The Mirror has published The Long and Enduring Road Home: Revisiting the Precious Vase by Chogyal Namkhai Norbu. The article seeks to encourage new and old-time practitioners to consider seriously the importance of Santi Maha Sangha study for the future of Dzogchen. As such it is both an invitation and encouragement to return or enter into this magnificent training.
In the ancient language of Oddiyana Santi Maha Sangha means Dzogchen Community. The training thus is a course of study and practice implemented in 1993 by Chogyal Namkhai Norbu, which begins with a Base level and proceeds through nine levels that develop diverse aspects of the Base both in the theoretical and in the practical planes, organized in such a way as to make up on both planes a gradual course allowing to form good practitioners of Dzogchen as Path of Self-Liberation / Spontaneous Liberation, through the maturation of Knowledge on the basis of concrete experience.
That training comprises the complete teachings of Garab Dorje, as well as instructions to deepen the knowledge and practice of the three series of Dzogchen teachings —Semde, Longde and Menngagde or Upadeshavarga— as well as the theory and essential practices of the levels of the Path of Transformation made up by the vehicles of Tantra and those of the Path of Renunciation may up by the vehicles of Sutra.
Chogyal Namkhai Norbu has expressed his wish that all Dzogchen Community members undertake at least the training of the SMS Base level. In fact, although entering the state of Dzogchen entails going beyond the intellect, in order to achieve this it is necessary to use the intellect, on the one hand in order to develop the required faith, and on the other because the practitioner must be able to distinguish among the principles of Renunciation, Transformation and Self-Liberation, and place each teaching and practice in the corresponding category, understanding each of these well and discriminating among their principles, in order to avert confusion due to the seeming contradictions among the lower and higher levels—and thus be able to proceed on the Path.
The Santi Maha Sangha training is essential to grant the continuity of the Dzogchen Knowledge and teaching: whoever takes this commitment works on behalf of her or his own individual realization and that of all sentient beings, gradually training in the practices of all levels and deepening on the principles of each of them—which is conducive to the attainment of total realization in this very life.-- Reprinted from Dzamling Gar’s SMS webpage
Santi Maha Sangha Training Events at Tsegyalgar East
Currently there is a 30 week study program on the Base as presented in the Precious Vase taught by Lynn Newdome, Demystifying Santi Maha Sangha in 30 Lessons which meets most weeks. This study group is both live or via MP3 download as a podcast. People from all over the world are participating.
Session 1 seven classes are nearly completed. New participants unfamiliar with the Precious Vase can join in Session 2 by catching up via podcast or if already familiar with the material begin Session II for the next 7 classes.
Session 11 begins on November 16, 2015 for another six classes followed by a day of practice.
For further information, click here.
Levels 1 and II Weekends with Jim Valby in 2015
Qualified individuals who have passed exams may participate in the following courses. Click on the links below for schedule.
Level 1 October 30-November 1, 2015
Level 2 November 27-29, 2015
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