Fundraising for Editors' Training

EDITORS' TRAINING


Tsegyalgar East member, Kathy McGrane has been accepted to a seminar in Editor's Training in Merigar in September 2013.

The seminar has as its purpose the development of transcription of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu's teachings in a consistent style—important for future generations.

In support of of the Community's mission to preserve the teaching, we wish to raise enough funds to cover travel expenses for a week's stay in Italy in order for her to attend.

If you wish to donate for this purpose, you may do so through Paypal by means of our restricted Teachers Training Fund on the community website. http://Tsegyalgar.org/support/teachertrainfund/. Please specify Teachers Training Fund and her name along with your contribution.


 Yours in the Dharma, Tsegyalgar Yellow Gakyil

Persistent Abstraction: A Show of Efrem Marder's Paintings Opening at the Ehva Gallery in Provincetown, MA

Long time DZ member, Efrem Marder will show his paintings at the Ehva Gallery in Provincetown, MA. The show is curated by Marit Cranmer with the title Persistent Abstraction.    The paintings will be exhibited from July 19-30, 2013. The opening is July 19, 6:00-8:00 PM at the Ehva Gallery, 74 Shank Painter Road, Provincetown, MA

For further information, contact the gallery at 508 487-0011. 
To read Efrem's artist statement, click here.

Sowing Seeds of the Future

Sowing Seeds of the Future

This weekend at Lower Khandroling, 160 East Buckland Road, we will be planting 200 blueberry bushes, all are welcome to spend a  day on the farm and help with this project, and help we need. 

The field has been prepared by the coop team of Yuchen, Nari, and Joe and is ready for planting. This is truly a sustainability project since each bush has the potential of producing $100 worth of Berries which will go towards the expenses of Khandroling. Within three or four years we plan on planting 1000 bushes along with raspberries, blackberries and some other exotic stuff that only Nari knows about. So come and get hot and dirty with us and play farmer for the day, guaranteed to sleep well that night. For further information visit, Khandroling Coop website.

Joe Zurylo of the Coop Team

Catalysta Launches New Video & Fundraiser

Check out Catalysta's new video outlining exciting future plans in the works. For an Interview with Catalysta founder and member of the Dzogchen Community, Ed Goldberg, click here. Click on image below to play video

 

Friends & Neighbors: Our Next Door Neighbor to Khandroling "The Colonel" died on July 9, 2013

(Roy,"the Colonel") W. Provost Jr., Lt. Col., USA (ret.), eighty-seven years of age, died on July 9th at his home in Holyoke after a prolonged decline in his health. His wife Madeleine was at his side. "The Colonel" as we called him was our nearest next door neighbor to upper Khandroling. Over the years he proved a good friend and advocate for our community. Many former Gekos of the Dzogchen Communtiy spoke highly of him. A military man, "The Colonel" bought his land called "Buckland Woods" in 1981 upon retirement developing it into a gorgeous complex of multi-use structures. Our new road connecting lower Khandroling to upper exits across from his pond. 

To read the full obituary of his life,  click here. 

My Reincarnation Nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Informational Programming—Long-Form

In June 2012, MY Reincarnation premiered in the USA on Public Broadcasting Service's show POV (stands for point of view) independent film program. We are happy to learn that the film by Jennifer Fox has been nominated for an Emmy. For further information, visit the POV website on PBS. In case you missed the trailer here it is.  You can also stream the film on Netflix.

Watch My Reincarnation - Trailer on PBS. See more from POV.

Alchemy with Fibers Papermaking Workshop on Lower Khandroling

Please join us for the next Khandroling Paper Cooperative Workshop with Sheryl Jaffe and Company on Saturday, August 10, 2013 on Lower Khnadroing from 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM.

