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Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Kunsangar North in the Moscow region 4 July 2013
Namkhai Norbu (Tibetan: ཆོས་རྒྱལ་ནམ་མཁའི་ནོར་བུ་) was a Tibetan Dzogchen master.[1] When he was two years old, Namkhai Norbu was recognized as the 'mindstreamemanation', 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). From an early age, Namkhai Norbu undertook an accelerated course of study, attending monastic college, taking retreats, and studying with renowned teachers, including some of the most important Tibetan masters of his time. Under the tutelage of these teachers, he completed the training required by the Buddhist tradition in both Sutrayana and Tantrayana. At the age of sixteen, he met master Rigdzin Changchub Dorje (1826–1961/1978),[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.[citation needed] 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]
Nomenclature, orthography and 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) holds the semantic field of "sky", "space" and "aether," and has the possessive case ending, thus it may be rendered into English as "...of the sky". Norbu (Tibetan) holds the semantic field of "jewel", "crystal", "gem", "cintamani". Therefore, Namkhai Norbu may be rendered in English as "Jewel of the Sky", "Gem of the Aether" or "Crystal of Space".
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 Palyul Karma Yangsid and Shechen Rabjam 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 mind emanation[10] 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]
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 Menyag. During this time he met Kangkar Rinpoche, from whom he received instructions on the Six Yogas of Naropa and other teachings.
Namkhai Norbu met his root teacherRigdzin Changchub Dorje in 1955 and stayed at his residence in Khamdogar 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.
Teaching Dzogchen in the West
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).[11] At that time, Dzogchen was relatively unknown in the West.
As interest in his teachings grew, Rinpoche 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.
Bibliography
A Dream from the Display of the Moon in the Water (2006) (Shang Shung Edizioni)
A History of Zhang Zhung and Tibet, Volume One - the Early Period (2013) (North Atlantic Books) ISBN9781583946107
A short Purification Ritual for the Dead as a Supplement to the Shitro of the Space Teachings (2007) (Shang Shung)
A Wondrous Sight (togeTher with Elio Guarisco) (2003) (Shang Shung Edizioni)
An introduction to the practice of Contemplation (2002) (Shang Shung Edizioni)
Answer to Sixteen Questions (1987) (Shang Shung Edizioni)
A request to all those who are part of the Dzogchen Community and are linked with Merigar (1987) (Shang Shung Edizioni)
Namkhai Norbu at sunset on 15 November 2015Comcise Experiental instructions on the short thun as a daily practise for the Dzogchen Community (2001) (Shang Shung Edizioni)
Direct introduction to the state of AtiYoga (1999) (Shang Shung Edizioni)
Dream Yoga and the Practice of Natural Light (1992) (Snow Lion) ISBN9781559390071
On Birth, Life and Death: A Treatise on Tibetan Medicine (1983)
On the Tibetan Language, the basis of Tibetan Culture (1992) (unpublished)
Oral instruction on The Yoga of Prana for Clarity and emptiness
Primordial Experience: An Introduction to Rdzogs-Chen Meditation (1987) ( Shambhala) ISBN0-87773-372-4
Primordial Experience: Manjusrfmitra's Treatise on the Meaning of Bodhicitta in rDzogs chen
Rainbow Body: the Life and Realization of a Tibetan Yogin, Togden Ugyen Tendzin (2012) (North Atlantic Books) ISBN9781583944912
Rigbai kujnug. the Six Vajra verses. An oral commentary (1985) (Rinchen Editions: Singapore) ISBN
Santi Maha Sangha Kumar Kumari Base level: the opening of the eye of wisdom (1995) (Shang Shung Edizioni)
Santi Maha Sangha Second level, New Edition (to be translated by Adriano Clement)
Santi Maha Sangha Third level, New Edition (to be translated by Adriano Clement)
Shang Shung (1993) (unpublished)
Shine and Lhagthong in the Dzogchen Tradition
Songs From the Hospital and other Poems (1999) (Shang Shung Edizioni)
Teachers' Training (2006) (Shang Shung Edizioni)
The Ati Treasure of Dharmadhatu: Third level of Santi Maha Sangha (1998) (Shang Shung Edizioni)
The Ati Treasury of Contemplation (2008) (Shang Shung Edizioni)
The Authentic Principle of the Ati Dzogchen Community (1992) (Shang Shung Edizioni)
The Autobiography of Chogyal Nankhai Norbu (to be translated by Adriano Clement)
The Complete Book on the Vajra Dance, Including the History of its Discovery (to be translated by Adriano Clement)
The Crystal and the Way of Light: Sutra, Tantra and Dzogchen (1986) (Penguin Books) ISBN1-55939-135-9
The Cycle of Day and Night and the Upadesha of Vajrasattva (2003) (Shang Shung Edizioni)
The Cycle of Day and Night: An Essential Tibetan Text on the Practice of Contemplation (1987) (Station Hill Press) ISBN0-88268-040-4
The Cycle of Day and Night: Where one proceeds along the path of the Primordial Yoga (1984) (Blue Dolphin) ISBN0-89581-080-8
The Dance of the Three Vajras (1997) (unpublished)
The Dzogchen Community (2001) (Shang Shung Edizioni)
The Dzogchen Ritual Practices (1991) (Kailash Editions)
The Eight Movements of Yantra Yoga (1999) (Snow Lion)
