THE MIRROR No.

120
January, February 2013

Upcoming Retreats with

Chögyal Namkhai Norbu

2013
Argentina
Tashigar Sur
March 22–28
Simhamukha of Ayu Khandro
retreat
The retreat was held in the spacious 'Gonpa' at the Grand Hotel Callao. Photo: M. Farmer
April 1–8
Santi Maha Sangha Training
Peru
Lima
April 19–21 Enjoying the State of
Definitive Happiness
The Real Condition of Time –
The Dzogchen Experience
Mexico
April 26–28
Mexico Retreat
Elisa Copello
May 8–12

E
Tsegyalgar West Retreat very time I come back from Tenerife, ners coming from Russia and the East Eu- who wanted to take part in a “performance”
I feel the desire to return as soon as ropean countries. There were many familiar under the watchful and amused eye of
USA
possible. I feel nostalgia for this spe- faces but also an extraordinary participa- Rinpoche after the ganapujas and also on
May 17–19
cial place dominated by the volcano and the tion of people, who were totally new, in the other occasions before and after the retreat.
Los Angeles Retreat
power of the elements that manifest with packed calendar of activities: the magnifi- Rinpoche has repeatedly stressed the
May 24–26 all their energy. But this time the feeling cent teachings of Rinpoche in the morning importance of learning Tibetan dances and
Tara Mandala, Pagosa Springs, CO was stronger, different and accompanied by accompanied by valuable advice and useful songs as a tribute and a commitment to
a sense of belonging in the knowledge that reminders aimed at new and old students, keep alive a culture in danger of extinction.
May 31–June 2
in a few months we will have the first re- practices led alternately by Nina Robinson The songs in particular are often poignant
New York City Retreat
treat on the island on our land. The Man- and Analen Gall, and in the afternoon in- testimonies of Tibetans’ love for their land,
June 7–12 darava retreat was, therefore, the last to structions on the mudras, visualisations their religious spirit, their devotion to His
Tsegyalgar East Retreat be organized elsewhere, more specifically, and melodies with the two of them as well Holiness the Dalai Lama and their pride of
at the Grand Hotel Callao, with its pleasant as a wonderful lesson on clarifying kum- being a people rich in tradition and ancient
USA
and colourful swimming pools and lush baka given by Fabio Andrico. Then yantra culture. Rinpoche has now transcribed 108
Tsegyalgar East
natural setting. yoga in the morning and the Dance of the songs and Adriana has studied the steps of
June 13–15
The organization of the retreat was re- Three Vajras on some of the afternoons. twenty dances that have been approved by
Santi Maha Sangha
ally perfect and a large team of students Other afternoons were devoted to Tibetan the Master, although certainly others will
Level I Exam
collaborated in various ways to make the dances under the guidance of Tsering Dolk- be added. The songs and dances took place
June 16–23
conditions pleasant and relaxed. There were er, Topgyal Gontse and Adriana Dal Borgo in a particularly joyous and festive atmo-
Santi Maha Sangha
over 600 people from all over the world, whose abundant patience and skill guided sphere in which many people, young and
Level II Training
>> continued on page 5 with a very high percentage of practitio- the most numerous group of practitioners >> continued on page 5

Content Focus on Tibetan

Astrology . . . . . . . . . . . » Pages 6–9

Mandarava Retreat . . . . » Page 2 Artists: Bepe Goia . . . . . » Page 10

Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . .» Page 3 Borobudur Adventure . . » Page 11

ASIA Onlus . . . . . . . . . . » Page 4 International Dzogchen

Community News . . » Pages 15–22
Shang Shung Institute . . » Page 5
How I met . . . . . . . . . . . » Page 28
 THE MIRROR · No. 120 · January, February 2013

Chögyal Namkhai Norbu

Mandarava
Retreat
Tenerife
February 15–25, 2013
Excerpt from Day 3
February 17, 2013

Meeting Ayu Khandro and the

Drombu

G
ood day to everybody everywhere. Today we are
learning how we do the practice of Mandarava. This
practice of Mandarava is mainly a long life practice.
The base of the practice is called Jnanadhakini, so Manda-
rava is part of the Jnanadhakini teaching. This is the spe-
cific way this practice manifested for obtaining long life. So
this root text is related to Guru Padmasambhava and his
consort Mandarava. I will give you a little information about
its origin.
In Nepal there is a famous place called Maratika. There
are many sacred places, but Maratika is a very special place
of Guru Padmasambhava. In the biography of Guru Padma-
sambhava and his consort Mandarava, they were in Marati-
ka and did the practice of Buddha Amitayus - Buddha Ami-
tayus in different manifestation aspects of the Five Dhyana
Buddhas. That is a particular long life practice. Then we
thought that this place is very important and we should go
to Nepal to visit this place. One reason was at that time a
monastery in Nepal had invited me and I thought it would Photo: M. Noreger
be a good occasion to combine the visit to this monastery
and also go to Maratika. Then of course we thought that this night.” When she met Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo she was very famous for the practice of yangtig. She received
when we would go to Maratika, we should do long life prac- was young and could not meet him for many days because that instruction and later she was interested to do this prac-
tice. Historically it says that Guru Padmasambhava and he was doing a personal retreat. She and her friend were tice. And after the death of her teacher Jamyang Khyentse
Mandarava obtained immortality and they realized that in waiting some days there. One day Khyentse Wangpo asked Wangpo, she remained all the rest of her life in retreat and
Maratika, but I wondered which kind of long life practice we them to come and he gave them a teaching called Khan- she started to do this dark retreat.
should do when we got there. dro Sangdu. That is his terma teaching, Khandro means all Also she said when she was quite young she went from
I was remembering when I was in Tibet and received dakinis, sangdu means the union of all secret teachings of Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo’s place to Nyagla Padma Dün-
teachings from my woman teacher Ayu Khandro. Ayu the dakinis. Mainly there is the practice of Dorje Palmo. So dul’s place, and she received all the transmissions of the
Khandro was a student of the first Jamyang Khyentse there is a series of three or four initiations and one is the teachings called Kachag Rangdrol, a series of the teachings
Wangpo and Nyagla Padma Dündul, and many of these main initiation and the others are related more to action of Nyagla Padma Dündul. So I asked to receive this teaching
important teachers. When I received teachings from Ayu mantras. This teaching has fantastic instructions, tsalungs, and I received all of Kachag Rangdrol from Ayu Khandro. In
Khandro, I went particularly because when I was in college kumbhaka, breathings; I remember very, very nice instruc- this Kachag Rangdrol there is a series of Guru Amitayus.
my teacher told me I should receive the Vajrayogini empow- tions. Anyway Ayu Khandro had this dream of Khyentse This is Guru Amitayus in the form of Guru Padmasambhava
erment from her. So I went to receive the Vajrayogini em- Wangpo and he gave her advice to give this Khandro Sangdu and Guru Padmasambhava performed the practice that is
powerment because I did not know Ayu Khandro and what teaching to me. This was not Vajrayogini, but I was very Guru Amitayus. Guru Padmasambhava obtained this prac-
teachings she was related to. In our region Ayu Khandro happy. I said of course I am very happy, and asked her how tice in Maratika. For that reason he put this teaching in
was famous, but not famous like a teacher that many people should we do. Ayu Khandro said we should do two or three terma for the future. Later Nyagla Padma Dündul discovered
would go to to receive teachings. She was considered some- days of preparations. There was a khenpo in this monastery, that terma. So I received that teaching from Ayu Khandro.
one who was doing a dark retreat her whole life and she who was a student of Ayu Khandro, and she said we should Also I received transmission of this from the son of my
prepared protection cords, black ones, and the Tibetans like ask this khenpo to prepare everything, as she could not teacher Changchub Dorje, because at the place of my teach-
these cords very much. I had never met her but I already prepare anything. er Changchub Dorje, there was a yearly seven-day practice
had the protection cord. Ayu Khandro lived at a small mon- You see, Ayu Khandro was not a young lady, but she was of the long life practice of Guru Amitayus and they did the
astery that belonged to the Sakyapa tradition so I thought also not only an old lady. When she gave me teachings she practice of Nyagla Padma Dündul. When I was there doing
she was a Sakyapa practitioner. Also Vajrayogini belongs to was 113 years old. But she was not a very old lady who could this practice, Gyurge Rinpoche gave many transmissions for
the Sakyapa tradition. not understand, not like that. She was very active and also people who did not have the transmissions and I received
When I arrived to Ayu Khandro I gave my letter from the everything was very clear. So then I went to the khenpo also that. This is how these practices are connected.
college that said I had come to receive the empowerment that day and I asked him to help and he was also very happy I am remembering this and thinking if we go to Mara-
of Vajrayogini. I told her I came because she had this trans- because he had never received this Khandro Sangdu teach- tika, we should do this practice before going to Nepal. So in
mission of this teaching from the first Jamyang Khyentse, ing. He was very happy to collaborate. We found all that we Merigar I prepared all these practice books, also for West-
so for that reason my teacher of the college sent me. When needed to prepare torma and offerings; we prepared ev- erners, because whenever I go somewhere there are always
she read this letter she said, “Oh, you are a scholar studying erything. many Westerners. So I know that and we prepared a tran-
in the college, a student of Khenpo Khyenrab, [my teacher Then the day of the dakini arrived and she started to scription of the practice of Guru Amitayus. That was our
was a very famous scholar], also you are a reincarnation, a teach this teaching. After that there were many other teach- aim and why we were going there. But of course before we
studied one, I am only an old lady, what can I give you?” It ings. When she finished the teaching I was always asking went to Maratika we went to the monastery in the north of
seemed she presented herself in a very humble way. Then Ayu Khandro questions about her life, what she did, where Nepal called Tolu, and we organized a retreat there.
I thought maybe she does not want to give me the teach- she went, which kind of teachers she met, and which kinds We went to Tolu and we did that retreat and teach-
ing. In any case, we met her that day. Nearby there was a of teachings she received, etc. She was always explaining ing. And after Tolu we went to Maratika. When we were
Sakyapa monastery and that is where we put our tents and she received this and that teaching and then I said I was in- in Tolu I had many interesting dreams. It was one of the
slept. I was not sure she would give me a teaching or not, terested in those teachings also. I asked each time for these first dreams I had of my uncle, Khyentse Rinpoche. From
but we tried again the next day. kinds of teachings and I received many kinds of teachings my uncle I received a very important Dzogchen teaching
Then when we arrived the next day before taking our from Ayu Khandro. In general Ayu Khandro was not giv- called Nyingthig Yazhi. It is the series of the essence of the
breakfast, she sent a nun who was doing service for her ing teachings to many students, she was doing a personal Dzogchen teachings and I received many other teachings
and her niece, a very young lady, and they brought cheese retreat, living in the dark, there were only a few lamps; but from him. In the dream he told me to go to Maratika in
and yogurt etc., and they said that Khandro sent this and when we were there she used more lamps. I also asked her this moment. There is the place of Guru Padmasambhava
asked me to come and have breakfast with her. I went there why are she was doing this dark retreat. Then she told me and there is an important place of the long life practice.
and we were eating breakfast together, and she said, “Oh, she went to central Tibet and met a famous teacher called Then I said I know that, I prepared already the practice of
I had a dream of my teacher Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo Trulzhig Rinpoche, one of the Trulzhigs of that period who >> continued on the following page
 THE MIRROR · No. 120 · January, February 2013

Page 3

Losar Poem Editorial

W
So this is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius ith this issue we would like to extend to all our readers many
That long awaited communitas, with its panacea of universal love good wishes for a healthy and prosperous Water Snake year,
the new lunar Tibetan year that formally began on February
Destined to unlock hard hearts. 11, 2013. The entry of a new year marks a time of beginnings and endings
and indicates new trends and tendencies both at the global and individu-
Let the water snakes torpedo with their periscopic heads al level. Tibetan astrologer Tenzin Tsewang Jamlingpa from Dharamsala
discusses some of the aspects of the Water Snake year in our Focus on
As they propel us into sights beyond the norm to shed Tibetan Astrology section.
Fixations, mental concepts and mean thoughts, our usual While December 2012 saw the purchase of the Global Gar – Dzam-
Stale fare. ling Gar in Tenerife, Spain – we start this New Year with the first plans
for developing the new Gar, an important part of Rinpoche’s vision for
the International Dzogchen Community. By Global Gar, Rinpoche has
Let’s take our daily frights into the realm of self-manifest explained it will be a place where all other Gars have representation,
Iridescence where Rinpoche can gather with his senior students and representa-
tives to discuss setting standards and developing teaching programs
Shed a skin; trade our complacency for wisdom mind and where coordination of activities of IDC, SSI, ASIA and the Tibetan
Wake to never ending freshness Medicine School can take place. The next months will be devoted to ob-
And the minds true liberation taining the legal permits to develop this Gar and soon the construction
phase should begin under the direction of the Dzamling Gar Develop-
ment Committee led by Giovanni Boni and Migmar Tsering. The Develop-
May all beings unearth the bounty of their innate treasure ment Committee will be charged with both out-sourcing to professional
And share in the grace of harmony building companies and organizing karma yoga teams within the Com-
munity. There will be many projects large and small, so opportunities to
Released at last when love will steer the stars. participate will be many.
The New Year has also brought exciting new changes to The Mirror’s
website – melong.com. We are very pleased to announce that the web-
site is now available in Italian and Polish and will shortly be available in
Jacqueline Gens Chinese and Russian.
Dawn
Tsegyalgar East Our warmest wishes for the Water Snake year and we hope you enjoy
this issue!
February 11, 2013
The Mirror Editorial Staff

>> continued from previous page horse. We arrived in this place. And then there was a cave, a spot. Everyone was chanting and then my teacher took the
the terma teaching of Nyagla Padma Dündul and we want sacred place and near by this cave on the rock in the after- pick and concentrated and then he threw it on the top of
to do this practice. My uncle said yes that is important, but noon when you are going and you are looking near by this the rock and it touched a piece and fell down, but when it
also in this moment you should also do the long life prac- rock, you can see with the shadow that it looks like a letter touched it made a white mark. Then my uncle said someone
tice of the Five Dakinis. And I asked which is the long life A. This is the precise indication where the cave is. Then the should go there to dig. Who should go? There was a monk
practice of the Five Dakinis because I did not have any idea. date was very precise. The terma was in the drombu. It said Kalzang Tsering, which means Fortunate Long Life, so he
My teacher said when you arrive there you can have that in- this terma was very important for that epoch. The revolu- should go. But he could not go and then everyone said we
dication very precise. Then he showed me a paper and said tion had not started by this point. So it is something very needed to make a kind of staircase and many young people
this is the main base of these teachings. When I looked at useful for the country and the teachings. So I asked him went to cut a big tree, they cut branches, and then there
this there were these five syllables, bam, ha, ri, ni, sa, and should we do this? We should go on this date and discover. were steps to the rock and slowly he went up and when he
this was a very important indication. He said he felt a little afraid because everything is re- arrived there he beat the rock and it seemed hard and then
When I arrived in Maratika we were preparing to do this lated to circumstance. He was worried that maybe he would it became smooth and after a little while a piece of the rock
practice and there was the cave of Mandarava. There are not be able to discover the terma because of circumstances came out and we could see this drombu, and the sun was
two caves, one is called Guru Padmasambhava’s cave and and many people would come to see it publicly and if he shining, beating down, and it seemed luminous. The monk
one is Mandarava’s. The cave of Guru Padmasambhava they could not discover the terma, what would he do? I said don’t asked what to do and if he could touch it. My uncle told
had organized and there was something not so very easy. worry; don’t feel afraid, when the guardians indicate in this him not to touch it. Then the other students spread out a
But the cave of Mandarava was totally free and there was way it will be fine. He was not really decided but I decided. big piece of cotton and he threw it down. So the drombu
not someone inside or someone controlling, so we went in- This was a secret indication book but I published all and I is there now and my uncle had prepared something like a
side and cleaned a little and we wanted to do practice in that told everyone there will be this terma teaching and where very small vase, and inside there were some sacred things
cave; we prepared very well for doing this long life practice and when and we should go. So then this became famous and he put it there. Then he closed the vase with some clay.
of Nyagla Padma Dündul. And then when we started this and many people, monks and lay people, began preparing to Then the monk came down.
practice, of course I am thinking we should do something come. Many people were curious. After this everyone wanted to receive a blessing from
and not that I am only going to give the lung of this prac- The first day we left Galenting and we went to Lhalung this drombu and we were there for hours and hours. Un-
tice. Maybe to do something like a dawang or something, Thang and we remained there and did sang and serkyem. til the late evening we were there and then we put this
but there were no particular indications. It was still far. Then we arrived at this place and there was drombu in a big gough. Next day we did a Ganapuja and
With this idea I had a dream. In the dream we are in not a lot of room for putting tents, but somehow everyone also people were asking again and again for blessings. This
this cave and I am empowering all my students. The em- was able to make place for living there. Then the next day is the story of the drombu, but this is only for discover-
powerment was very interesting and there had been some we went to look at the side of the rock, I was leading, and ing the drombu. Somehow it must open. But you do not
indication of the practice of Mandarava, but we were not trying to find the place. We discovered it and the shadows break it open and look inside. You cannot do that. So then
doing that practice because we didn’t know how. Then this looked like letter A. To get there was difficult; there were you keep it until the time arrives to open. My uncle kept
practice of Mandarava should come out; when I finished to lots of bushes and no road. We asked everyone to help pre- this drombu in the gough, a very nice gough, for many
give the initiation there was a kind of dakini who looked pare the road and there were so many people that every- months. People came from everywhere to see the drombu
like Ekajati and when I was giving this initiation she was thing was prepared easily. After two days we were perfectly and receive blessings. But he did not receive the indication
helping and collaborating with me. When the initiation was able to get into this place. of when to open it. Then one day this drombu disappeared.
finished she gave me a kind of drombu. A drombu is a kind Then when we got into this place we had one day more, We do not know what happened. One day the drombu was
of egg, for terma, many times termas come from drombus. but then how can we invite my uncle, he could not walk no longer in the gough. It does not mean someone stole
So sometimes tertons who discover a drombu on a specific or ride a horse. The road was very tiny and so that day we it, maybe some guardian was keeping it. I asked my uncle
day, specific time, this drombu will open and the seed syl- organized and somehow brought my uncle to that place. why that happened and he said maybe it was not yet time
lables related to this terma come out. This is one of the We prepared a Ganapuja with the three roots teaching of or maybe too late or maybe too early. There was something
aspects of how terma teachings come out and many terma Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo. We did a very good Ganapuja; that did not work. So this is drombu. 
teachings are related to drombu. there were many monks from different places. Then the
I will give you an example of drombu. My Uncle Khyen- time was arriving to discover the drombu. When we ar- Transcribed and edited by Naomi Zeitz
tse discovered a drombu once. In that period I was pres- rived almost at the time we are not sure what to do, and
ent. In the summertime when we had holidays from col- now my uncle should know. We asked him what he needed.
lege I went to see my Uncle Khyentse Rinpoche. Khyentse He said he needed a small pick to go into the rock and got
Rinpoche told me he received indications from the guard- up to go near the rock. He told everyone to concentrate on
ians that there is a terma in a donbu that should be discov- Guru Padmasambhava and chant the mantra of Guru Pad-
ered. It needed to be discovered publically. He showed me masambhava.
the indications and when I read them I saw we should go to There were many, many people almost to the bottom of
a country not so very far, we could travel almost one day by the mountain because not everyone could be near to the
 THE MIRROR · No. 120 · January, February 2013

ASIA

ASIA Onlus Association for International Förderverein ASIA Deutschland e.V.

