Tārāmitra wrote:So I am contemplating the possibility of turning to Namkhai Norbu in order to enter the Dzogchen path. Is there anyone here who know him personally and is able to testify as to his pure, selfless, and compassionate conduct? I have never come across any critique of Rinpoche’s conduct (nor have I actively searched for it), but I have heard enough about other prominent Vajrayāna masters so as to be very careful to closely scrutinise a prospective master before becoming his student, a caution which is advised by various Tantric sources. I don't think it is to be taken lightly. This may not be the way to gain certitude in this regard, as the testimony of disciples is not always the most reliable source, and by the end of the day I'll have to rely upon my own intuition supported by observations, but I’ll start by throwing this out there and see what I can learn from it. So is Rinpoche’s conduct consistently and in easily recognizable essence and appearance in conformity to basic Buddhist Sila, or does he engage much in the profoundly paradoxical “grey zone” of the sort of “crazy wisdom” behaviour that may or may not be actual wisdom and often turns out not to have been demonstrably skilful, as in the case of good ol’ Trungpa Rinpoche (whose insights I still greatly appreciate)? What is Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche’s position?
Respectful greetings to all of you. I hope this inquiry is not inappropriate.
i'm very sceptical and see a Dharma teachers with drastic criteria and "jeweller's eyeglass", and in this way i never heard or seein of any misbehaviour on ChNN's conduct nor any filtration in his system of teaching.
Now, you must understand that he is a Rigdzin, a Dzogchen master just like Guru Padmasambhava, and that you cannot learn dzogchen in an intelectual way; here vajrayana practices are a "mean-to" but not an end; and that here are no rules nor "dzogchen monks".
The only samaya is live normal life in contemplation.
Also you must know that Direct Introduction is not an initiation, but a precious help intended for you to have a very precise insight.
this is how i see it, after years of practice and experience.
there is nothing inappropriate in your inquiry by the way.
Best regards.