ALCHEMY WITH FIBER: Make Beautiful Paper With Local Fibers One day workshop, learn how to make pulp with iris, daylily, grass clippings and QUeen Anne's Lace. Everyone will take home beautiful papers for calligraphy, cards, drawing and painting. Donations of fibers, flowers or $ accepted ($10-50 suggested) Large size scrolls, Japanese style su-geta with kozo. Prepare to get wet. Call 413-585-9861 for more info.

WHEN: Saturday, August 10, 2013
TIMES: 10:00 AM-5:00 PM
WHERE: Lower Khandroling Farm
COST: By Donation 

The Khandroling Farm Coop will be in full bloom--Come by to participate in the workshop or observe and have some fun, pick some vegetables and visit with friends. Join us for a pot-luch lunch around 1:00 PM. Bring the kids and let's make paper!

Don't forget  Sheryl's Art Walk Outdoor Papermaking session and show at Ursa Major Gallery in Shelburne Falls, on Saturday, July 13, 2013 1:00 PM-5:00 PM

Khandroling Farm Coop Yields

This week Khandroling Coop reported that arugala, lettuce, and strawberries ready to pick. Beans soon. Check it out.

Video of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu's Talk at the Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art in NYC

On May 29, 2013 the Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art in NYC  hosted  Chögyal Namkhai Norbu in a book signing in honor of The Light of Kailash A History of Zhang Zhung and Tibet, Vol. I.To purchase, click here.

A History of Zhang Zhung and Tibet, Volume One explores ancient Tibet's Zhang Zhung kingdom and the Bon religion, which preceded the advent of Buddhism in the seventh century. Countering the long-held idea that Tibet's pre-Buddhist indigenous culture was primitive and undeveloped, this book shares the rich cultural origins of the kingdom of Zhang Zhung - the "cradle of Tibetan culture," which encompassed a vast area of Western and Northern Tibet in an area that includes sacred Mount Kailash. 

The following video is from that talk at the Rubin, In his talk, Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, speaks about a number of historical details from his research on the pre-Buddhist Bon and the early civilization of Shang Shung.

Slideshow of Sharing Light Paper Show at Ursa Major Gallery

Last night Ursa Major Gallery operated by Lauri Marder hosted an opening for Khandroling Paper Cooperative's main instructor, Sheryl Jaffe's show, 'Sharing Light." Lauri as usual laid a gorgeous spread for the opening which was well attended. Outside Sheryl set up a demonstration tent for passers by to make paper. For a few hours a lively group of adults and kids tried their hand at papermaking. For fibers Sheryl had earlier cooked up grass clippings, beat an old 400 count red cotton sheet in her critter, and brought some kozo to hand beat. The results were fantastic as you can see in the slide show.

If you live locally, please join us again next Saturday, for yet another outdoor papermaking demonstration at Ursa Gallery during Art Walk in Shelburne Falls. Sheryl's a great teacher and artist and fun to make paper with for the first time. Papermaking is a forgiving art and one always gets wonderful results. Stop by the Ursa Major gallery and see the show. [photos by Jacqueline Gens]

Khandroling Coop News

7/2/2013 Breaking News: we got our first swarm!

Today at noon, unexpectedly, we had a bee swarm flying from one of the two hives (probably Mars) into the open field.

Initially -and sadly- we thought the bees were just gone for good and that they wouldn’t make it through the winter. To read more and Nari's exciting capture of the swarm, visit the Khandroling Coop Website.

Lots happening this weekend on the Lower Khandroling Farm!







During the long 4th of July week end we’re planning to do some activities:
1. prep the Highbush Blueberries patch’s soil
2. keep working in the garden
3. seeding the clover field
4. housing the recently swarmed bee colony (Mercury)

World-Wide Transmission Webcast on the Anniversary of Padmasambhava with Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, July 17, 2013 at 11:00 PM EDT

Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, Rinpoche gives Direct Transmission via Webcast three times each year, so that Transmission is available to those whose circumstances do not permit them to receive transmission in person.

The next World-Wide Transmission is going to be Wednesday July 17th, at 11pm EDT, The Anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava.