Via San Martino della Battaglia 31 Solidarity in ASIA, Inc. c/o Gisela Auspurg
00185 Rome, Italy ASIA, Post Office Box 124, Königswieser Str. 2
Tel +39.06.44340034 Conway, MA 01341-0124 USA 82131 Gauting
Fax +39.06.44702620 Phone: 413.369.4153, Tel.: 089 / 127 630 32
info@asia-ngo.org Fax: 413.369.4473
www.asia-ngo.org andreamnasca@yahoo.com
www.asia-ngo.org/en/

Protection of
the Cultural
Heritage of
Tibet
Some of the objectives of
ASIA for the Year of the
Water Snake

T
his year ASIA celebrates 25
years. Founded on the in-
spiration of Chögyal Nam-
khai Norbu, over many years ASIA
has realized about 150 projects of
international cooperation and pub- Dzolung College. Sangkhri Monastery.
lic awareness programs reaching
over 500,000 beneficiaries. It is the repressive policies of the PRC, County, Qinghai Province in the Trizin, is living at the monastery. Dzamthog – also located in
currently the only international jeopardizing the “life” itself of Ti- central western part of China. The young Tulku has built a small Chamdo prefecture – is a small
organization rooted and present betan culture. The extreme pover- During the Cultural Revolution
in all regions of China inhabited ty of the region prevents the local it was completely destroyed and
by the Tibetan minority. population from being self-suffi- its libraries and books were lost,
One of the most important cient in the restructuring and re- while the lamas and monks who
areas of intervention of the or- evaluation of these places, which survived were forced to take ref-
ganization has always been the are the driving force of economic uge in the mountains.
protection of cultural heritage, in and cultural recovery. Hence as a In 1986, when the effects of
order to safeguard and promote solution to the problem, there is a the Cultural Revolution were over
the culture, spirituality and tradi- need to find a path of cooperation and a new era in Chinese politics
tional arts of the beneficiary pop- between the local community and began, the new Abbot began the
ulations. international bodies that are sen- reconstruction of the monastery
This year one of the various ob- sitive to the issue. and the monks’ dwellings. Slowly
jectives that ASIA has adopted in Of fundamental importance the monastery resumed its cul-
this area is to complete the plan is the role of the study colleges, tural and educational activities
of action for the people of Tibet, which are often the only educa- and many students began to at-
which has been developing since tional opportunity for young Ti- tend lessons. Dzongsta College.
the late nineties according to the betans who are unable to attend In 2008, a first project funded
mission of its founder and current school either because it is ex- by the Embassy of the Nether- Study College and sought the help monastery of the Sakyapa tradi-
president. tremely far from their place of lands in China enabled ASIA to of Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche to tion and a sacred place of Vajra
In 1997, Chögyal Namkhai Nor- residence or due to the high costs start the construction of 30 new build a small Practice College. The Kilaya – Dorje Purba in Tibetan –
bu visited the Tibetan regions of associated with education. The housing units at the College to college, with 10 rooms, was cre- where very ancient tantric rituals
Kham and ÜTsang and established colleges, therefore, in addition to accommodate 90 new students ated and the goal this year is to are practiced.
the strategic lines of an integrat- being religious institutions, fill the coming from remote nomadic ar- complete it with the necessary Some young monks and tulkus
ed action plan aimed at 11 Tibet- gaps left by the national education eas, a building of 625 sq.m. for the equipment – beds, stoves, cabi- are currently studying at the
an villages for the construction system and have become centers classrooms and the library of the nets, books, material for practic- Sakya College in Dehra Dun in In-
of primary schools, health clin- of education. In fact, in addition college. In 2010, thanks to fund- ing – for the monks’ rooms. dia, and in the future will come
ics, colleges of traditional studies to religious teachings such as Su- ing from the Region of Tuscany, Founded 746 years ago by back to teach at Dzamthog Mon-
and meditation practices, drink- tra, Tantra and the Great Perfec- the rooms for the students were Drogon Chè Phak, Dzongtsa is a astery.
ing water systems and training tion, the young monks are taught furnished, the bathrooms became small monastery belonging to the ASIA has accepted the request
for teachers and health work- grammar, history, poetry, Tibetan functional and a surrounding wall Sakyapa tradition located near the of the abbot of the monastery for
ers in the villages. This program medicine, mathematics, and Eng- was built. village of Tarze (Chamdo Prefec- help and has built the main tem-
was needed to improve the plight lish. Today there are 300 students ture, Tibet Autonomous Region) ple. This year ASIA has set the
of the Tibetans and to preserve This is the context of the in- who attend classes, but many at 3800 m above sea level. Until goal of completing the organiza-
their immense cultural heritage. terventions linked to Chögyal others want to be able to enter 1958, the complex consisted of a tion’s involvement with the con-
The changes brought about in Ti- Namkhai Norbu in the tradition- Sangkhri college, so the abbot main temple, the College of tra- struction of the practice college,
bet by the advent of the Chinese al practice and study colleges of has asked ASIA to construct two ditional studies and the College which collapsed some time ago.
People’s Republic in 1951 and again Dzolung, Dzamthog and Dzongsta, new buildings for other dormito- of religious practices. The mon- Institutions like these repre-
during the years of the Cultural located in the Tibetan Autono- ries. The project is ready and this astery then housed more than sent one of the last bastions for
Revolution (1966–1976) dislocated mous Region, and in the College year, as soon as the funds become 100 monks. During the Cultural the preservation of this ancient
the traditional Tibetan socio-cul- of Sanghkri Monastery in Qinghai available, we will get started. Revolution it was all completely culture. The monks studying in
tural structure and introduced a province, planned for this year. Dzolung is a small monastery destroyed. Many years later, some them are the custodians of thou-
series of new economic and social The latter has played a his- in the Sakyapa tradition, located in of the older monks began recon- sands of years of knowledge that
models that have actually led the torically important role as a ref- Chamdo Prefecture (Tibet Autono- struction with the very limited can be passed on to the new gen-
Tibetan population to impoverish- erence point for practitioners of mous Region), which was the resi- means at their disposal and start- erations with the support of all
ment and social exclusion. the Nyingma doctrine, one of the dence of A-Yu Khadro, Chögyal ed up once again the main reli- those who want to give the Tibet-
Since then, despite the great four main schools of Tibetan Bud- Namkhai Norbu’s yogini teacher. gious activities for the benefit of ans and their culture, some hope.
economic progress of China and dhism. The yogini spent most of her life the surrounding community. For more information:
the relative success of national Sanghkri Monastery was here in retreat in a cave located on ASIA has intervened in support comunicazione@asia-onlus.org
policies for the reduction of pov- founded by Jaluspa Tsewang Rig- the hill behind the current Mon- of the monks in the reconstruc- www.asia-onlus.org
erty, the majority of the Tibetan zin, a khempo from Mewa mon- astery. Prior to going into retreat tion of the college, the temple and To support Tibetan traditional
people, especially nomadic com- astery in Sichuan that is linked A-Yu Khadro travelled across housing for 60 students with fund- practice and study colleges you
munities, live under very difficult to the lineage of Azom Drugpa. It most of Tibet and Nepal practicing ing from the Dutch Embassy in can make a donation through:
conditions and do not always have is said that in 1958 when the Red the Chod, a tantric doctrine born Beijing, the Dutch Dzogchen Com- Bank transfer to ASIA onlus
access to basic services. Guards captured Tsewang Rigzin, and developed in Tibet in the elev- munity and the Region of Tuscany. IBAN: IT 27 M 01030 72160
In this context, the monaster- he disappeared in front of every- enth century. A-Yu Khadro died in This year we want to complete the 000000389350
ies, which are not only religious one in a rainbow. 1953 at the age of 115 years. interior of the second floor of the SWIFT BIC: PASC IT MM XXX
centers but also cultural ones, The monastery is located in At the moment her reincarna- temple with libraries, paintings, Credit card on the website –
have dramatically suffered from the village of SangKhri in Tongde tion (tulku), recognized by SS Sakya rooms and other work. www.asia-onlus.org
 THE MIRROR · No. 120 · January, February 2013

Shang Shung Institute

Shang Shung Institute Italy Shang Shung Institute Austria Shang Shung Institute UK, Shang Shung Institute of America
Località Merigar Gschmaier 139 The London School of Tibetan 18 Schoolhouse Rd
58031 Arcidosso (GR, Italy) 8265 Gr. Steinbach, Austria Studies P.O. Box 278
Phone : +39-0564-966940 Office: 0043 3386 83218 The London Centre for the Study Conway, MA 01341, USA
info@shangshunginstitute.org Fax: 0043 3386 83219 of Traditional Tibetan Culture Phone (main-Anna) 413 369 4928
www.shangshunginstitute.org www.shangshunginstitute.org and Knowledge Fax/Bookstore 413 369 4473
www.shangshungstore.org www.ssi-austria.at www.shangshunguk.org www.shangshung.org

in your name or the name of the via email. You can use all stan-
Chögyal person to whom you gift the book. dard payment methods (PayPal
Namkhai Norbu The only way SSE and SSI can con-
tinue to produce new books and
paypal@istitutoshangshung.org,
credit card via PayPal, or bank
multimedia products is if you buy transfer). You will receive an
The Practice them. Your purchases are also one e-mail with the link to the down-
of the Night of the best ways to support us.
eBooks can be purchased from
load page, within 48 hours of
payment, except that delivery for
and the Dark the shangshungstore.org webshop bank transfer payments is delayed
Retreat of just like other items. The only dif-
ference is that there are no ship-
since it takes longer.

Twenty-Four ping costs and the file is delivered

Hours
Available in printed form and as
an ebook (pdf)
shangshungstore.org

I
ntegrating nighttime into our Essentially, the practice of the
Tibetan practice is crucial in Dzogchen. night is nothing other than Guru-
Calendar Once we learn to become
aware in our dreams, we can
yoga, but some practitioners find
it difficult to relax in the state of
practice far more effectively in our presence as they fall asleep. The

W
e are pleased to an- dreams than when we are awake. best method for overcoming this
nounce the publication The Dzogchen approach to dream kind of problem is dark retreat.
of the Tibetan Calendar yoga is extremely straightforward This book covers instructions for
for the Year of the Water Snake and requires no intellectual train- the practice of the night as well
(2013–2014). ing or complex visualizations. And as for a preliminary dark retreat
Pocket agenda containing con- yet it is one of the most important lasting twenty-four hours.
cise indications of the practices practices we can do since it pre- eBooks from Shang Shung Edi-
recommended by Chögyal Nam- pares us for death and the bardo zoni are password-protected and
khai Norbu for special days, astro- state. feature a digital ex libris licensed
logical aspects from the Tibetan
lunar calendar, individual influenc-
es affecting those born between daily activities and remembering to three Tibetan astrological sys-
1918 and 2013, and positive and special practice days. tems as well as a table with the
negative days for Naga practice. The calendar also includes a first days of the Tibetan new year
Indispensable for identifying table indicating the days of the according to the Phugpa system.
favorable and unfavorable days for month to avoid surgery in spe- The Calendar can be ordered at
cific areas of the body according shangshungstore.org

>> Enjoying continued from page 1

old, danced for hours tirelessly Chögyal Namkhai Norbu
and enthusiastically trying at
best to imitate Adriana and those
Schedule 2013
who had already had the oppor- >> continued from page 1
tunity to train and learn the steps
systematically under her expert Russia Italy
guide. June 28–July 5 September 6–13
Rinpoche also composed a Kunsangar North Retreat Merigar West Retreat
song for Dzamling Gar which
Ukraine September 28–30
we had the opportunity to listen
July 19–26 Zhitro practice and Jyangchog
and dance to during the retreat.
Kunsangar South
The song is a complete teaching UK
Retreat
whose words and melody arose October 3
spontaneously while the Master August 2–9 London, ASIA House, 6.30 pm
was relaxing in the pool at home. Santi Maha Sangha Training Lecture Padmasambhava &
It is an invitation to all the Com- Nina Robinson. Photo: M. Farmer Annalen Gall. Photo: M. Farmer
Romania the Light of Kailash volume 2
munities of the world to come to
August 16–23 Oct. 4–6
Dzamling Gar, where there is no really hard to imagine how it will this island which, for many of us,
Merigar East Retreat London, Camden Centre
lack of happiness and where all be when the work is finished: a has become more and more fa-
Dzogchen Teachings
students can manifest their self- paradise in Playa Paraiso and Calle miliar. A well-known destination Germany
Longsal Ati Nadzer
perfected qualities living in the Paraiso. Maybe it’s not really a co- where we can collaborate all to- August 30–September 1
true knowledge of the primordial incidence! From the property you gether to realize this new project Berlin Retreat Spain
state. can see the sea below with coves of Rinpoche’s that marks a new October 9–13
During the retreat Giovanni and bays that, during the retreat, evolutionary phase within our Barcelona Retreat
Boni organized more than one following the advice of the Master Community.
guided tour of the land where he who invited us to enjoy and relax,
explained in a detailed and con- many practitioners visited discov-
crete way about the project that ering unexpected places off the
should start soon. The property is beaten track of the island’s tour-
in a really nice location and those istic spots.
who had the fortune to visit it It was very much an intense re-
could not help but feel the same treat, full of energy characterized
enthusiasm that transpires in the by the desire to be together not
song of Dzamling Gar whose po- only to practice, dance and sing,
tential is truly amazing. It is not but also by the desire to discover
 THE MIRROR · No. 120 · January, February 2013

Focus on Tibetan Astrology

from 14th December 2012 till 1st

Focus on Water Snake January 2014.
Tibetan Year 2013 Predictions about the Wellbeing
Astrology Tenzin Tsewang Jamlingpa of the World in the Water Snake
(Tibetan Astrologer) Year

T
he start of the new Tibetan Tashi Choeling Monastery This Water Snake year is also
Water Snake Year – Namgyal Dharamshala, India called ‘Namgyal’ (Totally Victo-
or Totally Victorious in Ti- kartsipa.tsewang@gmail.com rious) in Tibetan and ‘Vijaya’ in
betan – was celebrated on Febru- Sanskrit. Predictions about the
ary 11, 2013. In this issue of The wellbeing of the world this year
Mirror, to mark this auspicious Introduction to the Tibetan are mainly based on the readings
moment in the passage of time, System of the Year of Yangchar Astrology (a type of

I
we would like to ‘Focus on Tibet- n the Tibetan calendar system, astrology originating from India)
an Astrology’ by presenting three or in other words, in Tibetan and on the results of planetary
articles on the topic. Astrology, each year is sym- motions (Mercury, Venus, Mars,
The first article by Tibetan as- bolized by one of the twelve year- Saturn and Jupiter) in the Tibetan
trologer Tenzin Tsewang Jamling- signs, along with one of the five almanac and touch on subjects
pa from Dharamshala India pres- elements. These twelve year-signs such as the wellbeing of impor-
ents a brief introduction to the are represented by twelve animals tant political leaders and ordinary
Tibetan astrological system, out- beginning with the Mouse, Ox, Ti- people, cattle and crops. In addi-
lines predictions about the whole ger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, tion there are excerpts on natural
year in general as well as for each Sheep, Monkey, Bird, Dog and calamities and epidemics. Besides
month in different parts of the Pig and by five elements – Wood, the prognosis on the whole year
world, and concludes with the Fire, Earth, Iron and Water. Of the in general, there are descriptions
obstacles for the year and their twelve year-signs, the Mouse, Ti- of each month of the year.
remedies, all based on the Men- ger, Dragon, Horse, Monkey and Despite the fact that the first
Tsee-Khang Annual Almanac for Dog are classified as male years Drawing: Bepe Goia day of the eleventh Tibetan month
the Water Snake Year. while the rest are female years. is the beginning of the new year
Then Thubten Phuntsog, cur- When these twelve signs are com- again represented by the twelve due to the motions of the celestial (Water Snake), the Tibetan alma-
rently professor at the School bined with the five elements, we animals. In Tibetan culture, the bodies like the sun and the moon nac begins with the first day of
for Tibetan Studies at Southern- get a total of sixty years, starting first day of the first Tibetan with respect to the earth. A com- the third Tibetan month and ends
West University for Nationalities from the Wood Mouse and end- month is popularly celebrated as plete cycle of waxing and waning with the last day of the second Ti-
in Chengdu, delves back into the ing with the Water Pig. The twelve Losar or Tibetan New Year, which moon is considered as a month. A betan month. These differences in
earliest origins of Tibetan astrol- years arise in succession with a is also known as the Tibetan King complete cycle of the Sun through the starting point of a year have
ogy and discusses Jungtsi or El- male year followed by a female Year. It has been 2140 years since the twelve zodiacs, in which the their own historical backgrounds
emental astrology and the origin year, starting from the Mouse, and the first Tibetan king Nyatri Tsen- Sun completes the two transits and purpose. In the almanac
of the parka or trigrams, one of each element is repeated twice, po ruled Tibet. However, in the of summer and winter solstice, system, a year is defined as the
the oldest astrological systems, at (once for the male year and then actual calculations of Elemental is considered as a year. The win- complete cycle of the Sun, start-
length. His talk is from a weekend for the female year) starting from Astrology a year starts from the ter solstice falls in the eleventh ing from the zodiac sign of Aries,
seminar given at Merigar in 1998. the Wood element. This cycle of first day of the eleventh Tibetan Tibetan month, and thus this which falls in the third Tibetan
The last article by Rita Leti, counting years first began in the month, i.e. the first Tiger Day of month marks a new beginning month. Therefore, the following
a long time student of Chögyal year 837 BC, which is the Wood the Tiger Month. There is a rea- in the external season and with description of this year is as per
Namkhai Norbu, gives an overview Mouse year, when Lord Manjushri son behind taking the 11th Tibetan that, its corresponding impact on the Tibetan almanac, which starts
of the various Tibetan astrological first taught Elemental Astrology month as the start of a year. The the wellbeing of human beings. from 11th April 2013 and ends on
systems and information about in China. time tools of days, months and Therefore, in the context of the 29th April 2014.
the Elements in Jungtsi astrology A year is further divided into years are nothing but a means to title of this article, the length of On the whole, this will be an
and the importance of their rela- twelve months, and a month into mark the external changes in the the Water Snake year is actually average year. The second half of
tionships. thirty days, both of which are season, which essentially occur >> continued on the following page

ample the rituals of the gtos, the Buddhists, later on, consid- the world, people refer to the days
Introduction the mdos, the yas and the glud ered to be a manifestation of of the week, Sunday, Monday etc.,
to Tibetan as well as the ritual of the sang
(during which juniper and other
Manjusri, the boddhisattva who
represents wisdom. Since Kong
with the names of the planets. Of
course different languages use
Astrology fragrant herbs are burned for dif- tse phrul gyi rgyal po was born different words for the planets,
ferent purposes, including the 600 years before the Buddha, it but they clearly refer to the same
From a lecture by propitiation of local deities). was difficult for them to call him a thing; for example, in English we
Professor Thubten Phuntsog But despite such wide and con- Buddhist, so they did not say that say “Sunday”, in Tibetan, Za nyi ma,
First part of a weekend seminar at scious appropriation from the Bon he was a Buddhist nor admitted or ‘the sun day or planet’.
Merigar, 21–22 February, 1998 culture, there was a time in Tibet- he was a Bonpo. During the 13th, In elemental astrology the
an history when the culture and 14th and 15th centuries some Ti- days are also associated with
Translated by Elio Guarisco the followers of Bon were wide- betan scholars began to claim the elemental properties, for ex-
Reprinted from issue 44 ly persecuted by the Buddhists that the parka came from China. ample Sunday with Fire, Monday
of The Mirror mainly for political reasons. Since In the 18th century lcang skya rol with Water, Tuesday with Fire,
most of the Tibetans were fond pa’i rdo rje, and the Mongolian Wednesday with Water, Thurs-

