THE MIRROR The International Newspaper of the Dzog-chen Community Issue 23

The Turquoise A.S.I.A. MISSION TO Dragon Flies "...toalldignitaries, religious by Andrea Dell'Angelo & Andrea and lay persons of the Land Sertoli of Snow and particularly of In July and August of 1993, an ... When the Turquoise A.S.I A. technical mission to Tibet Dragon of the South ascends took place under the guidance of in blue space, the Thunder of ; members of the A.S.I A. team were Victory will resound..." Tsherintar, Phuntshok Wangmo, Kangkar f Bo Gangs dkar) Andrea Dell'Angelo, Giovanni Boni Rinpoche's 1955 proclam­ and myself (Andrea Sertoli). The ation on the spiritual and mission aimed to: historical role of Namkhai - verify, on the spot, actual requirements in health and education Norbu Rinpoche. page 3 for the selected target areas in Eastern Tibet. Concrete access to missing technical data in these areas TEACHING was considered essential by A.S.I.A. teaching staff, since lack of background information had become a serious Chögyal Namkhai Norbu obstacle to implementing the page! scheduled projects; - establish constructive relationships with local authorities ShakyaShriV who, until the mission, had never instructions been directly encountered by Tibetan children in Galenteng, Szechuan A.S.I.A. staff. The creation of direct Dugu Chögyal Rinpoche communication with the officials extent of denying the necessary approval for its actual of courses on Tibetan medicine, to page 11 and administrators of the different authorisations for travelling in implementation. be held in Italy. prefectures and districts of Tibet Szechuan; it was only at the very Those courses are to last for 4 to whereA.S.LA. hopes to operate was end of the stay in Chengdu - and Traditional Tibetan Medicine 5 years, and official recognition of NEWS clearly a pressing need, especially only thanks to the pressure exerted À second agreem ent was reached their academic validity will be 2nd Tibetan in view of the consolidation of by Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche - mat in the field of traditional Tibetan requested from the Chinese A.S.LA.'s presence in Tibet; the travel authorisations were medicine, in which A.S.I.A. and the government. These two Tibetan Medicine Course - set up agreements and actually released. Shang Shung Institutewill coopera­ traditional medical institutions are Shang-Shung Institute conventions for the development of The period in Lhasa was filled te with the Institute of Traditional led by two famous doctors. Dr. pageS activities that could involvenotonly with numerous meetings and Medicine and the University of Champa Trinley and Dr. Khenrpo A.S.I.A. but also, for example, the discussions with political, Traditional Medicine, both of them Zenam. Shang Shung Institute. Therefore administrative, cultural and religious located in Lhasa, to organise a series continued on page 8 FEATURES attention was also given to culture authorities. In fact, die popularity of and archaeology sectors notdirectly Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche and the Continuing the related to A.S.lA.'s programme. enthusiastic response to his work - teaching coming from all levels of society - Dance of the Vajra Most mission members met in was a great support and resulted in a Chögyal Namkhai Norbu mid-July in Chengdu, capital of warm welcome from most of the page 12 i Szechuan province, while I joined local authorities. the team a few days later in Lhasa, capital of former Tibet and, General Convention In the land of the nowadays, capital of the Tibetan The intense activities undertaken \ Dakim Autonomous Region (T.A.R.). Our in those days resulted in the ; Fabio Andriço reports schedule was essentially divided definition of a General Convention between a period in Lhasa and a among A.S.I.A., the Shang Shung from Lahaul period to be spent in the field, Institute and the Government of the page 14 travelling overland to Chengdu T.À.R. through the T.A.R. and part of The contents of this Convention Szechuan province. included all possible sectors of INTERVIEWS Official meetings with local collaboration from archaeology to Pure vision government members actually textual research, from cultural and started in Chengdu, where Namkhai educational projects to those ©f Chögyal Rinpoche Norbu Rinpoche and team members health, etc. page 10 met the provincial authorities of The definition of this Convention Szechuan who, once again, proved proved to be rather complex ana, to be extremely rigid in regard to because of the dependence of the Ifeksae news and reports about recent and up-coming courses with Working with bio- any type of contribution to the regional authorities on the centrai qpftft&teâ teachers, a practitioner's explanation, information about a architecture Tibetan people. government, the final version of the ««ffl^ö^fflaöMal&Tdancere Rinpoche's Laurent Soen In fact, their unwillingness to Convention was transmitted to <&$&mfàm acta áemcnstration will be available next year. Reserve cooperate with A.S.I.A. went to the Beijing in order to get the final ym& mm, pages 4,5,6,7 page?

OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 1993 2 Terma teaching: renewing the transmission by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu

Excerpts from a transcription of a somebody and that is its history. It is teaching given by Namkhai Norbu possible to clarify some things but it Rinpoche at Merigar, April 13th, 1993 has to have its foundation, its history When you receive a teaching of related to social conditions and any kind, especially if it is linked to likewise with the teaching. tanna or to Dzogchen, you have-to The Kama teaching is very know what the source of that important and terma have to adorn teaching is and how it is connected and enrich this knowledge and above with the lineage of transmission A all refresh the transmission. teaching has its origin and its Sometimes in the transmission of principle so you can understand that the Kama there can be some it is not something invented by problems because in the case of somebody. If someone invented it transm issi on from master todiscipl e with their intellect, it could not work. along a lineage, the transmission A teaching must have been taught has to be very pure. If it is not pure, and transmitted by a being who was if some obstacle is created, it totally realised, such as Buddha becomes an obstacle to the Sakyamuni, Garab Dorje, functioning of the transmission. That Vajrasattva, etc. There is always a is where connection with the terma source of the teaching and a transmission is important. continuous and uninterrupted At times I have given a more lineage from that source up to the traditional kind of teaching, the master from whom you receive that initiation and transmission of the teaching and it is very important for © Moctonesi e Namkhai xitro of the Master Changchub you to understand the lineage and Dorje, whoreceived this teaching as source of that teaching. If, one day, Dzogchen teachings are those that gongter. Gong is the state of the already received a very important a terma of the mind. Why did he you have totransmi t (this teaching), came to the first Dudjom Rinpoche. mind; ter is a treasure that is put in transmission of the teaching which receive that mind treasure? Because you have to know where it comes The Dudjom Rinpoche who recently the mind and which then appears. will be a great benefit for her it is considered that in one of his from. So whenever I give a teaching, died was a reincarnation of the tenon We have many interesting terma realisation". To make the king happy previous incarnations at the time of I always try to enable you to Dudjom Lingpa. While the first teachings which are gongter. An and for the benefit of the future, Guru , he had been understand what the source of that ter ton Dudjom Lingpa was in togyel example from the Dzogchen Guru Padmasambhava had one of the sons of the King and Guru teaching is, where it comes from... contemplation, a practice through upadesa is a series of teachings summoned back the consciousness Padmasambhava had put this terma One can also have transmission which one can have many visions, called the KhandroNyingthig which of the dead daughter into her corpse into his mind. He had received this through pure vision which is called in the vision appeared a tigle in means the essential teachings of the and he gave her a specific terma and so the transmission was tag nang. For example, if we are which there was a manifestation of datant. This teaching was taught by introduction placing the terma of from Guru Padmasambhava to the good practitioners of Dzogchen Guru Tsokye Dorje, Guru Guru Padmasambhava who made it the Khadro Nyingthig into her mind. son of the King who in a later life longde or thôdgal or yangtig, then Padmasambhava in Sambhogakaya into a terma to keep the teachings After many lives that daughter became Changchub Dorje. we can develop pure vision and form. The manifestation of that and transmission pure for the future. was reborn as Terton Padma Ledrel When I transmit this practice of through that pure vision Guru master communicated a teaching. He put this ter into the mind of the tsal who, even when he was very the xitro connected w ith this 1 ineage, Padmasambhava and Garab Dorje As Dudjom Lingpa, in the state daughter of theTibetan king Trisong young, had many capacities. All it means I received it from and other masters can manifest and of contemplation, received this Detsen. This daughter was very these teachings of the Khadro Changchub Dorje who received it we can receive teachings and communication he repeated the young and she was dying. In fact in Nyingthig came through him and he from Guru Padmasambhava and clarifications. We can receive them entire teaching to two disciples by the stories it is said that she was wrote them down and transmitted there is nobody in between who because we have already received his side who wrote it down. This already dead. The king was suffering them. The third Karm apa, Rangy ung could have created problems with transmission and have a connection comprises a very thick volume of greatly and said, "Why do I have to Dorje was very interested in them that transmission. I am very sure with it so we are living in that pure Dzogchen teaching which is suffer so much? This is my daughter and received them, so the that I have no problems with transmission and we have a very interesting. If one reads it one who is so young and she has already also became a protagonist of these Changchub Dorje, I am certain of relationship with those masters can see that it was not composed died." teachings. that a hundred percent So if you through the transmission. That is intellectually. This teaching is called So Guru Padmasambhava told Before Padma Ledrel tsal receive the transmission of the xitro what is called tag nang. tag nang yeshe trawa. Tag nang him a story: in very ancient times he managed to write all these teachings from me, you know that the lineage Many of the teachings of Namchö means that it is teaching that has and Shantarakshita and the king were down, he died. There is also a very goes directly to Guru Mingyur Done. Name ho is the nam e come through pure vision; yeshes building the very big chorten at precise reason why that happened. Padmasambhava, That is what is given to the teachings of Mingyur means wisdom; trawa means a net Bodha together. One day while His immediate reincarnation was meant by "refreshing the Dorje belong to the tag nang or manifestation through light. That working to build this chorten, the who, when he was transmission". category. Nam is space; chö is is an example oftag nang and there king squashed a young, started proclaiming that he For example, if we consider teaching so "the teachings of space". are many of these kinds of teachings. mosquito which had stung him. was Padma Ledrel tsal. Namchö Mingyur Dorje, certainly What does that mean? It means that Tag nang can also come through While the mosquito was stinging He studied and became a very in that lineage Mingyur Dorje visions such as the Sambhogakaya dreams and there are marry masters him, the king had slapped the point famous scholar and to complete the received a trasm ission directly from and other various types of who have had these kinds of where it was stinging and series of teachings of Padma Ledrel Vajrasattva. I received that teaching manifestations manifested in space teachings. For example, I received accidentally killed it without tsal called the Khandro Yangtig, from Negyab Rinpoche, who and he received transmission both the Dance of the Vajra and intending to. He had interrupted that wrote down all the series of received it fromhi s master and there through those manifestations. itsmandala through my dreams. life and so he had created a negative teachings. He also wrote the at 1 east 2 0 m asters between Mingyur Our practice of the xitro is an They are not teachings that did not action. But there had been a very Nyingthig Yashi, the four series of Dorje and Negyab Rinpoche and we example of this. At the end of the exist before. Certainly the principle precise connection between that Upadesa teachings. do not know precisely what the xitro practice it is stated that when of the Dance of the Vajra and the mosquito and Trisong Detsen and These teachings are usually called relationship was in that lineage. Mingyur Dorje was 12 years old, Song of the Vajra existed in as a repayment of the debt in that mind terma and there are m any kinds It is much more difficult when one day while he was sitting in Dzogchen tantras although there was life, this mosquito had become his of them as well. When there is this you have toloo k at the Kama lineage contemplation, Vajrasattva appeared not a Dance of the Vajra danced on daughter. However she did not have kind of terma then the lineage or the with a very important source like in his vision and communicated that a or the precise form of the the positive karma for a long life transmission is direct. But there is or Vaj radhara. From teaching to him. He immediately mandala. These elements I received and many years of contact with never the continuity of the direct that source down to our own masters dictated it to his disciples who wrote in my dreams, not only in the dream Trisong Detsen. This is the way lineage without also the official line there is a lineage with many many it down. So namchö means "a of a single night but through the Guru Padmasambhava explained it of transmission. These must always links. Certainly we, too, can have teaching coming fromspace " but in dreams of many months and I wrote so that the king could understand be tied and connected together. our pure vision but we can never fact it does not come from space but down all the teachings I received and not suffer too much Why? Because we live in the limited know precisely what the relationship from the manifestation of through these dreams. So you can Then the king asked Guru human condition. For example, is between each master and disciple Vajrasattva. Tag nang is the name see that there are many types of Padmasambhava, "Please do when we pursue an intellectual study in the lineage. usually given to these types of teachings and many of the teachings something, so that we can have some such as history, we always have to If each contact is not very pure it teachings. called terma arise from the clarity of benefit from this happening." Guru have some referencea s proof when can become an obstacle to the one's mind... Another very interesting aspect Padmasambhava said, "You do not we talk about a historical occurrence. function of that transmission. So in of tag nang and one of the most Then there is another aspect of have to worry because although your In the samé way it is not enough to order to renew that situation the famous examples of tag nang tag nang which is generally called daughter is very young, she has say that this is a mind terma of terma teaching is very important.

OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 1993 ISSUE 23 2L The Turquoise Dragon Flies NAMKHAI NORBU RINPOCHE Teaching Programme 1993 - 1994

