Namkhai Norbu

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Namkhai Norbu
Namkhai Norbu 2.jpg
Namkhai Norbu
TitleRinpoche, Chögyal
Personal
Born(1938-12-08)December 8, 1938
Derge, Tibet
Died(2018-09-27)September 27, 2018
Arcidosso, Italy
ReligionBuddhism
SchoolDzogchen
Senior posting
TeacherRigdzin Changchub Dorje
Websitewww.dzogchen.net
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Chögyal Namkhai Norbu at the Kunsangar North center (Moscow region) on July 4, 2013

Namkhai Norbu (Tibetan: ཆོས་རྒྱལ་ནམ་མཁའི་ནོར་བུ་; December 8, 1938 – September 27, 2018) was a Tibetan Dzogchen master,[1] Professor of Tibetan and Mongolian Language and Literature at the Naples Eastern University, and a leading authority on Tibetan culture, particularly in the fields of history, literature, traditional religions (Tibetan Buddhism and Bon) and Traditional Tibetan medicine.

When he was two years old, Namkhai Norbu was recognized as the 'mindstream emanation', a tulku, of the Dzogchen teacher Adzom Drugpa (1842–1924). At five, he was also recognized as a mindstream emanation of an emanation of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel (1594–1651). At the age of sixteen, he met master Rigdzin Changchub Dorje (1863-1963),[2] who became his principal Dzogchen teacher.[3]

In 1960, he came to Italy at the invitation of Professor Giuseppe Tucci, and served as Professor of Tibetan and Mongolian Language and Literature from 1964 to 1992 at the Naples Eastern University. Namkhai Norbu was widely recognized as a leading authority on Tibetan culture, particularly in the fields of history, literature, and Traditional Tibetan medicine and astrological sciences such as the Tibetan calendar. In 1983, he hosted the first International Convention on Tibetan Medicine, held in Venice, Italy.[4]

In 1976, Namkhai Norbu began to give Dzogchen instruction in the West, first in Italy, then in numerous other countries. He quickly became a respected spiritual authority among many practitioners, and has created centers for the study of Dzogchen worldwide.[5] On 10 September 2018, the Italian government gave its highest award, Commander of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, to him from President Sergio Mattarella.[6] The Tibetan government in exile regarded him as having been “the foremost living Dzogchen” teacher at the time of his death in 2018.[7]

Etymology[]

This section details the origins and meaning of the title Chögyal and the name Namkhai Norbu (Tibetan: Chos-rGyal Nam-mkha’i Nor-bu).[8]

Chögyal is a title most commonly associated with the monarchy of Sikkim, now a state in far-northern India. However, Chögyal (or Chos-rGyal) is also a title conferred upon a special class of temporal and spiritual rulers of the Kingdom of Bhutan, who were recognized mindstream emanations of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, the 17th Century Tibetan-born founder of Bhutan. Namkhai Norbu, recognized at the age of five as an emanation of Ngawang Namgyel, holds the title of Chögyal in this context.[9]

Namkhai (Tibetan) means "sky", "space" and "aether," and has the possessive case ending, thus it may be rendered into English as "...of the sky". Norbu (Tibetan) means "jewel", "crystal", "gem", "cintamani". Therefore, Namkhai Norbu may be rendered in English as "jewel of the sky."

Biography[]

Recognition as a Tulku[]

Namkhai Norbu was a recognized tulku (also trulku), a reincarnate master. At birth two of Namkhai Norbu's uncles, the Dzogchen masters and believed him to be the reincarnation of their master, Adzom Drugpa Rinpoche (1841–1934). When Namkhai Norbu was two years old, this was confirmed by a senior tulku of the Nyingma school.[9]

Then when he was five years old, the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa and the Situ Rinpoche together recognized Namkhai Norbu as the [a] of the mindstream of another well known teacher, who was in turn the emanation of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, the 17th Century Tibetan-born founder of Bhutan.[9]

At a very young age, these recognitions conferred upon Namkhai Norbu a great deal of attention and prestige, as he himself remarks: "As I grew up, I was thus given quite a few names and titles, many of which are very long and grand sounding. But I have never used them, because I have always preferred the name my parents gave me at birth."[9]

Early life[]

In his early years Namkhai Norbu studied at the Derge Gonchen monastery. At the age of nine he entered a Sakya College where he studied Buddhist philosophy for many years with . He also received numerous tantric and Dzogchen transmissions and teachings from many masters, including his paternal uncle (who achieved the rainbow body), maternal uncle , , , , Dzongsar Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö and . In 1951, he also received Chöd teachings from Ayu Khandro Dorje Paldrön (1838–1953), a woman who spent over fifty years in dark retreat and was a disciple of Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo.