E
lemental Astrology or of Bon rituals and often took re- scholar Thu’u bkvan cho kyi nyi day with Wood, Friday with Metal
Jungtsi is the oldest field course to them, the newly intro- ma and other scholars, mistak- and Saturday with Earth. Before
of knowledge originating in moves on the basis of the com- duced Buddhist culture had no enly identified Kong tse phrul gyi the people of Tibet had a writ-
Tibet. It mainly uses three kinds bination of the elements so that choice but to assimilate them in rgyal po with Confucius, saying ten language they indicated the
of symbols: the 8 parka or tri- when the elements are harmoni- some way. In this process of as- that they were one and the same days of the week with symbols.
grams, the 9 mewa or numbers ous there is increase, when they similation, unwilling to acknowl- person. However, many reasons For example in Tibet Sunday was
and the 12 animal signs. The vari- are not in harmony diminution, edge the Bon origin of elemental prove beyond any shade of doubt symbolised by a drawing of a sun,
ous combinations of these three culminating in disintegration, be- astrology and other rites, they that Kong tse phrul gyi rgyal po Monday by the moon, Tuesday
symbols with the five elements of gins. The origin of the trigrams considered the elements of astrol- and Confucius were two different by an eye, Wednesday by a hand,
Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water, or parka is linked to the ancient ogy and rites resembling those people. (This topic was more fully Thursday by a wooden purba or
is the framework for astrological culture of the Bon, the pre-Bud- found in the Indian culture to have discussed during Prof. Thubten three bladed wooden dagger, Fri-
calculations. The parka are the dhist religion of Tibet. Nowadays, been imported from India, while Phuntsog’s conference at Merigar day by a sword or trident and Sat-
oldest astrological symbols, while astrological calculations based on those resembling the Chinese cul- on January 17th 1998.) urday by a penis.
the mewa, the numbers and the the parka are common practice ture to have been imported from In my opinion when we re- Now let us see how the Bon
animal signs are based on the tri- in all the new schools of Tibetan China. search the ancient origins of a texts explain the origin of the
grams. Buddhism, such as the Gelug, the However, many astrological and particular type of knowledge, it parka by means of a mythological
The parkha or trigrams sym- Sakya and the Kagyu as well as in ritual features were unique to Ti- is hard to speak of it exclusively tale which represents the process
bolise the cycle of increase and the ancient Nyingma school. Mod- bet and were not found in either in terms of knowledge belong- of the formation of the world in
diminution that rules life both in ifying their terminology to suit China or India. For this reason ing only to a particular group of eight stages:
the external world and within the the Buddhist frame of thought they acknowledged them to have people. Astrology in particular is 1. the stage in which the pure
body once a particular realm and and language, these schools also originated from or been system- a very ancient discipline which is part of the elements manifest-
its inhabitants has come into be- adopted many rituals of the pre- atized by a historical figure called common to many groups of peo- ed as space;
ing. This cycle is determined and Buddhist Bon culture – for ex- Kong tse phrul gyi rgyal po whom ples. For example in most parts of >> continued on the following page
 THE MIRROR · No. 120 · January, February 2013

Focus on Tibetan Astrology

>> continued from previous page drought and struggle from 22nd very moment of the child’s birth, Taking life prolonging empow- The Pujas for children in Gumik
the Water Snake year will be bet- August to 13th September and a reading is cast with respect to erments is the required remedy. are Dugkar and Drol Toe. The Pu-
ter than the first half. The first half from 14th September to 24th No- twelve different aspects of the Other Pujas include Boom, Dugkar, jas for middle-aged adults in Gu-
could be a testing time for crops, vember respectively. In the south, newborn’s life. It also indicates Tokzung and Kegdok. For all those mik are Namgyalma Zung. The
vegetation and, therefore, for ani- there may be drought and strug- the total lifespan of the individ- who are of Pig year-sign, this year Pujas for the elderly in Gumik are
mals, too. The stars and constella- gle from 17th June to 6th August ual and how the different planets is Dunzur (Seventh Removed Year). Gyed Tongpa (for men) and Dre-
tions will have less positive influ- and 15th January (2014) to 29th rule each phase of his/her life and Some of the Pujas to perform are shue Mdo (for women). The Pujas
ence on the growth of medicinal April (2014) respectively. From what effects those planets have on Topchen, Chusum, Donggyen, Tok- for leaders in Gumik are Jampel
herbs. Nevertheless, water and 22nd July to 10th November, there those phases. zung, Gyaltsen Tsemo and Dralha Tsenjoed and Lodoe Sangmoe
rain will be abundant in the sec- is risk of natural calamities. Extra Apart from this detailed Life Puja. For all those who are of the Shuepai Mdo.
ond half and leaders and subjects, care should be given to the secu- Horoscope, a Yearly Horoscope Bird and Ox year-signs, this year is For individuals of ages in the
especially children, will enjoy a rity of leaders. can be cast to see the events in called Thunsum Tsub (Harshness following table, this year is called
period of prosperity. In the field of In the south-west, in general, the current year or the year to of the Three Compatible Signs). Re- Neki Gumik and Durmik (Mul-
health, one should be wary of dis- it will be a year of struggle and come in order to perform all the quired Pujas are Dralha Puja and tiples of Nine and Tomb Signs)
orders related to the kidneys. drought, especially from 11th April required ritual remedies in ad- Gyab Zhi. For all those who are of which are also types of obstacle
Now to describe the wellbeing to 16th June and 16th January vance. In times of illness, a read- the Tiger and Monkey year-signs, years.
of different geographic locations (2014) to 29th April (2014). From ing can be cast particularly to see this year is called Zhi Shed (Four
in the world. Although there is 7th August to 17th December the gravity of the sickness and Adversaries). One should save the 9 15 21 33 45 51
no exact description of the coun- there is danger of natural calami- the required rite to perform. At lives of other animals as a remedy 57 69 75 81 93
tries associated with the different ties. In the west, in general, it will times of union, a Marital Compat- and not start new business proj-
directions, the centre is taken as be a neutral year. Except for the ibility reading is done to examine ects and long travels. The required The actions and Pujas to perform
Bodh Gaya in India. At the cen- period between 1st January (2014) the compatibility of the bride and Pujas are Nyitri, Mendo and Zung for all in the above years are mak-
tre, in general, it is going to be a till 15th January (2014), it will be a groom. Required rituals are per- Due. ing offerings to the shrine, serv-
good year with good produce. Peo- year of good crops. formed to correct weaknesses in For individuals of ages in the ing the Sangha with offerings,
ple will abide by the Dharma and In the north-west and north, it the different aspects like the du- following table, this year is called Shernying Duedok, Gyab Zhi and
there will be prosperity. These will be a neutral year in general ration or the strength of the bond, Gumik (Multiples of Nine). The Ti- Serwoe.
times of prosperity are likely to although there will be chances the health of the mother or the betan system of counting an indi-
take place from 11th April to 9th of epidemic and unrest in the newborn, the prosperity of the vidual’s year is similar to the way Though there is no escape from the
May and from 10th May in par- north. From 18th May to 1st Janu- new family and social acceptance we count our grade in school or consequence of one’s previous
ticular. However from 9th June ary (2014) there may be unrest in of the new bond. the century. If you are in school Karma,
to 22nd July, there are chances of Tibet. In the north-east, there are There is also astrological guid- doing your 2nd grade, we say, ‘I Yet out of His Compassion, the
struggle and drought. possibiities of misfortunes of a ance on geomancy (Feng Shui) am in my 2nd year’ even before Victor guides us with his skilful
In the east, in general, it is go- sudden nature which may mani- for building temples, monaster- completing it, and likewise we say methods,
ing to be a neutral year. From 9th fest in the forms of struggle or ies, palaces or simple residences. that we are in the 21st century. To impede the sudden conditions and
June to 8th July political leaders fire. And finally when a person dies, Similarly, Tibetans say, ‘I am in my obstacles,
will enter a period of prosperity. a Death reading is cast to ensure 26th year’, when the individual is And abiding by the remedial rites,
From 9th July there is a slight Obstacles and Remedies in the the safety of the family, the after- 25 years old. In the western way, may happiness prevail.
risk of drought. From 9th Au- Water Snake Year life of the deceased and other fu- we use the system of stating one’s
gust to 19th September there may Astrological readings are of many neral rites. In the Tibetan context, past-year rather than the current- Reference:
be a possibility of struggle. From kinds, beginning from our birth astrology welcomes a person into year, which is why we say that we 1) Tibetan Annual Almanac Water Snake
20th September to 24th December till death. When a child is born, this world, takes care during his/ are so many years old. Therefore, Year (2013), Men-Tsee-Khang Dharam-
shala.
there will be peace and prosper- he/she is welcomed by a read- her stay on this earth, and finally the table below is as per the Ti-
ity. From 25th December to 29th ing of his/her Life Horoscope, in ensures a good rebirth at the end betan system or the current-year * Since this is an astrological reading,
April (2014) there could be some which there are details about the of one’s journey. of an individual. the author holds no legal responsibility
for any prediction or prognosis made in
slim signs of difficulty. interpretations of the year, day, For all those who are of the this article.
In the south-east, it is going to constellation and zodiac of the Snake year-sign, this year (Snake) 1 9 10 17 18 19 25 27 28 33 36
be a happy period between 17th birth. Based on the configura- is a called Kag/Keg (Obstacle Year). 37 41 45 46 49 54 55 57 63 64 65
July and 21st August. However, tion or the position of the planets It is better to avoid visiting the sick 72 73 81 82 89 90 91 97 99 100
there are slight possibilities of in their respective zodiacs at the and building new constructions.

>> continued from previous page the turtle and fell and became ‘old Kham is the grand-son and Zin is
2. the stage in which the impure mother of existence’, (Sipe yum the grand-daughter.
part of the elements manifest- rge ma) Khon, the second trigram According to the tale, the tri-
ed as earth; that symbolises the earth. She is grams Kham and Zin came about
3. the stage in which the moun- represented as an old lady with in this way. The elder son, Ghin
tain arose to connect space white hair the colour of a conch- wishing to find a bride, circled
and earth; shell, with a hundred wrinkles Mount Meru, the ‘axis mundis’
4. the stage in which the wind on her face, dressed in white silk, three times in a clockwise direc-
through the stony valleys of holding a hoe in her right hand tion; Zon, with the same wish
the mountain arose; and a wooden stick in her left and circled the ocean three times in
5. the stage in which fire was riding a sheep. a counter clockwise direction. The
produced by the movement of 3. The old father and mother of two of them met in the midst of
the wind; existence married and from their a vortex of wind in the country
6. the stage in which the meet- union came the eldest son, the called srin po gdudg pa can gyi
ing of wind and fire brought third trigram, Ghin, who symbol- yul, which means ‘the country
about the rain; ises the mountain connecting sky inhabited by wild cannibals’, in a
7. the stage in which wood or and earth. The eldest son is rep- place called ye le dgung sngon or
the tree arose, based on the resented by a figure resembling ‘primordial sky’. In the midst of
interaction of wind, fire, water a monk, holding a sacred book in the vortex they did not recognise
and earth. his hands and riding a rose-co- holding a ladle full of blood in her hands crossed on her chest and each other and engaged in an in-
This process as well as the loured ox. right hand and a torch in her left. holding a plant. cestuous relationship. From their
outer world is symbolised by the 4. Then the wind blowing through 6. From the encounter of air and 8. Through the function of the ele- union was born a son, the trigram
drawing of a golden turtle, whose the stony mountain valleys gave fire arose the sixth trigram called ment fire which melted the earth, Kham, and a daughter, the trigram
head represents the direction rise to the fourth trigram called Kham which is symbolised by its pure essence, metal (gold, sil- Zin.
south. Zon. This trigram is symbolised the grandson of the old father ver, copper, etc.), manifests, asso- This incestuous relationship
1. The pure essence of the ele- by the eldest daughter represent- and mother and represented as ciated with the trigram Da. The was a tragedy that caused a dis-
ments emerged from the mouth ed as a young woman dressed in a black-coloured man, with long trigram Da is the youngest son of turbance among various classes
of the turtle as vapour and trans- yellow silk, riding a dzo, and hold- hair, dressed in black, holding a the old father and the old mother of non-humans, in particular be-
formed into the ‘old father of ex- ing in her hands a balloon-like leather ball full of water in his and he is represented by a young tween the Devas and the Nagas,
istence’ (Sipa yab rgen), the first round bag made of skin. hand and riding a black pig. warrior wearing a helmet and ar- who became drunk with mental
and most ancient trigram, Khen, 5. The action of the wind produced 7. Then from the interaction of mour, holding a sword and a lance confusion (because existence had
symbol of the sky. He is described the fire element symbolised by the fire and wind arose the rain in his hands and riding a goat. been defiled by the incestuous re-
as an old man with white hair, the trigram Li which is represent- which fell thus originating the tri- Therefore making a brief sum- lationship) and coupled between
dressed in yellow silk, riding a ed by the youngest daughter of gram Zin symbolised by the tree. mary – the first trigram, Khen, themselves thus giving birth to
dog and holding a crystal wand in the old father and mother of ex- The trigram Zin is represented by is the father, Khon is the mother, the Eight Classes of demons and
his hand. istence. She is rosy in colour, with the grand-daughter who is green- Ghin is the elder son, Zon is the gods. Following this the beings of
2. The impure aspects of the el- a horse’s head, dressed in red silk, ish in colour, dressed in green silk, elder daughter, Li is the younger the six classes of existence were
ements emerged as the dung of riding a green donkey, with her daughter, Da is the younger son, >> continued on the following page
 THE MIRROR · No. 120 · January, February 2013

Focus on Tibetan Astrology

which can harmonize man with

Astrology of the universe.
the Elements Kartsi: kar (skar) means as-
tronomy, tsi (rtsis) means astrol-
Rita Leti ogy. This is the astrology of as-
From ‘A Short Introduction to tronomy: astrology based on the
Tibetan Astrology of the Elements’ positions of the constellations.
by Rita Leti, translated from Italian So Kartsi is principally astron-
by Robin Cooke, reprinted from omy, the study of the stars. Much
The Mirror issue 9, June 1991 Indian astrology is present in this
system as introduced into Tibetan
The Tibetan tradition of astrol- astrology. Garzis derives from the
ogy based on the combination of famous Kalachakra Tantra (The
five Elements, twelve animal and Wheel of Time). Kalachakra is not
nine numbers. It is considered simply astrology, but is rather an
a science which can harmonize explanation through astrology of
man with the universe. the condition of the individual,
the external universe and the El-

W
estern astrology, Chi- ements.
nese astrology and Tujor: tu (dus) means time,
now Tibetan astrology: jor (sbyor) combination. So tujor
whoever enters this path wishes means the combination of time,
to know what the differences, pe- that is, the Zodiac. Tujor is a ‘zo-
culiarities and similarities are. The diacal’ kind of astrology, which
heavenly bodies have been ob- studies the movement of the sun
served from all latitudes for mil- through the twelve houses.
lennia by very different cultures. Nagtsi: nag (nag) means black,
This has obviously led to differ- tsi (rtsis) means astrology, black
ent points of departure, directions astrology or ‘astrology of the El-
and interpretations on the part of ements’. This kind of astrology
the observer interested in under- mostly came from China.
standing the interaction between The reason why the Chinese
the cosmos and man. kind of astrology is called ‘black
The Tibetan tradition of astrol- astrology’ is really very simple.
ogy is vast, eclectic and extraor- India is by definition the white
dinarily rich. Its roots lie in the country. In Tibetan, India is called
ancient Kingdom of Shang Shung Gyagar (gya country, gar white).
and in the Bon tradition but it Moreover, Indians have always
subsequently also received and in- worn white clothes, and the Brah-
tegrated influences and contribu- mins ate ‘white’ food (without
tions from the Chinese and Indian meat) etc. So in contrast, China
astrological traditions. has always been the black coun-
In fact there are various kinds try. In fact, in Tibetan, China is
of astrology in Tibet. A brief called Gyanag (gya country, nag
analysis of their names provides black). Quite the opposite of India,
a good introduction to their sub- in China all types of meat have al- as constellation (skar) – the cal- Boar), which must not be con- and the position of the constel-
stance: kartsi (skar rtsis), tujor ways been eaten and at the time ligraphy is slightly different, but fused with the twelve signs of the lations respectively) both form an
(dus sbyor) and nagtsi (nag rtsis) of the Emperors, all the ministers the pronunciation is exactly the Zodiac. This kind of astrology al- integral part of Tibetan astrology,
are all astrological systems which wore long false black beards etc. same). lows one to understand the prana, the latter must not be considered
derive from different Tantras be- So this is why the Chinese Nagtsi astrology is based on that is, the energy of a person in as a simple derivation of Chinese
cause, like Tibetan medicine, as- kind of astrology is called Nagtsi the combination of five Elements both its internal and external con- and Indian astrology. On the con-
trology is considered a sacred or black astrology as opposed to and twelve animals (Mouse, Ox, texts. trary, it has an independent origin,
science, that is to say, a science Kartsi, white or Indian astrology. Tiger, Hare, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Although the black and white a complete astrological system be-
(Gar means white (dkar) as well Sheep, Monkey, Bird, Dog and systems (based on the Elements ing already in existence in the an-

>> continued from previous page the very substances that, later on, tion. At that time the Sage Yod po In 1557 BC. in the year of wood There are many details regard-
born, the hell beings etc., and ill- became used in the rites to pacify appeared who recounted the leg- mouse, another master of astrol- ing the development of the ele-
nesses and suffering arose among the damage caused by an unfa- end of the origin of the Parkha ogy, Ze’u kong ‘phrul chung was ments, how disturbances manifest-
these classes. vourable combination of the ele- and became the first Tibetan to born. He applied the mother-son- ed and how substances were used
This suffering which struck ments or of the trigrams. explain astrological calculations. friend-enemy relationship to the to pacify the imbalance of the ele-
the inhabitants of the world came Finally the old mother, who After many centuries in a pe- field of medicine for the first time. ments but we would need a week
to the attention of the old father, was born in the earth sheep year, riod in which no form of writing In the wood mouse year in 1197 BC., simply to explain them. This is a
the trigram Khen, who called out died at the age of 226 in the wood existed, the teacher of astrology a famous astrologer, Kongtse sph- mythological story not a real one,
asking what was happening. A re- dragon year. She was buried in named Sa bdag nag po started to rul gyi rgyal po, was born. On the nonetheless its symbols could be
ply came from the sky saying that the earth the following year, that indicate the parkha, the mewa, basis of his astrological knowledge considered to be an invaluable field
what was happening was the re- of the wood snake. At that time and the animals with white and and on the request of four of his of research. This information con-
sult of an incestuous rapport of there was no funerary ritual to black pebbles. most intelligent students he com- cerning the mythological origin of
the elder son with his sister and appease the Eight Classes and to After many centuries, the posed 357 treatises on the rituals the trigrams as well as the mewa
that it would be beneficial if the balance the elements of the fam- prince Shi kha then tse born (2551 of the gto, mdos, yas and the gljud, or numbers can only be found in
family did not remain together but ily, and, as a consequence, the old BC.) in the year of the metal rab- which have the function of balanc- the Bon texts; one does not find
split up to reside in the eight di- father who was born in the earth bit, established the rules of gov- ing the elements and pacifying the similar explanation in the astro-
rections. Li, the younger daughter, dog year and lived for 253 years, erning using astrological calcu- disturbances caused by the Eight logical treatises of China or other
with the wish to reconciliate the died the following year, the metal lations. In 1957 BC in the wood Classes of spirits and gods. countries. In fact, when Chinese as-
family, approached the old father, pig year. In a similar fashion, as monkey year, the astrology mas- In 417 BC. in the wood mouse trological experts are asked about
Khen, apologising for the misun- the result of the lack of proper ter Sa bdag rlung rgyal was born, year, Nyatri Tsenpo, the first Tibet- the origin of the parka or trigrams
derstanding between the two tri- funerary rites, Zin, Zon and Kham who taught the sage nGnon po. an king, was born. When he be- they do not have a very clear ex-
grams, Ghin and Zon which had suddenly died. After that Da, Li On the basis of the instruction of came king of Tibet, the so-called planation and sometimes refer to a
caused the suffering troubling and Ghin discussed the matter his teacher, the latter elaborated a ‘community of astrological practi- particular race of people called Yi
the world. The old father, however, and created the rite to appease way of astrological calculation us- tioners’ developed and propagated who lived on the border between
misunderstood her words, got an- the Eight Classes of demons and ing the combination of the twelve astrology widely. At that time, on China and who were originally Ti-
gry and the problems within the gods and to balance the elements animal signs with the five ele- the basis of the observations of the betans with customs and beliefs
family did not come to an end so within the family. As a result of ments. He associated colours with southerly and northerly movement closely linked to the Bon culture.
the members of the family took this the world enjoyed peace and the five elements: green for wood, of the sun, the observation of the
up residence in the eight direc- prosperity for many eons. red for fire, yellow for earth, white stars and the migration of birds, Thubten Phuntsog is a professor
tions. Each one took his or her Following this period of pros- for metal and black for water and the rain, clouds, wind and snow, at the School for Tibetan Studies
property to their direction and perity, the world began to decline then associated these elements to the community prepared the solar at Southern-West University for
these belongings (including rocks, and all its inhabitants experienced the parkha and animal signs by calendar of 360 days mainly for the Nationalities in Chengdu, Sich-
pieces of wood and so forth) were an augmentation of mental afflic- way of different dots of colour. sake of the farmers and nomads. uan Province, China.
 THE MIRROR · No. 120 · January, February 2013