Nepal Kathmandu/Chitwan Kangkar ('Bo Gangs dkar) 10,000. His written works, too In 1954 Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche issued this proclamation numerous to be listed here, notably Rinpoche was invited to visit China 24 December - 3 January 1994 in 1955 corceming the spiritual and include Choying Topa (Chos as a representative ofTibetan youth. Teaching Retreat historical role of Namkhai Norbu dbyings bstod pa), an important Thereafter, he was appointed teacher For information contact: Ian Baker, GPO. Box 1373, Rinpoche. commentary on 's of Tibetan at the Southwestern Kathmandu, Nepal, Fax 01 977 1 415947. Kangkar ('Bo Gangs dkar) philosophy. He was one of the three University of Minor Nationalities Rinpoche Karma S he drub (bShad principal disciples of Khenpo at Chengdu in Sichuan, where he For full retreat details see page 5 sGrub) Chokyi Singe (Chos ky i Seng (mKhanpo)Zhenga (gZhan dga ' ) of remained until 1956. It was in this ge) (1903-1956) was one of the most rDzog chen monastery, a master of period that he met Kangkar illustrious personages of the the Ris med non-sectarian move­ Rinpoche, and received from him Australia Kagyupa (bKa'brgyud pa) school. ment which gave new impetus to the various teachings, on Chagchen Master of the XVIth Gyalwa(rGyal spiritual life of Tibet in the 19th (Phyag chen) or , on 25 - 29 March ba) Karmapa, and a great Buddhist century and included among its Dzogchen (Rdzogs-chen), the Course of either Yantra Yoga with Fabio Andrico or Dance scholar and practitioner, Kangkar foremost proponents such luminar­ K one hog Chindu (dKon mchog of the Vajra with Prima Mai Rinpoche was considered among the ies as spy i 'dus) series and the (Chos drug most important religious authorities ('Jam dbyangsmKhyenbrtüe'i dbang gi skor) Six Yogas. Before Namkhai of the tim e, with numerous disciples po) and ('Jam mgon Norbu Rinpoche left him, Kangkar 1-10 April not only in Tibet but also in China Kong sprul), the latter a master of Rinpoche wrote the pronouncement Teaching Retreat with Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche itself, where they numbered over Kangkar Rinpoche himself. translated here. 13- 17 April Course of either Yantra Yoga with Fabio Andrico or Dance The foltowingpronouncement is addressed to ail , dignitaries, religious and Cay persons of of the Vajra with Prima Mai the Land of Snow andparticuCarCy ofBhutan.TheSupreme Réincarnation Choying 9i{amgyaí(ChosFo r information contact: Herbert Jelinek, 31/3 Plowman dbyings r7(am rgyal), great holy being whose glory cannot be diminished, endowed withStreet maweCous, Bondi , NSW Australia, Tel. 61 6 257 1177, Fax 61 2 knowledge of religion and moráis, was forttoCd in ancient times by the mahasiddha O^amkhai692386 8 9{yingpo (?{pmkha 'iis9fyingpo).I, too, have made a heartfcCt invocation to the ocean of the 'Three Hlpots; its truthfulfruit is the following prophecy: Ulan Bator, Mongolia 9{ear the 'River of Golden Sand (fang tse), when the Turquoise Dragon of the South ('Bhutan) ascends in blue space, the Thunder of'Victory wiilresound. 9te Wittcause abundant rain to fait in 6 - 8 May ait the world and wittspread heat in the Land of Cold 5\t the same time, in the forests of the South Teaching Retreat ( and'Bhutan) thousands of petáis (of the flower) of virtue witt be strewn. Forinformation contact: Batodalay Dugarov.Gusinoozerskaya 9/3, Ulan Ude, Buryatia 670026 Russia This is what was revealed to me in the nonauaûty ofdharmadhatu (dbyings) and the state ofrigpa. So that the opportunity of the manifestation of this master not be wasted if he could accede to the residency of the %aja tyawang Ofangyat (Zhab Drang tyag dbang rOigan rgyai) Ulan Ude, Buryatia Hjnpoche of Bhutan (Lho 'brug), this would certainly bring enormous benefit to that country, to 13 - 21 May the Teachings, and to the welfare and spiritual happiness of ait beings. Teaching Retreat Therefore I askjhat att bear this in mind. Forinformationcontact:BatodalayDugarov,Gusinoozerskaya 'Written on the twenty-fifth day of the third month of the wood sheep year (1955) by the member9/3-3 , Ulan Ude, Buryatia 670026 Russia of the lineage of masters of Çyatwang (rÇyaldbang)'Karmapa who bears the title of reincarnation of'Kangkar Shedrub Chokyi Singe ('Kong dkar, 'Karma bShadsgrub Chos kyiSengge), otherwise known as Gyendze 'Rglpai Dorfe (dÇyes mdzad^RgCpa'i rDo rje)." Moscow, Russia 27 May - 5 June To understand the above text, the dbang rNam rgyal), the spiritual and In Buddhist symbolic terminology, the Teaching Retreat following notes may be helpful: temporal founder and ruler ( or Victorious Sound of Thunder stands for For further information on the retreat see page 5 1. Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche's Dharma Raja) of Bhutan, by diverse the teaching of the Dharma and the word birthplace lies in the region of the Yang masters, including the 16th Gyalwa ofB uddha; rain and heat refer to spiritual tse, the Riverof Golden Sand of the text; Karmapa; teachings; 2. the country of Bhutan, frequently 4. Choying Namgyal (Chos dbyings 6. Namkhai Nyingpo (Namkhai sNying Merigar, Italy mentioned in the text, is called drug rNam rgyal) is die name conferred on po), cited in the text as having prophesied ('brug) in Tibetan, which means Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche when, at a the coming of Choying Namgyal (see Summer 1994 "dragon" as well as "thunder"; young age, he received the above- note 4), was one of the first Tibetans to Teaching Retreat 3. Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche has been mentioned recognition as reincarnation take ordination, is counted among the Forinformation contact: Comunità Dzog-chen, Merigar, 58031 recognized as the mind reincarnation of of the Zhab Drung; twenty- five disciples of Guru Rinpoche, Zhab Drung Ngawang Namgyal (Ngag 5. Victory is a name of the Dharma Raja. and left behind no body. Arcidosso GR Italy. Tel. 0564 96683,7-966322, Fax:968110

OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 1993 ISSUE 23 4 Typhoon-Rainbow retreat by Tetsu Nagasawa to the fishes in the small afternoon of September 5th with an On the 19th of August, 1993, pond in the garden. It was a great extravagant ganapuja, which Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche arrived delight for everyone to see him according to Fabio was the most at Narita airport for his fourth visit laughing and throwing food. generous one he had ever witnessed. to Japan. Fabio Andrico and Prima Around twenty people met for We were expecting the second am who had arrived ten days before the Vajra Dance course given by biggest typhoon after the war to to teach y antra yoga and Vajra Dance Prima mai at a comfortable grass come on that day, but she somehow and two other members of the field at 2.30 every afternoon which changed her mind and we enjoyed a community went to welcome they enjoyed very much One lady nice day. Anyway we felt that this Rinpoche at the airport. Rinpoche saw Prima as in person! On the was a kind of typhoon-rainbow looked happy after the one-month eighth day Rinpoche himself showed retreat strenuous and sometimes dangerous us how to dance, which made Rinpoche, Fabio and Prima left but also very meaningful journey to everyone extremely happy. for India on the morning of Tibet Rinpoche learned a lot of September 8th. On August 23rd, Rinpoche gave Japanese words during the retreat The nine-day retreat, yantra yoga a lecture on Tibetan medicine and and we were sure that he would start course and Vajra Dance course gave the bardo for the Association of teaching in Japanese after a month. usmuch inspiration to proceed along Holistic Medicine of Japan. More Tokyo Conference on Tibetan Medicine Day by day people came to the path. We have decided to conti­ than a hundred people, who came to near the retreat place the evening difficult positions of yantra while understand the meaning of the nue the monthly collective practice the hall ofTokyo Medical University before, which we took to be an others who had practised Chinese teachings and were astounded by of rituals. We are going to start bi­ for the lecture, were happy to have auspicious sign to bless the retreat Chikong for years, teaching the clarity and depth of his weekly yantra yoga practice the rare chance to know the general Around sixty people came to the themselves, were deeply impressed knowledge, which came from his meetings and a monthly Vajra idea about life and death in the retreat Rinpoche started by singing by the very precise and clear own inner realisation. This sense of Dance. A new collective practice Tibetan tradition. the Song of the Vajra and then explanations Fabio gave. Someone wonder eventually ripened into the group has started spontaneously in The nine day retreat with declared that he was going to dedi­ asked me if he was a yogi from conviction that we were in the Kyoto. Agroup of people havebegun Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche started cate three days each to the three India! presence of and receiving teachings translating "The Dzogchen Ritual on the morning of August 28th in a series of Dzogchen, that is, semde, After breakfast, people would from a real Buddha . Practices" and a small study group traditional Japanese house of an old longde and upadesa. walk down to the traditional We cooked breakfast and dinner of Santi Mana Sangha has also started. We hope to publish the family at "Kanotoiwa" or "Rock We usually got up quite early in Japanese house with a beautiful for ourselves, groups of six people transcription (only in Japanese) of Door of Divinities" in the western the morning. It was quite easy to garden to listen to the very precious in tura There were some Japanese the retreats of 1989 and 1992 within mountain area of Tokyo. It was a find some place to meditate by teachings given by Rinpoche and Shingon priests and nuns from this year. We hope we can build a beautiful day. One of the biggest oneself in the forest or by the river. also to practise with him. Rinpoche Koyasan, and I think those who came good basis on which the genuine and strongest typhoon storms since Some people practised chöd while gave a condensed and very detailed from abroad had some idea as to the tradition of Dzogchen may flourish the Second World War, which made others did powa, deity or breathing explanation of all the three series of daily food in Koyasan. After dinner, in the future. all the transportation system and practice. Others were busy preparing Dzogchen teachings. He also gave a some people would gather around modem facilities in Tokyo utterly breakfast The one-houryantra yoga many lung of mantra practices. We the fire, talking, dancing and We would like to say many thanks useless, had cleared away every session conducted by Fabio Andrico were more than happy to receive the enjoying wine while others found to Rinpoche, Fabio and Prima for all particle of dust, every negativity started at 8 o'clock. Y antra being empowerment ofNgöndzog Gyalpo. their own meditation places in a their kindness and we pray for their from the retreat place; people had completely new to most of the After the morning session, nearby temple or a shrine of the tour. We also want to thank those, seen a very big unimaginably newcomers, the majority of people Rinpoche enjoyed giving some village. both in Japan and in Italy, who helped beautiful double rainbow rising just were amazed to see Fabio showing cookies which he empowered with The whole retreat ended in the us organise the retreat.

Vajra Dance in Athens Earth, space and water

chance but precisely an equal by Mary Finnigan number of men and women and The name on the map is Trellys-Y-Cnwc and it is a waste of effort for every day at the same time we found anyone born east of the Black Mountains to attempt a pronunciation. Cast ourselves there, almost all of us your mind's ear onto what the Italians would make of it or Hungarians or having travelled quite a distance. Greeks and it seems a fair bet that it will acquire a new. Gar-type name There was a feeling of uniqueness in before very long and also a new, changing and developing identity as the having both the precise space and a headquarters of the UK Dzogchen Community. patient and exacting teacher At the moment it is a collection of dilapidated farm buildings on about available for the dance. This a third of an acre of concrete in deepest Pembrokeshire. The journey there, combination of things made possible even from Bristol, is long - and slow when you leave the M4. There are not only the technical learning of corrugated tin hay barns that need to be demolished as fast as possible and the steps (which all of us learned up the concrete needs to go too. to the last step) but most of all, it the land is not first-grade agricultural, but then nor was Findhom. With seem ed to me, an easy entry into the the gardeners among us itching with enthusiasm, I reckon two seasons sense of the Mandala. should see us self-sufficient in veg, after three we should be getting decent Sometimes I had the clear yields from fruit crops. sensation that the Mandala wasn't The main, L-shaped stone building sits with geomantic precision on top by M. Rita Leti suburbof Athens. There wasnothing only in that room but was part of of a small promontory that offers a spacious view over rolling moors and While the bus was carrying me esoteric about it, it didn't overlook other dimensions at the same time: a farmland. Stretch your eyes a little further and there is the sea; A small bay, towards Athens, as I watched the fields or parks, it was a house in the door, a luminous landing place inset left with your back to the house, guarded by toweringpillar s of rock sun drenched rocks rising steeply midst of other houses in a quiet visible from everywhere, while we Spectacularly beautiful, wonderfully calm and gentle - the inspection party out of the sea, a thought echoed in street, white-walled with a balcony, were dancing in "space". were entranced from our first footsteps. We had a powerful and immediate my mind, "I am part of the history of with children playing in the When I arrived in Athens, some "sense of place", which gathered momentum as we explored and was love for the universe". Everything courtyard beyond the large windows. people had asked me why I had enhanced when we sang the Song of the Vajra. was perfect, the day, the temperatu­ But this "normality", as I would come there. Why should an Italian The potential is fabulously exciting. Our own home at last - after so many re, the colours, the fast-moving bus soon discover, was to be the precious travel so far to learn the Dance of the false dawns and so much criticism. A place of quiet and retreat, a and my being there in the midst of setting for ten days during which the Vajra when she can easily do it at place of energy and renewal, a place to have fun and be uninhibited reality, heading towards one of the experience of dancing together on home? Sometimes it is useful to Dzogchenma/pas. It was worth the wait streets of Athens, Solónos 46, where the Mandala became part of us, take a longer and more tortuous path the day before, September 17th, the creating an atmosphere of intense which, strangely enough, besides retreat of the Dance of the Vajra, participation, bothduring the Dance being more fun, arrives first! guided by Adriana Dal Borgo, had and in many other moments of daily A warm greeting to all the other New Tsegyalgar fax number started. life (very enjoyable), that we passed dancers on the Mandala in Athens. I And so I arrived, bags and all, together. really thank you for your generous Reese note that the fax number of Tsegyalgar (USA) is now directly to this large room on the We were always the same people, welcome. All my best wishes that the same as the phone number: first floor of a modern building in a a fixed number, usually twelve, by "the Dance" continues! 413 6256378

OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 1993 ISSUE 23 Teaching Retreats Shang-Shung Institute with Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche Second Tibetan Medicine Course December 4-10 Nepal Moscow December 24 - January 3,1994 May 27 - June 5,1994

