Archives of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche

Tibetan Art Transforms our TW Gompa (English Article)

Tibetan Arts in the Gompa

The nakedness of the Gompa at Tsegyalgar West changed its skin! The gray walls and ceiling became a beautiful mix of colors. In a explanation given by Migmar Tsering, it all manifested itself in a perfect way, as Tibetan Art is intimately connected with the teachings. Ngobo ངོ་བོ་

The ceiling is blue, the color of the sky, symbolizing the essence of Bodhicitta and represents the first of the Three Wisdoms of the Base.

Six colors were applied to the ceiling beams: white, yellow, red, green, black inspired by Sempa Dorje's teaching on the nature of these six colors (kha dog drug gi rang bzhin pa). This is found in the Bang mdzod 'phrul gyi lde mig, one of the main Tantras of the Dzogchen Semde, in the section Man ngag thams cad kyi sdom pa zhes bya ba'i dbu, as found in the collection of Tantra of Vairocaha (Vairo Gyüdbum). Migmar told us this book tells precious stories, for which a key to understand them is necessary.

In this teaching six aspects of the Bodhicitta are described through the nature of the six colors: White symbolizes that Bodhicitta is not overshadow by emotions; yellow indicates that Bodhicitta gives rise to the Great Wisdom (che ba'i ye shes); red represents the potentiality that permeates everything; green is the fact of having no impediment at all (bodhicitta penetrates everything); black nothing and nobody can modify or change Bodhicitta; The multicolor indicates that Bodhicitta manifests itself everywhere and in various forms. For that reason these six colors were chosen to represent the Second of the Three Wisdoms of the Base Rang bzhin རང་བཞིན་.

Below the beams, on the walls there are several representations, including the syllables of the three Vajras, and other seed syllables. In the main beam there are the 'twenty-four syllables of the Great Liberation through seeing' (mthong grol), which Vajrasattva transmitted to Namcho Mingyur Dorje. All this represents the infinite potentiality (Thugs rje རྗེ་ རྗེ་) the third Wisdom of the Base.

The painting of the Gompa at Tsegyalgar West as well as other activities took place last April when some practitioners from the Dzogchen Community had the opportunity to embark in an intense adventure guided by our tireless friend Migmar and the vigorous and quiet presence of Shuyang Zhong, both surprised us with their amazing talents.

We never imagine how contagious the rhythm of work and the unfolding creativity of this great Tibetan artist could be. Some participants had to overcome some kind of irrational fears when being up there on the scaffolding, others really moved as fish under water. But really, the only thing that matters was the joy of our undistracted presence, painting the Gompa throughout the day. This was, undoubtedly, a vital collective practice accompanied by Rinpoche’s teachings and sometimes by a variety of good music.  

When you give yourself a chance to come to Tsegyalgar West and you contemplate the main crossbeam of the Gompa with the painted mantra in golden letters - mthong grol - just remember it was placed there so that each one of us may obtain a cause for realization.

You can observe strategic places of this Gompa with syllables such as the Three Vajras or the Longzal as well as other elements like the classical Tibetan clouds. They were first sketched in long sheets of paper, then pierced with holes and later Migmar traced them on the walls. This is an ancient technique that has been done traditionally in Tibetan monasteries.  Piercing the syllables was also so good, a perfect practice for contemplation, it took a fast movement of the fingers and an OM AH HUM with each and every little hole.

Please come to Tsegyalgar West to practice in the Gompa. Its beauty and harmony seems a miracle, although it is not just a miracle. It was actually Migmar and Yushang presence; it was the Dzogchen Community members collaborating and financing this project, and it was also the karma yoga of practitioners who were able and had the honor to participate. It was also the collective practices of Green Tara, Yantra Yoga, Vajra Dance and the Joyful Kaita Dances, that opened or closed with a golden seal, a full day of work.

It is important to mention other activities that took place in and around the Gompa: workers were placing windows and wooden doors; the main entrance of the Gompa was rehabilitated. Trees were planted; a new garden in front of the dining room was born and maintenance of various fences around the Gar was done.

Every day wonderful food was prepared by the fantastic Chefs we are so lucky to have in our Community, we even enjoyed Momos and Chinese dishes thanks to Migmar and Shuyan; this was too, so special.

The Gar always offers everyone the great opportunity to practice, collaborate and learn.  Thank you Rinpoche.

Casita Improvements 2017

Casita Improvements at Tsegyalgar West

We have been working to improve casitas this year. ..

Still much to do, however eight casitas are repainted, six have 

new flush toilets and 'sunny side' windows now have shades! 

We are planning to add two small kitchenettes for 

long term retreat guests.

Still needed are: more hot showers, patio floor tiles and furniture,

low voltage fans, lamps and outside down light fixtures.

In addition the solar system is not adequate for all needed,

additional batteries, inverter and panels in the Gonpa/Kitchen

area would be a welcome improvement.

Please donate to these projects and help the TW grow!

https://tsegyalgarwest.org/donate-2

Specify : SOLAR or Casita Showers

Gompa Painting and Improvements!