Focus on Tibetan Astrology

cient Kingdom of Shang Shung, – is presented as its symbol. The of incandescent magma capable of and lastly an Enemy Element otherwise he cannot understand
situated in Western Tibetan near colour green and the rectangle transforming itself into solid black (which tends to destroy it, and is the condition of an individual and
Mount Kailash. The system’s basic also remind one of the tree. rock as soon as it emerges from the Mother of its own Mother Ele- some diseases cannot be cured.
components are the twelve sym- The triangle and the colour red the mouth of a volcano! ment). The Elements taken into consid-
bolic animals (non Zodiacal, but represent Fire, with its attributes Earth generates Metal – deep Taking as an example the El- eration in the Jungtsi astrological
analogous to the twelve Chinese of heat and force of expansion. down in the bowels of the Earth, ement Fire, we can say that the system are not the same or not
astrological animal signs), com- Earth and its stability are repre- this hard and shining Element Mother of Fire is Wood, the Child in the same order as those used
bined with five Elements and nine sented by the square. Its colour which is both malleable and com- of Fire is Earth, its Friend is Iron in other astrological systems and
numbers, from nine to one, called is yellow, a symbol of richness pact is born. and its Enemy is Water. in Buddhist philosophy. This set
mewa (sme ba). (yellow is the colour of gold) and To say that Metal generates of Elements, however, is adopted
This autonomous Bon tradi- abundance. Water is to refer to a character- Friend and Enemy in Tibetan medical theory. In fact,
tion derives from the famous sage The semicircle and the colour istic which was well known to The relation between any two each Element has its own func-
non-adjoining Elements in the tion and a precise correspondence
generative cycle is considered to within the physical body. Accord-
be a negative, inharmonious, con- ing to the Tibetans, disease arises
flictual relationship between two when there is an inharmonious
Elements. It is to be noted how situation within the individual –
a Friend-Enemy relation is never discord between the Elements.
reciprocally advantageous or re- The predominance of a particu-
ciprocally disadvantageous. For lar Element gives a person specific
example, Water is the Enemy of characteristics, tendencies in atti-
Fire (in fact it puts it out), but Fire tude and energy, both within and
is a Friend of Water (it sets it in without.
motion, expands and transforms it Knowing all this allows one to
as in the boiling process). operate in an appropriate and pre-
This way of relating the Ele- cise way in one’s own existence.
ments with each other is not the In Tibet, astrology is not a goal in
only one possible. For instance in itself. It is a rigorous operational
Kartsi astrology, completely dif- science. Nothing is left to chance.
ferent considerations are made There are precise techniques for
when analysing the Elements of intervening and restoring the
the constellations or the Elements equilibrium. Together with the
Tonba Sherab (Ston pa gshen rab) white indicate the Element Iron. alchemy: the property that met- that govern any particular day. knowledge of each discord, exists
who lived 500 years before Bud- Iron or Metal (another name for als have of melting, becoming But in any case, the relations the method to harmonise it.
dha Sakyamuni. Only later, start- the same Element) belongs to liquid, thereby giving rise to the between the Elements form the This is true not only as regards
ing from the reign of the Tibetan Earth and it is born in the Earth. fluid Element, of which Water is basis of all kinds of Tibetan astrol- the material circumstances we live
king Songtsengambo (Srong btsan When we talk about Earth, we the symbol ‘par excellence’. Wa- ogy. Analysing their relationships in – although the opportunity of
sgam po), that is, from the sev- are referring to something large ter generates Wood: here the tree one can often intuitively under- choosing the most favourable mo-
enth century onwards, did Tibet and heavy. Talking about Metal, returns, whose sap and vital es- stand the result of their meeting. ment for our actions, so as to live
have direct contact both with Chi- we refer to something hard, con- sence draws indispensible nour- What happens, for instance, when in harmony with time, should not
na and India. In this period much centrated and compact, which, ishment from water – and with- Fire and Water are put together? be ignored. But even more valu-
Chinese astrology was introduced however, is to be found within the out water no form of vegetable life Or Fire and Air? (Air helps Fire to able is the knowledge of our per-
(one of Songtsengambo’s wives Element Earth. This is why, when can exist. grow etc.). sonal Elemental situation through
was Chinese and expert in astrol- considering the Elements in gen- which we can understand and
ogy). The Kalachakra, on the other eral, Iron sometimes disappears as correct physical and mental ten-
hand, was introduced from India a distinct Element and becomes dencies determined by an imbal-
only in more recent times. part of the Earth. The Kartsi sys- ance in our Elements thus allow-
This brief introduction is in- tem of astrology, for example, only ing us to progress spiritually.
tended to make clear from the recognizes four Elements: Air, All reality, both material and
start certain areas of confusion Fire, Earth and Water, just like the subtle, is composed of the five El-
which are likely to arise when classical four Elements of Western ements. These Elements govern
talking about Tibetan astrology Astrology. both our inner and outer worlds.
in general, and in particular about Water, with its constant fluidity They relate both to the concrete
the rich and fascinating collection and its capacity to take any shape, physical world and to inner char-
of astrological data which forms is represented by a figure without acteristics. They determine the
the ‘Tibetan calendar’, the fulcrum corners, the circle, and by the co- quality of energy and tendencies
of Tibetan astrology and an indis- lour blue. of the mind. And finally they are
pensible tool for every astrological a subtle essence, light and co-
interpretation. But this subject re- Mother and Child This cycle of continual genera- The relations between the Ele- lour. A true understanding of this
quires an article to itself. These five Elements form a har- tion can also be traced in the op- ments govern all existence. Refer- concept means entering into the
The description below refers monious system and are the ma- posite direction. In this case we ring to a person their agreement heart of reality. Many way of us-
to Nagtsi astrology, that is ‘black terial foundation of all existence. say that Wood is the Child of Wa- or disagreement determines the ing this knowledge exist on many
astrology’, or astrology of the Ele- Their order is not accidental: a ter, Water the Child of Metal, Met- areas of life and the types of situ- levels. Like a stone thrown into
ments, the Tibetan Jungtsi (byung specific relationship in fact exists al the Child of Earth, Earth the ation in which a given individual the water, which produces larger
rtsis) system. between all the single Elements. Child of Fire, and Fire the Child of will tend to find most difficulty and larger circles, the knowledge
This relationship is first and fore- Wood, which in turn is the Child and danger, or conversely will find of the five Elements is an essen-
The Five Elements most one of ‘generation’ between of Water, and so on. This is what the going easy. tial nucleus which expands well
Jungtsi astrology involves five each Element and all the others is meant when one says that two By relating the Elements of two beyond visible limits.
Elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Iron or, as the Tibetans say, the five Elements have a Mother-Child re- people, it is possible to understand
and Water. Each of these is sym- Elements move ‘from Mother to lation. This relation is generally whether or not they can easily live Maria Rita Leti has studied Ori-
bolically represented by a specific Child’: Wood is the Mother of Fire, considered to be positive (partic- a positive life together – whether ental language and civilization at
colour and a geometrical shape. Fire is the Mother of Earth, Earth ularly when the Mother Element the combination of their personal the University of Oriental Stud-
The rectangle represents Wood is the Mother of Iron, Iron is the is seen with respect to the child Elements will favour union or cre- ies in Naples. She has been in-
and corresponds to the colour Mother of Water and finally Water since the Mother “protects” her ate conflict. terested in Tibetan astrology for
green and the Air Element. When- is the Mother of Wood – thus the Child, a little less the other way From an external point of view, many years and has deepened
ever Wood is spoken of in Tibetan circle closes and the cycle starts round), that is to say a harmoni- relating the individual’s Elements her knowledge under the guid-
astrology, we refer to what in the again. To understand what all this ous relationship of agreement be- to the Elements which govern a ance of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu
West is known as the Element Air. means (and at the same time to tween two Elements. particular moment – be it a cer- of whom she is a long time stu-
To understand this, it is necessary remember the correct succession) tain year, month or day – it is pos- dent. At present she lives and
to think of Wood not as an inert all you need to do is to consider The Four Relations sible to understand the degree of studies in Rome.
material, but as a living tree. A the physical characteristics of Altogether, four different sorts of ease or difficulty to be expected.
tree grows and develops day by each Element. The fact that Wood relation exist between Elements: Very precise calculations can be
day, forever changing and mov- generates Fire is obvious; Fire 1) Mother, 2) Child, 3) Friend, and made for any day, so as to decide
ing in the wind. This incessant generates Earth – and what is our 4) Enemy. Every Element has a which day is the best for a par-
growth and mobility, this energy own Earth, like other planets, if Mother Element (from which it ticular activity.
and capacity for development, are not the result of the cooling of a was generated), a Child Element Furthermore, astrology, in gen-
the internal characteristic or hall- flaming sphere? And the Earth we (which it generates), a Friend Ele- eral, is especially used by doctors.
mark of the Element Air. This is tread on each day is none other ment (which helps its manifesta- A doctor must know astrology,
why the tree (Wood) – by analogy than the outer crust of a nucleus tion, and is the Son of the Son),
 THE MIRROR · No. 120 · January, February 2013

Artists in the Dzogchen Community

10

didn’t behave well which was not to another, doing what I liked, no are apart from all those artistic
Bepe Goia fine because it wasn’t good for his longer following artistic currents currents, even though there is
name. Then in 1974 I went to India like in the past when I had worked always some contact with a cur-
Manifesting the for a couple of months and when for a period on, for example, sur- rent because you cannot start
Reality Around I came back I no longer had my
place with him at the Academy
realism in my aesthetic research.
Now I gradually started to be more
from nothing. You start from lots
of aesthetic culture, absorbing
Us and I had to start my work all over relaxed. My research was no lon- a lot of aesthetic formalism. My
again and go back and teach at the ger obsessive and totally encom- aesthetic and spiritual research

I
n my youth I studied at the Liceo Artistico. passing. In the past I would dream has been driven by a sense of dis-
Institute of Art in Gorizia for However, before that I was un- about the work I would do and satisfaction that needed to be dis-
four years. Before that I was employed for a couple of years. I have the image in my mind, but solved.
studying at an industrial institute didn’t feel like trying to go ahead once I started to practice a bit I Today I think that the mani-
but things didn’t go well for me – I had a sort of crisis in which I gradually began to have some ex- festation of the “reality that sur-
there. Then one summer my uncle didn’t feel like collaborating with periences. rounds us” through forms and
came to visit us and told my par- society, being used as an instru- And I thought back to when I colors is a profound need for me.
ents that I wasn’t cut out for that ment. There were all these ideolo- started to do things. I never re- That turning to attempts of words
type of study because I had been gies and I, too, felt like I wanted member not doing things. Even and communication is a neces-
really obsessed with design from to experience what ‘reality’ was at nursery school, they teach you sity in one’s existential journey
when I had been a small child. He like so I went to work for a few to do this and that. And I would and the desire and attachment to
told them to send me to an art months in the port of Monfalcone do it, it would be gratifying and ‘doing’ is synonymous with re-
school. At the time we were living loading and unloading wood. That they would tell me how good search into primary harmony and
outside town and the art institute was really tough work and I would I was. It was the same with my a formal statement of one’s path.
was not very close and my par-
ents thought that I was too little
– I was thirteen – to travel there
every day. But he managed to con-
vince them and I started attending
the institute of art. I got on really
well there.
When I was 18 I started to have
exhibitions and won some med-
als at the Institute and other little
prizes for my work and it really
encouraged me. When our friends
came to see us from Venice, the
ex-students from the Institute
who were already going to the
Academy of Fine Arts, who were
older and our ‘idols’ with their
long beards and velvet clothes,
this became another goal for me
to reach and when I was about 18
I started to attend the Fine Arts
Academy in Venice.
At the Academy I started to
work with the ‘master’ Bruno
Saetti, an important painter who
had a kind of empathy towards
me and thought I had a good tech-
nique and so I became his assis-
tant. Then 1968 arrived when we
‘occupied’ the Academy and ev-
erything became complicated. We
were rebelling against the system
and the Academy became a free
meeting place. It was occupied by
the students and there were free
lessons in theatre, in painting etc., “The Sutra of the Tiger and the Strawberry” by Bepe Goia.
and we invited different speakers Bepe’s latest work is a 10 page booklet illustrating an ancient Zen parable using the technique of engraving with etching and aquatint. The 10 plates are printed in color. The text is illustrated
to come. We were all politically with sharp and contemporary writing. Print run of 30 copies of the book plus 10 artists proofs. Made of pescia paper 350 gr. The illustrated plates are 25 cm x 35.

charged up and became leaders

of the extreme left. But with this leries and won some important come back at the end of the day grandmother who would tell me Now I have burned my vain am-
there gradually came about a type prizes. At that time I was infatu- totally exhausted. At the begin- how good I was at drawing. But bitions and particular “world view”
of split - there were two or three ated and tried out many different ning I was quite wound up but you don’t realize that those skills, and artistic trends and intellectual
incidents concerning money - and aesthetic forms in my work that then everything has its weight those instincts were something itineraries that tend to charge the
the idea of the students being a were experimental. It wasn’t like I and after eight hours in the port you had previously. Karma. In the mind and the ego. Since I cannot
‘social group’ started to disinte- was doing research into any par- [….] past I had done something similar. suppress the basic desire to soft-
grate. ticular artistic current like the ab- Then I came into contact with For me it was easy to draw and it en the path by ‘doing’, I search for
At that point I left all of this stract or into the informal – I had Chögyal Namkhai Norbu and the was satisfying and I went ahead quietening of anxiety in every ac-
behind – spurred by some kind some experiences with them but teachings in the summer of 1980 – it was a psychological mecha- tion that I do.
of spiritual research I went to Is- they didn’t last very long. I would at Montebelluna. At the time I was nism that I could understand and It is all part of vision and now
tanbul and stayed there for a few be fascinated with a certain style working at the Liceo Artistico in I sensed that I had always worked that I have met the practice and
months. I did the whole 1968 trip, just like a student doing research Treviso and a friend of mine who in that field. what is happening, my infinite
hitch-hiking as far as Brindisi but these experiences were not knew I would be interested told In 1981 I moved to Merigar. It gratitude goes to the Master, the
then took the ferry to Izmir then very profound, they were more me that there was an Indian mas- was in April at Easter time and Sangha and the Dharma.
gradually made my way to Istan- superficial. But I was still unsatis- ter at Montebelluna. At the time I the Master was here at Merigar
bul. There we hung out at the Gu- fied with my research. had already been following Guru and everyone was sleeping in
lan Hotel described by Ginsburg, There was a prize that a well- Maharaji who was a very young sleeping bags on the floor. Then I
smoking, trying to be like our to-do person had left in inheri- tantric master. This first retreat came in the summer with my tent
idols, and at some point, when I tance to the Bevilacqua La Masa with Rinpoche was wonderful and and shortly after bought my little
hadn’t found anything that I was foundation that was given every had an effect on me and I started house in Casidore and started to
looking for and the feeling had year to a promising young artist to relax a bit. renovate it.
passed, we came back to Italy which was a beautiful studio in After the retreat at Montebel- Today – I no longer have a story
where things had already calmed Palazzo Carminati. I won this prize luna my research was no longer to tell or any vision to show to the
down and I went back to work at and was there in Piazza Carminati spasmodic or absolute because world. I have never been part of
the Academy. for five years. And after that, when previously I had been working an artistic movement. I have been
I had my own art studio in dif- you have a free studio and oth- 12 or 14 hours a day, really in a doing my personal research, tak-
ferent parts of Venice and I started er things for free… Master Saetti wound up way. From that time ing something from here or there.
to have my work shown in gal- liked me but from time to time I on I would pass from one thing I belong to the individualists who
 THE MIRROR · No. 120 · January, February 2013

Adventure

11

because no one stays at Borobu- mudra are along all four sides of
Borobudur: dur for one month. the fifth level.
Adventures The hour-long drive stayed on
city streets, not going into the
Midmorning I heard the Islam-
ic prayers, broadcast from what
of a Pilgrim countryside I’d expected, so I was seemed to be the four directions
surprised when Candi 5 Borobu- of the mountains. Their low reso-
(Part I)
dur suddenly came into view. The nance sounded to me like Tibetan
Lynn Newdome car turned to enter Borobudur chanting, a call to meditation. My
Park and stopped in front of the instinct was to turn outward and
Lynn Newdome studied and elegant Manohara Hotel. My new take the posture of the Buddhas.
practiced Tibetan Buddhism, as home, built of richly carved wood- Gazing at the expansive volcanic
taught and transmitted by Chög- en beams and graceful roofs, had range, I felt like I was at the center
yam Trungpa Rinpoche and Nam- few exterior walls. Instead, its “in- of the world.
kai Norbu Rinpoche, for over 40 terior” spaces opened directly onto I was eager to greet people –
years. Seeing photographs of the the beautiful adjoining conserva- hotel staff, park security guards
ancient monument, Borobudur, tion land. and travelers – with my few
she recognized the symbolism The next morning was Au- phrases of Bahasa Indonesia.
of the nine-yana path. In 2012 gust 1, and I was ready to begin For the Central Javanese, meeting
she embarked on a solo pilgrim- my exploration. The candi was someone from the U.S. was un-
age to Java, Indonesia, to unravel an easy walk from my room, on usual. (In fact, during my entire
Borobudur’s mysteries and ex- a hill bounded by an iron fence. stay I didn’t encounter another
perience its powerful messages I entered through the main East Caucasian American.) Introducing
directly. Lynn plans to return to Gate and climbed a steep stair- myself was always received with
Borobudur this summer. case to reach its base. (Borobu- broad smiles and an enthusiastic
In Part I (of 3), Lynn embarks dur’s four sides face the cardinal “Amerika good!” Many Indonesians
on this journey and begins her
exploration.