Registration for the retreat will breakfast and dinner on The retreat is programmed to be on December 23rd (4.30 - 6.30 December 24th and 25th. Full be held in the countryside pm) and 24th (10am - 1pm) at the payment is requested at the time outside Moscow. Hotel Vajra in Kathmandu. of registration on December 23rd Teachings will begin at A participation fee of 3pm in the Hotel Vajra's $200is requested to cover The second course on Tibetan medicine will take place at Merigar, Naga Hall and continue the costs of the retreat, Arcidosso (Grosseto) and will last for a week, starting on Saturday at the same venue on plus $100 for food and December 4th and ending on Friday December 10th. December 25th. accomodation for ten The course will be given by Dr. Pasan Yontin. As with the preceding On December 26th we days. course, several hours of lessons will be dedicated to studying the will travel by bus through In order to arrange fundamentals of the Tibetan language. the Mahabharat Mount­ visas for those who wish The sessions will be divided as follows: ain range to Chitwan to participate, the h. 10.00 -12.30 Dr. Pasan Yontin National Forest where the Moscow Gakyil asks that h. 15.30 -17.00 Tibetan language with Dr. Adriano Clemente retreat will continue at a these people h.17.00 -19.30 Dr. Pasan Yontin luxurious tented camp. communicate their The registration fee is Lit. 600.000 and does not include The teachings will be held name, citizenship, date accommodation and food. either out-of-doors or and place of birth, As with the first course, an agreement has been made with the Hotel under a spacious Tibetan- passport number, date Capenti offering a daily cost per person of Lit. 60.000 for full board and style canopied tent. and place of its issue, Lit 25.000 for accommodation and breakfast Accommodation will be validity, and place of Registration should be made to the Shang-Shung Institute, Via degli in double occupancy residence to one of the Olmi, 1, 58031 Arcidosso (GR), Italy before November 20th, 1993 canvas tents, furnished contact people in indicating the type of accommodation required and with a receipt of with camp beds and Moscow: payment of the Lit. 150.000 deposit quilting. Hot water Vladimir Karpinski, Payment may be effected by either postal order to the address of the showers and modern tel. 095 300 48 54 Institute or by means of a bank draft to account no. 4122.96 at the toilet facilities are Vladimir Maikov, Arcidosso branch of the Monte dei Paschi di Siena. available. Meals will be Sovietskaya Str. 14/7, For all further information, please contact the secretary at the Shang- served buffet style in a Zheleznodorozhny, Shung Institute between the hours of 10.00 and 13.00, Monday to communal dining area. Daytime or 24th. An adjusted cost of $600 Moskow Region 43980.Russian Saturday at 0564 966941 (tel.) or 0564 966846 (fax). temperatures in Chitwan range is possible at the less expensive Federation Tel. 095 522 75 83 from 15 - 20°C while nights tend Snow Lion Guest House in Helen Antonova, to be chilly. Kathmandu. Due to limited Korneichuka, 44-17, 127543 W e will return to the Vajra accommodation, preregistrat- Moskow. Russian Federation Corrections to Vajra Dance Hotel on January 3rd . Total cost ion is requested by December Tel. 095 405 46 64. for the entire retreat including 1st. To make reservations please Or by fax 095 292 6511 or 095 by Prima Mai four nights accommodation at respond by letter or fax to Ian 444 75 25. In June, 1993, during Chögyal Namkhai Norbu's stay at Merigar, he Hotel Vajra and eight nights at Baker, G.P.O. Box 1373, This information should be worked on the final corrections to the book of the Vajra Dance. These Machan tented camp in Chitwan Kathmandu, Nepal, fax no. 01 sent before March 15,1994. corrections clarified various questions which had arisen during the editing will be $650. This includes 977 1 415947. During the month of the book. Consequently, there are some changes in the movements and transportation to and from of November Ian can also be The participation fees asked basic steps as they have been taught of all three dances: the Vajra Dance, Chitwan, park entry and reached at 7901 Winston Road, for are based on curren t exchange the Six Loka Dance and the Three Vajra Dance. camping fees, as well as all meals Philadelphia, PA 191118 USA, rates and may have increased by The three dances have already been taught in many countries around the throughout the trip excluding fax no. 215 242 5641. the time of the retreat. world in their 'old version'. However, since the dances should be practised in a precise way in order to have their total function and benefit, Chögyal Namkhai Norbu has asked me to describe the changes to the dances in a simple way, so that practitioners of the dances will be able to correct French summer retreat '93 New Gakyils themselves. To this end, I have prepared a simple text in English explaining the corrected steps, the arm movements and of the three dances, by P. Lakhdari.A. Taray, A. Viguerie copies of which have been sent to the international Gakyils around the Our year of practice came to an end in the heart of a natural, protected and Poland world. privileged place: the pedagogic farm of Borde Grande. The text is not intended as an explanation of the dances for those who The area is situated in a grandiose and rocky environment with wild The Dzogchen Community in have not already learned them and to understand the corrections and landscapes and impressive windswept fortresses burnt by the sua Poland has informed us that a new explanations one should already have knowledge of the dances. Neither is We came from all parts of France to meet in the heart of the Cathare Gakyil was chosen during a retreat it the final text of the dances. Instead it is hoped that it will provide a means country, in 120 hectares of land situated in the Hautes Corbières mountain held in Poland last February. for those who already practise the dances to correct themselves in the steps range between Carcassonne and Perpignan and to practise the immaculate The Gakyil is composed of: and movements. and deeply secret teaching of the Dzogchen Longde. Yellow - Luomila and Tadeusz Those people who wish tohav e a copy of this text should contact their Under the inspiration of Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche, Jean Marc Costantini Sdonciuk from Slups local Gakyil. The definitive text on the Vajra Dance by Chögyal Namkhai taught us the methods which introduce one to knowledge, the four DA. Jacek Lazarsui from Lolsicz Norbu will be published by Shang-Shung Edizioni in the near future in We benefitted not only from the teachings that Rinpoche had transm itted Red - KrystynaKijania from Krakow Italian and is presently being translated into English. during the previous retreats, but also from the instruction that Jean Marc had Marian Straczek from Katowice received from Rinpoche himself. Grzegorz Dondrizo from Lodz During the eight day retreat, we worked on the DA of: Mi-rtog-pa Blue - Alexander Skwara from Lodz "beyond thought", GsaLba "clarity", Dde-ba "sensation", Dbyer-med "the Artur Skura fromNov a Deba VAJRA DANCE RETREAT non-dual state"and deepened the practice of the ten points of the energy of Mateusz Wisniewski from Lodz. Amsterdam, Holland the Dzogchen Longde according to instruction by Vairiocana and Shri led by Stoffelina Verdonk Singha. We shared our open-air meals under a luminous sky in a warm atmosphere, dinners under a blanket of stars, breakfasts under apple trees Yugoslavia with blood-red sunrises. The following people make up the November 16-19 Beginners We practised chöd, the practice of Ekajati and we ended the retreat with new Gakyil in Beograd: November 22 - 25 Advanced a ganapuja. We drank water and biological wine, but most of all we laughed Veona Tomic - Director and shared a spiritual experience. Zoran Zargorcic - Blue Gakyil Contact Yvonne Zuiker 20 6123947 Translated from the French Community's newsletter, "Le Chant du Jelena Zargorcic - Red Gakyil Coucou" nr. 18, October 1993 Milica Stojanovic - Yellow Gakyil or Dzogchen Community tel. & fax 20 6623723

OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 1993 ISSUE 23 6 Merigar's Mandala The Dance of the Vajra

the part of the dancers in order to by Adriana Dal Borgo coordinate them withthemovement The Dance of the Vajra is a teaching transmitted by Namkhai Norbu of the steps and some effort was Rinpoche a few years ago. The Teaching includes an explanation of the required. After learning the precise steps, movements and mudras of the Dance of the Vajra and their meanings arm movements well, it seemed that and is contained in Rinpoche's book "The Precious Light" which is a the dancers had an extra tool to be commentary on the tantra "The Dance of Liberation of the Beings of the Six present with during the Dance. Also Lokas into the Six Pure Dimensions". The book, which was translated orally the synchronising of the arm into Italian by Rinpoche, has been transcribed and will shortly be available movements of the dancers seems to to those who are interested. make clear both the complete The Dance of the Vajra is above all a method to harmonise the energy of movement of the body and all the the individual. Practising the Song and the Dance of the Vajra (as it is interweaving patterns of the Dance explained in the tantra) we can integrate our three existences, body, voice as well as the interaction between and mind, in total contemplation: the voice integrates through song, the male and female parts on the Man­ body through the movements of the dance, and mind in the state of dala. contemplation. It is clear that to learn the Dance There are three different dances: the Dance of the Vajra is done to the itis not necessary to have experience sound of the Song of the Vajra; the Dance of the Liberation of the Six Lokas in dance or movement; the coloured to the melody of the six syllables 'A A HA SHA SA MA; the Dance of the Dancing under the tent (photo Lauri Marder) circles and lines of the Mandala Three Vajras, repeating the melody of OM A HUM. give a simple and perfect map of When one practises the Dance of the Vajra, either with the other dances by Stoffelina Verdonk The Santi Mana Sangha study where to move. The Dance has its or alone, one always begins and ends with the sound of the A and with its The Mandala at Merigar is group meets around the Mandala as bases in the transmission of the . This means that all of one's vision is integrated into the state of rigpa turning, spiralling the Vajra dance, well. In these ways it is easy to find Teaching and that is what and that, at the end, one carrying the Dance practitioners. a cause to do, learn or get in touch is so precious about it. It continues in this They move into the sound of the with the Vajra Dance. is a practice and the integration. Song of the Vajra, the Six Lokas and This summer there have been practice functions for us The sound produced by the OM A HUM, learning together several courses to learn the different when we learn the Dance. each syllable of the Song how to move into the knowledge of dances, some lasted for a week while So then we continue of the Vajra corresponds our primordial state, harmonising others were weekend courses. dancing. to the principal centres of body, speech and mind. We were very fortunate to have At the present time, the body and so by singing, Situated in the Capannone (the the portable Mandala from Milan you can find people one harmonises one's vital "barn"), the Mandala is sandwiched here which was set up in a tent studying one of the energy and breathing. between the woodshop and the located next to the "Yellow house". dances alone, together or Through the move­ offices of Shang-Shung Edizioni and In this way there was an in spontaneous groups at ments of the Dance, not The Mirror. The library is directly opportunity for two groups to dance differenttimes of the day, only our physical body above it. at the same time, giving space to before and after work, becomes harmonious but This year, the Capannone, which those who wanted to learn the steps during the lunchbreak, also "external" energy is has taken over the function of the of the Dance as well to those who and late in the evening. drawn into harmonious Gonpa as a place of practice and already knew the basic steps of the From the time that relation with our pure study while the Gonpa is being Dance but wanted to deepen their Namkhai Norbu dimension. This is beautifully decorated, has become knowledge of the arm movements Rinpoche explained the because each step we take areal meeting place forpractitioners. and other details. The summer tun of the Dance, we do on the mandala Besides being the basis for the Dance courses stimulated many people to this practice almost every corresponds to a sacred of the Vajra, the .Mandala has also dance so that the practice has become day at five o'clock. place, or point of energy, become the physical base for very alive. There have always on the Earth. sessions of Yantra Yoga and other Learning the arm movements been a greater number of women There are three types of mandala: a small one which represents the Earth collective practices. involved a strong concentration on ready to practise the Dance so it is and which we are using in many places in the world. On this mandala there good to finally find more and more is space for twelve dancers, six pavo and six pamo (daka and ). men inspired to learn the Dance as In the medium mandala, which represents our solar system, twenty-four well. So we look forward to having people can dance. In the large mandala which represents the universe, there a more balanced number of men and is space for thirty-six dancers plus musicians. Vajra Dance video women dancing. Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche has described the perfect correspondence Seeing people dance for several between the precise points on the mandala we touched as we dance, 360 in An exceptional documentary video film on the Vajra Dances is months, it is clear how they relax all, and the sacred places on the Earth. According to the system of meridian currently being produced which will provide a unique more and more into the Dance, into co-ordinates, in the mandala the parallels correspond to the thigle (circles) opportunity for all those who are interested in learning and their state, filling the movements of and the meridians to the lines (which go from the centre to the outermost practising the Vajra Dances. the Dance with presence, making thigle) which divide the mandala into six dimensions. Each white triangle In these two one hour videos, Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche explains the continuity of the steps more corresponds to one of the six dimensions.So, for example, the red fourth clearly and fully the meaning of all the steps of the Dance of the flowing in an elegant way. thigle where we always begin the Dance corresponds to the parallel where Vajra which are demonstrated individually and in their entirety. Meeting in the practice on the Merigar and Tsegyalgar are situated. And it is at these very places that The Dance of the Six Lokas and the Dance of the Three Vajras will Mandala of the Vajra Dance is a Rinpoche received and began to give this Teaching. also be demonstrated. strong means to understand that we The mandala represents both the northern and southern hemispheres and This project is very important for all practitioners of the Dzogchen practise together.moving in the same the centre is respectively the north or the south poles. The external blue Community and for this reason 'The Mirror" would like to bring Mandala. border, in both cases, corresponds to the equator. The northern hemisphere it to the attention of all those who are interested. Rapid completion The togetherness in this Dance, is governed by male energy, the southern by female energy. of the project will depend on the support of us all. the spiralling towards and around Recently at Merigar we have been practising the Dance of the Vaj ra every For the first time, 'The Mirror" is making an urgent appeal to all each other, of men and women, afternoon and we have realised how different the experience can be when readers to give their maximum collaboration and send as soon as moving harmoniously together, all of one's body is present in the movement, when there is no more concern possible the preselling price of $50 US for the two videos. facing each other, feel like about making wrong steps and finally the mind relaxes. Calculated total costs for producing the video which include collaboration itself: collaboration in One afternoon Rinpoche spoke about the great respect we must feel for editing, rental of equipment and materials will be $13,000 US. the knowledge of the state, being all the Dance because it is a practice, not just an ordinary dance. To do the To facilitate funding for this project, the New York Dzogchen part of the knowledge of the Dance of the Vajra, it is necessary, above all, to understand this, and to have Community has already opened a fund account to which people teachings, making them alive even received the transmission from the Master, or at least to be genuinely can send their preselling fee or donations: if, after the dedication, we leave the interested and to commit oneself to receiving transmission as soon as Mandala. The weather is changing possible. Rinpoche also explained how we must respect the mandala itself New York Dzogchen Community Fund Account, and now the autumn is here. The and not walk on it as if it were a "carpet". No. 2115 4259 09, National Westminster Bank USA, Capannone is a little chilly and 528 Broadway, New York, NY 10012. There is a precise way to do a complete tun of the Dance of the Vajra: the Merigar is covered in twilight when female dancers sit on the red triangles and the male on the white triangles, VajraDance teachers PrimaMai, Adriana Dal Borgoand Stoffelina we start the tun. each one in the dimension from which the Dance will begin. After sounding Verdonk are already trying to raise money through donations. The Mandala shines brightly with A and singing the Song of the Vajra, the dancers get up and walk directly The video will be distributed by Shang-Shung Edizioni and its colours and keeps on turning as if along the line until they reach the place where they start the Dance. When should be available at the end of 1994. Jennifer Fox is in charge spreading light for the benefit of all the Dance ends, the tun finishes with the final dedication and the dancers of filming and editing will be done by Sylvia Morrison. sentient beings. leave the mandala as they entered it, walking along the line.

OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 1993 ISSUE 23 1 Working with bio-architecture at Merigar MERIGAR CALENDAR