Gompa Painting Project
Tsegyalgar West, Baja Ca Sur, Mexico

Update on Painting and Decoration of the Gar’s Gompa
March 21 - April 28, 2017
 
The painting project for the Gompa at Tsegyalgar West, is moving forward and our Gakyil wants to thank all that are participating in this wonderful project.

The first week of work was dedicated to the hard job of smoothing and cleaning the wooden structure of the Gompa, and providing the scaffolding and working materials needed to prepare the Gompa for the painting. Finally, in the second week, Migmar Tsering, Yushan Zhong and the first group of seven volunteers arrived to start painting.

Migmar designed the the Gompa ceiling, deciding on a combination of Tibetan decorations integrating with colors and motifs from the Mexican culture. The dense blue sky of the roof combined with the colors of Mexico seem a perfect combination for the place and the time.

The group of volunteers are working hard, and astonished to find themselves in an incredible place and with such an interesting project.  And what an incredible opportunity to work with Migmar and Yushang, always kind, and open to share their knowledge and experience in this extraordinary,  unique project.

Daily activities include a class of yoga and in the evening Vajra dance, followed by Khaitas at 8:30 pm. People listen to recordings of the Teachings, in the morning while painting.  During the day,  volunteers share their preferred music, both Western and Tibetan, while working.

People who like are also dedicating some time in the vegetable garden of the Gar and helping in the kitchen. We had a class from Yushan on cooking from Sichuan Province, we learned to prepare different Mexican chili sauce and Migmar will teach how to prepare Tibetan Momos.

More volunteers are expected and some are changing during the next weeks. There is still the possibility to participate for anyone interested to come by contacting Tsegyalgar West Gakyil at 2000.giorgio@gmail.com
 Other good news is that we have already received donations to cover about 50% of the project costs and we want to thank very much all the Donors that made this possible in so short a time.

Make a connection with Tsegyalgar West, the Gar of Baja California, by applying generosity with a donation to this project at the page: https://tsegyalgarwest.org/donate-2
SPECIFY: “DONATION GOMPA” 

For more information:t
Tsegyalgarwestsecretary@gmail.com 
2000.giorgio@gmail.com

WEBCASTS and MEMBERSHIP

Webcasts of Teachings
The most accurate place to view the webcast schedule is Rinpoche's calendar at www.melong.com  Most of Rinpoche's teachings are available by Open Webcast. 

Transmission of Guru Yoga
Transmission of Guru Yoga directly from Chögyal Namkhai Norbu via live internet is available three times a year on special world-wide live transmission dates where the entire world wide community participates at the same time.

To listen to a webcast go to the actual Dzogchen Community Webcast site: Dzogchen.net for World-Wide Transmission connection via the internet. Individuals planning on participating in the WWT for the first time are invited to attend an explanation at home via speaker phone hook-up before the actual WW Transmission or with local sangha in person. The dates and hook up information are posted a few weeks before the transmission. Participants for the first time will also need either the practice book, Guruyoga (the practice is in the back of the book), or DVD. Please contact the Shang Shung Bookstore at the link provided below to purchase.

Dates for Live 2016/2017 Webcasts:
MARCH 11-12, 2017, Anniversary of Garab Dorje. 
AUGUST - TBA,  2017, Anniversary of Padmasambhava & Yeshe Tsogyal. 
NOVEMBER - TBA, 2017, Anniversary of Adzom Drukpa. 
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Membership in the Dzogchen Community

The easiest way to become a new member is online at: tsegyalgarwest.org  Look under the menu item "Get involved" then  "Membership"

To renew your existing membership:
Direct link to the IDC website www.dzogchen.net

Week Long Green Tara Retreat - Special Discounts

An rare opportunity to go deep into practice in the vast desert tropical mountains of the Sierra de Lagunas. 

Special new discounted inclusive pricing includes 

food, accommodation and Tara!

Shared casita: $70 USD/day was $90/day 

Dorm $60/day was $70/day

Camping: $50/day was $65/day

Daily attendance available

IDC Membership discount prices available 

 Limited work trade available, no one turned away for lack of funds​

​    Exchange rate 20:1

 

 Please contact Retreat Manager

Rglueck@gmail.com

 or Secretary for more information.

TsegylagarwestSecretary@Gmail.com 

To Pre Register: www.tsegyalgarwest.org​ 

Or pay Retreat Manager upon Arrival​

Please arrive by the 21st in the afternoon. Retreat starts in the evening 
and ends on the morning of the 28th.

New Year's Retreat - Chod and Vajra Dance

Starts in the evening of December 30th at 7pm

Come to get settled in the afternoon if possible!

Two Sacred Trees - Tsegyalgar East and West

Fire on the Mountain: David Leskowitz 

on the Sacred Trees of Tsegyalgar West and East

I first visited Tsegyalgar East in 2005 when I first met Rinpoche, but I did not visit 
Khandroling at that time. Only after Emily and I stayed in Baja, at Tsegyalgar West in 2014 
for a few months, did we venture to the Land of Dakinis.

