Switzerland, handles the distribu­ fund OR have any other sugges­ tion and administration of the cards. Garuda Ver­ or by normal mail to: tions for procuring the necessary lag also printed the cards. Part of the income from Garuda Verlag computer for Liz to continue her the sale of the cards goes to the Istituto Shang Shung. PF717 work. The price for the cards given here is a wholesale prize. The cards will be CH-8953 Dietikon 1 Please contact: sold to Gakyils and shops only. They can add a certain percentage, if they Switzerland/Europe Liz Granger wish, and sell it in their area. (The proposed sales price is US S 2.50 or $3 Email: for big/ US S 1 for small cards) Please note for administrative reasons it will not be possible for us to deliv­ [email protected] The larger postcard are 13.5 cm x 21 cm. er single postcards. Thank you!!! Cost: Wholesale prices vary according to the amount of cards ordered: Payment should be done by international postal money order. That is the cheapest and quickest way. From overseas please send a check for payment.

INCREASE IN COST IN ITALIAN LIRE FOR THE MIRROR

Due to the present currency exchange rate, a subscription to The Mirror will now cost 60.000Lire for six issues. The US price remains $35.

Daka's Buddhist Astrology

THE MIRROR NEWSPAPER OF THE INTERNATIONAL DZOGCHEN COMMUNITY

founded by Chogyal Namkhai Norbu

www.buddhist-astrology.com Main Office: 1-800-819-2288 PO Box 277 Conway, Massachussetts 01341 U.S.A. Tel 413-369-4208 and Nutteln JXtmebú FAX 413-369-4165 Email: NaomiMirror@ Natural hand-produced products compuserve.com Monte Amiata, Arcidosso, Italy European Office: Ointments for daily use, The Mirror Merigar, 58031 Arcidosso GR Italy Tinctures, Tel and Fax: 0564-966039 Oils for Massage Email: [email protected] Azzolini Salvatore Email: LizMirror@ Giunco 68 compuserve.com 58031 Arcidosso

EDITORIAL STAFF Tel: (0039)0564968176,(0039)0347 8819044, Email: [email protected] Naomi Zeitz, Tsegyalgar Liz Granger, UK Tiziana Gottardi, Merigar

LITERARY EDITOR John Shane

ADVISORS Adriano Clemente Anna Eid Barbara Paparazzo Des Barry Jim Valby

DESIGN AND PRODUCTION N.Zeitz

ILLUSTRATION Cartoons Prima Mai (pg.3) Patrizia Moscatelli (pg.25) P. Koemig (pg.27)

PRINTERS Turley Publishers Palmer. MA

DISTRIBUTION Tsegyalgar at Conway, Massachusetts

SUBSCRIPTION RATE/6 ISSUES S35US available through Tsegyalgar 60.000 It. lire through Merigar Visa and Master card welcome

All material ©1998 by The Mirror. Reprint by permission only. We reserve the right to edit all submissions.

