2026 Important Updates

April 14, 2026

The IG is pleased to announce that Ilyia Chimev (Bulgaria) and Sebastien Remy (France) joined as Blue IG assistants in February 2026. We thank them for their commitment and wish them every success in their work.

The IG is also pleased to announce the next 2026 Teacher Training courses for Yantra Yoga and Vajra Dance (full dates, teachers, and locations are listed in the Teacher Training section below). Please save the dates. For further details please refer to the relevant announcements of the Yantra Yoga and Vajra Dance Teacher Training teams.

Warm regards, The Blue IG

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1. ABOUT THE BLUE INTERNATIONAL GAKYIL

The Blue International Gakyil deals with cultural and educational activities, oversees all activities and initiatives aimed to support the transmission of the Dzogchen Teaching and related knowledge, and promotes relevant activities of the Association, including its publication and communication work.

2. BLUE INTERNATIONAL GAKYIL RESPONSIBILITIES

OVERSEES ACTIVITIES RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION OF THE DZOGCHEN TEACHING

• Restricted teachings: they are addressed to those who have received the transmission of the teaching from Chögyal Namkhai Norbu or Namkhai Yeshi.
• Public teachings: they are addressed to all interested parties.

PROMOTES ACTIVITIES OF THE ASSOCIATION

Santi Maha Sangha

The Santi Maha Sangha (SMS) Training, started by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu in 1993, is a study and practice course in nine levels. Santi Maha Sangha means Dzogchen Community in the ancient Oddiyana language.

The goal of SMS Training is to prepare Dzogchen practitioners to gain personal knowledge based on concrete experience through intensive and in-depth practice of Dzogchen to ensure the continuity of Dzogchen knowledge and teaching for the benefit of all sentient beings.

Speaking about SMS, Chögyal Namkhai Norbu said: ”For many years I have transmitted this teaching, and for many years many of you have been following this teaching and we collaborate with each other. We are still developing and therefore there is no consideration of an end or limitation, because samsara continues infinitely. So we must continue to transmit the understanding and knowledge of this teaching. This is the responsibility of all of us … In the future there will be qualified people who can teach, help and continue the transmission which they have received in the correct way. This is a way of producing qualified people … Even if you do not participate in Santi Maha Sangha, you need to understand its value. I am really working hard for it. I am living for this […]. ”

Since Chögyal Namkhai Norbu’s passing in 2018, the SMS program has continued thanks to the dedication and commitment of those practitioners who had already completed the first three levels. They have continued to meet for collective study and practice under the guidance of the SMS teachers authorized by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu.

Currently, there is no opportunity to take SMS exams at any level. However, interested practitioners may deepen their knowledge of the complete teachings of Garab Dorje, the first teacher to reintroduce the Dzogchen teachings into our dimension in our time including the series of Semde, Longde, and Upadesha, and the essential theory and practice of Sutra, Tantra, and Dzogchen. Such an endeavor leads to greater understanding, clarity, and wisdom.

Practitioners interested in studying the SMS Base Level can contact their Gar or Ling for information on upcoming SMS courses and retreats. Prerequisites for participation are transmission from Chögyal Namkhai Norbu or Namkhai Yeshi, membership in the International Dzogchen Community (IDC), and a willingness to support the IDC through Karma Yoga.

Any suitable activity offered for the benefit of the Dzogchen Community is considered Karma Yoga, provided it is done upon request or in consultation with the Gakyils of the IDC and related associations (Shang Shung Institutes, Shang Shung Publications, and A.S.I.A.).

For SMS Base Level Practices and SMS teachers please visit http://dzogchencommunity.org/santi-maha-sangha/ and List SMS teachers June 2026.

A Gakyil which invites an SMS teacher to hold a course must cover their travel, food, and lodging expenses, but is not obliged to give a remuneration because the SMS teaching activity is a service for the Community. However, the Gakyil can decide to give the teacher an offering or gift congruent with the circumstances of that branch of the Community.

Teacher Training

The Teacher Training (TT) courses on Vajra Dance (VD), Yantra Yoga (YY), and Khaita are organized by the International Advisory Teachers (IAT) and the Authorised Teachers (AT) for VD, YY, and Khaita in collaboration with the Gakyil of the Gar where the TT course is held.