There is an explanation of the Transmission given by Gerry Steinberg on Monday, July 15 in the Schoolhouse gonpa, Conway, MA, from 7 p.m.

To assist those whose circumstances do not permit them to be present at the Gar, a telephone hookup will be available so that they can hear the explanation.

The call-in teleconference number is:  (516)453 0020, access code 489-497-084


Please Note:  It is necessary to receive the explanation prior to viewing the webcast of the World Wide Transmission.

Individuals planning on participating in the WWT explanation at home via speaker phone hook-up as a prerequisite to the actual WW Transmission, will need to purchase either the practice book, the book Guruyoga (the practice is in the back of the book), or DVD.  Please contact the Shang Shung Bookstore at the link provided on the webpage.

If you will attend an explanation at your local ling or Gar, then there is no need to purchase these items.

Please ask the SSI bookstore to expedite these items for you.

SSI email:  shop-us@shangshung.org

The World-Wide Transmission video webcast on July 17th at 11 PM EDT will be at the following link:
http://www.shangshunginstitute.net/webcast/video.php

Who We are as a Community

Members in the Dzogchen Community represent a diverse and multi-genrational group of individuals. About the ONLY thing we have in common is that we follow the Dzogchen lineage of Tibetan master, Chögyal Namkhai Norbu.

For the last two years we were blessed with the presence of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu who magnetized so many of us to attend his retreats at Tsegyalgar East in Conway, MA and participate in programs on our retreat land in Buckland - Khandroling.

Although most retreats with Chögyal Namkhai Norbu are now presented as Open Webcasts, attending in person offers a rich opportunity to refine one's understanding and receive the support of fellow practitioners in the community.

The picture above evokes the kind of deep listening and attention that Chogyal Namkhai Norbu inspires. Among the last generation of Tibetan masters educated in Tibet, he is considered a foremost Teacher of Dzogchen and a significant scholar of early Tibetan History. His full biography and list of publications can be found here.

 Here two graduates from Shang Shung Institute's  Four Year Tibetan Medicine program meet up.

In addition to our rich practice life, recently Chögyal Namkhai Norbu has embarked on an international program of introducing Tibetan singing and dancing during his retreats. In numerous blog posts you can see the various manifestations of this joyful activity.

Ed Goldberg of Catalysta has an interesting article on Contemporary Tibetan singers.

Plans are currently underway for our 2014 Inauguration for the Vajra Hall and 30th Anniversary celebrations at Tsegyalgar East. To view dates, please visit the Mirror online for Chögyal Namkhai Norbu's international teaching schedule. Details will be announced shortly. 

To further enhance the well being of our community two new initiatives were created with the emergence of the Khandroling Farm Coop on lower Khandroling directed by Yuchen Namkhai and an art's program through the Khandroling Paper Cooperative which recycles sacred texts into beautiful paper  to provide income eventually for the community and cooperative member artists.

The Khandroling Development Team Seeks New Team Members

During his recent visit to Tsegyalgar,  Chogyal Namkhai Norbu asked that we build a new Gonpa on Lower Khandroling and he subsequently identified the proper location for the structure. In light of this,  the Tsegylagar East  Gakyil is looking to expand the Khandroling Development Team to include planning for the Gonpa as well as the infrastructure of Lower and Upper Khandroling. 


Yuchen Namkhai and Joe Zurylo have agreed to serve as Co-Chairs of the Team. The Tsegyalgar East Gakyil is seeking additional members of the Tsegyalgar community to collaborate with Yuchen and Joe on the Planning Team. We need as much participation as possible to bring Rinpoche's vision into reality. If you want to participate in this exciting process please notify Yuchen at: y.namkhai@gmail.com and Joe at: jzurylo@yahoo.com and the Gakyil at: gakyil@tsegyalgar.org.