A
ncient sculptures of ex-
quisite beauty carved onto
the walls of an enormous
stone temple – I was captivated
by Borobudur from the moment meaning or use, but Borobudur halls was good preparation for the
I opened the book, Golden Tales was built when Mahayana and tropical climate to come.
of the Buddhas.1 Here was a Java- Vajrayana Buddhist lineages were By the end of July I thought
nese monument built between flourishing in India and spread- I’d prepared for everything, but
760 and 830 CE, buried for cen- ing along trade routes throughout couldn’t have anticipated losing
turies by jungle, rediscovered in Asia. The structure holds 432 Dhy- my glasses. On the red-eye flight
1814, and remaining a mystery to ani Buddhas 2 on its outer walls, out of Boston, I took two sleep
the modern world. With the pro- another 72 Buddhas on its top ter- tablets, not realizing they were
file of a stepped pyramid, Boro- race, and 1,460 panels of detailed double strength, so that I’d actu-
budur’s aerial view revealed the bas-relief within its galleries. ally taken a quadruple dosage. The
footprint of a giant mandala. Its Although the sculptures’ imag- last thing I remembered before
sacred images echoed the Tibetan ery derives from ancient India and falling asleep was looking for my directions, each with gateways asked to take my picture, and
Buddhism I’d studied and prac- Indonesia, its Buddhist messages eyeglass case, and the first thing I and stairs leading up to the cen- women warmly embraced me.
ticed for over twenty years, and are beyond time and culture. I realized upon waking was that my tral circular terrace.) Most visitors That I was Buddhist drew some
the essence of this faraway place saw Borobudur’s series of reliefs, glasses were gone. Without them I proceed straight to the top, but on surprise and curiosity, but hear-
resonated in my being. starting at the base and wrapping was nearly blind. that first day I greeted the pair of ing that I was staying at Borobu-
Fast forward another twenty around four ascending levels, as I contemplated spending a stone lions guarding the entrance dur for “satu bulan” was invariably
years to 2011, when I opened that describing the path through the month at my dream destination and turned left to circle around a shock. Soon I became recognized
book again and instantly knew yanas,3 toward enlightenment. I without being able to see it. The Borobudur’s outer wall. as the “satu bulan” woman.
I must go to Borobudur. I didn’t would travel there as a modern situation looked bleak, but I was Above me to the right were I spent late afternoon in my
know whether, as an American pilgrim, tracing the footsteps of determined to not let it ruin my seated Buddhas, and to my left, room, studying the reliefs’ sutras
woman in my fifties, it would even that journey, to experience Boro- trip. Through a fog of connec- open landscape. I stopped in front and symbolism. Dinner in an open
be safe to venture – alone – to the budur’s wisdom directly. tions at the London and Singapore of each Eastern Buddha in earth- pavilion brought the most de-
foot of an active volcano on an In July I had the good for- airports, I called my hotel with witnessing mudra, initially dis- lightful surprise – live gamelan 8
island I couldn’t find on a map. I tune to attend retreats taught by a message. When I finally landed tressed at seeing that many were music. These cascading bell-tones
in Java, my surroundings were a without a head or hands, or miss- were completely captivating to me,
blur, but I’d arranged for a car to ing altogether. Below the Buddhas, as a musician. Joining the con-
drive me directly to an “express” a sculptured row of elegant male cert, traditional Javanese dancers
eyeglass store. There, although and female bodhisattvas encircled in full lavish costume performed
unable to communicate why I the entire wall. I was puzzled to the slow, graceful movements of
couldn’t see the big “E” on the not distinguish them as any of the their ancient art. And rising in the
chart, the optician figured out my narrative reliefs, and only eventu- background was Candi Borobudur,
prescription. In about an hour my ally realized they were among illuminated in the night sky.
glasses were ready. I’d arrived in Borobudur’s additional 1,212 “deco-
a new country and now was liter- rative” panels. 1 Borobudur: Golden Tales of the
ally seeing Indonesia through new At the Southeast corner, part of Buddhas, text by John Miksic, photo-
graphs by Marcello Tranchini, Shamb-
eyes. the outer wall had been removed hala Publications, 1990.
Suddenly the world was vivid to reveal a section of Borobudur’s
and wildly in motion. All around original base.6 Here, scenes of tor- 2 Five aspects of Buddha or enlight-
me, the streets of Jogia 4 were mented beings with twisted bod- ened mind, each relating to a particular
wisdom, direction, color, etc.
teeming with motorcycles, half of ies and grimacing expressions
them ridden by women in tradi- illustrated the Karmavibhanga 3 A progression of the Buddhist teach-
didn’t like to travel, had little un- Namkai Norbu Rinpoche, where I tional Muslim headscarves, none Sutra.7 Even though only a few of ings, emphasizing different aspects of
knowledge and experience.
derstanding of Indonesia’s Islamic gained several valuable insights. of them observing the road’s the original 160 panels remained
culture, and couldn’t speak the Dedicating the Universal Mandala, center line, and all with seeming visible, the understanding of suf- 4 Indonesians’ reference to Yogya-
language. Nevertheless, I booked Rinpoche said that we weren’t disregard for the danger. Scared, I fering and its chain of causes is karta.
flights halfway around the world building it for ourselves, but for repeatedly gasped, “Crazy!” and my essential to embark on the Bud- 5 Pronounced “chaundy,” the Indo-
and arranged to stay a month at people of the future. Perhaps driver, Eko, laughed in agreement. dhist path. nesian term for an ancient Buddhist or
Hindu temple.
the Manohara Hotel, within the Borobudur, too, was not created Using my limited Bahasa In- Continuing on to the South
sacred grounds of Borobudur just for ninth century Buddhists, donesia, I talked with Eko, who side, I paused at each Buddha in 6 The initial “hidden foot” was covered
Park. but also to manifest for later peo- asked how long I was staying at generosity mudra, then to the by a stronger base in an early phase of
Borobudur’s construction.
During the first seven months ples. Rinpoche presented a con- Borobudur. When I answered, Western Buddhas in meditation
of 2012 I devoted every spare min- cise history of Buddhist lineages, “Satu bulan” (one month), he mudra, and lastly, the Northern 7 Buddha’s teachings on samsara and
ute to studying the language, Ba- providing a clear context for Boro- looked startled, then told me I Buddhas in fearlessness mudra. the workings of karma.
hasa Indonesia, and intensively budur. And, the experience of sit- meant “satu hari” (one day). I tried Though not visible from my van- 8 An Indonesian “orchestra” of gongs,
researching Borobudur. Not much ting for hours in hot meditation to explain “satu bulan,” but Eko tage, Central Buddhas in teaching metallophones, drums and often, a vo-
calist/soloist.
is understood about its original was convinced I meant one day,
 THE MIRROR · No. 120 · January, February 2013

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12

Trust 100%! are risky for humans and animals.

There was a Sakyapa practitio-
Fire in the Bön tradition, is
the symbol of the function of en-
ner who was able to block even ergy, the source. In the lungta it
Guru Dragphur Retreat,
the cholera and had been invited is the most important animal, the
Tenerife, Dec. 26, 2012–
to the countryside to do Tso pu- flaming eagle. In the center of
Jan. 1, 2013
jas and rituals. When the Master the lungta there is a horse with
asked him about this practice of a norbu, a jewel, on his back, the
Alba Papini Tso he discovered that it was part symbol of the individual whose
of the ancient practice of Guru potentiality continues for years

H
ow can you talk about a Dragphur. and lifetimes.
drop of water during a The San ritual is also from the Then there is the Tiger, the
heavy rainfall? How do you Bön tradition, as is the making of symbol of Air because he lives
define it? In itself it holds all the Torma, all introduced by Guru in a forest full of wood that rep-
rain, it is the rain itself. Padmasambhava. Even the seed resents Air in Tibetan astrology.
That is how I felt looking at my syllable of the powerful practice The Lion represents Earth. Hard-
notes on the Master’s Guru Drag- of Garuda originates in Bön, and ened earth becomes rock creating
phur retreat held in Tenerife De- so it was maintained and trans- high mountains where the snow
cember 26–January 1 straddling mitted by Guru Padmasambhava. is. In Tibet and even in China it
the solstice of 2012 and the entry In the Tibetan lungta [prayer was said that the Snow Lion lived
into 2013. flags] for example, also coming there, with green fur and resem-
During the three days of in- from Bön, there is the explanation bling a small Tibetan dog.
tense practice of the Vajra Dance of the figures of the five animals. Then there is the Dragon that
that we did at the Grand Hotel Cal- The living energy of the animals represents Water. It is said that
lao, Tenerife, and throughout the represents the elements. In order many merchants, traveling the
world, December 21 to 23, I felt a to cure the disturbed relationship seas were in danger of disappear-
pervasive sense of agitation melt between the individual and the ing in the jaws of these animals.
into a state of calm. The world elements, not only medicine was To confirm this they would brings
around and Spanish society in used, but most of all pujas and birds and let them fly the ocean, if
particular, so overwhelmed by the rituals, many of them related to they came back, the sea was free
disintegration of the social secu- Garuda, to care for the energy. >> continued on the following page
rity system, with the consequent
tremendous suffering of fear and
mental confusion for people, was
relaxing it hold on me.
…There is not a single party
that corresponds to our condi-
tion… evolution is linked to real- ... And how do you know without And again, trust. Total trust. To
ization. In duality there is good an explanation? With experience. overcome negativity and strength-
and bad, the just and the un- Through the Master. en the energy to realize ourselves
just who are fighting each other, He transmits and introduces because we need time, positive
thousands of diseases caused by us to our potentiality, to the dis- healthy time to overcome and pu-
negative provocations ... Money covery of Rigpa, which may need rify the karma that ripens. We do
conditions our lives, complicated, time and work to manifest. not know how our life will end,
short ... you have to know how to The transmission and the with illness or a sudden accident.
get directly into the practice, be method from him – from us, Guru Padmasambhava was in-
present, you have to know how participation, trust, and applica- vited to Tibet and had to take
to prepare yourself to get out of tion. Guru Yoga, but also learn- on the extremely powerful local
the cage and fly… ing to be present, remembering Bön guardians. Continuous ob-
Some of the many drops that to be present, to practice. Under- stacles arose and gradually these we brought out ours and started
the Master let fall on us, on this standing that if the past affects guardians were transformed into New Year in to do the same. It was New Year
burning thirst.
Coming and going, following a
us negatively we have to purify
it and then abandon it, living and
Guardians of the Teaching. The
last one was Dorje Legpa. In Bön
Tenerife and integration.
After that Rinpoche asked
perfect thread, he told us about enjoying our ever fleeting and there was a series of Dzogchen Tibetan Dances us to sing Tibetan songs and to
the need to discover our true na- changeable circumstances, in or- Teachings and when Guru Padma- dance. We danced with Adriana
ture through experience through der to be able to integrate into our sambhava conquered him, he was Elena Fokina Dal Borgo and with Tsering and
which we learn everything, even three dimensions of body, voice transformed into an important Topgyal.

T
ordinary things, without having to and mind, instant presence. With Dzogchen Guardian. However, suc- he ganapuja started at 4pm Rinpoche left the party at 10.30
have a belief system. the Song of the Vajra. But what cessively Guru Padmasambhava and we prepared everything pm.
All experiences are linked to happens when we follow the path integrated into the form of Guru quickly under the supervi- We continued to dance and at
phenomena, to the nature of the and run the risk of interrupting Dragphur, part of the ancient Bön sion of Tsvetan. midnight everyone ate 12 grapes. It
elements and to our three doors it because negativity comes up? tradition. After the ganapuja we brought is a Spanish tradition to have one
(body, voice and mind). So we can We should learn to eliminate the Guru Dragphur is Guru Padma- yogurt to everyone, but we did it grape and to wish something with
find out what the Buddha called obstacle, and given that negativity sambhava. “secretly” so that Rinpoche did not every strike of the clock. Then we
the nature of the Void, profound cannot be eliminated, we send it The practice of water, Tso, em- know about it. When he began to danced and danced.
and luminous beyond explanation back from where it came. powered, eliminates diseases that eat his yogurt, at the same time What a nice New Year it was!

Cats’
Stories
A
greeting
card with
many color-
ful cats had been
on Rinpoche’s desk
since Christmas.

One day, on a sunny

afternoon in Te-
nerife, Rinpoche
asked a question to
the few students
around him at that
moment.

And, one by one, the

stories came up.
 THE MIRROR · No. 120 · January, February 2013

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13

and clear explanations of the main Espacio Multicultural Aguere, the

Third Edition themes, such as diet, lifestyle, the cinema/theater in La Laguna that
of the Tibetan composition of medicines accord-
ing to the type of patient, exter-
was the concert venue was packed
with spectators. The concert was
Culture Week nal therapies with a brief presen- very moving and created a strong
tation of Tibetan massage, treat- positive feeling.
Aldo Oneto ment and cure of mental illness, The next three days, after
and finally a basic explanation the formal closure of the event,

T
he third edition of the Ti- of the main diagnostic methods were dedicated to a Hospice held
betan Culture Week was used by doctors. by Doctor Phuntsog Wangmo on
held January 11 to 17 in San On the final day of the Cultural guided assistance to the dying ac-
Cristobal della Laguna, a town in Week, the Master gave a lecture cording to Tibetan Medicine, while
the north of Tenerife, a cultural at the University of La Laguna Fabio Andrico led a short course
and university town, recognized by on the theme of Death in Tibetan on harmonic breathing and final-
UNESCO as a heritage of humanity. Medicine. The hall was full of peo- ly Urgyen Sonam, a Tibetan from
The main topic was Tibetan ple who were very attentive to the Australia, led a workshop on the
Medicine, with a significant num- words of the Master. production of Tangkhas in silk.
ber of visitors who were very Photo: T. Boehm The concert given by Ani Choy- We look forward to seeing you
intrigued and fascinated by the
great themes illustrated by the If the theme of Tibetan Medi- the origin and history of Tibetan
Tibetan doctors specially invited cine played a major role in the medicine. Following this there was
from Tibet. The event was coor- event, other activities and initia- a presentation of the Doctors who
dinated by Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo, tives that followed also had an had just arrived from Tibet who
who not only spoke on specific important role. In fact, in the area formed a strong bond with the
topics, such as obstetrics, child- of the Santo Domingo Convent Dzogchen Community by present-
birth and pediatrics according to that hosted the Cultural Week ing the Master with an incredible
the concepts of Tibet medicine, and which was made available by multi-volume encyclopedia on the
but also successfully organized the local authorities, besides the medical traditions of the whole of
the lectures that followed each large room for the talks on Tibet- Tibet, a work of immense value
other in the following seven days. an medicine, we were also able to and interest. In the following days,
The success of the event, how- make use of a big area for Tibetan the same team of doctors, made
ever, was also due to the incessant dances and songs and recreational an agreement between Rinpoche
energy of the organizers from the activities. In addition a beautiful and “Arura”, which consists in the
Community: Kundusling, Meriling, living room was set up to exhibit production and dissemination of
the International Shang Shung In- the tangkhas depicting the Medi- Tibetan medicine. The opening
stitute, ASIA and many volunteers cal Tantras on loan from ASIA, and ceremony was followed by the Photo: T. Boehm
from all over who supported and the abundant space let visitors en- opening of the ASIA exhibition.
took on the numerous commit- joy the paintings to the full. In the days that followed, each ing Drolma, who had just arrived at the next edition of the Tibetan
ments that were part of such an The Cultural Week opened with of the doctors gave a talk of the from Nepal was of great interest Culture Week.
event. a keynote speech by the Master on utmost importance with excellent and an enormous success. The

>> continued from previous page but for thousands of years, and comfortable retreats, Dances and
of Dragons. It is the most power- cannot be gotten rid of. During the festivities at the Grande Hotel Cal-
ful animal that represents the ele- Chinese cultural revolution the lao, dissolved day after day with
ment of Water. Gyalpo manifested everywhere, the fire that the Master lit in us
Returning to the practice of and for years the Dalai Lama has – overwhelming, secret and won-
Guru Dragphur, the Master ex- asked people not to do the practice derful.
plained that it unifies many func- of Dorje Shugden. And New Year’s Eve, 2012, with-
tions of realized energy: Vajrapani The other figure, feminine, out alcohol, but with special foods,
protection against paralysis, Man- dominated by Guru Dragphur is decorations and party dresses, the
jushri for increased intelligence, Semo, an evil spirit that causes dancing began and ended the year
Avalokitesvara for compassion, the negativity, drains the life force, as, in overflowing joy.
Buddha of Medicine to overcome for example, happens in AIDS, in
disease, Amitayus for long life. which people do not die imme-
It dominates the Gyalpo, a male diately but become weaker and Meriling New Gakyil
class of beings that create nega- weaker until eventually they die.
tive provocations producing agita- Through the initiation, the in- The new Gakyil of Meriling was
tion and nervousness. Since hu- troduction to the practice of Guru elected at an assembly on January 26.
mans are always agitated, this im- Dragphur not only overcomes tice of Sinhamukha. Outside the The Master’s advice: to do it ev- Yellow: Elvira Heredia
mediately attracts the Gyalpo and negativity but also leads to total state of contemplation, in dualis- ery day. 15 minutes is sufficient. elvira.amarillo@meriling.es
so the agitation increases. Falling realization. However, the value tic vision, we can receive infinite The cold and the drafts of the Red: Carles Jañez Brucet
into the Gyalpo class, doing prac- at the relative level is essential negativity because when energy is sports pavilion in Adeje which carles.rojo@meriling.es
tices to them, leads to domination to strengthen energy. The same disorderly we become passive and hosted the Guru Dragphur re- Blue: Michael Truckenbrodt
by them not just for a few years thing can be said for the prac- receptive to negativity. treat, felt even more after the michael.azul@meriling.es

>> continued on the following page

 THE MIRROR · No. 120 · January, February 2013

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14

The Dzamling
1

 
Gar Song      

T
his song was composed by   ~ ~ ~~ ~~ ~
Chögyal Namkhai Norbu    ~ ~ ~~ ~~ ~
during his stay in Tenerife
in January 2013, on the occasion  ~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~
of the birth of Dzamling Gar. 
The words and melody arose ~ ~~ ~
 
spontaneously over three days,  ~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~
while the Master was relaxing in 
the swimming pool at his home. ~ ~~ ~~
May this short text, which is a   
~ ~ ~~ a~ 
complete teaching, bring joy and  
benefit to all sentient beings!    ~  ~~ ~~ 
The Italian and English ver- 
sions are the transcription of the ~ ~, 

first oral translation by the Master ~ ~~
himself and express the meaning   
of the song rather than a word by ~~~ ~~ -
   
word translation. The transcrip- ~ ñ~ ~~ lo
tion was made by Rita Bizzotto  ~~~
and the English translation by
Nick Simmons.    ~ ~
Any possible error is exclu-      ~ ~ ~~ -
sively due to our lack of under-
standing.        ~~~ ~~ lo
     

Happiness is not lacking,

Chögyal Namkhai unite your strength and energy! Zamling Gar Lu
Norbu Happiness is not lacking,
all is self-perfected and manifests
Chogyal Namkhai Norbu

œ œ œ œ œ.
& 44 œ œ œ œ œ
when we live in the knowledge of the œ œ œ œ ˙
Dzamling Gar Lu
Harmonica
?
primordial state1 J œ. J œ
With this, happiness arises in the world
? .. œ . œ œ œ j œœ j œ œ œ œ
œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ. œ œ œ œœœœœ œ ‰
5 Vocal

Dzogchen Communities of the whole world, Perfecting all fortune, œ

Dzogchen Communities of the whole world, Manifesting the self-perfected qualities,
As soon as possible, in a relaxed manner, And developing our knowledge and application of
? œ œ œ . œ œJ œ œ . œ œ œ ˙ Œ œœ œ œ œ œ
œ œ œœœœ
10

Come to Dzamling Gar! evolution J J J œ œ œ . œ. JJ

As soon as possible, in a relaxed manner, The entire world enjoys happiness.
Come to Dzamling Gar!
? œ . œ œ œj œ œ. œ œ œ œ
˙ œœ œ œœœ œ ˙
15

J œ œ œ ˙ œ ˙
Integrate in your state the meaning of Ati! 2
J
Happiness is not lacking, Integrate in your state the meaning of Ati!
Come as soon as possible, in a relaxed manner. The knowledge itself of evolution
? jj j jj j j
œ . œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ . œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ . œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ œ œj œ œ œ œ ˙ ˙
21
Happiness is not lacking, and its application. Thus the whole world is brought
All is perfected, nothing is missing, into a state of peace.3
Come to enjoy happiness, The knowledge itself of evolution
? jj j jjj j
œ . œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ . œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ . œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ œ œj œ œ œ œ ˙ ˙ &
We want to enjoy this happiness together and its application. Thus the whole world is brought 27

into a state of peace.

Perfecting our fortune and all positive things, Happiness is not lacking,
Manifesting all self-perfected qualities, Let’s go, let’s bring the world into a state of œ œ œ œ . Jœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ. œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ ..
33 Harmonica

In all directions victory is manifesting, without peace. & J

any obstacle. Transcription by Oleg Troianovsky
Happiness is not lacking,
All together let’s unite our strength and capacity, our state, our condition as it truly is, as
All together let’s unite our strength and evolution, we integrate
capacity, and applying it, the sun of Samantabhadra4 arises 1 It means that it does not depend on effort.
All Dzogchen Communities, unite your strength and 2 The knowledge of Ati must not remain only on an intellectual level.
capacity, Perfecting fortune and all positive things, 3 This is our duty, what we must do.
All Dzogchen Communities, unite your strength and Manifesting the self-perfected qualities, 4 Here Gun san, Samantabhadra, means that all goes well, that this arises, does not
capacity, All enjoy the state of definitive happiness. refer to the Buddha Samantabhadra.