26 INTERNATIONAL GAKYIL NEWS

Lei the Gakyils Tum continued from page A Pleasant Surprise from a 28 Listings Needed Urgently Skeptic's View for Chögyal Namkhai Norbu's Biography actively collect the precise dates on THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL GAKYIL CONFERENCE which Rinpoche gave teachings in ear Gakyils. the past. Archiving of audio and D video-material through the Shang MERIGAR, JULY, 2000 Shung Institute needs collaboration As you already have been informed, a list of all of Chögyal Namkhai from all Gakyils worldwide. Norbu's teachings, talks and speeches that he ever gave in your country is 6) In general the various rela­ By Paula Barry needed urgently by Rinpoche to compile for his biography. tionships between the entities in our If you are a newer Gakyil member, please contact people that had been Community are not clearly defined: in your country's Community since the beginning. Please contact also between the Gakyils and other admit that I was a touch skeptical and little heavy hearted about spending people who had been in the Community then and maybe are not partici­ Gakyils, between the Gakyils and my last two days in Italy, after a beautiful retreat with Chögyal Namkhai I pating actively anymore. They might know about teachings and talks the Gars, with the IG. with Rin­ Norbu. at what was billed as the first International Gakyil Conference. How­ twenty years ago that you do not know about. poche. with publishing houses, etc. ever, I would like to share with you just how enriching and fascinating this It is most important that all dates of all teachings and talks of Chögyal There is a need for clarification of two day series of meetings actually was. Namkhai Norbu in your country, together with the name of the place, the structure, relationships and Yes, I had my cynical thoughts when the eighty or so Community mem­ town, topic of teaching or talk are collected by you and are sent in the form responsibilities: at which -moment bers were asked to break up into groups and discuss, "What prevents the of a list as soon as possible to Igor Legati, who is collecting the material. does one need to communicate, on Gakyils from tuming-your own experiences and ideas". However, as a direct Maybe you are aware that your Gakyil should also have an archive! So which subject, with whom, in result of the assured and persistent guidance form the organizers of the con­ keep one list and - if you do not have such an archive - please start collect­ which way, etc. The outcome of ference. I was enthralled to. find myself in my first group with Community ing right now all relative material of teachings and talks that Chögyal this work group will be published members from all over the world. It was fascinating to hear how different Namkhai Norbu gave in the past in your country with the specific topics when available. Gakyils are faced with very different issues depending on their circum­ and hand it over to the next Gakyil after you! 7) Gakyils often do not seem to stances. It is also true that all problems of all Gakyils have to do with com­ Please inform Igor Legati directly who will be the responsible contact function as they should. Our largest munication. From the very young Czechoslovakian community who have person in your Gakyil for this. The list with all dates and names of places work group at this meeting dis­ just met the teachings in the past year and are hungry for basic knowledge of and the specific topics must be sent not later than the beginning of cussed the whole Wednesday issues how to do the practices, translations of texts, etc. to the cumbersome Russian November. 2000 to: related to this topic. The results of Gakyils with struggles of power and factionalism, to the one representative Email: Igor Legati this work group will be published of the Brazilian Gakyil, anxious to find the proper channels for disseminat­ Post mail: Igor Legati, c/o Merigar. 1-58031 Arcidosso (GR). Italy. soon. In general it was said that ing the teachings in Portuguese, to the Polish Community where there is Thank your for your collaboration. Gakyil members should be much very little money yet the strong commitment to develop their land and create Many warm greetings. more responsible, reliable and real­ an environment for practice, to the British and Americans who glibly think International Gakyil ly do the job that they promised to that everyone the world round knows English or should, and who were sur­ do. This seems to be a crucial point. prised to find that in some places in the world not everyone has easy access Other points to work on were the to email on their own personal computer. hand-over of material and experi­ My skepticism was fading and I felt an actual sense of adventure when ence by old toliéw Gakyil members we were asked to reform