Teacher Training courses for Yantra Yoga 2026:

• Yantra Yoga First Level Teacher Training from March 30th to April 8th 2026, with Maxim Leshchenko and Jan Dolensky in Dzamling Gar;
• Yantra Yoga First Level Teacher Training from July 13th to July 22nd 2026, with Oni McKinstry in Kunsangar North;
• Yantra Yoga Second Level Teacher Training from July 24th to August 1st 2026, with Oni McKinstry in Kunsangar North;

Teacher Training courses for Vajra Dance 2026:

• Vajra Dance First Level Teacher Training from June 4th to June 10th 2026, with Adriana Dal Borgo and Prima Mai in Merigar West.

Teacher lists:

• Vajra Dance — VD teachers 2025
• Yantra Yoga — YY teachers 2025
• Khaita — Khaita teachers 2025

The General Guidelines for Vajra Dance (VD) and Yantra Yoga (YY) Courses, the Guidelines for Restricted Courses on VD and YY, the Guidelines for Public Courses on VD and YY, and the Guidelines for Khaita Courses were updated 2026 by the International Gakyil (IG) in collaboration with the respective International Teachers, as well as with the International Atyoga Foundation and are available on the IG website at https://dzogchencommunity.org/documents/

OVERSEES THE ASSOCIATION’S PUBLICATION ACTIVITIES

The Mirror

The Mirror is the news outlet of the International Dzogchen Community founded by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, an eminent scholar of Tibetan culture and a renowned Dzogchen master.

It has been one of the primary means of communication within IDC since March 1990. Since then, it has functioned as an important tool of information among community members around the globe. Over the years, it has also, and perhaps more importantly, become an invaluable archive of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu’s teachings, travels, and numerous projects worldwide, as well as of the activities of the Gars, Lings, associations and foundations part of Rinpoche’s vision.

From its early beginnings as a newspaper, The Mirror has become a full-color magazine published quarterly as a downloadable PDF, free for everyone and a small print run. The Mirror has also given its name to a website established in 2014 publishing daily news and reports from the Dzogchen Community around the world as well as Rinpoche’s teachings, interviews, reviews and much more.

This website has been replaced in December 2025 by a new one — melong.online. The new website is multilingual as well, with links to the Italian, Russian, and Spanish versions in the top bar. A Spanish version is in the works.

Every single issue of The Mirror magazine and newspaper, starting with the first newspaper issue in 1991, can be consulted and downloaded at the MAGAZINE icon on the right. The latest issue can always be found top right, under the SEARCH.

The website offers an ADVANCED SEARCH for online articles. For using the SEARCH feature in the old newspaper issues, one should click on the MAGAZINE section and then use the SEARCH.

The HOMEPAGE is organized in sections: TEACHINGS, FEATURES, COMMUNITY NEWS, NETWORK (Community organizations), PRACTICE. For the most recent posts, please scroll down to the bottom of the page where they are listed chronologically.

As part of a non-profit organization, The Mirror cannot be sold or carry advertising and is entirely dependent on support from our readers in order to continue. Please consider making a donation.

OVERSEES COMMUNICATION ACTIVITIES

Webcast

The first webcast was held on December 29th, 2000, from Namgyalgar South at the request of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu. With one hundred thirty connections from all over the world, it was one of the first uses of livestreaming for the purpose of transmitting dharma teaching and coming together to practice.

Since then, streaming of teachings, practices, book launches, and other events with Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, Namkhai Yeshi, and other teachers and practitioners, related to all the facets of the International Dzogchen Community (IDC), have become a mainstay for the IDC and one of the main pillars for creating and maintaining community, preserving and transmitting the teachings and the Tibetan cultural heritage.

Today, the Webcast platform provides video and audio recordings from the teachings of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu and Namkhai Yeshi. It hosts live events, replays of teachings, explanations of practices, and teaching material.

To facilitate searching in the resource area, where valuable practice texts as well as audio and video recordings of Rinpoche’s teachings are listed, stored and made accessible, the material was updated in 2025, alphabetized and a search function was added. Some materials are restricted to members of the IDC.

Webcasts are made possible by a dedicated team of volunteers and by the support of membership.

You can renew your membership by visiting https://dzogchen.net/. Alternatively, you can contact the Gakyil and/or the Membership Coordinator of your local Gar or Ling directly for assistance or the International Membership Coordinator at intl.membershipcoordinator@dzogchen.net.