Namkhai Norbu was invited to China in 1953 as a representative of the Tibetan monasteries. After visiting Chengdu and Chungching, he accepted the invitation to teach Tibetan language in . During this time he met , from whom he received instructions on the Six Yogas of Naropa and other teachings.

Namkhai Norbu met his Rigdzin Changchub Dorje in 1955 and stayed at his residence in for six months. From Changchub Dorje he received the authentic transmission of Dzogchen and realized the essence of the dharma (subsuming both Wylie: 'chos' & 'bon') as one state of knowledge beyond all limitations. This realization has remained a characteristic feature of his way of teaching throughout his life.

In the late 1950s, Namkhai Norbu made a pilgrimage to Tibet, India, and Nepal. Because of the turmoil and aftermath of the 1959 Tibetan Rebellion, he could not return to Tibet from Sikkim, so he stayed in the erstwhile kingdom while working as an author and editor for the Chogyal government.

Professorship[]

Already recognized as extremely knowledgeable in all aspects of Tibetan culture at the age of 22, he was invited to Italy by Professor Giuseppe Tucci to work at the ISMEO Institute in Rome for two years. In 1962, he took up a post in Naples at the Istituto Universitario Orientale, where he taught Tibetan language and literature until 1992. From the time of his residence in Italy, Namkhai Norbu focused his research mainly on the ancient history of Tibet, investigating thoroughly the native Bön tradition. His books include works on history, Tibetan medicine, astrology, Bön and folk traditions such as namkha. They have been highly appreciated by Tibetans as well as scholars throughout the world.[citation needed]

Teaching Dzogchen in the West[]

Tibetan letter "A", the symbol of body of light

Trul Khor: Yantra Yoga[]

In 1971, Namkhai Norbu began to teach Yantra Yoga, an ancient form of Tibetan Yoga combining movement, breathing and visualization. A few years later, he started to give Dzogchen teachings to a small group of Italian students, with whom he founded the 'Dzogchen Community' (Wylie: rdzogs chen 'dus sde).[10] At that time, Dzogchen was relatively unknown in the West.

International Dzogchen Community[]

As interest in his teachings grew, Namkhai Norbu dedicated himself to spreading Dzogchen and establishing 'gars' (Tibetan), seats of the International Dzogchen Community, throughout the world. Today there are gars in Italy, the United States, Mexico, Venezuela, Argentina, Australia, Romania, Russia, Spain, Ukraine and China. Apart from his spiritual activity, he founded the International Shang-Shung Institute to preserve the cultural traditions of Tibet, and ASIA, a nonprofit organization in Tibet mainly dedicated to serving the educational and medical needs of the Tibetan people.[citation needed]

Works[]

Namkhai Norbu at sunset on 15 November 2015

Books[]

