Introduction

Dzogchen

Dzogchen is an ancient spiritual teaching developed in Tibet within the Tibetan Buddhist traditions. It does not belong to a school or religious system. Rather, it is the knowlege that Tibetan masters have transmitted without being limited by sectarianism. The word 'Dzogchen', meaning 'total perfection', actually refers to the true inherent nature of all beings, the primordial state, which is free from all limitations and conditioning. The master's transmission of this state of knowledge lies at the very heart of the Dzogchen teachings, a key that can open individuals' conciousness regardless of their culture or religion.

Chögyal Namkhai Norbu

Chögyal Namkhai Norbu was born in 1938 in Derge, Eastern Tibet.  At his birth, he was recognised as the reincarnation of a great Dzogchen teacher.  Even when very young, he revealed such extraordinary learning ability that he was considered a scholar at an early age.  He studied with some of the most important masters of his time and when he was sixteen, he met his ‘root’ or main teacher, Changchub Dorje who awoke in him the real knowledge of the authentic condition of Dzogchen.

In 1960 he was invited to work in Rome by Professor Tucci at ISMAEO (the Institute for Middle and Far Eastern Studies).  Subsequently he was Professor of Tibetan and Mongolian Language and Literature at the Oriental Institute of the University of Naples (1964-1992).  Chögyal Namkhai Norbu is a leading authority on early Tibetan civilization and also works extensively for the preservation of Tibetan culture and history.

In 1976 he was requested to give Dzogchen teachings for the first time in Italy.  Since then, thanks to his profound understanding of the Dzogchen tradition and his great capacity to communicate their essence in a lively and direct fashion, a number of centres have been established around the world under his guidance: not only in Europe but also North and South America, Russia and Australasia.  Since 2005 many of his teachings have been broadcast internationally over the web, giving a greater number of people the opportunity to benefit from these precious teachings.

There are three ways to connect to the transmission:

• attending a retreat with Chögyal Namkhai Norbu
• listening to a live webcast that is open to all
• participating in a worldwide transmission. To facilitate newcomers who are seriously interested in these precious teachings, three times a year, Chögyal Namkhai Norbu gives direct transmission through the worldwide web.

The Dzogchen Community

Chögyal Namkhai Norbu is the founder of the International Dzogchen Community which is the worldwide community of his students.  He has also established a number of other partnership organisations (ASIA, Shang Shung Institute and The Mirror) which work closely with the International Dzogchen Community.
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Dzogchen is an ancient spiritual tradition which came from Oddiyana, situated in the region of the Swat valley of northern Pakistan or Afghanistan. The Dzogchen teachings are said to have originated with Garab Dorje 300 or 360 years after the parinirvana of Buddha Sakyamuni. Dzogchen means “Great Perfection” which refers to the true primordial state of each individual.  It is a state of knowledge which has been transmitted from ancient times down the generations from teacher to student. Dzogchen does not adhere to any one tradition or sect: its lineage of teachers is found in all classes from farmers and nomads to important spiritual masters.   Dzogchen is an essential teaching, which due to its direct and unelaborate approach, transcends cultural boundaries making it accessible to all nationalities regardless of their spiritual background.

At the heart of this tradition lies the Teacher’s transmission of the state of knowledge of Dzogchen, the true inherent nature of all beings which is free from limits and conditioning.  Without transmission, the teachings have no life and cannot be learned simply by reading a book. 

Membership

Those people who feel that they want to make a more concrete commitment and contribution to the community can apply for membership. When you become a member of the U.K. community part of your subscription goes to make you a member of Merigar in Italy which is our nearest Gar. In this way the monies raised support all the activities of the community, both in the U.K. and worldwide. Members also receive free newsletters and copies of the Mirror as well as get discounts on the cost of teaching and practice retreats.

Details of subscription and membership may be found here