Blue Gakyil

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.

Main Responsibilities

. Deals with cultural and educational activities.
Promoting such activities in collaboration with Gars, Lings, Shang Shung Publications, the International Atiyoga Foundation and other institutions of the International Dzogchen Community. 

. 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: ”… 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 Dzogchen Teaching. 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. Karma Yoga is considered any suitable activity offered for the benefit of the Dzogchen Community, 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 more details about SMS and SMS Base Level Practices please visit http://dzogchencommunity.org/santi-maha-sangha/  

List of SMS teachers – June 2026

SMS Teacher levels

Base Level: The study and practice of the Base Level are based on the book The Precious Vase by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, which compiles original Dzogchen texts. It conveys a profound understanding of one’s own state as well as the fundamentals of Sutra, Tantra, and the Dzogchen view, meditation and attitude. The teachers for the SMS Base can teach based on the content of this book.

First Level: The study and practice of the First Level are based on the book The Ati Treasury of Contemplation by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu. It conveys the understanding of the view in one’s condition, the integration of meditation in one’s state and the achieving of an authentic behaviour. The teachers for the SMS First Level can teach based on the content of this book.

Second Level: The study and practice of the Second Level are based on the book The Treasure of Primordial Bodhichitta by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu. It conveys how to comprehend the view within oneself, how to integrate meditation in one’s state (the four contemplations), and how to harmonize behaviour with circumstances. The teachers for the SMS Second Level can teach based on the content of this book.

Teacher Training

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

News about courses, supervisions, teacher training, the Khaita education program, and updates on the new graduates of the VD, YY, and Khaita teacher training programs are regularly published on News from the IG under ’Important Updates’.

Graduation levels and what can be taught at each level

Vajra Dance

First Level: The teachers for the VD First Level can teach the “Dance of the Three Vajras”, the Dance of the Vajra that Benefits Beings, and the Vajra Dance of the Dimension of Space (12A’s)”.

Second Level: The teachers for the VD Second Level can teach the First Level Dances and the Dance of the Song of the Vajra.

For the complete list of Vajra Dance teachers and more details please visit https://vajradance.net/teachers-vajra-dance/

YantraYoga

1st Level: The 1st level YY teachers are authorized to teach only in their country of residence and should ask for a specific authorization from the Teachers to teach in other countries. They can teach:

– basic courses: Module 1: loosening exercises, the 9 breathings for the elimination of stale air, the two preliminary series of Tsigjong and Lungsang and Vajra Wave; Module 2: Module 1 plus the Tsadul (with relevant pranayama) and the first series of Yantras; Module 3: Modules 1 and 2 plus rhythmic breathing (without Kumbhaka for the General Public).

– advanced courses (only if they have received a specific authorization from the main Teachers), which include the addition of: Module 4: the third series of Yantras without the bebs; Module 5: the fourth series of Yantras without the bebs; Module 6: the fifth series of Yantras.

2nd Level: The 2nd level teachers are authorized to teach wherever they are invited to give courses: basic courses (Modules 1-2-3), advanced courses (Modules 1-2-3 in general public courses and Modules 4-5-6 in courses for practitioners) and other courses (only if they attended the appropriate Trainings and obtained relevant authorizations)

3rd Level: The 3rd level teachers are authorized to teach wherever they are invited to give courses including Teacher Training courses: basic courses (Modules 1-2-3) advanced courses (Modules 4-5-6 in general public courses and Modules 4-5-6-7 in courses for practitioners) 

2nd and 3rd level instructors are also authorized to give courses on Kumbhaka and 7th of the Seven Lojongs after having attended relevant courses and received specific authorization.

For the complete list of Yantra Yoga teachers and more details please visit: https://www.atiyogafoundation.org/en/teachers-yy-en

Khaita

Competences: Teaching 50 of the most popular dances, Rehearsing a dance to perform together, Presenting Khaita as a coherent whole, Knowing the evolution and view of Khaita as well as the language of dance and of Khaita in particular. 

For the complete list of Khaita teachers and more details please visit https://www.khaita.org/khaita-dance-school/   book.

Guidelines for Vajra Dance (VD), Yantra Yoga (YY) and Khaita courses

The General Guidelines for VD and YY Yoga 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 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. Over the years, it has also 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.

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.

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

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. 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 IDC members has been created in May 2020. You can join us at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2650473678497403 versions.

Communication with IDC members, Gakyils and other communities  

The Blue IG communicates with the IDC members via the Membership Management System, informing and updating them on various topics related to teachings, webcasts, The Mirror, and others. 

The entire IG meets online at least once or twice a year with the Gakyils of Gars and Lings in the spirit of genuine cooperation and mutual support on any issues related to each color and communicates with Shang Shung Publications, International Atiyoga Foundation, A.S.I.A. and other entities on activities and topics of common interest.