>> continued from

previous page
 THE MIRROR · No. 120 · January, February 2013

International Community News

15

Merigar West Merigar West

Arcidosso 58031
GR Italy
phone: 39 0564 966837
fax: 39 0564 968110
office@dzogchen.it
www.dzogchen.it

Merigar West News people participated. Doing something instructors in June, Mandarava with
for other people is not only expressing Nina Robinson in August, Chöd with

J
anuary and February in general solidarity with them. It is also an op- Tsultrim Allione in November.
are quite a difficult period of time portunity to meet people and create
to organise activities at Merigar different relationships with them, Courses open to
West because the cold and the snow based on sharing a common ideal and non-practitioners
create various logistic problems. a new and valuable project. For this A week of Dance of the Vajra July
In spite of this we managed to or- reason we were happy to have had the 21–27 and a week of Yantra Yoga
ganise three important and different opportunity to help ASIA concretely, August 4–10; both courses will have
events following the guidelines of the but also to have found a way to work sessions dedicated to beginners and,
program we are working on in 2013 to together, Merigar and Amiata people, at the same time, sessions for those
organise courses that are “specialised”, on a common project. who have already done base courses.
courses that are open to everyone, and Encouraged by the success of The most particular point, however,
activities in which we can integrate these initiatives we are defining the is that children will also have some
with the local community. details of our program for the rest of activities for themselves with Kumar
We had a course of supervision by 2013. At the moment the following are Kumari Yantra Yoga and Santi Maha
Laura Evangelisti and Fabio Andrico of the most important events. Sangha for children; for these activi-
three instructors of Yantra Yoga sec- ties there will be certain weeks suit-
ond level. This level is quite specialised Retreats with our Masters able for family holidays where each
and there were about twenty or so · The Easter Retreat with Khyentse person will find something of interest.
people who came to Merigar for the Yeshe on Jigmed Lingpa’s “Yeshe
course in spite of serious problems of Lama” text Open days
snow and ice. · Two retreats with Chögyal Namkhai From April on we will dedicate a
Then there was a weekend Norbu September 6–13 and Septem- couple of Saturdays per month to the
dedicated to improving awareness of ber 28–30 many people who would like to visit
breathing with Fabio Andrico. This Merigar and not only to see the build-
course was open to everyone and In-depth courses and retreats ings but to learn a little more about
the Gonpa was filled with more than for practitioners the place. For this there will be some-
fifty people of whom half had no idea · Three Teacher Trainings: Vajra one who will talk about the history of
about Merigar and had arrived solely Dance First Level with Prima Mai July Merigar, about the people who come
for the course. 13–19; Yantra Yoga First Level with to Merigar and their reasons for com-
The day of Losar was dedicated Laura Evangelisti and Fabio Andrico ing. Visitors will be able to participate
to promoting ASIA in the Amiata August 26–September 1; Vajra Dance in demonstrations of Yantra Yoga or
area and we had a stand in the town Second Level with Adriana Dal Borgo Vajra Dance or other activities linked
square, we showed a documentary in and Prima Mai September 14–22. to Tibetan culture. For assistance with accommodations, please contact luna@dzogchen.it
the Arcidosso Town Hall and held a · SMS First Level Course with Fabio Contact the secretary’s office for information and registration:
solidarity dinner in collaboration with Risolo over five weekends, which can +39 0564 966837 office@dzogchen.it
a local association called “La Vettoraia”. also be accesses in closed webcast Advance registration is recommended. To register, send an email to
The day went very well and the local · Practice Retreats: Seventh Lojyong office@dzogchen.it indicating your name and membership number.
authorities and many local towns- in April, Dance of the Vajra only for

Germany, Berlin >>Dödjungling Netherlands

W
e are very happy to inform Outstanding Women in She was also the initiator and, for
you that our precious Buddhism Award many years director of the Dutch
teacher gave the name Buddhist Broadcasting Foundation

T
Dödjungling (“Dödjung” means ob- he Dutch Gakyil congratulates and the Buddhist Film Festival Europe
taining all desires) for the new Ling Babeth VanLoo for receiving an in Amsterdam. She is an outstanding
in “Berling”. ‘Outstanding Women in Bud- documentary maker, for instance
dhism’ Award. about several well known Lamas and
All the best, Babeth is the first co-producer of about different Buddhist traditions.
Gakyil of Berlin My Reincarnation, the documentary
gakyil@dodjungling.de film about Rinpoche and Khyentse Warmest regards,
Dzogchen Community Germany Yeshe. The Dutch Gakyil

MerigarEast
Merigar East 23 August 907005 phone: 0040 746 26 08 61
Asociatia Culturala Constanta office@dzogchen.ro
Comunitatea Dzog-Chen Romania wwww.dzogchen.ro

Latest activities of the Estonia >>Thadrulling Losar in Prague definitely worth it. Although we faced
Merigar East Gakyil Fundraising for ASIA Onlus flu in the main organizators team, the

T
he name of the Ling of the event went well again and we enjoyed

A T
s reported in the previous Estonian Dzogchen Community he Czech Community collaboration and enthusiasm. As ev-
issue of The Mirror we are has been changed by Rinpoche is happy to inform you ery year, everyone involved worked as
preparing for the Body Mind from Tashiling to Thadrulling that this year once again volunteers.
Festival in Bucharest (1st–3rd of (‘Beyond limitation”). we organized Losar celebrations in On the main stage we presented
March). The flyers – also advertising Prague – Saturday February 9, 2013 a cultural program for the general
the summer retreat with Rinpoche – With kind regards, Gakyil of Estonian from afternoon till late night in the public: Tibetan singer Soname, several
have been made by Artur Zolkowski, Dzogchen Community ancient New Town Hall building. The other music groups (mostly in which
our Polish graphic designer. Anatolie, Losar event is a successful project practitioners played), an astrological
our Gekö will be present at the festi- Poland, Krakow >>Tashiling for the public which we have already explanation of the Water Snake year
val with a DVD demonstration of Yan- been organizing for 8 years. and short puja by Geshe Gyatso
tra Yoga and the Dance of Liberation New Ling in Krakow The Tibetan Buddhist groups Choekhortshang, Milarepa perfor-
of the Six Lokas. mission on the anniversary of Garab existing in Prague are involved and mance, Tibetan songs (Merigar Song

W
We would like to invite Irina from Dorje. We hope to see them again at e are happy to announce also many organizations supporting and few others performed by children
Russia, our candidate for project man- the summer retreat. that our Master gave the Tibetan culture and human rights from Waldorf school in Prague and
ager for the summer retreat, to attend At the Gar, our Geko, Anatolie, has name Tashiling (“good together with the Tibetan community students from the newly opened Ti-
to our third gakyil meeting at the end done some work on the electrical in- fortune” in Tibetan) to the new ling in living in the Czech Republic. betan studies in Charles University), a
of March via skype. frastructure and is now in the process Krakow. The Czech Dzogchen Community lottery, juggling and so on.
It was a great pleasure for us to of buying an underground water tank is the main organizer of the whole There was also a huge space for
welcome a group of 12 newcomers that will be placed behind the Gonpa Kind regards, Gakyil of Krakow event every year. Our team with 10 specific workshops and presenta-
from Constanta to the Gar for the so as to be able to finish the drop part Dzogchen Community Poland people had a few intensive months of tions of various traditions, in which
explanation of the World Wide Trans- of the Longsal symbol there. work ahead of the event, but it was >> continued on the following page
 THE MIRROR · No. 120 · January, February 2013

International Community News

16

>> continued from previous page with nyongdrol inside. Visitors could adopted 4 children and one elderly
the Dzogchen Community presented buy books and many other articles person from the Losar proceeds since
Yantra Yoga, the Vajra Dance and ASIA from many dharma-shops. 2005.
documentaries. The whole event was attended by On behalf of the Losar team
The whole event was also designed approximately 700 visitors and we re- Tereza Starkova
for families with children, so there ceived some nice feedback. The Czech
was a playroom and various work- press was also present and various
shops for children (printing Lungtas, newspaper articles were published
making Namkhas, making Tsa Tsa). afterwards.
For hungry and thirsty people Fundraising for ASIA brought in
there was also a little restaurant with 3700 Euro which will be sent for the
Tibetan and Indian food and Tearoom. scholarship program and the long
As usual we offered tsampa sweets distance sponsorship project. We have

KunsangarSouth
Kunsangar South
kunsangar.blue@gmail.com
http://kunsangar.org

the Gonpa, which, as you probably

know, has become very beautiful after
it was decorated last year. Everyone
really liked the unusual architecture
of the Gonpa and the colorful painted
ceiling; both children and adults were
curiously contemplating the interior
for a long time. Everyone was happy
and satisfied. So, Losar in Crimea this
year was a great success!

Losar for children – Tibetan New Year, and the celebration Losar, the story of life in Tibet, Tibetan try to demonstrate some word pro- Ukraine, Kiev >>Tobgyalling
and not only! has already become a tradition here. customs and culture – and it was all ducing no sounds, and others have to

T
And our Geko has the greatest respect illustrated with beautiful videos on a guess what it is. he name of the ling of the

O
n February 10, on the eve of for this tradition. big screen. Then the children played a Dzogchen Community members Kiev Dzogchen Community
the New Water Snake Year, Each year more and more local lot of games and took part in different also prepared some treats for our has been changed by Rinpoche
Kunsangar South arranged children and adults come to this cel- competitions. They were running and guests. These were the traditional from Tashiling to Tobgyalling, (“royal
the celebration of Losar together ebration. This year, there were nearly jumping, competing in various activi- natural sweets – balls of tsampa, potentialities” in Tibetan).
with local children and their parents forty children of different ages who ties and winning sweet and attractive grain cookies, and everyone enjoyed
from Goncharne village near the Gar. came with their parents. The parents prizes with great pleasure. The adult the Tibetan tea with butter. Kind regards,
Kunsangar South is quite young, but were also interested in celebrating. villagers also had fun at our celebra- At the end of the celebration in The Gakyil of the Kiev Dzogchen
the local children already know that The event began with an introduc- tion. They played an amusing game the village, the Geko invited the vil- Community
there is such a happy holiday as the tion to the tradition of celebrating called the “Crocodile” in which people lagers to make an excursion to visit kiev.dzogchen@gmail.com

KunsangarNorth
Kunsangar North
kunsangar.blue@gmail.com
http://kunsangar.org

these days many people also practiced

Yantra Yoga, the Vajra Dance and Chod
together.
In addition there was a wonder-
ful New Year party prepared by the
Gakyil with a lot of help from Com-
munity people. There were about 120
Vajra brothers and sisters celebrating
together, and the party was very suc-
cessful. We had a big New Year tree
decorated right in the forest, nice food
and drinks, games and dances in the
gonpa, competitions for children, a
bonfire outdoors with hot pilaff and
mulled wine – everything was very
joyful and tasty! There was even a
special DC Ded Moroz (Russian Santa
Claus) who came to the party in sun-
New Year at Kunsangar North retreat program. On the 28th of Sangha First Level practices with Sa- the Six Lokas with Vajrasattva began. glasses and with a travelling case,
December activities started with sha Pubants and the webcast of the January 1–3 there was a course on Ti- ready to fly from Kunsangar North

T
he New Year holidays were a course of the Song of the Vajra Guru Dragpur retreat with Rinpoche betan Medicine with Doctor Phuntsog directly to Tenerife.
celebrated at Kunsangar North Dance for beginners with Tatyana from Tenerife. On the 30th the inten- Wangmo on Chögyal Namkhai Norbu’s
for a whole week with a rich Pronicheva, a retreat on Santi Maha sive practice retreat on Purification of book “Birth, life and death”. During all

Main Office: PO Box 479, Conway, MA 01341, USA * Tel: 413 369 4208 * Fax: 413 369 44 73 * mirror@tsegyalgar.org * * European Office: The Mirror,
Istituto Shang Shung, Merigar 1, GR 58031 Arcidosso, Italy * Tel: 39 32 98 86 52 92 * Skype: lizmirror * liz@melong.com * * Editorial Staff:
Naomi Zeitz, Tsegyalgar, Conway, MA, USA * Liz Granger, Istituto Shang Shung, Arcidosso, Italy * * Literary Editor: John Shane * * Advisors:
Adriano Clemente, Jim Valby * * International Blue Gakyil Advisor: Fabio Andrico, International Publications Committee * * English Language
Advisor: Liz Granger * * DC Brand Design: Paolo Fassoli * Design & Layout: Thomas Eifler * * Printer: Turley Publications, Palmer, MA, USA * *
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We reserve the right to edit all submissions.
 THE MIRROR · No. 120 · January, February 2013

International Community News

17

Taiwan >>Gephelling

Inauguration of SSCP organization and activities of the In- sq.km., has over twenty thousand
and Gephelling ternational Dzogchen Community and monasteries and temples and hun-
Shang Shung Institute and, in addi- dreds of Tibetan Buddhist centers.
By Harry Mao tion, we presented future plans which Relatively, it is kind of competitive

T
he inauguration of Shang included group practices, courses situation, but we do have the most
Shung Chinese Publications and of Vajra Dance, Yantra Yoga practice, faith in Rinpoche’s precious Dzogchen
Gephelling Taiwan successfully teaching on Namkha, the Tibetan teachings and we will fulfill his wish
took place on 27th January 2013. In the Language Drajyor system, and Tibetan among all Chinese.
morning, we did sang and serkyem culture interaction with local Tibetan
led by Khenpu Tserying Tashi, who organizations. The event concluded
has come to Rinpoche’s teachings with the showing of the movie ‘My
many times. Reincarnation’ at 7pm.
At 2 pm in the afternoon the Taiwan, Republic of China, with a
program started. We introduced the population of 23 million and 35,980

Namgyalgar North
Namgyalgar 206 Glass House-Woodford Rd, Phone: 07. 5438 7696
Dzogchen Community Glasshouse Mountains, Qld., 4518 nnth_geko@dzogchen.org.au
in Australia P.O. Box 307, Glasshouse Mountains, Qld., 4518

Update 9/3/2013 Gakyil, so also of six people. These and Yantra Yoga, and an ongoing daily After the April retreats, the Nam- system for greater ease, clarity and
six would also be the Directors of the practice schedule. In April we have a gyalgar Gakyils will meet all together transparency.

I
t’s just over a year since Rinpoche Dzogchen Community of Namgyalgar couple of retreats with Elio Guarisco, at Namgyalgar North to consider what It is a lot of structural change
spoke to Namgyalgar Gakyil on Incorporated, which is the legal entity once again with event permits. structures will best carry us forward and evolution, which can be experi-
how things should be in Austra- we have here in Australia. The recently founded Shang Shung as we become a branch of the Inter- enced as being a long way from the
lia – that Namgyalgar North should It is taking a while to get develop- Institute Australia also has its base at national Dzogchen Community. As we utter simplicity of Dzogchen. But
now be the main Gar for the Dzogchen ment approval for the Gonpa, accom- Namgyalgar North and is working to grow, it will soon become necessary as Rinpoche constantly reminds us,
Teachings, while the South Gar should modation and Cinerarium at Namgyal- establish ongoing courses in Tibetan for us to become a Not for Profit Com- whatever we do with presence and in
be rented out as much as possible, to gar North – but we hope to have that language, Thangka painting, Tibetan pany rather than an Incorporated As- a very relaxed way, there is no prob-
make money. approval in April or soon after. medicine (in collaboration with the sociation, as at present, and we hope lem, we can enjoy our life! And having
He also endorsed for that year a In the meantime we have had an already established Australian Tibetan that from the outset this can be set a structure that works in the societ-
provisional strucure for the Gakyil- inaugural retreat with Rinpoche last Medicine Association as well as with up as a branch of the International ies and circumstances we live in, that
that each Gar should have a six per- March (with an event permit from the the the SSI Tibetan Medicine pro- Dzogchen Community. We are also in provides a solid Base for the continu-
son Gakyil, with one person from each Local Council) and a steady program grams), and of course Tibetan Song process of reviewing our accounting ation of the priceless Dzogchen Teach-
Gar Gakyil colour to be on a central of smaller courses in SMS, Vajra Dance and Dance! systems, moving to a cloud based ings of our precious Maestro!

Tsegyalgar East
DCA Tsegyalgar East Phone: 413 369 4153 secretary@tsegyalgar.org
PO Box 479 Fax & Bookstore: 413 369 4473 www.tsegyalgar.org
Conway, MA 01341 USA

Gakyil of Tsegyalgar East We are fortunate to have Ed back Blue: Tom Burton, Elisa Gonzales, Red: John Foster, Kathy McGrane,
on the Gakyil. He brings many years Ed Hayes Joe Zurylo
Dear Vajra Family, of experience and dedication to this bluegakyil@tsegyalgar.org redgakyil@tsegyalgar.org
The Tsegyalgar East Dzogchen Com- task. Welcome, Ed!
munity is very pleased to announce Our current Gakyil members in- Yellow: Al Dagget, Vern Harrington, For general questions they may be
that Ed Hayes has been selected and clude: John LaFrance contacted at gakyil@tsegyalgar.org
approved to join the Blue Gakyil. yellowgakyil@tsegyalgar.org

TsegyalgarWest
Tsegyalgar West tsegyalgarwestsecretary@gmail.com
Baja California Sur, Mexico http://tsegyalgarwest.org

The Gift of the Dharma

A new isolated retreat house
in Baha Sur, Mexico
by Vincent Imberti

“The gift of the Dharma excels all

other gifts.”
“Sabbadaˉnaṁ dhammadaˉnaṁ jinaˉti”
The Buddha. Dharmapaˉda, verse 354

A
bout three years ago in 2011
I went to the Gar in Baja and
spent 3 months there. While
I was there I noticed that all the little
‘casitas’ [cabins] are very close to each
other so you cannot really do indi- the Gar in 2012 and spent six months The cabin is about 6m x 4m, just with its own kitchen and toilet with of his/her stay. Half of the donation,
vidual retreats for a long time because there. I arranged for local workers to big enough to do the Vajra Wave with- water that is piped down from the whatever the amount given, will go
there is life all around when people build a casita made completely of nat- out hitting walls or furniture. mountain. for the upkeep of the casita, and the
are there. Even the construction is ural materials: the walls are made of The casita is situated on the edge In front of the casita there is a other half to sponsor the next person
not very nice because they are made adobe, constructed with mud bricks of a canyon, and is completely isolated. platform of sand where the meditator doing a retreat there.
of concrete. The Gar is a huge place that were made and sun-baked on You cannot hear any human sounds. can do yoga or meditation. On one side So, when a meditator arrives for
of 3000 acres and it is beautiful with the construction site itself. The roof Everyone who has been there says there is a low range of mountains; and retreat he/she would find some money
blue skies most of the year. [is made] of intertwined palm leaves, that there is a special feeling to the it is the best place in the world out- to buy food, clothing, toiletries and
I saw the huge potential to have a which is traditional in that area. The place. Physically it is only 300 or 400 side of Tibet for doing namkha arte. medicines for the retreat. In this way
place for people to do private retreats floor consists of handmade bricks. metres from the Gar’s kitchen, but There is a fantastic and immense blue each meditator is sponsored, and the
in isolation for extended periods of I wanted to make a place where because of its geographical location sky day after day for most of the year. use of the cabin is completely free.
time, so I thought it would be nice if I people would feel grounded; so there the casita is protected from sounds. The system that I invented is like The donation made by the medita-
built a retreat cabin and offered it to is this natural feeling about it [i.e. the The idea is for the meditator to be this. Since the cabin didn’t cost the tor upon leaving the cabin can be of
the Gar as a gift. walls and floor being made of earth, completely self-sufficient during their Gar a cent to build because I am the any amount. It is an act of faith, and
So I went to the US, took some the roof made with palm leaves]. retreats there, with no intercourse sponsor, there is no reason for the half of it will sponsor the stay of the
workshops on natural buildings and with the rest of the Community, for Gar to rent it. Every meditator who next person.
got some knowledge, came back to this reason the casita has been built uses it makes a donation at the end >> continued on the following page
 THE MIRROR · No. 120 · January, February 2013

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18

>> continued from previous page a part of that fund could be used to saddens me deeply to know that some USA, Berkeley >> Dondrubling
Usually if a person is doing, say, sponsor the travel of dedicated and people cannot develop the dharma
a six-week retreat there is so much committed repeat meditators who may because they do not have the money Greetings from the Bay Area Blue: Dawa Gail Lorien, President,
appreciation that he/she really wants live in distant countries, do not have to attend a meditation retreat, or do and Dondrubling Gene Kim
to sponsor the next person. It is really enough money to travel, and would a self-retreat, and so, in a tiny way, I Dzogchen Community West Coast, Red: Richard Bermack, Vice-Presi-
an act of love for the Dharma – what- like to come back to do another retreat. wish to help this situation. Berkeley dent, Monica Hernandez
ever you receive, you really want to At the moment, the casita is fin- In the near future there will be a Yellow: Lee Weiss, Treasurer,
give to others. So this is the beauty of ished, and people should contact the website with information and photos I would like to introduce our New Laurel Bellon
it – whatever donation you give is an secretary of Tsegyalgar West who will of the retreat casita, and also for me Gakyil.
act of love to help the next meditator. keep a roster of people who wish to to get precious feedback from medita- All the Best, Dawa
I have been thinking that the half use the retreat cabin. tors to know how they would like to
of the donation that goes for the main- If this system works, I would like improve the place.
tenance of the casita will accumulate, to inspire people to do a similar proj- To reserve a place in the casita:
and after some time if it is sufficient, ect in other places, or in other Gars. It tsegyalgarwestsecretary@gmail.com

TashigarSur
Tashigar South Tanti 5155 Phone & Fax: 0054 - 3541 - 498 356
Comunidad Dzogchen Tashigar Pcia. de Córdoba secretaria@tashigarsur.com
Calle pública S/N Argentina www.tashigarsur.com