other surfaces and build and insulate Sun 21 Nov 8/10 10.00 Karma Yoga with wood and other natural 16.00 Kann a Yoga products. It is better to avoid using 18.00 Practice of Avalokitesvara synthetic products in any part of the Tue 23 Nov 10/10 1830 Ganapuja with Long Life Practice construction, for example, artificial of Guru Padmasambhava carpets, polystyrene insulation, etc. Wed 24 Nov 11/10 1830 Intensive Practice of Ekajati Especially in a retreat house, a non- Sat 27 Nov 14/10 10.00 Karma Yoga bio construction can have a strong 16.00 Santi Maha Sangha study group effect on a practitionerthrough static Sun 28 Nov 15/10 10.00 Karma Yoga electricity, magnetic fields and Santi Maha Sangha study group harmful fumes. Particularly, if one 18.30 Long Life Practice of Mandarava intends to stay for a long period of Sat 4th Dec 20/10 10.00 Dance oftheVajra, course begins time in retreat in the cabin, it is 15.00 Dance of the Vajra certainly much healthier to stay in 18.00 Practice of Tara one which has been built according Sun 5th Dec 20/10 10.00 Dance oftheVajra to bio-architecture. 15.00 Dance of the Vajra 18.00 Practice of Tara The Mirror: The imtyangtighouse Wed 8 Dec 25/10 18.30 Practice of Tara .Construction of the 'bois cordé' reatreat house (photo Andreas Hamig) in Plouray that you helped to build Sat 11 Dec 28/10 10.00 Karma Yoga had rooms for seven people while 16.00 Santi Maha Sangha study group the recently constructed retreat Sun 12 Dec 29/10 10.00 Santi Maha Sangha study group For some time now, various experiments in wood cabins at Merigar are for single 18.30 Naggon construction following the principles of bio-architecture occupancy only. Is there greater Mon 13 Dec 30/10 18.30 Purification of the Six Lokas have been developing at Merigar. Four retreat cabins havebenefi t with single or multiple Tues 21 Dec 08/11 18.30 Long Tun with Intensive Practice of Ekajati been built on the landalmostall respecting these principles.occupancy ? Laurent: Through our experience Thu23Dec 10/11 18.30 Ganapuja Laurent Soen from the Dzogchen community in France haswith the multiple occupancy house Sun 26 Dec 13/11 18.30 Long Life Praactice of Amitayus spent the summer here working on two of the cabins. He at Plouray wefound that withseveral Mon 27 Dec 14/11 08.00 Tun with the Practice for the Nagas shares his experiences with The Mirror. people using it at the same time it 10.00 Santi Maha Sangha study group was disturbing for them to feel the 16.00 Practice Retreat B egins presence of others. There was a The Mirror: You have been aspects of building the particular continual awareness of others' Christmas Practice Retreat working for several months at cabins. presence which was not helpful for Merigar on the construction of a The very first dream I had was about this type of retreat because it created from 27 December 1993 to 4 January 1994 yangtig house and another retreat the shape of the cabin, which was a sense of security. And though it is cabin. When did you first consider octagonal. Through other dreams I important for us practitioners to in­ The retreatwil l be based on a programme drawn up by Namkhai Norbu the possibility of building houses developed a method of insulation tegrate, I feel the less integration Rinpoche and will also include sessions of Yantra Yoga and Dance of the iotyangtig retreats and how did you for sound-proofing which is one of that is required, the better it is. Vajra. Practitioners with experience of the Teaching will give explanations develop the construction project? the most important and difficult I feel that it is much better to have and lead the sessions of practice. Laurent Soen: The first time that I aspects of construction. Then on individual yangtig cabins although, The participation quota to cover costs is Lit. 160.000 for the entire retreat. heard about yangtig retreat houses other occasions I dreamt about a ofcourse.thecostis less for building Members will be entitled to the usual discount. was during Namkhai Norbu ventilation system which a multiple house. Rinpoche's retreat in Marceval, encouraged fresh air to enter the Tues 28 Dec 15/11 10.00 Santi Maha Sangha study group France in May 1989. During this cabin floor from above the ground The Mirror: You are putting the Tues 4 Jan 22/11 10.00 End of Practice Retreat Ganapuja retreat Rinpoche spoke for the first through a long underground pipe finishing touches to a 'regular' 16.00 Santi Maha Sangha study group time about the type of construction and took out stale air through a type individual retreathous e at Merigar. Wed 5 Jan 23/11 10.00 Santi Maha Sangha study group that was necessary for this kind of of chimney. This was an important Could you describe its construction? retreat In particular he said that aspect of the cabin because while Laurent: It is meant for one person there were three important points to light should not enter, the air must and the form is similar to Namkhai Vajra Dance teachers bear in mind: he felt that it was of circulate. The system that I developed Norbu Rinpoche's retreat cabin. It prime importance to build the house creates a type of natural ventilation has electricity and running water, Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche has recently authorised Adriana well elevated above the ground so and avoids using noisy electrical there is a bathroom and a kitchen Dal Borgo and Stoffeline Verdonktohold courses of the Dance of that the air can circulate freely under equipment. When Namkhai Norbu with a small gas cooker and a sink. the Vajra in both European and Eastern European countries. the cabin, that the construction Rinpoche saw it at Plouray, he said It is built on a platform Ii any Dzog-chen groups in these areas are interested in should be built in wood and that that à similar Bonpo system of approximately half a metre above organising courses, they should get in touch with these teachers each person who occupied the hut ventilation already existed in Tibet. the ground. We built it using a through their Gakyil and the Blue Gakyil at Merigar. should have approximately 9 sq.m. Canadian technique called 'bois of space. TheMirror: You use the principles cordé' which, while the material is Laurent: Ishallshortly be returning its type and it will be .constructed in On the basis of Rinpoche's of bio-architecture not only in your very economical, is quite a lot of to France where I must continue my the workshop and assembled on site suggestions and after this retreat I own construction work in France, work to construct We also chose work commitments. This has really in a short time. We hope to be able to first considered the possibility of but also in the construction of the this technique because it is biological been my "holiday" here at Merigar. launch this building enterprise here in building this type of cabin. various types of retreat cabins you and cannot burn. (Ed. note: In fact a holiday of very Europe and provide cabins for retreat (Editor's note: the first yangtig have built. How did you arrive at The walls are basically constructed hard work!) or other purposes. The project is still house which Laurent helped to build using this type of technique and in of short pieces of different diameter Then I hope to return to Merigar in in its early beginnings but we shall had an occupancy of 7 people and what way do you use the principles logs placed across the wall rather the spring to begin construction of a soon present the full plan. was situated in Plouray, France, of bio-architecture? than along. We made a mixture using prototype individual retreat cabin. I inaugurated March 1991.) Laurent: For many years I've limestone, sand, sawdust and water am currently working on the design The Mirror: Thank you, Laurent, worked reconstructing old stone to put the logs together and in the and the entire project with Andreas for the interview and for all your The Mirror: What are some of the houses in the country and during middle we put wood shavings for Hannig. It involves the preparation weeks of hard work at Merigar. technical problems you have this time I've investigated and tried insulation, since they take humidity of a kind of kit designed on the encountered in the construction of to use natural materials in the old in the winter and give it during the principles of bio-architecture For a cabin for retreato r holiday, the differeaiyangtig houses you have traditional way of building. I've tried summer. This type of construction (probably the first of its kind) that Laurent can be contacted at this built and how have you resolved to restore these buildings in the way also stops the wood expanding and can be easily assembled and address: Laurent Soen, c/o A. them? in which they were originally retracting with changes in season commercialised in the future. The Viguerie, 2 rue Cazotte,75018Paris, Laurent: I have had more than 10 constructed. Certainly traditional The roof is in wood with an cabin at Merigar will be the first of France. Tel. (1) 42594945. years experience in construction, building skills didn't make use of insulation of straw, limestone and particularly related to bio- synthetic m ateríais; bricks were sun- water which became very hard when Note from the Merigar Gakyil: the yangtig house was financed by architecture and this experience has dried and plaster was made with it was pressed; this is topped by terra the contributions of many practitioners. This special fund is helped me to resolve many of the limestone and sand. This experience cotta tiles. The floor is also in wood managed by EnzoTerzano.The 'regular' retreat house was financed technical difficulties which have helped me to develop a technique in with an insulation of sawdust and mainly by a practitioner of the German Community. arisen. For some specific problems wood construction that employs woodshavings, limestone and water. The Merigar Gakyil would like to thank all those who contributed I have had dreams which have natural materials. For example I use The Mirror. What are your plans to the project, especially Laurent Soen and Paolo Pagni (Red clarified some of the technical natural treatments for wood and for the future? Gakyil) coordinator. »

OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 1993 ISSUE 23 8 A.S.I.A.: FULFILLING THE DA continued from page 1 could become an important vehicle route goes through - the The latter. Director of the for preservation of the threatened traditional Tibetan name for the University of Traditional Medici­ . eastern districts - and Szechuan. ne, showed great interest in the These are areas in which the majesty proposed projects and declare Ra lung Monastery ofnatur e is among the most imposing himself ready to select and send During the time spent in Lhasa in the world. Impressive mountain traditional'doctors to Italy. He also there was some concrete action in ranges are crossed by the largest set up the general outline of a regard to specific development and Asian rivers such as the Mekong possible curriculum and gave the co-operation projects. Specifically, and the Yangtze, while forests and team text books currently used at precise instructions were given by endless grasslands create spectacular the University. This agreement, like Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche to start contrasts in landscape. However, it the previous one, has been sent for the firstphas e of the reconstruction is almost painful to notice the approval to Beijing, since Dr. of Ra lung Monastery. Ralung massive deforestation of the last Khempo Zenam does not have the Monastery is an ancient and decades: according to official authority for final approval of such important monastery directly linked Chinese reports, in about 25 years a document. with Rinpoche 's personal more man 54 billion dollars US history, since it is there that the worth of trees were felled in Tibet. New Lhasa Library Project Dharmarajas of Bhutan originate. Despite disappointment at such A third Convention was set up, Financial coverage was given to irresponsible abuse of forest with enthusiastic approval of local support the expenses of this first resources, the drive on the Szechuan- authorities, in the context of the phase of infrastructural Tibet Highway was a rough, New Lhasa Library Project. This rehabilitation, as well as yearly exciting, dangerous and, above all, large and interesting project, partly scholarships for several monks. incredibly beautiful experience. financed by T.D.F. (Tibetan Later on, financial support will be DevelopmentFund : the sole existing necessary for completion of Collaboration in Kham After passing through the areas of Nagchu, Sog Xian, Dengqen and Riwoche, the team finally arrived in Chamdo, capital of Kham, where the administration of the Prefecture is located. As in Lhasa, in Chamdo we Tsherintar (4th from left), Giovanni Boni and Andrea Dell'Angelo among the Tibetai had an intense schedule of official visits and meetings. These were very complete the technical work that could Jarkando, at about one day's drive productive, in large part thanks to the not be finished during our mission. from the Gar and very close to the favourable attitude of the Prefect, an Szechuan border. Basically it was open-minded Chinese, eager to Khamdo Gar decided that the realisation of a «mtìbute tomedevelormmt of "his" After Chamdo, we set off for massive project in that remote area Prefecture. The most important meet­ Khamdo Gar, the former residence would not only be difficult to justify ing was with the Departments of of Rigzin Chang Chub Dorje, root from a practical point of view, but Education and Health, whose directors master ofNamkhai Norbu Rinpoche. moreover, would endanger the accompanied us during the In Khamdo Gar, we were welcomed special nature of the place. Instead, inspections undertaken in the by the inhabitants of the village and A.S.I.A. decided to implement "The following days of potential locations by the authorities of Gonjo, the local Khamdo Gar Village Hospital for A.S J. A. projects in Kham. Their administrative unit which includes Project", an initiative in the health The site for the Khamdo Gar hospital project willingness and participât ion was also the Gar. Khamdo Gar was originally sector scaled to the actual shown by the already completed non-governmental organisation in restructuring and for the restoration to be the location of the Italian requirements of the area. The selection of staff to be posted to the Tibet), has now completed the of wall paintings. government-financed project, but location has been chosen and the health/medical projects; in addition building and the infrastructural part. after further consideration, the site amount of $20,000 US to start they also committed themselves to The cultural activity will soon start, Nalendra Monastery Project had been moved to another village, building construction has already with the aim of amassing as many The reconstruction of Nalendra been delivered. A committee Tibetan texts as possible and placing Monastery is similar to the project composed of local residents who them in the library. The project also at Ralùng Monastery and it, too, is will be responsible for the execution foresees the exchange of directly sponsored by Namkhai and monitoring of the construction, scholarships and the possibility for Norbu Rinpoche and A.S.I.A. has been set up. western scholars to stay for periods Nalendra is a famous Sakyapa The time spent in Khamdo Gar - up to one year- in Tibet. An monastery in central Tibet, currently gave us the opportunity to visit agreement between the library and guided by Khempo Tsultrim • several of the places often mentioned the S hang Shung Institute has been Gyaltsen, who is one of the masters in Rinpoche's teachings, and to meet prepared. It is important to note that at the Medical Centre in Lhasa as several practitioners who are, directly great support to this agreement was well as one of the most or indirectly, connected to Rigzin also given by the T.D.F., the offici al knowledgeable experts in astrology. Chang Chub Dorje. In particular we A.S.I.A. counterpart in the project, Khempo Tsultrim Gyaltsen is also met the grandson of the great Master, for which financial support has been one of the masters of Dr. Phuntsok LamaGarwan who is the sonof Chang requested from the Italian Ministry Wangmo. Rinpoche has decided to Chub Dorje's daughter. His younger of Foreign Affairs. The T.D.F. is send some of the Galenteng Monks sister, who went info retreat at the age directly involved in funding this to continue their studies under his of 16, is continuing her practice today, importantproject and was, thus, very guidance. after 12 years, without - according to keen to have other groups involved her own words - "any specific plan to in its activities. In fact, the Technical Journey to Chengdu stop". We left a personal donation Director of T.D.F., Mr. Wangchuk After the period in Lhasa, the oflO.000 Chinese yuen for the Namgyal, nephew of Rakra team started a long and adventurous construction of a retreat house for her. Rinpoche, accompanied the m issi on trip with two 4-wheel drive jeeps Above all Khamdo Gar seems to throughout the journey. heading eastwards through the have remained almost exactly as The final response on mese three Tibetan Autonomous Region and "AnA.S.IA. Association Committee, composed of President Namkhaiofte n described by Rinpoche. Due conventions is now expected from Szechuan to end up in Chengdu. Norbu Rinpoche, Secretary General Andrea Dell'Angelo and other to its isolated position, it has been Beijing, and their approval would The small convoy followed the assistants, came to Khamdo Gar and delivered the sum of twenty only marginally affected by the represent not only a significant "northern" Szechuan-Tibet thousand US dollars for the construction of the local village hospital. Cultural Revolution. However, it recognition of the validity of Highway, since the "southern" one Consequently, both the monastery and the village people will commitshoul d be noted that damage was Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche's had been interrupted by heavy rains themselves to work for the realisation of the planned project." limited, above all by the amazing approach to Tibetan problems, but and the subsequent landslides. The The village and monastery of Khamdo Gar cohesion among the village people

OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 1993 ISSUE 23 9 NGCHE CHILDREN'S DREAM

