FAQs

Yes, these are the guidelines: Dzogchen Community organizes Teachings by Rinpoche, and courses by authorized instructors of Santi Maha Sangha, Yantra Yoga, Vajra Dance, and Khaita, and that is all.

Everybody with the intention to receive the direct introduction in the future is welcome to become a member of IDC, at first as a Welcome Card Holder for 3 years. After being a Welcome Card holder for three consecutive years a person then becomes a Full member upon confirming membership for the following year.

After Chogyal Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche passed away in 2018, his son Yeshi Namkhai decided to give a Direct Introduction in April 2020 in Merigar West for new people who are interested in the Dzogchen teaching, but due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the event was postponed for an undefined period.

You can follow the Webcast page or connect via various channels (Zoom, Google Meet). The Webcast schedule of practices is available on Norbunet, VOICE (Russian mailing list), and on the Sangha app which is updated daily. 

To subscribe to NORBUNET send a blank email from your account to norbunet+subscribe@googlegroups.com

Alternatively, if you have a Google account, go to http://groups.google.com/group/norbunet and click on the Apply for membership link.

To subscribe to VOICE send a blank email from your account to
https://groups.google.com/g/dzogchen-russian

No, there are no SMS exams at this moment planned.

No, there is no possibility to become an instructor in IDC at this moment since no exams are planned.

The Atiyoga Foundation is a cultural foundation that was created according to the wish of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu to support the evolution of the individual through the different cultural forms or areas of the mind that Rinpoche developed during his life to make available “favorable conditions for bringing out the potentiality of the human being” (Article 5 of the Statute of Atiyoga Foundation).

The International Atiyoga Foundation is the face of the Dzogchen Community to the world.
The Dzogchen Community is a vast community of human beings who are the students of the Dzogchen Teaching transmitted by Choegyal Namkhai Norbu and not a legal entity. But we are in the contemporary world and there is also a need for legal entities. The Foundation provides a space in the world for the Dzogchen Community to exist and to continue into the future.

The Foundation is a tool for the Dzogchen Community. Just as for example the Association called International Dzogchen Community is a tool. Both are legal bodies representing differently and for specific purposes a vast community of human beings who are the students of the Dzogchen Teaching transmitted by Choegyal Namkhai Norbu.

You can find the history of Atiyoga Foundation creation here – http://atiyogafoundation.org/atif-timeline/

After the Rinpoche passed away there is nobody at the moment in the position of Spiritual Master of IDC Leader. The IDC Gakyil is responsible for carrying out daily administrative matters of the IDC.

The organizer has to check the legal requirement in the specific country where the event or retreat takes place. There could still be one possible use for the term ‘guest membership’. In Asian countries, the Public Liability Insurance can be much cheaper for events which are “members only”. So it is conceivable that there may be no charge, we could offer ‘guest membership’ valid only for the event itself to meet legal requirements. Such membership would last only for the duration of the event.

In the Dzogchen Community, Gakyils organize open events, then events for those who have received or are going to receive the Transmission or for those who pass specific requirements.  Regarding the closed courses and retreats the organizer is responsible to announce in advance the requirements for registration or attendance of the specific courses and in some cases to check the requirements were fulfilled. In the same way the people who attend are responsible for themselves to check whether they are eligible to attend the specific event or retreat.

Local Gakyil is responsible to decide for the program of the local Ling or Gar. Basically they are responsible to keep the basic strategy according to the purpose of IDC and their actual needs.

All IG members are volunteers and committed to work at least for 3 years. The IG is usually composed of 9 people, 3 for each color as Blue, Red, Yellow. Blue is responsible for communication and teaching, Red for infrastructure, and Yellow for administration and finances. The IG employs a Secretary which is a paid position. The IG has no physical office and the meetings are held weekly online. The legal seat is connected to the registration of IDC in Italy in Arcidosso. The AGM of IDC is usually held once a year in Dzamling Gar in Spain. Anybody who is a member of IDC for a minimum of 3 years, has at least 18 years old, and has required skills can apply for IG.

The International Coordination Committee is the assembly, which represents the main forum for coordination and dialog between associations, cooperatives, institutions, and groups belonging to, or associated with the International Dzogchen Community.

The role of the International Coordination Committee is to facilitate the international coordination and synergies between the entities above. It acts as an advisory board on issues pertaining to the Association and its activities. Right now it is composed of the members of the International Gakyil; two representatives from each Gar Gakyil, appointed by the Gar Gakyil among its members; one representative for each Ling; one representative of the NGO A.S.I.A and one representative of ATIF.

Ownership of land and buildings and other assets of the local organizations are local except the ownership of Dzamling Gar that is global and is owned by different Gars of IDC and IDC.

Membership helps to financially support your local Ling (if present) and Gar plus IDC. 15% of the membership goes to IDC activities and projects. The remaining part is divided between each Gar and its Lings according to different percentages area by area.

Depends on the registration type of the local Ling or Gar and on local legislation. Please check with the local Gakyil and your accountant.

The benefits of becoming the member of IDC are following: Access to the closed part of Webcast, discounts in retreats, courses, and workshops, possibility to join the organization structure of IDC, access to digital issues of the Mirror, possibility to attend events for only members of IDC, usage of the accommodation in Dzamling Gar, etc.

As a new member, you can register via website www.dzogchen.net/register or contact the nearest Ling or Gar Gakyil. The payment can be online or in cash to local Ling or Gar.

