Transition of services from SSI to the IDC

As part of the reorganisation of the Dzogchen Community and of Shang Shung Institute, it has been the intention to pass over responsibility for services relating to the IDC so that Shang Shung Institute is free to focus on its core purpose of working for the continuation of Tibetan Culture in all its aspects.

The transition of responsibility for some key services is being brought forward to Jan 1^st 2014.

From that time, the Gakyil of the International Dzogchen Community will take on responsibility for

• the Mirror
• the Webcast
• and the coordination of SMS exams and trainings, for Instructors as well as for other students.

Contributions from the Gars for these services, which have previously been paid to SSI, will now need to be paid to the IDC account – further details will be sent to the Gakyils of Gars and Lings.

The Mirror:

A committee has been set up under the Blue International Gakyil umbrella.

It was hoped that it might be possible to continue publication in the usual format, at least through this transition period. However it has become clear that the paper publication of the Mirror is not financially sustainable at the moment, and Rinpoche has approved a provisional move to online only.

The committee has passed on its criteria for a blog style publication to the IG Red Management Services Committee to investigate solutions. This would retain all essential features, should have possibility to print some or all for personal use, and with multi language options. There would still be costs and these would need to be met by the Gars as before ; but the online publication would be open and free to all. An open letter from the Mirror follows

The Webcast:

 No change is currently planned in the existing system, except perhaps to change the branding on the webpage from SSI to IDC.

IDC will need to take over login and password support and this will be announced as it happens.

Santi Maha Sangha:

 Details will be announced as they become available.