At the Baja Gar, what the geko referred to as the Mother Tree, an ancient white ficus, 
guards a stone portal to the Naga realm (or so some have dreamed). At least, she 
provides the land and its visitors with a central place for a shrine where we can make 
offerings of sang and serkyem to the dozens of realms seen and unseen.

These unique Zalate trees are native to Baja California, and feed off the fungus covering 
he black stones they sprout from. The white bark that seems to have melted like wax 
poured from above, provides only a thin, papery skin for these venerable grandmothers. 
Yet somehow they endure through hurricanes and rough weather for centuries, covering 
their home-stones with vast root systems.

When we first saw Khandroling at the inauguration of the Vajra Hall in 2015 we were drawn, 
like most visitors are, to the Silver Birch cluster where, through even more papery-thin bark, 
our Rinpoche has carved a venerable symbol of his Vast and Luminous lineage. The parallel 
hit us both immediately, that an ancient stone hearth with guardian white tree marks the portals 
found at both of our Sangha’s sacred lands.

--David Leskowitz

Join us for December Retreats 2016

You are warmly welcome to participate in any of the Holiday Retreats!

Download a flyer in Español or English ....

ww.tsegylagarwest.org

See Retreats and Registration page

Elias Capriles - Events in November

Elias Capriles

November 21, 2016 Public Talk
San Jose del Cabo, BCS

“Buddhism, Dzogchen and Transmission” 

“Budismo, Dzogchén y e sentido de la Transmisión”

Place and Time 

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Buddhism and Dzogchen:
The Innermost Essence
of the Buddhist Teachings
con Elias Capriles

November 22, 2016 Public Talk 7 p.m.
Quatro Vientos en Todos Santos

Dzogchen explained in the context of the most basic and universal of all Buddhist teachings, which is that of the Four Noble Truths —among which the Fourth, rather than being explained in terms of the Eightfold Noble Path, will be explained in terms of the Three Paths of Liberation. Afternoon talk

Español:  

Budismo y Dzogchén:
La Quintesencia de las Enseñanzas Budistas
con Elias Capriles

Lectura 7 pm
Quatro Vientos en Todos Santos
Noviembre 22, 2016

El Dzogchén explicado en el contexto de la enseñanza más básica y universal del budismo, que es la de las Cuatro Nobles Verdades —entre las cuales la cuarta, en vez de explicarse en términos del Óctuple Noble Sendero, se explicará en términos de los Tres Senderos de Liberación.

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November 23^rd 2016, WWT 
Anniversary of Azom Drugpa
Quatro Vientos en Todos Santos

Explanation and Transmission via live web-cast 

Practitioners of the world wide community join together to receive the Dzogchen transmission from Namkhai Norbu Rimpoche. Open to all who are sincerely interested in the ancient knowledge of the  Dzogchen Tradition.

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Retreats at Tsegyalgar West

Nov 24- 25, 2016 

The Whole of Dzogchen in the Base of Santi Maha Sangha 
con Elias Capriles

La Totalidad del Dzogchén en la Base del Santi Maha Sangha

The retreat is for both new people and experienced practitioners

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November 25 to 27, 2016 

Weekend Rushen Retreat
con Elias Capriles

Semzins and Ruxen, Outer Ruxen afternoon practice in the arroyos

An extraordinary opportunity !

Elías Capriles is a Santi Maha Sangha Teacher appointed by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, whom he met in 1977 in Boudhanath. He practiced Dzogchen in retreats on the Himalayas between 1977 and the end of 1982, after receiving Tregs chod instructions from H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche and Dungse Thinle Norbu Rinpoche. He also received teachings and transmissions from H.H. Dilgo Khyentse, Dodrub Chen Rinpoche, Chatral Rinpoche and Pema Norbu Rimpoche.  He is retired from the Chair of Eastern Studies at the University of The Andes, Mérida, Venezuela, where he taught Philosophy, Buddhism, Asian Religions, Globalization and Asian Aesthetics and Arts. 

Global Collective Practices

Dear all Dzogchen Community,

Opportunities to participate in our global collective practices.
Uniting our strength in this way brings enormous benefits, there is no doubt!

Since May 2012, each full moon (when there’s no webcast with Rinpoche) we are organising a Mandarava Ganapuja dedicated to the health and long life of our Master.

Currently, each month, we are also organising a practice for giving support to the development of Dzamling Gar, which is one of the most important projects of our Master. 

Eventually, we want to keep organising Guru Dragphur global chains with the intention of controlling the many negativities which continually arise in our world.

The next planned practices are:

June 14th - Jigme Lingpa Ganapuja global chain 24 hours
June 20th - Mandarava Ganapuja webcast at 19:30h (GMT+3)
July 10th - Wözer Chenma 
July 19th - Mandarava Ganapuja (webcast)
August 2nd - Jigme Lingpa Ganapuja 
August 6th - Guru Dragphur global chain 24 hours
August 18th - Mandarava Ganapuja (webcast)

We look forward to meeting you in the space and time of the practice!
Long life To Rinpoche !