expected, were less open than those settlements of the valley, since the Before leaving Dangche, we had towns, the preservation of traditional of the Tibetan Autonomous Region. rest of it is inhabited by Chinese. a meeting with the authorities and Tibetan architecture is threatened Galenteng, which we reached Tibetan children can currently attend people of the eight villages. Their by the influence of the current dreary after an exciting trip on horseback, only the Chinese schools located in farewell to us was sincere, touching Chinese style; thus it is increasingly was the residence of Namkhai Norbu Chinese populated villages: in these and full ofhope: "WethankNamkhai difficult to find Tibetan architects Rinpoche's uncle, Chökyi schools all subjects are taught in the Norbu Rinpoche and all of you for and workers experienced in the Wangchug, the famous tertön, Han language. Since most Tibetan incarnation of Jamyang Kyentesei children do not understand the Han Wangpo, and one of the principal language, or encounter major masters of Rinpoche. It is a typical difficulties in learning it, less than nomadic area where no education half of them regularly attend these and health facilities are available. schools. In mese circumstances it is Phuntsok Wangmo spent four understandable how, for several years in Galenteng as a medical years, the Tibetans ofDangche have doctor beforeher recent visitto Italy; cultivated a strong desire to build a she said that while there, she Tibetan primary school. A fewyears examined up to 150 patients per ago, the local government decided day, providing without charge, not to contribute to the realisation of only medical assistance but often that desire by giving a plot of land clothes and food as well. The people suitable for construction However, of that area are extremely poor and due to lack of resources and the no schools, hospitals or even clinics poverty of the people, the are available. In fact the village itself construction of the school has not requires technical assistance, yet started. At the moment the county specifically for reconstruction of director is a Tibetan belonging to severely damaged houses, for Tsherintar's natal area, who tries his Valley and village of Galenleng best to help the Tibetan population. building a road and a proper bridge what you are trying to do for Tibetan construction of traditional Tibetan The technical staff under his across the river, and for restoration culture and for all of us, but now buildings. The preservation of direction proved to be very co-ope­ of the ancient temple containing that you are going back to Italy, we Tibetan style and the utilisation of rative and active: they prepared the unique wall paintings of Mahakala fear that if fund raising for our traditional Tibetan materials has architectural executive plan for the : people of Dangehe (1200-1300 AD.). For the most project takes too long, the present been considered vital by A.S.I.A. school building. urgent needs, a contribution of favourable circumstances will and of great priority in defining who, without exception, maintained disappear and, along with them, the project agreements with the a common aware behaviour in possibility of seeing our project authorities. deal ing with Chinese authorities. For "We thank Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche and all of realised... " A few final words to point out this reason it is possible today to you for what you are trying to do for Tibetan that the mission and its concrete have access to the almost complete Funding For Dangche results have been made possible collection of Chang Chub Dorje's culture andfor all of us, but now that you aregoing We left Dangche with a very thanks to effort and commitment by texts and terma, as well as statues, back to Italy, we fear that if fund raising for our strong commitment to do our best to all the members of the team and, , chorten and various other make the Dangche children's dream above all, as usual, by the total sacred objects. project takes too long, the present favourable come true and to give them the dedication of Namkhai Norbu circwnstanceswill disappear and, along with them,possibilit y of growing up, learning Rinpoche. Jarkando School and Hospital the possibility of seeing our project realised... " their own language and culture. The work begun involves great After leaving Khamdo Gar we The estimated cost of this proj ect responsibility for A.S.I.A., and most continued ourjourne y eastwards and The people of Dangche. is $130,000 US, which we intend to of all for Rinpoche himself. He finally arrived in Jarkando, the site raise through private donations, contributed in all possible ways to of the largest among the planned contributions and sponsorship. We the mission, and to achieve A.S.I.A. projects -'The Primary $5,000US was offered by Rinpoche Agreement with Qinghiai have decided to avoid a request for maximum outcomes with the Boarding School and Tibetan-We­ and A.S.I.A. Besides the progress in the public financing through the Italian financial and human resources which stern Hospital of Jarkando (ex- definition of the Dangche Primary Government, because the required have been put into action. He is Dzong Thag)". This project is Dangche School Project School Project, another important amount is too low and the personally identified with the awaiting final approval from the After Galenteng, we travelled result was achieved with the signing bureaucratic procedures far too long success of this imperative Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, towards Chengdu, passing the towns of the "Co-operation Agreement anyway. According our schedule we humanitarian endeavour. and A.S.I A. is continuing its efforts of Manikango, Garze and Tazendo between the Government of Guide plan to obtain the necessary funds It is clear that the effort made so to cope with the "endless" requests in three days of non-stop driving in in Qinghiai Province and the Italian by summer 1994. In the next issue far must not only continue but for further clarifications and order to arrive on schedule. At Non-Governmental Organisation of "The Mirror", A.S.I.A. will multiply, in order to successfully additional technical details made by Chengdu, the team divided: A.S.I.A." (Association for present some specific initiatives to complete and develop what has been that body in order to grant funding. Rinpoche flew to Japan, I (Andrea International Solidarity in Asia). raise funds for the Dangche Primary started. It is useful to remember that The project location, selected for its Sertoli) started back to Italy, while This document is not only an School Project. these projects are greatly needed in strategic position, will allow it to Tsherintar, Giovanni Boni and An­ excellent result in itself, and With regard to fund-raising, we areas where educational facilities serve inhabitants of the adjacent drea Dell'Angelo continued the recognition of what A.S.I.A. is take this opportunity to express our and medical assistance are virtually Szechuan province as well as mission, travelling from Chengdu undertaking in Tibet, it is also the sincere gratitude to Maria Grazia Ro­ non existent or too distant Thus, we nomadic families scattered over an to the town of Xining in . The first document of its kind that ndo and Giuseppe Palermo who believe that the hope aroused among area of several hundred square trip took more man 46 hours on a officially introduces the concept that decided, on occasion of their marriage, Tibetans for the realisation of the kilometres. Jarkando lies on the floor most uncomfortable train, turning "the aim of the project is to help the to request relatives and friends to give projects should not be deceived nor of a relatively broad valley where what was expected to be relaxing populations of Tibetan origin to contributions to A.S J.A. activities as frustrated. flat land suitable for construction of journey into a tough and rough develop and maintain traditional wedding presents. The generosity of the two structures has already been experience. The final destination of Tibetan culture, Tibetan languagethei r offer has been already greatly provided by the local administration. the team was Guide County, where and Tibetan tradition...". The appreciated by A.S.I.A., and our Financial support to A technical survey of the areas has both family members of Tsherintar document also points out the thought is that more significant been done, and the maps are now A.S.I.A. is warmly and local authorities warmly necessity for "the recovery by new gratitude will soon come directly from awaited in Rome, in order to finalise welcomed. Donations can welcomed us. Tibetan generations of the cultural the Tibetan children of Dangche. the technical drawings of the be sent to the A.S.I. A. Bank Tsherintar's village is situated linguistic heritage" and proposes buildings. Account Number (Monte in a large valley of about 60 km2 as a specific target "... to enhance Preserving Tibetan Architecture named Dangche, where eight the degree of literacy in Tibetan dei Paschi di Siena - It may be of interest that for all Acc. no. 3893.50- Arcidosso Situation in Galenteng different villages are situated. The school children of the fifth and sixth the above mentioned projects Once we had crossed the Dza-qu area has a population of6200people grade... ". We believe that this involving construction, sharp (GR) - Italy) by anyone river and entered Szechuan, a great coming from 1260 families of agreement will be very worthwhile negotiations were required to wishing toparticipat e in the change was felt in official relations nomads and farmers. These villages in the future and will help proj ects to guarantee the use of traditional progress of A.S.I.A. with local authorities who, as represent the sole Tibetan populated be initiated in other regions ofTibet Tibetan style. Especially in large activities in Tibet.

OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 1993 ISSUE 23 10 Pure vision and the painter's eye Talking to Chögyal Rinpoche, Master and artist

Dugu Chögyal Rinpoche is the in Tibet. Before this type of VIH incarnation of Drukpa Chögyal commercial concept did not exist in Gyamtsho, a principal disciple of Tibet. On the other hand that the , an eminent thankas escaped destruction and that master of the Drukpa lineage: some people appreciate them is very Born in 1946, from early good. Also from a Buddhist point of childhood Hb received education in view any connection with the the traditional manner. He trained in Dharma is good though people who meditation and scriptures under great put a thanka in the bathroom or as a teachers of all traditions, particularly table covering show ignorance, and Drukpa Kagyu. basically abusing another culture Chögyal Rinpoche comes from a with their lack of respect. revered lineage of who have combined meditation practice with The Mirror: Could you tell us a artistic expression. little about the history ofTashi Jong? He left Tibet in 1959 for India Chögyal Rinpoche: Tashi Jong was where he resettled under the started by the late VIU Khamtrul guidance of his great master Rinpoche who came fromKha m in Khamtrul Rinpoche in Tashi Jong, eastern Tibet near Chamdo. He was northern India. At present he is the the head of all the Drugpa Kagyupa President of the Community, centres and monasteries in eastern especially noted for its exquisite Tibet. He came to India in 1958 with handicrafts and arts. Dorzong Rinpoche who is the second He has travelled several times to most important Drugpa Kagyupa Europe, USA, South America, Ma­ figure in eastern Tibet and together Chögyal Rinpoche painting the lineage of masters in the Merigar Gonpa (photo Wlvin Pedersen) laysia, Singapore, etc., where he has with them came about 10 or 11 great given spiritual teaching, as well as realised yogis, lamas and tokden lecturing on Tibetan culture and art, one of Tibet's greatest artists of this paintings. Their forms are not own vision. I think that is very (masters) and some monks and lay- and exhibiting his paintings. period. With him I had the invented or created by me. They important. When I am painting other people. They wandered in India for In his two visits to Tibet, in 1984 opportunity to study, learn and already exist in the texts and things like landscapes, that ¡s another quite a long time and finally they and 1987,he started several projects observe thanka painting for 18 or 19 drawings, and prints (of them) are matter. In that case I can be free in bought land near Dharamsala, the whose aim is to preserve Tibetan years. available. my style. That is totally different. residence of His Holiness the Dalai spiritual and cultural traditions. In his book (about the decoration Lama. They gave the title of Tashi These include the reconstruction of The Mirror: Your style of painting of the Gonpa) Namkhai Norbu The Mirror: These days, it is Jong to this land. the Dugu Monastery and the creation is considered to be "free ". Is it Rinpoche described the forms to be becoming almost fashionable for First they built the lay people's of educational and economic based on any particular tradition of painted and where they should be people to put thankas in their homes houses which was in 1969. At first opportunities for his people, based painting? located. When I paint a figure I refer as works of art or for decoration there was no road, no water, no on Tibetan language and traditional Chögyal Rinpoche: My painting is electricity, nothing. Everything was crafts. He is realising his projects in a mixture of styles since I have built by the monks, the yogis and the Dugu.Tibetand also in Senge Jingri, painted differently at different lay people, all working together. It Nepal with funds raised in part from periods. Most of these periods have was really a wonderful experience. the sale of his paintings. In Nepal he been influenced by old thankas from There was a balance of harmony is building a retreat place for yogis the 9th, 10th and 11th centuries. My and spirituality plus dedication, hard and yoginis from Tibet with the paintings also have a close work and peace of mind. There was expectation that when they return to connection with Ind ian and Nepalese such a quality of contentment. Tibet, they will share their art which has influenced me very Then Khamtrul Rinpoche started knowledge with the lay people there. much. I like as well the Chinese and the monastery and then the centre Anyone interested in contacting Zen styles of painting and western which are now quite well-established Chögyal Rinpoche can write to him art. Then from time to time I just and self sufficient Many artists and at Tashi Jong, P.O. Taragarh, Dist. paint the way I like. I express what craftsmen live there. Every year and ofKangra, HP. 176081 India. I feel. Through that my style has every month many traditions of Chögyal Rinpoche has been spontaneously become a mixture practice inKagyu and Nyingma style invited to Merigar by Namkhai which is my own. are maintained. The monastery is Norbu Rinpoche to paint the figures My style is always changing, at known as belonging to the Drugpa of the lineage masters inside the least every year, sometimes every Kagyupa tradition butit is also very Gonpa. He started this work during month. At the moment I have a much Nyingmapa. After Khamtrul a visittoMerigar in June ofthisyear collection of two hundred of my Rinpoche passed away in 1980, and continued during his stay in paintings for keeping in an archive Dorzong Rinpoche, for whom September. He gave teachings at in Tibet When I look at them I everybody at Tashi Jong has great Merigar in autumn, 1986. realise how much my style has trust and respect, very kindly helped changed; at present I paint in one to direct and look after the The Mirror Rinpoche, when did way, next year I am sure it will be community. In the last few years, you start to paint? different. Dorzong Rinpoche has been busy A lineage master from Merigar's Gonpa (photo Mario Marietti) Chögyal Rinpoche: In Tibet when rebuilding his monastery in Tibet so I was very small. I lived in my The Mirror: I wanted to asked a to his instructions and I express what even though they have no interest in I have been elected the head of the monastery where many precious question about the images of I feel but I do not add my individual Dharma. What do you think about community. thankas were to be found in every emanations that you are painting in ideas. I always follow the brush this? room, and where there was a the Gonpa at Merigar. Since some technique, the colours and the style Chögyal Rinpoche: FortheTibetan Thè Mirror: Thank you so much, magnificent collection in the library, are figures from the very distant of traditional thankas. Basically all Buddhist way of thinking, a thanka Rinpoche, for your time and for all so I had much opportunity to look at past, how can you depict their forms? forms are expressed accurately is anobject of respect and veneration. your work here at Merigar. and study them. I was fascinated by Chögyal Rinpoche: Most of the according to teaching and the texts. That is its significance. I cannot say Chögyal Rinpoche: Thank you. I all the different periods and forms (which I am painting in the It is better not to change anything or much about the significance of a have been very happy to come to generations of thankas. Whenever I Gonpa) are based on tradition and else the old wisdom will completely thanka for people who are interested Merigar. Although my visits have had free time I always wanted to the old style of traditional thanka disappear. Preserving ancient in Tibetan Buddhist art and antiques been short, the more and more I paint and draw. painting. The figure of wisdom is based on understanding only as objects except that their come here, the closer I feel to The same was true when I came Samantabhadra, for example, is a and feeling and expression applied appreciation is limited to the Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche and to India where I painted many scenes form which already exists in according to the explanation of the aesthetic aspect Of course Tibetans everyone. Soon, it will be like of Tibet because I was homesick. traditional thanka painting. Other teaching and the story of the lineage. know little about the ways of other another home, like another Tashi Then later I learned fromKhamtru l masters after Samantabhadra were All of these forms come from the countries such as art dealing, etc., a Jong! Rinpoche, the late eighth Khamtrul, also portrayed in traditional teachings and there is nothing of my life-style whichnow we begintosee Sept. 13th, 1993, Merigar

OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 1993 ISSUE 23 11 Shakya Shri's instructions on Dzogchen Dugu Chögyal Rinpoche