the groups and discuss in greater detail the issues and to not just "drop out" at the end that came up in the first groups. Here, with a new group of practitioners from of a working period. There is also a all over the globe, we shared the similar themes that came up initially and Sounds from the Tsegyalgar Bookstore need for an updated version of Rin­ formed a list that each group presented to the entire assembly. As each of the poche's text on the functioning of eight or nine groups presented the results of their more intimate discussions pakyils, for job descriptions and. the common threads of communication and relationships became clear. manuals, for professionalization, From web sites to inter and intra Gakyil communications to Gakyil relation­ courses to train Gakyil members ships with The Master, the Community. Shang-Shung Institute. ASIA. Pub­ (diminish "ego clashes") and to lishing, the Gar, each other, etcetc. and on to how to make The Mirror more structure Gakyil meetings (voting, useful for everyone, the importance of understanding the actual guidelines election, complaint procedures). that have been set up by Rinpoche for how the Gakyil should function, to 8) The Minor is the most impor­ how to handle serious threats to the purity of the transmission of the tant International Dzogchen Com­ Dzogchen Teachings. All these issues and more were projected up on the munity communication medium. mind screen of the now conjoined assembly for them to ponder and ruminate There should be more collaboration on while enjoying a Tuscan evening with a spontaneously formed dinner and funding by the entire communi­ group. ty (now The Mirror is largely sup­ On the second day, our little-sleeping coordinators had synthesized a list ported and maintained by Tsegyal­ of six essential topics that emerged as issues that inhibit the smooth turning gar alone). The Mirror would like to of the Gakyil and we chose the topic that held the most interest for us. In this set up an indexed archive of materi­ third group of practitioners we discussed and tried to come up with solutions al and articles from the past so that for specific types of communication/relationship glitches. These are current­ all kinds of topics and relevant ly being worked on by the International Gakyil coordinators and will be pub­ information can be accessed. It was lished one by one on Norbunet and put into a book. stated that in general the language Again, I must say how important this meeting was for my understanding of community information (Eng­ of the worldwide Dzogchen Community. We are individuals, and small lish) should be easy to understand, practice groups and Gakyils and Gars and committees, and organizations all messages should be short and pre­ dedicated to the understanding of the state of Dzogchen through the trans­ cise. mission of our Master Chögyal Namkhai Norbu. and to assure that this Chöd, Cutting Through Dualism 9) For all Yellow Gakyils the transmission remain pure for future generations all over the world and The practice of Chöd. The Long life practice of Mandarava, the point number one is to get legally beyond. The commitment and enthusiasm and sacrifice of these disciples Song of the Vajra organized in their country (if they for this same aim was enlightening. We are so fortunate to have found our­ Digitally recorded 1992 aren't yet). This is the first thing that selves on this amazing boat.. Amiata Records all potential sponsors ask you: how $17US are you legally organized. If your legal structure offers deduction for Precious Gems income tax you will find much This collection of sacred songs was compiled the Istituto more people interested in giving Shang-Shung at Merigar, Italy. The preciousness of this record­ you larger donations. This was one ing is that it contains singing and flute by Chögyal Namkhai of the points discussed by a work Norbu. group dedicated to fundraising. The opening piece is the Song of the Vajra dating back to 1977 Another crucial point is that all Yel­ and is probably the first time that it was sung by the Community. low Gakyils must become much $17US more active in organizing events that bring in money to our Commu­ Secret World nity. Sponsors should be treated A World Music Compilation from Amiata Record's Secret with utmost respect, which means World Series they should be correctly informed Contains: in all stages of a project. Antonio Infantino e i Tarantolati di Tricarico (Italia) Tarantella Pezca All other outcomes of this and Gema y Pavel (Cuba) Longina other work groups will be published Igor Koshkendey & Musicians (Tuva) Dingeladen) soon.i Krishna Bhati, Zakir Hussain (India) Raag Kirwani (excerpt from) Ibu Candii & Ensemble (Indonesia) Gender (excerpt from) Monks for Sera Monastery (Tibet) (For shipping and handling information seepage 14)