New Gekö and Secretary treats in person, Good character and ing the period to get familiar with the role and you are capable of satisfying · Minimum three years as Dzogchen
needed willingness to serve the public, Es- functioning of the Gar. the profile that is presented below: Community member.
sential fluency in Spanish. If you are · Knowledge of PC and office equip- We offer:
Gekö Request interested, please send your answer Tashi Delegs! Tashigar Sur Gakyil ment. · Housing

D
ear Sangha: Tashigar Sur is to this e-mail as soon as possible: · Knowledge of English and Spanish · Salary
calling for a new Gekö in the secretaria@tashigarsur.com Secretary Request in writing and oral communication. · Retreats with Rinpoche for free
Gar from May 2013 to March/ We will confirm the precise date of Dear members of the Dzogchen Com- · Possibility to carry out the daily · Social benefits
April 2014. We offer a salary, medi- the election that will take place at the munity: Tashigar South needs a new activities required in the gar. For the previously expressed rea-
cal assistance, housing and retreats assembly in the months of March or secretary from May 2013 to March/ · Ability to establish personal rela- sons we await your communication
with Rinpoche for free. It requires: April. The new Gekö is asked to be at April 2014. Please contact us if you tionships. soon.
Three years as an active member of Tashigar at least 15 days before start- are interested to collaborate in this · Capacity to register, classify and file Send your Curriculum Vitae to:
the Community and at least three re- diverse information (bills, events, etc.) secretaria@tashigarsur.com

Courses
Merigar West Italy, Rome >>Zhenpenling

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Participants in the Yantra Yoga course on the Third, Fourth and Fifth Series and Related
Pranayama led by first level instructors Marco Baseggio, Patrizia Pearl and Sergio Quaranta n January 19th and 20th, at nations, left all of us with a sense of joy
under the supervision of Fabio Andrico and Laura Evangelisti January 17–23 at Merigar West.
Photo: I. Wagner Zhenphenling, our center in and gratitude. Long Life to our Master!
Rome, we hosted Fabio Risolo,
Italy, Venice who conducted a wonderful retreat on Zhenphenling
the instruction and practice of Shinè Ass. Comunità Dzogchen
and Lhagthong. The group consisted Via G. Miani 5 - 00154 Roma
of ‘old’ practitioners, those of recent tel. 06 57300346 fax 06 86905885
years and also ‘brand new’ members, cell. 334 5885824
who are approaching the Teaching www.zhenphenling.it
after meeting our Master at Merigar
or who have been attending a weekly
meditation course at our center.
The clarity and depth of Fabio’s ex-
planations enthused all of us, bring-
ing new and better understanding to
those who, in the past, had already
covered this topic while studying
Mandarava with Nina Robinson in Venice, Italy January 2013. the base or first level of Santi Maha
Sangha; it also permitted the ‘newer’
Dzamling Gar people to contextualize Shinè and
Lhagthong within diverse spiritual
paths of Sutra, Tantra and Dzogchen
and to participate with greater ease
in the relative practices and those of
Semdzin and Rushen.
The perception of all of us having www.jcrows.com
made an internal journey, through the
reflections solicited from Fabio’s expla-
J. Crow’s®
Mulling Spice Folk Medicine
Tibetan Medicine
SpicedCider.com
fax or phone: 1 800 878 1965 603 878 1965
jcrow@jcrow.mv.com
Kumar Kumari with Laura Evangelisti at the Global Gar in Tenerife, Spain February 8–10, 2013.
 THE MIRROR · No. 120 · January, February 2013

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19

Czech Republic

Yantra Yoga presentation by Fijalka Turzikova during the Celebration of Losar 2013 in the New
Kumbaka retreat with Fabio Andrico in Prague, Czech Republic February 2–6, 2013. Yogis from Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Germany and the Czech Prague Town Hall. It is a big event regularly organized by Czech Dzogchen Community (About
Republic came and had a perfect time together. Thank you, Fabio! Photo: M. Slavicek 700 visitors, all income goes for ASIA Onlus)

Slovakia

Yantra Yoga course for Beginners in České Budějovice with Fijalka Turzikova in January, 2013. Eight movements in Žilina, Slovakia with Jan Dolensky Feb. 8–10, 2013.

Ukraine, Yekaterinburg Siberia

Yantra Yoga with

Zhenya Rud in Siberia

I
t has become a tradition to organ-
ise joint retreats with the collabo-
ration of the cities of Ulan Ude,
Irkutsk, Angarsk and others, which
make up the Dzogchen Community of
the Baikal region in Siberia. Also this
January we had another wonderful
training in Irkutsk with experienced
instructor of Yantra Yoga, Evgeny
Practical Intense Second Level Course of Yantra Yoga in Yekaterinburg, Ukraine with Victor (Zhenya) Rud!
Krachkovsky January 4–10, 2013. Long sessions, rich in content,
alternating with our “homework”
Kunsangar North created a unique retreat atmosphere
during this event. The amazing ca- ment, and the experiences of bliss, Baikal. The retreat will take place on
pacity of Evgeny to work with the emptiness and clarity we entered the the legendary and mysterious island
entire group (and the hall, as always, state of contemplation! of Olhon.
was packed to the limit), and at the We sincerely hope that this fruitful Follow further information, reserve
same time to notice and correct the collaboration will continue success- these dates for your holidays – you
errors of each participant made it fully. Evgeny Rud has already agreed will not regret it.
possible for all practitioners to gain a to lead an international Yantra Yoga Welcome to Siberia!
deep, concrete experience. By means retreat from the 15th to 25th August The Dzogchen Community of the
of relaxation, full and harmonious 2013 at the purest, deepest and most Baikal region
breathing, awareness during move- beautiful lake in this world: Lake sesegdugarova@gmail.com

Kunsangar North
Longsal Tsalung Retreat with Elio Guarisco 13–18 February, 2013.
The subject was “Yogic exercises for getting experience of clarity and emptiness from the Long-
sal Teaching of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu”. More than 80 participants were involved in very inten-
sive studies with 4 tuns a day and the webcast of Mandarava Chudlen from Tenerife. There was a
very warm atmosphere, and everybody was happy, including Elio.

Russia, Moscow

Origin of Disease and Healing: Tibetan Medicine about Health of Body and Mind. Moscow, Birth, Life, Death. Course on Tibetan Medicine with Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo organized by Shang Shung Institute, Russia in Kunsangar North. Janu-
“Open World Center”. January 5–6, 2013. 65 participants. ary 1–3. 90 participants.
 THE MIRROR · No. 120 · January, February 2013

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20

Singapore

Yantra Yoga Workshops in extended to non-member participants and auspicious wishes for the forth-
Singapore with Emily Coleing to support their fledgling practice. coming year with a special prepara-
by Leong Wai Ying If the tone for Workshop 1 was tion of salad. We ended the workshop
light and exploratory, Workshop 2, with a brief Ganapuja at Namdrolling.

F
rom the 29th January to 3rd held over the weekend, saw a mark- And we end here with an email
February 2013, Namdrolling edly different group. 9 participants, quote from Emily, who is at the time
was privileged to host 2 work- all DC members, had already been of writing, in Malaysia giving a yantra
shops on Yantra Yoga, one for Begin- practising this work for some years. yoga workshop on the island of Pen-
ners and the other for those who have Emily lost little time in going over ang:
already had some practice experience, the preliminaries explanations with Thanks for your warm hearts dear
in Singapore. It was the first time we this group. The programme offered sangha.
have had an authorised yantra yoga Deepening the understanding of the What a lovely time we shared,
teacher come to conduct workshops Preliminaries and Levels 1 and 2 of teachings and Chinese New Year salad
and the initial response was extreme- the yantra series, but it was clear with lashings of laughter.
ly encouraging. Just 3 weeks before Yantra Yoga in Singpore with Emily Coleing, January 29–February 3, 2013. where the interest of the group was. May it be an auspicious year ahead
the workshop for Beginners, the or- The practitioners seized the opportu- for all the sangha here and Nam-
ganisers had to change the venue to one who attended looked forward books. We ended the workshop with nity to clarify breathing details and drolling.
larger premises to accomodate those eagerly to each session, inundating a pre-celebration of Chinese New Year Pranayama with the teacher. Cheh May the depth of the precious
who were registering on the day of Emily Coleing, a Level 2 Yantra Yoga with special homemade cookies, man- Goh, our SMS teacher and long-time teachings be easily integrated by all
the workshop itself. teacher from Australia, with numer- darin oranges, cake and lots of lively yantra yoga practitioner kindly fa- Rinpoches students worldwide.
Yantra Yoga for Beginners, which ous questions during the break. If in- banter between DC members and cilitated the translation into mandarin Thank you, Emily and we hope you
was also open to non-members, drew terest can be measured by the Yantra non-members, united by their shared for several of the participants. will come back again to Singapore
21 participants and even though the Yoga books and dvds ordered and sold, interest in Yantra Yoga. As a follow- As the mood for Chinese New Year very soon! Happy Losar to everyone!
workshop was conducted in the then it must have been successful as up, the scheduled weekly group prac- was in the air, the group decided that
evening hours to faciliate those who more than half the group participants tice at the Ling for members was also Emily should be initiated into the “lo-
were working during the day, every- placed orders for the Level 1 dvd and hei” tradition of tossing high all good

Namgyalgar South New Zealand

Mandarava Retreat at Namgyalgar South with Elise Stutchbury, Yantra Yoga camp at Namgyalgar South with Emily Coleing and Amare Pearl, Introduction to Yantra Yoga at Nyima-Tashi Centre, Auckland with Oni McKinstry
January 2013. January 2013. February 2–3, 2013.

Namgyalgar North Australia, Cairns

Mandarava Chudlen Retreat, Namgyalgar North Feb 2013.

A small group of practitioners had the idea to take advantage of the Mandarava Chudlen re- Khalong Dorjeikar, the Vajra Dance
treat with Rinpoche, being webcast from Tenerife, by having an intensive collective practice at of the Space
Namgyalgar North at the same time. With an ‘Ok’ from Rinpoche, 4–10 people practiced 3 tuns
of long Mandarava practice with Chudlen each day as well as following the webcast in the eve- taught in Cairns by Cosimo Di Maggio on March 2, 2013

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ning – a fantastic experience of practicing together in this way! How little we need be limited
Song of Vajra dance part 2 with Cosimo di Maggio from 11 to 16 Jan, 2013. by distance in being with Him in our practice! ne by one we arrived at the place, the day and the
time. We were there to learn the precious Dance
Tsegyalgar East of Khalong Dorjeikar taught by our beloved Vajra
Dance teacher Cosimo de Maggio. Kacho Yulo Ling Bud-
A sense of responsibility was reawakened during this course, as we understood dhist Centre held all twelve of us in its beautiful cool space
that proper pronunciation connects to meaning and also relates to transmission. in the heart of Cairns city deep in the tropics of Far North
Drajyor allows us to pronounce correctly the practices, the way Rinpoche has Queensland, Australia.
transmitted to us! It is also an excellent resource for those who are not familiar Cosimo taught us with patience, clarity and precise-
with Tibetan language and wish to perform practices in a correct way. ness the intricate and profound movements of this simple
but extraordinarily powerful practice suited for our time.
We learned with enthusiasm, the meanings, movements,
mudras and the timing. Our hearts soaked in the advice
given to us by Cosimo, on transmission and the three con-
The Drajyor Course at Tsegyalgar East siderations to remember during the practice of the Dance
Fun course...and now we can finally pronounce things of Space.
the correct way! The energies of Dharmakaya, Sambhogakaya and Nir-
manakaya weaved in us and around us as we entered into

T
segyalgar East hosted a weekend Drajyor course the magical space of contemplation and the unborn. What
with Mr. Fabian Sanders. The course was taught to a wonderful gift our Master has given us! We are incredibly
those present at the Tsegyalgar East Gonpa and to fortunate to have Cosimo residing in Cairns, Australia. Our
others who had the opportunity to connect via internet. A heart-felt gratitude to the Cairns Gakyil, Namgyalgar and all
feeling of relaxation and enjoyment permeated the whole our Teachers. Long Live our Precious Rinpoche.
course as we learned the proper pronunciation of the me-
dium Ganapuja, as well as the Serkyem practice.
Drajyor is a fantastic tool and now we can finally pro-
nounce things the correct way! Level 2 Santi Maha Sangha with Jim Valby at Tsegyalgar East February 8–10, 2013.
 THE MIRROR · No. 120 · January, February 2013

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21

Peru, Lima Tashigar Sur

Chöd Retreat with Steve Landsberg February 2013 in Lima, Peru. January 12–15, 2013 Course on the Base of the SMS with Ricky Sued.

Tashigar Sur Chile, Santiago de Chile

Santi Maha Sangha Retreat with Elias Capriles in Santiago de Chile, January 11–13, 2013. Nine-
TashigarSur, Tibetan language course with Fabián Sanders January 5–11th. teen persons attended.

Passages Died

Merigar West Czech Republic

Giovanna Conti world and lived for a while in Isola cycles of chemotherapy since the
di Margarita and Australia. She was age of 14. Vlada, as we all called him,

G
iovanna Conti passed away one of the first yantra yoga teachers was very active in the Community in
early in the morning of Janu- in Italy and relentlessly taught it in the last two years, following many
ary 25, 2013 at her home in Milan where many people joined the retreats with Rinpoche. He was very
Milan, Italy after three years of ill- Community through her Yantra Yoga aware of impermanence and was
ness that she endured with courage classes. She had reached the third grateful for every day of his life and
and strength. She had been supported level of the SMS and was actively every possibility to do practice. He of-
by numerous vajra brothers and sis- involved in the Milan gakyil several ten said in the remaining time of his
ters and by friends and relatives who times. In addition she was a skilled life he wanted to be as helpful to oth-
practiced frequently at her home up Kunye practitioner. ers as possible. He gave talks at the
to her last days. Giovanna was warm and welcom- Vladimir Petr University about life with cancer etc.
Giovanna joined the Dzogchen ing: whenever you went to her home At the end, despite his effort in long

V
Community in 1983 and had a deep she always invited you to stay on for ladimir Petr passed away on life practices, the disease spread more
devotion to Rinpoche and a strong a meal. She had a fine sense of humor the day of the Dakinis, 5th and more causing much physical pain.
bond with the Teachings that were and will be greatly missed by all the February 2013, after a long He died peacefully at home.
the central focus of her life. She fol- Community in Milan and everyone struggle with cancer, which he had
lowed Rinpoche’s retreats all over the who knew her. had for for many years, ungoing many

Tsegyalgar West

“...That is it brother. All I have fection. The three precepts live with We are all connected through to casually “hang out” with the Mae-
been doing and practicing. It’s funny me constantly and Chögyal Namkhai our Vajra Relationship, and I felt stro at Donatella Rossi’s house one
that when I talked to you back when Norbu’s descriptions of them in the something of his Vajra commitment afternoon for tea with a dozen or so
I couldn’t find the thun book, finally Crystal and Way of Light are my pith should be shared, as he was quite practitioners.
did, and from what you said and I read, instructions. I feel so very fortunate busy balancing work, teaching, family, Though Rick had just that brief
all I did was short or very short thun. and blessed and my compassion has and occasional kite surfing. time with the Maestro and Dzogchen
It has been so fulfilling and complete been overflowing for all the suffering As an additional note, Rick was Teachings, he did clearly understand
feeling I didn’t want to do many other in the world. Much of the time I was a member of Tsegyalgar, for par- the base, path, and fruit, with Total
practices and felt the trechöd trans- in severe pain (felt like the limit of ticipation and webcasts, and practiced Confidence.
mission was a perfect addition. I do tolerance) I was able to transform it alone. He had always felt his life was His partner Dhai, his two daugh-
wish I had a retreat on thögal but I by feeling others suffering and send- “in service” as Naturopathic Doctor ters Arianna and Aysia, and his son
Rick Marinelli know it’s not necessary. I sleep and ing out the healing Buddha rays to all and Oriental Medical Practitioner. He Aidan survive him.
By Jonathan Schaeffer rest doing guruyoga, trechöd for wak- the sentient beings. Then I was able treated successfully many people who
ing time. Niiiice......” to experience natural presence and had extreme chronic pain, cancer,

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ick Marinelli passed away on “...Thanks, brother, for nudging hang there.” and other serious ailments. I know
January 22, 2013. He met Chögyal me along. I’m going to stay awake as Rick kept his practice simple, and as I did spend many days with him
Namkhai Norbu at a retreat along as I can this time till spontane- practiced until the end of his life. His in his clinic over the years. In 1999 I
in Portland, Oregon, USA, in 1999. He ous presence is all there is.” faith in our Precious Teacher and the gifted him with a few books such as
was diagnosed with cancer eighteen “......The gifts of disease have tuned Dzogchen Teachings was iron clad. He Crystal and the Way of Light, Supreme
months ago, and since then he de- up attention to spontaneous natural will be missed by many. Source, and the old Dzogchen Ritual
voted most of his energy and time presence actually allowing me to Om A Hum Handbook, as he had gifted me with
to practice. I am offering a few ex- merely observe and experience the Long Life to Chögyal Namkai the Tibetan Book of Living and Dy-
cerpts from our email communica- perfection of the moment. An odder Norbu Rinpoche and Homage to the ing – (Sogyal Rinpoche), over 20 years
tions in the last year, as they are very juxtaposition would not have oc- Three Jewels! ago. The retreat in Portland was the
inspiring. curred to me before to have such Sarva Mangalam only time he met Rinpoche, and at
physical impairment and sense of per- that time we did have the occasion
 THE MIRROR · No. 120 · January, February 2013

International Community News

22

Programs
Merigar West Germany

Workshop on Tibetan Songs The idea of this workshop is to SMS Basis Mandarava, practice Vajra Dance
and Dances have sessions to learn how to sing with Jakob Winkler with Sasha Pubants with Karin Heinemann
with Adriana Dal Borgo these songs and to dance these March 15–17 in Dargäling, Cologne March 17–27 in Höfen April 29–May 9, Höfen
24 to 28 April 2013 dances. It is important to train groups Registration: leapabst@gmx.de Registration: Registration:
of people who will become expert and Heike Engerer, 0049 160-99 02 85 35, Rico Aurich, 0049 177-159 36 03

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ver the last year our pre- can involve others in their cities. Yantra Yoga, course for heike.engerer@dzogchen.de rico.aurich@dzogchen.de
cious Master has dedicated Everyone can participate – you do beginners Accommodation: Accommodation:
himself to selecting and col- not need to be particularly athletic. with Saadet Arslan Hans-Joachim Vogel, 0049 9166-564 Hans-Joachim Vogel, 0049 9166-564
lecting some modern Tibetan songs There is no particular fee to partic- March 15–17 in Bielefeld
and dances. While attending retreats, ipate in the workshop but donations Registration: Yantra Yoga, course Mandarava, Tsalung, Sogthig,
even in webcast, many of us have had will be appreciated. Rico Aurich, 0049 177-159 36 03 for advanced Kumbhaka, Yantra Yoga
the opportunity to be involved in this For organizational reasons, those rico.aurich@dzogchen.de with Saadet Arslan with Nina Robinson and
activity. interested in participating should March 29–April 1 in Dargyäling, Cologne Marc van Westreenen
At present there is a collection of enrol in the workshop by sending an Mandarava Retreat Registration: dargyaeling@dzogchen.de May 20–June 2 in Dargyäling, Cologne
108 songs that have been chosen by email to office@dzogchen.it . with Sasha Pubants Registration: dargyaeling@dzogchen.de
the Master for their texts that are a The workshop will begin on Wednes- March 15–17 in Höfen
means to express the news and the day, April 24 at 19.00.
mood of the current situation in Ti- On April 25-26-27 sessions will be Kunsangar South Ukraine, Kiev >>Tobgyalling Kunsangar North
bet. Many of these songs are associ- from 17:45 to 20:00.
ated with popular styles of dances On Sunday, April 28 from 15:00 to 17:00 Santi Maha Sangha Base Khyentse Yeshe Dzogchen weekend
that are simple to perform. They can There will be space available for those exam and First Level Training Evolution Workshop on March 29–31 combined retreat on
be danced in groups and are a great who wish to practice at other times. Vision practice of Vajra Dance and Yantra

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reason to spend time together for t should be recalled that July Yoga with instructors Mira Mironova,