According to the IDC Statute, the International Dzogchen Community is an international non-for profit organization that brings together people who are committed to study and practice the Dzogchen Ati Teaching under the guidance of a master possessing authentic knowledge of the state of Dzogchen.  It is non-political and non-sectarian.

The International Dzogchen Community is composed as follows:

•  The International Dzogchen Community Association
•  The main seats of the International Dzogchen Community in a specific geographical area, referred to as “Gars”
•  The local seats/centers within a single country, referred to as “Lings”
•  The associations, foundations, study centers, universities, cooperatives, companies and/or any other institution founded, cofounded, promoted by and/or affiliated with the International Dzogchen Community.

According to the IDC Statute, the mission of the Association is to support the transmission of the Dzogchen Teaching, as transmitted within Chögyal Namkhai Norbu’s lineage and to safeguard its authenticity. The basic purpose of the Association is to support the evolution of individuals through respect of everyone’s dignity and individual dimension, refraining at the same time from any proselytism and sectarianism. E-mail idc.ig.secretariat@gmail.com for more information.

•  The Spiritual Master of the Dzogchen Community, also referred to as the “President”
•  The “International Sangha Assembly”, also referred as the “Assembly”
•  The International Board of Directors, customarily known as the “International Gakyil”

The International Coordination Committee includes members from all Gars and plays an advisory role.

Where can I find copies of the IDC Statute and related documents?

Please follow the links posted on the IDC’s website at: http://dzogchencommunity.org. For questions related to specific terms, issues or language use in the Statute, please e-mail red@dzogchen.net

The IDC operates on an operating cost break-even basis using funds and in-kind donations generated through fundraising, gifts and a share of global membership fees. For more information, e-mail yellow@dzogchen.net

How do I contact the IDC’s administrative office?

•  Postal address:

International Dzogchen Community

Loc. Merigar, 58031, Arcidosso (GR)

Italy

•  e-mail: idc.ig.secretariat@gmail.com

The International Gakyil is the highest governing body of the International Association. It has the responsibility to support the President in ensuring that the work and the organizational system of the Dzogchen Community are efficiently implemented in accordance with the understanding of the Dzogchen Teaching. Specific questions should be e-mailed to blue@dzogchen.net

A minimum of three members and a maximum of nine are proposed by the President and ratified by the International Sangha Assembly.  The requirements for membership are significant and demanding and should be considered carefully before expressing interest. E-mail idc.ig.secretariat@gmail.com for more information.

IG members initially serve a three-year term and are each individually re-electable for a second, contiguous, three-year term for a maximum of six contiguous years in office.

The IG nominates from amongst its members a Vice-President who assumes the legal representation of the Association.  The role represents the Association before third parties and in the court for any deliberation on ordinary and extraordinary administration resolved by the International Gakyil and has all relevant powers of signature. The Vice-president coordinates the work of the IG. E-mail idc.ig.secretariat@gmail.com for more information.

Please read the Welcome Card overview letter: http://dzogchencommunity.org/the-welcome-card-open-message-to-gakyils-of-gars-and-lings or e-mail blue@dzogchen.net

Please read the Welcome Card overview letter: http://dzogchencommunity.org/the-welcome-card-open-message-to-gakyils-of-gars-and-lings or e-mail blue@dzogchen.net

Due to the complexity of the legal environments in the various countries in which we operate, there are no shortcuts or methods that are easier than others.  Rather, there is a defined process managed by the IDC Vice President which has proved successful in achieving alignment by managing through the complexity. E-mail idc.ig.secretariat@gmail.com for more information.

The prerequisites for being Aligned are that a Gar or Ling has modified its statute in order to comply with the requirements of the IDC Statute and has signed the Protocol for the Affiliation of Gar/Ling and agreed to operate according to the Affiliation Agreements (one for use of Trademark & Logo, one for Membership Agreement). This may mean that their legal incorporation documents will need be revised to be compatible with both local laws and the terms of the IDC Statute (and related documents). Gar and Ling Statute Templates can be found here http://dzogchencommunity.org/documents/

E-mail idc.ig.secretariat@gmail.com for more information.

• Webcast: webcast@dzogchen.net

Through our mailing system connected to IDC Membership Database, Norbunet, Mirror (Melong.com), Facebook group, and of course this website. Since the most important communication is in person we are happy to meet and talk with everyone whenever the possibility arises.

If someone joins the IDC directly, they will automatically become a member of their nearest Gar (and also Ling if there is one nearer than the Gar)- you cannot be a member of IDC with out being connected with a Gar and/or Ling.

The membership fee is collected by the Gakyil of local Ling or Gar. The Gar is than sending 15% of the membership fee to the IDC.

In the Dzogchen Community, the Gar’s and Ling’s Gakyils organize different events connected with practice such as collective practices, courses, workshops, and retreats.

1. Generally, for most such events the participants are required to receive the Transmission and lungs or have serious intention to receive the Transmission and lungs in the future. Each participant is responsible for him/her self to be aware of this condition.
2. For some events, there are required more specific requirements (passed previous courses, initiations, etc.) that have to be met in order the participant can attend it. The organizer is responsible to announce in advance the requirements for registration or attendance of the specific event and in some cases to check the requirements were fulfilled. In the same way, the people who attend are responsible for themselves to check whether they are eligible to attend the specific event or retreat.

A: You can access them on www.dzogchen.net and update yourself as needed – otherwise they are available to your local membership coordinator and the IDC membership coordinator. Our data processing policies are in compliance with GDPR regulations.