THE MIRROR SEPT/OCT 2 000 27 his is an International Gakyil meeting. We already of all communicate with the local communities and Tknow what Gakyil means and that is important. Chögyal Namkhai Norbu collaborate with them. For example, in some countries The Gakyil is something like the life of the Dzogchen strange things are happening. In America, for exam­ Community, how we will continue the Dzogchen International Gakyil Meeting ple, in Santa Fe, people are using my name and Community in all countries and also, in which way col­ becoming teachers. I did not ask them to become laborate with each other. The Gakyil is not a bureau­ OPENING ADDRESS teachers and maybe I've never even seen them. They cratic organization, as you know, and also not hierar­ are reading some books and founding a center and chical. All the Gakyils in the world are free and giving teachings of Dzogchen and saying, "I am in the autonomous, but somehow we must collaborate with July 24th, 2000 lineage of this teaching". There are things like this each other. The purpose of the Gakyil is always for the manifesting. Those kinds of problems are the domain teachings, for the continuation of the Dzogchen Com­ of the local Gakyils. Local Gakyils must be aware and munity teachings. We must know that and therefore we have I consider, in general, that all Gakyils are very important for protect the transmission and the teaching. For that reason we different kinds of Gakyils. and for communication between the Dzogchen Community; for the teaching, the transmission, have also the International Publications Committee (see page different Gakyils we have started the International Gakyil. how we continue, etc. Why? Because I feel that the Gakyil is 4). That is an example, and these things are very much related There are many places in the world which have Gakyils. taking responsibility. If there is something that doesn't corre­ with the responsibilities of the local Gakyils. and most of the Gakyils are somehow connected to different spond, then the Gakyil must first understand the problem; the I think that the Gakyils mainly have a responsibility for Gars. We need a kind of bridge, a way of communication Gakyils of all countries must take this responsibility. For this protecting the teaching and transmission and how we continue between them, and this is what the International Gakyil is for. reason I am always asking if someone is starting to do some­ the teachings and practices in each different countries. The Some people have the idea that the International Gakyil is like thing, they should always try to communicate with the Gakyil. Gakyil must observe and in that way we can continue for the the United Nations. It is not. We know from the beginning the so the local Gakyil then knows what is going on. If it is some­ future. That is something very important for the Gakyils. Gakyil is not a hierarchical, or bureaucratic, so then what is the thing related to the teaching and activities in the Dzogchen Something else which is very important is communication, function of the International Gakyil? It is for communication Community, what we are performing, everything, it must be and sometimes we are missing that. Some people don't com­ between each other: if there is something to do which is in the connected. That is very important. Also with the different orga­ municate and then we don't know each other and what is going interest of different Gakyils, then we can communicate nizations within our Dzogchen Community; like the Shang - on; so it's very important to communicate. This is a possibility through the International Gakyil. When there is an Internation­ Shung Insitute and ASIA. They are both different kinds of during this retreat because there are many people here from al Gakyil you have a kind of address to communicate to: you organizations, different activities, but are related to the different countries. Even if all Gakyils of the world are not rep­ do something and you want to communicate to someone and Dzogchen Community. Most of the people who support these resented, there are still many people related to the Gakyils. We then you will know to whom. Also it is easier for me because I activities are Dzogchen Community people, so it's very impor­ can talk, inform each other about how we work and discuss; can ask the International Gakyil what is going on. if there are tant that people communicate and collaborate with the that is the main point of the International Gakyil meeting.» some problems, how we can deal with and overcome these Dzocgehn Community Gakyils. problems. I am not saying you should communicate only to Gars; first Transcribed and edited by Naomi Zeitz