  • The Necklace of Zi. Shang Shung Edizioni. 1981.
  • Yantra Yoga: the Tibetan Yoga of Movement. Snow Lion. 1982. ISBN 1-55939-308-4.
  • Journey into the Culture of Tibetan Nomads. Shang Shung Edizioni. 1983.
  • The Mirror: Advice on the Presence of Awareness. Shang Shung Edizioni. 1983.
  • On Birth and Life: A Treatise on Tibetan Medicine. Shang-Shung Edizioni. 1983.
  • The Cycle of Day and Night: Where one proceeds along the path of the Primordial Yoga. Blue Dolphin. 1984. ISBN 0-89581-080-8.
  • Dzogchen and Zen. Blue Dolphin. 1984. ISBN 0-931892-08-2.
  • The Small Collection of Hidden Precepts: A Study of An Ancient Manuscript on Dzogchen from Tun-huang. Shang Shung Edizioni. 1984.
  • Rigbai Kujnug. the Six Vajra verses. An oral commentary. Singapore: Rinchen Editions. 1985.
  • Zernga: The Five Principal Points. Shang Shung Edizioni. 1985.
  • The Crystal and the Way of Light: Sutra, Tantra and Dzogchen. Penguin Books. 1986. ISBN 1-55939-135-9.
  • The Four Contemplations of the Semde. Shang Shung Edizioni. 1986.
  • The Little Song of "Do as you please". Shang Shung Edizioni. 1986.
  • Answer to Sixteen Questions. Shang Shung Edizioni. 1987.
  • The Cycle of Day and Night: An Essential Tibetan Text on the Practice of Contemplation. Station Hill Press. 1987. ISBN 0-88268-040-4.
  • Primordial Experience: An Introduction to Rdzogs-Chen Meditation. Shambhala. 1987. ISBN 0-87773-372-4.
  • Dzogchen: The Self-Perfected State. Shang Shung Edizioni. 1989. ISBN 1-55939-057-3.
  • Mi-Lam: The Dream Practice. Shang Shung Edizioni. 1989.
  • The Voice of the Bee. Shang Shung Edizioni. 1989.
  • The Dzogchen Ritual Practices. London: Kailash Editions. 1991.
  • The Practice of Sinhamuka. Shang Shung Edizioni. 1991.
  • The Authentic Principle of the Ati Dzogchen Community. Shang Shung Edizioni. 1992.
  • Dream Yoga and the Practice of Natural Light. Snow Lion. 1992. ISBN 9781559390071.
  • The Song of the Vajra. Station Hill Press. 1992.
  • Three Songs for Disciples of Changchub Dorje. Shang Shung Edizioni. 1992.
  • Examination Questions for the base of Santi Maha Sangha. Shang Shung Edizioni. 1993.
  • The Practice for the Naga. Shang Shung Edizioni. 1993.
  • The Wish-Fulflling Vase: Instructions on the Base of Santi Maha Sangha. Shang Shung Edizioni. 1993.
  • The Treasure that Introduces Knowledge of Ati Contemplation: First level of Santi Maha Sangha. Shang Shung Edizioni. 1994.
  • Drung, Deu and Bön. Paljor. 1995. ISBN 81-85102-93-7.
  • From the Depth of my Heart to my Mother. Shang Shung Edizioni. 1995.
  • Santi Maha Sangha Kumar Kumari Base level: the opening of the eye of wisdom. Shang Shung Edizioni. 1995.
  • Dzogchen: the Self-Perfected State. Snow Lion. 1996. ISBN 978-1-55939-057-6.
  • Instructions for the second level Practices of Santi Maha Sangha. Shang Shung Edizioni. 1996.
  • The Mirror: Advice on the Presence of Awareness. Station Hill Press. 1996. ISBN 1-886449-10-4.
  • The Opening of the Door of Intelligence: First level of Santi Maha Sangha Kumar Kumari. Shang Shung Edizioni. 1996.
  • The Treasure of Primordial Bodhichitta: second level of Santi Maha Sangha. Shang Shung Edizioni. 1996.
  • The Mirror of a Clear Mind: second level of Santi Maha Sangha Kumar Kumari. Shang Shung Edizioni. 1997.
  • The Ati Treasure of Dharmadhatu: Third level of Santi Maha Sangha. Shang Shung Edizioni. 1998.
  • The Practice of Narag Tongtrug. Shang Shung Edizioni. 1998.
  • Direct introduction to the state of AtiYoga. Shang Shung Edizioni. 1999.
  • The Eight Movements of Yantra Yoga. Snow Lion. 1999.
  • The Practice of Long Life of the Immortal Dakini Mandarava. Shang Shung Edizioni. 1999.
  • The Precious Vase: Instructions on the Base of Santi Maha Sangha. Shang Shung Edizioni. 1999.
  • Songs From the Hospital and other Poems. Shang Shung Edizioni. 1999.
  • The Supreme Source: the Fundamental Tantra of the Dzogchen Semde. Snow Lion. 1999. ISBN 1-55939-120-0.
  • The Garuda Practice. Shang Shung Edizioni. 2000.
  • The Transference to purify the Dimensions of the Three Kayas. Shang Shung Edizioni. 2000.
  • Concise Experiential instructions on the short thun as a daily practise for the Dzogchen Community. Shang Shung Edizioni. 2001.
  • The Dzogchen Community. Shang Shung Edizioni. 2001.
  • Dzogchen Teachings in Gutenstein, Austria. Shang Shung Edizioni. 2001.
  • Dzogchen Teachings: Merigar, 6–11 July 2001. Shang Shung Edizioni. 2001.
  • Longde Teachings: Based on the Original Texts by Vairochana and Dzin Dharmabodhi. Shang Shung Edizioni. 2001.
  • The Yoga of Arya Tara. Shang Shung Edizioni. 2001.
  • An Introduction to the practice of Contemplation. Shang Shung Edizioni. 2002.
  • Journey Among the Tibetan Nomads. Paljor. 2002. ISBN 81-86470-10-7.
  • The Cycle of Day and Night and the Upadesha of Vajrasattva. Shang Shung Edizioni. 2003.
  • Key for Consulting the Tibetan Calendar. Shang Shung Edizioni. 2003. ISBN 9788878341234.
  • A Wondrous Sight (with Elio Guarisco). Shang Shung Edizioni. 2003.
  • The Practice in Daily Life. Shang Shung Edizioni. 2004.
  • The Practice of Self-Liberation of the Causes of the six Lokas. Shang Shung Edizioni. 2004.
  • The Twenty-Seven Commitments. Shang Shung Edizioni. 2004.
  • The Foundation of the Path. Shang Shung Edizioni. 2005.
  • A Dream from the Display of the Moon in the Water. Shang Shung Edizioni. 2006.
  • Dzogchen Teachings. Snow Lion Publications. 2006. ISBN 9781559392433.
  • Dzogchen Teachings: Oral Commentary on the Longsal Terma The Opening of the Gate to the State of Ati. Shang Shung Edizioni. 2006.
  • Teachers' Training. Shang Shung Edizioni. 2006.
  • A Short Purification Ritual for the Dead as a Supplement to the Shitro of the Space Teachings. Shang Shung. 2007.
  • The Ati Treasury of Contemplation. Shang Shung Edizioni. 2008.
  • Dzogchen Teachings at Sinabelkirchen, Austria. Shang Shung Edizioni. 2008.
  • Natural Perfection: Longchenpa's Radical Dzogchen. Translated by Keith Dowman. Wisdom Publications. 2010. ISBN 9780861716401.
  • The Four Methods of Development. Shang Shung Edizioni. 2011.
  • Healing with Fire: A Practical Manual of Tibetan Moxibustion. Shang Shung Edizioni. 2011. ISBN 978-8878341135.
  • The Lamp That Enlightens Narrow Minds: the Life and Times of a Realized Tibetan Master. North Atlantic Books. 2012. ISBN 978-1-58394-492-9.
  • Rainbow Body: the Life and Realization of a Tibetan Yogin, Togden Ugyen Tendzin. North Atlantic Books. 2012. ISBN 9781583944912.
  • Small Glossary for the Dzogchen Community. Shang Shung Edizioni. 2012.
  • A History of Zhang Zhung and Tibet: the Early Period. 1. North Atlantic Books. 2013. ISBN 9781583946107.
  • The Vision of Clear Light and The Crucial points of Dzogchen Practice. Shang Shung Edizioni. 2013.
  • The Practice of Guru Medicine Buddha. Shang Shung Edizioni. 2014.
  • The Temple of the Great Contemplation: The Gonpa of Merigar. Shang Shung Edizioni. 2014.