Sincerely,
The Tsegyalgar East Gakyil

Shang Shung Institute USA Bids Thank You to Paola Zamperini

 

[Paola Zamperini and Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo]

Tsegyalgar East and the US Shang Shung Institute bid farewell to Paola Zamperini whose service on the Board of Directors to the Institute for many years is greatly appreciated. During her tenure as a Professor at Amherst College, Paola tirelessly worked to bring  the Shang Shung Institute and Tibetan culture to the local academic community of the five-college region. With great exertion she furthered the work of both Chögyal Namkhai Norbu as well as Khyentse Yeshe in lectures and events held at Amherst College and through out the Pioneer Valley. 

Her grace and charm with a microphone will be sorely missed during retreats and public events. Thanks too to Dan Zegunis, her partner, for his ongoing work on behalf of Shang Shung Editons and for his technical expertise while part of the Tsegyalgar East Community. Safe travels and new adventures on your journey to Illinois where Paola will be teaching at Northwestern University. 

[SSI Board members Matt Hyatt, Jeff Krouk, Dr. Phuntsog Wangmo, and Paola Zamperini]

[Photos courtesy of Paula Barry]

Our "Dam Trog" Sister Organization Tara Mandala Launches Machig Publications and Receives $60,000 Grant for its Library and Translation

Tara Mandala Launches Machig Publications with"Luminous Moonlight:The Life of Do Dasal Wangmo" On July 2, 2013 Tara Mandala is launching a publishing company entitled Machig Publications with their first book, "Luminous Moonlight: The Life of Do Dasal Wangmo" translated by Sarah Schneider, with an extensive introduction by Lama Tsultrim Allione. We are pleased to announce the publication of this first book, which is a biography of the great-granddaughter of Do Khyentse Yeshe Dorje (1800-1866), the tertön (treasure revealer), of the Dzinpa Rangdröl cycle of teachings, which is the focus of the seven-year Gateway program being initiated this week at Tara Mandala. Do Dasal Wangmo is a well known Tibetan physician and the last of the family lineage holders. She is a reincarnation of Do Khyentse's sister Lösal Drolma, who was the Dharma heir for the extraordinary cycle of teachings called Dzinpa Rangdröl. In 2010 Lama Tsultrim, facilitated by Sang-ngag Rinpoche and Alec Zenkar Rinpoche, had the great fortune to meet Do Dasal Wangmo who was 83 years old at the time, in Dartsedo where Do Khyentse resided. Sarah Schneider was present as translator and began the translation at that time. The book includes photos of Dasal Wangmo, the lamas around her, the retreat huts and monasteries of Do Khyentse, as well as lineage paintings and rare lineage photos. Beth Lee Herbert also worked on the book, editing and creating the glossary. Beth also worked on the book design with Linda Baer, who has kindly lent the considerable expertise she gained  in typesetting and book and cover design during her years of creating beautiful books for Padma Publishing,.  The intention of Machig Publications is to support Tara Mandala Sangha and other practitioners of Buddhism in publishing relevant and otherwise unavailable books and translations. Several other books are currently in development. We welcome distributions ideas and reviews. To purchase a copy, click here.  At the suggestion of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, Tara Mandala is creating a formal relationship with his organization Dzogchen Community called "Dam Trog" which means Samaya Fellowship, where the organizations function independently but have a close association and transmission ties and exchanges of teachers and teachings. Further announcements and articles forthcoming in the Mirror. NEWS FLASH From Tara Mandala! With much gratitude Tara Mandala announced that they have received a seed grant of $60,000 for the initial phases of their library and translation. They just received news of this generous gift which will make it possible to start their library and translation projects. Their plan is to create a repository for the Buddhism wisdom literature with a focus on Tibetan texts with storage for ancient texts as well as a digital library, and hard copy English books. There are also plans in place for a resident translator and librarian. The second floor of the temple has remained open waiting for the library to appear, now this next step will be initiated, bringing the Sambhogakaya level of 'sacred speech' in the temple into action. Blessings abound. [Reprinted from TM Facebook]