Here is a first brief summary of First the main topics that came out of the first day's discussion and the sec­ International INTERNATIONAL GAKYIL NEWS ond day's work groups at the IG Meeting : Gakyil Conference 1) Most problems encountered in our Community seemed to be MERIGAR, JULY, 2000 connected with communication: information should reach all people within our Community in time. The by Alison Duguid groups meant that all differ­ work of the Gakyils were existing information flow (Gars - ent kinds of reality could be made. Quite a few people Gakyils - individuals) does not s Rinpoche says: if there are shared and explained; old hoped to see a further meeting function correctly for various rea­ Aten people there are ten dimen­ Gakyils with a large num­ in a year's time to check what sons (Gakyils, contact persons, sec­ sions - so imagine this translated ber of seasoned practition­ has been done retaries, etc., don't forward the into the first International Gakyil ers, large cities, small There was so much to say, so information in time, not everybody Conference "To let the Gakyils towns, isolated mountain many different realities to is on the Internet, the Mirror is often turn", held in Merigar in July. Over places, new and young relate to, and so many places late etc.). a hundred people met. with a range Gakyils. Some had to deal that people had to catch planes The correct procedure should be of responsibilities, from the vast with bandits, others with to, that the final reports were to distribute the information range of nations and circumstances issues of legal and tax sta­ not able to be completed but through the Gars and the Gakyils in which the Dzogchen teachings tus; some (the majority) each group will send theirs in to since this is the network that has are being transmitted and pre­ having to deal with a lack of be circulated, and hopefully a been created by our Master. A work served. This two-day meeting was money, some having to final account can be put out via group to improve this situation and organized by the members of the work out ways of dealing Norbunet and the Mirror. So to build a "network of communica­ International Gakyil. Fabio Andrico with large donations: many watch this Space.» tion" was formed. (red), Loek Jehee (yellow) and with similar problems such as how Gakyil problems: one on the extra 2) The Internet was mentioned Karin Eisenegger (blue) after two to organize a retreat, how to orga­ and inter Gakyil relations: with Rin­ several times as being very impor­ years of the existence of the IG. The nize Yantra Yoga and Dance poche, with the Gars, with the tant to improve communication. A opening of the conference was hon­ retreats, how to invite Teachers, Shang Shung Institute, with the out­ International Gakyil central Dzogchen Community web ored by the presence of Rinpoche how to present the Dzogchen Com­ side world: and one on intra or site with updated information, with who reminded participants that the munity to the outside, how to deal inside Gakyil relations, in an Meeting at Merigar a web shop and links to all Gakyils various Gakyils in the world, and with interpersonal conflicts; many attempt to provide guidelines for and Institutes was proposed and the International Gakyil in particu­ with very different circumstances, new Gakyil members and to give an JULY 24TH-25TH, 2000 will be worked out by another work lar, were neither a bureaucracy nor making one easy answer for all idea of what they might expect, group. Issues of copyright were a hierarchy and the Gakyils are all impossible. All were able to share ideas about guidelines for hand­ studied in connection with domain "LET THE GAKYILS TVRN....." free and autonomous; they are and to open the eyes of those who over from old to new Gakyils and name registration. On this Commu­ important both for the teaching and had previously been unaware of the for training in people-skills and nity web site a database could be he International Gakyil is hap­ the transmission and have taken wide differences in the nature of the organizational skills. Both these created where every person in .our py to announce that the IG responsibility. Gakyils. groups worked out concrete plans T community could post his/her per­ Summer Conference at the Merigar for further action. sonal details like email address, job The IG was intended to be that After this awareness raising Gonpa has been a success. Partici­ specialization etc. However, priva­ of a bridge to aid communication. experience, the groups then mixed Another group worked on issues pants from all over the world enthu­ cy issues have to be considered. And communication was the theme again to report to the others what related to making The Mirror more siastically worked together in a gen­ of the conference both in content had come out of their exchange and accessible to those whose first lan­ eral atmosphere of inspiration. In the future retreats with Cho­ guage is not English, but also for and form. As Rinpoche reminded to gather the points into a list of pri­ After a brief yet inspiring talk of gyal Namkhai Norbu should be those who have come in to the us, apart from the responsibility for orities. This list fed into later work Chögyal Namkhai Norbu about the broadcast on the Internet so that Community relatively recently and protecting the transmission and on imagining the Dzogchen Com­ importance of the work and respon­ there would be less need to travel who may need access to previous teachings, there are all the relative munity in the future. The second sibility of the Gakyils in the Interna­ for Rinpoche. articles by Rinpoche which need to activities such as the work of ASIA day was spent in specific topic relat­ tional Dzogchen Community, Com­ 3) Guidelines (for Gakyils) will be indexed and made available. and the Shang Shung Institute, and ed work groups trying to come out munity members from all over the be worked out and published with Also Mirror financing was dis­ the work of the Gars and Merigar in with practical solutions coming out world started a unique series of two questions like " How to invite cussed, as more international eco­ particular, all representing sources of the priorities established the day day discussions. Bottlenecks that instructors", "How to advertise a nomic participation is required for of information which need to be cir­ before, with the aim of suggesting the participants encountered in their Yantra Yoga or Vajra Dance The Mirror to survive. culated around the Community. A practical solutions on "Turning the work as members of a Gakyil or in course", etc. An updated list of view from the bridge was provided Wheel of the Gakyil": The last group worked on those other active roles within our Com­ "Frequently Asked Questions" by the members of the IG, who One group worked on the "how" difficult "f-words": funds and munity were described and an could be published on the Internet gave an account of what had been of communications: a web-site, a finances, drawing up guidelines and attempt was made to find solutions with a link to these guidelines so done over its two years of exis­ network and flow chart for commu­ working out action plans. for these problems. that updated information is avail­ tence, answering questions and get­ nications, a database, the distribu­ Most people mentioned they The full report on the results of able permanently. ting suggestions from participants tion and flow of information. had appreciated the opportunity to the meetings and the single work 4) The Blue IG and the Shang from a whole range of circum­ A second group worked on the interchange and exchange in such a groups will be published on Nor­ Shung Institute will coordinate a stances. Then the entire group (over "what" of information: frequently face to face and shoulder to shoul­ bunet and in the Mirror as soon as project for distribution and produc­ one hundred people on the firstday ) asked questions, the needs of those der way. Many commented that it all information is collected and tion of up -to-date practice melodies broke up into smaller groups to organizing teaching retreats, guide­ was a fine antidote to those feelings transcribed. on tapes and CD's (ongoing work exchange and share experiences on lines for those involved in the pro­ of distance and isolation; many group). what can get in the way of the Many greetings to everybody - tection of the teachings. questions were answered and some 5) Archiving is an urgent matter: Gakyil turning smoothly. The small The IG Two groups worked on specific concrete steps to consolidating the all Blue Gakyils are requested to

continued on page 27

28