Contributons[]

  • Introduction: Beyond Words: Dzogchen Made Easy (2003) (Element Books) ISBN 9780007116775
  • Introduction: Self-Liberation: Through Seeing with Naked Awareness (2000) (Station Hill Press) ISBN 0-88268-058-7
  • Introduction: The Tibetan Book of the Dead: Awakening Upon Dying (2013) ISBN 9781583945551
  • Introduction: The Golden Letters (1996) (Snow Lion) ISBN 1-55939-050-6
  • Introduction: Togden Shakya Shri. The Life and Liberation of a Tibetan Yogin (2009) (Shang Shung Edizioni) ISBN 978-88-7834-103-6
  • Introduction: You Are the Eyes of the World (2011) (Shambhala ) ISBN 9781559393676

Discography[]

  • Chöd: Cutting through dualism (1995) CD (Amiata Records) ARNR-0193
  • Purification of the Six Lokas (2001) CD (Shang Shung) 10020
  • General Introduction to Dzogchen (2009) DVD
  • Music for the Dance of the Vajra (2009) CD (Amiata Records) ARNR-0200
  • My Reincarnation (2012) DVD (New York) ISBN 9781422918746

See also[]

Notes[]

  1. ^ Mindstream emanations may be either body, voice, mind, qualities or activities emanations.[citation needed]

Citations[]

  1. ^ de Luca (2018).
  2. ^ Granger (2020).
  3. ^ Norbu (1981), p. [page needed].
  4. ^ Norbu (1992), p. [page needed].
  5. ^ Anon (2018).
  6. ^ Saldon (2018).
  7. ^ Choetso (2018).
  8. ^ Capriles (2014), p. 5.
  9. ^ Jump up to: a b c d Norbu (1999), pp. 19-20 & notes.
  10. ^ Tsadra Foundation (2005).

References[]

External links[]

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