In September 1986 at the end of the last century. He realised Shri and now Namkhai Norbu invitation of Namkhai Norbu both Mahamudra and Dzogchen. He Rinpoche. Rinpoche, two masters, Dorzong first entered Dugu monastery (N.B. In circumstances of time some Rinpoche and Chögyal Rinpoche Chögyal Rinpoche's monastery in are earlier, some later, but on the gave aweek of teachings at Merigar. eastern Tibet) during the time of the level of quality it is the same for us. The following teaching of Chögyal Vnth Chögyal Rinpoche. He stayed In the way that the teachers of the Rinpoche is thefirst of six teachings there for a while but subsequently, past lineage thought and behaved, that he gave in that period. The still very young, feeling that this we should also think and behave so transcription of the teaching is was not really his life, he went into that through that we can progress. preceded by a brief introduction by retreat doing much meditation in Otherwise, if we want to be like the Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche. caves. He later received many teachers, but think and behave teachings from Tenpa Nima, the Vfih differently, thinking that we are not Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche: I want Khamtrul Rinpoche, who was a great at their level, or that we cannot to say a few words to begin. As I Drugpa Kargyupa tertön. Then later become like them, condemning already said yesterday, we now have he married and travelled to different ourselves and not having enough here two guest masters, Dorzong parts of Tibet, receiving teachings confidence, then this becomes a Rinpoche and Chögyal Rinpoche. from Khyentse Rinpoche, Kongtrul hindrance to the speed of realisation. Bothofthem live at present in India, Rinpoche and Chöling Rinpoche. From the way they speak, we can in Tashi Jong, but in Tibet they did He also had many other great learn how they think and feel. This not live in the same monastery. teachers. is why I am first describing the way Chögyal Rinpoche had his own While he was staying in retreat in Togden Shakya Shri feels about monastery in one place and Dorzong caves, he saw and received many Tenpa Nima. Rinpoche had his elsewhere. They direct teachings from There are many different ways of would meet at times in Khamtrul Padmasambhava, Shri Singha, dealing with the Dharma, for Rinpoche's renowned monastery. , and example as a philosopher, in the The first Chögyal Rinpoche was Lingshen Repa. Hinay ana way or the Mahay ana way, a great m aster, very famous in Tibet, How did this teaching came to or the Tannic way. The mind has and a great tertön. There exist many me? I received these teachingsfro m different ways of opening. Once we teachings of the lineage of the Shakya Shri's disciples, Khenpo are dealing with the Dharma as one Chögyal Rinpoche incarnations and Tsoga, and Togden Cholen, who who is comm itted to be an Ah Yoga he was also the principal figure of had received them directly from him. or Mahamudra practitioner we must his monastery. I received teachingsonthis particular act in the way appropriate to our At this monastery there lived text from Togden Cholen, who was choice, which means we should have another great master who was a a disciple of Shakya Shri, Adzam pure concepts about the teacher, pure disciple of one of the previous Drugpa, the Vlth Khamtrul concepts about ourselves and the Chögyal called Trulku Rinpoche and Togden Mingdrol. Chögyal Rinpoche's painting ofM andar ava right way of understanding many Togden Shakya Shri, one of the most The text starts with an invocation teachings. When I say many renowned Drukpa Kagyu masters. to the tsawai lama (root lama). Fust described not as an emotional valuable lineage will be difficult to teachings I do not mean many He had many disciples and was a he praised Tenpa Nima because the expression, but as a transcendental come and touch the very depths of complicated things, but condensing great master of the Dzogchen first, most important thing that understanding which is a very clear mind, because this kind of teaching everything into its very simple and teaching. He, himself was also a appears to him is his tsawai lama. certainty. The sutras and many other works with the very depths of the very essential meaning, so that we tertön and many gongter of his He feels deeply about Tenpa Nima, teachings say that one must first test mind, the very nature and essence of can practise in the most simple and enriched the Dzogchen teaching. thinking about his kindness and that the teacher and see if he has the mind. essential way. I do not mean that I Therefore Chögyal Rinpoche has his kindness is not just an external qualities of a teacher. In tantrism All of us have been fortunate to am like that, but this is what I have many transmissions of the teachings thing, and since Tenpa Nima made this also applies though it sometimes enter this teaching, which works on heard. of Trulku Togden Shakya happens that , as when the very base of everything, the na­ So Shri says, " Through . Shri. So now I have asked — — Marpa's name was first ture of the mind. It is very fortunate your kindness I have realised the him to please give a teaching heard by Milarepa, one to have found such a great teacher as real nature of mind". He tells us that on Shakya Shri's "Once we are committed ...to immediately realises Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche. he did not understand the real nature instructions on Dzogchen. something within oneself. I must tell all my Dharma friends of mind through study or his own (Namkhai Norbu opening ourselves to a teacher AlsowhenLingshenRepa that the first important thing is that mental elaborations but through a Rinpoche invites Chögyal as a guide for practice, our first heard Pagmo once we are committed - before transmission of understanding from Rinpoche to sit down but Drubpa's name, he that, of course, one has to doubt and his tsawai lama. Of course this does Chögyal Rinpoche will not minds must have this quality,immediatel y and study - to opening ourselves to a not mean that Sakya Shri put Terça sit until Namkhai Norbu spontaneously invoked teacher as a guide for practice, our Nima's realisation into his mind, Rinpoche leaves the room.) this devotion, totally, so the his innate wisdom. minds must have this quality, this like an object coming from outside Chögyal Rinpoche: I result, the fruit, can be gained This instantaneous devotion, totally, so the result, the being placed inside. Rather, the asked Rinpoche not to stay maturation comes about, fruit, can be gained in this lifetime. tsawai lama has enabled him to here because I really do not in this lifetime. " and itisnotjustblind faith This depends very much on our recognise the qualities within want to give teaching in his or only an emotional awareness and on what we perceive, himself. As for instance when one is presence. And I want to tell feeling or just an external not on the hidden side because we ready, having been prepared wimin everybody that there are thing, but a hidden cause cannot see the Sambhogakaya, we onese If, then at the right mom ent the many lamas and that amongst them him realise that compassion arising from past connections cannot see Buddha Sakyamuni and teacher will point and say, That is I am the m ost unlearned, unpractised perfectly, it is something he cannot exactly at the moment when the the Nirmanakaya, but now the the real thing" (like and unrealised. I have come here to describe in ordinary words. This is mind is completely ready and teacher is like the reality and awakening at the right instant). visit Rinpoche's centre because we why his second phrase is, "How prepared for the flowering of this embodiment and representative of have great feeling and respect for impossible it is to express my connection. The contact with die all the kayas, and through this A teacher who has real experience him. gratitude to you", reflecting that master and the transmission, and unbroken lineage comes certain can tell the disciple when it is the I am going to read a lung which Shakya Shri became fully realised this kind of devotion is a foundation realisation. correct moment. Otherwise many comes directly from Togden Shakya through his tsawai lama, and that for all realisations and whether the First of all we must have misunderstandings can result from Shri and this is my mandala offering what he received he cannot describe realisation will come in this lifetime, openness, devotion and high som eone trying to teach who has not to the Dzogchen community. I do or pay back. very much depends on this devotion qualities and from Shakya Shri's really understood, as for example a not feel that I am giving teachings Then the text says, Throughyour Without this foundation, the mind words we can see how much feeling blind man cannot explain a colour to but rather that I am here as a member kindness, I have realised the nature has not reached a completely honest he has, describing first of all the another blind man. of the community, and we are sharing of the mind, clear, void and level. "Without being at this honest kindness of his tsawai lama. When the disciple recognises the this lung that I shall transmit. ungrasping". Generally in tantrism level" means with doubt, and half- We must feel in the same way so nature ofhis mind, the realisationh e First of all I will speak a little and both in Mahamudra and invoking the gum with an ordinary that we also become like gets is due to his tsawai lama, his about Shakya Shri. He was one of Dzogchen, realisation depends very mind. Padmasambhava; Padmasambhava teacher. the great teachersbor n around the much on devotion. This emotion is Tlie realisation of this wonderful, was in the beginning, then Shakya continued on page IS

OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 1993 ISSUE 23 12 Continuing the Dzogchen teaching The importance of permanent bases for the Community around the world

by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu a community building. It may seem are preparing something, that they An article for The Mirror taped in much easier of course, but actually are doing their best Collaboration Austria in J une, 1993. this means taking no responsibility is always useful for realising the whatsoever because if all goes well path and the fruit It is also useful for Why are DzogchcnCommunitíes today mere is no need to think about living. It is not necessary to isolate in different places and countries tomorrow, when, they hope, they oneself and feel solitude but to col­ buying land and houses? It is not will be able to meet somehow. This laborate spiritually, each one of us. because those Dzogchen is how it goes. Since we are already in the "boat" of Communities have infinite amounts But if we are a group of people the teaching, if we understand this, of money they would otherwise not who have recognisedma t collective we can develop this knowledge and know how to spend. Rather it is a needs exist, then weneed an address. what it entails. This is what I think is manifestation of knowledge of the Nowadays, we practise Yantra Yoga happening. principles of the teachings and and the Vajra Dance. It is not enough On this level, it can be very posi­ development of an understanding to learn Yantra or the Vajra Dance tive. I am not saying that this is the that the teaching is important and once a year, the practice must be goal of the Community because it is must be maintained, developed and applied continually in order to inte­ not Practice can be done without a continued on this earth. In this way grate movement into one's state of house, without land, anywhere, if the Community also shows an contemplation A practice you can we dedicate ourselves. But we have interest in the continuation of the dedicate yourself to minimally to understand well. Some people teaching for future generations. This amongstallour tensions, distractions say, "I practice alone observing is not just my personal interest but and samsaric doings, is something myself, I don'tneed to practice with one common to all those involved in important. For these reasons other people". In this way they the Dzogchen path. If one is sincerely wherever possible we need to have remain isolated. But I don't think interested m the teaching, one cannot land and buildings. this type of person really succeeds close oneself in a corner somewhere, When we have land and buildings may be expensive to rento r buy, but country, what is the address, where in integrating and realising much but through the teaching, one must we can also organise places for per­ if enough people are interested, can we go when we want to because they still live within society integrate with society and with the sonal retreat so when people have financing will not be so difficult; it participate in spiritual activity with and also with distractions. Much condition one finds oneself in. This some time they can go there and is enough simply to give up going a other interested people? better to distract oneself with also means finding a solution, a way dedicate themselves to practice. bar or restaurant sometimes. It is not Of course I am not saying we practice and practitioners, rather than to continue and to col­ necessary to renounce should develop and create centres, all the total distraction of infinite laborate. — totally, just sometimes. elegant temples, or complicated emotions, passions and confusion. I myself have been Putting this money things. Wedon'tneedthat But what Therefore I maintain that doing this for years. I go to "We are not buying land to grow together you can do many we do need, according to collective practice and collaboration different places when I am things and have some circumstances, is not always to be are indispensable and very useful. If asked to come and teach potatoes. We are buying land to benefit So actually, if one nomads. I am also more inclined all this is important it is also and I try to collaborate. I make rainbow bodies possible." has a principle of interest, towards people who commit important to have a place, a certainly don't do this it is not so difficult. themselves in mis way. permanent base, not only for today because I like being a Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, Tsegyalgar Certainly if one is not I don't like the situation where I but above all for tomorrow. tourist The principle is that summer retreat, 1992. interested then one has no am invited somewhere to teach, At the moment we are developing meeting people, I find a idea to spend even people listen for two days and then the Santi Maha Sangha training way to put into. practice minimally. One prefers to "good-bye"; there is no follow up programme so there will be much to what I transmit Practitioners can also meet in such a spend money on cigarettes, or coffee and people's interest in what I teach do both for practice and study On the same basis we also need a place from time to time, to collabo­ or drinks. fades. If they do this two or three amongst the practitioners of the place where practitioners can meet rate and deepen their knowledge, Thus it depends on one's point of times, then I certainly don't feel like Community. and carry out their activities. and practise together. They can view. It is very important to committing myself very much. But All these activities require their Sometimes it is all right for people exchange knowledge. understand the significance of when I see that individuals are really dimension, their space, their to be like nomads; today we meet In cities the situation may also having a Community place with an trying to do their best, then I put my opportunities. For this reason, I here, tomorrow there. Living like not be ideal It is not easy to find a address where activities can take effort there. I think that in many think, people of the Dzogchen this people don't need to plan space where one can practice the place. When we talk about the places around the world where there Community are committing because they have no commitment Vajra Dance or Yantra Yoga or meet Dzogchen Community in a are people of the Community that themselves to finding land and towards paying for and maintaining for other practices. Such a place particular city, in a particular they understand this and that they houses everywhere.

Portrait of a Master" SHANG-SHUNG VIDEOS

With the blessing and make enough money to cover the to foundations for grants in Ameri­ Yantra Yoga participation of Namkhai Norbu high cost of production The amount ca, it is hard to predict how 1 hour, colour with soundtrack Rinpoche, I am working on a film, that countries pay to buy a pre- successful we will be. I am hoping A complete course of Yantra Yoga teaching given by Fabio Andrico temporarily entitled, "Portrait of a produced program is minuscule that those in the Community with in Argentina. All the preliminary movements, the warm-up exercises compared to the program cost That's Master", about the teachings and means will be able to help keep the and the five movements of the first two groups of Yantra Yoga are life of Namkhai Norbu. why traditional documentaries are project going. shown in detail. Available in Italian, English, Spanish. My intention is that this film, made from donations, government I would like to offer to pre-sell a grants, and what we call non-profit which will run approximately one special video tape copy of the film A Lama Around The World hour, will be able to be shown on dollars, or money that never gets for a donation of $ 100 each. Any one A diary of the travels of Master Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche around television around the world. The paid back. donating $1000 or more will the world giving Dzogchen teachings to the practitioners of five organizing of the over 175 hours of I myself have already put a automatically get their name in the footage we have and the editing considerable amount of money into end credits of the film. Also anyone continents. Available in Italian and English. should take approximately one year this project as well as donating my who has a suggestion for a better and is a costly enterprise. Many own time, which I will continue to title for the film, I would love to Gcod may ask, well, if you intend to show do, but my financial resources have hear your idea. If we select your Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche does the complete Gcod practice. (Filmed this around the world, then surely run dry. The costs of all that still has title, your name will also appear in by G. Cocco.) you will make enough money from to be done is approximately $85,000 the film credits. tv sales to cover the cost of the US dollars. While we have gratefully Please make your check out to Tun documentary, but unfortunately this received a few donations to the and send your donation to: Jennifer Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche does the Tun practices and then shows is not true. project from practitioners, a great Fox, Zone Film Productions Inc., the principal positions of the Longde. (Filmed by Y. Namkhai.) Independent documentaries, deal of funds are still needed to Acct. no. 04352249, Citibank, N.A. meaning those that are not done complete the next 12 m onths of post- Branch 39, 108 Hudson St, New Price per video including p/p $23. PAL system only. within a tv station, almost never production. While I will be applying York, NY 10013, USA. Shang-Shung Edizioni, 58031 Arcidosso (GR). Italy.

OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 1993 ISSUE 23 13 BOOK REVIEW