If you wish to learn more and to support us please visit https://webcastportal.dzogchen.net/give-us-a-hand/

By renewing and maintaining our membership and by donating to the webcast, we contribute to the preservation, continuation and spread of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu’s and Namkhai Yeshi’s precious teachings for the benefit of all sentient beings.

Thank you very much for your participation!

Zoom

Zoom and webcast streaming are complementary tools that allow participants to stay in touch and practice together.

The use of Zoom in the IDC began in 2020, during the Corona pandemic. Due to its interactive features, Zoom has become an important communication tool for online retreats and courses.

The International Gakyil supports Gars who organize retreats with Namkhai Yeshi by providing them with Zoom access when needed.

IG Website — www.dzogchencommunity.org

The website of the International Dzogchen Community Gakyil was launched in July, 2013.

It is a blog and posts progress reports on the activities and the development of the Community as an International Organisation — as important steps unfold.

It contains sections for each IG color area with specific updates. Legal documents can be found under Documents.

Our legal language for public announcements is English — please note that we cannot take legal responsibility for what is communicated in translated versions.

IDC Website — www.dzogchen.net

It is a work in progress.

IDC Facebook site

A Facebook page for our members for receiving updates and information about IDC has been created in May 2020.

Please join us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2650473678497403

3. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs) RELATED TO THE IG BLUE SECTION

Are there guidelines regarding whom can be invited to teach at a Dzogchen Community-organised event?

The Dzogchen Community organizes courses and retreats meant to support the teaching activities of Namkhai Yeshi and of authorized instructors of Santi Maha Sangha, Yantra Yoga, Vajra Dance, and Khaita belonging to the International Dzogchen Community. There are no other specific guidelines.

How can I get Transmission or Direct Introduction?

You can receive the Transmission or Direct Introduction to the knowledge of Dzogchen by attending in-person or online Dzogchen teaching retreats with Namkhai Yeshi.

How can I participate in online courses and practices?

After registering for a course, you can join the course via webcast or through various channels (Zoom, Google Meet). Online practices are streamed via webcast in Practicing Together Open and Practicing Together Closed. To participate in Practicing Together Closed, you must be a member of the IDC and have transmission from Chögyal Namkhai Norbu or Namkhai Yeshi. You can find updated information about upcoming events at https://melong.online/calendar/

Are there some SMS exams and instructors’ exams planned in the future?

Currently, there is no opportunity to take SMS exams. The teaching activities of the authorised SMS teachers continue and you can consult the Melong calendar for more information.

Can I become an Instructor within IDC? If so, how?

Yes, you can become a Vajra Dance, Yantra Yoga, Khaita teacher by participating in teacher training and supervision courses. Currently, there is no opportunity to take SMS exams.

Closed courses and retreats

The one requirement necessary to participate in closed courses and retreats is to have received transmission from Chögyal Namkhai Norbu or Namkhai Yeshi. Organizers of this kind of event are responsible for announcing in advance the requirements for registration or attendance of the specific courses and to check whether said requirements are met. Similarly, participants are responsible for their eligibility to attend the specific event or retreat. If one is unsure, one should contact the teacher leading the retreat, as they have the ultimate decision power.

What kind of events can be organized at Ling or Gar of IDC?

Gars and Lings can organize public and restricted courses and retreats on meditation, Vajra Dance, Yantra Yoga, Khaita, Tibetan Medicine, Tibetan Language, and so on. The local Gakyils are responsible for deciding the program of their Ling or Gar in accord with the purpose of IDC and their actual needs.

Participating on different events of IDC connected with practice (collective practices, courses, workshops and retreats)

In the Dzogchen Community, the Gakyils of Gars and Lings organize different events connected with practice such as collective practices, courses, workshops, and retreats.

The requirement to participate in closed courses and retreats is to have transmission from Chögyal Namkhai Norbu or Namkhai Yeshi and to be IDC members (see above Closed courses and retreats).

Some events may have more specific requirements and prerequisites, such as having attended and successfully completed previous courses; having received specific initiations, etc. The organizer is responsible to announce in advance the requirements for registration or attendance of the specific event and to check the requirements are met. Similarly, participants are responsible for checking whether they are eligible to attend the event in question. If one is unsure about one’s eligibility, one should contact the teacher who is leading the retreat.

Public events of the IDC connected with practice (collective practices, courses, workshops and retreats) can be attended by anyone interested.