Happy Saga Dawa

Saga Dawa Full Moon Saga Dawa is considered a very sacred time for Buddhists all over the world, as it commemorates the birth of the Buddha, his enlightenment and paranirvana. It is said that the month of Saga Dawa is so sacred that any merit obtained for virtuous deeds is multiplied by 100,000. We encourage you to take this opportunity to create huge positive results for this and future lives by offering butterlamps, prayers and practice dedicating the merit to the happiness and enlightenment of all beings. Offerings to your dharma community is another way to celebrate!

La Gompa de TW (Español)

La desnudez de la Gompa de Tsegyalgar West cambió de piel. 

El gris de sus paredes y  su techo se tornó en una bella mezcla de colores que representan, según explicó Migmar Tsering, que todo se manifiesta de manera perfecta, pues la pintura en el arte tibetano está íntimamente conectada con las enseñanzas.

El techo es azul, color del cielo, simboliza la esencia del bodhicitta y representa a la primera de las tres Sabidurías de la Base, ngo bo ངོ་བོ་. 

En las vigas del techo se utilizaron los seis colores: blanco, amarillo, rojo, verde, negro y multicolor, lo cual está inspirado en una enseñanza de Sempa Dorje sobre la naturaleza propia de los seis colores (kha dog drug gi rang bzhin pa) la cual se encuentra en el Bang mdzod ’phrul gyi lde mig, uno de los principales Tantras de los Semde del Dzogchen, en la sección Man ngag thams cad kyi sdom pa zhes bya ba'i dbu, tal como se encuentra en la colección del Tantra de Vairocaha (Vairo Gyüdbum). Sobre este texto, Migmar comento: cuenta cosas preciosas pero para comprenderlas se necesita una llave…

En esta enseñanza se describen seis aspectos de la Bodhicitta a través de la naturaleza propia de los seis colores: El blanco simboliza que a la Bodhicitta no la ensombrecen las emociones; el amarillo indica a la Bodhicitta que da origen a la Sabiduría de la Grandeza (che ba’i ye shes); el rojo representa la potencialidad que todo permea; el verde el hecho de no tener impedimento alguno, la Bodhicitta todo lo penetra; el negro significa que a la Bodhicitta nada ni nadie puede modificarla o cambiarla ; el multicolor indica que la Bodhicitta se manifiesta en todas partes y en diversas formas. Entonces estos seis colores fueron elegidos para representar a la segunda de las tres Sabidurías de la Base rang bzhin རང་བཞིན་. 

Por debajo de las vigas, (y en los muros) hay varias representaciones, incluyendo las sílabas de los tres Vajras, y algunas sílabas semilla. En la viga principal están las ‘veinticuatro sílabas de la Gran Liberación a través de verlas’ (mthong grol), que Vajrasattva transmitió a Namcho Mingyur Dorje. Todo esto representa la infinita potencialidad (thugs rje ཐུགས་རྗེ་) la tercera Sabiduría de la Base.

Una vez explicado lo anterior, podemos contar que durante el pasado mes de abril, practicantes de la Comunidad Dzogchen en Tsegyalgar West nos embarcamos en una intensa aventura guiados por el incansable Migmar y siempre sorprendidos con el pincel de la serena y vigorosa Shuyang Zhong.

Nunca imaginamos el ritmo de trabajo y el despliegue de creatividad. Algunos tuvimos que vencer, o no, miedos irracionales sobre los andamios, otros más bien se movían como peces en el agua pero todos en presencia disfrutamos mucho de esta gran oportunidad de pintar la Gompa; fue una práctica colectiva muy vital que acompañamos con las enseñanzas de nuestro Maestro y también con una gran variedad de música.

Cuando se den el regalo de visitar Tsegyalgar West, no olviden observar que en la viga principal de la Gompa está pintado el mantra de las veinticuatro sílabas en letras doradas, como se mencionó anteriormente, es el mthong grol, mantra que sólo con verlo se obtiene una causa para la liberación. Las sílabas tibetanas como los Tres Vajras y el Longzal y otros elementos como las tradicionales nubes tibetanas, llevaron un interesante proceso en su elaboración; primero fueron dibujadas y puntilladas  en pliegos de papel y luego calcadas por Migmar en la pared como antiguamente se hacía en los monasterios tibetanos. Puntillar es una práctica perfecta para la concentración, ya que con cada puntillazo se puede ir recitando un OM AH HUM.

Vengan a practicar a la Gompa de Tsegyalgar West, su belleza y armonía  parecen un milagro, pero no es sólo un milagro, sino la presencia de Migmar y de Shuyang; la colaboración de muchos practicantes que hicieron posible el financiamiento de este proyecto y el karma yoga de otros tantos. Fueron las practicas colectivas de Tara, el Yantra Yoga, la Danza del Vajra y las alegres Kaitas que abrían o cerraban el día de trabajo con broche de oro.

Es muy importante mencionar que también se llevaron a cabo actividades alrededor de la Gompa: varios trabajadores colocaron ventanas y puertas de madera y se hizo una nueva entrada principal. Se sembraron árboles y nació un nuevo jardín cerca del comedor; también se avanzó en el  mantenimiento de las bardas del Gar.

Debo añadir que disfrutamos de alimentos preparados por excelentes Chefs, estos extraordinarios cocineros son parte de nuestra Comunidad Dzogchen; incluso degustamos Momos y platillos chinos preparados por Migmar y Shuyang; sin duda esto también fue algo especial.

El Gar siempre nos brinda la gran oportunidad de practicar, colaborar y aprender.

Gracias 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

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

Dream Yoga 2017 in Todos Santos

Register with Retreat Manager, Jimena at: jigarcial@hotmail.com

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.