The Foundation of the Path (2005) (Shang Shung Edizioni)
The Four Contemplations of the Semde (1986) (Shang Shung Edizioni)
The Garuda Practice (2000) (Shang Shung Edizioni)
The Lamp That Enlightens Narrow Minds - the Life and Times of a Realized Tibetan Master (North Atlantic Books) ISBN978-1-58394-492-9
The Mirror of a Clear Mind: second level of Santi Maha Sangha Kumar Kumari (1997) (Shang Shung Edizioni)
The Mirror: Advice on the Presence of Awareness (1983) (Shang Shung Edizioni)
The Mirror: Advice on the Presence of Awareness (1996) (Station Hill Press) ISBN1-886449-10-4
The Necklace of the Jewels (unpublished)
The Necklace of Zi (1981) (Shang Shung Edizioni)
The Opening of the Door of Intelligence: First level of Santi Maha Sangha Kumar Kumari (1996) (Shang Shung Edizioni) *The Practice and Action Mantras of Dark Garuda
The Practice for the Naga (1993) (Shang Shung Edizioni)
The Practice in Daily Life (2004) (Shang Shung Edizioni)
The Practice of Guru Medicine Buddha
The Practice of Narag Tongtrug (1998) (Shang Shung Edizioni)
The Practice of Self-Liberation of the Causes of the six Lokas (2004) (Shang Shung Edizioni)
The Practice of Sinhamuka (1991) (Shang Shung Edizioni)
The Precious Vase: Instructions on the Base of Santi Maha Sangha (1999) (Shang Shung Edizioni)
The Real meaning of integration. Educating children. Newcomers. the Dzogchen Community. (1994) (Shang Shung Edizione)
The Small Collection of Buddhagupta (1984) (unpublished)
The Small Collection of Hidden Precepts: A Study of An Ancient Manuscript on Dzogchen from Tun-huang (1984)
The Song of the Vajra (1992) (Station Hill Press)
The Supreme Source: the Fundamental Tantra of the Dzogchen Semde (1999) (Snow Lion) ISBN1-55939-120-0
The Temple of the Great Contemplation: The Gonpa of Merigar (2014) ISBN8878341444
The Total Space of Vajrasattva with three Commentaries (to be translated by Adriano Clement)
The Transference to purify the Dimensions of the Three Kayas (2000) (Shang Shung Edizioni)
The Treasure of Primordial Bodhichitta: second level of Santi Maha Sangha (1996) (Shang Shung Edizioni)
The Treasure that Introduces Knowledge of Ati Contemplation: First level of Santi Maha Sangha (1994) (Shang Shung Edizioni)
The Twenty-Seven Commitments (2004) (Shang Shung Edizioni)
The Vision of Clear Light and The Crucial points of Dzogchen Practice (2013) (Shang Shung Edizioni)
The Voice of the Bee (1989) (Shang Shung Edizioni)
The Way to enter the Teaching (2000) (unpublished)
The Wish-Fulflling Vase: Instructions on the Base of Santi Maha Sangha (1993) (Shang Shung Edizioni)
The Yoga of Arya Tara (2001) (Shang Shung Edizioni)
Three Songs for Disciples of Changchub Dorje (1992) (Shang Shung Edizioni)
Yantra Yoga. the Tibetan Yoga of Movement (1982) (Snow Lion) ISBN1-55939-308-4
Zernga The Five Principal Points (1985) (Shang Shung Edizioni)
Introduction: Beyond Words: Dzogchen Made Easy (2003) (Element Books) ISBN9780007116775
Introduction: Self-Liberation: Through Seeing with Naked Awareness (2000) (Station Hill Press) ISBN0-88268-058-7
Introduction: The Tibetan Book of the Dead: Awakening Upon Dying (2013) ISBN9781583945551
Introduction: The Golden Letters (1996) (Snow Lion) ISBN1-55939-050-6
Introduction: Togden Shakya Shri. The Life and Liberation of a Tibetan Yogin (2009) (Shang Shung Edizioni) ISBN978-88-7834-103-6
Introduction: You Are the Eyes of the World (2011) (Shambhala ) ISBN9781559393676
CDs and DVDs
Chöd: Cutting through dualism (1995) CD (Amiata Records) ARNR-0193
General Introduction to Dzogchen (2009) DVD
Music for the Dance of the Vajra (2009) CD (Amiata Records) ARNR-0200
^All sources give 1826 as year of birth; some sources give 1961 and others 1978 as year of death
^Norbu, Namkhai (1980, 1982) The Necklace of Gzi, A Cultural History of Tibet (Information Office of HH the Dalai Lama, Dharamsala).
^Dzogchen Romania. A brief biography of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Online: [1][permanent dead link] (accessed: May 14, 2008)
^Tsegyalgar East. Chögyal Namkhai Norbu (Biographical Sketch). Online: [2]Archived 2008-05-09 at the Wayback Machine (accessed: May 14, 2008)
^Saldon, Tenzin (11 September 2018). "Tibetan Buddhist master Prof Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche receives Italy's highest honour | Central Tibetan Administration". tibet.net. Archived from the original on 11 September 2018. Retrieved 2019-02-20. One of the foremost Tibetan Buddhist master, Professor Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche, was honoured with Italy's highest recognition, Commander of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic on Monday. The President of the Republic of Italy, Sergio Mattarella, has conferred the honour on Prof Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche on the proposal of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers.
^Capriles, Elías (2003). Buddhism and Dzogchen: The Doctrine of the Buddha and the Supreme Vehicle of Tibetan Buddhism - Part One Buddhism: A Dzogchen Outlook. University of the Andes:
Mérida, Venezuela. Source: [3] (accessed: January 14, 2008) p.5
^ abcdNorbu, Namkhai (2000). The Crystal and the Way of Light: Sutra, Tantra, Dzogchen. (Snow Lion Publications) pg.19-20 & Notes.
^Mindstream emanations may be either body, voice, mind, qualities or activities emanations; refer: Three vajra.