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everyone. 27–August 1 there will be the e are happy to announce Yana Sokolova, Tatyana Pronicheva,
Santi Maha Sangha Base exam that Yeshi Namkhai will Olga Nimachuk and Maria Stepanik
and from August 2 to 9 Chögyal Nam- hold the next Evolution
Teacher Training Courses Following these courses is a great khai Norbu will conduct the SMS First workshop on Vision with the title Retreat on Santi Maha Sangha
experience and a prerequisite in the Level Training at Kunsangar South. “Beauty of the Invisible” in Kiev at the and Yantra Yoga
Teacher Training – Dance of training of Yantra Yoga Teachers. Only those who have passed the beginning of May 2013. Don't miss this May 1–5
the Vajra First Level Cost: € 280 without discounts SMS Base Exam Take can take part in unique opportunity. “The knowledge of emptiness in Sutra,
Led by Prima Mai * the SMS First Level training. All the detailed information is Tantra, Dzogchen and Yantra Yoga” with
July 13–19 If you intend to take the exam, in- available in booklets, in English, Ital- Igor Berkhin and Victor Krachkovsky
Teacher Training – Dance of formation on filling out your applica- ian and Russian, which can be down-

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his course is open to all those the Vajra Second Level (Dance tion form and the exam procedure is loaded from the internet. Contact Chögyal Namkhai Norbu
who already know well the of the Song of Vajra) on the Kunsangar South website. Kiev Dzogchen Community kiev. Dzogchen Retreat
steps of the female (Pamo) and Led by Adriana Dal Borgo and http://kunsangar.org/en/sms/ dzogchen@gmail.com for the link. June 27–July 5
the male (Pawo) part of the Dance of Prima Mai The candidate must complete an
the Six Spaces of Samantabhadra and September 14–22 official form, including the admission Best regards Retreat on Gomadevi practice
who want to deepen their knowledge request and the karma-yoga account- The Gakyil of Kiev Dzogchen with Enzo Terzano

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and experience of practice. his course is open to all those ing form 1–2 months before the exam Community Tobgyalling September 1–10
Following these courses is a great who already know well the date. Completed forms should be sent
experience for all those who are re- steps of the female (Pamo) and by the candidate to their local Gakyil. Retreat on Chod practice
ally interested in the Vajra Dance. It is the male (Pawo) part of the Dance of with Tsultrim Allione
also a prerequisite to become a First the Song of Vajra and who want to All the best, October 17–18
Level Vajra Dance Instructor. deepen their knowledge and experi- KS Gakyil
Cost: € 280 without discounts ence of practice.
* The course will be led by the two
main teachers who will have the time New Zealand Tsegyalgar East
Teacher Training - and the opportunity to guide each
Yantra Yoga First Level student. Refresher Course of the Vajra Vajra Dance Upcoming Retreats with
Led by Laura Evangelisti and Following these courses is a great Dance of the Song of the Practice Weekend Chögyal Namkhai Norbu
Fabio Andrico experience for all those who are re- Vajra and Khalong Dorjeikar: April 26th–28th – Auckland in North America
August 26–September 1 ally interested in Vajra Dance. It is also Vajra Dance of the 12 A closed

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a prerequisite to become Vajra Dance course he practice will be focused Mexico City, Mexico: April 25–28

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his course is open to Second Level Instructor. March 29th-April 1st – Auckland mainly in the VD of the Song Baja, Mexico: May 8–12
all those who have knowl- Cost: € 360 without discounts of the Vajra and the VD of the Los Angeles, CA: May 17–19

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edge of the First Level of or those who have done at Three Vajras Irregular. However a New Mexico: May 22
Yantra Yoga and would like to deepen To sign up for any of these courses least one complete course of complete Thun could be performed at Pagosa Springs, CO: May 24–26
their knowledge and experience you should fill out a form which can the VD of the Song of the Vajra. the end of each session. New York, NY: May 31–June 2
and become instructors. be obtained from the Shang Shung This course will be focused on the Further information is available Conway, MA: June 7–12
It will be led by the main teach- Institute. updated changes, arm movements at: www.dzogchen.org.nz or con- Conway, MA: June 14–21, Level Two
ers who will have the time and the For information and registration and timing of this VD. There will be tact info@dzogchen.org.nz for more Training
opportunity to guide each student. please contact Salima Celeri: also instructions and practice of the information. For more information go to
s.celeri@shangshunginstitute.org Vajra Dance of the 12 A – Khalong www.tsegyalgar.org
Dorjeikar.

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Course in the Vajra Dance
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with authorized Vajra Dance instruc- March 22–28, 2013 Meritorious Members: Free exam on the Base of the SMS. Cost US 280. No discounts.
tor Carisa O’Kelly Cost: US250 For more information: secre-
March 22–24th, 2013 Cost: Dance Competition Tashigar/ No membership discounts. taria@tashigarsur.com
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Studio 2 @ Zoomtopia Membership discounts for retreat: March 30 Training on the First Level have 50%
810 SE Belmont Welcome Members (those who are discount
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From other Gar: 20 % discount Training of the First Level For those who have a good knowledge
Sustaining Members: of the SMS of the first level of Yantra Yoga and
 THE MIRROR · No. 120 · January, February 2013

Reflections

23

to penetrate into the layers of in- give something to others, some- communicated with any kind of
Alienation and dividuals with different positions thing that others don’t have and language or with coined language
Communication and powers in which the group
has structured itself. Closeness,
they need. We can consider that
being with others in this way is a
as the historical Buddha Shakya-
muni some times did by choosing
Elio Guarisco suspicion, paranoia, protection- super boost to our authentic way words and attributing them a par-
ism, exclusivity, and power al- of being. ticular meaning. However, for this
lotting become the characteristic There is no really complete communication one must be in a

T
he Dharmakaya nature is traits of the group or organiza- spiritual practice if there is no total state of knowledge, and this
that of being alone with tion. And the strangest thing, is integration with the external en- state has a kind of naturally man-
oneself, a dimension that that this situation can happen, vironment and its people. At this ifesting charisma. It is with this
is open only to one’s eyes, and is also when the spiritual leader has point communication becomes charisma that several outstanding
not seen by others. It is the do- an opposite attitude, that is open, the most important thing. Tibetan teachers of old could trav-
main of subjective experience, and has no suspicions, is not protec- So how then communication el and teach in the West and have
whatever is done in this domain tive, not exclusive, and not power has to take place? Communica- a great following. Their charisma
is for oneself and not for others, seeking. tion starts to take place when the was somewhat more important
for this reason in Buddhology, the As long as the group and the awareness that we are living with that what they were saying. The
Dharmakaya is explained as the organization have grown onto it- others, and others include every- charisma broke through cultural
fulfillment of one’s own aim. In self, there is no problem, because one in the world, not just our fel- barriers and conceptual limita-
the creation phase of Tantric Bud- This understanding is symbol- the circle of the acolytes, knows low practitioners in our group. tions.
dhism this is represented by the ized by the original Karmapas of that peculiar language and also This is exemplified by the Tan- But a spiritual group or organi-
male and female deity melting and Tibet, who did not have a fixed the peculiar behaviors of the peo- tric commitment in which each zation cannot communicate at the
remaining in a sphere of seminal residence and monastery, but ple within their group. The prob- sentient being is one’s own in- primary level of internal and ex-
potential, until four goddesses, moved around in tents, and with lems start when the individuals of destructible sibling, even though ternal creative energy, only single
Mamaki, etc., symbols of the four them entire populations of follow- the group or organization growing he or she may be distant. But in individuals can. Other communi-
measureless thoughts, urge them ers, like birds following migratory in maturity want to communicate order to communicate one needs cation occurs at the internal and
to rise in a dimension of form. cycles. This does not mean that with the ‘outer world’ in which to drop the peculiar language external creative energy levels.
In accordance to their Dharma- buildings and all that is material is has grown but from which is used to communicate within In particular the level of external
kaya nature, most spiritual practi- is necessary negative for a spiri- somewhat alienated. one’s group. For example, a group creative energy implies a split into
tioners try to learn different tech- tual group. It is useful in as much But why does one need to com- of animals use language to com- subject and object, into oneself
niques of spiritual development it can the support of the spiritual municate with others beyond the municate with the same group, and others.
from their master. And this is per- evolution of the individuals. Mate- obvious need of survival? Because but are unable to communicate Adopting a language that is
fectly legitimate, for most people rial things, as we know from the in addition to the Dharmakaya na- with another group of animals, more open and lay can be chal-
work in a framework in which the principles of Chöd practice, be- ture, we have the Sambogakaya or only at a basic level. This in- lenging because one may have the
goal is envisioned as an objective come demons only when we grasp and Nirmanakaya natures, and capacity to communicate brings impression of watering down the
to be realized gradually in some to them as ultimately real. these are the dimensions of be- isolation, fear, and aggression. So spiritual message. Certainly some-
distant future. For this techniques As they grow in that way, most ing with others, of what is shared to communicate one must use a thing will be lost, for quantity re-
are indispensable. spiritual groups remain involuted with others, of what is seen and language that is more universal duces quality, this is a simple truth
Theoretically they know that, and quite isolated from society. perceived in common with others. then the one of one’s group. And that anyone who has worked in a
as the Buddha said, a rafter is They become alienated. In fact, to Needless to say that communica- for that one must learn the lan- kitchen knows: food for few people
useful for as long you have not the individuals belonging to the tion is the domain of the Sambo- guage of others, and give up the is tastier and for many people is
crossed a river, once the other group or organization, what hap- gakaya and the Nirmanakaya di- attachment for one’s own peculiar more difficult to make tasty. Or as
shore has been reached it would pens within their group is of para- mensions, for in the Dharmakaya language and behavior. a Tibetan proverb say: smaller is
be meaningless to carry the rafter mount importance. It seems to be nature there is no actual commu- Of course communication can the fireplace, warmer is the fire.
with oneself. Likewise, although much more important then what nication whatsoever. For this rea- occur at different levels. Real But we are always losing some-
they know that technique in happens in the ‘outer and bigger son in Buddhology, the form di- knowledge can be communicated thing anyway. And what we lose
themselves are just means of dis- world’ or universe. The problems mension of enlightenment, which beyond language, just like in the may not be fundamental. Maybe it
covery and not the aim, for most of the group, such as the financial comprises the Sambogakaya and mind transmission. The mind is our attitude that keeps us an-
practitioners learning and becom- situation, etc., are much more crit- the Nirmanakaya, are said to be transmission is the first trans- chored to certainties and what
ing proficient in the techniques ical to them then the world eco- the dimension of the fulfillment mission that occurs, and does we know, which make us afraid of
seems to have become the goal of nomic crisis, or the problems the of the aim of others. not need anyone who pronounces losing something.
their spiritual endeavors. Having environment is facing at a global Most spiritual practitioners do something, or anyone who listens.
reached proficiency in the tech- level, etc. In the extreme cases we not reach the maturity of seeing This is a communication from Elio Guarisco is a long time stu-
niques they only acquire a status know that these developments can that being with others is part and within the dang energy. dent of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu
in front of others, and when there lead to a confrontation between is important to their spiritual de- But real knowledge, we are and an authorized 2nd Level
they cling to that status, and spiri- the group and the society, who is velopment and growth, for they not talking of information, can be Santi Maha Sangha instructor.
tual stagnation sets in. This means sometime perceived as a threat are caught up in the ego-oriented
that their Dharmakaya nature is to the very existence and beliefs pursuit of knowledge and realiza-
disjointed from their Sambogaka- of the group. As this confronta- tion. They are thinking in Maha-
ya and Nirmanakaya nature. tion turns bitter the group can yana terms that just like to help
This is what happens at the even resort to violence, as it has the subjects you must become a
individual level, but this reflects happened with various spiritual king, one must first become en-
also in the spiritual group or or- groups in the past. Also the aco- lightened to in order to interrelate
ganization the individual belongs lytes, as society is perceived as ag- with others. The most they can
to. How? These groups and orga- gressive to them, may want to plan think of is that others can be use-
nizations although may grow and out a speedy exit from the world ful to their ego-centered spiritual
expand, their growth is measured through mass suicide with the development. Thus they become
in terms of the numbers of follow- promise of a live in paradise. This stuck in their Dharmakaya nature,
ers, buildings and places they have also has happened, not only once. fixed on themselves. It is only
around the world, not in terms of Spiritual groups gradually de- when maturity develops that one
the evolution of the individual. velop a peculiar language of their realizes, that the authentic state
When these achievements are ex- own, which means a lot to the ‘in- is the intersecting dynamic of
alted within the group as being ner’ people, but that is difficult to being alone and being with oth-
really important and fundamental understand, and at times means ers. These two have an equal im-
for the existence of their spiritual nothing to others. In the worst portance. You are not anymore in
message, this brings great sad- case, such peculiar language be- the fantasy that may envelop you
ness to the one who looks with comes an object of scorn of ‘nor- when you are alone with yourself.
eyes and the understanding that mal’ people. Language becomes Others espouse your fantasy in a
evolution is mainly that which simplified into slogans, and what way you can recognize and get rid
transpires from living individuals, the spiritual teacher says, which of them. Thus we can say that the
not from lifeless buildings, tem- make sense from the perspective ‘others’ are one’s other half.
ples, and reliquaries. These can be of his role, and his charisma be- Paralleling the growth of the
washed away in a moment by an come just a parroting words when individual, when the group or
earthquake, by a revolution, by a repeated by the acolytes. organization, grown in maturity,
sudden political and social change. The development of a peculiar needs to integrate with the ex-
But individual evolution remains language is paralleled by close- ternal environment, with society,
despite outer changes, and can ness of the spiritual group, that with the world, with others. Ma-
even expand under constrictive almost become a sect; a sect quite turity means that some knowl-
conditions. closed and unwelcoming of oth- edge has developed along with the
ers. In fact, others find it difficult awareness that one can actually
 THE MIRROR · No. 120 · January, February 2013

bridges, etc., it was not easy to get around

How I Met and that was the moment Rinpoche arrived

in Prague. I thought maybe he brought

Chögyal Namkhai Norbu

some cleaning to the town. So I went to the
place of the retreat, which was in the gar-
den of the Prague castle, a beautiful place,
the best place you could have in Prague.
Libor Maly I was waiting in the queue in front of
the doors, and up until this time had been

I
had studied some sutra teachings in my booklets with five different people. And reading many Buddhist books, so I remem-
life but I had never met any other teach- then I did not know how to make a decision. ber thinking while looking at all the people
er before Rinpoche and never followed It was not like I could go to the center of the walking around, “Do you know, people, that
any other teacher. The most important su- town with a sign saying, “I am looking for we do not exist?” Then I get inside and show
tra for me that I read was called Lankava- a spiritual master, please call number such my small paper, and I enter through the first
tara Sutra and after reading it many, many and such.” hall before the main hall, and there were a
times over many days, I realized that I do Then a sentence came to me, “There is no lot of books and thankas. There was some
not exist, I am just empty. This was life way to find a master, this is impossible, the thankas of Guru Draghpur, Simhamukha
changing for me. This happened in 1998; I master will find the student.” Then I gave and Ekajati, and I thought, “Where am I?
was around 30 years old. up looking and worrying and I said ok, the This is some strange sect. What do these
At that time in the Czech Republic there only thing to do is to wait and be open and pictures mean? This is so negative. Maybe
was a husband and wife who were giving not have doubt he will find me. That was read about in the magazine. So I said well I will leave.” Then I opened the thun book
esoteric teachings and they had a TV pro- March 2002. Then this chain of coincidences that is the book, and I bought it. I opened and I thought these are just random letters
gram, and they were teaching a mixture starting happening and it was amazing re- the cover, put the book on the table and generated by a computer. Then I thought,
of Hinduism and Buddhism, some strange ally. With my wife we were just walking in after some days I started to read the book well I will stay and listen, I already paid
things, and I attended a few of their public a part of Prague where I have never been and I understood nothing. But inside the all this money, and see what he has to say.
teachings, and I was not so convinced but in my life, before or since, and we were just book was small paper insert and there was What message he has. So I enter the main
I bought a book about the life of a Hindu walking down the road and there was a res- the information that said Chögyal Namkhai hall. I sat down. Rinpoche was not well at
mystic called Ramana Maharshi. Ramana taurant. So we decided to have dinner there. Norbu is coming to Prague. For more infor- all. Rinpoche decided to give transmission
Maharshi was very special. I was just That was the first and last time I was ever in mation go to www.dzogchen.cz If you are the first day and the people said that was
amazed by him. When he was 15 years old that restaurant. In the lobby of the restau- interested to attend fill out this form. So I a very good thing and I should just follow
he left his parents house and moved to the rant there was a table with newspapers and remember no thoughts, nothing, I went to what was on the paper and be present and
south of India and he found the place on flyers and there was this spiritual magazine my computer and filled out the form. I just open and not to worry. So I tried to do that.
the Arunachala hill. I was amazed by his that I would buy once a year. So I bought did it without thinking. In a few days an Then the transmission was over. Then he
story as he went to this place and sat there the magazine. Then we went home and I envelope came to my home with informa- started the lungs for all the texts.
his whole life and they basically built the opened the bag and saw the magazine and tion, and I was still reading the book and It was when he started to read the lungs
temple around him. That is the short story. put it on the table. After three weeks I had not understanding anything, and there was that something unbelievable happened for
So I went on the internet and found a very nothing to do at home so I read the maga- the green paper inside that we used to use me. I was sitting on the floor and every-
wonderful photo of him and put it on the zine. There was nothing very extraordinary. in Czech Republic at that time for paying thing around me changed, like a mirage,
desktop of my computer. I had the picture Then at the last page there were three book for things, so I went to the post office with so that happened all around me, and ev-
there for around 2 or 3 years. reviews. The first and second book books the paper and paid 5000 crowns which was erything was moving like hot air, and I was
At the beginning he was just an interest- were not interesting but the third was quite a lot of money for me at that time, and unable to move. Then everything was over,
ing guy. Then I got a connection with him, called Dzogchen and I said, wow, a strange they stamped it and it meant that I paid. Rinpoche left and I was just sitting on the
and I started to ask the picture questions. name. So I read the review and I was quite So I had the small green paper with the floor. So they said ok it is over, time to go
He gave replies through the photo and if proud because I thought I knew about all stamp on it and I was waiting for the time home, see you tomorrow, so I left the main
the decision was ok he smiled and agreed the schools of Tibetan Buddhism and then of the retreat which I think was the end of room and went to the room where the pic-
and if not, he said no by moving his head. there was something called Dzogchen that August or beginning of September. When tures were that previously disturbed me,
Basically this was a bitmap on the desktop I had never heard about, and I thought it is Rinpoche came there was a huge flooding now it seemed I knew them. I stood there
but I had this strong feeling. At the end he not possible because I am a studied one so in Prague, the biggest flood in thousands and opened the thun book again, and this
started to talk with me and in the way that I should know about it. So that stayed in my of years, and there were meters water ev- time it all seemed so familiar. I was totally
I would ask him a question in my mind and mind as something strange. erywhere. The subways were closed be- shocked. Since that time I have been in the
the answers would appear in my mind. He Then after months I went to an esoteric cause they were full of water…It was not Community. That was the first and last time
was really helping me to understand many bookshop and right in front of me was the even possible to cross the river because of Rinpoche came to Prague until now. So the
things. I was also studying Taoism at this book on Dzogchen, the same book I had flooding or fear of structural damage to the Master came to me.
time.
In February 2002, Ramana
Maharshi indicated that I must
find a living master and he could
not help me anymore and the Tibetan Astrology
communication stopped and he

I
was just a bitmap on the desk- n this age of rapid
top. So I thought what should I globalization, Tibet’s
do? I went to several meditation ancient and valuable
centers in Prague and I would culture – its language,
tell them I was looking for a arts, medicine, and as-
master and they would say oh trology – is facing ex-
yes sure we have this and that tinction. The publication
master so which one do you of A Concise Introduc-
like? I said I have no idea I am tion to Tibetan Astrology
just looking for my master…and from Men-Tsee-Khang in
they said ok but you have to Dharamshala is an im-
know how to find your master portant step in helping
and I said ok and they showed to preserve this rich and
me books and photos, etc. So valued heritage, which
I ended up with five different offers tremendous bene-
fit for all humanity. This
comprehensive edition, the first to be published in
English since 1995, insures that the treasure of Ti-
betan Astrology can be preserved and disseminated
in the world. It is a great resource for any scholar of
Tibetan Astrology and culture as well as a valuable
introduction to those interested in Tibetan heritage.
Chögyal Namkhai Norbu

The book is available from the Men-Tsee-Khang

Tibetan Medical & Astro. Institute exports branch
www.tibetan-medicine.org