The Heart Treasure of the Enlightened Ones And for you to be of any help to comments: and oneself and all beings as them will be hard; "The essence of the four , one recites the mani The Practice of View, Meditation and Action: A Discourse Wouldn't it be best to quit the empowerments is the teacher to recognise all sounds as the speech Virtuous in the Beginning, Middle and End whole rat race?" Chenrezi; of Chenrezi, and meditates on And advises: If you recognise your own mind Chenrezi to see all thoughts as the By with "Base your mind on the Dharma, as the teacher, all four mind of Chenrezi. He gives precious Commentary by Dilgo Written ^ mantra liberates by Base your Dharma on a humble empowerments are complete; advice on how skilfully to develop Khyentse sight; as sound, it liberates by life, Receiving innate empowerment visualisation of the deity, and Shambala, 1992. $15 US hearing; arising in the mind, it Base your humble life on the by yourself, recite the six syllable explains that we must maintain the liberates by recollection; worn on thought of death, mantra". practice during all our activities in the body, it liberates by contact If Base your death on a lonely cave." Khyentse Rinpoche then post meditation in order to you accustom yourself to perceiving In fact Patrul Rinpoche's strongly describes a practice to purify experience the profound meaning all sound as mantra, you will feel no worded criticism of the deceit and perception through visualising and of the . fear when you hear the terrifying hypocrisy prevalent in everyday life praying to Chenrezi, and concludes: Patrul Rinpoche and Khyentse sounds of the bardo. Through his is a major feature of the first part of "All phenomena of samsara and Rinpoche next turn their attention to mantra, Chenrezi performs his vast the text, and Khyentse Rinpoche is areprojectionsofyourmind. the Completion State practice of the and compassionate activity on an no less outspoken when he So, too, is Chenrezi. To merge all Great Perfection, starting with infinite scale. So with fervent comments on how little masters and practices into one, remain in the recognition of the nature of mind. devotion, hearing all the many teachings are appreciated by those state where emptiness and "It is no good looking anywhere sounds of the universe as the who receive the precious teachings: appearances are of one single outside you for the ultimate nature reverberation of the mantra, recite "such disciples are no better than essence, and recite the mani". of mind: it is within". To illustrate the six syllables". ordinary people; they neither serve In order to simplify one's practice the distinction between the ordinary An interesting feature of Dilgo the Dharma nor help others". Patrul Rinpoche tells us: mind (not in the sense that Suzuki Khyentse Rinpoche's commentary The second part deals with "The "The mind cannot cope with all Roshi used this term; here Khyentse is "that it is not a text mat Khyentse View, Meditation and Action of the the many visualisation practices; to Rinpoche is referring to the thinking Rinpoche wrote down: he simply Mahay ana ', comprising the paths of meditate on one sugata is to medita­ ordinary mind that "is as capricious spoke it, just as it is, without an Sutra and Tantra. In 'The Path of te on them all", and Khyentse as a restless monkey") and the natu­ intermission or pause for thought". the Sutra' Khyentse Rinpoche Rinpoche comments that by re of mind, Khyentse Rinpoche Anyone who had the good fortune elucidates Pattuì Rinpoche's advice "thoroughly mastering a practice quotes an amusing teaching of Lord to receive teachings from Khyentse on the Preliminary Practices of focused on a single Buddha you can Buddha's on the "two ways to medi­ This book is "for the benefit of Rinpoche on his numerous visits to Taking Refuge in Chenrezi, discover the wisdom and tate - like a dog and like a lion. If y ou those desiring liberation ... It the West, cannot fail to have generating the Thought of compassion of them all". Or, as throw a stick at a dog, he will chase comprises all the essential marvelled at and remained Enlightenment taking Chenrezi as once said, "Indian after the stick; but if you throw a instructions and, because of the spellbound by his remarkable ability witness, Purification through masters meditated on one deity and stick at a lion, the lion will chase profound meaning it contains and to teach effortlessly and at great Chenrezi who is "the quintessential achieved enlightenment, Tibetans after you. You can throw as many the beautiful language in which it is length, as if reciting a text from support for purification", offering meditate on one hundred deities and sticks as you like at a dog, but at a expressed, it really is like an elixir memory. In fact thè interweaving of everything to Chenrezi. to generate get nowhere". In this Khyentse lion only one. When you are for reviving the dead." H. H. Dalai Rinpoche's generosity, and Guru Yoga through Rinpoche guides us step by step completely barraged with thoughts, Lama. The root text of this book, commentary with Patrul Rinpoche's devotion to our teacher as Chenrezi through DevelopmentState practice chasing after each one in tum with "The Practice of View, Meditation root text (which is included himself: "Chenrezi is the Buddha, in order to purify perception: one its antidote is an endless task. That and Action: A Discourse Virtuous separately at the end of the book) in Chenrezi is the Dharma, Chenrezi is visualises Chenrezi to see all is like the dog. in the Beginning/Middle and End", a themeless whole, is an example of the Sangha; Chenrezi is the Guru, appearance as the form of Chenrezi continued on page 15 was written by the nineteenth century his teaching style. Chenrezi is the , Chenrezi is the Dakini; Chenrezi is the master Patrul Rinpoche, one of the Following the introduction, Dharmakaya, Chenrezi is the most outstanding Buddhist teachers whichdescribestherightmotivation Sambhogakaya, Chenrezi is the ofhis time. The teachings it contains for receiving and studying the Nirmanakaya; Chenrezi is Longde Teaching transcription '93 focus on Chenrezi, and relate the teachings, and Khyentse Rinpoche's Amitabha, Chenrezi is Guru preliminary practices, the stages of comments on the opening verses of Rinpoche, Chenrezi is Arya Tara; The complete transcription of the Easter 1993 retreat held at Merigar development and completion, and homage to the three jewels, the first and above all Chenrezi is our own from April 9 - 18 is now available. Most of the teachings were on the the nonconceptual meditation of part of the teaching describes 'The root teacher", and applying the six- Longde. Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche has specified that it should only be Mahamudra and Dzogchen to the Shortcomings of Our Decadent syllable 'mani' mantra of Chenrezi, made available to those people who attended that particular retreat six syllable mantra of Chenrezi. Age'. Patrul Rinpoche observes: "the compassionate wisdom of all When ordering please confirm that you were present on that occasion "In order to bless beings, "In this dark age, what people the Buddhas manifested as sound". 200 pages, spiral bound. £25 (English pounds) Chenrezi empowered his mantra to think and do is vile; Contact Annie Stratton, 11 Ridge Road, Homsey, London N8 9LE, GB. be exactly the same as himself. It is None of them will help you, 'The Path of the Tantras' starts Tel. 81 341 7872. Fax 71 601 8171. the resounding of the unborn void. they'll deceive and trick you; with Empowerment, and Patrul CHÖD: Cutting Through Dualism SANTI MAHA SANGHA Chögyal Namkhai Norbu "The Wish Fulfilling Vase"

This digital recording of Namkhai Gonpa at Merigar, Rinpoche In 1992 Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche wrote the Tibetan text, "The Norbu Rinpoche, is the first in a spontaneously gave us a complete Precious Vase", to be used used as the basis for studying and series which Amiata Records will rendition of the Long Life Practice practising Santi Maha Sangha. Following this he compiled a dedicate to the preservation and of Mandarava. To this, he added shorter version which has been translated from Tibetan into propagation of Tibetan culture. the Song of the Vajra and a The series will focus on the dedication. Needless to say, Italian by Adriano Clemente and into English by John Shane Dzogchen teachings but will also thanks to the generosity of and published by Shang-Shung Edizioni under the title, 'The include selected recordings, both Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche and to Wish Fulfilling Vase". The text is not in book form but bound religious and folk, from various the quality of the recordings, we photocopies. parts of Tibet. and successive generations will Copies are available from either your local Gakyil (each Gakyil "Chöd: Cutting Through have an opportunity to learn these around the world has received a copy) or from Shang-Shung Dualism", was originally intended practices in a precise way. Edizioni, 58031 Arcidosso GR, Italy. Due to differences in postal to be a dear representation of rates, the text including postage and packing will cost the Chöd practice for the benefit CHÖD: CUTTING THROUGH Europe - $20 US, USA and overseas - $22, Australia and New of practitioners. DUALISM is available on CD ($18 Zealand - $24 US (or dollar equivalent). However, during the recording US) and cassette ($14 US) session, which took place in including postage, through Shang- Rinpoche's little retreat hut, Shung Edizioni, 56031 Arcidosso, "The Precious Vase" will be translated into English in the near nestled in the wood below the The cover of the CD and cassette GR, Italy. future and its publication will be announced in The Mirror.

OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 1993 ISSUE 23 14 In the land of the Dakini

A journey with Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche around the sacred mountain Dril Ri

This article arrived by post only and jeep driver, is not very well and hours before the printing deadline remains at the monastery and so two and due to limits of time (the of the monks come with us as printer's) and (layout) space, was guides). We have climbed about a put on this'page. The author, Fabio third of the ascent when Rinpoche Andrico is accompanying Namkhai finishes the story about the Norbu Rinpoche during his travels Mahasiddha Drilbupa and Prima in India. Mai turns off the tape recorder. Ahead of us the path continues by Fabio Andrico inexorably steeper and steeper. In ancient times there was a king At a certain moment Rinpoche in this country and one beautiful day says, "This seems to be the younger in that period, a Master called brother of Kailash! " Looking at the Drilbupa arrived and went to Uve in mountain and listening to the monks, retreat on mis mountain. He was a it seems this will be an easy three or monk and since there were not m any four hour walk. Just seeing the monks in that country, especially mountain, it is not easy to understand ones who were important the length of thejourney, though the practitioners, the king became walk around it can not be very easy curious and invited him to town. because we are at about3,500metres Drilbupa said he was aperfectmonk, altitude. that he did not want to leave the If only we could flylik e Drilbupa! mountain but preferred to remain Instead we have to climb higher and there practising and living in higher, while the clouds threaten solitude. Although the king invited him Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche walking around the sacred mountain, Dril Ri (photo Fabio Andrico) many times, Drilbupa always refused to leave his hermitage. The of lay-people but now you have a A brief pause for breath and we king became annoyed and thought, girl-friend who even has two continue to climb.We are going "Drilbupa claims to be a perfect children. What kind of monk are around the mountain sacred to monk and will not mix with lay- you?" • Chakrasambhava close to Kardang, people and refuses my invitation to In this way he publicly criticised inGharxha, "the land oftheDakini", come to town. So I shall do the monk in order to shame him. At better known as Lahaul. Rinpoche something to put him to the test" this point Drilbupa manifested his is recounting its history. Lahaul is a In the town there was a beautiful realisation of Chakrasambhava beautiful land. We arrived here from and clever girl. The king presented openly, appearing in union with his Manali by jeep after hours of her with gifts, then asked her to go Yum. They flew up into the air, and travelling on dusty, rocky dirt roads in a landscape which very much brings to mind Tibet Indeed, we do not seem tobe in India. After days of rain it is finally good weather and we have a vision of mountains and waterfalls, the great potato harvest men bringing the crop from the mountain slopes to the trucks and A panoramic view of Dril Ri (photo Fabio Andrico) horses waiting at the roadside. The road is continually under repair by for months. Both monks and nuns rain, and the wind seems to want to workers, grey like the rocks and the receive us with great hospitality and help. But it is beautiful, and when tar, who seem to live in one of the try to do their best for Rinpoche and we arrive exhausted at the summit, circlesofDante'shell.amongsmoke us all. The monks in charge of the we see the mountain in the centre of and flames. monastery spend a long time with a mandala of higher mountains with In the evening we arrive at the Rinpoche getting him to tell them peaks of crystal and light It is a Drugpa Kagyu monastery, Kardang about Tibet while they, in turn, tell spell-binding place. - Gonpa. It is a little monastery him about this part of the world, Here we sing the Song of the situated on the slopes of the sacred about Masters and practitioners. Vajra and give homage to the mountain and it is poor. Many sacred rock of Chakrasambhava, Rinpoche, Fabio Andrico and their guides (photo Prima Mai) Early in me morning of the second practitioners live there on practically day, we left for the korwa and then, very slowly, start the and seduce the monk and also take returned to the top of the mountain. nothing and, in the winter, as in the (circum ambulation) of the mountain descent. Amidst the sun and the him wine (chang). So the girl went He was recognised by all as a entire area, they remain snowed in (Jampel, our travelling companion clouds, tiny flakes of snow swirl in up the mountain carrying the chang Mahasiddha and many disciples the wind like miniature flowers. and went to find Drilbupa. Though came from far away. Drilbupa gave Once, twice, then the sun comes out she had had the idea of ruining him teachings on Chakrasambhava of again. at the beginning, she was, in fact, a the Five Manifestations, his special We thought that the entire walk dakini with many good qualities. teaching which was the means of his done gradualy would take four or When she met Drilbupa she realisation. five hours with stops for practice reawakened and became his disciple. It is said that he lived a little and a picnic at the sacred rock. It She stayed on the mountain to assist longer after this, and then mat both actually took nine hours of hard the Master and to practise. Once in he and she, in yab-yum union, work and we returned to the a while she would go to town and vanished into the rock at the centre monastery only in the late afternoon. return bringing food and chang. of the mountain. Everyone considers With our sun-burnt faces and our The king was dissatisfied because this an important place of painful legs and feet, we go to sleep he had not managed to accomplish pilgrimages, and many come there as soon as dinner is over. what he wanted.After a few years, to visit and to practise. Early the morning after, we leave the girl had had two children and so Some time after, another Master for another sacred spot, this time in the king forced the monk to come called God Tshanpa, a practitioner the valley, easy to reach by jeep! down from the mountain, saying, of Chakrasambhava and But this sacred mountain with its "You said you were a perfect monk Mahamudra, came there and the history and its presence will remain who did not want to m ix with the Ufe place became even more important. Signs of pilgrimage on the sacred mountain (photo Fabio Andrico) in our hearts.

OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 1993 ISSUE 23 JA Shakya Shri's... can inspire millions of verses of compassion, being able to help International Dzog-chen Contacts continued front page 11 poetry to describe it. But actually it others, the knowledge of karma, A master has different aspects, can also be indicated by a hair, it is and renunciation. These understandings occur according to what and how he so simple and subtle. This is not talk ARGENTINA GREECE Anna Rudneva teaches. There is the lama who on the conceptual level, this is talk spontaneously and are also needed Comunidad Dzog-chen Dzog-chen Community 15Line,b48f28 teaches on the level of duality who on the level of when mind is simply as supports for meditation. Usually Paaeo Colon 1131 2° 11 PO Box 3240 St. Petersburg 199178 is called simply lama. The trinchin being in its nature. This all points to concepts, they will naturally arise as 1063 Buenos Aires 10210 Athens lama gives teachings, invoking the the nature of the mind which is ours qualifications. So meditate. Tel 1 7821722 SINGAPORE HOLLAND Ian G an disciple's innate quality, his at every instant, and to realise that This is my little mandala offering Fax 1 3612746 Süchting Dzogchen 585 Norm Bridge Road we have it all the time, every primordial state, through verbal to my Dharma friends here. Dzog-chen Communi U Johannes Verhulstraat 44' apt. 15-04 Blanco Court explanations and initiations, etc. moment, is what is called realisation Transcription by M. Simmons c/o Hugo Aníbal Palacio 1071 NE Amsterdam Singapore 0718 Then there is the tsawai lama who of the Dharmakaya. And with this Espagna 883, Tel 20 6623723 2982711; Fax 2934472 has made us recognise our own sta­ we can work, we can sleep, we can 7000 Tandil te, so that we have full certainty sit, think, doing it all the while, 293 20034 ISRAEL SLOVENIA Noa Blass Changchub Santi Maha without feeling pride in our self- never being separate from this, being Heart Treasure Tashigar: Biltmore Street 15 Sangha very clear to ourselves, without recognition. The first one is the lama, continued from page 13 Patricia Feldman 62194 Tel Aviv POBoxl9 the second is the trinchin lama, the basking in a feeling of being clear. It is better, like the lion, to look Mariano Moreno 382 SL-62250 Poetovio third is the tsawai lam&. This can be That is called realisation of the nat­ for the source of those thoughts". 5000 Cordoba ITALY Fax 62 29874 the same person who changes from ure of mind. Khyentse Rinpoche then gives an Tel & fax 51 226845 Merigar: Comunità Dzog-chen time to time, or it can be three Now Togden Sakya Shri exhaustive exposition of the Four SOUTH AFRICA AUSTRALIA Arcidosso, 58031 GR Darryl Van Blerk different people or it can be one Yogas of Mahamudra: one- describes the realisation of void, Dzogchen Community Tel 564 966837 11 Upper Rose St. person from one time to another, or clarity and non-grasping which he pointedness, simplicity, one taste P.O.Box Q121 Fax 564 968110 Newlands, 7700 for one instant. But there is a different says he realised. Many very old and non meditation, and then QVB Post Office Capetown level of importance to oneself. philosophies and teachings from describes the Transformation of the Sydney 2000 Azamgar: Tel 21 641908 even before the Buddha'stime teach Senses, Emotions and Aggregates Giuliano Casiraghi It can happen in the very instant Pamela Oldmeadow about sunyata, and how everything through Chenrezi: "When we see Via Pignolo 17 SPAIN or be a longer process, but to open 12 Fox Place 24121 Bergamo BG Estabanel Curro is like a mirage. Always mentioned that everything arises out of voidness oneself one needs both mental and Lyneham ACT 2602 Tel 35 225159 Ronda General Mitre as the manifestation of Chenrezi, physical openness. Physical in this context is dzinpa medpawhidi Tel 06 2571177 162-7E 1A openness means that one is not only is described in sutric and tantric and thus recognise the expanse of JAPAN 08006 Barcelona Amare Pearl willing to open but totally absorb texts as having no ego. When they infinite purity, we then no longer Tsugiko Kiyohashi Tel 3 4173590 55 Burríngbar Street talk of having no ego they mention discriminate between good and bad, 4-11-21-30 Shimomeguro Fax 3 87904679 this understanding. The main reason Mullumbimby NSW 2482 this very point in which there is no pure and impure; it is all the display Meguro-Ku Tokyo is that when we know that the nature Tel & fax 066 845570 grasping or dzinpa. This grasping of Chenrezi. Friends are Chenrezi, Tel 3 37167248 SWITZERLAND of the mind is most important and Aline Winterberg occurs when mind is not in its nat­ enemies are Chenrezi, all are one as Geoffrey Samuel once we realise that there is nothing LATVIA Schwarzenburgstr. 6 Dept. Soc. & Anthrop. more important, we go beyond faith, ure, but being dual, existing as a Chenrezi". Dzog-chen Community 3007 Bern Newcastle University we go beyond different views, we subject with objects, looking at Patrul Rinpoche concludes the Tadajku Str. 8/1 N7 Tel 31 460651 NSW 2308 Riga LV-1004 Latvia go beyond the duality of having something as something that can be section on View, Meditation and Fax 049216920 Tel 132 623259 THAILAND realisation or not having realisation. seen. This kind of duality, however Action: Fax 4698828040 Pierre Wittmann First we know intellectually that subtle, is still duality. In the texts, in AUSTRIA "One deity, Chenrezi, embodies P.O. Box 37 the teachings on practice, it is said Isabella Ernst being in the natural state of mind is all Buddhas; LITHUANIA Hua Hin 77110 the most valuable thing, and then we not having an ego is dzinba me dpa, One mantra, the six syllables, Brunnengasse 34/12 Dor je ling know that the path is only mind to or leaving mind in its nature. embodies all ; 1160 Vienna P.O. Box 1183 USA Tel 222 408 3016 Vilnius, Lithuania Tse gy al gar mind transmission, and that in order Then Shakya Shri says, "Listen One Dharma, , Dzog-chen Community to realise that we must have a teacher my friend, you must pray to the BELGIUM embodies all practices of the MALAYSIA PO Box 277 who has that value and whose quality Lock Je bee Buddha and tsawai lama again and development and completion stages. Tham Wye Min Conway, Mass. 01341 as a teacher we know. Post Box m. 2 8669C Klebang Kechü again. A great important key lies Knowing the one which liberates Tel & fax 413 6256378 When we have this kind of there."FirstShakya Shri says, "Guru all, recite the six-syllable mantra". B 6660 Houffalize 75200 Melaka Tel 6 356162 Dzog-chen Community openness, we completely forget the yoga is very important, like the root The final part deals with the BURYATIA West Coast importance of ourselves and being of realisation. First you look at the 'Determination to be Free from Rangdrol Gar Kwok Kee Chang 755 Euclid Ave. face of the nature of mind, then you c/o Farida Malikova absorbed in that importance. Also Samsara', with the exhortation to ll-AJalanJujor,l/5 Berkeley, CA 94708 26, Tayozhanaya St. physically we do whatever the meditate on it like a slowly moving leave behind the samsaric activities Taman, Bakti Ampang Tel 510 559 9753 Novokizhinginsk teacher says, as though one river.withoutmaking modifications, of speaking ('Now you'd better just Selangor, W. Malaysia Fax 510 524 0933 completely forgetswhatoneisdoing without getting stuck in the keep silent' ), moving around ('Now Buryatia 671454 Tel 039847167 Lidian K Watson and what one thought was important. observation These are the secret you'd better just settle down and Alexander Viazmkovtsev NEPAL Rt4Boxl6M We are not looking outside at the words of a crazy old beggar man." relax your mind'), eating ('Now Karl Marx Blvd. 9-26 Ian Baker Santa Fe, N.M. 87501 teacher, rather we are able to look Then he says, "Again listen my you'd better nourish yourself with Ulan-Ude Buryatia S.LT. Box 1373 . Tel 505 9885995 deep into the teacher, so whatever friend, first try to arouse renunciation the food of samadhi'), concern with Tel. 30 122 30902 Kathmandu he says, however he behaves, our in your mind and a feeling of non- possessions ('Now you'd better put Tell 413948 Tsui trim Alii o ne DENMARK attachment to samsaric life. Try to 227 Old Mill Rd. confidence is unshakeable. With that an end to your possessive grasping'), Jom S trufe NEW ZEALAND Valley Cottage, kind of wholehearted quality, then implant this very deep in your heart sleeping ('Now you *d better start to Norrebrogade 64/4 Rosemary Friend NY 10989 one is able to realise within oneself with regard to the eight worldly exert yourself whole-heartedly') and 2200 Kobenhavn N 32 Leckhampton Court Tel 914 2683050 wholehearted realisation. To receive illusions." This world is thinking: Tel 31392530 Dunedin, S. Island Fax 914 2684280 the wholeness of Mahamudra and impermanent, everything that is Tel 3 4556462 "What use are all your thoughts? FINLAND Ati Yoga realisation, we should also created has the nature of decaying Susan Indirti They've just bought more delusion- Kai sa Iii sa Puonü have the wholeness quality. This and dying, not only this planet or Mario Franchini 129 Kaclcpulu Drive Look how few of all your aims Visantie 19 does not mean an easygoing universe, but anything that is created 8/148 Howe St. Kailua. Hawaii 96734 you've managed to achieve. 05400 Jokela Frecmans Bay, Auckland presence, but it means we ourselves or accumulated. Do not think of Tel 808 2613469 Now for this life's concerns you'd Tel 14472818 Tel 9 765774 anything as permanent Fax 806 5244342 have this quality, it is there, we just better not think too far ahead; FRANCE have to know it is there, recognise NORWAY VENEZUELA If you cannot see the nature of Dropping all your plans, recite Dominique Espaze and realise it. Gordon Cranmer Pablo Lau Rivera mind in this life, then there is great the six-syllable mantra", 13 me des Nane des 4157 Utstein Kloster Pb. A Res. Pedernales I am not talking at the level of danger of falling into another illusory and the urgent plea to practise to 75011 Paris Tel 4 514705 Av. Paez Montai ban II realisation but at the level of level of suffering where you won't master the mind. Tel & fax 1 43381895 1021 Caracas devotion We have all this work on get this opportunity again. So as not The practice of Dharma should POLAND GERMANY Tel 24421434 the present instant, and simply, we to feel regret later, you must do your Aleksander Skwara bring you to the point where you can Stephanie Wagner Fax 2 340643 best practising the Dharma. Look at Grunwaldzka 40 must know that that is the essence of maintain the same awareness Gartenstrasse 70 91-337 Lodz Dzog-chen Communi ty all teachings. All teachings when the nature of your mind, and you whether in oroutof practice sessions. 67000 Frankfurt Tel 48 42 516080 Apartado Postal 483 they are written and spoken seem should also carefully take account This is the quintessential point of all Tel 69 618721 long, complicated and different. of karma and not be distracted, so it spiritual instructions; without it, RUSSIAN FEDERAT. Menda 5101 Fax 74 447 550 They are all working simply on very becomes possible to not fall into a however many mantras and prayers GREAT BRITAIN Helen Amonova Annie S tratton present ordinary mind and there is level of suffering agaia you recite, however many thousands Korneichuka, 44-17 EX YUGOSLAVIA 11 Ridge Rd. Horasey nothing that we have to change or of prostrations and c ir cum am­ 127543 Moscow Jo v anovi c Zelika Guru yoga is of utmost London N8 9LE Tel 95 4054664 Zelerà Venae 1 alter. We only have to recognise that importance and the first thing to do, bulations you do, as long as your Tel 81 3417872 Fax 95 2926511 Beograd truth in the most subtle and simple and then comes meditation and mind remains distracted none of it Fax71 6018171 way. understanding the nature of one's will help you get rid of your Tel 11 687123 This quality of simplicity is so mind. With that realisation arise obscuring emotions". "Contacts" is a list of people who can be contacted in order to have information pleasant, beautiful and profound it effortlessly the qualities of Andrew Lukianowici on the activities of die Dzog-chen Community in their particular country.

OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 1993 ISSUE 23 16 The 's teaching on patience PRACTICES FOR SPECIAL DAYS

meaning. He then looked up at the 9th Month, 30th day Sat. 13th Nov. 1993 audience, smiled and said, "I don't NEW MOON. This is a good day to do "Namchos Shitroi Naljyor", the Yoga of know, this is even difficult to the Peaceful and Wrathful Manifestations, in the morning. It is also an important understand in Tibetan". Many of the day for the practice of Rk aja ti, so try to do a long or medium Tun in the usual way, verses discussed indicated methods reciting the heart mantra of Ekajati as many times as possibile. The best time for to work with irritations seemingly this practice is around eight o'clock in the evening. caused by others. Hearing His Holiness discuss these verses gave 10th Month, 10thday Tues 23rd Nov. 1993 This is an important day of Guru Padmasambhava, so try to do the Long-life new significance to them, for he practice, associated with the "Universal Wisdom Union" which is included in the appeared so willing to work with all medium or long Tun, or if you have the possibility it is beneficial to perform a of us. Ganapuja. During the first day's talk he emphasized that patience is not for 10th Month, 11 th and 14th day the weak and that one of the main Wed. 24th and Sat. 27th Nov. 1993 qualities of patience is tolerance. These are very special days for doing practice of Ekajati. If you know how to perform the rite of Ekajati, then do it in the usual way, otherwise you can do it in On Tuesday, during a discussion a very simple way with the "Medium Tun", reciting the heart mantra of Ekajati of the gratitude we should feel to as many times as possible. seriientbcingsfortheoportunitythey His Holiness the Dalai Lama (courtesy A. Caballero) gave us to practise, His Holiness 10th Month, 15th day Sun. 28th Nov. 1993 by Judy Heil and Charles Hay pervaded the space. stopped for a minute, silently, as tears FULL MOON. This day is considered to be the day to honour the Lord Buddha From September 11 through In addition to the teachings given came to his eyes. in general, and it is one of the best days to do thé Long-life Practice with the Dakini September 15, the Sheraton El by His Holiness, there were also On Wednesday many of the M and arava particularly. Therefore try to do the Long-life Practice, "Cycle of Conquistador hotel in Tucson, guided sitting practice sessions every participants took refuge and Life's Vajra". Arizona became a Buddhist Intitute, morning, and special question and vows. Generally the best moment to do this kind of practice is at 7-8 o'clock in the as the Dalai Lama gave teachings on answer sessions with Vea G es he It was a truly profound experience morning. But if you don't have this possibility, then do it in the afternoon or later in the evening when you are free. patience based on Shantideva's Sopa and Ven. Thubten Chodron. to witness His Holiness, someone Bodhicaryavalara. The staff of the There was also an evening program who has no fear or anger in his being, 10th Month, 25th day Wed. 8th Dec. 1993 resort was well prepared for his of discussion on the meaning of doing prostrations every day and This is a Dakini day, and the anniversary of Tsongkhapa (1357-1491 ), who made arrival having been shown the film patience in Buddhist traditions by realize that he is a being who wishes a synthesis of the previous schools and founded the Gelugpa school. Try to perform "Compassion in Exile". Aswedrove Sharon Salzberg and Sylvia to give to others all that is needed. As a Ganapuja with your Vajra brothers and sisters or the Medium Tun personally. In in, we weremoved to see the Tibetan Boors tein (Vipassana), Jakusho Bill he walked down the aisles entering either case recite the heart mantra of the Dakini Simhamuka as many times as national flag as well as prayer flags Kwong-roshi (Zen) and Ven. and exiting from each session hemade possible. blowing in the wind along with the Thubten Chodron (Tibetan). as much contact as possible with United States and State of Arizona Professor Robert Thurm an spoke everyone in his path, as if to give all 10th Month, 30th day Mon. 13th Dec. flags. on the Bodhisattva vows with great that was asked for to us humans. NEW MOON. This is an excellent day to practise Purification of the Six Lokas. His Holiness gave two hours of humor and skill. As we left the Sheraton on teachings each morning and Verse by verse the Dalai Lama Thursday, the Tibetan flag was still 11th Month, 8th day Tues. 21st Dec. 1993 afternoon which included a short went through the sixth chapter of blowing in the gusts of the early This is a particular day for the practice of Ekajati so try to do a long or Medium Tun guided meditation period as well as the Bodhicaryavatara, sometimes afternoon Tucson winds. The Dalai with intensive practice of the mantra of Ekajati. at least half an hour of questions and speaking at length, other times Lama was soon to give a blessing to 11th Month, 10th day Thu. 23rd Dec. 1993 answers. About 1,400 people briefly. all of the staff at the El Conquistador. This is a special day of Guru Padmasambhava. If you have the time and attended the teachings. Although this During a discussion of one verse, We thought to ourselves, "We can be possibility it is good to do a Ganapuja collectively with your Vajra brothers and sisters, otherwise you can do the Long-life practice of " Union of Primordial was a fairly large group of people, a he went over it three times with his patient, we can be kind towards one Essences". feeling of warmth and intimacy translator trying to evoke the correct another". 11th Month, 15th day Tues. 28th Dec. 1993 FULL MOON. This is an important day to do the Long-life practice of Armtayus, "Union of Primordial Essences".

Published bi-monthly, The Mirror brings you the teachings of Chögyal 11th Month, 25th day Fri. 7th Jan. 1994 Namkhai Norbu, news, views and information from Dzog-chen This is a day of the in general, so if you have the opportunity practice a collective Ganapuja, with the transformation of the Dakini Simhamuka, and recite Communities around the world, interviews, reviews, Tibet-related her heart mantra as many times as possibile.

topics, retreat programmes and the calendar of practices for the Otherwise you can do a Medium Tun either collectively or personally: international Dzog-chen Community. 11th Month, 30th day Tues. 11th Jan. 1994 NEW MOON. This is a special day for purification practices so try to do "Purification of the Six Lokas". . THE MIRROR The newspaper of the international Dzog-chen Community THE MIRROR Name Address . .. .., The International Newspaper of the Dzog-chen Town Post code Community founded by Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche Country Published by the Associazione Culturale Comunità Dzog-chen. The Mirror, Merigar, 58031 Arcidosso GR, Italy. Annual subscription: $35 U.S. outside Europe or Lit. 40.000 within Europe. Tel. and fax 564-966608. Send cheque or money order to: The Mirror, Merigar, 58031 Arcidosso GR, Italy. Director: Raimondo Bul trini Managing editor: Liz Granger Due to the complicated international banking system and high bank charges on cheques that Editorial advisors: Anna Eid, Giovanni Arca Editorial collaboration: Nancy Simmons, Maria Simmons are complicated to negotiate, please send your subscription fee in the following way: Layout and pagination: Tiziana Gottardi • from Europe by either international postal order or Eurocheque (in Italian lira) made Printer Tipografia 2A, Arcidosso out to 'The Mirror'; Issue 23, October-Novemberl993 • from the USA by regular cheque rather than postal order; © 1993 Ass. Cult. Comunità Dzog-chen. • all other parts of the world, either by means of a dollar cheque through an American Registrato presso il Tribunale di Grosseto al a 5/1990 del 26 Aprile bank or in Italian lira circumstances permitting. 1990

OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 1993 ISSUE 23